West Side Tavern Renovates, Celebrates Two Years
By Robin Vinci | Editor at March 31, 2024 | 6:00 pm | Print
The new owners of West Side Tavern, 596 West Main St., celebrated their two year anniversary this past March. Since it opened, it has gone through a few changes.
“It’s amazing the way it has grown,” said Isaac Silva, owner. “Before, we had a lot of people that said we were going in the wrong direction. We were trying to imitate something that New Britain did not need. Because this location was always a bar, they did not want to see it change.”
But the West Side Tavern is more than a bar. It has become a restaurant destination.
“We felt that New Britain deserves a nice place to go with your family and have good food to eat. We still have the drinks. But, we are more focused for families and not the party crowd,” said Silva. “New Britain can have more than just a bar.”
The bar has been shortened and now the tavern has 10 tables inside and 10 tables outside holding at least 35 people.
“The good thing is we not only have people from New Britain. Now, they come from every place,” said Silva. “It’s because we are serving what they want. Good food that is fresh.”
It is known as a Brazilian restaurant, but Silva say it is really a mixture of American food.
The menu has such items as Brazilian Chicken Croquets “Cozinha”, Irish Nachos, Paella ala Casa, Burgers, Brazilian Steak, Black Bean Stew, Brazilian Grilled Pork Chop and much more.
“We have a mixture. You cannot always do one thing. You have to at least try two,” said Silva. “We have lot of fresh fish.”
Everyday there is a catch of the day item. Each day there is another special as well. On Fridays they feature Prime Rib. It has become a restaurant favorite. Short ribs and the paella are Silva’s signature dish.
People can still come and enjoy the bar area if they want drinks, but it is not like the old tavern.
It has become a place patrons look forward to returning to.
“The food is consistently good, and if I don’t already know at least half the people there, I know I will soon - it’s that kind of friendly place,” said New Britain resident Catherine Cheney.
“It helps that you love what you do,” said Peter Zalemanis, West Side Manager.
“We have a lot of fundraising and we do catering. We have been blessed with this business,” said Silva. “Our goal is to bring back to the community.”
One of the major events for West Side takes place around Thanksgiving when people can come and bring turkeys and more to donate to the needy.
“We are open for everybody. We are here to bring the best of the best of New Britain,” said Silva “I want to say thank you to the community. They are the best and I could never choose a better place.”
For more information call 860-259-5727 or Email [email protected].
