Arugula

Verdict: A West Hartford Neighborhood Restaurant Worth Returning To

If you have already been to Arugula once, that is probably the clearest signal to go back. At 953 Farmington Ave, it has held a steady presence in West Hartford's dining scene long enough to earn repeat-visitor loyalty — which, in a market with strong competition from Restaurant Bricco and Avert Brasserie, is not nothing. The honest answer to "should I book this?" is yes, with the caveat that your expectations should be calibrated to a well-run neighborhood restaurant rather than a destination dining experience.

What to Expect on a First (and Second) Visit

Arugula's address on Farmington Ave puts it in the middle of West Hartford's most walkable restaurant corridor — a stretch that draws a mix of date-night couples, local regulars, and small groups celebrating birthdays or anniversaries. The room tends toward a warm, settled energy: not loud enough to kill conversation, not so quiet it feels stiff. For a special occasion dinner where you need to actually hear the person across from you, that ambient register is a practical advantage over louder rooms like Barcelona Wine Bar West Hartford.

A multi-visit strategy here makes sense because the menu, by all accounts, rewards familiarity. First visit: get a read on the room, try the dishes the kitchen is known for, and gauge portion-to-price alignment. Second visit: you know what you want, you know where to sit, and the experience clicks into place. That is the arc Arugula is built for , not a single high-stakes meal, but a place you add to your regular rotation in West Hartford.

Booking and Practical Details

Booking difficulty at Arugula is easy. You are unlikely to be shut out with short notice, which makes it a reliable fallback when you need a reservation without three weeks of planning. That said, for a Friday or Saturday special occasion dinner, booking a few days ahead is still sensible , the room fills on weekends. Walk-ins may work midweek. No booking method is confirmed in our data, so check directly with the restaurant.

Price range, hours, and specific menu details are not confirmed in our current data. For up-to-date pricing and availability, contact the restaurant at 953 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107 or check their current listings. For broader context on where Arugula fits in the West Hartford dining picture, see our full West Hartford restaurants guide.

Who Should Book Arugula

Arugula makes the most sense for West Hartford locals who want a reliable dinner out without the production of a special-occasion booking at Restaurant Bricco. It also works for visitors who want something low-friction and consistent on Farmington Ave. If you are planning a celebration dinner that needs a more curated experience or a longer wine program, Avert Brasserie is worth considering alongside it. For a casual group meal with a lower per-head spend, Coracora or Luna Pizza are the practical alternatives. Arugula sits in the middle of that range , neither the most affordable nor the most destination-worthy option in West Hartford, but a dependable choice when you want a proper sit-down dinner without overcomplicating the decision.

Practical Details

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Does Arugula handle dietary restrictions? Specific dietary accommodation policies are not confirmed in our current data. Contact the restaurant directly before booking if dietary needs are a deciding factor , most neighborhood restaurants of this type in West Hartford will make reasonable adjustments with advance notice.
• Can Arugula accommodate groups? Group suitability is not confirmed in our data. Given its Farmington Ave footprint and neighborhood restaurant format, small groups of four to six are likely manageable. Larger parties should call ahead. For confirmed private dining options in West Hartford, Restaurant Bricco is a better-documented choice.
• Can I eat at the bar at Arugula? Bar seating details are not confirmed in our data. If bar dining is your preference in West Hartford, Barcelona Wine Bar West Hartford is a reliable option with a known bar program.
• How far ahead should I book Arugula? Booking difficulty is easy. A few days' notice should be sufficient for most evenings. For weekend special occasion dinners, booking earlier in the week is a reasonable precaution. You are not dealing with the multi-week lead times you would face at destination restaurants like Le Bernardin in New York City or The French Laundry in Napa.