There’s a special kind of madness in opening a restaurant. You’re equal parts artist, engineer, gambler, and firefighter. You build something out of thin air, a dream, a menu, a crew, and then you hope it all holds once the doors open. The CRA Crazies “Restaurant Newcomer”  category celebrates the ones bold (or crazy) enough to chase that dream in real time. Every name here represents sleepless nights, maxed-out cards, and the hope that passion can become a business. This is

There’s something electric about this time of year in Connecticut—the hum of full dining rooms, the smell of bourbon and citrus, and the buzz of the CRA Crazies Awards. Love them or hate them, tonight we celebrate the names on the list. From chefs to bartenders, dishwashers to dreamers, this is our time. Read The Hospitality Club’s Crazies Series and meet the people shaping Connecticut hospitality. #CTCrazies #HospitalityClub