If you are looking for a happening place to eat Tullis Taphouse & Craft Kitchen is the place to go! Chatter and laughter can be heard as you enter the front door. The casual atmosphere brings friends and family together for a bite, a beer and a good time.

When Laura and Mario Tullis, owners of Tullis Family Pizza in Taftville heard the restaurant at River Ridge Golf Course was available they thought, “Why not bring a Tap House to Griswold? Where do you go to eat around the area that’s not a New England pizza style restaurant? Let’s do it!”

The community has been very welcoming and supportive while they patiently waited for it to all come together. After renovations were complete and new furniture was purchased (I really like the chairs) Tullis Taphouse opened in April of this year. The Tullis work with area businesses and farmers to serve and offer local products that truly reflects the community. Everything is local and homemade right down to the mayonnaise!

The Taphouse offers 12 local beers on tap at all times and has an “On Deck” list to let you know what’s next in line to be tapped! (I’ll be back soon for Epicure’s Bearded Baby American Pale Ale!)  And for the wine lovers…I was pleased with the selection offered (especially the Josh Rose.)

Chef Calvin Silva, previously from Geno Auriemna’s, is a master of creativity. He plans to change the menu periodically to offer dishes using seasonal ingredients. With so many choices on the menu we found it difficult to narrow it down so we opted to get two and share.

We had already agreed that since it was late we were not going to order an appetizer. Well that plan went right out the window after bumping into a friend that raved about the calamari. It doesn’t take much to twist my arm.

“We’ll have a Calamari Tower please!” It was just the right size for a starter. The calamari was piled over a scoop of Asian slaw and drizzled with sweet chili sauce and Wasabi Aioli. The sweet and spicy combination was so tasty that we mixed the extra sauce into the Asian slaw! Yup! We cleaned that plate! Thanks for the tip Michelle!

The Meatball Adult Grilled Cheese has been the talk of the town and I needed to experience it firsthand. Laura makes the meatballs herself, stuffs them with roasted garlic then Chef Calvin smashes them on the grill, tops them with roasted peppers, provolone and Parmesan then makes a grilled cheese. Yes, it was as good as it sounds!

I love a good Demi glaze so when I saw the French Dip Burger with caramelized onion, shallots and leeks, Demi glaze and melted Swiss on grilled rye I knew that was going to be sandwich #2! The burger, which I later learned from Laura was made with short rib, brisket and chuck, was so tender and cooked to perfection. The extra bowl for dipping..,OMG! It was so rich and savory! Being a beef lover I’m very excited to have a good burger in town! Oh and don’t ask me what the brown lines on the onion rings are because I have no idea but I will tell you that the beer battered onion rings were so yummy!

I was quite impressed at how hard the family works. The boys hold down the fort at the pizza restaurant while mom and dad focus on making the taphouse a success. Mario makes sure everything goes smoothly in the back and Laura makes sure the customers are happy and have everything they need. It truly is a family run business.

The Tullis plan to have outdoor seating available this summer and possibly acoustic music, as well. Of course I already offered up some suggestions. (wink)

I think I speak for many Griswold residents when I say that we’re thrilled to have The Tullis in town and excited for the dining option they provide.

Tullis Taphouse is located at 259 Preston Road in Griswold and open 11 AM to 10:00 PM. Please stop in to check it out for yourself. In fact, if you’re this close to my house give me a jingle and I’ll be happy to meet you out and about at The Taphouse!

Cheers!