Restaurateurs of the Year - Phil Barnett & Michael Hamlin of Hartford Restaurant Group

Restaurateurs of the Year presented by The Hartford

Hartford Restaurant Group Wood N Tap | Que Whiskey Kitchen If the saying “When you hand good people possibility, they do great things” is true, than it is no wonder that Hartford Restaurant Group co- founders and CEOs Phil Barnett and Mike Hamlin are being honored as the 2022 “Restaurateurs of the Year.”

While the two, when telling their own story, may seem like a couple of guys who were merely lucky, make no mistake about it. The motivated pair of accomplished businessmen were not only ahead of the curve in terms of dining trends when they opened their first Wood-nTap in Hartford 20 years ago, but have gone above and beyond the industry standard ever since.

Their business brainstorm was simple back then. Something nicer than the fast food craze without being “white tablecloth” stuffy. The result, an upscale casual dining aesthetic that combines a “laid back” dining vibe with great food, a pleasant décor, good energy and a mood that invites “dining” not just “eating.” Their combined business acumen, blending restaurant, marketing and real estate savvy, has led to enviable success.

Today there are nine Wood-n-Tap restaurants in Connecticut: Southington, Newington, Rocky Hill, Wallingford, Farmington, Hamden, Vernon, Hartford and Enfield, with the tenth and first out-of-state location scheduled to open soon in West Springfield, MA. Their company also owns the four-year-old Que Whiskey Kitchen, in Southington, one of the first barbecue and whiskey specialty restaurants in the area.

Dedicated to their communities, the two have made sure that Hartford Restaurant Group helps when help is needed. Connecticut FoodShare in Bloomfield , Open Hearth in Hartford, the Jordon Porco Foundation in Wethersfield, Lea’s Foundation in Hartford and many other non-profits and school districts have all received donations and support from their Hartford Restaurant Group.

The two restaurateurs are also well-known for their involvement in the Connecticut Restaurant Association and unwavering support of the industry throughout the state.

Phil, a graduate of Central Connecticut State University and his wife, Melanie, have four children, Owen, Olivia, Tate and Jillian, plus two family dogs. Mike and his wife Allison, have a daughter Taylor, a son, Connor, and three family dogs.