Every once in awhile there is a true hidden gem of a restaurant just waiting to be discovered. The locals know that the food and atmosphere are absolutely divine and the parking lot is always crowded for good reason. But people who live outside of the area might not have heard of this remote restaurant that is certainly worth making a special trip to on the western border of Connecticut.

From the minute that you step up to the entrance, you know that you are in for a special experience at The Woodland.

This remote restaurant is located in Lakeville on the western border of the Nutmeg State. It has almost a storybook quality with its abundance of natural greenery.

The interior of the restaurant is filled with soft lighting and green plants, it is the perfect setting for a great dining experience.

The Woodland dining room exudes warmth and the friendly staff make you feel right at home in this remote restaurant. The menu is extensive and there is something to suit the taste buds of every patron who dines here,.

An appetizer of Italian mozzarella made from buffalo milk, with roasted vegetables and topped with a light vinaigrette is a delicious way to start off your meal.

Other appetizers on the mouth watering menu include charred tuna sashimi, crispy pork gyoza and a spicy roasted chicken quesadilla to name a few. The chefs use locally grown and organic ingredients whenever possible.

The chicken and avocado salad is still one of the favorites after 33 years of being on the menu.

These are not your average garden salads. There is an art to creating the perfect salad and The Woodland has crafted theirs especially well.

Keep an eye on the specials like this Mexican Cemita at The Woodland, as the chefs get innovative with their flavor combinations.

The specials menu offers at least ten dishes that are not on the regular lunch and dinner menus. The chefs change these daily to reflect how they showcase seasonal ingredients.

The Woodland does creative takes on American food as well as Asian inspired dishes like Chongqing Chicken Wings done in Sichuan style with five types of hot pepper.

The remote restaurant is also very popular for its sushi as well and employs a sushi chef to make sure that it is always made completely fresh and to perfection.

Perfect for a cold winter's day, the chefs at The Woodland make some fantastic and hearty soups.

Other meals that will warm you up include the sliced hangar steak on garlic toast, lamb chops with roasted garlic Merlot sauce and sauteed filet of sole.

From atmosphere to food, The Woodland is an all around complete dining experience that will positively delight any diner.

The Woodland is located at 192 Sharon Rd., Lakeville, CT 06039. Lunch is served between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Dinner hours are 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

If you are looking for another remote restaurant off the beaten path, try this barn dining experience.