The restaurant scene in Hartford has improved substantially. There are still places like Hot Tomatoes that are business-lunch places, and probably not worth your trouble for dinner.

But down the street at the corner of Ann and Allyn is a nice French place called Pastis.

Downtown Hartford is still in the early stages of gentrification and can still give off a Soho-in-the-70s feel, so West Hartford or one of the country inns might be more appropriate for this special event.