Earlier this month, we tried to decide where to have a casual dinner. We were in Madison in three separate cars; two of us would be driving north on 95. We wanted burgers, so we followed each other to Haywire. We met another couple in the parking lot, so we became six, eating outside, on a lovely Friday evening.

All of us had been to Haywire but it had been at least two (pandemic) years. We all had beef burgers—two chose the brie burgers, my favorite. We had them medium-rare, laced with crispy bacon and topped with warm brie and apricot jam. We shared fried cauliflower, sweet and regular fries, and green beans (for the health of it). One had mac and cheese, too. It had been way too long.

Haywire Burger Bar • 860-391-8479

730 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT