New Canaan Travel Guide

Cortelyou Johnson was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1906. Following his graduation from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design in 1943, Johnson designed some of America’s greatest modern architectural landmarks. Most notable is his private residence, the Glass House, a 47-acre property in New Canaan, Connecticut. Other works include: the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden at The Museum of Modern Art, numerous homes, New York’s AT&T Building (now Sony Plaza), Houston’s Transco (now Williams) Tower and Pennzoil Place, the Fort Worth Water Garden, and the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. An associate of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the 1950s, Johnson worked with the modern master on the design of the Seagram Building and its famed Four Seasons Restaurant.

Before practicing architecture, Johnson was the founding Director of the Department of Architecture at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. His landmark 1932 exhibition, The International Style, introduced modern architecture to the American public. Johnson continued a relationship with MoMA throughout his life as a curator, architect, trustee, and patron. He donated more than 2,000 works of art to the Museum including works by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and Robert Rauschenberg.

Johnson was also a singular tastemaker, influencing architecture, art, and design during the second-half of the twentieth century. He referred to the Glass House site as his “fifty-year diary.”

Bistro Bonne Nuit is one of Liz's favorite places in Connecticut. The restuarant is tiny but perfect for an intimate diner for two. The reatuarant has small tables throughout with warm gold colored walls and provencal accents. The menu consists of the typical Bistro fare such as:escargot, pate, moules, Coquilles ST. Jacques, etc. The place gets packed quickly so come early if you want a table or call ahead. We usually eat here durig the week and since we like to eat relatively early we don't have a problem getting a table. The service here is very good and attentive; no need to search for your waiter for service. The food here is very good and the portions are a nice size. So when Liz wants some French food without going too far I bring her here for a nice meal.

Favorite Dish: The food here is incredible and we have never had a "bad" meal. Siome of our favorites are :
Escargots a ’la Provencal, Moules Mariniere, Soupe de l’oignon, Tellecherry & Horseradish filet mignon and the Lamb Chops. The escargot are my personal favorite for an appetizer and the lamb chops are incredibly good. The desserts here are excellent and I always have trouble deciding between the Profiteroles and the chocolate lava cake:both are incredibly good. Liz never strays and always orders her favorite; creme brulee.

The c.1873 train station is actually very nice. New Canaan is at the end of a branch of the New Haven Railroad. When you arrive from Grand Central Station in NY, you will appear to have landed in a model train set.

Favorite thing: Visit Waveny Park --- a gorgeous public park that serves as the site for several festivals each year. Mostly good for picnics, frisbee, and enjoying the temperate weather.

Fondest memory: I miss the autumns in New Canaan the most.