Connecticut

Kitchen Little at The Mystic River Marina, Mystic, CT., 11/7/22

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
building –36 Quarry Rd., Mystic, CT., 06355

Kitchen Little is at the Mystic River Marina and serves breakfast all day except Tues. when they’re closed.  They also offer lunch options but close at 1:00 pm.  It is a medium-sized indoor room, on the second level,  with windows overlooking the marina and outdoor tables wrapping around the perimeter.  They are very popular so be prepared to wait for service – there was only one server with a helper the day we visited.  Food comes quickly once your order is taken but meanwhile, the server kept our coffee cups filled and the view was fun as some boats were being moved to dry dock in anticipation of the winter months.  The back wall is blank as the kitchen is behind it but another wall had a large window looking into the marina shop below.  The paper placemats on the table had ads for local businesses as well as an overhead photo of the marina and the restaurant’s location.  The food was fine but not exceptional but the service was friendly and I’d go again for the view. Continue reading →

Via Emilia Mystic, Mystic, CT., 11/7/22

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exterior – 24 W Main St, Mystic, CT 06355

Via Emilia is an Italian restaurant on the main street of Mystic.  It has 2 stories and we got a table on the second level by the window looking out on the street. It was a nice view.  Music was in the background for the small bare wood tables set with armless chairs.  A bar is on the first level and lights are lowered.   In addition to the menu there were several daily specials orally presented to us, but when we tried to order one it turned out they were out of it.  Service was spotty and our server was a bit manic that carried over to the diner.  We got our cocktails fairly quickly but the timing of the rest of the meal was uneven.  I understand small tables but restaurants need to understand you need room to eat without fear of pushing a dish onto the floor.  That said, the food was varied in quality.  If you’re in need of an Italian fix, this would be where to go but I’d recommend seafood in this town. Continue reading →

Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock, New London, CT., 11/6/22

~ hsnixon ~ 5 Comments
exterior – 80 Hamilton Street, New London, CT., 06320

Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock started in 1996 between the AMTRAK line and Crocker’s Boatyard.  The location is a little hidden and your car map will not take you exactly there but drive around the harbor and you’ll see all the parked cars.  It’s worth the hunt.  You order at the window and pick up when called.  Eating is at outdoor picnic tables, some with cover and others not.  They are open daily until Dec. 24.  You can bring your own beer or wine and try and get there early as reputation draws a crowd.  It was a fun place to sit while we waited a short bit for our food.  Several trains passed by in the meantime. Continue reading →

Oyster Club, Mystic, CT., 11/5/22

~ hsnixon ~ 1 Comment
exterior – 13 Water Street, Mystic, CT., 06355

Oyster Club is a farm-and-sea-to-table place that opened in 2011 and the night we were there Renee Touponce was Executive Chef.  Chef has made connections with various farmers and fishermen to present these local items in creative combinations.  Originally the building was a small carriage house in downtown Mystic and was renovated to become a restaurant.  The restaurant was re-modeled during the pandemic while management moved their food service to Stone Acres Farm where they could dine at a safe distance in 200-year-old gardens.  Now the expanded place has a daily changing menu but still delivers creative and delicious food with excellent service.  They always have several types of local fresh oysters available in the main dining rooms but in the Treehouse, which is outdoors on the top of the building, a limited selection is available.  It’s a fun place with art on the walls, music in the background, lowered lighting, and bare wood tables but enough dampening in the surroundings that the noise level was very acceptable.  We sat in one of the booths that line the wall opposite the one with street windows.  I understand there is a second-floor dining area but didn’t get up there.  It was a dressier crowd but maybe they knew they had arrived at the fine dining spot in town.  Put this one on your list when you travel to Connecticut and ask for Dru to be your server. Continue reading →

Claudia’s Grinder Shop, Farmington, CT., 11/5/22

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exterior – 1035 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06032

Claudia’s Grinder Shop is a small house with five indoor tables and outdoor seating selling well-stuffed sandwiches, salads, and soups.   Opening in 1997 it’s on a reasonably busy road near other businesses.  Inside is the order counter with the menu on a chalkboard above the prep area.   They call your name when yours is ready, with everything made to order.  They had several popular sandwich combos as well as a build-your-own section.  The breads are fresh and the sandwiches are large and come cut in half.  Music was in the background and all the staff was friendly and happy to advise.  I would go often if I lived nearby and recommend you stop if you are passing through that part of Connecticut Continue reading →

The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, CT., 11/4/22

~ hsnixon ~ 1 Comment
entrance in light – 20 East Main Street, Mystic, CT., 06355

The Shipwright’s Daughter opened in 2020 in the Whaler’s Inn in the heart of Mystic.  Chef David Standridge changes the menu regularly to present highlights of the Connecticut coast.  They also offer a tasting menu with optional wine pairings, but it must be reserved in advance.  Wine Spectator magazine gave them an Award of Excellence for their wine selection and they also have a full bar.  They also were the second Connecticut restaurant to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation’s ‘Smart Catch’ program. They are open for breakfast, brunch on the weekends, and dinner.  It is a fairly large place with lowered lighting, music in the background, windows to the street, bare blond wood tables, and a large bar area.  We were there on a Friday night and were glad we had a reservation as it was very busy, which also contributed to the noise factor.  The lights are so low that many of the photos turned out grainy, so apologies in advance for that.  Service was attentive but sometimes rushed and not engaging and the food was mixed. Continue reading →

Fords Lobster/Haring’s Marine, Noank, CT., 11/4/22

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exterior – 15 Riverview Ave., Noank, CT., 06340

Fords Lobster at Haring’s Marine is in Noank, CT, next to Mystic.  The Haring family started with a gas dock/bait and tackle store in the 1950s.  Orion Ford took over the business in 1970 and added a retail lobster shack, which still runs today.  He retired in 2005 when Kris and Kerrie took over but after 5 years they realized the business couldn’t sustain itself as it was and they purchased a hot dog cart to sell lobster rolls out of.  It was so successful that they were able to re-do the interior of the dining room in 2012.  They serve locally sourced ingredients right next to the fishing docks where the catch is brought in.  There is a small interior and a number of tables on the patio outside.  Their hours vary, so check the website and they are BYOB.   Inside they had table service and you can fill your short wait for food by looking at the old photos and articles that decorate the walls.  Windows to the outside let in plenty of light and music was in the background.  Most of the lobster items were labeled MK, so that varies but the server was glad to quote prices for us.  The lobster was excellent and I would heartily recommend this place. Continue reading →