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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Mystic Restaurants A-Z


Mystic Restaurants: A-Z

 Many of Mystic’s vast collection of restaurants have been featured and reviewed nationally. The following list encompasses all of Mystic’s restaurants (if I have missed one, please let me know). I also include takeout and delivery places in case you want to picnic along the Mystic River or the Sound. Many have been reviewed by either Cindy Modzelewski, a member of the Mystic Women’s Dinner Club, or me. We are not food critics, but merely women who like to eat!*

 Ancient Mariner, 21 West Main Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355
 860-536-5200,  ancientmarinermystic.com

 Located in Historic Downtown Mystic with view of the street. Has fireplace and bar. “I found the sailing motif appealing (like oars hanging from the ceiling) while sipping a wine and nibbling a great late lunch.” Cindy
 
Angie's Pizza & Pier 27 (also delivers)

 25 Roosevelt Avenue, Mystic,  860-536-7300 ,  angiespizzapier27.com, “I love this local corner spot as it makes a mid-week stop affordable but special when you are too tired to cook. I like the generous salad with a pizza to share.” Cindy

Anthony J's Bistro,  6 Holmes Street, Downtown Mystic,  860-536-0448,  anthonyjsbistro.com , “It is a nice cozy spot as the lighting is conducive to sit close for talking while eating. I thought the salad topped with lobster was delicious.” Cindy 

Avanti's Pizza & More,  55 Williams Ave., Mystic,  860-536-2630  

Azu,  32 West Main St.,Mystic, 860-536-6336,  azuct.com, “Went with two other friends and we each got a different salad from the menu to sample each. They were each delicious so I was glad I had ‘sharing buddies.’ Seating was close but still private for our own conversation and it felt like we were at a European café with the large windows open to watch the foot traffic on the downtown sidewalk.” Cindy. Open for breakfast on the weekends. 

Bartleby’s Coffee Café,46 W. Main Street, Mystic,  860-245-0017, bartlebysmystic.com, “This small comfy corner café has the local newspaper to borrow if you are not watching the foot traffic strolling by downtown." Cindy. Serves tea in a little pot. Menu includes soups and sandwiches. Board games and Internet available.
Big Y Foods , 179 Stonington Rd, Mystic, 860-536-5813, Open 7-11 M-Sat and Sun 7-10. “I hear they have great, reasonably priced sandwiches,” Lisa 

Bleu Squid, Ode Mistick Village, Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-6343

 BleuSquid.com

“I am quite addicted to their ‘Adult Grilled Cheese’ sandwich on sourdough bread. I follow that with their enormous “Frogger,” which is a molasses cookie.” Lisa

 

Bravo Bravo & Bar Bravo Bravo, 20 East Main Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-3228

 bravobravoct.com

“Elegant, but still fine for casual wear. Tasty downtown dining with a great view of passer bys. Both my friend and I chose different salads topped with different choices and wouldn’t have changed a thing.” Cindy. “I ordered their salad and it came out looking like a dessert—and it tasted like it too.” Lisa

 

Captain Daniel Packer Inne

 32 Water Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860.536.3555

 danielpacker.com

 Built in 1758 by Captain Daniel Packer who liked to entertain his guests with tales of his adventures on the high seas. He brought travelers (and their horses and stagecoaches) from New York and Boston across Mystic River on his ferry that operated nearby. Eat in the top floor dining room if you’re in the mood for elegance or in the basement if you are in the mood for a pub. Both floors have a fireplace and offer glimpses of Mystic River through the small, period windows. "You can't order their sweet potato fries if you dine on the top floor (I'll try to get that changed)." Lisa

 

Cove  Clam Shack, Cafe & Fish Market

 20 Old Stonington Rd., Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-0061

http://www.covefish.com/

 Open year-round.

 

Domino's Pizza (take-out and delivery)

 242 Greenmanville Lane, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-8030

 dominos.com

 Chain pizza place also offers other food. Check for specials.

 

Mystic Diner,  253 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355-1962

 (860) 415-4625 (Open 7 am every day, close at 10pm, except Fri and Sat night.

The large, diverse menu includes breakfast all day. "My Eggs Benedict was delicious." Lisa

 

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

 860.572.1500

 12 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

 fiveguys.com

“I liked slowing the day’s pace by crunching on as many peanuts as I could while waiting for my Swiss cheese hamburger.” Cindy

 

Flood Tide at Inn at Mystic: 860-536-9604

 3 Williams Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 innatmystic.com

 Located on the hill at the Inn at Mystic (where Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall stayed on their honeymoon), this restaurant offers a patio with a wide, sweeping view of the Mystic River. Fireplace in the winter with large picture windows.

 

Friendly’s 247 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 (860) 536-3909

 friendlys.com

“It pays to listen to radio ads to know when promotions are happening--it made getting a black raspberry ice cream even tastier when it was free,” Cindy.

 

Green Marble Coffee House 8 Steamboat Wharf, Mystic CT 06355

 (860) 572-0012

 You’ll feel like you’re a student at this young person’s hangout. Outdoor seating in an alley off the main thoroughfare in historic downtown Mystic. Internet available.

 

Go Fish Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-2662

 gofishct.com

“The trendy décor and soft lighting was pleasing to our dinner club as we got to know each other. I enjoyed finishing my meal with a cappuccino, which always makes it feel just a tad more special than just having coffee.” Cindy.

 

Harp and Hound 4 Pearl Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860.572.7778

 harpandhound.com

 Feels like a real fisherman’s pub. Great Irish menu includes Sheppard’s pie.

 

Hilton Mystic/Mooring Restaurant

 20 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-0731

 hiltonmystic.com

“It’s nice that this quaint town also offers a big city feel when your needs require a larger setting without sacrificing intimacy. The seafood entrée was delicious,” Cindy. “I ate there for breakfast and had a great, made-to-order spinach and Swiss cheese omelet,” Lisa.

 

Jake's Hamburgers 4 Hendel Drive Mystic, CT 06355

 860-535-3333

 jakeshamburgers.com

“I will be a repeat customer here! I liked having a fast, customized B.L.T. for lunch one day and a tasty cheeseburger dinner another day. It offered a more grown up, quiet feel for fast food, which was very nice. “ Cindy.

 

John’s, 9 Cottrell St., Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-6700

“Although it’s not a restaurant, it’s more of a bar with an Irish theme, I wanted to include it because you can play pool there and I’ve had fun at their Wednesday ‘Quiz Nights,’ which they hold as fund-raisers for worthy charities.” Lisa

 

Kitchen Little , Mason’s Island

 860-536-2122

 kitchenlittle.org

“Good view and food.” Lisa. “Sounds like ‘chicken little’ to me and a good reason to stop in and see what they had to eat. I liked their lobster salad sandwich while I sat in the back of the restaurant and watched the boats on the water.” Cindy.

 

La Luna (good Italian food), Located at the Ramada

1-860-536-6300,  9 Whitehall Ave, Mystic, CT


 

Latitude 41 Restaurant at Mystic Seaport, 105 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-5303,  mysticseaport.org, Happy Hour: Mon-Fri, 4-6, Music Fri and Sat in pub area.

 Located right next to Mystic Seaport, it offers outdoor seating with a view of Mystic River, a pub and dining rooms with fireplaces. "My filet mignon was fantastic. One of the dining rooms appears in the movie, 'Mystic Pizza,'" Lisa.

 

Li's Bake Shop

 15 Holmes Street, Mystic, CT 06355

 (860) 536-9090 ‎

 “Folks, save your calories for this stop! My utmost favorite is the ‘everything cookie’, known as the 'Mystic.' Its ingredients include Kahlua, frangelica, walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips. Well, their mint chocolate brownie is worth every calorie bite too!” Cindy.

 

Mango's Wood-Fired Pizza Co.

 27 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-0600

 mangospizza.com

 Offers outdoor seating in season and the comfort of an open brick pizza oven in the winter. “This is a family-friendly stop hiding in Olde Mistick Village. I haven’t gone wrong yet with any of the salads or pizza. Oh, you can get chocolate milk, too,” Cindy.

 

Margaritas 12 Water Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-4589

 margs.com

“I liked sitting on the top floor, overlooking the Factory Square courtyard. Now home to apartments and restaurants, the factory once produced cotton gins until the Civil War caused it to go bankrupt when southern customers couldn’t pay their bills,” Lisa. “This is a fun place to go with a lot of people as they can accommodate larger groups,” Cindy.

 

McDonald's of Mystic

 2 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-9123

 mcdonalds.com

“I like their convenient location off I-95 for a quick in/out breakfast,” Cindy.

 

McQuade’s Marketplace 14 Clara Drive, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-2054

 Has a cafeteria with a fireplace and a view of trees. Offers take-out.

 

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

 Penguin Café

 55 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-5955

 mysticaquarium.org

“This is one busy spot and it was refreshing to taste how fresh the salads and sandwiches are,” Cindy.

 

Mystic Boathouse 8 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

 (860) 572-1180

 themysticboathouse.com

 American cuisine. “Their sweet potato fries are the best and I loved the view overlooking Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration,” Lisa.

 

Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream Inc.

 2 West Main Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-7978

 mysticdrawbridgeicecream.com

“Can’t beat the view of the Mystic River Drawbridge. Offers soups and salads as well as homemade ice-cream. I stop there often to grab a cone and sit out on the tiny deck to watch the bridge go up and down and the tall ships go past,” Lisa.

 

Mystic Market East & West E.860.572.79 (92)

 EAST: 63 Williams Avenue

 WEST: 375 Noank Road, Mystic, CT 06355

 mysticmarket.com

“I go there for take-out or to treat myself to some of their gourmet snacks. Each location has a little different personality but the same great food. The time of day usually determines if I take a coffee and biscotti or cookie, or if I get yummy entrées to bring home for dinner,” Cindy.

 

Mystic Pizza

 56 West Main Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-3700

 mysticpizza.com

 The movie “Mystic Pizza” was inspired by this restaurant. “I am a local, and yes, I like this pizza! Just the right substance to the crust and my husband and I love the sausage and pepperoni pizza. I like their salads too,” Cindy. They deliver after 4 p.m.

 

Mystic Soup Co. (offers take-out)

 32 Williams Ave # 1, Mystic, CT 06355-2900

 (860) 245-0382

 mysticsoupct.com‎

 “It’s hard to select which soup and/or sandwich you want each time you pop in!” Cindy.

 

Pasta Fresca & Piadina (take-out)

 2 Lincoln Ave, Mystic, CT 06355-2867.

 (860) 572-1245.

“Cut to the front of the line by calling ahead for your customized take-out grinder (I always ask for extra vinegar. It makes it messy but tasty). No matter the size, it’s always big enough to share.” Cindy. Take-out only.

 

Peking Tokyo 12 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-9991

 pekingtokyomystic.com

 Has a gourmet feel to the dishes. Sushi bar.

 

Oyster Club

13 Water St, Mystic,

860-415-9266


Farm and sea to table. Very unique with a local flair and a tree top dining and porch.

 

Pita Spot

 45 Williams avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 (860) 415-4656

 Lebanese cuisine. “Probably the best hummus I’ve ever had,” Lisa. Outdoor seating available. You may bring your own wine. They also serve an American breakfast.

 

Pizzetta 7 Water Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-4443,  pizzettamystic.com

“My husband and I like their thin crust pizza. Outdoor seating available on the deck or patio with a partial view of the Mystic River,” Lisa.

 

Rice Spice Noodles , 4 Roosevelt Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-8488

 ricespicenoodles.com

 Thai cuisine. “I love this spot so much that I always ask my new friends if they like this kind of food. I always get this shrimp dish with kickin’ spice and their pineapple rice is a tasty different twist on rice. It’s hard to care about the outside world walking by when you want to stab the last shrimp or Japanese eggplant on the plate you are sharing,” Cindy. "I sat outside and had their Pad Thai dish, which includes shrimp, chicken and peanuts--very good!" Lisa

 

S & P Oyster Company 1 Holmes Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-2674

 sp-oyster.com

“Enjoy great food on the artfully landscaped patio right next to the Mystic River Drawbridge. Also good river views from both floors within. Although they don’t take reservations, I strongly suggest you call ahead for what they call ‘priority seating’ if you plan to eat there at a popular time of day during the height of the tourist season,” Lisa.

 

 

Sea Swirl of Mystic 30 Williams Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-3452,  SeaSwirlofMystic.com

 Outdoor seating beside an inlet. Cindy liked their lobster salad and I liked their fried clam strips. Open seasonally.

 

Sea View Snack Bar 145 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-0096

 Outdoor seating beside the Mystic River. “My husband liked the crab cakes, I enjoyed my hot dog, and my dad loved feeding the seagulls. I plopped a quarter in the standing binocular to spy on the homes across the river,” Lisa. Open seasonally.

 

Somewhere in Time

 3175 Gold Star Highway, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-1985

 somewhereintimecafe.com

 "A friendly place where locals go. A great, fresh breafast according to my friend who goes there frequently with her husband." Lisa

 

Starbucks Coffee 12 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-9454

 starbucks.com

 Located in large stand-alone building across from Olde Mistick Village. “Very pleasant atmosphere with comfy chairs and tables. Many locals meet there to do business or write.” Lisa. Outdoor seating available.

 

Steak Loft

Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-2661

 SteakLoftct.com

“My husband and I ate a good burger in the barn-like bar that bears the names of patrons engraved in the wood over the years,” Lisa. Cindy likes eating in the dining room: “Be sure to carry your plate carefully after visiting the salad bar. The beet salad with mandarin oranges is delicious but dangerously colorful if you drop any on yourself. The baked scallops were very generous and scrumptious. I loved the chocolate mousse cake and the peanut butter pie,” Cindy.

 

Taste of India (Take-out available.)

 35 Williams Ave # 1, Mystic, CT 06355

 (860) 536-8485 ‎

atasteofindiamystic.com

 Casual indoor or outdoor dining. “Unfamiliar with Indian food, I texted my daughter about what us Mystic Women’s Dinner Club gals should eat. She responded, ‘Get the Chicken Tikka Masala (it has a non-spicy sauce) or the Karachi Biryani (a chicken/vegetable/rice dish with a little kick). She was right—I tried both and plan to order them again the next time I go there,” Lisa.

 

Ten Clams

 27 Coogan Boulevard, Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-536-1019

 Casual, family-friendly dining. Has an ice-cream window. You can order your entire meal from the window if you don't want to go in. Outadie patio. "The sweet potato fries were great!" Lisa

 

Thai One On

 56 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-415-4666

 Thai cuisine. “I liked their chicken and vegetable dish they offered at the annual outdoor food festival, ‘A Taste of Mystic,’ next to the Mystic River Park,” Lisa. Cindy had dinner inside their upscale restaurant: “Just when I liked my choice of dinner, another lovely plate was being served at the table next to me. So, I will have to go back and try that next,” Cindy.

 

The Pizza Grille

 39 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-0400

 

Mystic Beanery

 27 Coogan Blvd # 2C, Mystic CT 06355

 (860) 536-1175

“This place is in the right spot for you to stop in as you shop at Olde Mistick Village. It smells Heavenly whether you are sniffing the caffeine or chocolate.” Cindy. "My mom likes to buy their coffee beans to take back with her to New York." Lisa

 

Voodoo Grill

 12 Water Street, Downtown Mystic, CT 06355

 860-572-4422

 thevoodoogrill.com

“Specializes in Cajun cuisine, but I had the nachos. I enjoyed sitting with my husband on their back patio in the party-like atmosphere of the Factory Square courtyard. Inside, the brick walls give a warm, friendly feeling,” Lisa.

 

Wokery in Mystic (Chinese Take-out or delivers)

 6 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355-2714

 (860) 572-7964

“I like the General Tsao’s chicken,” Cindy.

 

Zhang's Restaurant (Chinese)

 12 Water St., Mystic CT 06355

 (860) 572-5725

“The Mystic Women’s Dinner Club plans to visit this restaurant soon. We will let you know what we think!” Lisa. Located in Factory Square.




*Restaurants I  like Within Easy Walking Distance of Olde Mistick Village:
 
Steak Loft, Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT 06355,  860-536-2661, SteakLoftct.com. My husband and I ate a good burger in the barn-like bar that bears the names of patrons engraved in the wood over the years.

Mystic Diner,  253 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, (860) 415-4625 (Open 7 am every day, close at 10pm, except Fri and Sat night). The large, diverse menu includes breakfast all day.


Mystic Boathouse,  8 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic (kitchen closes around 9pm). (860) 572-1180 , themysticboathouse.com,  American cuisine. Their sweet potato fries are the best and I loved the view overlooking Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration.

The restaurants I visit most frequently are:

Latitude 41 Restaurant at Mystic Seaport, 105 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, (860) 572-5303
Happy Hour: Monday - Friday, 4-6, Open until 9, Mystic in pub area on Friday night.

S & P Oyster House (it's got a great view of the downtown Mystic drawbridge).

Mystic Drawbridge Ice-cream (it's also has a great view of the downtown Mystic drawbridge and it serves more than just yummy, homemade ice-cream).

 

Captain Daniel Packer Inne,  32 Water Street, Downtown Mystic,  860.536.3555
 danielpacker.com.  Built in 1758 by Captain Daniel Packer who liked to entertain his guests with tales of his adventures on the high seas. He brought travelers (and their horses and stagecoaches) from New York and Boston across Mystic River on his ferry that operated nearby. Eat in the top floor dining room if you’re in the mood for elegance or in the basement if you are in the mood for a pub. Both floors have a fireplace and offer glimpses of Mystic River through the small, period windows. I love their sweet potato fries served in the pub area. Ask about their ghosts.
 
Pizzetta,  7 Water Street, Downtown Mystic,  860-536-4443,  pizzettamystic.com. My husband and I like their thin crust pizza. Outdoor seating available on the deck or patio with a partial view of the Mystic River.
 



 

 

 

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Sail the Argia in Mystic Style!

 
(L) Steve hoisting sales with Captain Amy at helm. (R) Author Lisa Saunders on the Argia after it sailed through the Mystic River Drawbridge (seen in background). Heading toward the Long Island Sound.
 
When I first moved here three years ago, I couldn't wait to be the one sailing the schooner Argia and waving to the onlookers gathered at the Mystic River Drawbridge. When I finally  had my change, I was shocked at how little I knew about sailing Mystic style. Last Saturday night, however, I did it right--I brought a variety of drinks and snacks (my favorite--graham crackers with peanut butter) and a sweater. The following highlights lessons learned on my first sail aboard the Argia:
 
Excerpt from the book Mystic Seafarer's Trail:
 
When we booked another evening sail on the tall schooner Argia, I vowed things would be different—this time, we would bring elegant snacks and drinks. I packed a bottle of wine in addition to almonds and bottled water. I even thought to bring pretty, blue plastic cups in keeping with the color of the waters we were about to sail.

Well, I knew right away we underpacked when I saw a party of six adults pull out real wine glasses with their bottles of wine. Suddenly, my blue plastic cups seemed so cheesy—so inadequate on this tall, seaworthy sailboat. And when the adults broke out a tray of shrimp cocktail from their large, Mary Poppins-style picnic bag, that was too much. I tried making friendly conversation with them so they’d share their shrimp, but they didn't warm to my advances. Another family with young children also had the better of us. I couldn’t help but be envious when they lifted one cheesy pizza slice after another from their Mystic Pizza take-out boxes. They didn't share with us either. I thought of the tasty, thin crust pizza from Pizzetta—a place we frequented often to enjoy the outdoor seating and view of Mystic River. Why hadn’t I thought to take a pie from there to go?

Thankfully, the Argia provided cheese, crackers and fruit, so I ate a lot of that and loudly declared things like, “Yummy!” so the others would think I preferred the Argia’s food to theirs.

My other mistake was that I was underdressed—it got very cold that foggy evening on the Mystic River and the Sound. The Argia did, however, provide blankets. The males on the voyage were too macho to wrap one around themselves, so they shivered like real men or went below deck...

I will be speaking about my book, Mystic Seafarer's Trail: Secrets Behind the 7 Wonders, Captain Sisson's Gold and Amelia Earhart's Wedding (click on the "LOOK INSIDE" feature to read first few chapters), on:

Thurs, June 20, 6:30pm
Local Authors @ The Groton Senior Center
 
 
To sail the schooner Argia, visit: www.argiamystic.com
Argia Mystic Cruises: 15 Holmes Street, Mystic, Connecticut 06355
(860) 536-0416 · Directions. Follow them on Facebook.

Author Lisa Saunders can be booked as cruise lecturer on private charters. To read the first few chapters of her book, Mystic Seafarer's Trail: Secrets Behind the 7 Wonders, Captain Sisson's Gold and Amelia Earhart's Wedding, visit: