Mystic, Connecticut, located on the shoreline near the Rhode Island border, is a prime New England destination. The Mystic Seaport Museum and the Mystic Aquarium and Center for Exploration are here, so with about 20 public and municipal golf courses nearby, including the Lake of Isles championship course at Foxwoods Casino, it's a cinch to keep non-golfers in your party happy while you head off to play a round.
Stonington Borough, just down the road, is home to Connecticut's only commercial fishing fleet, so fresh seafood is always on the menu.
Go Fish
Across from the Aquarium in Olde Mystick Village you'll find Go Fish, a seafood restaurant with a personality to fit every mood. For sushi lovers, there is a dedicated sushi bar at the back of the space.
The center of the restaurant is dominated by a large oval bar. Eat at the bar weekdays between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to take advantage of the half price deal on the "Fore" menu, Go Fish's special bar menu. The menu changes, but typical dishes are blackened salmon ciabatta, and steamed clams and sausage in a garlicky tomato broth. There is, of course, a raw bar as well that includes selected sushi choices.
The regular menu is available in the main dining rooms at the front of the space as well as throughout the restaurant. Try the baked Stonington scallops in a lemon-herb butter or the lobster ravioli with a ragout of steamed lobster, spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms. Everything at Go Fish is about fresh ingredients and skilled preparation, and it shows.
Go Fish
Olde Mystick Village
Coogan Blvd
Mystic, Connecticut 06355
(860) 536-2662
The Cove
In its March, 2008 issue, "Esquire Magazine" included the Cove Fish Market and Clam Shack in Stonington in its list of the "Finest Meals on Sliced Bread." It was referring to the fried cod sandwich. The Cove's fried sandwiches are not what you might expect to see when you've ordered an award winner. There are no fancy sides, toppings, garnishes or condiments, just well-prepared fish on a plain semi-soft roll. Once you taste, you'll understand.
The cove also serves fried fish platters including whole belly clams with coleslaw and fries. Eat at picnic tables outside or come in to the small but comfortable dining room. If you're not into fried foods, you'll be happy to see grilled fish as well as steamed lobster and littleneck clams served the classic way.
The Cove Fish Market and Clam Shack
20 Old Stonington Rd.
Mystic, Connecticut 06355
covefish.com
Ancient Mariner
At the Ancient Mariner, the theme is nautical, but modern, and the atmosphere is warm. Much of the appetizer menu, beginning with the raw bar, is dedicated to seafood. Try the ouzo spiked oysters Rockefeller or the wasabi pea crusted tuna salad.
Some of the best scallops on the East Coast come into Stonington Harbor, and they are on the menu here in a lemon butter wine sauce with mashed potatoes and veggies. Old favorites like baked stuffed or boiled lobster and beer-battered fish and chips are available too.
For meat-lovers there is plenty of comfort food including prime rib, chicken pot pie, Yankee pot roast and grilled New York Strip.
"Attitude Adjustment Hour" starts at 3 p.m. on weekdays and runs until 6 p.m.
Ancient Mariner
21 W. Main St.
Mystic, Connecticut 06355
(860) 536-5200
ancientmarinermystic.com
About The Author
Lois Lawrence is an attorney and freelance writer living and working in Stonington, Conn. She has written on many subjects including travel, food, consumerism, relationships, insurance and law. Lawrence earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1976, and a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law in 1979.
