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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts tagged “Niantic Connecticut

Destination: Skippers at Niantic Bay

Posted on September 30, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Although autumn has officially arrived, temperatures in the 80’s extended summer’s reach this past weekend. I spent my “extended summer” the way I began the season, enjoying a restaurant in Niantic, Connecticut near Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound. In this case, a seafood shack called “Skippers”. Skipper’s is a pleasant year round spot with indoor and outdoor seating – the latter is most likely seasonal – and a friendly staff. The food is good. Be sure to try the spicy relish available at the self-serve condiment corner.                        Using “cholesterol free” oil, fried is the focus for seafood dinners here, such as the Fisher Man’s Platter…

Destination: Main Street Grille, Niantic Connecticut

Posted on May 4, 2014

031Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb

Formerly Constantine’s, Main Street Grille now operated by Teddy Ignatiadis, is located in the center of Niantic village. The  front entrance is on Main and a rear upstairs deck overlooks the water of Niantic Bay. Handicapped access is a lower level rear entrance. Inside, the main dining area has long patio doors in the back, and there are plenty of windows in a smaller front dining area and adjacent bar, offering an outside view from pretty much any spot in the restaurant.

Delectable Lobster Bisque with huge chuncks of lobster.

Delectable Lobster Bisque with a huge chunk of lobster.

 

With warmer weather finally having arrived after a long, hard winter in New England, and, with summer just around the corner, this was a day to enjoy seafood. An especially tasty selection was the Lobster Bisque, with a large chunk of lobster which was positively delectable! The grilled salmon, served with an artistic dripping of white sauce, and the scallops were both cooked to perfection. Each came with two sides of the diner’s choice from a wide selection of sides – the chosen mashed sweet potato at a $1 more, sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers mix and cole slaw all got positive reviews. For the landlubber in the group, the teriyaki chicken was also good. Dinners were served with an uneventful basket of  white rolls – three rolls in the basket, refilled at no additional charge upon request.

The bar.

Another view of the bar.

In the bar, a wall of local history photos.

In the bar, a wall of local history photos.

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Scallops with sauteed mushroom mix and coleslaw.

Scallops with sauteed mushroom mix and coleslaw.

 

Salmon and mashed sweet potato.

Salmon and mashed sweet potato.

 

Many dishes on the typical American cuisine menu are prepared with individualizing touches and they offer a Sunday Brunch.

Didn’t make it to dessert, however they have it, including creme brulee which is not found everywhere, and a variety of after dinner dessert drinks.

Decor is soft colors and ocean themed framed prints. In the bar is an interesting wall filled with a long row of local history photos.

The food at Main Street Grille is tasty, the prices for entrees range from $11 – $30, sandwiches and burgers $9-$16, soups, salads and appetizers $3-$12. The atmosphere is relaxed – it’s worthy of a return visit – 252 Main Street, 860-739-5300.

Due to its close proximity to Rocky Neck State Park, the population of downtown Niantic swells during the summer. The village has a few other restaurants, ice cream and frozen yogurt spots, a funky-looking downtown theater – a rarity nowadays- and a popular used book store called the Book Barn.

 

 

 

Destination: Dad’s Restaurant on Main Street in Niantic,CT

Posted on June 15, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb What a great treat for dad on Father’s Day to visit Dad’s Restaurant in Niantic, Connecticut.  Not far from Rocky Neck State Park, Dad’s is a terrific seafood and burger shack perched on a small hill directly across from the ocean. It has two outdoor decks and inside the ocean breeze floats through screened windows across the picnic tabled dining area. Colorful, ocean themed decor creates a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Husband and wife Pete and Debbie Salomonson run this place with an attentiveness to their customers that sets a tone for the friendliness of the entire staff. “My wife is the owner. I work for her,” said Pete during a recent weekend stop. Approaching its 50th anniversary,…