New England dining >>> New England dining mini-reviews

New England Dining Mini-Reviews

Whether it's a coastal New England waterfront restaurant, upscale urban dining spot or a cozy, informal mountain eatery, New England has so many wonderful restaurants for your vacation. Here are a few New England dining spots worth trying:

Connecticut restaurants

Vernon Diner, Vernon CT

453 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30), Exit 65 (I-84), Vernon, CT

With hundreds of menu items, thousands of calories, and seemingly millions of smiling faces admiring the home-cooked food, the Vernon Diner represents the best qualities in a diner-type restaurant. Family friendly 24-hour service 365 days a year, a convenient location right off the highway and an incredible array of food selections including triple decker club sandwiches, roast meats, steak and chops, seafood, Italian and Greek specialties, sandwiches, wraps and a huge breakfast section. Mini-Review by EH

Rein's New York Style Deli, Vernon, CT

435 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT. Tel. (860)875-1344

Rein's is a serviceable New York-style deli with a large menu and even larger portions of food. On one visit, this writer sampled an excellent matzo ball soup, delicious half-chicken and a moist carrot cake. Service was fairly rude but that could have been because of their upbringing. If you're in the area, Rein's is worth going to. If you're not from the area, don't make a special trip, especially if you're from deli-rich New York City. Mini-Review by EH

Mystic Pizza, Mystic, CT

56 W Main St, Mystic, CT. Tel. (860) 536-3700

It would be easy to put down Mystic Pizza as a tourist attraction because of it being the focal point of the Julian Roberts 1989 vehicle film Mystic Pizza, but that would be very wrong. Mystic Pizza makes delicious full-bodied pizza with loads of toppings and also fantastic pastas within a handsome, darkly lit dining room. Mystic Pizza is a fun experience with slightly gruff but friendly waitresses and no trendy dishes. It seems more like a classic townie establishment than a tourist trap -- good news for most of us wanting the "real deal." Mini-Review by EH

Maine restaurants

Darbys Restaurant and Pub, Belfast, ME

155 High St., Belfast, ME. Tel. (207) 338-2339

When it comes to crab meat, imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery. Darby's Restaurant and Pub, a wonderfully eclectic restaurant in the artsy seaside town of Belfast, Maine, remedies an artificial crab meat world with the real stuff -- a scrumptious, tender filet perfectly married to sharp cheddar cheese and warm bread. It will make you realize the inferiority of fast food chain and house of pizza offerings. Plus, Darby's atmosphere makes for a great time with its funky waitresses, old-time storefront presence, red, green and yellow walls, hanging colored lights, old hardwood floors, a charming bar area, an incredibly detailed sculptured ceiling and a diverse menu ranging from pad Thai to tender steaks to...that unforgettable crab meat. Mini-Review by EH

Clay Hill Farm, Cape Neddick, ME

220 Clay Hill Rd., Cape Neddick (York), ME. Tel.207-361-2272

Clay Hill Farm is without a doubt the best restaurant in the area and possibly in New England. Clay Hill Farm's lovely gardens and warm intimate dining rooms in an old and elegant farmhouse set the tone for the freshest food we've encountered in many years of dining. The spinach salad is so alive with straight-from-the-garden taste and just the right amount of dressing. The lobster bisque jumps right at your taste bud's joy center. The roast half duck and seafood scampi are particularly amazing, so flavorful and memorable with all the right seasonings and sauces. Deserts, largely of a chocolate theme, will leave you breathless. Mini-Review by EH

Sun and Surf, York Beach, ME

1 Ocean Ave., York Beach, ME. Tel. (207) 363-2961

The Sun and Surf, on Long Sands Beach, might first seem like a tourist haven but turns out to be a fine top-notch steak and seafood place. The seafood --particularly the haddock -- is quite fresh and plentiful. The Sand and Surf has quite possibly the best clam chowder and blueberry pie of any we've sampled in New England. Plus, the perfect view of Long Sands Beach is reason enough to visit. Mini-Review by EH

Massachusetts restaurants

 
Colonial House, Norwood, MA

33 Savin Ave, Norwood, MA. Tel. (781) 762-3000

Set in a house with a tiny sign within a residential neighborhood, the Colonial House is charming on the inside with a roaring fireplace (useless in the summer though) and food that won't roar through your digestive track. From homemade meatloaf to delicious calimari, the Colonial House is a local favorite offering affordable and tasty steak, seafood and chicken dishes. The crowds hint that this is a great place to eat. Mini-Review by EH

Ah Gin Wong's - Ayer, MA

210 W. Main St Ayer, MA. Tel. (978) 772-2401

If there is Chinese restaurant offering bigger portions, then it must be on a different planet. The thing is, Ah Gin Wongs offering well done selections to match those huge portions. With an owner who has restaurant experience in Boston's Chinatown and a friendly wait staff, this plain Ayer, Mass., storefront, has Chinese restaurants fans coming back again and again. One dish of the "number 9" special --chicken wings, chicken fingers, pork fried rice and pork strips, is enough the feed to local Army at the neighboring Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, 94th Regional Readiness Command and National Guard. Mini-Review by EH

New London Pizza, Concord, MA

71 Thoreau St., Concord, MA. Tel. (978) 369-7053

New London's Greek style pizza is addictive. It's greasy without being too greasy and has a most compatible marriage of flavorful cheese,tomato, ample toppings and thick crust. It's a fact that people eat New London pizza really fast because they don't want to spend a second not tasting the memorable pizza. The best combination is hamburg and green pepper. New London has a small, clean dining room overlooking the attractive Concord Depot train station. On a side note, we once saw historian Doris Kearns Goodwin take out some pizza from New London. Maybe New London's legendary pizzas will make its way into one of her history books. Mini-Review by EH

Country Kitchen Donuts, Walpole, MA

Country Kitchen Donuts, 745 Main St., Walpole, MA. Tel. (508) 668-4044

Ask a Walpole resident about Country Kitchen, and you'll always hear a positive response. Set amidst a world of highly competitive donut chains (one cruelly within view of this Walpole landmark), Country Kitchen Donuts has remained independent and ultimately beloved by local residents and those from outside Walpole lucky enough to make the discovery of a down-to-earth establishment from yesteryear. They offer downright delicious donuts, crullers, turnovers, muffins and New England Coffee within a friendly, know-everyone-by-name setting -- typical for Walpole, a growing Boston suburb that has nevertheless remarkably held on to its small town feel with a hardware store, "townie" restaurants, an independently owned drug store, nice town village green, farms mixed with large neighborhood lots, and 14 percent unused land.

Country Kitchen Donuts is the perfect family, trucker and business person's stop. Be prepared for a wait early in the morning, as Country Kitchen Donuts is no longer a hidden secret. The wait, however, is worth it as one bite into the fresh donuts will have you putting the Atkins Diet on hold permanently. Mini-Review by EH

Main Street Cafe, Groton, MA

159 Main St., Groton, MA. Tel. (978)448-9634

Unlike your typical sub shop, the Main Street Cafe, of picture perfect Groton, Mass., won't say "Ten minutes please," en route to a plate of grease. On the contrary, the Main Street Cafe specializes in freshly-made bagels, sandwiches and now dinner. This bright and cheery establishment sports a clean, spacious dining room area with great hardwood floors and one of the friendliest work staffs in the restaurant business. Our top pick: the "Turkey Terrific," loaded with fresh hot turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce on a delicious bulkie roll. Mini-Review by EH

Rossi's, Millis, MA

270 Exchange St., Millis, MA. Tel. (508) 376-4995

If Rossi's were located in a major city, it would be considered the cream of the crop of Italian restaurants. Rossi's is an absolutely charming restaurant, the perfect place for a special occasion. Situated in a pleasant residential neighborhood in Millis, Mass., this elegant 1887 estate serves some of the best Northern Italian cuisine we've sampled anywhere. The atmosphere is truly special, too, with "nine elegantly appointed dining rooms that boast original tile fireplaces and rich mahogany paneling." Our favorite dish: the Seafood All' Apassionata, featuring fresh linguine sautéed with lobster, shrimp and scallops, tossed with bacon, plum tomatoes, garlic, butter and ripe olives. Save room for dessert, too, especially the wonderfully moist carrot cake. After leaving, you'll wonder how this great restaurant ever slipped by you. You'll want to return again and again. Mini-Review by EH

Top of the Hub, Boston, MA

800 Boylston St., Boston, MA (Prudential Building, 52nd floor), Tel. (617)536-1775

Formerly a mediocre tourist trap, the Top of the Hub eventually transformed itself into a plush, classy New American cuisine establishment. Clever variations of steak,seafood and chicken dishes make the Top of the Hub more than just a place with a spectacular view of the Charles River, Boston and outlying communities. Recommended for all except those with acrophobia. Mini-Review by EH

Town Spa -- Stoughton, MA

Rt. 138, Stoughton, MA Tel. (781) 344-2030

Town Spa has been spinning truly great thin crust pizza since 1956. Two big dining rooms are just about as busy as Stoughton Center, but fortunately a competent, largely experienced wait staff wastes no time bringing out the grease less, almost pastry-like pizza. Town Spa is a great place to eat pizza while watching usually sporting events on the large screen televisions. Mini-Review by EH

Vello's, Westwood, MA

679 High St., Westwood, MA. Tel. (781) 461-2440

Twenty-something restauranteur Victor Servello has created a masterpiece of a restaurant, quite possibly the best we've tried in Norfolk County. Located in the former Newport Creamery and Bergson's Ice Cream storefront in an unassuming Route 109 strip mall, Vello's has instantly become a local favorite by serving delicious, oversized sandwiches and creative dinners worthy of the best of Boston. Try the oven baked salmon with bacon mashed potatoes and seasonal steamed veggies and you'll be amazed by its tender and flavorful presence -- all for under $13.00 (includes an excellent mixed green salad). The hot pressed turkey and pastrami sandwiches cry out "New York, New York!" and the pizzas rival the freshness and innovation of Boston's best-known North End establishments. The clam chowder lets it be known that you don't have to travel to Maine to get this traditional taste of New England -- it's the thickest and most flavorful we've ever sampled. The fresh tomato bisque is not far behind with its smoky flavor. Deserts are absolutely amazing ranging from the authentic teramisu to the wide variety of great ice cream -- the coconut stands out. Vello's is small inside -- sort of like an elongated and somewhat sophisticated luncheonette. Vello's also serves breakfast on the weekend. The coffee is always great! Service is attentive, as Servello has chosen a young but thoroughly professional and interested staff. If there was a restaurant hall of fame, the board of directors would waive the five year waiting period for Vello's as their universal appeal and commitment to excellence is a model for the way a restaurant should be operated. Mini-Review by EH

New Hampshire restaurants

Stockpot, Portsmouth, NH

53 Bow St, Portsmouth, NH. Tel. (603) 431-1851

Stockpot, on Bow Street, with its scenic indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, has a great lunch menu and some excellent light dinners from stuffed sandwiches to a delicious seafood paella. It is a great place to take the family, (the downstairs section, not the smoky upstairs bar). Mini-Review by EH

Rhode Island restaurants

Sicilia's, Providence, RI

181 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI. Tel. (401) 273-9222

Providence, R.I. Sicilia's is truly an authentic pizzeria from seemingly another generation, located in Providence's Italian Federal Hill. Sicilia's is the setting for perhaps the best thick and thin crust pizzas we've sampled in New England. The fresh pizzas take quite a long time to make, but the wait is worth it. We prefer the thick crust which gives you more of the glorious homemade tomato sauce and right-out-of the oven dough. Mini-Review by EH

George's Of Galilee, Narragansett, RI

250 Sand Hill Cove Rd., Narragansett, RI. Tel. (401) 783-2306

George's is one of the truly fun places in New England, a very big seafood shack offering every type of fried, broiled and basked seafood imaginable, ideally located in seaside Point Judith, RI (Narragansett), closely located to some of the best Rhode Island beaches -- Salty Brine, Scarborough and Roger Wheeler. Dining at George's makes for a great part of a beach day in this part of Rhode Island that is a great alternative to overcrowded Cape Cod. Mini-Review by EH

The Post Office Cafe, Greenwich, RI

11 Main St., East Greenwich, RI. Tel. (401) 885-4444

The thought of transforming a post office into a romantic, candlelit restaurant seems unlikely. The Post Office Cafe, however, delivers every time with its classic Italian Cuisine, superb wait staff and a charming Old World atmosphere. With high ceilings, beautiful woodwork, and of course, lots of delicious food, the Post Office Cafe is tailor-made for special occasions. Particularly noteworthy are the robust Caesar salad, a to-die-for rosemary grilled pork tenderloin with sea scallops, gnocchi, roma tomato and fresh mozzarella in a pink champagne sauce, and a New England seafood-fresh frutti di Mare with jumbo shrimp, local cod, clams, mussels and calamari in a seafood tomato broth. Desert is every bit as good as the main course, with a wonderful array of sweet offerings. The Post Office Cafe is definitely worth a special trip. Mini-Review by EH

Vermont restaurants

Lowbrow Restaurant, White River Junction, VT

85 North Main St., White River Junction, VT. Tel. (802) 295-4411

White River Junction looks a little bit down and out, but the Lowbrow Restaurant (interesting name in a town like this) comes up as a big surprise by offering sophisticated, freshly-made contemporary American dishes in a funky, Harvard Square-type atmosphere. A place like this could come across as snooty, but owner Bruce MacLeod keeps this nice and loose with a laid back wait staff that is attentive and humorous. Mini-Review by EH

More New England restaurant reviews...