“We had a nice meal here before the show. I had Salmon with Grits, meatballs, crab/crawfish cake, and cheesecake. They had a nice IPA (Capt Lawrence) as well. A friend liked the chicken creole and my wife had the beet/walnut salad with salmon and enjoyed it. We're not in this area often but when we are this should be a place to return to. Very nice.“
“We’ve been here dozens of times over 30 years.We just returned from out of state back to CT and live west of Hartford now, but have tripped back down to Essex twice lately.Both times we ended up eating at Black Seal.Both times we had a great lunch.My wife had the Cheese Quesadilla and I had their burger.Awesome grilled flavor.Service is great and the restaurant has a great atmosphere.“
“The beer was very good, the bartender was friendly and provided great service and explained all the different beers they had and made some great recommendations. The wings were very good, as was their special of day- sausage platter and pretzels. We highly recommend it and will return!“
“An outstanding dining experience. A welcoming atmosphere provided by the hoste and staff. And, an obeance that speaks to you and your guests or family.Our waiter Zakaria and the rest of the team was very attentive and very professional. The food order was delivered correct, served hot with a great presentation. I highly recommend making reservations which was so easy on line. Between 2:00-3:00 p.m. if you want to beat the crowd.You will be able to make special requests and they will go out of their way to accommodate you and your guests. The menu online is exactly what you will receive when you arrive. So, it's easy to plan you meals ahead of your visit.The food menu, beverage menu and dessert menu has something for everyone. This Tavern is built to accommodate many different types of affairs. We celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary here. I also reccomend the Braised Short Rib with Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus. All seasoned well and cooked to perfection.The Pumpkin Cheesecake was to die for. Great parking and a very clean establishment. I highly recommend this establishment.Vegetarian options: See menu, your waiter or waitress .Parking: Free parking lot.Kid-friendliness: Kids menu available.Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“
“Not inexpensive, but the tap room is excellent and the Ruben sandwich and the short ribs sandwiches are wonderful.Food & drinks: Always good food, drinks, atmosphere, and service. Always a pleasure to visit for food, drinks, and a walk about town.“
“Absolute favorite restaurant. I cannot say enough good things about this place. The food is amazing. The drinks are amazing. The atmosphere is ridiculously lovely. Would definitely recommend!Vegetarian options: They happily accommodate dietary restrictions. I have brought vegetarian and vegan friends here who have had no problem finding really tasty things on the menu.Dietary restrictions: They are happy to accommodate any allergies. I brought my good friend here who is allergic to nuts and they were very accommodating and helpful.“
“We had not been to Liv's for a number of years since our last experience was not positive. We were delighted to find that this time was very different. Our meals were excellent, service was helpful and attentive and our overall experience was most enjoyable.“
“This is the best burger joint in old saybrook by far! Forget McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's!! Everything is made fresh! I ordered a cheesy and Onions ring and it was phenomenal! Besides the great and fresh food and shakes, the owner Lori and staff was also friendly and attentive! I will definitely be back!“
“Overall good experience.Appetizer was crispy duck wings which were delicious and perfectly cooked.For the mains I got the poke and my girlfriend, the veggie burger w/ truffle w/ fries. The poke included fresh tuna and the rice was cooked perfectly, however in my opinion the sauce was too tomatoey flavored and overpowered the rest of the dish. The veggie burger tasted good but would benefit from the patty being a little crispier.Had the warm chocolate chip cookie w/ ice cream for desert which was lovely.Overall good experience and would go back. Means of comments above is suggestions to enhance what the restaurant has to offer.“
“Truly one of the best meals I’ve had in Connecticut! The French onion soup was AMAZING—the combo of caramelized onions + crispy onions was ? plus the gruyère!The duck was melt in your mouth tender with an incredible pepper crust, seared to perfection. The crispy polenta cake was also done really well. The swiss chard + pancetta added a nice, zingy contrast.For dessert, I had the turtle cake which was fluffy & moist with caramel + candied pecans.Big kudos to the chef & kitchen staff! My server was also very kind & knowledgeable. The manager graciously sat me at a lovely table even though I was a solo diner.I left my phone at the hotel, otherwise I’d share pics!“
“Pub atmosphere, friendly staff, winter often not too busy, summers can be packed and noisy be sure to make a reservation. In warm months (if nice out) there is pleasant outdoor seating behind restaurant making it easier to get a table. Above average beer selection with many draft choices several from local breweries. QR code on drink menu puts an informative updated beer list on your smart phone.“
“The food was excellent at Aspen, as was the service. This was our first meal there, and it was delicious. I had the braised short rib, which fell apart beautifully as soon as I touched it. Melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. The creme brulee cheesecake was delightful - a combo of my two favorite desserts. I hope to eat there many more times in the future!“
“How nice is it to go out to dinner and be treated like you matter?!?! The food is so good, the owner and his wife are delightful! The staff are amazing! If you haven’t eaten here you truly must stop in soon. You will be really happy that you did! Breakfast, Lunch and now serving dinner and drinks too! Enjoy~?“
“Ten stars if I could, what a phenomenal place. We eat all over and know good food. From the portions to the service I can not say enough good things. The scrod Florentine was amazing! This place is a must try and we will continue to go back. Thank you for a delicious dinner and great night.“
“Stopped by for lunch while travelling through the area and was a much better option than the chain options. They have a small building I almost missed as driving by - had to turn around to go back. I highly recommend the burger with spicy mayo and a side of potato salad. Some great options for those that like seafood too.“
“My family and I had a great dinner at this restaurant that I believe was recently remodeled. Food and service were excellent and they made the place so nice inside- very cozy, warm and inviting. Two great bar areas inside as well. Looking forward to more dinners there!“
“Wonderful restaurant and the owner, Nancy is so thoughtful and attentive checking on all the tables. We went for lunch and I got one of the specials, eggplant parm with my choice of pasta (I chose angel hair) The portion was HUGE! It makes me wonder how big the dinner portion is. The eggplant was nice and thin and not greasy at all-it tasted wonderful. I can't wait to return and try some more items.“
“Nestled across the street from a venerable shoreline favorite, the Turtle Cafe is another absolute gem. Chef Ricky and Mariah, who was at the counter, were extremely welcoming and make for great conversation. The menu is vast and all of the food was amazing. I had eggs Benny with a side of hash, I highly recommend this place.“
“Go! Food and service was great. The atmosphere is right up our alley...rustic charm and laid back. Our group of 7 made advanced reservations (recommend since tables are limited indoors). We were seated early and our waitress was personable and helpful. The cooks and bartenders made drinks/food quickly. Everything was great. The best part was the fire pit in the back...there was a smores and hot chocolate bar set up for the kids. We all had such a great experience and will be back. Thank you!“
“Dined here with a party of 15. Private room upstairs was the perfect size. Wait staff was extremely accommodating and helpful in planning and executing a surprise for my father's 70th birthday. Only down side was that our waitresses seemed overwhelmed and forgot to bring out salads. Otherwise, it was a fantastic experience and great food!“
“Had a wonderful birthday meal. It was the day before St. Patrick's Day so the specials were Irish oriented. My husband had the whiskey honey glazed salmon which he said was very tasty. My daughter had the traditional corned beef and cabbage and my son had Shepard's pie. Not much was left to bring home in doggie bags. Lots of nice wood paneling inside and we were seated near the fireplace. The grandkids even enjoyed it.Parking: The restaurant is right off of Route 9 in Old Saybrook. There is parking in both the front and the back of the restaurant.Wheelchair accessibility: Walk up ramp for a cess to front door and outdoor seating when the weather is nice.“
“Nothing at all negative, everything was absolutely amazing! Sunday Brunch is an absolute treat here! The food stations are thoughtful and varied. You could enjoy something here every day and never get bored! The service is, of course, impeccable, the dining areas immaculate and tasteful, and the food is the phenomenal focal point! A special shout out to Chris's Bird, the hotel manager, who is truly dedicated to the enjoyment of every guest!“
“Lovely atmosphere, warm, calm, and clean. I ordered the scallop pasta dish. The chefs prepared the scallops perfectly, light sear on the exterior and juicy, soft interior. Well done. I was not fond of the pasta, undercooked and tossed with an insipid sauce. Would return to try another dish.“
“One of the best cafes we’ve ever been to. The staff are so friendly and kind. We came to the area with Goodspeed and they sat and talked to us and made us feel very welcome. The food is amazing, and they clearly are so passionate about their menu. Seriously recommend! Thanks for having us guys! :)“
“Love, love the food and staff of this fabulous breakfast lunch restaurant!Great specials. The sausage and biscuits best in CT.The homemade muffins and breads out of this world! My favorite is the Cinnabon bread. Yum!Outdoor seating if you have a dog with you.Right on Main St, Deep River if you want to pop in one of the local stores after very nice unique gifts and clothing.“
“LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.MUDSLIDES MUDSLIDES MUDSLIDES.Finally getting around to leaving a review at one of our most loved spots down on the water in Chester. What's better than docking a boat, and popping over to some mudslides of your dreams? Pretty much nothing.Lobster rolls are tasty, but on the smaller side. Can't go wrong with the tacos/fish and chips!Already looking forward to Marker 37 again this summer, great seating/menu items/fire-pits/corn-hole and service! During peak season reservations are encouraged!Thanks for the fun in summer 2023, looking forward to 2024.“
“Such a cute and cozy spot in downtown Old Saybrook! When you walk in, there's a whole case of various pastries, and it looks like they have several gluten free options as well! I ordered a pumpkin spice latte that was to die for!! Sort of on the sweeter side of things- but I didn't mind. We ordered a tuna melt that came with a side of carrot sticks, and an avocado BLT special that came with a side of hash browns. Everything came out great! Definitely recommend a stop if you're in the area.“
“First time having breakfast bagel with bacon, egg, cheese. My taste buds were happy! Coffee was a nice surprise in walking distance of the beach ? Great place.Kid-friendliness: Corn hole, dinosaur for photo ok. Ocean blue picnic benches with umbrellas.“
“Absolutely delicious. Wow. I liked everything we ate. My buddy told me about this place and we were in Chester for work that morning.Had an omelet and egg and cheese and cookies and a scone and a muffin.They also have a gf coconut cookie which is yummy.We'll definitely stop here next time we're around.Keep up the awesome work.“
“Love this place! Karaoke every Friday and Saturday. It's just a real cozy place full of regulars, and the people there go out of their way to make everyone feel included and safe. It's a popular wedding party hotel, so the spring through fall get to be busy and fun!Wheelchair accessibility: The door directly to the bar area is not wheelchair friendly, but the hotel entry is just to the left and it's very easy and close-by to go through the lobby and into the inner bar entry.“
“In business since 1850 and for good reason! Charming historic tavern with a small restaurant. The menu is surprisingly huge for a neighborhood pub and they have daily specials. Located in the heart of this enchanting village of Chester this no-frills eatery is a gem.“
“Visited here over a year ago and cannot stop thinking about the best ever Lobster Roll..... planing a trip to the region and trying to figure out how to sneak in a two hour side trip!Update: Still the best. Traveled the northeast coast and tried several other places and decided to change departure plans so we could have it again. We bragged so much that a couple of friends from New Jersey made the drive to meet us.“
“We had a great time at Doc’s bar and Grille. Very friendly staff great double burger fresh cut fries and some good old boys playing music. Doesn’t get any better than this. If docs brings the right bands in We definitely will go back. Five stars coming from Rocky Hill.“
“The burgers are great. French fries ,fantastic. Grilled mac and cheese, don't waste your time. I can't blame them, no one seems to know how to make mac and cheese anymore. The service was great and the girls waiting on us were wonderful.“
“Loved the cozy tavern feel with bare wood and wrought iron and fire place in the left dining room. Service was fast and friendly, and the food was fantastic! Definitely returning more in the future.Wheelchair accessibility: Entrance and dining room all level with the ground, no stairs.“
“We love everything about this quaint welcoming tavern, especially when Carla makes the margaritas ;)The Ivoryton Tavern has charm, lots of history & the bathroom soap always smells wonderful!Highly recommended if you are in the area or attending a show across the street.“
“Food was delicious however, way too expensive imo.$2 per wing and no deal when you get a double order.$15 for 3 small arincini balls.Also, make sure to review the bill. They miss charged us and had to fix it when I brought it to their attention.“
“First visit on a cold rainy day. Followed a couple to seating in an enclosed porch area, thinking inside area just a bar. Wish I had investigated as there was a cozy table in front of a fireplace that would have been warmer. Food was delicious, lobster roll, fries and slaw all very flavorful. Prices were reasonable and enjoyed reading about history of the building.“
“Tasting menu was good. The caviar course was excellent. The onion tart and octopus fritter were both playful, fun twists on classics. My only complaint with the food was the progression. It started out really well, but towards the middle to end it was one rich dish followed by another. I would've preferred mixing in a couple of lighter or acidic things to keep the pallet guessing.“