Restaurants in Stonington

“📅 11.13.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews - EP.180 Whitecrest Eatery 💎 (Velvet Mill - Stonington Borough, CT) Tonight I headed back inside the historic Velvet Mill for my next food adventure and Whitecrest Eatery did not disappoint. Founded in 2019 by husband & wife team Johan Jensen, a Danish born, British-trained chef, and Abby Hamann, a Connecticut native, Whitecrest focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients and dishes that are handmade with care. You can seriously feel that philosophy the moment the plates hit the table/bar. I grabbed a seat at the bar, and the place was packed. The atmosphere was low-lit, warm, bustling, with high ceilings and beautiful décor that makes the Velvet Mill such a standout setting. Service was handled by a small three-person team: Liz (manager)- friendly, welcoming, and a supporter of Big Al’s Reel Reviews Amber (my bartender/server)- attentive and on point Jocy- helping run the floor Even with a full house, they kept everything moving smoothly. Service was bomb.💣 Now let's talk about the Food: 1️⃣ Steamed Wild Maine Mussels- $16 💣 BOMB The sauce- cream fraîche, herbs, Weissling, and lemon was addictive. Mussels cooked perfectly, full of flavor, and the sourdough they make in house and served with it was the perfect pairing. A strong bomb right out the gate. 2️⃣ Béarnaise Burger- $22 💣 BOMB Burger came out perfectly cooked bright pink inside, juicy, seasoned right. Alone, it’s a thumbs-up… But then the tallow fries hit. These fries are soft, hot, insanely flavorful, and some of the best fries I’ve had anywhere. The fries elevated the entire plate into a straight bomb. 3️⃣ Roasted Duck Breast- $36 💣 BOMB This dish was incredible. Duck breast cooked perfectly, tender, rich, and beautifully plated. The potatoes were absolutely amazing, and every bite delivered. I was full, but I wanted more. Another full bomb. ⭐ FINAL VERDICT: WHITECREST EATERY IS AN OFFICIAL BIG AL’S 💎 GEM SPOT 💎🔥 Every dish: bomb Service: bomb Atmosphere: bomb Experience: bomb That makes two Gem Spots inside the Velvet Mill 💎 Dock 9 and 💎 Whitecrest Eatery. If you’re in or near Stonington Borough, this place is absolutely worth checking out so get your a** down there right away, and make sure you tell ’em Big Al sent you! To the Whitecrest Eatery Team: Thank you, I had an amazingly Dope dining experience ❤️ ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out””

“02.12.25 'Big Al's Reel Reviews' dropped into a Spot located in the Town of Stonington called Dog Watch Cafe. I dropped in unannounced late this afternoon to find out if this spot is serving up Great food, great service with a great atmosphere. Absolutely everything about this place is amazingly Dope!! I absolutely loved the full experience from the service, the atmosphere and most importantly the delicious meal! Dog Watch Cafe is without a doubt a Top Notch restaurant! This place is Off The Hook!! 💣💣💣 Thank you Dog Watch Cafe 👍🏾 194 Water St. Town of Stonington, CT See you on the rebound, ☝🏾❤️- Big Al Mayo”

“Food was great and atmosphere was wonderful!”

“Was very pleased with the service. Waitress was attentive but not overbearing. The food was exceptionally well prepared. For 2 apps, 2 entrees, desserts and coffee the price was reasonable.”

“Locals know ... The Mill is home to some of the area's best food. Add Masa to the top of the list. Pretty much everything is made in house, down to the mustard. Today we split the bacon egg cheese and the sausage egg cheese both on focaccia. Freash delicious food and such nice people. From the homemade pico de gallo to the service, such a great find. Can't wait to go back, dinner is next. Everything but the empanadas can be made gluten free.

Dietary restrictions: Many Gluten free options”

“We had a baby shower for my daughter and son-in-law at the Dog Watch Mystic, and I could not be happier with them. The tent and grounds were perfectly appointed, the food was fantastic, and the entire staff was wonderful. Thank you, Dog Watch!”

“My husband and I stopped here for the first time today and we were very satisfied with the food and service. while we waited for our meatball grinders we were offered a sample of their pea soup and it was the best we've ever had! that's saying something because I've always thought my mom's was the best. we ate our grinders until we were about to burst and they wrapped our leftovers for us. the best part about that is when we went back to eat them, our grinders were labeled "his :)" and "hers :)". we will definitely be eating here again!”

“The waitress was attentive and the overall service was good. The food arrived quickly. The Teriyaki Pork Belly Bao Bao Buns were AMAZING! The Seafood Pasta was typical and did not wow me in terms of flavor. Therefore, I don’t believe that particular dish is worth the price. They also told me they don’t have bread available for lunch.”

“Amazing people, wonderful food. They make you feel like family”

“We had a delicious meal at this cute little restaurant and the service was great. Really fresh, tasty chile relleno, mole enchiladas and burrito. We will definitely come back!”

“I photographed a wedding at Saltwater Vineyard in Warren, RI, and it was nothing short of magical. The property is surrounded by rolling vineyards, open fields, and beautiful coastal light, making it an incredible location for romantic and timeless wedding photos. The barn-style reception space is warm and inviting, with rustic charm that feels both elegant and relaxed. The outdoor ceremony area is picture-perfect, offering a peaceful and scenic backdrop for exchanging vows. The staff were friendly, helpful, and professional, making sure the day flowed effortlessly. As a professional wedding photographer who has worked at many vineyard and winery venues in New England, I can confidently say Saltwater Vineyard is a dream setting for couples who want a naturally beautiful, intimate, and unforgettable wedding day.”

“We found this to be quaint little restaurant with water views. Our breakfast was delicious”

“Had a family dinner with 10 guests for my sons 18th birthday last night. We've been going to Peking a long time and always have great service however, last night was extra special. Our waitress was great, and even surprised my son with a wrapped birthday gift. Very happy customers”

“📅 11.15.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews - EP.181 Noah’s Restaurant 👎🏾 Stonington Borough, CT Tonight I headed into the historic and absolutely beautiful Stonington Borough for Episode 181, and I started my evening with a quick stop at the nationally known Lobster Trap Tree. They just finished putting it up on Friday. You will see a ton of dope custom painted buoys, the whole display looks incredible. It’s only two blocks from Noah’s, so after checking that out, I took the short walk through the Borough and made my way over for dinner. I arrived early, around 4:30pm which was before the full dinner rush, but people were already flowing in. By 5:35 PM, in the dining section alone (10 tables total), 7 were filled and more guests were coming in minute by minute. Inside, Noah’s gives you that classic New England charm. It's beautiful. Warm lighting, rustic décor, and dope local prints of New London, Stonington, and shoreline scenes all across the walls. It genuinely felt like stepping straight into a Hallmark movie. My server tonight was Ryan, friendly, attentive, and had water waiting at my table right from the start. He also brought out bread with a plate of butter, which was a good touch. Service was friendly, but overall super slow. I waited 40 minutes for my main dish even though the restaurant wasn’t fully packed yet. Alright, let’s talk about the food... 🍽️ THE FOOD 1️⃣ Steamed Mussels- $14 Garlic, butter, white wine, parsley I really wanted to like these and I love garlic, but these mussels were overpowered. The garlic was extremely strong, to the point where it drowned out everything else. Worse, the mussels had a slightly sour taste, and the broth wasn’t enjoyable. I literally choked down 2 mussels on bread and I was done! I couldn’t finish them. 👎🏾 Thumbs Down 2️⃣ Oven-Roasted Chicken Wings- $13 (I chose BuffaBlue) The wings were a no-go for me. Dry, bland, over-baked - just not it. And the “Buffalo Blue” sauce? Yo Listen… I spent $13 for seven unseasoned chicken wings that were dry, over-baked, and came with a little tin of Frank's Red Hot sauce with a dollop of blue cheese dressing mixed in. That wasn’t going to cut it. No way. That was an insult 🤷🏾‍♂️ and that’s why these wings earned a 👎🏾 Thumbs Down 3️⃣ Fettuccine (Arugula/Walnut/Pesto)- $16+ Stonington Bay Scallops- $20 This dish saved the entire night. The pesto was fresh and flavorful, the pasta looked and tasted incredible, and the Stonington Bay scallops that are caught right off the boats here were sweet, tender, and absolutely delicious. This was the one plate that delivered. 💣 BOMB 4️⃣ Apple Crisp- $8 A rare move for me, I actually ordered dessert tonight. It was to cheer me up from the disappointing dinner. It didn't cheer me up but it was good. 💬 FINAL THOUGHTS Noah’s is a landmark here in Stonington, it’s been part of the Borough since 1979, and the atmosphere inside is truly beautiful. The town is charming, the décor is gorgeous, and the vibes were perfect. But the food tonight with one hit (💣), two major misses (👎🏾👎🏾), and slow service didn’t help. The mussels and wings were a disappointment, but the fettuccine with scallops was excellent. Based on tonights visit, Noah's Restaurant did not pass the Big Al's Reel Reviews 👎🏾 And as always, these are my honest opinions based on what I experienced. You know that I always keep it Real to Reel, and you can always go try it yourself and decide but for me, it's a no-go 👎🏾 "See you on the rebound, Peace✌🏾Out!" ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “Always keeping it Real to Reel””

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“The Early Riser breakfast sandwich-💯”

“Love your cowboy cookies!! ❤️”

“Great food, wonderful atmosphere and the staff are very friendly”

“Best espresso and smoothies around…”

“Exploring the local area and yelp searched for a coffee shop and found this lovely little shop! Coffee was super delicious and the croissant sandwich was delish!! Sweet vibes here and super cute!”

“Great local club. It’s been in great shape the last 2 years! Very good staff and lots of local members.”

“11.11.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews - Ep.179 🇺🇸 (Veteran’s Day Edition) 🍽️ Breakwater - Stonington Borough, CT Big Al’s 💎 Gem Spot It was one of those raw, windy Veteran’s Days down by the shoreline. My pops and I stopped first at Stonington Point, the American flag waving strong over the water. He looked at it and said, “I did my 20.” That line hit deep. From there, we made our way to Breakwater, a beautiful spot right on the harbor. The second we stepped inside, we were greeted by that warm coastal glow thru bright windows, with beautiful waterfront views, and a calm, classy energy. 💣 And then came one of those full-circle moments life throws at you sometimes… Our server was Trina, someone I worked with almost 30 years ago at Mohegan Sun Casino. Seeing her again made the day even more special. She was absolutely wonderful, kind, quick, and professional. It was everything you could expect. Service was top-notch. 💣 Now let’s talk about that food 👇🏾 1️⃣ Crispy Fried Calamari- $17.50 💣 Light, crispy, and perfectly fried. The cherry peppers gave it just the right kick, and that Thai Chili sauce was straight fire. Pops and I tore it down in minutes 🤷🏾‍♂️😀 both calling it a bomb. 2️⃣ Fish & Chips- $24.50 💣 Fried Atlantic Cod - Done golden and perfect. My fries were crispy and seasoned just right; My Pops went with sweet potato fries. Delicious Coleslaw, and with cocktail sauce every bite of fish hit. Comfort food at its best. We both said bomb 3️⃣ Seafood Pasta- $34.50 💣 This one was loaded: four big scallops, three shrimp, crab meat and two thick lobster pieces all swimming in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with a little sweetness from the julienne veggies. Every bite was rich, buttery, and flavorful. This s**t was incredible - bomb all the way. Everything we ordered hit. No misses, no maybes. Breakwater delivered from start to finish Son! Great atmosphere, phenomenal service, and food that was cooked with care and flavor. This Veteran’s Day review turned into something special. Breakwater is officially a Big Al’s 💎 Gem Spot. You need to get your a** down there right away and check them out and make sure you tell ’em, Big Al sent you! See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “Always Keeping it Real to Reel””

“Sunday Fundays are the best!!!!!”

“I travelled in India for work and ate everything that was offered to me. Often, the food brought me to tears being so different from my lifetime of bland food experiences. I had chicken tikka kebabs, samosas, and biriyani yesterday from A Taste of India in Mystic and was taken back to my travels. They are the real deal and every bite was excellent.”

“Food was delicious. 10/10. Would highly recommend and come back when I’m in the area. Service was friendly even tho I did take out. Everything was packed neatly and included utensils.”

“Really good service from Kate. Great atmosphere/ambiance, and it was really cool we could literally see right into the very clean and well-run kitchen directly from our seats.

Insanely fast service for a decently packed house. App was out in just a few minutes followed by the entrees before we could even finish the app

Reasonably priced and good food. Wings were small quantity (6) but absolutely massive and flavorful. Pulled pork sandwich and fries were solid as well. Really happy with our choice during our trip. Full bill with an app two entrees and shared dessert came to only ~60”

“Excellent seafood! Stopped by to pick up some fish for home. I've been here a few times and the fish is outstanding quality! As good or better than most restaurants I've been to. I always stop here when I'm in Stonington and I will definitely be back!”

“We love Mel’s! They support the community and always have specials for the holidays and special occasions. I love that they have nondairy options as well! Our go to is the peanut butter daze sundae 🧡”

“BEST CLAM FRITTERS. I am a local guy and have lived here most of my life. Every summer I conduct my version of the great fritter chase. SEAVIEW SNACK BAR, is the 2023, UNDISPUTED winner. Best quality and Quantity of clams, best taste, best of all the cheapest. CONGRATULATIONS SEAVIEW, they got fritters right.”

“Very nice selection of local brews and a very knowledgeable team always. Casual and carefree. Get a pizza next door and have lunch or dinner here … convenient and welcoming.”

“Did a complete tasting and everything was truly great. Favorite was the 2021 Riesling. Friendly, informative staff and a beautiful venue. Would definitely return.”

“Waitress was excellent. Food and drinks were wonderful as well. Decor was dark wood 70’s-80’s style but we loved the old school feel.”