In 2004, that evolved into the Mystic Arts Center and the Mystic Museum of Art. He created the Mystic Art Association in 1913, which founded the Water Street Art Gallery in 1931. Less well known, Mystic was a vibrant artists colony, formed by landscape painter Charles Harold Davis, who settled here in 1891. Take a waterfront cruise aboard the Liberty for a waterside view.Īs with absolutely every public space, Mystic Seaport and the aquarium are open, with limits. Tour the workshops, some original and moved here, where those involved in manufacturing related to ship building and seafaring worked. It is a national center for research and education, with sailing programs, including lessons and summer camps. There’s still that famous pizza parlor inhabited by a young Julia Roberts in the 1980s drama that stole its name: Mystic Pizza.Īnd there’s still that nod to Mystic’s shipbuilding heritage: Mystic Seaport.įounded in 1929, Mystic Seaport Museum is the nation’s leading maritime museum for preserving artifacts of America’s seafaring past. That’s not to say the old 20th-century Mystic has disappeared in a fluffy foodie cloud. The early fall menu added a creamy local squash bisque topped with crème fraîche and pistachios and superb Stonington scallops two ways: as a bright ceviche, or pan roasted with Davis Farm polenta and charred Provider Farm scallion salsa verde. Set in a brick and beam former marine engine manufacturing building on Holmes Street, this more casual beer-centric place has a finely curated selection, including Connecticut’s Fat Orange Cat’s Baby Kittens IPA and OEC Brewing’s Bitter and Twisted, a Scottish ale collaboration with Scotland’s Harviestoun. It’s an about-turn easily traced to Dan Meiser (a Daniel Boulud and Ocean House, Rhode Island, alum), who, with executive chef James Wayman (a Johnson & Wales grad Connecticut’s Water Street Cafe and River Tavern alum) head 85th Day Food Community, a farm-to-table, locally and sustainably sourcing outfit, which began in 2011 with Oyster Club.ĭuring the still hot autumn sunshine, however, the patio at 85th’s Engine Room was the place to be. Mystic has another hit on a dining scene that’s repointed the town’s direction from tourist town to buzzy coastal Connecticut entertainment center. Partnering with this excellent food is a floor staff that makes the place swing. His salad of perfectly roasted heirloom carrots on a whipped creamy cashew butter has a citrusy cumin dressing a sweet potato roulade topped with pickled huckleberries is served with a calming, tender dice of turnip and beet smoky soft eggplant a la plancha with delicate cascabel chilis is finished with bright coriander and stuffed honeynut squash with maitake mushrooms and lacinato kale is roasted to a caramel finish. Local fish such as fluke and sweet scallops from neighboring Stonington have equal focus to the much used lobster. His fall menu includes New England staples with a twist: cod chowder with in-house made oyster crackers clam dip with Old Bay-flavored chips. Finally, decide which way the day is going and either grab some wine at Saltwater Farm Vineyard or launch some kayaks into Little Narragansett Bay from the Barn Island Wildlife Management Area.Standridge is nothing if not a modern traditionalist embracing a 21st-century aesthetic such as sustainability, zero waste, whole fish cookery, local and seasonal produce - an aesthetic that was simply habit centuries ago. Digest and drive around Mason’s Island - just up the road - and take in the views of houses and coastline, turning around at the Mason’s Island Yacht Club before you head back into town. Just around the corner from Sea Swirl is Willams Beach Park, home to Shoreline Beach. And remember, whatever direction you end up heading in, make sure it’s with a soft serve ice cream for dessert. If you’re looking for other seafood and roll combinations, the lobster and seafood salad rolls are both very worthy orders, same goes for the sea scallops and crab cakes. Both are served with tartar and are sure to make a lasting impression. We got the whole belly clam roll, but a side order would definitely do. They pop as soon as you bite down and deliver on everything you ever wished a fried clam would be. Specifically fried and definitely whole belly. Right on the Mystic line, you’re smart to dip off 95 early and follow Route 1 until you can smell the fried food and see the crowd. This, “clam shack off the Mystic River” delivers on its promise of seafood and ice cream with water views and all the nostalgia. The fried clams at Sea Swirl in Stonington, CT are some of the very best we’ve had anywhere.

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