COMPASS
NEW ENGLAND
Seafood tops Connecticut, Rhode Island culinary scene
There is no shortage of wonderful dining experiences awaiting travelers throughout the Northeast. Two NTA DMOs in
Connecticut and Rhode Island shed light on what their states have to offer for culinarily curious travelers.
The Matunuck Oyster Bar
New England Chowdafest
Connecticut’s bounty of culinary festivals
“Celebrating food is easy in Connecticut, which is known for
fresh seafood, being the birthplace of the hamburger sand-
wich (at Louie’s Lunch) and top-rated New Haven Pizza,” says
Susan Henrique, director of group/international sales for the
Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau.
She recommends the following culinary events for those seek-
ing to sample a cross-section of the state’s diverse foodie scene:
The Sun Wine & Food Fest (Jan. 26–28, 2018)
Mohegan Sun in Uncasville plays host to this world-class cel-
ebration of food and drink. Popular events include the signa-
ture Grand Tasting, Bourbon Tasting, Elite Cru Tasting and the
Celebrity Chef Dine Around.
Harbor Brew Fest (September)
Craft beer lovers have taken to this six-year-old event, which
is held at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Limited
releases and hard-to-find brews are available in the exclusive-
access Brewer’s Beer Garden.
Mystic Eats Food Festival (September)
Festival-goers can taste culinary delights from more than 25
of the Mystic area’s premier restaurants. The event, which
takes place in the city’s historical downtown, also includes live
entertainment.
The New England Food Truck Festival (September)
Connecticut has witnessed the recent rise of many food truck-
centered events, including this regional favorite that’s held at
Mohegan Sun. The 2017 event brought together 30 of the area’s
top trucks.
New England Chowdafest (October)
Held at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, this festival
showcases the talents of chefs from New England and as far
away as Seattle, who compete for best-in-show honors in various
chowder and soup categories.
To learn more, contact Henrique at [email protected] or go
to ctvisit.com.
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October 2017
Lots to savor in South County,
Rhode Island
Located 80 miles south of Boston and 160 miles from New
York City, South County, Rhode Island, boasts a burgeoning
culinary scene that keeps the focus on local products.
Oysters amore Louise Bishop, president of the South County
Tourism Council, says there’s no better way to experience Rhode
Island farm-to-table cuisine than to visit the Matunuck Oyster
Bar. “Guests can begin with a pontoon boat tour of the oys-
ter farm with owner Perry Raso, who explains how oysters are
‘grown’ and educates visitors on the importance of aquaculture,”
she says. “After visiting the farm where Raso grows all the veg-
etables, they return to the restaurant for a sumptuous meal that
starts with chilled oysters and champagne before moving on to a
main dish featuring some of the local, fresh vegetables.”
What’s brewing While oysters may be the area’s calling card,
South County also is home to a thriving craft beer culture. At
pastoral Tilted Barn Brewery, travelers can tour the hops farm
then sample seasonal beers. Grey Sail Brewery in Westerly,
which is the region’s largest brewery, offers tours that are fol-
lowed by a visit to the tasting room that is located next door in
a historical home. Bishop says another popular stop is Whaler’s
Brewing Company, which is known for its homey atmosphere
and variety of board games.
A spirited stop Guided tours at award-winning Sons of Liberty
Spirits provide insights on how its whiskeys, vodkas and other
limited edition liquors are made. The tasting room offers whiskey
and beer flights and has a menu of craft cocktails featuring
Sons’ spirits.
To learn more, contact Bishop at [email protected]
or go to southcountyri.com.