Treat Yourself to the Griswold Inn in Essex Connecticut

Stay at the Griswold Inn!

Whether you refer to yourself as a Nutmegger, a Connecticuter, a Connecticotian, a Connecticutersian, a Connecticutian - or simply a person who lives in Connecticut - there are exclusive deals for you!

The Griswold Inn

Photo Courtesy of the Griswold Inn

You may be yearning to get on a train, a plane or take a longer road trip but don't feel comfortable venturing too far from home. If you're in need of shaking up your daily experience, this may just do the trick!

Consider a weekend getaway to the Griswold Inn, or "The Gris" as we like to call it!

Photo Courtesy of The Griswold Inn

The folks at the Griswold Inn can arrange a relatively contactless experience from start to finish if you so choose. They offer curbside check-in and many of their suites are located within historic buildings across the street from the Main Inn and have their own entrances.

Eat at the Griswold Inn

Dine in The Gris' historic dining rooms, as Executive Chef Toppin prepares classic American cuisine to perfection in simple, but imaginative ways. His menu showcases fresh seafood, aged beef, and the highest quality chops and poultry. After any meal, Chef Toppin’s house-made desserts are a “must”. 

Their historic dining rooms exude character, charm, and tradition, where one can be as comfortable in casual attire as in “black tie.” 

The dining room is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and they are now offering outdoor dining (weather permitting), dine-in and "Gris To Go" with curbside pickup, all available from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm daily. 

For Indoor Dining you are encouraged to make a reservation by phone, 860.767.1776, or online. 

Outdoor Dining is available on a first-come, first-served basis, although they do accept reservations for seven or more.

One of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country, the Griswold began business in 1776. Although the Inn exudes the charm of days gone by, they are anything but dated. From their sophisticated cuisine, extensive wine offerings, comfortable accommodations, and modern amenities, The Griswold Inn, located in the historic seaport village of Essex, Connecticut, offers the best of times. 

Read about my stroll through historic Essex Ct with the #LetsMeetCT event at Home Place Blog with the Let's Meet CT group.

The Griswold Inn

36 Main Street

Essex, CT 06426

(860) 767-1776

https://griswoldinn.com

Carlson's Landing in Essex Connecticut

Social Media Promotion: Portions Sponsored        

New! In Essex Connecticut

If you're looking for scenic views, great food, and a gorgeous modern and airy setting, I've found the place for you! 

Look no further than Carlson's Landing in Essex Connecticut! We were recently invited to experience Carlson's at a sample menu tasting courtesy of owner Robert Rabine, and executive chef Kyle Bledsoe.

Owner Robert Rabine is the former owner / operator of Cafe Routier (Old Saybrook / Westbrook) and started fine-tuning  his Connecticut culinary heritage with stints at Robert Henry Restaurant (New Haven) and Cafe Lafayette (Madison). Connecticut shoreline locals will likely remember Robert's food and beverage column, the Oedipal Epicurean in the Shoreline Times (2011-2019). 

Carlon's Landing's newly built structure overlooks the Connecticut River and the River Museum. The beautiful exterior gives way to a bright, open, and tastefully decorated interior. 

The attention to detail is amazing, from the porthole arched door frame - to the mermaid door handle. 

Mermaid Door Handle

Outdoor seasonal decks are wrapped in Brazilian mahogany with custom stainless rigging by Greyson Metalworks. How wonderful it will be to sit out on that deck in warmer weather and enjoy some great food and spectacular river views!

Patio Views at Carlson's Landing

The intimate dining room comfortably seats thirty, with added seating at the bar for twenty. The restaurant vibe is tasteful New England nautical at its best!

Carlson's Landing Dining Room

The restaurant’s gray and white canvas is accented with custom mahogany tables and bar by local cabinet maker Bruce Therott.  

Carlson's Landing Lounge
Amazing River Views!

Spectacular oceanic artwork by local artist Melissa Barbieri, adorns the space with large scale oil paintings of nautical abstracts and sea creatures. 

Vestibule and waiting area with
Artwork by Melissa Barbieri

We started our dining adventure with some of their signature cocktails from their creative cocktail menu that features martinis, premium spirits, unique cocktails, craft beer, and an all-American curated wine list. 

My personal favorite was the Hot Buttered Rum, made with spiced rum, brown sugar, spiced butter batter, and cinnamon and nutmeg. Believe it or not, I made a secondary visit to Carlson's just so I could have another!

Cocktail Time!
Strawberry Mint Mojito, Martini, 
the Paloma, Hot Buttered Rum

The Paloma
silver tequila, grapefruit, 
simple syrup, lime, and club soda

Hot Buttered Rum
Photo Source Carlson's Landing

Then Chef Bledsoe starting dazzling us with his appetizers! Chef is a Johnson & Wales alum with classical training under Chef Pascal Barbot of Astrance in Paris, France. Prior to Carlson's Landing Chef Bledsoe was the Chef de Cuisine at Arrive Hotel in Palm Springs, CA and the Head Chef at The Danforth Inn in Portland, ME. 

The all-day menu is seasonally and geographically inspired featuring  both land and sea favorites.

Fish house favorites include a classic fishwich, deviled crab fritters, fried calamari with pickled sweet peppers and chipotle aioli, a buttery lobster roll, and market-fresh fish.  Chef is also steaming little neck clams in ham broth and charred leeks (CAN YOU SAY YUMMMM??!!)  and making a unique dish of tuna meatballs with pomodoro sauce and grilled crostini.

Grilled
Giant Heads-On Prawn

Deviled Crab Fritters

Deviled Eggs
with Fried Capers

Swordfish Puttanesca

linguini, garlic, onions, capers, 

black olives, tomato, parsley

From the "by land" or turf menu we sampled some delicious beef and poultry, a mouthwatering perfectly cooked and rested petit filet mignon, and tender grilled quail. 

Grilled Petit
Filet Mignon

Grilled Boned and Marinated Quail

For our wonderful happy ending we sampled a heavenly apple crisp, churros, and other decadent delights!

Apple Crisp

Sweet dreams are made of this!

Dessert at Carlson's Landing

We loved the earthiness and subtle Mediterranean flavor perspective that Chef Bledsoe brings to Carlson's Landing. 

Our visit was highlighted by the elevated dining experience and hospitality that our host, Robert Rabine, is known for. Thank you Robert and Kyle for a wonderful evening! 

Boat Launch
Carlson's Landing

Carlson's Landing is certainly a friendly and welcoming addition to the Connecticut shoreline! Visit them soon!

Carlson's Landing

63 Main Street

Essex, CT 06426
(860) 767-2727

www.carlsonslanding.com


Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:30 AM-9 PM 
(Closed Tuesdays)
Friday & Saturday 11:30 AM-10:00 PM
Sunday 3:00-9:00 PM
 

Disclaimer: We were invited to this menu sampling by members of Carlson's Landing management and marketing team, however, all views and opinions are our own.


© Home Place 2020

Lets Meet Connecticut - #LetsMeetCT

Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet up with approximately 50 photographers and bloggers, most from the Connecticut area, but some from New York and New Jersey, in beautiful Essex CT to share some photography and social media tips, and capture the last of 2015's fall foliage.

Essex Connecticut is the idyllic New England town, located on the banks of the Connecticut River. It is home to charming Federal, Victorian, and Cape Cod homes, the Griswold Inn (the longest continuously operating inn in the U.S), and the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat. Settled in 1648, and incorporated in 1852, its thriving township consists of three villages, Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton. [info compiled from Town of Essex CT at www.essexct.gov].

Early bird that I am, I decided to fuel up at the historic Griswold Inn before heading down to Essex Town Park for the meetup. I had a quick lunch of a bowl of Clam Chowder and a Pumpkin Pie Martini and listened to some Dixieland Jazz by Freight Train Five, who play most Sundays from 11:00am to 3pm for the Gris' Sunday Brunch enjoyment.

The Historic Griswold Inn

Pumpkin Pie Martini and New England Clam Chowder
Griswold Inn

Freight Train Five
Dixie Land Jazz at the Griswold Inn

After lunch, I headed down to the Essex Town Park where I met up with our group for the first ever Let's Meet CT Meet Up!

Host Janievy Hilary (@neivy) hadn't arrived yet, but we were quickly welcomed by photographer Jesse Romano (follow him at @indue for AMAZING photography) who was kind enough to talk camera tips with us. (Jesse you'll be happy to know that today I traded in my humongous purse for a smaller one!) 

Yup, that's me on the left with the suitcase sized purse below!!

The First "Let's Meet CT" Group - Photo by Janeivy Hilary
Photo Source Instagram @Neivy  

It was great to meet some new friends, see some old friends, and finally meet some great photographers that I already follow, as well as find a few new ones! See the link at the end of this post for some amazing photographs from some talented artists.

And I absolutely love this picture that Wendy from CT Lifestyles took of me playing with the fallen leaves.

Photo Source Instagram @CTLifestyles

Here are some of the pictures I took from our self-directed Essex Walking Tour for #LetsMeetCT

Because our meet up was the day after Halloween so many residents had their fun decor up!

The group moved in a few different directions without any set itinerary, and after strolling through downtown Essex, Gina from WanderLaughs Travel and I headed back to the Griswold Inn for some cocktails where we were later joined by Greg and Wendy from CTLifestyles for a quick bite to eat by the Gris' roaring fireplace.

For more really great pictures of our day  

follow the fun on Instagram at #LetsMeetCT 

and get out there and take some pictures of the state YOU live in!

*****

Are you from CT? Where would you recommend we hold a meet up?

Not from CT? Where would you recommend people visit in your state?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!