Double Date Night at the Guilford Mooring

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Dinner at the Guilford Mooring

The summers are short in New England and we try to pack as many fun nights out with friends as often as we can. One of our favorite places to meet up is the Guilford Mooring in Guilford CT. 

The Guilford Mooring
in Guilford Connecticut

Our friends Wendy and Greg from Connecticut Lifestyles live out in East Lyme, and we're in Branford CT, so an 'almost' halfway point for us to meet up is in Guilford. We all love great seafood and casual dining over good conversation, and the Guilford Mooring is the perfect place for it! What makes it even better is that regardless of the season, the Guilford Mooring is the perfect place to enjoy with water views to drink in in the spring and summer, and a cozy fireplace to curl up in front of in the fall and winter!

And the food? The food is simply incredible! 

Although they do have some of the typical fried seafood offerings, most of the food is a bit more elevated, featuring items like Pan Seared Diver Scallops with Creamy Risotto, Blackened Swordfish with Smashed Red Bliss Potatoes...and so much more! And, if you're more of a 'by land' protein lover ... they are equally well known for their amazing beefs and chops. like their 18 oz Bone in Rib-Eye and their 14 oz "Tomahawk" Veal Chop.

We started with some of cocktails from the specialty cocktail menu. There are so many innovative combinations. These pictured are the Blackberry Vodka Cocktail and the Mai Tai!

Then we moved on to appetizers! My colleague June at work had highly recommended the Stuffed Quohogs, so of course, I had to try that! Wendy ordered the Fried Artichokes, Greg the Thick Bacon, and the cowboy went with the Iceburg Wedge Salad. 

Fried Artichokes
Parmesan Truffle, Lemon Aioli,
Garnished with Parsley

Thick Bacon
Local Tomatoes, Carmelized Onion
Smokey BBQ Drizzle

Iceburg Wedge Salad
Blue Cheese, Bacon, Grape Tomatoes
Creamy Peppercorn Dression

... and now I know why June urged me to get the stuffed clams! They were sooooo good! Stuffed, and I do mean STUFFED with a variety of seafood, like clams, shrimp, scallops AND crab -- they could not have been better!

Stuffed Quohogs (Two per order)
But I wanted a good closeup!
Stuffed with Crab, Scallops, Shrimp, Clams
Stuffing made with a Focaccia Bread Stuffing

For dinner we went with a medley of different seafoods! Wendy ordered the Scallops, the cowboy Swordfish, I went with the Salmon, and Greg ordered one of the evening's specials, a Lobster "New England" Boil, with everything from lobster, to shrimp, to mussels, to clams, to corn on the cob! Greg's New England dinner was inclusive, accompanied by an appetizer (clam chowder) and a dessert (Raspberry Cheesecake). 

New England Dinner's inclusive chowder
New England Clam Chowder

Greg was a good sport and donned
the obligatory Lobster Bib!

The Guilford Moorings'
New England Lobster Dinner
Lobster, Mussels, Clams, Shrimp,
Corn on the Cob
YUM!

Pan Seared Diver Scallops
Maine Lobster White Truffle Risotto
Citrus Beurre Blanc

Pan Roasted Salmon
Soba Noodles, Vegetable Broth, Red Peppers
Carrots, Edamanm, Mushroom, Sriracha Honey Drizzle with Sesame Seeds

Blackened Swordfish
Red Bliss Mashed,
Smoked Pineapple Salsa

We took a breather before dessert and sipped on a creamy delicious cappuccino!

Cappuccino

Desserts were also fantastic! I continued with the cappuccino and ordered a Cappuccino Gelato, Wendy went with the Crème Brûlée the cowboy called himself 'done in' for the night (whatta light weight!) and Greg enjoyed his New England Lobster Dinner's final item, the Raspberry Cheesecake!

Cappuccino Gelato

Crème Brûlée

Raspberry Cheesecake

We had such a wonderful time! Afterwards we wandered in the cocktail lounge to watch a round or two of Tuesday Trivia.

Tuesday Trivia at
Guilford Mooring

And then we wandered out on the dock to watch the sun set and see the fisherman bring in some of the day's catch! We had some fun taking pictures of one another!

Greg and Wendy from
Connecticut Lifestyles
https://connecticutlifestyles.com/

The Guilford Mooring is definitely Dingus Family approved! 

The Cowboy and Bonnie
Note: Dingus Family placard
from Coastal Creators CT

Be sure you visit the Guilford Mooring in Guilford Connecticut soon and enjoy the waterviews and great food! Reservations are accepted and there are some great specials all season long such as Happy Hour Monday - Friday 3-6 in the bar and sunroom, Thursday night Ladies Night with food and drink specials in the bar and sunroom, and Tuesday Trivia in the lounge!

See more specials here => https://www.guilfordmooring.com/page/28732-Specials

Guilford Mooring

505 Whitfield Street

Guilford, CT 06437

203-458-2921

https://www.guilfordmooring.com/

About the Guilford Mooring

Guilford Mooring, located on the shores of the Long Island Sound at 505 Whitfield Street in Guilford, Connecticut, honors its waterfront location by offering classic preparation of timeless seafood dishes, in addition to land lover’s favorite meat options.  The seasonal menu includes Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options, and a special $5 children’s menu honors young foodies.  The restaurant is open year-round, seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offering unparalleled views from an outdoor bar and deck, as well as the newly-renovated indoor bar/dining area, featuring a rustic stone fireplace for the New England winter months and air-conditioning for the heat of summer.  

For more information, visit www.guilfordmooring.com. The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (GuilfordMooringCT)and Instagram (theguilfordmooring).

Disclaimer: We were invited to the Guilford Mooring by the restaurant's management and marketing team, however all views are our own. 

©  Home Place 2019

Guilford Mooring - Football Sunday

Enjoy Football Sundays at Guilford Mooring!

Guilford Mooring is celebrating Football Sundays with their guests, offering beer, cocktail and food specials in the restaurant’s bar and lounge area from 1pm-close.  

Specials include 

• $3 domestic bottles
• $4 drafts
• $1 Buffalo Wings
• Sandwich Special
• Cocktail Special

Watch the big game and order up some delicious food! 

Guilford Mooring

505 Whitfield Street

Guilford, CT 06437

203.458.2921

www.guilfordmooring.com

About Guilford Mooring:

Guilford Mooring is located on the shores of the Long Island Sound at 505 Whitfield Street in Guilford, Connecticut, honors its waterfront location by offering classic preparation of timeless seafood dishes, in addition to land lover’s favorite meat options.  

The seasonal menu includes Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options, and a special $5 children’s menu honors young foodies.  

The restaurant is open year-round, seven days a week for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch, offering unparalleled views from an outdoor bar and deck, as well as the newly-renovated indoor bar/dining area, featuring a rustic stone fireplace for the New England winter months and air-conditioning for the heat of summer.  

For more information, visit www.guilfordmooring.com.  The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (GuilfordMooringCT) and Instagram (theguilfordmooring).

Fresh Market - Taste of the Holidays

The Fresh Market "Taste of the Holidays" Sampling Event

Photo Courtesy The Fresh Market

One of the BEST holidays is almost here! 

Thanksgiving has got to be one of my favorite times of the year! It's all about gorgeous fall weather, family, friends and GREAT FOOD!

I mean, really! Who doesn't love the sweet and savory flavors of the fall holiday season! One of my favorite places to shop for holiday meals is my local Fresh Market store. Lucky for me there's one about10 miles away from me in Guilford CT at the Guilford Commons! Find one near you HERE

The Fresh Market is THE destination for fresh and delicious holiday food! 

Not convinced? 

You can sample a little “Taste of the Holidays” at your local Fresh Market's Sampling Event on Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12 (my birthday!!) from noon to 4 p.m. at ALL of their176 store locations!

The specialty grocer has selected holiday menu items available for sampling to spark meal ideas in advance of the Thanksgiving feast. 

That's right! The Fresh Market invites you to sample their mouthwatering, vegetarian-fed, 100 percent antibiotic-free thanksgiving turkey – never frozen and unmatched in taste and tenderness. 

Also featured at the event will be The Fresh Market’s spiral-sliced honey ham, double-glazed with honey and brown sugar and smoked over hickory hardwood – prepared to conveniently heat and serve at home. You can also savor some of their delicious side dishes during Taste of the Holidays, including The Fresh Market’s signature cranberry relish with just the right balance of sweet and tart. Perfectly spiced pumpkin pie, baked fresh in-store, will end the event on a sweet note – along with other traditional seasonal favorites made simple for the busy holiday season.

It only gets better! Now through Monday, November 20, The Fresh Market is offering holiday meal ordering for a simplified, foolproof Thanksgiving feast. The Fresh Market’s holiday meal ordering program is specially designed for guests who crave delicious, gourmet dishes prepared to perfection, as well as the comfort and convenience of a personalized order ready, reserved and waiting.  Uh-huh! Let The Fresh Market do all the food prep for you!

For those who savor the experience of cooking their Thanksgiving meal from scratch, The Fresh Market offers choices such as fresh turkey, beef tenderloin and lamb that can be purchased and prepared at home according to favorite family recipes. From a deluxe holiday dinner that serves 12-14 to a selection of à la carte items, the 2017 holiday meal ordering program delivers maximum flavor and minimum fuss to satisfy everyone at the Thanksgiving table.

After placing an order online or in-store, you can pick up a holiday spread at your local Fresh Market store by 10 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21 and Wednesday, November 22 and, in all store locations outside of Hingham, MA, by 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 23. 

Orders can be placed at thefreshmarket.com/holiday-meals.

About The Fresh Market, Inc.

Founded in 1982, The Fresh Market, Inc. is a specialty grocery retailer focused on providing fresh, delicious food with friendly service in a warm and inviting atmosphere. From seasonally fresh produce to exceptional quality meat and seafood, signature baked goods and thousands of organic options, The Fresh Market is dedicated to offering its guests the most delicious and inspiring foods available. 

As a destination for weekly shopping and special occasions, The Fresh Market provides a thoughtful product assortment curated for all tastes and culinary preferences. The company operates 176 stores in 24 states across the U.S. 

For more information, please visit www.thefreshmarket.com or follow The Fresh Market on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

CT Open House Day 2014 - In Guilford & New Haven

Promotional Invite

Connecticut Open House Day turned TEN YEARS OLD!.

That's right! The big One-O! And for the past decade, the state of Connecticut has been rolling out the red carpet for both residents and tourists to enjoy all the fun things to do in our great little nutmeg state!

Once a year, many of the businesses, museums, and travel destinations, fling open their doors, at free or reduced prices!  And now it's become an annual event called Connecticut Open House Day (#CTOpenHouse) sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Tourism.

This year they partnered with some of CT's wonderful network of social media mavens to help get the word out. Wendy of Weights Over and Cheryl from CherylBudge.com traveled to one portion of the state with their families to visit the Dinosaur State Park, New England Air Museum, and the Southington Drive In.

In another part of the state, Michelle, a freelance travel writer, and publisher of She Is Going Places, Kelsey from FleishmanHillard representing CT Tourism, and I went on a walking tour of historic Guilford CT.

And later in this post you'll see we met up with Wendy and Greg of CT Lifestyles Magazine for lunch at the hip and healthy Claire's Corner Copia, in neighboring New Haven CT, home to Yale University, and one of the greatest small cities in American (GSCIA!)


Speaking of great little cities and towns - the Connecticut Tourism Bureau is ALSO running a Connecticut still revolutionary Fan-Favorite Town Contest for a fan favorite town. Vote now for your chance to win a getaway to Niantic! The ZIP and ZEN prize package includes a four-night stay at the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, $100 gift card to Grace Boutique and a free all-day pass to Niantic Bay Bicycles.

VOTE HERE ===> Fan-Favorite-Town

Back to CT Open House Day!

The cowboy and I started off earlier than our 9:45 meet up at the Guilford Town Hall, and decided to head in to Guilford ahead of schedule to have some breakfast on our own. While we were driving down one of the streets near the Guilford Town Green, we spotted a little Quonset Hut that houses a little restaurant called Perk on Church and some other retail establishments! It looked so cute so we stopped and started with a great breakfast before we set off on our historic walking tour.

It was a fun little place to stop and there is a patio for dining al fresco! The cowboy had three eggs over easy and I had a Southwestern Crepe. So good! So spicy! (wipes sweat from brow, gulps water, YUM)

After breakfast we met up with Michelle and Kelsey, our companions for the walk, and Dennis who runs the Guilford Historical Tours, and Elya and Virginia, our two guides for the walking tour. Elya and Virginia are both college students who grew up in Guilford, and have an affinity and love for their hometown, and the history of Guilford's founding. Virginia earned her Girl Scouts' Gold Award for her research on Guilford and the Guilford Green.

It was a beautiful day in CT - and we set out to learn all about Guilford, who, by the way, is getting ready to celebrate their 375th Anniversary!

Our tour guides explained the rigorous process that homeowners go through to have their homes join the prestigious historic registry in town. The historic society will go through town records dating back hundreds of years to find the original owners of the home. After the society authenticates the home, a placard is made that gives the year the house was built and the original owners family name.

Our guides Elya and Virginia explained each house's style: saltbox, Victorian, cape, colonial, or cottage, and pointed out the different architectural details of each.

And there were more than just private homes on the tour! There were churches, town halls, and schools.

Above is the pride of Church Street - a beautiful Queen Anne!

We learned the history of the churches we visited and all about the town's founders. And a truly inspiring moment was viewing the covenant of the original settlers, inscribed with the names of the founding families of Guilford CT!

The Guilford Covenant

We saw many beautiful homes and buildings and at the conclusion of our tour we crossed the town green, where tour guide Virginia pointed out the plaques that described historic information on the town green. Did you know that Guilford Green is the largest continuous Green in New England? And Virginia had a hand in raising the monies and donations for the plaques as part of her civic project.

Before I move on to the second half of our CT Open House Day, I have to say that the Guilford Walking Tour is a MUST for anyone vising the Shoreline area. Guilford has such a rich and storied history, and the tour guides bring each story to life. From learning the green stripes on the poles markthe New England Trail, to a retail establishment that was once the town's Methodist Church; and from the historic Whitfield House and Museum to the eerie Doll House, each area on the tour has an interesting element to it.

What's more, these young adults are marking their own pages in Guilford's history books. They are knowledgeable about the town, engaged in civic events, and on several occasions stopped to introduce us to present day residents and merchants explaining each individual's personal connection to the town.

Make no mistake about it. History is being made, AND preserved, in beautiful Guilford CT!

For more pictures from the Guilford Historic Walking Tour click HERE.

By now it was past noon and we were FAMISHED! So we moved on to Claire's Corner Copia in New Haven, a short 15-20 drive from Guilford.

Claire's is a New Haven staple, serving organic, sustainable, kosher, vegan, and gluten free dishes. And New Haven was just named the Top Foodie City in 2014 by Livability.com. Although Claire's has been in business since 1975, their first location was in my hometown of Branford! And, I'm ashamed to admit that this visit during CT Open House Day was the first time I've been back to Claire's since they moved to New Haven many moons ago.

As soon as we arrived and got in line to order we were were tempted by the delicious desserts on display in their cases! Just look at them!

We had loads of fun with the staff at Claire's! While I sipped on my Cucumber Lemon Freeze we got to browse through one of Claire's cookbooks.

On to our delicious lunch!

 I originally ordered the Cobb Salad and the Cowboy ordered the Pizza Caprese, but when he took a look at my salad, I knew he was going to claim it as his own. What can I say...it looked that good! And I love Pizza Caprese so it was a win-win for both of us!

And here are my tablemates' lunches! More flat bread pizzas, grilled vegetables, a quesidilla, and quiche!

And for dessert, none of us held back! So many offerings that are gluten free, flourless, and just plain good!

What a great day!  For more pictures from our visit to Claire's click HERE

There is so much to do in CT and this was a great example of two fun filled adventures that are 15 minutes from my hometown!

That's what CT Open House is all about - Get out and see what's in your own backyard! From historic towns and tours to trendy eateries - Connecticut has it all! I guess that's why we're Still Revolutionary!

Big thanks to the CT Tourism Bureau for an amazing time, the Guilford Historic Walking Tour for an educational and fun experience, and Claire's Corner Copia for a delicious lunch.

And DON'T FORGET to vote for your Fan-Favorite Town! Vote ==> HERE

For more info on fun events in CT, click the CT Tourism Board ==> HERE

For more info on the Guilford Historic Walking Tour click ==> HERE

For more info on Claire's Corner Copia in New Haven CT click ==> HERE

Explore Connecticut! It's still revolutionary!

What's YOUR favorite thing to do in CT?

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

Disclaimer: I was invited by the CT Tourism Bureau's Marketing Team to participate in this event as their guest. However, the views, experiences, and opinions are my own. 

Holiday Open House at the Dudley Farm in Guilford, CT

The holiday season is filled with so many Christmas bazaars, fairs, and festivals.  I wish I could go to them all!  This year, the Cowboy found a new one for us in Guilford, CT, at the Dudley Farm who were were holding their 17th Annual Holiday Open House and Market!

The Dudley Farm is located on Durham Road in Guilford, CT at the junction of Route 77 and Route 80.  The farm consists of the white farm house and various barns situated on over 10 acres of land. The farm was originally owned and operated by the Dudley family beginning in 1844.  In 1991, the last remaining Dudley family member donated the house and property to the North Guilford Volunteer Fire Department. The department formed a non-profit farm museum commemorating the area's agriculture traditions by establishing the Dudley Foundation, and supports the museum through a variety of events held year round.

This year we were only able to stop for a short time while we were out doing some holiday shopping.  Although we were unable to tour the farmhouse that was decorated for the holidays, we did venture into the Munger barn (dismantled from the Munger farm and reassembled in an old-fashioned barn raising on the Dudley property) and view some of crafts and other unique items available.

In the Mungar Barn At the Dudley Farm in Guilford, CT

The unexpected surprise? A great bluegrass band was playing up in the hayloft and it added such a festive element to the holiday fair.

Bluegrass Band at the Dudley Farm in Guilford, CT

Next year, this will be a definite stop for us and we'll be sure to spend some more time there! 

Here's some of the crafts and other items that were available.  

Pine and Evergreen Decorations

Mice having a tree decorating party!

Hand Painted Ornaments by Tricia
Contact Tricia at ornamentbytricia@aol.com

Well...YES! The Cowboy bought me one!  

It wouldn't be Christmas without him buying me a new ornament for our tree! 

More Hand Painted Items by Tricia

Santa Doing Some Early Shopping 

We ventured downstairs where even more vendors were set up!  

Downstairs at the Munger Barn at the Dudley Farm in Guilford CT

North Guilford Historical Society

Wood Working Items

Beautiful Christmas Blankets and Items

On your way out...stop and design your own wreath!

Design & Decorate Your Own Wreath

We hope to see you there for the holiday fair next year...or maybe at some of the other great events the Dudley Foundation sponsors!

The Dudley Farm • 2351 Durham Rd, Guilford, CT 06437 • 203–457–0770

Do you have any holiday festivals that you attend every year?  How about any holiday traditions?

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