I love to cook, but I have to be honest. After preparing three meals a day at home for almost three months now, the love is starting to fade.
Last week, we thought we’d dip our toe into the take-out waters once again by picking up a pizza for lunch and bringing it to a nearby park for a stress-free picnic. That was the plan anyway.
Here’s what really happened:
- We spent 20 minutes diffusing the kids’ argument about which of their favorite pizza places they wanted to order from, only to learn that the one we finally–FINALLY!–all agreed on wasn’t actually open for lunch (ahhhh!).
- We ordered from our second choice (still a favorite!) thinking it would be a long wait time until pick up (because everything seems to take forever these days). It was 20 minutes.
- During our three months in quarantine we had completely forgotten how long it takes our family of five to go from PJ’s to ready-to-go. Hint: it was not 20 minutes (ahhhh!).
- When we were finally ready to get in the car we realized that during the three months we had been in quarantine our daughter had grown so much that she now needed her rear-facing car seat turned around in order to fit in it. We turned the car seat around.
- After everyone was strapped into their seats, we realized we were in the car that had hardly any gas, which would necessitate another pre-pizza pit stop (ahhhh! sensing a pattern here?).
- We all climbed out of my car and into my husband’s car, where we also needed to turn around my daughter’s car seat. However, for whatever reason the exact same car seat that we have in my car (and installed with no issues) did not seem to want to install properly in his car (ahhhhhh!).
- It had now been almost an hour since we ordered the pizza and we decided to give up on the family outing and just have my husband go pick up the pizza himself before it got any colder (or they thought we forgot about it).
- He left to get the pizza, but not before he had to turn around at the end of our block and come back. He forgot a mask. AHHHHHHH!!!!
- At last, we ate slightly cold but still delicious and not-from-a-box-in-the-freezer pizza on our back porch.
- I was still happy that I didn’t have to cook 🙂
Clearly, we have some practicing to do before we are ready to join the going-out-of-the-house-again ranks. Ha! But I intend to work on it now that so many of our favorite outdoor eateries are opening back up again for the season. (Plus I think I need to take an absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder approach with cooking right now.)
So for the second post in our Summer Fun 2020 series, I thought it would be a good idea to take stock of our outdoor dining options. And in this post, I’ve tried to compile a list of some of our favorites and give updates on some of the modifications that each place is enacting for summer 2020. As more information becomes available, I’ll do my best to update this post.
Hope you’re hungry! There’s a lot of eating to do this summer 🙂
***Please note that these are NOT current photographs of these locations; you should expect them to look slightly different with social distancing measures in place***
Jessica’s Garden in Marlborough
This was one of our first blog outings, and still remains a favorite spot today! The Lobster Shack at Jessica’s Garden has expanded its menu quite a bit in the years since our first visit, but we still love the original hot buttered lobster roll (which comes with a pretty reasonable price tag as lobster rolls go). For summer 2020 they are opening their around-the-pond seating, but you could also order your food “to go” if you prefer to take your picnic elsewhere (call or order online).
198 East Hampton Road, Marlborough; OAAM Post; Website; Facebook Page
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank
For many of us, it’s just not summer without the annual pilgrimage to Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough for their signature chowder and lobster roll. You can’t beat the views from the outdoor picnic tables. Currently open daily 11-8 for dine-in (outdoor only) & take-out. Availability will be first come, first serve and if capacity is reached, patrons must wait to place their order and enter the grounds. See here for additional rules for the 2020 season.
117 Pearl Street, Noank; OAAM Post; Website; Facebook Page
The Farmer’s Cow Calfe in Mansfield
This cheerful cafe serving delicious food and ice cream has a lovely outdoor patio that is open for summer 2020 business! All tables are social distanced. They have additional picnic tables in the grass. Other precautions include: follow the markers and remain 6 feet apart from other guests when ordering, have only one person from your group come in to order for everyone if possible, wear a face mask, use hand sanitizer when you enter, enter in front door and exit out the side door. They also ask that you do not move the tables and no tables seating over five people.
86 Storrs Road, Mansfield Center; OAAM Post; Website; Facebook Page
Jem’s Garden and Dairy Barn in South Windsor
This hidden “Jem” is just up the road from the busy South Windsor/Manchester shopping areas, but you’d never know it by the serene setting. Summer 2020 hours are Tuesday through Saturday 12pm to 8pm and they are currently serving a limited menu of ice cream scoops in cups (no cones) with lots of toppings, NEW non-dairy soft-serve, shakes, smoothies, smoothie bowls and beverages. They also wrote on their Facebook page that “Once we get back into the groove we will start back up with salads and wraps.” (I don’t know about you, but smoothie bowls sounds like a totally legitimate meal option to me!) Contactless payment set up–No signing necessary, tap or swipe. (Also accepting cash payments if need be.)
1062 Pleasant Valley Road, South Windsor; OAAM Post; Facebook Page
Lobster Landing in Clinton
Another casual destination for some really delicious seafood is Lobster Landing. Currently they are open for take out only and they ask that you please call in your order and pay over the phone if possible to limit contact: 860-669-2005. Hours will be limited to Thursday through Sunday 11 to 6.
152 Commerce Street, Clinton; OAAM Post; Facebook Page
Pizza Works in Old Saybrook
Yes, we know it won’t be quite the same without ogling the indoor model train sets, but the outdoor patio is still a lovely place to enjoy a mouth-watering slice of pizza (and there is a real train track just out back). A mask must be worn but once you are seated, it can be removed. They are also offering curbside take-out.
455 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook; OAAM Post; Website; Facebook Page
Rose’s Berry Farm in Glastonbury
Another summer tradition for many is the Sunday morning “Breakfast with a View” at Rose’s Berry Farm, which kicks off in late June. Enjoy pancakes with fresh, seasonal fruit toppings on the deck overlooking the beautiful farm and orchards. After breakfast, you can pick berries. Since this is a popular event, the wait for a table can be long (even without social distancing guidelines in place). We recommend getting there early!
295 Matson Hill Road, South Glastonbury OAAM Post; Website; Facebook Page
Harry’s Place in Colchester
Harry’s Place marks 100 years in business this year! So it’s little wonder that so many folks make a visit to this roadside stand serving everything from burgers to seafood a part of their summer tradition. Currently, they are open for drive-through only, but hopefully it won’t be long before visitors can once again enjoy the large, lovely backyard dining area with picnic tables–and plenty of room for the kids to run around.
104 Broadway, Colchester; OAAM Post; Website; Facebook Page
Ice Cream on the Deck at Lyman Orchard in Middlefield
We’re not sure if they’ll be doing breakfast on the deck again this summer (stay tuned!), but for now you can enjoy their new outdoor ice cream window, and of course take out meals from the Apple Barrel Deli.
32 Reeds Gap Road, Middlefield; OAAM Post; Website; Facebook Page
Chef’s Dog House in Newington
So this might not be an outdoor dining place (although it did at one point have a couple tables outside!), but it’s such quintessential summertime food–burgers and dogs and fries–that it felt wrong not to include it. Call in your order ahead of time to minimize contact. Then find yourself a nice outdoor spot in nearby Mill Pond Park and soak in summertime!
337 Willard Avenue, Newington; OAAM Post; Website; Facebook Page
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