S & P Oyster Company, Mystic

I had the greatest pleasure in dining at S&P Oyster on my birthday! My daughter wanted to treat me and chose a spot near to our town. Typically considered a “tourist” spot, we do not usually consider S&P as a dining out option. Boy, did I make a fantastic error! Arriving in late afternoon, we were immediately greeted by a pleasant and smiling young woman. It was not quite dinner time but already a number of people were eating. We were seated at the last river view table available. Our first order of business was to simply soak in the ambiance. Butcher paper covered tables, effective directed lighting, a selection of crayons and a continental drink list, tidily tucked into a half glass, half wood rectangle stretching from the Old Mystic Drawbridge toward the Mystic Seaport. We had only picked up the drink list when our friendly and smiling server proceeded to write her name on our table! Courtney brought us drinks and then treated us to the specials. I say treated because this wasn’t merely a list or recitation, but, a mouth watering portrait of their chef’s imagination. Our spinach dip was served hot with freshly fried chips. Oh ecstasy! The baby spinach salad was a field of battle between the two women who had previously agreed to share. Dinner included and special (lobster risotto with lemon zest and basil) and the wood fired shrimp drizzled delicately with a stern sauce, served in concert with a plain rice and zesty seaweed salad. It was a good thing we didn’t eat TOO much of the fresh bread and fragrant oil Courtney brought us before our meal! Alas, dessert brought the inevitable candle, and, heaven, crème brulee. A number of employees seem to work in tandem and are generally well mannered. My daughter pronounced the rest rooms immaculate. Wines are well represented without reaching into snobbery. This is the best trained staff I have encountered outside a metropolitan city. The upstairs dining room, appropriately called the “Captain’s Room”, was closed that particular evening for a private party (something they assure me they only do during their “off” season). Having been permitted to sneak a peek at the view from that higher level, I simply cannot wait for the chance to dine over the river. There is no doubt in my mind of the perfect dinner destination with my out of town guests this summer. Perfect for affordable, fresh, casual, yet elegant, simplicity in dining. Bon appetite!