Dining Review: Captain Daniel Packer Inne in Mystic, CT

We were recently in Mystic, CT, passing through on our way to a wedding.  Mystic is a quaint little town, with some very good shopping, a bustling town center, an old drawbridge that just might trap you on one side or the other, as well as the Mystic Aquarium.  There is a lot to do here for a day. On this particular day we needed some lunch, so we ventured a little off the main drag, and down Water Street to the Captain Daniel Packer Inn.

The building was erected over 250 years ago, and served as an inn back in the 1700s.  It stayed in the family all the way to 1970.  In 1979 it was extensively renovated by the current owners.  It’s quaint and quintessential old New England.  You feel that the moment you walk in.  We went downstairs to the pub, which is where the lunch menu is served.  Between the low ceilings, exposed stone and dark wood you could easily imagine imagine yourself back in that 1700s inn.  An old fireplace adds even more charm.  The bar is inviting as well, with many beers on tap.

Appetizers ordered in our party included the fried calamari and seared sesame tuna.  The calamari was tender, lightly breaded and not greasy at all.  The sesame tuna was perfectly seared, and served with a rather delightful soy marinated cucumber

Seared Tuna and Cucumber Salad

salad, over some coriander flavored cellophane noodles.  Both were excellent, and the tuna should be an entrée, it was that good.  For actual entrees we ordered some fish and chips (this is a New England seaside inn), the veggie flatbread and the lobster salad.  Again, everything was excellent, and the lobster salad was quite impressive, with a complete lobster tail in shell sitting on the bed of greens.  It was an unusual presentation.

Lobster Salad

Throw in a lot of friendly, casual but attentive service and this was a great lunch all around.  I could have stayed for a few hours and ordered another drink, as it is a very inviting and homey atmosphere.  We haven’t experienced the dining room for dinner, and so can’t offer a recommendation on that, but if you are in the area and looking for lunch, take the short drive down Water Street.  It is worth it.

The particulars:

Captain Daniel Packer Inne

32 Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355 – (860) 536-3555

Website: http://danielpacker.com/wp/

A votre santé!

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