The Social Bar + Kitchen

208 Bank St., New London

(860) 442-6900

The craft beer tsunami continues to rage and flood us all — happily — in designer brews. Clever entrepreneurs are realizing the value of pairing the beer with food, providing all-afternoon or long-into-evening destinations for the pleasantly thirsty and puckish.

In New London, The Social has a vast array of order-by-number brews, a very hip and comfortable ambience, and a menu that ranges from casual appetizers to reasonably priced entrees. If you can only have one meal, I'd recommend the Coffee Rubbed Flank Steak ($17), which was a gorgeous presentation of cooked-to-order beef, limned by the titular bark and complemented by risotto and asparagus.

Also stellar was the Shephard's Pie ($10), which offered a slight variation on the much-loved standard. Instead of ground beef or lamb, the construct was anchored by shredded flank steak. Along with peas, mashed potatoes and a stalwart gravy, it was ideal seasonal fare.

— Rick Koster

Jealous Monk Social Hall & Beer Garden

27 Coogan Blvd,, Olde Mistick Village, Mystic

(860) 536-6665

More culinary fun centered on the love of fine beer. This handsome spot, working a look stolen from a coffee table book on Oktoberfest celebrations, utilizes an order-at-the-bar concept popular in Europe. There are plenty of nice beer selections from across the globe, and a small but cleverly-conceptualized menu to augment the drinking process.

We favored the Deviled Eggs ($3 each) with a changes-daily filling determined by the chef. Also as a starter — but which could easily work as a main course — is the Big A Pretzel ($9), which is platter-sized, served oven-toasty, and complemented by two mustards and, if requested, a vat of tangy bier cheese. There are also hand-crafted sausages ($9 on either a field of greens or a grinder roll) and, in particular, the piquant chipotle version was a stunning winner.

— Rick Koster

The Plum Tomato

1 New London Road (Route 85), Salem

(860) 892-5295

Nothing beats a hidden gem pizza spot. The only problem is it can be hard to spot the diamonds in the rough from a distance. So I'll give you a head start: Plum Tomato in Salem is a hidden gem.

With specialty pies like the "Kiss of Death" ($15.99 or $20.99) loaded with garlic and Gorgonzola or the "Nunzio" ($13.99 or $18.99) with peppery sausage and pepperoni, it's hard not to find a satisfying and inventive option here executed to near perfection. Another must try: the Caesar Salami (quarter: $6.99, half: $9.99, whole: $17.99) — marketed as so good it "could cause another Independent Council investigation" — with its Genoa salami, onions, roasted red peppers, hot cherry peppers, sliced plum tomato, provolone cheese, mesclun greens and house-made Caesar dressing.

— Alex Nunes