Sugar Factory American Brasserie

Foxwoods Resort Casino in the Fox Theater District

(860) 312-7847

https://www.foxwoods.com/sugar-factory

If king-size, after-school, candy-themed eats and drinks appeal to you, make reservations at the Sugar Factory. (You'll need them if you hope to eat before 10 p.m.) From Red Velvet Pancakes ($14), S'mores Crepes ($15), and Chocolate Decadence French Toast ($15) to slightly more savory options like the White Chocolate Burger ($17; yes, it's a burger served with a white chocolate ganache), Chicken and Waffles, and The Big Cheesy — a giant Angus burger covered with macaroni and cheese — Sugar Factory explores culinary combinations in every shade of the rainbow. Indeed, one could even sample the best of both worlds with the Bacon Cheeseburger Milkshake ($18), one of SF's signature Insane Shakes that combines strawberry ice cream and a cheeseburger slider, which is then covered with a riot of M&Ms, chocolate and pretzels.

As you might've noticed, a meal at SF is not a cheap enterprise and probably best reserved for special occasions. Cocktails are equally expensive. Those unpriced colorful, gummi-candy-laden Goblets you see first on the menu? Ours was $36; presumably the others fall somewhere in that pricey ballpark, so be sure to ask about prices before ordering one.

— Marisa Nadolny

The Seahorse Restaurant

65 Marsh Road, Noank

(860) 415-4280

seahorserestaurant.net

There are folks like me who, when presented with the option in a restaurant to dine in a pub or dining room, prefer the former. Insert boozer joke here. But the small bar inside the Seahorse, with its painted fish scales ceiling, is such a cool gathering spot of locals, in-the-know visitors and actual working fisherpersons that I find it irresistible.

A word to those of a vegetarian ilk. There aren't many options besides nachos, salads and pasta primavera. For the rest of us, the food's damned tasty. A fried fish sandwich ($12 with steak fries and coleslaw) combines a hunk of fresh whitefish in a thin, almost tempura-like batter and served on a fresh star-cut sandwich roll from the Calise Bakery in Lincoln, R.I.

Also from the sammich options, the open-faced steak ($20) was sensational; beautifully cooked, lean sirloin slices atop bread designed to soak up juices. Served with lemon and fries. Excellent.

And a recent dinner special, grilled swordfish ($25 with choice of sides), also greatly pleased. A large piece of swordfish was fine as-is but taken to a special level with a lobster/dill sauce ladled across the top. Florets of steamed, buttery cauliflower and boiled new potatoes with melted cheese were fine components.

— Rick Koster

Pizzetta

7 Water St., Mystic

(860) 536-4443

pizzettamystic.com

Pizzetta in Mystic is a dining experience that goes far beyond your average pizza and grinder joint. In addition to customers being able to build their own pie (12-inch for $9.99 and 16-inch $13.25, plus toppings), there's an impressive list of specialty pies, including the BBQ chicken with smoked and pulled meat, barbecue sauce, sweet onions, Gorgonzola, mozzarella and Asiago cheese ($17 and $22); meat lovers with classic tomato sauce pepperoni, bacon, hot sausage, mozzarella and Asiago ($17 and $22); and the prosciutto and arugula with roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, and shaved Parmesan ($18 and $23).

Add in several vegetarian options, a strong panini list (Philly cheese steak, $10.99; Nona's eggplant Parmesan, $10.99; and pesto chicken, $10.99, to name a few), outdoor seating, a cavernous, stone-walled bar, and prompt service, and Pizzetta is an ideal spot to pop into for lunch or dinner on a summer night.

— Alex Nunes