Chapter One

32 West Main St., Mystic

(860) 245-4123

chapter-one.com

The notion of a “chapter one” implies the start of a hopefully enjoyable literary journey. Apply that concept to cuisine — presumably the owners’ intent when calling their Mystic restaurant Chapter One — and the prospect of an ongoing succession of enjoyable dining experiences is a good thing.

Indeed, Chapter One, a handsome, casual “New American” spot in the heart of downtown Mystic, is a spot we can see visiting with regularity. With a bipartite floor layout — the tavern side and the dining side — and plenty of window space looking out onto the busy West Main Street processional, Chapter One encourages leisurely enjoyment.

The food and service is excellent and accommodating, with a relatively small but representative menu including a raw bar, seafood dishes, pasta offerings, salads and “hand-helds.” And after an initial satisfactory experience, it’s reassuring to think one can eventually get around to everything because it’ll be FUN to do so.

So far, we’ve loved the Yellowfin Tuna ($32), an Arugula Salad with Salmon ($30), and the Chef’s Famous Pesto Pasta ($24) entrees, with special note of the Devils On Horseback appetizer ($16), Medjool dates stuff with Gorgonzola cheese and wrapped in smoked bacon).

— Rick Koster

Indulge

17 High St., Stonington

(860) 415-8575

IndulgeCoffeeCo.com

If you’re in Stonington borough for a leisurely walk or a visit to the shops and want a coffee or a sandwich, pay a visit to Indulge across the street from Wadawanuck Square.

This place makes terrific breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and serves up bagels, muffins, pastries, and an assortment of hot and cold beverages such as coffees, lattes, teas, ciders, and more.

You can eat in, sit out front, or venture over to the square where there are benches and a little public patio adjacent to the Stonington Free Library. There’s even free Wi-Fi.

Maybe get a Sweet Sunday breakfast sandwich, $8.99, with two eggs, sausage, American cheese, on a grilled Portuguese sweet roll. Or for lunch, a BLT, $9.99, with hardwood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on a toasted hard roll. If you’re vegetarian, for $9.97 they will make you the On The Green – with avocado, cucumber, tomato, roasted red peppers, and pesto, on a hard roll.

One of our favorites is the Baby Hewey, $10.99, with roasted turkey, spinach, bacon, cheddar, and chipotle aioli on a baguette.

Breakfast sandwiches and bagels are served 7 to 11:30 a.m. and the lunch sandwiches from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Indulge is open seven days a week.

– Ann Baldelli

The Wheatmarket

4 Water St., Chester

(860) 526-9347

Just because you’ve lived in the same area for 15 years doesn’t mean you’ve seen it all. My inaugural trip to The Wheatmarket in Chester took approximately that long, and I have no valid excuse for the delay. I look forward to making up for lost time, and with a long list of specialty sandwiches, salads, and a daily roster of at least four soups, I should be busy and well fed until New Year’s.

We sincerely enjoyed every item we sampled during two recent visits, but we can offer a few standouts. First and foremost, the Potato and Leek soup ($4.95), a silky, buttery, and balanced dish with wonderful flavor and great texture. On the sandwich side, you must try the Thanksgiving on a Roll, a daily special ($8.99) that will hopefully stay in rotation for a while. If you like hot, freshly sliced turkey and home-made stuffing, you know what to do. On the regular list of sandwiches, we advise the Hot Roast Beef with honey mustard and cheddar ($7.99). Envision French bread filled with freshly sliced hot roast beef and very good cheddar, accented with tangy honey mustard.

Hungry yet? Don’t wait 15 years to visit The Wheatmarket!

— Marisa Nadolny