Marker 37

Chester Point Marina, 72 Railroad Ave., Chester

(860) 579-3737, www.markerthirtyseven.com

I refuse to believe summer is over until the temperature consistently dips below 60 degrees or so; therefore we have plenty of time in which to enjoy the region’s many outdoor dining destinations before sweater weather begins.

While the interior of Marker 37 is a tasteful, spacious dining environment, we highly recommend a meal, drink, dessert, or all three on the outdoor patio. The restaurant is tucked in at the Chester Point Marina. That places you steps away from the Connecticut River, which delivers endless boat traffic and people-watching plus absolutely beautiful views.

Situational perks aside, we sampled several items during recent visits, and highlights included the delectable Chicken Milanese ($24), Guacamole BLT ($15), and the Mousse Duet dessert ($8).

House cocktails and a full wine list might suit thirstier patrons who plan to settle in and go with the river’s flow for awhile. Before you know it, you’ll be in staycation mode and quite happy to be there.

— Marisa Nadolny

Muddy Waters Café

42 Bank St., New London

(860) 442-2232, muddywaterscafenl.com

I recently wrote in this space about Muddy Waters Cafe, the New London breakfast/lunch spot as legendary in the 06320 as the diner in Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" is to the rest of the world. Alas, like the fool I am, I somehow misspelled the name of now-retired but longtime co-owner Barry Neistat — which should be a punishable offense. Apologies! (In supplication, I'll misspell my own name at the end of this capsule.)

Muddy Waters is under new ownership now. Dave Preka took over last year and, through the rough and pandemic-shadowed 2020 and with an excellent crew, has kept the Greatness on track. There's been a bit of tweaking, but nothing to alter the winning formula. And the food is still excellent. We particularly enjoyed herb-roasted chicken sandwich (with moist chunks of breast, crisped bacon and Swiss) and the tomato, Mozzarella and pesto sandwich (wherein oozing, thick cheese and vine-fresh slices of sweet tomato embraced on another while a just-right pesto put an exclamation point on the whole thing).

Muddy Waters carries on wonderfully, and long may its legend rule.

— Rick Kostur

Vetrano’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

130 Granite St., Westerly, RI

(401) 348-5050

Website: vetranosrestaurant.com

I mentioned in my Vetrano’s review last month that we’ve been dining there since my now-adult sons were kids, and the feedback I got is that a lot of other people have been decades-long fans as well.

“The food is always delicious, the service is great, and the prices are fair,” messaged a woman I haven’t seen in years after she read my take on Vetrano’s.

“We love the place,” she added.

Apparently, a lot of people do. With everything on the menu from antipasto to meatball sliders, pasta Bolognese, shrimp scampi, chicken marsala, grinders, salads, and pizza — well, there is something for everybody. Among our favorites are the Eggplant Parmigiana (appetizer $9 or entrée $18), the Shrimp Riviera ($22), and the Veal Francese ($22).

The portions are always hearty, and the food hot. Clearly, customers don’t mind that the eatery is located in a run-down strip mall off Granite Street. As COVID lingers, restaurants continue to struggle, especially finding help. Let’s give them our support, dining in if possible, or getting takeout. No one wants to lose a place like Vetrano’s.

— Ann Baldelli