One of Mystic’s most iconic properties has undergone a refreshing transformation. Perched at the forefront of a sprawling hillside estate with sweeping views of the Mystic Harbor is the Harbour House Restaurant & Raw Bar at the Inn at Mystic. Over the years, Harbour House has continued to evolve but the most exciting change yet is the new dynamic trio at the restaurant’s helm. Say hello to renowned chef Chaz Paull and Mystic’s newest locals, John and Carol Lanata. Local foodies may recognize Chef Paull, who previously headed the kitchen at Daniel Packer Inne. He is now bringing his unique culinary talents and knowledge of local tastes to Harbour House for your dining pleasure.

“When I came to Harbour House, I saw so much potential. I love the view, the decks, the openness and the flexibility I have with cooking different types of food,” said Paull. “We wanted to make it a fun place with fun food where people want to be out on the decks enjoying the experience. We spent a lot of time finding the right people, the right food and getting the right fit for the restaurant.”

With 30 years of experience, John and Carol Lanta are no strangers to the restaurant business. Most recently, they worked under the direction of celebrity chef Todd English to develop the innovative vision behind Todd English P.U.B. Now, trading the glitzy surroundings of Las Vegas for the seaside charm of Mystic, the couple has brought their passion for hospitality and inventive concepts to Harbour House.

“We’ve only been living in Mystic for about a month but it’s incredible how welcoming the community has been, just instantly making us feel like we belong here,” Carol said. “Mystic is such a beautiful place and the locals are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. There is so much unique history and culture here. I just love being a part of it all.”

Under the stewardship of Chef Paull and the Lanatas, Harbour House has transformed into a unique casual dining spot unlike any other in town. Happy Hour is served seven days a week so diners can take advantage of half-priced beers and wine, flatbreads, wings and more all week long. If you stop by, you must try one of the many combinations of “boardles” – a bruchetta board and bottle of wine. “That name happened by accident when I blurted out the word ‘boardle’ instead of bottle,” Carol said. “It became a joke with the staff that ended up sticking, so we thought ‘why not have a little fun with it and use it on the menu?’ That’s kind of our style, just going with the flow and having fun while we do it.”

On any given night at Harbour House, you might see Carol breezing about from table to table, checking on each guest, whisking away empty glasses to make room for refills, or enthusiastically discussing a local artist’s exhibit on display. “She’s always been very service-oriented,” John says with a smile. “It’s in her blood. If something’s not right, she will work to fix the problem.” The same can be said of John, himself, who passionately puts food and service quality above everything else. “The foundation of a successful restaurant is great food and superb service. Without either of those, you have nothing,” he said.

When you step into Harbour House and experience it for yourself, it’s clear that the Lanatas practice what they preach. Friendly servers and expertly-crafted flavorful dishes await you every time. The restaurant’s unique yet simple menu is a brilliant collaborative effort between John and Chef Paull.

“I shared with Chef Paull a few ideas of the types of dishes we wanted to serve and he just ran with them,” John said. “He’s a real flavor genius.” From simple classics like the brown butter lobster roll to more inventive dishes like a stone-fired flatbread with rosemary fig jam, fontina, prosciutto and gorgonzola to the adorable mason jar desserts, Chef Paull’s dishes are sure to please even the pickiest of palettes.

“My style is more international, with a little of everything from around the world. I love Thai, Mexican, Spanish, whatever is different. I’m not big on traditional food,” Paull said. “I like to create new stuff people haven’t tried before using [ingredients from] local fishermen, farms and bakeries. I call it ‘fun food’ because people come in and don’t know what expect.”

The incredible food and friendly service are further enhanced by the cozy, fun atmosphere that Carol has taken great care to bring to life. From the treasure map-style cocktail menus to the unique ‘coastal meets steampunk’ decor, Harbour House brings a surprisingly refreshing atmosphere to a town that is well saturated with seafood restaurants. Both of the restaurant’s spacious decks offer stunning water views and are open all day long for a pleasant outdoor brunch, lunch or dinner experience.

Without a doubt, Harbour House should be one of your go-to dining spots this summer. Stop by for a spectacular weekend brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or enjoy lunch or dinner seven days a week. Keep an eye out for special events, including all-you-can-eat oyster roasts, reggae bands, local art exhibits and more.

Call 860-536-8140 or visit HarbourHouseCT.com to make a reservation.