Here are a few of our favorite things…

Ice Cream Sandwiches | Hen + Heifer, Guilford
You’re probably well aware of the magical treats that Whang bakes up in his innovative French bakery in Guilford, but maybe not that he supplies ice cream sandwiches to Bufalina (one of our top pizza picks). The flavors rotate about once or month or so.
Bufalina, 1070 Boston Post Road, Guilford
bufalinact.com
Hen + Heifer, 23 Water Street, Guilford
henandheifer.com

Sticky Bun & Croissant | Sift Bake Shop, Niantic & Mystic
You’ve got to head over early to grab a few of Sift’s mammoth sticky buns because they always sell out. And make sure to get an extra one to pick at in the car because you won’t be able to resist this indulgent treat made with croissant dough, caramel, and pecans. They are simply the best I’ve ever had. And order a few Everything croissants while you’re at it.
185 Main Street, Niantic & 5 Water Street, Mystic
siftbakeshopmystic.com

Cannolis | Italian Food Store, Clinton
Fresh cannolis in unusual flavors are filled to order at this Italian gourmet shop. Find every gourmet goodie, from truffle powder and all shapes and sizes of gluten-free pasta (plus gluten-full, of course) to Italian sodas, and sauces. Espresso & Cappucino, too.
25 E Main Street, Clinton
italianfoodstore.com

The Pearl/Fairhaven Oyster Co.
The Pearl is a tiny outpost of Fairhaven Oyster Co., perched alongside the Quinnipiac River, dishing out elevated hot dogs and lobster rolls. My mission was to sample the Surf and Turf: a foot-long Hummel topped with fresh lobster salad and a sprinkling of trout roe. The unlikely combo of creamy salad and salty roe piled on a tasty dog was worth the schlep to Fairhaven! More creative takes on dogs are on the menu, plus hot or cold lobster rolls. Next time, a double-decker moon pie or Honeycone flavor of the week!
307 Front Street, New Haven
fairhavenoysterco.com 

New England Sourdough Pizza | Nana’s, Mystic
For this New England girl, you can’t really improve upon clam, bacon, potato, and garlic pizza (a riff on clam chowder). Nana’s naturally leavened pies are available as a 13” (plenty for two).
32 Williams Avenue, Mystic
nanasct.com 

Cherry Dip Cone | Three Girls Vegan Creamery, Guilford
There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than a guilt-free soft-serve cone, cherry-dipped from our favorite vegans! Made with Oatly, it’s nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free and the cherry dip is a coconut oil base. Be sure to try their savory delights while you are there.
645 Boston Post Road, Guilford
threegirlsvegan.com

Duby’s Bagels, Old Saybrook
Is there anything better on a weekend morning than Duby’s freshly baked Everything bagel slathered with cream cheese and layered with lox? I think not. Except maybe his sourdough boule that he is rightly famous for. 785 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook
dubysbagels.com

Clam Chowder | Cooked Marketplace, Centerbrook
We’ve been regularly trekking to the new Cooked in Centerbrook, a mouth-watering spot for creative, gourmet-level takeout. Chowder hounds will love this creamy, bacony, smoky goodness studded with plenty of fat clams.
5 Main Street, Centerbrook
cookedmarketplace.com

Italian Food Store, Clinton
Fresh cannolis in unusual flavors are filled to order at this Italian gourmet shop. Find every gourmet goodie, from truffle powder and all shapes and sizes of gluten-free pasta (plus gluten-full, of course) to Italian sodas, and sauces. Espresso & Cappucino, too.
25 E Main Street, Clinton
italianfoodstore.com

Tomato Pie | Oyster River Market, Old Saybrook
We include this every year, but it’s a crowd-pleaser and
a handy thing to have in the fridge for weekend guests as it works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Pop the con- coction of eggs, corn, tomato and cheese in the micro or oven and serve with a toss of greens.
1057 Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook
Facebook: Oyster River Market

Fish Fry Fridays | River Valley Provisions, Haddam
Mark your calendar for Fish Fry Fridays this summer! We go for the Fisherman’s Platter: piles of fried shrimp, scallops, clam strips and cod served with the tastiest crispy fries. They fry it up to order in the kitchen at the back of the store behind their bountiful deli (always scrumptious salads, house-made sausages, fresh seafood and more).
95 Bridge Road, Haddam
instagram.com/rvpct