Groton is a charming, working-class town located between the Thames River and Mystic River in southeast Connecticut. Once an important shipbuilding and fishing town, Groton is rich in New England history. Restaurants abound in Groton, serving everything from spicy ethnic foods to traditional New England cuisine and Italian fare. These restaurants run the gamut from pricey gourmet food to cheap local eats.
This popular Indian restaurant serves some "awfully good things" according to David Collins of "The Day" newspaper, who also gives it five stars. Mirch Masala offers a wide range of authentic Indian recipes in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere appropriate for almost any occasion. Traditional appetizers like vegetable samosas with tamarind sauce, spiced ground chicken and lentil patties, and a wide assortment of traditional naan breads will help get you started. Entrees include tandoori lamb seekh kebabs, chicken korma, baby goat curry and marinated eggplant with yogurt masala. You can finish with a traditional Indian dessert like kheer rice pudding with cashews and raisins, or homemade Indian ice cream.
Mirch Masala Cuisine of India
156 Kings Highway
Groton CT 06340
860-445-8043
mirchmasalaus.com
According to Rich Koster of the "Norwich Bulletin," Olio's menu is "generous and ambitious across the board." This romantic, upscale eatery serves Italian and Mediterranean dishes with nods to many other food traditions to create something special in the Groton restaurant scene. Consider mainstay dishes like grilled pork tenderloin with apple balsamic sauce and blue cheese bacon, cheese tortellini in a tomato vodka sauce, or grilled Portobello mushroom pizza topped with scallops and gorgonzola. Olio's kitchen also offers a number of daily specials and its extensive wine list features selections from California, Italy and Australia.
Olio
33 Kings Highway
Groton, CT 06340
860-445-6546
ckrestaurantgroup.com/olio
Since 1988, this casual and affordable pasta restaurant has opened its doors to the people of Groton thanks to friendly owners Paul and Dorothy Fidrych. All pasta is made fresh on the premises, so it comes as no surprise that Paul's Pasta Shop has received the Reader's Choice Award from "Connecticut Magazine" for Best Italian, as well as Best Value and Best Vegetarian. Unpretentious-sounding dishes like Dorothy's meat lasagna with sweet Italian sausage, baked chicken Alfredo over fettucini, and classic spaghetti and meatballs are hard to beat. Paul's Pasta Shop is open for lunch and dinner and also offers take out and catering.
Paul's Pasta Shop
223 Thames Street
Groton, CT 06340
860-445-5276
paulspastashop.com
