Max's Oyster Bar is the brainchild of restaurateur Richard Rosenthal and Bob Cooke of Boston's Legal Sea Foods. It boasts red leather booths and white linen in a subdued atmosphere with bare wood wall supports and calm lighting. The raw bar has an ever-changing lineup that includes fresh oysters, littleneck clams, mussels and crab claws. Entrees include modern renditions of classic American seafood. These include swordfish with garden tomatoes, herbs and rustic croutons; grilled rainbow trout with spaghetti squash; and a house take on paella. Max's has a gluten free-menu, an extensive wine list and a number of house martinis as well.
Max's Oyster Bar
964 Farmington Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06107
860-236-6299
maxrestaurantgroup.com
The USS Chowder Pot IV is a family-friendly restaurant with a nautical theme. Life preservers and wood paneling are part of the decor, and many of the dishes also have themed names. Despite its appearance as a tourist trap, it is one of the best places for fresh fish and seafood. Lobster is throughout the menu, baked, stuffed and in a housemade lobster pie. The restaurant offers Monday night specials on all lobster, too. A raw bar includes oysters, clams and shrimp. Dinner platters feature fish like tilapia, scrod and swordfish. Those interested in sampling many different sea critters in one meal should look into the chowder pot platter, a sampling of local seafood.
USS Chowder Pot IV
165 Brainard Road
Hartford, CT 06114
860-244-3311
chowderpot.com
Splash Restaurant serves mainly fish and seafood dishes. It is located on the Long Island Sound and offers excellent views of the water from its patio. Its location and cuisine won it a "Best of New England Waterfront Dining" award from The Food Network. During the spring and summer, seating outside is ideal, while in the winter patrons are kept toasty with an indoor fireplace. Appetizers include crab and rock shrimp cakes with poblano chiles, as well as sea scallop gratin with sweet soy and asparagus. Entrees include pan roasted Maine lobster with lemon pepper fettuccini; herb crusted Ahi tuna steak with wasabi potato spring rolls' and macadamia crusted swordfish.
Splash
260 Compo Road S.
Westport, CT 06880
203-454-7798
decarorestaurantgroup.com
