Where to eat in Mystic

MYSTIC AREA RESTAURANTS

NOTE: the following restaurants are offering dining discounts or specials to conference attendees showing proof of registration (ID badge or registration receipt):

  • Mango’s Wood-fired Pizza Co. (15%; diners eligible for a $50 gift card raffle)
  • Steak Loft (10%)
  • Jealous Monk (Honorary Monk Club member – $1 off any draft except Happy Hour beers, Happy Hour specials 4-6 PM & 10 PM-12 AM, $2 off selected drafts & $4 food options)
  • Pink Basil (10%)
  • Red 36 (10%)
  • Engine Room (all evening Happy Hour Specials – bar bites & drink specials)
  • The Oyster Club ($1 oysters)

WALKING DISTANCE FROM HILTON HOTEL:

Located within Olde Mistick Village (27 Coogan Boulevard):

Directions:  Turn right out of parking lot entrance onto Clara Drive.  Proceed straight at light and turn left into the Village for most of these restaurants; Go Fish is on periphery with others located within the Village or take a left onto Coogan Boulevard and enter a second Village entrance on your right hand side (use for Steak Loft). See map here. (village map numbers are given below for each restaurant).  Travel Time: ~2-5 minutes on foot

Go Fish:  Map #22  This restaurant nearby the Hilton will be closed for renovations during the meeting.

Steak Loft:  Map #24.  Steaks, American.  $$-$$$  (860) 536-2661
Lounge: Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10pm and Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm
Dining Room: Sun-Thurs 11:30am-2:30pm for lunch, 4:30-9:30pm for Dinner

Jealous Monk:  May not yet be shown on Village map – in location #20.  Beer Garden/Craft Beers, American, Sports Bar.  $$  (860) 536-6665
Daily 11:30am-12am

Pink Basil:  Map #3b.  Various Asian, Sushi.  $$  (860) 245-4658
Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-10pm

Bleu Squid:  Map #12d.  Sandwiches, Soup, Bakery, Cheeses.  $  (860) 536-6343
Daily 10am-6pm

Mango’s Wood-fired Pizza Co.:  Map #8e.  Pizza, Salads, Craft Beers.  $$  (860) 572-0600
Sun-Thur 11:30am–8pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-9pm

Vault Coffee Roasters:  Map #7b.  Coffee, Bakery.  $  (860) 415-5045
Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm

Located within Mystic Green Shopping Center (12 Coogan Boulevard):

Directions: Located directly across the street from the main entrance to the hotel parking lot.  Travel Time ~ 2 minutes on foot

Starbucks:  Coffee, Pastries, Sandwiches.  $  (860) 536-9454
Daily 5:30am-9pm

Five Guys Burgers & FriesBurgers. $  (860) 572-1500
Daily 11am-10pm

Johnny’s Peking Tokyo: Asian Fusion.  $$  (860) 572-9991
Mon–Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am-11pm, Sun 12pm-10pm

Located at 14 Clara Drive:

Directions: Turn left out of parking lot entrance onto Clara Drive.  Small shopping center located on right with lower and upper entrances.  Travel Time: ~ 3-5 minutes on foot

McQuade’s Market: (upper portion of center).  Burgers, Sandwiches, Food Market, Pharmacy.  (860) 536-2054
Daily 7am-10pm

Caskn’ Keg:  (lower portion of center). Package store (beers, wines, and liquors).  (860) 536-8708
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm

LONGER WALK OR SHORT DRIVE FROM HILTON:

Directions: Take a right out of hotel entrance on Clara drive. At the stop light take a left onto Coogan Boulevard.  Follow other directions as indicated.  Travel Time ~ 3-5 minutes by car, longer by foot

Mystic Boat House:  8 Coogan Blvd.  American.  $$-$$$  (860) 572-1180
Sun- Thurs 11:30am- 9pm; Fri & Sat 11:30am- 10pm

McDonald’s:  Corner of Coogan Boulevard and Greenmanville Avenue (CT 27).  Burgers, Breakfast.  $  (860) 536-9123
Daily 8am-11pm

Mystic Diner & Restaurant:  Go straight across at stop light at end of Coogan Boulevard.  American Diner, Breakfast.  $-$$  (860) 415-4625
Sun-Thur 7am-10pm, Fri-Sat 7am-11pm

Friendly’s:  Go straight across at stop light at end of Coogan Boulevard.  American Diner, Breakfast, Ice Cream.  $-$$  (860) 536-3909
Daily 7am-11pm

Frank’s Gourmet Grill:  56 Whitehall Avenue (CT 27) – drive strongly recommended.  Turn right at end of Coogan Boulevard onto Greenmanville Avenue, which becomes Whitehall Avenue.  Go past I-95 entrance (stay in left lane) and then look for restaurant on right side in plaza with other businesses.  American, Mediterranean.  $$-$$$  (860) 415-4666
Lunch Daily 11am-3pm,  Dinner Daily 4:30pm-10pm

DOWNTOWN MYSTIC LOCATIONS (DRIVE ONLY):

Stonington (east or closer) Side of Mystic River Drawbridge:

Directions: Take a right out of hotel entrance on Clara Drive. At the stop light take a left onto Coogan Boulevard.  Make a left at light onto Greenmanville Avenue (CT 27).  Take the third right onto Holmes Street (no light).  Follow other directions as indicated.  Travel Time ~ 7-10 minutes

S & P Oyster Company:  1 Holmes Street.  Seafood, Bar.  $$-$$$  (860) 536-2674
Sun-Thur 11:30am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am-10pm.  Reservations Recommended.

Anthony J’s Bistro:  6 Holmes Street.  On street parking necessary.  Italian, American.  $$-$$$  (860) 536-0448
Daily 11am-10pm

The Engine Room: 14 Holmes Street.  Small parking lot in front, larger one in back.  American, Pub, Burgers, Craft Beers.  $$  (860) 415-8117
Mon & Thurs 12pm-10pm, Tues & Wed 4pm-10pm, Fri 12pm-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, and Sun 10am-3pm (brunch) & 4pm-10pm (dinner)

Red 36:  2 Washington Street, but see the following directions.  At stop sign at end of Holmes Strret go across the intersection (slight jog to right) onto Cottrell Street and then take left onto Washington Street.  Need to turn right onto Willow Street and pass through a boatyard to access restaurant located on riverside.  American, Seafood.  $$-$$$  (860) 536-3604
Tues-Fri 11:30am-9:30pm & Fri-Sun 11:30am-10:30pm.  Closed Mondays.

Bravo Bravo:  20 East Main Street. At stop sign at end of Holmes Street take a left onto East Main Street (US 1); restaurant is immediately on the right.  Italian.  $$-$$$  (860) 536-3228
Lunch Tues-Sat 11:30am-2pm, Dinner Tues-Thurs & Sun 5-9pm, Fri & Sat 5-10pm.  Closed Mondays.  Reservations Recommended.

Harbour House Restaurant & Bar:  3 Williams Avenue.  Stay on Greenmanville Avenue (CT 27), which becomes Denison Avenue. Turn left onto Williams Avenue (US 1); restaurant is on right.  Seafood  $$-$$$   (860) 536-8144
Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, Dinner Daily 4-10pm

A Taste of India:  35A Williams Avenue.  Stay on Greenmanville Avenue (CT 27), which becomes Denison Avenue. Turn left onto Williams Avenue (US 1); restaurant is on left.  Indian.  $$   (860) 536-8485
Lunch Daily 11am-2pm, Dinner Daily 4-10pm

Mezza (formerly The Pita Spot):  45 Williams Avenue.  Follow above directions for A Taste of India.  Mediterranean, Lebanese.  $$  (860) 415-4656
Daily 11:30am-3pm and 5-8:30pm. [Note: might be closed on Mondays – check if interested].

MBAR:  30 Broadway Avenue.  Stay on Greenmanville Avenue (CT 27), which becomes Denison Avenue. Turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue (US 1 S).  Roosevelt Avenue becomes Broadway;  restaurant is on left.  Wine Bar, Tapas/Small Plates, Breakfast.  $$  (860) 245-4499
Breakfast & Lunch Daily 7am-3pm, Wine bar/small plates 4pm-Closing Wed-Sun
Note: open only for breakfast on Monday & Tuesday during dates of the conference

 Groton (west or farther) Side of Mystic River Drawbridge:

Directions: Take a right out of hotel entrance on Clara Drive. At the stop light take a left onto Coogan Boulevard.  Make a left at light onto Greenmanville Avenue (CT 27).  Take the third right onto Holmes Street.  At stop sign at end of Holmes Street take a right onto US 1 (West Main Street) and go across the bridge.  Follow other directions as indicated.  Travel Time ~ 8-12 minutes by car

Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream:  2 W. Main Street; on right just over the bridge.  Ice Cream, Sandwiches, Salads.  $  (860) 572-7978
Sun-Thur 11am-7pm, Fri & Sat 10am-10pm

Ancient Mariner:  21 W. Main Street, on left just over the bridge.  American, Italian, Pub  $$-$$$  (860) 536-5200
Daily 11am-10pm
 
Mystic Pizza:   56 West Main Street, near Water Street intersection.  Pizza.  $$  (860) 536-3700
Daily 10am-10pm, Delivery Hours 4-10pm

Pizzetta7 Water Street.  Take the first left off West Main Street onto Water Street.  Restaurant is a few buildings down on left.  Note: onstreet parking is limited, may have to park on side streets or in paid lot.  Pizza, Sandwiches.  $$  (860) 536-4443
Daily 11:30am-9pm

Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant: 12 Water Street.  Take the first left off West Main Street onto Water Street.  Restaurant is a few buildings down on right.  Note: onstreet parking is limited, may have to park on side streets or in paid lot.  Mexican, Bar.  $$  (860) 536-4589
Mon-Fri 4-10pm, Sat & Sun 11:30am-11pm

Voodoo Grill: 12 Water Street.  Take the first left off West Main Street onto Water Street.  Restaurant is a few buildings down on right.  Note: onstreet parking is limited, may have to park on side streets or in paid lot.  American, Cajun/Creole, Bar.  $$  (860) 5726-4472
Sun- Mon 12-10pm, Tue-Wed 11:30am-10:30pm, Thur 11:30am-1am, Fri-Sat 11:30am-2am

The Oyster Club:  13 Water Street.  Take the first left off West Main Street onto Water Street.  Restaurant is few buildings down on left.  Note: onstreet parking is limited, may have to park on side streets or in paid lot.  American.  $$$  (860) 415-9266
Lunch Fri 12-2pm & Sat 11am-2pm; Dinner 5-9pm Sun-Thur & 5-10pm Fri & Sat.
Closed Tuesdays.  Reservations Recommended.

Captain Daniel Packer Inne:  32 Water Street. Take the first left off West Main Street onto Water Street. Continue for two blocks (approx. 0.2 mile). Bear left when you see an island in the road. The restaurant is on the right side of the street across from a marina.  Parking is in the back of the restaurant, but has limited space.  American.  $$-$$$   (860) 536-3555
Lunch Daily 11am-4pm in the tavern, Dinner Daily 5-10pm.  Reservations Recommended.

Harp & Hound Pub:  4 Pearl Street.  Take the second right off West Main Street onto Pearl Street;  restaurant is immediately on the right.  Irish, Pub, Bar.  $$  (860) 572-7778
Mon-Thur 11:30am-1am, Fri 11:30am-2am, Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-1am

AFS SNEC/NED DEI Discussion – this FRIDAY, December 16 at 11AM

Please join us for the next AFS SNEC/NED DEI Discussion – this FRIDAY, December 16 at 11AM

Topic:  How to host an inclusive conference

Discussion Facilitator: Patrick Shirey, AFS NED Past-President and Assistant Professor at University of Pittsburgh, Department of Geology and Environmental Science


Reading

Ten simple rules to host an inclusive conference
https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010164

Discussion Questions
What was your biggest take-away from the readings?
How are our AFS annual meetings doing at accomplishing the ten simple rules? 

Are there ideas in here that AFS could take action on?

Reading for if you have time:

Inclusive Scientific Meetings – Where to Start

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This document arose from an Aspen Global Change Institute workshop about diverse, inclusive, and equitable scientific meetings, led by 500 Women Scientists and the Earth Science Women’s Network. The workshop was funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, and held at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Maryam Zaringhalam formatted the document. 

Workshops on Sunday January 8

To register, go to the Registration Page.

Workshop B: Closing the Gap for Women and Underrepresented Groups Within Fisheries
Date and Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sunday, January 8, 2023

Half Day – Afternoon
Description: Please join us for a career development workshop focused on providing skills and tools to foster success for women and underrepresented groups within fisheries. This workshop will provide a safe space for participants and panelists to share experiences throughout different stages in their professional career. The first half of the workshop will include advice on pursuing employment opportunities, resume review, and interview advice. The second half of the workshop will focus on advice for career advancement, handling negative situations, developing a strong network, and job retention. The format will be a series of focused Q&A sessions to cover these topics, with a panel of professionals representing different career stages and employment types to share their experiences and advice.

Instructors: Aubrey Ellertson Church, Stacy Furgal, and Sara Turner (Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, NY Sea Grant, NOAA NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office)
Questions about this workshop? Contact Aubrey Ellertson Church at [email protected]

Workshop C: R for Fisheries Science
Date and Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday, January 8, 2023
Full Day
Description: This workshop will help to address a gap in computational resources for biologists. Computational skills are in high demand and enhance research across all disciplines at all career stages. This hands-on, live-coding workshop is specifically designed for individuals who have little or no coding experience, with dedicated time for troubleshooting any installation and/or set up challenges. Learners will be exposed to a broad range of R-based tools that can be applied to their own research, and best practices of scientific computing for facilitating reproducibility will be discussed. The first half of this workshop is a comprehensive introduction to best practices of flat file (spreadsheet) design, data formatting, and foundational programming with R/RStudio, while the second half covers practical applications of R, including importing and cleaning data, customizing summary tables, generating effective visualizations, and automated reporting.

Instructors: Danielle Quinn
Questions about this workshop? Contact Danielle Quinn at [email protected]

Workshop D: Small Fishways
Date and Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday, January 8, 2023

Full Day
Description: Goals for the workshop are to provide an overview and history of design and evaluation of small (less than 5 meters in height) fishways in eastern North America, and current techniques for biological and hydraulic evaluation of various fishway designs, including Denil, Alaska Steeppass, pool and weir, and nature-like fishways. Background presentations will be given by biologists and engineers currently working in the field of fish passage technology and application. The workshop will also feature brief case studies of fishway successes and failures from workshop attendees, compilation of fishway performance data, and a Round Table discussion of small fishway performance and application. The target participants are federal, state and local agencies, as well as NGO and watershed organization staff interested in development and evaluation of small fishways, nature-like fishways, and dam removals.

Instructors: Alex Haro (USGS Conte Lab) and Ben Gahagan (Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries)
Questions about this workshop? Contact Alex Haro at [email protected]

For more information or questions, please contact the workshop instructor(s), or the Meeting Workshop Chairs:

Alex Haro: [email protected]