Stonington:

Water Street Cafe, 143 Water Street, Stonington, CT 06378:

everything on the menu is consistently excellent; usually open lunch & dinner, breakfast on weekends; may be closed for lunch Weds. and Thurs.; favorite gathering place for locals. Times sometimes change with seasons, so check first at 860-535-2122

Dog Watch, at Dodson's Boat Yard, 194 Water street, Stonington, CT 06378:( http://www.dogwatchcafe.com/)

newer bar/restaurant; popular local hangout; good food, good drinks, good ambience, great water views

Skipper's Dock: 66 Water Street, Stonington, CT 06378 (http://www.skippersdock.com/)

nothing better than lunch on the water! Great open porch right on the water offers wonderful lunches and dinners. My own preference is lunch, and you can come by boat and tie up at their long dock. In winter, they have a fireplace going in their dining room, but I prefer sitting at a table in front of the fireplace in the bar. Very cozy!

Mystic:

Capt. Daniel Packer Inn: 32 Water street, Mystic, CT 06355 http://www.danielpacker.com/

Excellent fare for lunch or dinner; my preference is the bar downstairs. No reservations, always popular. Fire going in the winter.

Go Fish: Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT 06355 http://www.gofishct.com/

Great place for fish and sushi. Lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch.

Steak Loft: Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, CT 06355

Easy to get to right off of Exit 90, this great steak restaurant has been a landmark for 35 years. Famous for a sumptuous salad bar, as well as good steaks! Lots of room for everybody.

Bravo Bravo: 20 East Main St., Mystic, CT 06355 http://www.bravobravoct.com/bravobravo/index.shtml

A favorite in downtown Mystic for upscale dining. Lunch and dinner. "quaint italian-seafood gem in mystic that uses fresh ingredients in interesting combos..."

Pizzeta: 7 Water street, Mystic, CT http://www.pizzettamystic.com/

Good thin crust pizza. Can take out or eat inside.. or eat outside. Very creative. Owner has bought an old fire engine that he has retrofitted with an oven to make pizza, and he brings it to local events, selling pizza from the fire engine while the kids get to climb all over it. A fun place...

Noank:

The Seahorse: 65 Marsh Rd., Noank, CT 06340, next to Spicer's Marina http://seahorserestaurant.net/

Favorite of locals; casual dining with good food; - MON., TUES. & WED. ARE WINE & DINE NIGHTS From Labor day to Memorial day TWO ENTREES AND A BOTTLE OF WINE FOR $23.99. The place is full even in the dead of winter!

Costello's: at Noank Shipyard, Pearl Street, Noank, CT 06340

Great for kids! You eat outside on a covered deck (2 levels) and the kids can hang over the railing and watch the boats go by.  Very casual, seafood and American menu. BYOB.

Westerly, RI

Pizza Place, 43 Broad St., Westerly, RI 02891 401-348-1803

Excellent pizza; fun place for whole family, big crowd, or just the two of you.

Shelter Harbor Inn: 10 Wagner Rd., Westerly, RI 02891 http://www.shelterharborinn.com/

Fine dining, nice restaurant, nice bar. My husband's favorite place for Finnan Haddie!