It was a very cold evening when we visited Carlson’s Landing located in Essex, CT but it was nonetheless a fantastic visit! Carlson’s Landing’s new menu touts everything you would expect about coastal dining in a quaint New England town!
Carlson’s Landing is a culinary safe-haven overlooking the Connecticut River at the historic Essex Boat Works. It offers an elevated yacht club dining experience. You will enjoy pristine seafood, classic American fare, and craft cocktails seated at the beautiful mahogany bar, in the intimate dining room, or on the wrap-around deck with custom stainless rigging in season. The exceptional land and sea menu is the perfect accompaniment to a quintessential New England setting at the foot of Main Street in picturesque Essex, Connecticut
Carlson’s Landing welcomes acclaimed local Executive Chef Gese Rodriguez, formerly of Saybrook Point Inn and Café Routier in Old Saybrook. Embracing both land and sea, the restaurant’s all-day, surf, and turf menus are seasonally and geographically inspired. Classic fish house favorites such as fried calamari, crispy fishwich sandwich and slaw, and a hot butter lobster roll, share the stage with market fresh fish and prime organic meats. Our evening consisted of three courses offering several dishes each from Carlson’s Landing’s latest menu:
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We began our first course with small bites. Mussels in a White Wine sauce with Chorizo, Tomato Safron and Potato. Next a fresh Arugula Salad with Roasted Pears, Asiago Cheese, Endive Macadmia Nuts drizzled with a Mimosa Vinaigrette. Last, a fantastic sized Meatball in Tomato Sauce and Taleggio, all were amazing!
Our main course consisted of Filet Oscar with Potato Pavé, Asparagus and a drizzle of Crab Béarnaise Sauce. Next, Yellowfin Tuna Steak with Fennel Kimchi, Avocado Fries and a Citrus-Soy Glaze.
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A delicious Half Chicken with Grilled Broccolini, Potato Fondant and a Lemon-Thyme Jus was fantastic! Lastly, we were treated with Monkfish Loin (new to me fish!) with Mushroom & Cabbage Roulade and Bacon Jus. Definitely a serious dish for seafood lovers indeed!
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Ofcourse no fine dinner is ever quite complete without a fabulous dessert! Two classics were the sweets of choice: A giant slab of Chocolate Mouse Cake and an amazing boat of a Throwback Banana Split!
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We had a fantastic evening at Carlson’s Landing to say the least! Overlooking the Connecticut River and the River Museum, Carlsons’s Landing exudes quintessential New England charm! Its stately façade gives way to a fresh, open, and tastefully articulated interior. The restaurant’s gray and white canvas is punctuated by its custom mahogany tables and bar by local cabinet maker Bruce Therott. Spectacular oceanic artwork by local artist Melissa Barbieri, widely known for her meditations on things related to the sea, has adorned the space with large scale oil paintings of nautical abstracts and sea creatures. I fell in love with the interiors and can’t wait to visit again and dine outside with beautiful water views!
Dress | Shoes | Bag | Earrings |Headband, similar
Many thanks to Carlson’s Landing and MaxEx PR for inviting me. As always, all views are my own.
