Each Tuesday, Kevin and Jenna talk about all things food in Connecticut with Alex from CT FoodGirly. Alex tells us about all the great, local eats that we should take advantage of before summer reaches it’s official end!

Segment 1:

Southington Drive-In: This ends September 9th and this Saturday they are showing Top Gun Maverick and gates open at 6pm and the movies always start at dark. It’s $20 a carload and you can bring lawn chairs, blankets, drinks and food.

There is a Mexican restaurant nearby called La Catrina, you can get some tasty tacos and margaritas beforehand, or there is Domenic’s and Vinnie’s Pizza, if you want to grab a pie to go and eat that in the back of your truck, and also Fratelli’s Italian Restaurant next door to get some garlic bread, fried mozz and some pasta dishes.

Sleeping Giant Park: Hamden: If you want to hike and picnic at sleeping giant before the summer is over, there are some great grab and go restaurants to make this the perfect day. Now, the park is open year-round, and is beautiful to visit anytime, but there is nothing like sitting on the picnic tables after you have taken the tower path and have seen that 360 degree view up top.

There is Fresh Greens & Proteins right up the hill, which serves amazing rice bowls, salads, and smoothies. I always order the Burrito Bowl with steak and it hits the spot. Also, Wentworth’s Homemade Ice Cream, which is a perfect reward after any hike. If you want to eat at the top of the tower, there is P&M Fine Foods down the street, which has awesome focaccia sandwiches that you can fit in your backpack.

Local Picnic: Pardee Seawall New Haven: It’s a park on the water and you’re overlooking Morris Cove. You can set up your picnic right there and enjoy the day. Light House Point Park is right nearby as well, perfect for swimming, there is a carousel there too for the kids.

Near these two spots you’ll find great food at DelMonaco’s Italian Market and Deli, sometimes the line is out the door to snag a fresh sandwich on their homemade bread. There is also Annex Pizza if you want to share a pie on your picnic.

Segment 2:

Ice Cream for Dinner:

Micro Creamery of Connecticut – Woodbridge

Their business is inspired by the ever-popular microbrewery concept. They offer ice cream from 6 different local vendors with over 70 ice creams from all over Connecticut, so they partner up with these awesome ice cream makers and have so much to offer when it comes to flavors.

Jennifer’s Ice Cream – East Haven

They have a large variety of sundaes, milkshakes, flurries, and amazing ice cream sandwiches and offer them to-go too! They’re perfect if you’re going to a party or the beach that day.

Sweet Claude’s – Cheshire

They offer a lot of specialty flavors, like maple walnut, Mississippi mud, Nutella crunch, salty pretzel.

Ashley’s Ice Cream – Hamden, Branford, Guilford and Madison

Ashley’s has awesome featured flavors, seasonal flavors, and liquor ice cream flavors, and around 100 flavors on their full flavor list.

Lobster Rolls:

Lobster Shack – East Haven (they moved, used to be in Branford across from Stony Creek Brewery)

Lenny’s – Branford (hot and cold) Get their Cesar salad with their style of a cold lobster roll on top

Guilford Lobster Pound – Hot lobster rolls – lobster grilled cheese

Liv’s Dockside Grill – located in the Clinton town marina.

https://www.restaurantji.com/ct/clinton/livs-dockside-grill-lobster-rolls-and-more-/

Lobster Landing – Also located in Clinton. Another famous seafood shack.

Fresh CT Veggies:

For a limited time in the summer ), Frank Pepe Pizzeria has their Fresh Tomato Pie with Fresh Native Tomatoes, Mozzarella, Basil, Garlic, Grated Pecorino Romano & Olive Oil. It’s light and tangy from the tomatoes, and it’s a must have to end your summer days.

Another seasonal vegetable is the squash blossom. Batter these up and throws them right in the hot oil. A lot of restaurants love to stuff them with goat cheese, or anchovies, and they’re a true delicacy. They’re perfectly edible, but very limited on menus, so if you see them now, you must order this appetizer!

Lastly, there are a bunch of spots all over CT, like Belltown Hill Orchards, Lyman Orchards, Dondero Orchards, which offer pick your own fruits. Right now cherries are very in season and possibly some blueberries, strawberries and peaches from early august to early September. Before we know it, we’re going to be picking apple and pumpkins!

Image Credit: Getty Images