Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the counter tells you current prices, which
are not cheap for the jumbo monsters that
have significant hunks of meat even in the
hard-to-reach legs. Luckily, they give you a
paper bib to protect your clothes from
sweet dripping juices and the melted butter
you dip your succulent morsels into. If dis-
membering a giant crustacean isn't your
idea of fun, order the hot lobster roll, a
quarter-pound of nothing but lobster meat,
heaped on a lightly toasted bun.
While you're waiting, you may want to try
the Rhode Island-style clam chowder,
steamed mussels, or stuffed clams. Usual
sides are coleslaw, roast corn-on-the-cob,
or Abbott's own brand of potato chips. The
place doesn't even own a deep-fryer; if
someone in your party is hankering for fried
clam strips, you'll have to go to their satellite
restaurant up the road in Noank Shipyard,
Costello's Clam Shack ( & 860/572-2779 ),
which also sells small Abbott's lobsters.
Dining is BYOB, and those in the know
bring a six-pack or a bottle of wine (even
champagne). Seasoned Abbott's-goers
even bring their own tablecloths to cover
the rough wooden tables. Naturally,
Abbott's is open only during lobster sea-
son—full-time Memorial Day to Labor Day,
weekends only in May, September, and
early October. Reservations? You must be
kidding.
On Fisher's Island Sound in CT, Abbott's is open
only during lobster season.
Set on a quiet promontory south of
downtown Mystic, Abbott's feels suitably
off the beaten track. You wind around sev-
eral neighborhood streets to get here (that
is, unless you arrive by boat). After you turn
into the gravel parking lot, look for Abbott's
trademark, a huge greenish lobster painted
on a weathered-gray side wall (remember,
lobsters don't turn that bright orangey-red
until they are cooked). If you're lucky, you
won't find a line at the counter—service is
strictly takeout, and every lobster is cooked
to order, so you can expect a wait. Abbott's
claim to fame is the size of its lobsters—
some as big as 10 pounds. A chalkboard by
117 Pearl St., Noank CT ( & 860/536-
7719; www.abbotts-lobster.com).
( Providence (45 miles/73km).
L $$ Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan Blvd.
( & 800/445-8667 or 860/572-0731; www.
hiltonmystic.com).
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