After working up an appetite in Old Saybrook, we met some more members of my family at The River Tavern.
River Tavern interior
Recently recognized in Bon Appetit and The New York Times, The River Tavern lines the downtown area of charming Chester.
Chester, Connecticut
Want another History lesson? Cool, me too.
The history of Chester starts with its corporation in 1836, but its roots reach back to 1672. The territory then was divided into east and west sections, portioned off by a committee appointed by the regional authority at the time, the Town of Saybrook. The early property owners were probably just landholders, who used their grants for farming or grazing.
Boy would the townsmen be proud of what a fantastic place their territory has become!
From the Chester, Connecticut homepage:
The town of Chester has a picturesque Main Street lined with shops and restaurants. We have lakes and ponds, myriad hidden streams, cascading waterfalls, a state forest, the Connecticut River, marinas, Off-Broadway plays, a YMCA Camp, even a small airport.
Most of all, we have vibrant and creative people who welcome you to visit – and maybe stay longer than you planned.
We cherish our small town way of life, and do what we can to preserve it. Come experience Chester first-hand.
OK, back to the River Tavern.
After scanning the menu, I chose the salmon sandwich. It consisted of salmon, capers, cream cheese, arugula and red onion, all layered on a french baguette. It was served alongside local seasoned potatoes.
Salmon sandwich
How fantastic does that look? It was! I loved the creaminess of the cream cheese paired up against the salty capers. The quality of the salmon was superb, I did not want to finish this sandwich — as in, I wish it were neverending!
If any of you live in the area, you must give the River Tavern a visit. Everyone in our party loved their dishes.
But they certainly don’t rush you (nice way of saying SLOW service 
), so make sure you aren’t pressed for time. — But the place is warm and inviting, so you don’t mind the extra time spent. Plus, the flavors and dishes are pretty fantastic — which is no surprise, since the restaurant promises to use local produce, when available.
Stay tuned for the ceremony and reception recap!
Is slow service a deal-breaker for you?
