Aspen Restaurant

Over the years I have been to restaurants where the staff is just great, but the food was "ok", and I have also been to the opposite, Great food horrible service - But don't you just love when both come together, Great Staff and Fantastic Food... well welcome to the ASPEN Restaurant in Old Saybrook. Without a doubt one of the finest dining experiences - food and staff - I have had in 40 years of travel, of course the best part is I only travel 7 minutes to get there. I have had Lunch and Dinner; I have sat inside and out, and each time the results are amazingly the same – consistent, creative, seasonal flavors, subtle ingredients, fresh, and delicious. Let me start by saying every drink, app, soup, salad, sandwich, main and dessert was perfect so know I will spend more time on my "go-to-meal" but please know everything is great. So, my go to meal? The New England Clam Chowder is so good it is the only chowder I have had that I couldn’t care less if there were clams in it – it’s that good. Next - just read this combination and dream with me - the ROASTED BUTTERNUT SALAD arugula, roasted butternut squash, dried blueberries, gorgonzola, caramelized onions, apple cider vinaigrette, forgetaboutit! The main, no hesitation VEAL OSSO BUCCO, my goodness it is fall off the bone melt in your mouth yumminess that is on a whole 'nother level! Desert is tougher - to choose between the Chocolate Raspberry Bomb and Sticky Toffee Pudding with cinnamon gelato is impossible so you will just have to come back again and again. A pleasant surprise and perfect when you want something lighter is the STONINGTON SCALLOPS with lobster and bacon fried rice - the flavor profile changes ever so slightly with each bite – especially with savory sweet soy sauce; now listen this is not a lobster dish as in loaded with lobster - like every dish at Aspen the fresh and inventive ingredients are perfectly balanced. So lastly, with all the great food I must ask every restaurant that serves iced "tea from a gun" or bottle STOP - Aspen is always busy but they enough time to offer real brewed iced tea. And yes - Joe is the man ask for him and tell him John said hi!

Increased the number of stars to four, from apparently a three star years ago. I was happy with my experience today. Service was excellent. The grilled octopus was cooked perfectly. The Old Fashion was muddled with lots of ice; which is to say not toy liking. I switched to their Manhattan and it was much better. The burger tasted good, but was ordered medium rare, and came close to well done. The fries are great, and the pudding dessert was very good. I could see somebody getting a five-star ordering a different drink and entree.

The food was incredible and service extremely professional. We tried a bunch of things and were impressed with everything. We will absolutely be going back-and this will most likely be a new go to when we have visitors! What really stood out were the martinis, grilled romaine salad, and the generous portion of lobster on the lobster roll. The New England clam chowder was the best we’ve had out here as well. The next day we were in mystic and tried two of the most recommended restaurants and the food didn’t even compare. Aspen stood out for atmosphere, service, and food.

My Family and I came to the restaurant just before 2.30 closing for lunch. I called first to make sure we can be served for lunch as I had 30 minutes ride and was told yes as long as it is before 2.30pm which we did. First the Manager rolled his eyes when we came and told the host that we are the last ones to go in, then we waited almost 10 minutes and no server came. We saw servers just standing and talking to each other. So we left. I told the host the experience and he was trying to make excuses that they were so busy. I have no problem with that but at least have a waiter greeting us first and let us know that we need to wait and we are welcome. My kids were very disappointed but we found just a minute away a different restaurant where we had very nice time. At Aspen we were not welcomed at all and you could see that. I will never go back there again. I would work on the whole staff beginning with management working on good manners even if they had a bad day and/or they were busy to make an effort to feel people welcome. Very disappointing.

First of all I can count on one hand the amount of reviews I ever gave. Some friends brought me and my wife here 6 months back and everything we had was amazing. Since then went back 2 more times and had different meals. The three times out not one complaint from us. This restaurant was a 2021 highlight for us. Lobster Bolognese incredible, Sticky Toffee with cinnamon gelato I was tempted to lick the plate but the wife would have kicked me under the table. Also had the steak and tuna dishes both terrific. Last note I always said if the restaurants food is amazing I don't care about service, they can make me wait or even give me dirty looks who cares when you eat perfection. BUT that is not the case unbelievably the service is as good as the food from manager down the line. Really would like to keep them a secret but they deserve this and many more visits from us. Don't change a thing guys!