Simple, fresh, country French cuisine is the highlight of the Restaurant L&E menu. The Chester eatery, formerly Restaurant du Village, serves natural, organic, locally-grown foods with Alsatian and Provencal flair alongside an exception French wine list of impeccable reds and whites, not to mention imported German and Belgian beers. This is one of the best restaurants in the area if looking for that extra-special treat or a romantic meal with a loved one.

Located on the Singing Bridge in Westbrook, Bill's has been packing in the foodies - as evident from the crammed parking lot of weekend nights in the summer and the umbrellas lining the outdoor patio overlooking the Patchogue River. Fix your fix of steamed lobster, lobster rolls, fried seafood platters and more at this local favorite on historic Route 1, or arrive on your boat and dock beneath the outdoor patio. After dinner, enjoy Ashley's Ice Cream from their stand on the premise. At Christmastime the waterfront is decorated with Christmas figures and colored lights. There is live music several nights a week, so check out Bill's website for the week's lineup. Credit cards are not accepted, but there is an ATM machine on site.

The Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton (so named for the town's past as a major producer of pianos and the need for ivory to make the keys) is a jewel of a local, regional theater. This small venue booms during the summer with plays and summer camps for the kids. The Ivoryton Playhouse is a great way to introduce children to theater.

Built in 1876, the Goodspeed Opera House is a gem of American musical theater. Location of the first casts of Broadway hits such as The Man of La Mancha and Annie, the Goodspeed brings together some of the country's best musical theater performers for unforgettable shows, many from America's forgotten past. There are three new musicals done each season at the Opera House and new productions are done at the Norma Terris Theatre just up the road. Winner of numerous regional theater Tony Awards, the Goodspeed aims to provide a unique theater-going experience to everyone in the intimate, the 19th-century theater is a must-see of the Connecticut River Valley.

The Truckstop Café may have graduated to Café Routier, but continues to have Chef Jeffrey Renkl serve authentic French food at reasonable prices. The stylish décor and comfort menu make for the ideal meal after a hard day's work. Try the Pan Roasted Duck Breast served with grilled peaches, blueberries, lemon-chive cous-cous, and blueberry-balsamic gastric. Take your pick from an exquisite list of wines and martinis. To appease that chocolate craving, there's Chocolate Pudding and Espresso and Whiskey Granita topped with white chocolate whipped cream! The cafe opens daily at 5:30p.

Opened in 1989, The Vanilla Bean Café is a happening little cafe and nightspot in the Quiet Corner of the state. The grill menu offers a wide choice of beef, buffalo, veggie and turkey burgers while the lunch and dinner menus serve up sandwiches, pasta and quiche. Be sure to bring the kids: all kid's menu items are just USD3! You can also catch some live folk and bluegrass music many nights of the week and whet your whistle with one of the many selections of on-tap brews or bottles.

When you need to get away from the snow and cold of Northeastern Connecticut, stop by La Petite France for a delicious taste of European-inspired baked goods. Owners Alexandra and Romeo Litor were inspired to move to the United States and open a bakery after Alexandra studied at nearby UConn. Tuck into fresh sweet pastries (such as croissants, tarts, pies and Napoléons), warm baguettes and made-to-order French-style sandwiches.

With three screens (all outdoors), this classic drive-in has more than just movies, but it also have an impressive flea market on Sundays. Enjoy first-run movies with double features from the comfort your car, or take the kids for some family-friendly films. The full concession stand has all your favorites, like popcorn, burgers and hot dogs. Movies are only shown during the summer months, but that doesn't mean the fun stops! On Sundays from 8a to 3p, the Mansfield Marketplace is open for one of the region's largest flea markets from the first week of spring until Thanksgiving. In October, there are free hay rides, so come early to indulge in some autumn entertainment.

On the campus of the University of Connecticut is the college's own ice cream parlor. Ice creams are made and served by students of the animal science school and feature unique flavors such as Husky Tracks (vanilla ice cream with a fudge swirl and peanut butter cups) and Jonathan Supreme (vanilla ice cream with a peanut butter swirl and chocolate-covered peanuts). Everything is made on-campus so it is fresh, tasty and refreshing on a hot day. Also, expect to pay a lot less for an ice cream sundae than at other ice cream parlors. You can also find half gallons of UConn ice cream sold in supermarkets throughout Connecticut.

The finest and the best from the music and the theater world have illuminated the Jorgensen stage. These include Dave Brubeck, Marion Anderson, the Kodo Drummers, Sweet Honey in The Rock, and The Royal Shakespeare Company. Just before Halloween, the annual presentation by famed psychic and ghost hunter Lorraine Warren comes to campus to get everyone in the spirit of things. It has also presented superior dance companies from the American Ballet theater and Paul Taylor dance Company. The place also hosts children's theater. The center also has Jorgensen Gallery, which is located on the ground floor of the center and Harriet S. Jorgensen Theater, which is home to the repertory troupe.