One of my favorite places to get away locally is the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa situated along the picturesque shoreline of historic Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Located in between Boston and New York, Saybrook Point Inn serves as the ultimate quick-getaway destination. The main inn features a collection of 100 elegantly-appointed guestrooms in the main part of the hotel as well as a unique waterfront Lighthouse Suit and adjacent to the main property two luxury guesthouses, Three Stories and Tall Tales that that reflect the area's history and charm. On premise guests will also enjoy the rejuvenating full-service SANNO spa, as well as a wonderful, casual fine dining restaurant, Fresh Salt, which features fresh seasonal ingredients from local farms and fisheries.  Conveniently located at the mouth of the Connecticut River, the pristine Saybrook Point Marina, is a landmark boating destination and also serves as a focal point for the Inn. During the warmer months SPI becomes a boater's destination, but the off-season has just as much to offer its guests. Last week I had the opportunity to return to this relaxing Coastal New England Resort.

Guests can choose one of 82 spacious rooms within the original main inn. From cozier standard rooms to luxury suites, each elegantly appointed space offers an experience that will perfectly fit your needs with easy access to a variety of their amenities from their fitness center, to their award-winning restaurant, Fresh Salt, and SANNO, their on-site spa. You'll be amazed that someplace so close can feel like you're a world away! 

During my most recent stay I attended a press event celebrating the arrival of the new spring lunch and dinner menus, and having eaten here in the past, I knew that I was not about to be disappointed!

New items include a selection of fresh spring salads including the Three Bean Salad with Butter Bean, Edamame Bean, Garbanzo Bean, Spring Lettuce, Pickled Red Onion, and Passion Fruit Vinaigrette or the Boston Lettuce-Trevisano Salad with Pickled Kumquat, Roasted Cherry Tomato Toasted Walnut, Goat Cheese, and Port Wine Vinaigrette. Perhaps a sandwich is what you're craving? There are a variety of new options to sink your teeth into, all served with house-made Kettle Chips. Try their Croque-Madame with Honey Ham, Mustard, Fontina, and Fried Egg on Sourdough Bread,or the Smoked Duck Panini with Manchego Cheese, Membrillo, Duck Breast, and Arugula on a Ciabatta Roll. For a heartier options Fresh Salt offers a Seafood Risotto with Mussel, Scallop, Monkfish, Sweep Pea, Mushroom, Cherry Tomato, and Lemon-Parmesan Sauce, Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Purée, Pickled Red Onion, Radish, Cotija Cheese, Roasted Red Pepper, Shaved Lettuce, Corn Tortilla, and Sriracha Mayonnaise, and Open-faced Poached Salmon with Bacon, Kalamata Olive Tapenade, Baby Arugula, Pickled Onion, and Sourdough Bread.

I had a pleasure of sampling some items from the dinner menu and started with the Broccoli-Avocado-Pistachio Soup (pictured above) which was rich and creamy from the avocado with just a faint hint of the pistachio. It was both warm and refreshing which perfectly suited our cool New England Spring evening.  The Sushi Tuna Triangles, (pictured below) where thin layers of sushi tuna were sandwiched in between layers of rice and seaweed offering a fun and delicious twist on the more traditional sushi roll. No mess! Also new to the menu, which I didn't try (and is on my list for the next time I go!) are the Burrata-Prosciutto Purses with Prosciutto-wrapped Burrata, Caramelized Fig, Melon Gazpacho, and Muscatel Glace and Veal-stuffed Shells Pasta with Braised Veal, Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella, and Roasted-Tomato Puree are also new to the menu.

For entrees, guests will choose from a divine selection of fresh seafood including Pan-roasted Cod Loin (pictured below) which is what I had. A tender, flaky fish is decorated with with Crispy Potato, Little Neck Clams, and Sweet Pea-Leek Velouté. The dish was as beautiful to look at as it was delicious. We also enjoyed the Osso Busco, (image below) a special that night, that was prepared with the bone removed, then replaced prior to serving. Served over a bed of creamy polenta, brussels sprouts and blistered roasted tomatoes, the meat was incredible, succulent and tender to the bite. I hope they bring it back often. (Of our table of 8, 5 ordered the Osso Bucco!)

Also new to the menu, although I have yet to try, are the Bacon-wrapped Monkfish with Sugar Pea Risotto and Red Cabbage Coulis, Roasted Swordfish Loin with Quinoa, Barley, Spinach, and Passion Fruit-Ginger Sauce, and the Pan-seared Black Pearl Scottish Salmon with Roasted Cherry Tomato-Sweet Pea Fregola Sarda.

Sitting to my right was Alicia Ghio with Local Food Rocks and she thoroughly enjoyed the Lamb Special (above) that night. I have a hunch she thinks it should make another appearance or two as well. 

Fresh Salt introduces some new house-made pasta and vegan entrees including Garganelli Carbonara with Pancetta, Sweet Pea, Spring Squash, Shiitake Mushroom, Parmesan-broth Sauce, and Poached Egg, Cauliflower Steak with pan-roasted Cauliflower, Ratatouille Sauce, and Sautéed Escarole, Rotelle Pasta with Pine Nuts, Fava Bean, Radicchio, Roasted Cauliflower, Pecorino Cheese, and White Wine Sauce. 

Despite the fact that we were all pretty full, an impressive dessert menu beckoned us to try some of the items. If you happen to have any room leftover after your meal, you might be tempted to sink your teeth into a nice assortment of desserts from Pineapple Upside Down Bread Pudding to Tiramisu, assorted sorbets and ice creams, panna cottas and more. 

I have now eaten at Fresh Salt on several occasions and it never disappoints. I have stayed in the main part of the inn and in one of the guest houses across the street. That leaves just one more place for me to check out, The Lighthouse! I have a BIG Birthday coming up in June and I think I should treat myself to a night there during the week... what do you think? 

For more on the Saybrook Point Inn and their fabulous Spa read about my visit last year.