1. Higgie’S
City: Higganum, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 345-7777
Address: 236 Saybrook Rd.
Description: This road-food classic is named for the village of Higganum, where it is located, and will give you no-frills food at prices you want. The walk-up windows and picnic tables tell you that this is not fine dining, as do the paper plates and cups. The toasted bun burgers are steamed like others in central Connecticut, and thus should be eaten with cheese. The clam chowder is more like one you’d get in northern New England, thick and milky, but it is delicious nevertheless. If you get one of their frappes (milk shakes), make sure to pay the little bit extra to get it “thick.” This is a road-food stop on the old highway before Route 9 came in, and the fact that it is still going strong is a testament to the quality of its calorific food.
2. Sundial Gardens
City: Higganum, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 345-4290
Address: 59 Hidden Lake Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: The tea shop here at Sundial sells herbal tisanes, teapots, and accessories, as well as specialty foods and chocolate. However, this is not just a specialty food shop. For a small fee you can also visit the three formal architectural gardens: a Persian knot garden, a topiary, and a geometric 18th-century style. Sundial’s longtime owner, Ragna Tischler Goddard, also runs a tea tasting, lecture, and demonstration about once a month, so check the website for times and sign up. She also runs baking and gardening classes. This shop has been featured in numerous magazines and on television shows, and for good reason: It is unique.