As we entered New London the largest metropolitan area in Mystic Country and Southeastern Connecticut we set out for a dining spot on a Sunday afternoon. A lite lunch, early dinner or brunch perhaps. My party consisted of an old friend from Haddam, my wife and son and we began our walk down Bank Street to find the NY Style Deli open but having just eaten lunch there a couple of days prior we decided to move on to another establishment. We wandered the streets of New London only to see doors shut, signs "open at 4" were found throughout... Humm... this "funky little city" looking to make a comeback and the restaurants are closed on Sunday or open late? Do they have any hope of getting those headed back to Long Island or New York on train or ferry by being closed? Do they expect us to slip our VISA info under the door because we want to help?

Shocked, in disbelief and basically annoyed we wandered up and down Bank Street finally arriving at Sofia on the corner of Bank and Shaw. A 1980s building originally the home of Nathaniels, Sofia offered us a haven with excellent service, friendly help and great food at a good price. We recommend Sofia not only because they were open on a Sunday but because it was good! Kudos to NY Style Gourmet Deli as well... great service, tremendous food and huge portions (could do without ).

We eventually thirsted for some authentic Mexican one night that next week. We had heard great things about Zavala and they appear to do some serious business there. We arrived the service was friendly, the decor was a bit tired and almost appeared dirty. The food came and was a "bit" different but only a step above "everywhere else" tex-mex. Beer was cold, the margaritas were very good but the food was just so-so! Feedback? Update the decor, offer outside seating facing the Thames River and Train Station and tell your neighbor in the 1970s pub to pack it in as that building was and is as ugly as I have ever seen.

For snacks we wandered up to and parden my spelling...Xocatl on State and Green Street. Wow... a minimalistic but clean & modern interior, warm colors on the walls, floors and in the bathrooms. Homemade chocolates and decent lattes, espesso and coffee. Worth a stop and a nice quality new addition to the Connecticut landscape. Maybe they can offer sandwiches or something a bit more designed for dinner or lunch. All in all a welcomed addition.

For drinks that eve we wandered to the Buckeley House... the garden was packed with business people and locals, the odd tourist could be sighted as well. Service was ok but I was turned off by the lack of attention paid to the house itself. Chipped paint, an old smell in the bar area of old drinks gone bad turned my stomach. We moved on quickly to the Hygenic Arts Park where a free concert was taking place and smiles were abundant. Hint: Buckeley House... paint the building and update the place a bit... it appears rundown and tired. Hanafins was next on the stop...an Irish Bar near the head of State Street. We entered on a Friday evening and the crowd was in a party mood. The owner sat at the bar patiently and watched his laptop, or someones. The music ruined it for me... cookie cutter Blues by a local band filled the air as it does in just about every locals bar in SE Connecticut. I had hoped for Irish folk music live or at least on the stereo... however this was not the rule. Hanafins is nice addition to the countryside but could focus on a little less blues.