above: (left) Prime draws boaters for steaks, sushi and scenic views of Stamford Harbor. (right) Mexicue in Harbor Point fuses American Southern cooking with Mexican cuisine.
Photographs: contributed by brands
Arrive by water and explore restaurants with a view
Fresh air, salt breezes and sparkling waters whet the appetite. Stamford offers boaters and lovers of water-borne adventures many ways to get out on the Long Island Sound and to harbor back on land at the plentiful restaurants, from casual to high-end, with indoor and outdoor seating and water views.
Stamford has 19 miles of coastline on the Sound, a busy commercial and recreational harbor, public and municipal marinas, yacht clubs, beaches and waterfront parks. In summer, the expanse of Long Island Sound is dotted with sailboats, powerboats and kayakers. And with a water taxi ferrying revelers across the Harbor from “Point” to “Landing” restaurants, every weekend feels like a festival.
WATER ADVENTURES
SOUNDWATERS SCHOONER
Public and chartered cruises depart from TGM Marina, within walking distance to Crab Shell and Prime.You don’t have to be an old salt to feel comfortable aboard Soundwaters’ Schooner. The 80-foot, three-mast ship is a steel-hulled replica of a 19th-century New Haven Sharpie, a flat bottomed ship able to travel in shallow waters and once used for fishing, oystering and trading. Captain and crew take the Schooner out into Long Island Sound and raise the magnificent sails for two-hour public cruises June through September. Additional sunset cruises run Wednesday through Sunday. Guests can bring their own beverages and finger foods. Groups can charter the Schooner for up to 40 passengers, and often hire a caterer to create cheese plates and charcuterie boards. soundwaters.org/sails-rentals/public-schooner-sails/
PADDLE PUB
This pedal-powered party boat has room for 22 guests beneath a blue canopy on an open-air deck. There are 12 pedal stations at the bar, and pedaling is easy through the calm waters (and no worries, the boat has a motor system). Captain and the First Mate steer the paddle wheel through a 90-minute cruise to the outer reach of Stamford Harbor. It’s BYO—bottles of water, beverages in cans and food. You can bring your own playlist to plug into the Bluetooth sound system. And yes, there’s an on-board bathroom (“head,” in nautical terms. paddlepub.com
WHAT TO WEAR
For water adventures, be sure to wear flat, rubber-soled shoes (no heels) and sunscreen. Pack for changing weather, a light sweater for winds, rain poncho for salt spray (Paddle Pub cruises run rain or shine), secure hats and sunglasses (that the wind won’t blow “into the drink,” the nautical term for going into the sea). Consider packing foods in reusable containers, using cloth napkins and avoiding decorations that harm the environment.
WATER TAXI
The free Harbor Point water taxi motors from Harbor Landing to Harbor Point, Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m.
BOAT RENTALS
For those who want to be on the water without the burdens of owning their own boat, local clubs are a nice alternative.
CAREFREE BOAT CLUB
A national company with 75 locations, it has an outpost in Harbor Point. Members have access to a fleet of new cruisers, water sport and fishing boats, ranging from 21 to 26 feet. US Coast Guard-certified captains train boaters on safety, navigation and docking. carefreeboats.com
POWERTIME BOAT CLUB
This club offers powerboat membership packages that match customers with new, luxury yachts like the 25-foot Aquador 250 HT, with room enough for seven people (two cabins, galley, grill, AC, shower and head, and room for fishing equipment). Overnight cruises can be arranged. US Coast Guard- certified captains train members in boating. powertimeboating.com
Boat clubs offer access to fishing boats and yachts, without the obligation of ownership. USCG-certified captains train members on safety, navigation and docking. Two boat clubs operate out of Stamford Harbor.
Docking: WHERE TO TIE UP
Harbor Point owns four marinas. For slip assignments, they monitor communications on marine Channel 9 on VHF radio. Boaters can also call 203-355- 6045 to check availability (no reservations). There’s a three-hour docking time limit (at cost of $1 a foot). harborpointmarinas.com
Overnight visitors are welcome at the TGM Anchor Point Marina at 150 Southfield Ave. It has 72 slips on the West branch of the Harbor, with many amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, athletic club, indoor basketball court, and lounge and media center. tgmanchorpointmarina.com
The Village’s Star Point Marina has 11 slips for visitors. The city of Stamford has two marinas for residents with registered boats up to 32 feet, at Cove Marina and Czescik Marina.
Stamford Yacht Club is a private club started in 1890 and is the site of serious sailors who love the sport. The club hosts many prestigious races, like the Vineyard Race, which draws 100 boats from all over New England. Participation in the many races and tournament, including the summer Friday night series of races, are open to members and non-members—all sailors with active PHRF certificates (the handicap system allows boats of different sizes to race against one another). stamfordyc.com
RESTAURANTS
Dockside patios, rooftop gardens, sunset views, live music and inside, more great views and merciful AC, lively bars with cold beverages, comfortable seating and great food… the restaurants of Harbor Point, Harbor Landing and The Village offer a surfeit of settings and types of food, seafood of course, but also wood-fired pizzas, made-to-order sushi, tacos, burgers and dry-aged prime steaks. A couple restaurants have their own boat slips. Others have access to slips set aside for visitors.
THE CRAB SHELL
The Crab Shell has 11 boat slips, an outdoor patio and dockside bar featuring frozen margaritas, daiquiris and pina coladas—yes, it’s party central, a no-pretense place that has been around forever, 35 years, and is open all the time, seven days a week for lunch and dinner. They serve all the seafood classics, raw bar, grilled, sautéed, broiled or deep-fried. Inside the Crab Shell, the vibe is quieter, but the views are still great. Out on the patio, bands play dance music. crabshell.com
THE WHEEL
The Wheel is a large New American restaurant in The Village whose Star Point Marina has 11 slips for visitors with boats from 30 to 45 feet. (They monitor marine communication VHF channel 9, or boaters can call 475-270-1304 to check availability.) The Wheel’s large patio overlooks the boardwalk and boats and is set for a party, with a lounge and bar, and bands playing live music. The Wheel uses local and regionally sourced ingredients, including those grown on their rooftop garden, in their globally influenced, seasonal New American comfort food, like their popular whipped eggplant with pita. (Attention boaters: They also have a Grab-and-Go menu.)
For events, the Village’s venues have amenities with views, a large indoor-outdoor rooftop with a garden, bar, lounge and a smaller terrace. It also hosts events for the public; check the website for the summer schedule. thevillagewheel.com
PRIME: AN AMERICAN KITCHEN AND BAR
Prime doesn’t just refer to aged steaks and fresh seafood. This restaurant has a prime location with prime views. A retractable glass window gives a view of yachts and sailboats coming and going. The most upscale ($$$) of Stamford harbor’s restaurants, it also has a chef from Mizu Sushi creating specialty rolls to order. Prime is also known for its extensive wine list. Outdoor seating includes a Cabana Bar for 78 guests and a deck. Sunday brunch, which includes a la carte and brunch specials, is especially popular. stamford.restaurantprime.com
MEXICUE
Besides having a patio and rooftop garden overlooking the harbor, Mexicue projects an individualist, creative vibe that speaks to those who love a good taco, homemade salsa and a spicy, smoky margarita. The chef adds Southern American touches (like barbecued meat) to Mexican techniques. Mexicue captures the zeitgeist of the harbor with its relaxed atmosphere and the view of O&G Industries across the water. Sunsets are superb, especially when paired with pork birria in a flour tortilla with cheese, and a side of consommé for dipping. mexicue.com
HAPPY HOUR SIGN OF THE WHALE
This place can swallow a crowd. Known for cocktails and a lively scene, crowd favorites include the signature “Blue Whale” with coconut rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice and Sprite or the “Gummy Bear,” a blend of cherry vodka and peach schnapps with pineapple and cranberry juices and Sprite. signofthewhale.com
HARBOR POINT EXTRAS
PIZZA
Fortina for wood-fired Italian American pizzas in a loud dining room or quieter rooftop garden. fortinapizza.com
BURGERS
Bareburger is a regional chain grilling organic beef and buffalo burgers.And the crowd pleasers, too: popcorn chicken, pickle chips and spicy mozzarella sticks. bareburger.com
SANDWICHES, SALADS AND SWEETS
Café Salzburg opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast and serves into the evening. Seating is limited, but Harbor Point has plenty of places to sit and enjoy a casual “picnic.” patisseriesalzburg.com