A 'Maine' Attraction, The Airport News, May 2003
Visitors to Connecticut usually ask anyone from the "Nutmeg State" the following three questions, (1) Where's the Mark twain House? (2) Where ís the nearest casino? And lastly, the most important question: (3) Tell us where can we find a really good fish restaurant?
Well, let me tell you, I really have to disclose that one, as a curmudgeonary connoisseur I dislike with a passion revealing any and all gastronomic secret eateries that we all hold so dear-that to share means visions of long lines and the possibility of not having that last cherished goody waiting for you there. I would rather tell you what a Nutmegger is (someone from Connecticut) than reveal that one of the best fish restaurants in the state is The Maine Fish Market Restaurant located in Warehouse Point. Oh my goodness, what have I done this time- I have a Big Big Mouth!!
Brothers Nick and John Vamvilis are owners of a true pearl gem of a restaurant and a favorite of those who love fish and its savory underwater cousins. The Maine Fish Market Restaurant has been a family staple in the Warehouse Point section of East Windsor since 1980, originally equally famous "Pizza House" started by their father Peter Vamvilis, and renamed the "Maine Fish Market" by their mother, Patricia, who herself came from Biddeford, Maine, and wanted to bring a small part of her native state to Connecticut. When asked what makes the Maine Fish Market unique Nick Vamvilis quickly states, "consistency and freshness". He is so right, I have been there on many occasions and each visit has been like coming back to a faithful friendís home, with each meal prepared fresh, hot and heart warming.
The dining areas are vast with large aquariums located in each section diners to watch their finny friends and I would assume they watch us. The dining rooms are bright, clean, and cheerful with various pictures of sailing ships, mounted fish and lobsters hanging on the walls. Booths and tables are large, comfortable and so inviting you know from the start that any meal here will be special. Our waitress this day is Desiree, and even though she is also preparing for a large party, she is attentive and knowledgeable, eagerly making suggestions and promptly refilling our drinks and overfilled basket of warm golden brown bread- warm bread-oh so enjoyable, and I have not even ordered yet.
Ordering here at the Maine Fish Market is the only hard part of our visit, with so many wonderful choices to make, from fresh Maine lobsters to whole belly clams- the menu is fairly extensive. On this night we begin with a sampling of a bowl of New England Clam Chowder- a hearty staple for all of us who are true natives of New England. This brimming bowl contains a blend of tender sweet clams and cut potatoes, swimming all together happily, with so many clams in every enticing thick creamy spoonful. If you are like me, you use that warm bread to wipe up every last bit of this heavenly sea chowder.
Ordering appetizers can also be a chore- but a chore of passion for this wonderful army of sea food. We begin with a labor of love- the Crab Cakes. Now I have been all throughout New England and nothing- absolutely nothing- can compare to the delicious crab cakes prepared and served here. These beautiful puffy cakes are massive disks of succulent crab in a delicate cracker mixture, blissfully filled with large pieces of crab. Next we enjoy the Fried Lobster meat- choice pieces of Lobster lightly coated with a delicate batter and served with warm melted butter (my mouth is still watering as I write these words). I save the best for last, and if you only order one thing, please make it the Fried Whole Belly Clams- oh joy- please one moment while I collect myself-, these fresh whole belly clams as my Uncle Olaf would say are, "Hands Off- they're all mine". An overflowing platter of these lightly battered mouth poppers are sweet and as fresh as they get, they will have you coming back for more.
Entrees for this visit included the Baked Shrimp and Scallops, served with sauteed mushrooms, onions and peppers. This is served over a lemon-garlic peppers seasoned white rice. This massive plate of sea food combo contained choice selections of large succulent shrimp and cylinders if thick sea scallops. This was a wonderful selection for those who want to try several types of sea food. The Baked Stuffed Shrimp was a sea-food loverís dream of ecstasy. Three large freshly baked shrimps stuffed with crab meat, sea scallops and cracker mixture are a delight to behold and eventually slowly devour. These baked shrimp are good to the last morsel-yum! All dinners include salad, French fries, and choice of cole slaw, past salad or vegetable and bread and butter. After 3 p.m. French fries can be substituted with a baked potato. I highly recommend you to try the rich creamy coleslaw that is homemade at the restaurant.
If you have room left, we highly recommend the following desserts; the home-made Rice Pudding lovingly made by owner Nick Vamvilis himself from a 2000 year old Greek recipe that is smooth and delicate with a hint of cinnamon and garnished with whipped cream and a cherry.
The Maine Fish Market is a family friendly restaurant that from the minute you enter, you will know that what ever you order from the menu will be made fresh and prepared just for you. As I stated from the beginning of this review, many of us, hold hard and fast, the sacred secret of a good fish restaurant and good food- the Maine Fish Market is both. It is a true food find that hopefully you will want to share this secret with you family and close friends.
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