I’m thinking cannoli for dinner will be on the menu at my house very soon. The options boggle the mind, and I haven’t even scratched the surface at the coffee bar and bakery, where breads, cannoli, and other treats await. (Not to mention additional prepared foods ready to go.) Among our favorites: the Misticanza Salad ($12) the Italian Beef Sandwich ($18) and the Polpete (meatballs $13), which might have been sent straight from heaven. I trend non-DIY and made good use of the café which serves up a basic menu of sandwiches, pasta dishes, and salads with some surprises throughout. Not in the mood to make your own pasta sauce? Gargano offers its own sauces (which aren’t cheap consider the $16 pomodoro sauce), or create your own with one of many, many gourmet pantry items on the shelves, including oils, vinegars, oils, mushrooms, olives and much more. Want pasta? Choose from the house-made variety or check out some imported options.

At Gargano market, you can do the same, albeit in a more casual but tastefully chic environment, or you can try your hand at creating your own Grano experience at home with any of the numerous food stuffs available for sale. At Grano, the kitchen staff take care of the meals, offering super fresh and wisely sourced (often in-house) Italian fare. For example, Gargano Pasta & Italian Market in Old Saybrook, an offshoot of the excellent Italian restaurant Grano Arso in Chester. (860) 339-3726, In some cases, it is impossible to have too much of a good thing. There are a variety of offerings at all price points, and the ambience and service are always the best. Highlights at our dinner at Olio were the Steak Tacos, $15.95, the Veal Francaise, $29.95, and the Porcini Mushroom Dusted Grilled Swordfish, at $31.95. Whichever one you visit, it will be delicious.

This Groton mainstay always serves up creative, delicious food and is part of the stable of restaurants owned by the Kanabis family that includes Bravo Bravo and Red 36 in Mystic. Next visit to Olio, I’m getting the Bolognese and the coconut shrimp. That’s a great tip, from a guy who has certainly eaten in plenty of top-tier restaurants, including many at the casino resort where he works. “Loved your review – but you need to go back and try the Bolognese (my fav, nothing comes close) and the coconut shrimp,” he wrote. Soon after my recent review of Olio was published, I received an email from Tom Cantone, the president of sports and entertainment at Mohegan Sun. Find their website at and search their name to find them on social media.

Tavern ambience