New Restaurant Carlson's Landing Opens Oct. 9

ESSEX, CT—Doesn't tuna meatballs with pomodoro sauce and grilled crostini sound amazing?

It's been a year since ground was broken, but on Oct. 9, a "soft opening" is planned for Carlson's Landing on the Connecticut River at the historic Essex Boat Works and Marina. The restaurant has outdoor seating available in season, a 30-seat dining room and 20-seat bar.

The eatery is run by restaurateur Robert Rabine, founder of Cafe Routier in Westbrook, chef at Robert Henry's in New Haven, and former food and beverage writer.

The menu is by Johnson & Wales alum and classically-trained chef Kyle Bledsoe. That menu includes local oysters; Mexican-styled scallop aguachilie with lime and pickled jalapeno; massaged kale salad with candied walnuts, celery, apple, and buttermilk green goddess dressing; swordfish BLT with local tomatoes and caper aioli; tender octopus with fingerling potatoes, roasted tomato, garlic, olives, and parsley; and juicy burgers and steaks, deviled crab fritters, fried calamari with pickled sweet peppers and chipotle aioli, a buttery lobster roll, and market-fresh fish and, steamed little neck clams in ham broth and charred leeks. And then there's the tuna meatballs with pomodoro sauce and grilled crostini.

The soft opening is Oct. 9 with an all-day bar menu to start and a full menu to follow. The hours will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday open until 11 and Sunday 3 to 9.

Carlson's Landing is located at 63 Main Street, in Essex. For more information, visit the website.