These Guys Brewing Company

78 Franklin St. Norwich

(860) 949-8550

theseguysbrewing.com

Go to sample and enjoy some fine craft beer — then forget about your thirst while you focus on the menu. Well, you probably won’t forget about drinking — you’re in a craft brew pub, after all — but it won’t take long to become convinced of the fine culinary offerings at These Guys.

It’s a good-looking place, with pressed tin, exposed brick, plank floors and a sleek industrial atmosphere. On our visits, the Halloweeny decor brought out the fun of the season, and there’s every reason to grab a seat at the bar or a tall-top table and make an afternoon out of it.

There are 16 beers on tap and a full bar, and the food menu includes but also transcends pub food. We enjoyed the Chips & (house-made) Pico ($10) with an outstanding cup of Queso ($5) that was rich with white cheese flavor.

A Fall Flatbread ($17) piled sweet potato, garlic, red onion, roasted red pepper, feta and mozzarella atop a crispy and delicately charred crust. Seasonal AND delicious. The Crews Choice Burger ($20) decorated a half-pound beef burger with a thick slab of sharp cheddar, tart dill pickle chips and a bang sauce that, while it didn’t explode, was a nicely tart component.

Also very good were Bourbon Filet Tips ($29), a Bailey’s Cheesecake with an Oreo Crust ($10) and — wait for it — a Cinnamon Bun ($8) that would dazzle most bakers in our region. Stunningly terrific.

— Rick Koster

Buon Appetito

386 Norwich-Westerly Road, North Stonington

(860) 535-2333

buonappetitoristorante.com

The restaurant business is tough, but Buon Appetito has found the recipe for success at its North Stonington location, with an extensive menu of northern Italian dishes, from appetizers, soups, and salads, to pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, and an assortment of entrees and desserts.

They’ve got pasta fagioli, an antipasto plate, tomato caprese salad, and choices such as eggplant parmesan, chicken piccata, and a roasted chicken over asparagus and risotto. The Buon Appetito pizza is topped with basil ricotta, fresh tomatoes, garlic roasted chicken, broccoli and mozzarella. Or try the Polpette pizza, with meatballs, tomato, ricotta and fresh oregano.

The specials are always intriguing and delicious. If a chef offers a special, you really should consider trying it.

At Buon Appetito, every guest gets a warm welcome, excellent service by an attentive waitstaff, and a digestif of limoncello before you leave, if you’d like.

– Ann Baldelli

Spice Club

239 Main St., Niantic

(860) 451-8121

thespiceclubct.com

First things first: If you are a Spice Club regular and haven’t tried the sushi nachos ($16.95) … do.

This appetizer wowed with how it looked upon its arrival to the table. The pink of the tuna contrasted with the blue of the plate, and everything was accented by the orange of the tobiko and the light green of the avocado. When eaten together, it was a symphony of deliciousness. The wonton chips that were part of the creation were perfect, crisp complements.

The thing about Spice Club is it seems to have something on the menu for any palate within the sushi and Thai and Pan-Asian culinary world.

Among our samplings:

The Bibimbap ($17.95) — centered around marinated slice spicy Korean beef, bathed in a dark sauce — was a big enough serving for several meals.

The Spice Club Roll ($16.95), with plenty of spicy salmon and a bit of avocado, topped by salmon, spicy mayo and tempura flakes with tobiko, fell under the category of “definitely will order again.”

The Crispy Garlic plate with pork ($13.95) was a tasty mix of the pork and broccoli, carrots, snow pea and cabbage, mixed with a light sauce.

The service was prompt and friendly, and the atmosphere is comfy casual.

– Kristina Dorsey