1. Rustic Oak
City: North Haven, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 239-1107
Address: 165 Washington Ave.
Description: This steak house just off I-91 in North Haven seems at first to be a relic of the great steak house explosion of the 1970s, and, of course, that is what it is, complete with buffet salad bar. But the Rustic Oak has changed with the times, and Chef Susan continues to surprise you with interesting seasonal dishes like conch fritters. The steaks are cut on the premises, and are not as expensive as you’ll find at some of the new steak places with their steak-of-the-moment overpriced to mix pain with your pleasure. This is a great family place with a large menu for everyone, but the huge see-through fireplace between the dining room and the bar is also a great place to bring a date in the winter to enjoy a warm apple crisp together.
2. Tokyo Sushi Ii
City: North Haven, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 907-4050
Address: 117 Washington Ave.
Description: The best restaurant in North Haven is Japanese, and it should come as no surprise. There are so many excellent Japanese restaurants in the state, it is often difficult to choose which to praise. Here, the quality of the fish is consistently high, and the sushi and rolls come out like culinary art, with small Zen paintings of trees and flowers, done in soy, hot mayo, and wasabi. Try the North Haven roll, with tuna, avocado, and tobiko inside and salmon outside. Or go for the fried oyster roll, a wonderful Japanese twist on this Connecticut invention. The soba and tempura are great here, but this is really a place for Japanese raw fish, done by experts in the craft.
3. The Only Game In Town
City: North Haven, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (203) 239-4653
Address: 275 Valley Service Rd.
Description: North Haven’s premier family amusement center has been around for 23 years, and they seem to add something new every year. Open daily from Apr to Oct, the Only Game in Town features an arcade, a driving range with 40 tees, 8 batting cages, and 2 minigolf courses. But the most popular attraction is the go-kart track with banked curves, a tunnel, and a bridge, bringing out families to compete with each other. Somehow you never get too old for go-karts. There is a food court to refuel at, and they are open well into the evening in the summer, so your family can all go after you get home from work. This could be listed in the amusement parks section as well, and if they add a roller coaster soon, no one will be surprised.