Took  a road trip to the toney little town of Westport, Connecticut recently.

I picked up my mom and we cruised the picturesque Merritt Parkway to the center of Westport.

Spotted Horse Tavern was our planned destination.

We arrived around 6pm on a warm and clear Saturday evening.

My mom waits for no one so we needed to arrive early to snag a table as Spotted Horse does not accept dinner reservations.

Ensconced in the Sherwood House, proudly stands the Spotted Horse Tavern, a historic landmark building dating from 1881.

Spotted Horse has a tavernlike dining room in a one-story frame house, with wood floors and tables, exposed-beam ceilings and a stylishly rustic feel.

The three-year old restaurant is from restaurateurs Kevin McHugh, Pete Mennona, George E. O’Connell and Tommy Febbraio who also own The Gray Goose in neighboring Southport, Connecticut.

You enter into an open bar area which seats about 30 people, the main dining room holds 50. There is also a lovely outdoor patio.

The Countess of Connecticut was seated immediately. I on the other hand, had to fight for parking as narrow, one way Church Lane is undergoing a major facelift.

David ordered a U-Pick It Texas Lemonade with Tito’s handmade vodka, lemonade, freshly muddled  raspberries (you can pick your fruit preference) served in a mason jar & topped with a splash of seltzer ($11).

I had a lovely Malbec ($10).

We started our banquet with an impressive looking wedge. the Iceberg and Bleu consisted of Tavern sliced iceberg lettuce, applewood smoked bacon, roasted tomatoes, brioche croutons and Moody bleu cheese dressing ($13.95).

Along with the salad, we ordered my mom’s favorite dish, truffled lobster mac. The  dish contained large chunks of fresh lobster meat, Manchego cheese, white truffle creme and Panko crumbs….unbelievably delicious ($15.95).

The mains arrived. My mom, being a classic New Englander, ordered the evening special…the lobster roll with gobs of fresh lobster and no mayo or fillers. Make note, this is how a lobster roll should be prepared ($21.95).

I selected the pan roasted Atlantic wild salmon fillet which was prepared to perfection over a bed of delicious sweet pea risotto ($22.95).

Ahi tuna tacos was David’s choice. Large, beautiful slices of fresh sesame crusted sushi grade Ahi tuna adorned the plate. Grilled pineapple, jicama and mint salsa, wasabi-lemon yogurt sauce and cut up warm tortillas completed the dish ($16.95).

In honor of my mom’s birthday, the restaurant presented her with two beautiful desserts…creme brûlée cheese cake and chocolate molten cake.

I am happy to report at 90 plus she still had the ability to blow out the candles. Well done, Eunice.

Spotted Horse Tavern is definitely worth a day trip to Connecticut. There is something for everyone on the menu. They even have Meatless Monday and an impressive children’s menu.

You can shop the quaint main street of Westport or hang at lovely Compo Beach.

Don’t bother to dress up for dinner. The crowd was incredibly casual…not even Vineyard Vines casual, just ‘burb dreck.

Spotted Horse Tavern 26 Church Lane Westport, Connecticut. Open for lunch and dinner daily.  Monday-Thursday 11:30am-10pm. Friday and Sunday 11:30am-11pm. Sunday 11:00am-9pm. Lunchtime reservations accepted. No dinner reservations.