Want to meet some friends for lunch halfway between us and them. They live in Westchester County, NY - near New Rochelle/Larchmont area. We are north of Boston off I93/near Route 495. Possibilities suggested have been Hartford, Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun, or Mystic areas. Looking for specific place to meet, have lunch - but a place where they will not throw us out after a 1 hour lunch or with someplace near where we can hang out for a while. Will be on a Saturday in early April - so outdoor places are not reasonable. Does not have to be exactly half way, but a reasonable compromise in travel time.

Mohegan Sun will be half way for both of you, won't kick you out after an hour and will be out of the cold. They can take 95 to 395 and you take 495 to 290 which becomes 395 in CT. Just keep your pocketbook closed.

If you want to go to Hartford, a good restaurant is Black-Eyed Sally's. Really good BBQ, a cool bar and they definetly wont throw you out after an hour!

Skippers Dock in Stonington, Ct.

Make sure you get the Lobster roll

http://www.skippersdock.com/menu_main.htm

If you choose Hartford, I recommend either of two choices for you:

1) go to West Hartford Center, only a few minutes from the highway, wander for a few minutes, and choose something to the group's liking....there will be many choices. I can't think of any that would not be fine with you lingering.

2) Go to one of the Italian restaurants in the south end of Hartford (a couple of my favorites are Peppercorn's and Casa Mia) and do not get dessert or coffee...instead then go over to Mozzicatto's Cafe and Bakery, where you can linger for hours if you so choose over wonderful cappucino and pastries...mmm...I used to live not far from there and mouth is watering just thinking about it. The place is owned and run by an Italian family and they truly get that the experience is as much about talking and laughing with friends as it is about the food and drink (tho the latter is top notch).

I guess you can tell which of these I'd choose, lol! But actually I enjoyed lunches with friends in WH Center many times too....and often people don't want a big Italian meal for lunch.

Agree with Black Eyed Sallys in Hartford or would recommend City Steam Brewery also in Hartford.

As for West Hartford, the only restaurant that I have been to is Max's Oyster Bar, which is very good