Dog Watch is a poor recommendation to eat- it is a drinking establishment that serves food-

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Dog Watch Cafe
194 Water St, Stonington, CT 06378

I would question a chef you considers himself of distinguished taste that would consume PBR, which in my opinion is even garbage compared to High Life...

You can mess it up with herbs etc, I think this is a popular reaction to people who do not care for the taste of bluefish, some mayo, lemon, start hot, cook low and slow...

I do some chickens, have never done the turkey- which I usually do on a larger smoker.
I have grown some turkeys that should have been butchered at Thanksgiving, and are now at about 40lbs dressed (yes, huge birds). My wife and I breasted one out two months ago, and still have meat left int he freezer- a breast weighs in at ~10lbs of solid meat.

I do not have access to a large enough smoker/grill at the moment, nor do I want to fire up for the time it would take to do one of these birds whole, so I think I will part one out again for a party next weekend, and do the pieces individually on my webers=

With a solid 10lb piece of meat- would you half it?
Does anyone dry their bird after the brine? I generally find that dry is best for getting a moist roast?

I have found that a larger starter chimney is necessary for doing a bird right- you can make one out of a length of black stove pipe with some holes, and a pipe stuck through it perpendicularly, it works well to do many pounds of charcoals from the get-go.

also, rather than gambling with a tray, I use a piece of heavy aluminum foil, fill the grill with coals, and push the middle of the sheet of foil into the middle of the coals with a stick- this creates a funnel of that ensures the heat is indirect- for something more permanent you could roll and pop-rivet a cone out of flashing to be set down in the middle of the coals- this shape, theoretically, encourages convection, better than coals in the middle with a drip try would- and it works well. With the foil you can move the edges accordingly to regulate temperature in the top.

Anyone done big meat? maybe I should tackle this more like a chunk of beef-

Snobbery, and pessimism aside, there are some great markets in RI, given that it is not NY or Boston- they are generally small, but I am sure that one of the many has what one would like. In the southern part of the state we get along on the Chinese end with the market in Westerly, next to Golden Chopsticks- they have a dense selection of fresh and canned ingredients.

Again, Ine, I would have to disagree- about how you use the word "fancier", perhaps you could replace fancier with pretencious, and discaimer that with "and a less dependable meal";

Steak Loft is, like the rest of JTK managment's restaurants, corporatized theme-parkesque dining. They had the corner on what chains are doing before there were applebees, fridays, etc. everywhere. The food at all of their restaurants is mediocre at best, sometime worse, as you will see in reviews across the web- but then, Ine, there is no accounting for nostalgia or bad taste, I would not suggest it to a traveler- look in Stonington for a great meal. Mystic like Newport has succumbed to Tourist oriented dining, there is little pride or culinary fervor- Sea Swirl, Bravo, some others stand out.

At the corner of Grand and Water Streets.

Sam's Pizza, Bristol, RI

Westerly would be considerably greater undertakings, though I could compile a list of worthwhile restaurants in both places when time allows.

Yes, perhaps the thoughts about Noah's came across stronger than necessary, their food is excellent, despite the inconsistency, and I continue to enjoy it as well.

I enjoy Milagro much more than Zavala; if you like them, you should expect to love Milagro.

There is perhaps more per capita culinary interest in Stonington Borough than any other new england village. With more than half dozen eating establishments, a year-round farmer's market, Connecticut's last commercial fishing fleet, the famous red shrimp, several outlying farms... it is a food mecca that sometimes leaves the serious restaurant goer scratching their head (not at the table of course). Having been on both sides of the restaurant industry for many years I thought I should make a clean sweep of reviewing all of the borough establishments, as I often see them come up in conversation here. As a resident I dine here regularly, and have better than common insight. I will start at the head of the borough and work my way down to cannon square.

Dog Watch
Replacing the once well know "Boom" at Dodson's Boatyard, Dog Watch is what one would expect from a restaurant situated between metal sheds and gravel lots. For a late night burger, an afternoon fried seafood item when coming ashore, or any other such chance or convenient feeding situation the Dog Watch will suffice- it is a Bar with an obtuse bar menu. Infamous as the borough's rowdy nightspot, inclusive of over served regular locals, karaoke, and dancing (as well as the latest last call), it is a better place to meet a willing middle age woman, than take a girl on a date. What the Dog lacks in culinary excellence it more than makes up for in good, strong drinks, entertainment, and community appeal. In conclusion, don't go to the Dog Watch for dinner, got here for a drink and have a bite to ease your hunger or absorb the liquor. The food is expensive for what it is. Tim, the regular bartender, is a great guy, good for conversation and entertainment.

Yellow House
The Yellow House Coffee/Tea Shop, the thrown of Borough Warden Don Maranell, is a favorite morning and lunch spot to see and bee seen, discuss who and what is going on in town, do business, and maybe have a cup of coffee, as one would a drink in the evening, because it is the thing to do when socializing in the morning. Don is a entertaining and gracious host, however, the cup of coffee is more reminiscent of his earlier days in the navy, than what could come of a good bean. The pastries are often dry and tasteless. Lunch on the other hand is a pleasant daily assortment of sandwiches and soup, like lunches of yore, generously portioned, but not too much.

Water Street Cafe
Generally considered the gem of Stonington's restaurants, the zany decorating and eclectic cuisine draws crowds throughout the week, year around. There is something for everyone, from Southern to Asian inspired- a great use of local ingredients, fresh flavor combinations, and seasonal offerings. Unfortunately it is often loud, and the service is inconsistent (of the regular help, some is exceptional, and other's seemingly unmotivated). The food is exceptionally constant. Prices are fair, ranging from inexpensive to moderately so, allowing for any budget (you can eat here as inexpensively as Dog Watch).

Milagro's
The Borough's gem in the rough, Milagro's offers exceptional modern Mexican cuisine, that is as innovative as it is authentic. The food is intoxicating to say the least, with menu items like fish tacos, melt in your mouth carne asada, made to order tortilla chips, and fresh margaritas. Again, the service is inconstant. When the owner Martine and his wife are serving, one could expect no better service, while the young "gringos" lack luster and attentiveness. Prices are reasonable. Seating is very limited.

Teresa's
Teresa's like The Yellow House offers lunch's and coffee, with some specialty food offerings, hot prepared foods, a larger variety of sandwiches, etc. The coffee is world's better here, probably the best cup in the borough. She also offers Gelato and excellent pastries. a lack of seating, and less political appeal usually means less customers, but do not be fooled, Teresa's is excellent.

Noah's
The notorious rival of water Street Cafe, Noah's offers one of the most comfortable dining atmospheres in the borough. The menu of Wurst specials, quiche, Mexican inspired dishes, noodle bowls, meatloaf, sandwiches, seafood specials... are all excellent, though some find it bland, and geriatric. The food is less consistent here, ofetn the same dishes are distinctly different based on the cook. While the best place to start the day (great breakfast menu), it is infamously the worst, featuring often obnoxious tourists and off shift employees. Again, the help is an anchor to this restaurant, a gang of nearly rude waiters, waitresses, bartenders, and chefs who are inattentive and often abrasive.

Skippers Dock
It is humerus that the borough is anchored by Cliche' restaurants (though Dog Watch is a bar). Skipper's dock is a sort of disneyfied seafood restaurant. The menu is wildly overpriced, and ironically the place mat's feature the menu of the once simple seafood restaurant by the same name. It is common knowledge that they use little if any fresh ingredients and the overcooked, over seasoned offerings are evidence of such. Honestly though, one could go here and enjoy themselves- there is a pleasant jazz trio on Sunday afternoons, the best view of any borough restaurant (perhaps the only with a view)... but then again, there is the staff. The waitstaff is infamous- characterless, aloof, the bartenders likewise. If one were indifferent to having a great meal, or good service this would be the best place in the borough. The icing on the cake is a clientel that ranges from greasy men off speed boats with their mistresses, to peculiar tourists with fanny packs, and every level of pretension and peculiarity in between.

I hope this has been helpful, and inoffensive. Finding good help seems to be the greatest hindrance to many restaurants today, and the borough is evidence of this. The use of fresh ingredients puts Milagro, Noah's and Water Street at the head of the pack.