Ancient Mariner
451 Main Street, Ridgefield
203-438-4771 

Don’t Mess With Tradition

There’s a reason why some restaurants are meant to last forever. For Ridgefield’s Ancient Mariner it’s because the locals wouldn’t have it any other way. This affable neighborhood “pub” opened in 1974 and has since served generation after generation primarily the same menu of casual favorites, basic burgers and sandwiches, and tasty seafood dishes. Owner Jessica Wilmot has been part of the Ancient Mariner’s history having worked in the restaurant prior to taking it over in 1992. To say that Jessica knows her customer base is an understatement.

Tucked away in the back of a strip mall behind the post office off of Main Street in downtown Ridgefield, the restaurant’s non-descript storefront gives way to a cozy dining room of dark wood furnishings, walls lined with nautical paraphernalia and boating oars, and a convivial bar lining the right side of the restaurant. This is everybody’s restaurant – children, old-timers, couples, and even “ladies who lunch” can be seen all together at any given time here. It’s a refreshing sight to see! Most people we spoke to say it “feels like home.” That’s the best compliment any restaurateur to hope for.

The menu is rather large and encompasses an array of offerings. “50% of our sales is from our burgers, “ explains Jessica. Not surprising for a restaurant that thrives on frequent diners. Burgers ($5.75 - $6.95) run the gamut from the popular Jesse burger with Swiss cheese and sautéed onions and mushrooms, to the Nick Special burger with bacon, onion, tomato, oregano and olive oil, on rye toast. Crispy shoestring or steak fries, as well as killer onion rings round out the whole burger experience here. Oh, and the creamy cole slaw of thinly shredded cabbage was lightly tossed in a mild creamy dressing, making it one of the best I’ve ever had. Simple and delicious.

Lots of appetizers ($3.95-$6.95) are on the menu. Everything from buffalo chicken wings, nachos, and potato skins with cheddar cheese and bacon, to shrimp cocktail, fried clam strips, and clams casino. We thoroughly enjoyed the baked stuffed clams as they were made with fresh whole clams and stuffed with a light breading and chopped clam concoction, then steamed to cook and briefly run under the broiler for a quick toasting on top. The clams stayed juicy and the stuffing did not dry out like most places tend to do. They were really terrific. 

Salad and sandwiches ($5.50-$11.95) include deli favorites such as a reuben sandwich with hot corned beef, swiss and sauerkraut, and a good ol’ pastrami on rye with mustard. The open steak sandwich made it’s way through the dining room a couple times while we there, as did the turkey and roast beef clubs. They were piled high with meat and fixings, the way a club sandwich was meant to be (in my book anyway)! The “Jesse” makes another appearance but with grilled chicken breast this time, and the “Seawitch” is not as intimidating as it sounds. It’s a large piece of beer battered cod with tarter sauce on a roll.

Queene Ann’s salad is a refreshing mix of crunchy lettuce, tomato, and seasonal vegetables with grilled marinated chicken and topped with homemade croutons.  While I know this all sounds so uncomplicated, that’s where the beauty of this place lies, in the simplicity.

By now you must be wondering, with a name like Ancient Mariner, where’s the seafood? We wondered the same thing and were pleased to see our trusty seafood house standby on the menu, the “1^st Mate’s platter”, a crispy fried combination of clam strips, sea scallops, and shrimp. The batter had simple seasoning, allowing the sweetness of the seafood to come through. I was quite content nibbling at my fried indulgences and sipping my sauvignon blanc. It seemed like the perfect thing to do on a hot afternoon. Next we dove into the house specialty, the Fisherman’s Spaghetti”, which has been on the menu since day one we were told. A piled high bowl of linguini strands came with a mélange of sea scallops, shrimp, whole clams, and flaked white fish, all swimming in a brothy white wine sauce. I liked this dish because it was simple and light, but don’t expect it to be like a flavorful garlicky white clam sauce, that, it is not.

There are plenty more entrees ($9.95 - $25.95) to choose from. Almond fried jumbo shrimp are a house favorite, as is the beer batter shrimp or scallops. You can’t deny American’s love for fried food, but if you’re trying to be good about your diet, then the broiled filet of sole or grilled swordfish steak are the way to go. The Mariner’s surf and turfs is a NY sirloin with either snow crab legs or lobster tail, or, why not try both? The restaurant also features twin South African lobster tails. I was surprised to see a NY cut strip shell steak on the menu. This cut of meat is actually quite delicious when prepared well, which shows me confidence in a chef’s capabilities and an owner knowing what their customers like. Entrees are served with rice, potato, or fries, as well as a house salad. Again, straight forward food, but all good.

Desserts consist of fruit pies, pecan and key lime pie, a warm brownie sundae, and assorted ice cream flavors. Something about a slice cherry pie and a cup of coffee seemed only fitting (warm and inviting) at The Ancient Mariner. I would return here for the fried clams and a cold beer alone! Or, perhaps for a quick burger before a movie. It’s a fun place to meet friends for cocktails and finger foods. I could even bring my godchildren here for lunch. It’s very clear to me why Ancient Mariner is still around, showing only the good signs of aging.

Jessica Wilmot and her former bartender, turned new partner, Kevin Brown, recently opened Gringo Café just around the block. This Tex-Mex style restaurant and gathering place combines Ancient Mariner’s local hospitality with spicy, home cooked south of the border flavors. Their award-winning chili is a good indication of the kind of quality food they are preparing. Steak and seafood fajitas, marinated skirt steak (my favorite!), seafood tacos, chile rellenos, real corn tamales, and butterflied leg of lamb with mint cilantro sauce, is just a taste of what Gringo’s has going on. I’m looking forward to telling you all about it! Stay tune….