Mystic Pizza
The quaint New England town of Mystic, Connecticut is well-known for several things. Mystic Seaport, the Museum of America and the Sea, is the largest living history museum in the world and depicts coastal life in NewEngland in the 19th Century. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Hollywood A-listers from the 1940's, spent their honeymoon at The Inn at Mystic. And the Mystic River Bridge is a drawbridge with counterweights, also known as a Bascule bridge, that engineers around the world would love to see in action. But my visit to Mystic had pizza at the top of my list - Mystic Pizza.
Mystic Pizza is a coming-of-age film from the 1980's that starred Julia Roberts in her breakthrough role. Also starring Vincent Donofrio and Annabeth Gish, the movie tells the story of 3 waitresses working at Mystic Pizza. And there actually is a Mystic Pizza - and there has been since the early 1970's. Hollywood legend has it that screenwriter Amy Jones was summering in the area and when she visited Mystic Pizza she decided to base her latest screenplay around the pizza shop.
We were there on a summer Saturday and it was crowded. The restaurant takes up two storefronts in town including the upstairs and it was packed.( Be forewarned that parking is difficult to come by) But we were able to get a table rather quickly. Pizza is my favorite food and rarely have I met on that I didn't like. And it's good pizza. Is it extraordinary? No. But it's good, fun film tourism at it's best. The movie plays on a loop while you eat and when you're done you can shop for all kinds of Mystic Pizza items with the logo " A Slice of Heaven".
After lunch, we took a walk down the main street of Mystic. It's a quintessential New England town - there are lots of little touristy shops, the above mentioned bridge, little cafe's if you don't want pizza and the sea air to enjoy. If none of that is appealing, I've heard that Drawbridge Ice Cream is to die for - we were just too stuffed to partake.
We drove down the coast to the tiny town of Stonington and endured the whipping winds so we could see the ocean. After taking a few photos we ran to the car and drove back through Mystic. Wouldn't you know that the bridge was up-and we couldn't see it from our line in traffic. Mr. UR had missed seeing this engineering marvel in action!
Next time we'll have to visit Mystic Seaport and stop off at The Mystic Inn and see the bridge in action.For now we had run out of time and we were heading back to our cottage - and a viewing of Mystic Pizza!
Have you been to Mystic? Seen the movie? Had the pizza?
I'm linking up with Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and A Southerner, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond, Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute and Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox! Go visit them for some travel inspiration!
Mystic Pizza is a coming-of-age film from the 1980's that starred Julia Roberts in her breakthrough role. Also starring Vincent Donofrio and Annabeth Gish, the movie tells the story of 3 waitresses working at Mystic Pizza. And there actually is a Mystic Pizza - and there has been since the early 1970's. Hollywood legend has it that screenwriter Amy Jones was summering in the area and when she visited Mystic Pizza she decided to base her latest screenplay around the pizza shop.
We were there on a summer Saturday and it was crowded. The restaurant takes up two storefronts in town including the upstairs and it was packed.( Be forewarned that parking is difficult to come by) But we were able to get a table rather quickly. Pizza is my favorite food and rarely have I met on that I didn't like. And it's good pizza. Is it extraordinary? No. But it's good, fun film tourism at it's best. The movie plays on a loop while you eat and when you're done you can shop for all kinds of Mystic Pizza items with the logo " A Slice of Heaven".
After lunch, we took a walk down the main street of Mystic. It's a quintessential New England town - there are lots of little touristy shops, the above mentioned bridge, little cafe's if you don't want pizza and the sea air to enjoy. If none of that is appealing, I've heard that Drawbridge Ice Cream is to die for - we were just too stuffed to partake.
We drove down the coast to the tiny town of Stonington and endured the whipping winds so we could see the ocean. After taking a few photos we ran to the car and drove back through Mystic. Wouldn't you know that the bridge was up-and we couldn't see it from our line in traffic. Mr. UR had missed seeing this engineering marvel in action!
Next time we'll have to visit Mystic Seaport and stop off at The Mystic Inn and see the bridge in action.For now we had run out of time and we were heading back to our cottage - and a viewing of Mystic Pizza!
Have you been to Mystic? Seen the movie? Had the pizza?
I'm linking up with Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and A Southerner, The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond, Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute and Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox! Go visit them for some travel inspiration!
I have been to Mystic during the summer! I really liked my pizza- mushroom and onions. Super buttery crust is my thing.
ReplyDeleteit is a super buttery crust, isn't it? Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI haven't been to Mystic, but I've seen the movie. This town is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks! And thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love that Mystic Pizza has cashed in on the free advertising the movie provided. As long as they keep the pizzas good it should keep on happening. The whole town sounds appealing in a fun kind of way. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a really cute little town - and known for more than just the pizza but I knew I had to try it while we were there! Thanks for visiting Jan!
DeleteMystic is just such a great, quaint New England town. I've been many times and yet always want to go back.
ReplyDeleteIt is, isn't it? This was my first visit but I hope to go back and explore more.
DeleteI happened on the movie a few years ago. It was such a delight, especially to see Julia and Vincent - both so young. That the movie was based on an actual place made it even more special.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the pizza is good. Sometimes when fame hits a place, it loses its cachet.
Sorry, meant to add - and the food falls off.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Marcia! And yes, I was pleased the pizza was good. Most of the reviews I'd heard said so and I was happy about that. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWe passed through Mystic once; didn't make it to the pizza place, though; but I did see the movie.
ReplyDeleteI like to re-watch the movie now and again - and especially now that I visited Mystic. Thanks for stopping by!
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