The Mayflower Inn (118 Woodbury Rd./Rte. 47, 860/868-9466, www.mayflowerinn.com, noon–2 p.m. and 6–9 p.m. daily, $20–30) might sound like the epitome of old-school New England cuisine, but the chef mixes it up a bit with inventive cuisine spiced with unusual flavors. Dine on dishes like Hawaiian swordfish, flown in fresh and marinated with orange peel and coriander, in a white-tablecloth atmosphere.

A similar blend of country charm and urban sophistication, Marty’s Café (6 Green Hill Rd./Rte. 47, Washington Depot, 860/868-1700, www.seeyouatmartys.com, 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun.) is a Greenwich-style espresso bar with enough rustic touches to remind you that you are in the sticks. In addition to wireless Internet and racks full of newspapers, it offers up creative sandwiches—try the trio of sliders with pulled pork; Portobello and goat cheese; and turkey club with bacon.

George Washington never slept at G. W. Tavern (20 Bee Brook Rd., Washington Depot, 860/868-6633, www.gwtavern.com, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Thu.; 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat.; 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Sun., $11–35), but the casual pub and eatery does everything it can to honor him, with a framed picture of you-know-who over the fireplace and a bust overlooking the light and airy dining room. After a full day of leaf-peeping, a piping-hot crock of French onion soup topped with gooey gruyere cheese is just the ticket. Entrées like ground-pork meatloaf and chicken pot pie are similarly comfort-food oriented.. Specials are updated nightly online.