Hidden Gems of North-Central Connecticut

MARLBOROUGH, CT — This week's installment of the Hidden Gems series takes us to the southeastern corner of Hartford County, and a spot which combines the best of organic lawn care products, seafood and ice cream treats.

Jessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream Shack on Route 66 in Marlborough has something for everyone: a full spectrum of organic lawn care products containing no manure or waste; lobster rolls, pulled pork sandwiches and gourmet grilled cheese specials; and smoothies, sundaes and milkshakes to cool off on hot summer and early autumn days.

Kids' meals are served on Frisbees, and the grounds include a fish pond, a tree swing and several picnic tables and benches.

Learn more at www.jessicasgarden.net.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.

Other columns in this series:

• Shade Swamp Sanctuary
• Ken's Corner Breakfast & Lunch
• Tolland Red and White
• The Packing House
• Cold Harbor Seafood
• Nye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove Park
• Hosmer Mountain Soda Shack
• Connecticut Trolley Museum
• Matterhorn Mini Golf
• Wood Memorial Library & Museum
• Hastings Farm
• Liquid Nirvana
• Iwo Jima Survivors Memorial Park
• Academy Hall
• Southington Drive-In
• Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall
• Somersvillage Gifts & Gourmet Baskets
• New England Civil War Museum
• The Pinchot Sycamore
• Stafford Palace Theater
• Mansfield Hollow State Park
• Old Tolland County Jail and Museum
• Hill-Stead Museum
• Mark's Restaurant