Latest News
Bliss Gourmet Opening its Doors at Pilots Point
April 25, 2013
We are super excited to announce that Bliss Gourmet will be opening its doors very soon right outside the gate of Pilots Point Marina. We welcome its owner, John DeFrino, to Pilots Point and we know you are going to enjoy the convenience and quality of his restaurant. He will also run the concession stands in both the South Yard and North Yard at Pilots Point this summer to bring you better service and variety. Below is a wonderful article provided by Bliss Gourmet as an introduction to Pilots Point Customers.
Welcome to Bliss Gourmet. All the best the Shoreline has to offer.
We took a 69-year tradition of the finest prepared foods to go, added a dash of local flavor and plenty of variety to create Bliss Gourmet at Pilots Point. Owner/Chef John DeFrino is a third-generation gourmand, having grown up under the toutelage of his grandfather and father in the family-owned Bliss Market in Wethersfield, known for its quality foods and specialty dishes.
Our 3,500 square-foot market and café, plus specialty pizza kitchen, offers choice upon choice of freshly made breads, cheeses, hors d’oeuvres, charcuterie, soups, salads, sauces, signature pasta dishes and entrees, vegetable sides and desserts. All creatively prepared with delicious seasonal produce, prime meats, free-range poultry and chef-selected local seafood. Everything can be packaged, ready-to-go, to enjoy at home, at work or out on the water and can be pre-ordered in larger quantities for your next party or special occasion. And if you prefer to do your own cooking, our cases are filled with choice, fresh cuts of beef, poultry, pork and seafood.
Our café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating for year-round dining. The vibe is casual, come as you are, making it a perfect gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. We invite you to pull up a chair!
About John DeFrino, Chef & Owner
John DeFrino cut his culinary chops, literally, as a butcher in his family’s food store Bliss Market in Wethersfield CT; honing the artful, often thankless, skill of professionally breaking down meats and learning the ins and outs of managing a business in the food industry. He introduced the concept of gourmet prepared foods to Bliss Market after an early 80’s stint assisting his cousin Joseph Sponzo, former owner of the popular Hartford dining spot Peppercorns, who at the time was working in NYC as a private chef for Rock musician Sting. John’s task was to assist in the kitchen and gather the ingredients for his cousin at places like Zabar’s, Citeralla’s, Gourmet Garage, Balducci's and Dean & DeLuca’s. He was stunned at the popularity of the emerging prepared food craze and knew then he had to return to the family business to develop it here in Connecticut, a novelty at the time. It was a run-a-way success that lead to John also adding full service catering to Bliss Market’s offerings. Soon the awards piled in from Hartford Magazine: Best Caterer in Hartford, Best Gourmet Foods To Go, and Best Small Market. Bliss Market has since been sold but its spirit in providing quality, fresh and delicious food lives on at Bliss Gourmet. John is a member of the Connecticut Food Association and resides in Chester with his two sons.
Brewer Yacht Sales Spring In-Water Used Boat Show
January 16, 2013
Brewer Greenwich Bay Marina in Warwick, Rhode Island and Brewer Pilots Point Marina in Westbrook, Connecticut will host two in-water boat shows this spring. Both shows are designed for "used boat sellers" and "buyers" and both shows will be FREE to the public and to all participants.
Following the tremendous success of a Spring Boat Show held at Brewer Greenwich Bay Marina in 2011, Brewer Yacht Sales added a second show in 2012. "We sold 10 boats at our first show which made it a win, win for everyone" said Mike Farman, Certified Professional Yacht Broker for Brewer Yacht Sales. "Owners were anxious to get their boats entered and ready, and there was a wonderful sense of camaraderie amongst show participants."
"Boat shows have become expensive and are dominated by new boat dealers. As part of Brewer Yacht Yards we are uniquely positioned to offer our customers the ability to display their boats in Brewer's premier locations," said David Pugsley, Vice President and General Manager of Brewer Yacht Sales. "The Brewer Spring Boat Show has become the largest in-water used boat show in New England; this past spring we had 110 boats on display in the water at Brewer Greenwich Bay Marina and Brewer Pilots Point. The response to and success of the shows has been phenomenal," says Dave. "Over 25 boats were sold at our shows, or as a result of our shows." Brewer Yacht Sales' extensive advertising brings hundreds out to view both power and sailboats from 18' to 64'. "Radio, press, and internet ads get folks walking the docks; many visit both the Brewer Greenwich Bay Show on Saturday and the Brewer Pilots Point Show on Sunday," says Jackie Joslyn, Office Manager for Brewer Yacht Sales.
If you're interested in listing or displaying your boat in the 2013 Brewer Spring Boat Show, please call 860-399-6213 (for the CT show) or 401-884-1690 (for the RI show), or email breweryacht@byy.com. Trailer boats are welcome to participate in both shows, as some land space will be made available.
Please visit www.breweryacht.com or Brewer Yacht Sales' Facebook page for further details. Space is limited so talk with a Brewer Yacht Sales broker today. See you at the show!
New Recreational Activities at Pilots Point
August 24, 2012
Want to get out and explore the waterways without having to gear up the boat? You can easily do that now that we have kayaks for rent at the Fuel Dock. It's a great way to see the waterway and enjoy nature. The cost is $30 for 3 hours or $50 for 6 hours. Preferred customers receive a discount of 15% off for Green Card members and 50% for Gold Card members. We also have stand up paddle boards for rent. See the dock office for all the details. And there is plenty of fun to be had and recreational activities to participate in over at the North Yard Recreation area. The tennis courts and volleyball courts have been refurbished and they are ready for you to play ball and have some fun! We have equipment including volleyballs, basketballs, tennis racquets and balls available for you to check out from our pool attendant. So get out there and get moving!
The Racing Fleet is Back at Pilots Point!
June 7, 2012
The racing fleet is in at Pilots Point as the teams make their way east towards Newport for the upcoming events. So far this season Pilots Point customers have had great success in their racing classes in American Yacht Club's spring series and the Storm Trysail Club's Block Island race. The crew at PPM would like to congratulate our racers on their results and wish them the best of luck as they compete in the New York Yacht Club Annual regatta, Newport to Bermuda race, Swan 42 Nationals, and New York Yacht Club race week.
Dredging in Westbrook
May 4, 2012
Pilots Point Marina had a Press Conference Wednesday April 11, 2012 in the South Yard Clubhouse to celebrate the approval of the dredging of Patchogue River. Many distinguished guests were on hand to remark on the hard work of many individuals to get this dredging approved. Among the many guests were Congressman Joe Courtney, Senator Eileen Daily, Army Corp of Engineer's Representative Ed O'Donnell, Westbrook's Harbor Commission Chairman Mike Farrell and First Selectman Noel Bishop.
Getting a federal earmark entails a lot of effort and all of the efforts finally paid off. Ed O'Donnell, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's representative at the event said, "Without the dogged help of Congressman Courtney, this money would have gone elsewhere." Pilots Point Marina will greatly benefit from the dredging of Westbrook harbor in many ways and we look forward to it getting started soon.