SHOCKER in Westport, CT.

On the Saugatuck River just up from the famous Black Duck is a two story ramshackle seafood joint called The Mansion Clam House. We have tried to go there on more than one occasion when the sign said open but it was not. This time we were turned away from a restaurant across the street by an hour and a half wait (what recession ?). The Mansion was clearly open and they told us we'd have a table in 15 minutes which we did.
I was blown away by their seafood. The menu was not particularly adventurous, but we were impressed by the diver scallops and  Maine steamer clams. My wife had a rare sesame crusted yellowfin tuna that was cooked to perfection and could not have been fresher. Our guests were equally pleased with their seafood pasta and stuffed shrimp. The staff was a riot and their version of "Happy Birthday" , performed twice that evening, is a classic. We got out of there for under $200 including numerous drinks, and they have several weekday specials that suggest you could get out of there for under $40 for two. Quirky, and worth another visit.