Escape to a Tropical Island at Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT

For those unable to take a trip to enjoy those warm and sweltering places, whether due to lack of money or lack of vacation time at work, there is hope.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, which has locations in those places along with Las Vegas, Panama City, Glendale, AZ, and Mexico, has opened up its newest location in the Mohegan Sun Casino located at 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard in Uncasville, CT on Sept. 29, 2008.

This is the most northern Margaritaville in the world and the first Margaritaville to open in New England.

When visiting Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun, one of the most unique features I noticed was the fact that there are staff members who walk on stilts who make complimentary balloon animals for guests.

With tropical and marina décor, the restaurant offers guests a fabulous view of the Thames River between Montville and Preston and according to Casino City Times, is the only restaurant at Mohegan Sun with such a view.

Large moveable window-paneled doors allow the section of the restaurant to be open-air during the summertime and the doors can be shut to keep the cold air out in the winter still allowing visitors to look out the windows onto a beautiful vista.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun, which consists of multiple bars, a retail store, a concert stage, and two-floors of dining space, recently opened in Mohegan Sun's newest addition, Casino of the Wind.

According to the Margaritaville Web site, that casino, located off the Casino of the Sky, features more than 650 slot machines, 28 table games, a 42-table poker room, a bar, and a quick-service deli restaurant.

Those looking to buy a quick souvenir of their visit can browse in a retail store called "Smuggler's Hold" while listening and watching Jimmy Buffet's music videos on television screens located throughout the shop.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun Smuggler's Hold can be accessed online.

Store merchandise consists of apparel, headwear, footwear, souvenirs, furniture, and signature items.

Apparel consists of tee shirts and beach gear while headwear includes visors and caps.

Men's and women's footwear is complimented by souvenirs varying from kitchenware to drink ware to home décor and even CD's and books.

Furniture items consist of chairs, rockers, and tables while signature items consist of concoction makers, tavern signs, golf bags, and leather jackets.

Outside the entrance of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun, a large plane affixed to the ceiling labeled "Margaritaville Imports", allows customers to fully embrace the idea of mentally leaving New England and arriving at a warm, tropical island.

Photos of the outside and inside of the restaurant can be viewed at the Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun restaurant photos web page.

Also, outside the restaurant's entrance, customers will notice the large "Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville" multi-color light-up sign featuring a parrot and palm trees with the background of blue water.

According to The Resident, each hour on cue, a massive bottle of Margaritaville Tequila drops from the ceiling draining into a large ten foot blender on the restaurant floor revving up to make the world's largest margarita.

Other design features include tiki huts and palm trees as well as marine themes featuring sailboats and three booths representing fishing boats.

On a recent Saturday night, the wait for a table was an hour and a half and a large crowd gathered around the restaurant's main bar on the first level.

However, the bar on the second floor, tucked away from the crowd, offered available seating.

I was disappointed in not seeing a live band performing at the first floor concert stage.

According to Margaritaville's menu, they serve a variety of margaritas, frozen concoctions, boat drinks, cold beer, and yummy favorites such as the signature Cheeseburger in Paradise, Jamaica Mistaica Wings, Calypso Mahi Mahi, and Key West Pie.

The restaurant's island-themed menu is one of the most unique menus I have ever seen.

Other items on the menu include a number of starters, entrée salads, soups and side salads, the Margaritaville Grill, chef specialties, burgers, and sandwiches.

While I haven't yet tried the various hamburgers and sandwiches on the menu, I did munch on the $8 Jamaica Mistaica Wings, which are tossed in habanero-honey wing sauce making them hot in flavor and tasty.

The wings come with cucumber sticks and mango ranch dipping sauce, which is equally delicious.

To drink, I tried out the $8 Banana-flavored Tropical Fruit Margarita which consists of Gold Tequila and Bols Triple Sec. Other flavors available include strawberry, guava, papaya, and wildberry.

The drink was excellent and while it was expensive, I believe its quality was worth the price.

Other choices on "The Best Margaritas" side of the menu included "Uptown Top Shelf", "Big Rita", "Desdemona's Raspberry Rita", "Last Mango in Paris", "Who's to Blame", "License to Chill", "Off to See the Lizard", "Ruby Red Rita", "Pink Cadillac Margarita", "Pomegranate Margarita", and the "Patron Rita".

According to Boston Business Journal, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun is approximately 16,000 square feet, seats 375 people, and is decorated in the Florida Keys style.

The restaurant offers a number of event options for corporate events, special occasions, tour groups, reunions, group dinners, and more.

They also offer venue buyout options.

The restaurant is conveniently located close to the Mohegan Sun Riverview Self-Parking Garage. Customers can park in the west section of the garage and use the elevator to enter the Sky Casino entrance located near a Krispy Kreme donuts and the casino's radio station.

The restaurant's Web site states that families are welcome to Margaritaville but that when the restaurant goes into nightclub mode with a live concert in the evening, children should stay at home.

Since Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun is located off a half-circle hallway in the Casino of the Wind, those under the age of 21 can enter the restaurant, retail store, along with the casino's quick service deli named "Chef's Deli".

According to the Norwich Bulletin, the restaurant's opening completes the Casino of the Wind project and came a week after the Mohegan Tribe, owners of the Mohegan Sun Casino, announced a suspension of their proposed $925 million Project Horizon expansion that would have featured a new 920-room hotel, additional restaurant and retail space, and a House of Blues restaurant and concert hall.

For more information about Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Mohegan Sun, call 860-862-2626.