My friend recommended The Bridge at Saugatuck because I wanted to take my other friend out for her…read morebirthday. It was easy to make a reservation for Saturday night at 8:45pm. There was street parking when we got there but they also have valet and some self parking in the back. As we walked in, the ladies at the host stand were so warm and inviting. They were also the cutest ever. They encouraged us to sit out on the patio versus the bar so we headed upstairs. Our waitress came over with menus and it went downhill from there. She was so inattentive that we had to ask the other waiter for things we needed. He was engaging, checked on us and we even chatted about his Jordanian heritage and my trip there back in December. Our actual waitress, however, checked on the table next to us 6 times (yes I counted) in between her checking on us. Even when I ordered a mocktail, I guess they didn't have the one I wanted so she brought me an entirely different drink without asking me. Then got upset when I didn't want it. The absolute audacity. As far as the food, we got the crab cake, lamb, whipped mashed potatoes and the bread. The food was good but the bread took it to another level. It should have been complimentary though but that's neither here nor there. Overall, loved the experience but wish we had another waitress. She didn't even acknowledge my friend's birthday. Sigh.

The food at The Bridge was delicious…read more The Tuna Tartare was fresh and tasty, the avocado was very well made as well. My steak was cooked perfectly. Melt in your mouth and so flavorful. The ambiance is very nice, elevated feel to the restaurant. We sat in the upstairs portion of the restaurant. This area they packed with tables very close to each other and was very loud. Other than that, I'd definitely dine here again!

A Place That Feels Like Home…read more The Spotted Horse Tavern was a fantastic find. My brother, who lives locally, recommended it, and I'm so glad he did. I've been there twice now, and both visits were memorable for all the right reasons. The lobster rolls were excellent, the craft beer selection on tap was outstanding, and everything was served with a smile. One of the things I love most about the place is the atmosphere. It's a charming old home that has been beautifully transformed into a restaurant, with plenty of character and a warm, rustic feel. The moment you walk in, it feels comfortable and welcoming. The service was exceptional both times I visited. In fact, a few months ago I tried to stop by again, but the road was closed for pedestrian traffic only and parking was impossible to find. We ended up going to Little Barn up the road instead, which was also a great experience. Later, I discovered that both Little Barn and Spotted Horse were created by my high school classmate, Kevin M. What a small world! Nice job, Kevin. I had no idea you were in the restaurant business, but you've clearly built something special. Regardless of that connection, Spotted Horse stands on its own as a wonderful place to enjoy a meal. Great food, excellent drinks, friendly service, and genuine hometown hospitality. If you're in Westport, treat yourself and stop by. Chances are you'll leave already looking forward to your next visit. Cheers!

Used to enjoy this place but it just feels like a factory now. In terms of food, it's fine. I would…read morestick with bar food here though--burgers, flat bread pizza, etc. My kids love the pizza. I would not recommend eating the raw fish items on the menu. The service is workmanlike. Just ok. I also saw staff drinking alcohol while on duty here one evening, which was a bit off putting. I know this happens in the hospitality business, but at least be subtle about it. They were not.

We came to Blu Olive to celebrate my aunt's birthday, and somehow spent the entire drive home…read moretalking about how good dinner was, which is probably the best review I can give. We sat outside on an absolutely perfect evening, and the staff couldn't have been more professional, warm, and attentive. We started by sharing the goat cheese beet salad and tuna tartare, both excellent. Then came the entrées: my wife had the shrimp linguini, my aunt had the pork chop Milanese, and I had what I'm prepared to irresponsibly declare the best hanger steak in the world. I stand by it. The staff then surprised my aunt with a beautiful birthday dessert and brought champagne for all three of us to toast with an incredibly thoughtful touch that made the night feel genuinely special. Great food, great atmosphere, and hospitality that went well beyond what we expected. We raved about everything the entire drive home and are already looking forward to coming back. Blu Olive absolutely nailed it.

I'm surprised that Blu Olive isn't packed. The food was excellent--I had the hanger steak…read more(perfectly done) and beet salad--and the service was professional, attentive without being intrusive, and highly efficient. The restaurant is conveniently located directly across from the Westport train station. Inside, there's a very nice bar, attractive décor, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Our party of six had a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience from start to finish (we passed on desserts). I'm genuinely puzzled that it was so quiet. Blu Olive deserves far more attention and patronage than it appears to be receiving.

It's restaurant week in Westport. We chose to eat dinner at Zucca. The meal was delicious…read more One of us chose the filet mignon It was cooked perfectly and accompanied by creamy potatoes and roasted carrots. I chose the short rib. It was so tender that it fell apart with a fork. These items were on the restaurant week menu and they did not disappoint. The white sangria with seasonal fruit--so good. Our wait staff was attentive and personable. The courses came out appropriately without us feeling rushed in between. You should include Zucca on your list of places to eat.

Had a great lunch at Zucca Gastrobar in Westport…read more We started with bread, then moved on to the crab cakes appetizer, made with jumbo lump crab and served over a jalapeño aioli with mixed greens. Fresh, light, and just the right amount of kick. The eggplant rollatini, filled with ricotta, mozzarella, parmigiano, spinach, and pomodoro sauce, was super comforting and packed with flavor. For mains, the homemade lasagna really delivered. House-made pasta layered with rich bolognese and creamy béchamel, topped with parmesan and fontina. It was hearty without feeling too heavy. Portions were generous, the food was consistently excellent, and the service was warm and attentive. Definitely a spot worth coming back to.

Amazing spot with a great atmosphere. It's upscale but doesn't feel pretentious. The staff was…read moreattentive and kind. I was obsessed with the squid ink cavatelli. Perfectly smoky and the seafood was cooked so well. Super great chicken sandwich as well, loved that it wasn't fried

The food was incredibly fresh, especially the oysters! Loved the atmosphere, it's lively, relaxed,…read moreand welcoming. Such a great spot to enjoy fresh seafood and unwind. We really enjoyed our visit. Service was also good.

I love the food here especially the chicken sandwich and fries. The workers are always so welcoming…read moreand personally it smells Smokey which I like but some may not but it is some worth it and it is so much better than the crappy pizza parlor next door.

Went Craft 14 for lunch and the food and service was amazing!!! I had the KFC which is a crispy soy…read moremarinated chicken with papaya-corn salsa and kimchi aioli on a brioche bun. That's was soooo good!!! And the service was fast and very friendly. Will definitely be back

A hidden gem!! Why don't they advertise?? Lunch was GREAT!!…read moreLeo our waiter was wonderful!! This place is a sleeper- catch on!!!

A bit disappointed…read more.. Food was okay... that usual mix of salads, a burger, pizza... but "meh". The salad greens were a bit tired and vegan choices were few. Nice view and a big bar, but lunchtime on a Saturday and it was very quiet, just like the mall itself Despite no crowd service was way too slow. Gracious, but slow.

Lykos Taverna has been on my radar since it opened in March, especially knowing it comes from…read moreEuripides Pelekanos behind Bareburger. We stopped in for a weekday lunch, and it made for a really solid afternoon out in Darien Commons. Finding it is easy right across from the Noroton Heights Metro-North station, nestled between Cookie City and Gregorys Coffee. The public lot always has spots, though navigating in and out gets a little tight during the peak rush. The space itself is gorgeous and flooded with natural light. When the weather is nice, they open up one side of the bar to the patio so you can sit outside and still feel connected to the indoor energy. Inside, you can choose between regular dining tables or the high-tops in the bar area, which features a stunning wooden trellis overhead. You do not need a reservation for a weekday lunch. We decided to sit right at the bar high-tops, where the bartender took care of our food and drinks while giving us a great view of the whole setup. I went with the $28 prix-fixe lunch special, which includes a dip with warm pita, a salad, and an entree. While the portions are slightly scaled down for lunch, it was plenty of food and left me completely satisfied. The absolute highlight of the meal was the hummus. It was topped with roasted garlic, crisp black chickpeas, and pickled teardrop peppers--easily one of the best dips I've had in a while. For my salad, I got the village salad without feta, followed by the lamb and beef kofta. The kofta ended up being the only real miss of the day; it was on the dry side, and the pickled red cabbage on the plate felt more like a garnish than an actual side. Next time, I will definitely take the yelp recommendation and get the half chicken with broccoli rabe instead. My wife went a la carte and ordered the standard village salad (loaded with shaved aged feta, crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives) along with the Greek fries dusted in aged feta and black garlic salt, which disappeared quickly. Service was attentive and friendly from start to finish. I am already looking forward to coming back for dinner to dive deeper into their seafood mezedes.

While I was excited to see a Greek restaurant come to Darien, especially in a fabulous location, I…read morewas underwhelmed. Some positives - The cocktails were delicious, although it took a while for them to arrive. The food was good, not great. The hummus starter was delicious as was the grilled octopus. Definitely worth ordering. The disappointment came with the two salmon entrees, which were plain. The salmon was cooked perfectly. However, that is all there was on the plate. No accompaniments, no sauce, no garnish. Just a boring presentation. The presentation needs to be worked on to improve the value proposition. The real challenge for Lykos is the space. While the location is fantastic being across from the Norton Heights train station, the space itself is cavernous and hard to create any ambiance. The prior restaurant in this space had the same issue. The outside seating and the bar has more vibe, but if you are seated past the bar, you will probably agree with me. I will absolutely give Lykos another shot, but as of today I am disappointed because Darien needs more great restaurants.