I've been a few times over the past few years and the food is always fabulous. Portion size is on the smaller side but really excellent quality. Tonight we had a pretty good spread across the menu and liked everything. Cocktails could be a little better, dessert was amazing (the rhubarb bar). The pace of food is a touch on the slow side but I think thats something the US should adapt more to - you want to go out to dinner and have a nice long enjoyable meal and not be rushed through it. Overall 5 starts - highly recommend!!! read more

Wow! Amazing restaurant I found on one of my overnights in Hartford Connecticut. If your looking for an excellent meal or tasting menu I highly recommend this spot. I was pleasantly blown away. I have been flying here for years for work but never discovered this hidden gym. Leave it to me I have been to some of the best restaurants around the world and this is top notch. I opted for the tasting menu and would recommend that. That way you can try multiple dishes. I'll post the menu when I had it and the photos of the food. Friendly staff and amazing food. What more can you ask for. And excellent wine pairing. read more

See all

My husband and I went out to dinner on a Friday night, called in the reservation 30 minutes ahead of time and got lucky with two seats at the chef's counter. It was our first time trying Present Company, even though it's been on our try list for almost two years now. We had a really great meal (one 3 and one 4 course meal), with attentive service and lots of questions about our night, where we were coming from, etc. Matt, the chef at the grill station, was so friendly and easy going, and at the same time passionate about food. It was lovely getting to know him and such a surprise when he sent us home with a tupperware of fresh ramp chimichurri made in house. We look forward to returning with friends next time! read more

Food was pretty good. Not sure that the value of the experience matches the price though. However, the server was good and the place has ok ambience. read more

The best word to describe this place is : RIP-OFF! It's a prix fixe menu that certainly needs to be fixed. I'll be generous and say the portions were something out of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." They were so minuscule, that after I left I had to go get a pizza. I had gnudi for the first course that - and I believe I'm being generous here - was r probably 1 - 2 ounces. It was in a completely flavorless broth, and was anything but appetizing. My main dish was halibut, which may have been 1 in x 3 in, and sat atop some very acidic spinach or kale and a few slivers of potatoes. It probably took no more than three bites to finish. In case I thought it was just me, the guy at the next table finished the same dish in even less time. He seemed to be so astonished at the minuscule size that he took a picture of it. The dessert - slice of carrot cake - was the best of the dishes, but even that wasn't anything special. In my opinion it was unrecognizable as carrot cake, being nothing compared to what I've eaten my whole life. All in all, a very disappointing- and embarrassing! - dining experience. No need to take any GLP-1 inhibitors after a meal here. You'll be starving. read more

The service was friendly with helpful professionals and a pleasant environment. However, this was not enough to compensate for exceeding overpriced prix fixe meals, which were so miniscule that a microscope would have been helpful to identify the main course of halibut that was maybe 1-2 oz, and discern the risotto that was plated in a large dish that accentuated the lack of food. Dessert was petite enough to allow for an emergency visit to Baskin Robbins! read more

Came back to this place for a wonderful night. Had their fall menu with seasonal used items. Wonderful atmosphere and quick service we did the 3 course preset. Presentation and flavor on all the dishes was great. Good list of options. I enjoyed beef carpaccio, fish, and the beet pistachio desert. I thought the fish was flavored and cooked well- as well as the you could taste the beets in the desert which I loved. Always have had great service here. Overall enjoyed and recommend read more

See all

What a lovely experience! I sat at the chef's counter and appreciated that Drew and Sadie interacted with the guests. Sometimes, I've been at chefs' counters where the chefs ignored the people dining. The drinks seem to be named in tribute to individual staff members, which is a fun little touch. There's a drink called "Let's Poison Mat," so I asked why we wanted to poison him! Mat seems like a nice guy based on the stories they told about him. I had the four-course prix fixe with a cocktail and a glass of wine. It was the beginning of ramp season, so the bread service came with a ramp hummus, which was delicious. I also liked the little snack of popcorn. I selected the sweetbreads, the conchiglie with sunflower pesto, the roast duck, and the kiwi tart. Chef Drew explained that the sweetbread preparation was styled after chicken nuggets--even if you haven't had sweetbreads before, I think you would like this. Chef Mat designed the pasta with sunflower seed pesto because his girlfriend has a nut allergy. See, what a nice guy! And it was yummy. The duck was exceptional and served with a sweet potato and tonka bean puree. The tonka bean gave the sweet potato a nice savoriness you don't usually get with just the potato. Finally, the kiwi tart was a lightly sweet finish to a delicious meal. I wish I had found Present Company at the beginning of my trip, rather than the end of it, so I'll have to return another time! read more

See all

As we wind down on 2024, we finally had a chance to check out Present Company in Simsbury. This restaurant is perfect for any special occasion or date night. They offer two menu choices: a seasonal pre-fixe or a chefs tasting that changes daily. The space is small and intimate with an open kitchen so you can watch the magic happen. We were blown away by the quality of food and creativity in many of the dishes. This would be the perfect place to celebrate NYE. We tried: Espresso Martinis Wagyu Beef Capaccio Pork Belly Gyoza Duck Conchiglie Romesco Risotto Bacon Wrapped Venison Halibut Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée Beetroot Cake The service was also top notch and we loved the wine selections. read more

See all

I love this restaurant and the atmosphere and service are very good. Unfortunately, after the expansion post Covid, the quality of the food has not been the same. I hope that it improves because this has always been a gem. read more

Went for my birthday. Great service. The food is super fresh and the ingredients are fabulous. You might leave a bit hungry as the portions are on the small side but I feel that is sort of common at higher end restaurants such as this. Not sure if I would go back but I definitely did not have a negative experience if that makes sense. read more

Great ambiance, great staff, great menu. Present Company is a dining experience--not just a meal. Like others here, I also highly recommend chef's counter seating. There are 3-, 4-, and 5-course prix fixe menus to choose from. Every course was good. Another thing I loved about Present Company was the location... Tariffville is quiet, accessible, and most importantly, NOT West Hartford (WeHa is so tired, LOL). Make sure to dine alongside good conversationalists--making several courses to order takes time! And... expect to spend $250-$300 for 2 (especially if you're tipping appropriately). read more

See all

Date night was amazing! Glowing 5-star tribute to an unforgettable culinary experience that was deemed one of the best ever. From the flawless service to the stunning presentation of the dishes. The food was a harmonious blend of flavors that danced on the palate and lingered in the memory. This was truly an exceptional dining experience that surpassed all expectations. Will definitely return! read more

See all

All the stars, well deserved ! The menu changes according to the season . So I'm sure the menu is different now . Nonetheless everything I tried during the fall menu was absolutely amazing . Started with the a good glass of Malbec and a jumbo crab cake . Crab cake was amazing , and fresh . I chose the trout as my entree . Simply amazing! I loved it so much. Dessert we had carrot cake , most light but filling piece of cake I ever had. Great experience! Just and fyi reservations are for the pre fixed menu option, you can sit at the bar in the back and order a la carte. Alicia I believe her name was gave us splendid service and experience! read more

See all

We decided to try Present Co to celebrate my wife's birthday and we were pleased from the start. We were welcomed by friendly hostess and our waitress was amazing making this a fantastic experience. The drinks were great! My wife had the Lady in Red and I ordered a Manhattan both drinks were perfect. The menu has 2 pre fixe options and a 5 course chef's tasting option. My wife ordered the 3 course pre fixe and I ordered the 4 course pre fixe. The food was cooked perfectly and the kitchen staff paid attention to details. They spaced out our meals in a manner where we did not feel rushed or ignored. It truly felt like an experience and we can't wait to comeback. My 2 favorite dishes was the ravioli which was stuffed with braised beef short rib which had amazing flavors and the pistachio crusted rack of lamb. The rack of lamb was cooked perfect and looked great. Present company is perfect for date night or an intimate gathering. read more

See all

Fixed price menu, you can choose 3 or 4 courses, or a 5 course tasting menu with our without wine parings. Prices were higher than the online menu, but with what is going on with the world these days, I can't find any fault there. But at the end of the night, 4 people, 2 went for 3 courses and 2 went for 4 courses, and a total of 6 drinks and with tip we paid $600. There are many places we have dined in this price range and walked out feeling great about the whole experience, but I am afraid this was not one of them. We went with another couple who are bonafide foodies, like us, and when we try new restaurants, the chat is invariably about the food. My wife noted as we were driving home talking about the experience that nobody said a word about the food. We were both quite disappointed by the food, and the fact our friends didn't have anything to say about the food tells us they were not impressed either. We had: Spring Onion Tart X3 - A mushy scoop of the listed ingredients. Sounded much better than it was. Mushroom Risotto X1 - Good, but nothing special. Spinach & Artichoke Agnolotti X1 - Was not finished, but it was taken home. Rohan Duck Breast X1 - Served lukewarm, the fatty layer was too much. Grilled Teres Major X2 - Our guest's main, neither said a word about it. Branzino X1- Grapefruit glaze overhelmed the fish, was not enjoyed at all. Marianne's Carrot Cake X3 - Best part was the little scoop of ice cream. Chocolate Fondant X1- This dessert did disappear from the plate! Needless to say, we are not going back. read more

Amazing experience. Exquisite ambiance in an old mill setting. We both chose the 4 course prix fixe menu option. Started with sourdough focaccia bread and pan seared scallops that were cooked to perfection. Risotto with ramps snd peas was our second option. Equally delicious. Veal masala was our entree option which was fried and served with salad and balsamic glaze. Dessert was lavender panna cotta with lemon wafers and a birthday candle. Staff did not miss a beat. Great for an intimate dinner but large groups also welcome. read more

See all

It's been some time since we ate here and eating inside during this pandemic has been a rare event. This was totally worth it. The food was universally excellent. From a root vegetable tartare (seriously a vegetarian dish for everyone) to the venison (maybe the most tender venison I can remember having, not like I've had it for years) to a chocolate dessert, everything was heavenly. The professional server helped us throughout. My dining companions similarly loved their dishes too. Good to pick off their plates. With a prix fixe menu there's plenty of food for everyone. We even got a great rose wine. That's not to say everything was perfect. The kitchen struggled with getting out our dishes in a timely fashion. BUT, this is a place that knows that these things happen. It's what you do in response that matters. As a result they offered to get an after dinner drink and tweak the bill. It wasn't needed but was appreciated. And besides, we had a delightful time enjoying company even if the meal was close to 3 hours. When it's this good, you love to linger. It was voted restaurant of the year in 2019 for a reason. Now is your time to go. read more

See all

Great experience, from start to finish. We sat at the Chef's counter, which is right in front of the kitchen. We got to see all the action and chat with the chefs. We both got the four course meals. The food and drinks were spectacular. The service was good. read more

HIGHLY recommend the chef's counter! I took my boyfriend here for his birthday, and the entire staff made us feel special. The cocktails were delicious and unique, and every course of the menu was creative yet timeless. We will definitely find an excuse to come back soon read more

Cozy space with an open kitchen, where the only option is a 75$ tasting menu. The tasting menu is comprised of an appetizer, main course, and desert, and the portions are fairly large. I was stuffed by the end. The food itself is very fresh (think farm-to-table) and plated beautifully. I tried the chicken pasta, beef short ribs, and split desert with my parents and my friend. It was all solid The service and drinks were very solid as well 8 read more

See all

Made reservations at this fabulous hidden gem of a restaurant and had an amazing dinner. Our waitress was so GOOD and so ATTENTIVE, the drinks and food were both wonderfully curated. Would definitely visit again and would recommend this place! The ambiance was very low key and romantic. read more

See all

This place is okay, it didn't really live up to the hype for me. We got the 3 course prix fix. For $89pp, the wasn't that much food and the service was slow. I had the Hungarian soup, venison and s'mores trifle. Service was sub par, my drink was not refilled and any substitutions on the menu was discouraged. I don't know if that's how it normally goes at super expensive places but I do feel if I'm spending nearly $100 pp I should leave very full and have my requests honored. The food that I did receive was good. It didn't blow me away. Overall, I would probably choose another place for the price, portion size and food next time. read more

*** I'm going to start by adding more stars because this is without question an incredible restaurant deserving of more than 5 stars! Dinner at Present Company this past weekend was a delightful culinary adventure. Unlike any dining experience we've had, Chef/owner Jeffrey and his highly skilled staff wowed us from start to finish. Walking into this stunning, restaurant located in a 19th century mill building, we instantly felt at home. The kitchen is a main focal point and visible from every seat in the house. It was truly remarkable to witness this well orchestrated team smoothly and efficiently create such beautiful dishes. We began with amazing cocktails which were delicious and well balanced. Our server, Casey, was so helpful in selecting our three-courses and she absolutely nailed it. We began with house-made Seared Cotechino Sausage - an absolutely mouthwatering dish and so unique with espresso mustard and watercress. The butternut squash ravioli was absolutely perfect for a fall evening - warm sage and brown butter flavors topped with amaretti cookie crumbs. Divine! The entrées we chose were Tomato Crusted Red Snapper and Venison Osso Buco. The red snapper just has such a beautiful flavor profile with a cauliflower and coco bean minestra - every last bite was delicious! My husband enjoyed the venison very much and the brussel sprout gremolata that was served with it was crispy, flavorful, and perfect. Dessert was nothing short of perfection. I had broken tiramisu and my husband had Apple crostata. Present Company was exquisite and outstanding from the minute we walked through the doors. Exceptional staff, expertly prepared cuisine, and drinks and dessert so well done! Lydia told us how beautifully decorate Present Company is during the holidays and we look forward to returning. Thank you Chef Jeffery, Casey, Lydia, Ethan, and staff for a truly delightful experience. read more

See all

Present Company is an amazing experience, top notch chefs, and beautifully appointed plates. The care these chef's put into their from scratch dishes is obvious in the flavor and preperation. We always look forward to the attentive, friendly, knowledgeable waiter service. Our favorite restaurant handsdown. Protip, sit at the chefs counter and watch the chefs prepare your dishes. Its a amazing opportunity to watch this well rehearsed symphony. Enjoy! read more

Went back to Present Company last night. Place had a lot of folks and as always the vibe is relaxing. They change the menu from season to season and the summer menu was appetizing and creative. We both had the watermelon salad with nice greens and cucumbers and a delicious dressing. After we split the chicken Milanese which was excellent and big enough to split . The staff always friendly and attentive. We opted for dessert and split the Lemon Tiramisu. We will be back to try some of the other dishes and glad to have the place on the very short list of solid creative restaurants in the area which are few and far between read more

Fantastic food and fun at the chefs table! Can't say enough . We will definitely be back. Full tasting menu is pricey so be aware! Worth it. read more

Proper food! Present Company offers something not common in the Greater Hartford area - a contemporary fine dining experience. For us, fine dining is not about a stuffy restaurant, opulent dated decor, or other things that I might associate with my grandparents. Present company offers a warm friendly environment, engaging staff, and perfectly-cooked food. "High-quality cooking" A certain tire company does not currently rate restaurants in Connecticut. If they did, I think that Present Company would earn a distinction and a star. It's that good. Having dined at Michelin star restaurants in the past, I believe that Present Company would qualify. For our anniversary celebration, we sat at the Chef's Counter and ordered the 5-course tasting menu. It was obvious that we were in no rush, and the food arrived appropriately for us - no rush between courses, but we were never left wondering if someone had forgotten about us. Wine? We weren't sure what to order, so the staff sommelier came over to discuss our likes and dislikes and make some recommendations. One of us is vegetarian, the other is not. No problem here either - some courses we received were the same, some different. As the meal went on, we engaged in some conversation with most of the kitchen staff. It was always friendly and relaxed. Whether we had questions about the food or compliments to deliver, the interaction was fantastic and truly added to the special experience. One of the things that I love about a proper tasting menu is that, as a diner, I know that by the end of the evening, I will not be hungry. I trust the chef to get me there in an unexpected, delicious way. Present Company did not disappoint - we had 5 courses of wonderful food, conversation, wine and experiences stretching over more than 2 hours. Hardly inexpensive, I would argue that this was good value for us as diners, and I'm already considering when we can return. For us, the Chef's Counter was an integral and important part of our dining experience, and I would definitely recommend it! read more

Loved everything about Present Company, a gem in Tariffville, CT. Located in a former mill, the place is like a little jewel box, small intimate spaces. You are bathed in the deep red hues and soft lighting. We were lucky enough to sit at the chef's table and watch the owner, Chef Jeffery Lizotte at work. Chef Lizotte has a huge culinary pedigree. He has worked at Michelin starred restaurants and was a semi-finalist for a James Beard award. It was a pleasure to watch him prepare our dinner. We ordered the prix-fix menu for $35. Three courses from any part of the menu....what a deal! 14 year old and I ordered different items so we could taste as much as possible. Items included: Sea Bass Scallops Banh Mi Roulade Chicken Ro Ti (Fried Buttermilk) Duo of Beef Glazed Rohan Duck Considering this was a tasting g type of menu, the portions were a good size. It is hard to pick a favorite because everything was excellent! Maybe the scallops? We could have picked a dessert as a course but added it as an extra. After consulting with Chef we decided on the Vietnamese Coffee Cake. One of those desserts that actually worth the calories. So impressed with Present Company and Chef Lizotte. Such amazing food without exorbitant prices. Go there if in that area of Connecticut. Definitely worth a drive! read more

See all

Jeff Lizotte's offerings are exemplars of culinary creativity and expertise. Here is where you'll probably experience the most unique dining experience, creative preparations, and flavors you'll ever have locally. Aloha, be there! read more

I had come here a year previously and gave Present Company a 5 star review, and I was so excited to return. A friend was having her birthday dinner there and had made a reservation for 9 for 7pm. We were seated right away and drink orders taken. I am currently pregnant so was excited for the seasonal mocktail! Half the group went with the 3 course menu and the other half went with the 4 course. The options on the menu for each course were extensive and I feel there was something for everyone. We placed our orders and then enjoyed the bread. Unfortunately the wait in between each course was very long. I know we had a large party and the place was popular that night, but the dessert was just coming out at 10pm. We had been there for 3 hours and many of us only had 3 course, even for 4 courses it is a long time. Our waitress was so nice, however it would have been helpful to get an update in between courses just to tell us if the kitchen was backed up or something. The food was good, some portions were small for the cost but still tasty. Overall I recommend a visit but maybe only with a few people and not a large party. read more

See all

Absolutely fantastic. Food was exceptional! The Orange chicken pasta (I forget the dish name) was delicious. As was the beef teriyaki. Service was also awesome. read more

Had a nice meal here for a holiday party. Prefixed three courses. Had the octopus and potato starter, the rabbit cacciatore and the broken tiramisu . Everything tasted wonderful especially the starter. The cacciatore. Was mostly meat and a polenta cake . Could have more sauce. Lovely desert. Really would like to see a regular menu with slightly larger portions. Nice staff, great space! Don't forget that popcorn!! So good!! Looks like a great place to get a drink at the side bar.. good special occasion place. read more

First visit and was very much looking forward to the experience but... Waited 30 minutes past our reservations to be sat. The service was pretty slow. We did the Chef's taster menu and the food was pretty good but, was way overpriced. Their are better options if you are looking to spend $150-$200 per person. read more

Small, but excellent menu! Came here for a birthday dinner and the food/drinks/ambiance did not disappoint. The wagyu carpaccio, risotto, and lamb entree were the highlights. The seasonal cocktails were also delicious. Definitely a great spot for a special occasion! read more

I loved the company at Present Company. We were lucky to get a chefs table seating view and glad we did. It's a mini theater experience. The art of all the chefs and staff coordinating their dance around prep, plating and service. Cocktails were great; pre fixe menu had a great variety; I was full after course one lol so while upscale the portions were generous.. the steak was ahhhh-mazing! read more

See all

Everything they do is delicious!! We have had the fried chicken takeout several times during COVID and have always been extremely satisfied. I have been craving gnocchi, and tonight's meal hit a home run. The mushroom gnocchi was fresh, clearly home made, and had the right balance of flavors. It was incredible. The fall harvest salad made a great side for me, and with some home made shrimp added on for the wife, she loved loved it!! She even stole some of the gnocchi!! Keep up the great work PCo!!! So good!!! read more

See all

Excellent service and amazing food here! Present company has a very cool outdoor bar and seating area which reminds me of living and dining on the west coast. The food is Devine and the experience is 5 stars. If you get to enjoy this spot try and get seating at the chefs bar/table area. You will be delighted by watching the masters at work, and making an amazing assortment of appetizers main dishes and desserts read more

Present Company - Most yummy scallop appy - New American Near Me - Simsbury, Connecticut

Update from 4 years ago: The food is still very good. However, I'm not a fan of the 3 or 4 course only options for $87 and $107 (no A La Carte option) - one of which is dessert. If you want to swap out the dessert for a starter, they charge you an extra $12. Have a bottle of wine or a couple of drinks each your check will be over $300 w/ tip for two people (3 course without dessert option). With the 3 course option at $87, is the starter $25, entree $45 and dessert $17? That's a bit pricey - especially when one of the entree's is Cauliflower). Again, the food is good but at their price point they are in the same if not higher end of a Michelin restaurant (which they are not). That said one would expect the service to justify the higher prices. The servers are friendly and professional, but at these prices one would expect a bit more. For example, instead of just plopping down the food and walking away it would be nice if there was a bit more engagement by explaining/reiterating what the dish just served entails. I've been to several high end restaurants and it is a nice touch by the servers when they explain your meal giving the patrons a sense they are in lock step with the kitchen. Bottom line is if you have money to burn you will have a good meal. But since I eat out quite a bit, I can find good food for 1/2 the price. read more

Where do I even begin? This place is phenomenal... the ambiance, the staff, the food... I wasn't sure what to expect. I saw a few different menus online, heard great things about this place from friends... and was looking for someplace new for dinner so we decided to check it out. The menu is very different from anywhere else I've been to. They had things like venison and rabbit. It was also a prix fixe.. you can do 3 or 4 courses. We went with 3 course- Choose from an app or pasta, a main dish and a dessert. I decided to try something new so I went with the venison osso bucco. My husband ordered the beef cheek. Both were delicious. The venison was so tender I could cut it with a fork!! I wasn't sure what to expect venison to taste like- but it was so flavorful, and earthy. Nothing I'd ever expect. I can't wait to go again and try something else. The potato gnocchi and dessert was also amazing. The waitress was very friendly. It was very relaxed and didn't feel rushed. Service was perfect. read more

See all