My goodness, I've had this place bookmarked for a few months now because I was on the hunt for buck a shuck oysters within reasonable distance from UConn. I finally had the chance to grab dinner with a friend here, and although not on Thursday when they have the oyster deal. We came on a Tuesday night at 7:00 PM, and it wasn't crowded because it was Halloween. Their deal for Tuesdays is an $18 burger meal, with a choice between two burgers, your choice of a side, and a beer. My friend wasn't a beer fan but the waitress let us swap it out for a cheaper wine. The service was very nice and our waitress had a lot of spunk, which we appreciated the friendliness. We both got the same burger, and it was very messy. I almost tried eating it with a knife and fork because the bottom bun was completely soaked in meat juice, but I eventually gave up and got my hands dirty. The burger itself was good, not outstanding, and certainly kind of a pain to eat. They switch up the burger options every week so you never know what's being served for the deal! We also ordered fingerling potatoes as our side and let me tell you, these were the star of the show. The potatoes were so tender and the skin so delicate and satisfying to cut through with your teeth. A place with great ambiance, I think it deserves a 4.5 rather than a 4. I'll definitely have to come back on a Thursday to check out the oysters. read more

Went on New Year's Eve and the food was great. So were the cocktails and they had a welcoming cup with I think bourbon and fruit. The staff were very accommodating for a glitch with the reservation. Food excellent, staff great, fun evening over all. read more

This is a great little gem in Willimantic. I have been here for coffee, dessert, dinner, and breakfast. All entrees I have tried have been delicious. They serve a flour-less chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream that has to be one of the best dessert dishes I have tried in Connecticut. I just went this morning to try the steak with griddled egg. I ordered it without the cheese and bread. However, because of my mumbling nature in my decaffeinated/morning/jet-lagged state the server didn't hear I did not want cheese. When I pointed out the fact, she good naturally took it back and returned shortly with the correct order. It was super delicious. I also ordered the fruit salad bowl. It was made with melon, apples, and one blueberry. Also refreshing in the morning. The dishes are small, but since I don't eat that much, they are perfect size for me. The coffee comes from a local coffee roaster, the Quiet Corner, and just the house coffee is pretty good. The ambiance of the place is a cool coffee cafe by day and a pretty intimate tapas cafe by night. There is also free wi-fi which makes it a good place to bring the laptop and get some school work done if need be. read more

Stone Row Kitchen + Bar - Fruit bowl. Steak with griddled egg. Coffee. - Seafood Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

Cafemantic. I've been here a few times over the years, and it's cool to see how it has developed into the place it is today. Most recently, I met a friend here for happy hour. They have a small plates menu with many locally sourced options. We ordered duck, cucumber salad, and shrimp black bean avocado salad. All were delicious. I'd never had duck before, and that dish now has me looking for it on other menus. The cucumber salad had a bit of a kick to it, which was a nice contrast against the cool cucumber. They have a pretty good drink selection- nothing extensive, but one can find something they'll like. Our waiter was very attentive even though it was crowded. I've also been here once for brunch, and would love to go back. I got a pumpkin mimosa and some kind of French toast- both were excellent. I'm not sure if it's still on the menu, but when I used to work in Willimantic I would sometimes order the Elvis panini- toasted french bread, chocolate, and Nutella with optional bacon. THAT was delicious. They also have your usual cafe stuff- coffee, tea, pastries, smoothies, etc. No parking lot, but there is plenty of street parking either along that street or on adjacent side streets (free) and a lot across the street at the Willimantic Brewing Co. parking lot if they aren't open (i.e., if you go for brunch). One of the best things about this place is the ambiance. They succeed at making you feel as though you've fallen into a different world while you're there. It's cozy, unique, and charming, a genuine cafe feel. It truly lends itself as an asset to the character of Main Street Willimantic. I feel lucky to live so close! (This is also the restaurant I was at when I found out the sellers accepted my offer for the house I'm living in, so I'll always have a soft spot for it) =) read more

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very nice ambiance, excellent service. food selection excellent fresh, well presented very good selection and specialties

A couple friends and I stopped by Stone Row last night on a whim while in the area. Had a great, cozy ambiance and considerate wait staff. The food did not disappoint. The ricotta appetizer and the mole chicken were particularly delicious. The price was also right. There's a very good deal at certain times (including most of the day on Sundays) when you can get discounted drinks and $2 off starters. If I lived in the area, I would be back. Thanks for a great dinner experience, Stone Row. read more

Excellent! I don't think they advertise as farm to table though it seems that most everything is locally sourced. I had the spring salad w grilled free range chicken and a app special local farm fresh asparagus w local free range egg on top. A bit on the expensive side for lunch $29 w tip but... every once in a while this place is worth the splurge. Delish!!! read more

I am pretty much obsessed with this place ever since it was recommended to me through friends. My boyfriend and I have eaten here three times in two months! The food is amazing! I love the fresh ricotta on warm fresh bread, the jerk chicken, Mac and cheese...I've never tried something I didn't like from this menu! The decor of this place also gives it a very cool vibe. I love enjoying the patio but the inside also has a lot of character and charm. My only small complaint is that the service could be better - for very small things. We only had our water glasses refilled once the entire dinner and at one point we were practically standing on our heads to get our waitresses attention! Giving people a carafe of water would resolve this. Also, the timing of the food can be a bit odd. But since we like the food so much, we will keep coming back. This place can be expensive but I promise that it's worth it! We go out of our way from Hartford just to eat at Cafemantic! read more

Stone Row Kitchen + Bar - Amazing food and atmosphere! - Seafood Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

Food was great but first visit amazing but 3 stars because server was not as first visit!! Made experience so so!! First visit was amazing just didn't live up to next visit , especially for the price and small portions for serving!! But the worst part was when server made faces and was talking bout us to coworker!! 3 stars nothing else need to be said!!!! read more

Always interesting, not always successfully. pricy and the menu is getting very limited. They really need to bring back the original lamb meatballs. read more

My wife and I aren't able to get out too often without our love able and sometimes wacky twins....today the stars aligned and we were able to have a wonderful date. In our search for something local and new we discovered Cafemantic. The atmosphere was intimate, personalized, and simply delicious. The waitstaff were very friendly and attentive without hovering and being distracting. The food was beautiful but also well portioned and priced appropriately...overall worth repeating many times over! read more

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Returned for lunch. 3 sandwiches, 1 salad, one iced tea...$70 pre tip. I'm not sure we are going back, while the food is great, just too much money read more

I've gone here a few times recently and me and my wife are huge fans. The menu has great diversity and both of us found several apps and small plates we were big fans of despite having almost opposite tastes. The cocktail menu is quite intriguing and the Oaxaca Old Fashioned currently on the menu is absurdly good. We sat at the bar for both visits and the bartenders have been great for conversation and recommendations. Looking forward to going back soon. read more

I visited Cafemantic for the first time while home for the holidays. I wish this place were around when I lived in Willi! The atmosphere is cute and cozy, coffee strong, and the food, delicious. I had the burger for lunch, great size, cooked correctly, juicy, and very yummy. I look forward to coming back here. read more

First time and can't wait to come back! Amazing cheese board and the ricotta & really fresh bread with a hint of hmmmm, so good. Highly recommend! read more

Food is rather good but extremely expensive for the portion sizes. My partner and I expected to sit down for dinner and drinks, but seeing the price after a couple apps and a round of drinks we ran for the hills! It's a good attraction for wealthy out of towners, but I can't help but think the town would be better served by a more financially accessible business for locals in that very central part of Main Street. The staff as soon as we walked in in the way they watched us and interacted gave us an intangible sort of je ne sais quoi of classism. Like they took one look at us and assumed our tax bracket, basically. TLDR: not very welcoming for locals. read more

Finally got to try Cafemantic and had very good food and friendly, efficient service. Sat inside because it was quite hot outside and the indoor temperature was quite pleasant. Mostly tapas, meant to be shared. Especially liked the lamb meatballs and the crab cake. read more

We went for a celebration dinner because my wife had been there ones and liked it. The result: great food across the board. We had bacon wrapped dates (they didn't last long enough to get a photo). The yellowfin tartare had perfectly ripe avocado, delicious fish and a not-dominating marinade. The chilled Maine peekytoe crab (I'd never heard of peekytoe before) was fresh and very tasty. We "finished" with chanterelle mushrooms on butter and sugar corn grits. This may have been the best dish of the night. (We're trying to replicate the grits - no luck yet.) We decided to have an order of lamb meatballs for 'dessert' and it was a good choice. The meatballs were not overworked, so they were super tender. I only had 2 very minor issues (and my wife disagrees): for MY taste, I thought the heat in the veloute took away from the flavor of the crab and I would have used less cumin in the lamb meatballs. Still, we'll definitely be back and I'd order the same thing except I want to try more of the offerings. read more

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Ok, I admit I didn't know what to expect when my wife strongly suggested we go here. Once there, I quickly realized I was not at Applebee's.The atmosphere, staff and food were the farthest thing I imagined that could be found on Main st WILLIMANTIC. We were seated at a table by the street side window....a lovely spot to people watch. We were warmly greeted by our server who, upon giving us our "today's menus", explained the they are made up daily depending on what local produce is available....and to the whim of the chef. For an appetizer, started with "whipped ricotta and toasted farm bread". This is definitely a "sharing" plate. It was wonderful....I was impressed. For a cold plate, my wife had a country salad. I was more daring. I chose the "Sauteed pork belly/watermelon"....a mixture of various greens, veggies & diced watermelon tossed in a flavorful dressing... littered with warm sauteed cubed pork belly. Simply to die for. For the warm plate I chose "Grilled Spanish Octopus". It was the highlight of the meal. Spiced and Cooke perfectly. Served with various sauteed veggies and fresh salsa verde. This is not going to be our usual spot, but for special occasions....or just a splurge, we'll be back. The menu is a "Today's Menu"..... read more

Stone Row Kitchen + Bar - Grilled Octopus - Seafood Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

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So so delicious, everything we ordered was so good! We tried the arugula salad, chicken salad sandwich, and the shrimp avocado sandwich (which I highly recommend). The roasted chickpea side salad that came with our sandwiches was light and refreshing. Staff was friendly and very attentive. We ordered dessert too, the flourless chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream was perfect. read more

Stone Row Kitchen + Bar - Shrimp avocado sandwich with roasted chickpea salad - Seafood Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

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I feel so utterly disappointed in myself that I have not placed a review of Cafemantic on Yelp. Maybe it's because I seem to be in such a dreamy state of mind every time I leave Cafemantic that I have forgotten to post a review. If you find yourself in "Romantic Willimantic" you will find your true love at Cafemantic. From the silky ricotta, the gnocchi with butternut and sage (this is lick your plate sort of food), to the crispy duck legs with creamy cassoulet beans you are in for a treat. Yes, it is small plates, but the food is so rich and satisfying that you can't or don't want to eat too big a portion so that you can try several of the dishes. I must mention, Thursday night is "Buck-a-Shuck" - that's a dollar an oyster! All the oysters are local - well, I think the farthest comes from Prince Edward Island. I must also mention, that Cafemantic strives to use local farmers, fisherman, cheese-mongers, etc. - buying local is something near and dear to my heart! Enjoy and Bon Appetit!!! read more

Just had the best roast beef sandwich with horseradish aioli. Along with chick pea salad. Perfect lunch with sponge cake coconut ice cream and Yusuf curd along with meringue for dessert. Cafemantic is the best read more

Stone Row Kitchen + Bar - Fabulous desserts at Cafemantic - Seafood Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

Very cute restaurant that is sorta off the beaten path. After all, I don't find myself in Willimantic...ever, really... but I would be willing to go back for this place. I went with a huge group of work colleagues and I was stunned with how stellar the service was despite this. There is a lot of variety in the entree options including gf, veg and vegan/vegan-convertible (by removing an item or two) options. Additionally, there is plenty of space for groups. AND, something that I find helpful, the restaurant handles the check splitting excellently. There is only street parking, which was a pain. We found a spot right in front of the restaurant but got a lot of honking and middle fingers when we held up traffic to get the spot. I tried a lot of dishes that night and I highly recommend the white bean hummus. read more

Ok, they still have the cutesy inefficient ordering system in the front of the café, but I have to admit they've really stepped up with a lovely dining experience, so I'm gonna improve on my last review. Went in for brunch and got a nice avocado and smoked ham sandwich on ciabatta bread with sweet cream butter and a coffee. It was very nice, the ham was thin and fatty prosciutto and the avocado was ripe, the bread was glistening with grilled butter and it just tasted awesome. The coffee was on the weak side but the very nice waiter noticed that and brought me a fresh carafe. All this while sitting on their back patio on a cool sunny fall morning. It was just lovely. Like a friend who annoys you but you still like a lot, Cafemantic has won me over. Well done! read more

How can I give Cafemantic less than five stars after none other than the New York Times practically fell all over themselves with praise for the place? I can't disagree. It's about as funky as it gets, especially in out-of-the-way Willimantic...not exactly known for its fine cuisine. The back patio is at once peaceful and bizarre, halfway down a stone wall ledge embedded with broken pottery, alongside a service road and railroad tracks. But it's oddly "homey." I feel sorry for the servers who have to navigate the steps every few minutes, but it's a wonderfully unique place for lunch or a light evening dinner. I hear they show movies on the patio on weekends, too. The menu varies constantly, featuring mostly local, farm-to-table ingredients purchased from many of the same vendors we see at the Coventry Regional Farmer's Market, or from the numerous nearby farms out here in the boonies. They're put to good use. I love that one section of the small menu was devoted to various incarnations of the venerable Grilled Cheese Sandwich. I ordered mine with local heirloom tomato, applewood smoked bacon, and avocado, grilled with a few different artisan cheeses on fresh baked bread. It was absolutely perfect. This is NOT the grilled cheese you get from the kiddie menu at the local diner. We also shared an order of grilled stuffed dates. Really, I never would have thought of that...again, just fantastic. There is no point in going on with a long-winded explanation of Cafemantic. Suffice it to say, it is unusual, and almost anachronistic to the downtown Willi "experience." It's a tad pricey, and portions are not huge, but that's just fine. You'll forget about that once you taste the food. read more

Pros for Cafemantic: I did like the setup of the restaurant. It had a very hipster and modern feel to it. I have gone for breakfast and lunch and received great food! Our breakfast bill was very high.. but worth it. They are pricey. It is a great place to bring your parents to or go on a date, or with friends. For breakfast, I recommend the breakfast sandwich because it has a hash brown on it and it is delicious. They also offer coffee and lattes that are exceptionally tasty. We were served with great-tasting mimosas for breakfast. For lunch, I usually get the spinach artichoke dip and caesar salad with tomatoes. I am not so sure if the dip is still around though. I would say this is one of the better restaurants in willimantic with a well-rounded repuatation. Cons: Although the food is good, I have had terrible experiences here. First off, I went and my friend and I wanted to split the spinach artichoke dip as our appetizer and then we both got caesar salads as our course. It took 20 minutes for the caesar salad to come out and our waitress forgot about the dip. It was honestly such a let down because we were really looking forward to it. Second, this same time, I went with two other friends, so there was a total of three of us. We had the worst service and were not pleased at all, so we were not planning on leaving a good tip BUT the gratuity was already included in the bill!!!! How? When we originally came in the restaurant, we saw a few of our other friends and the hostess sat us all together in the same area but different tables. THE WAITRESS MADE IT SEEM LIKE WE WERE A PARTY OF 7, which was not the case!! I have not been back since. Another time I went, we had the same waitress and experienced the same type of customer service. She was rude and unorganized with our courses. In order for Cafemantic to earn 5 stars from me, they need to work on their customer service, hopefully this review helps! read more

They were definitely understaffed which I am sure is a result of the current times we are in, however, I cannot understand how the burger can be inedible. The bun was previously toasted and then refrigerated and not reheated so it was cold and hard. The burger was over cooked (one was ordered medium and the other medium rare and neither had any pink). I am assuming they were par cooked and reheated or very lean meat or both. The reason for this review is that when there are only 4 items in the mains menu (and one is served for two), they need to be edible at the very least. And for an $18 burger with no sides included I should want to take more than 2 bites. I also had the Pimms Fizz which was delicious but in no way was it as it was described. read more

Awesome. Beautiful decor. Open and airy layout. Gender neutral restrooms, with plenty of room for wheel chair access. Great menu with limited selection (we still had trouble deciding! ) Our server was friendly and laid back. We'll definitely be back! read more

Andrew, Thank you for writing back. With tip (we always tip 20%) the bill was close to $100. And thank you for correcting my prices, which were off by a few dollars, as you note. But my basic point remains the same: we spend quite a but if money and went home hungry. When I started coming here, the food was fresh and reasonably priced, and it has just gotten more and more expensive and (as I mentioned before) there are fewer options and portions seem to be smaller. I honestly just want to have a NICE restaurant in town where two people can eat some decent food and not go home hungry (as was the case in the past). I think maybe that particular weekend portions were smaller than normal because the restaurant was quite busy, so hopefully they can return to normal in the future. Again, thanks for writing me back. read more

CafeMantic is the crown jewel of Downtown Willimantic. This place has single handedly provided one of the best food scenes in the state in a struggling city. I have been here at least 10 times for dinner, and my boyfriend went to their special Rhone Game dinner, and we both went to their New Year's Eve Dinner. The food is out of this world - The chef, Jonathan Hudack (I believe?) is innovative, and makes exceptional effort to source locally, partnering up with several local farms and producers. The BEST thing on the menu, in my opinion, is the house-made ricotta. My boyfriend and I always joke that we could go there, JUST get the Ricotta, and die happy. Of course, we always end up getting at least five other things. Other recommendations are the shrimp and grits/or beans, as it's lately been made with, the meatballs, the skirt steak, the root vegetables, and the creme brulee. honestly, you can't go wrong with anything you get there. The value is incredible. You can absolutely go there for a date, each get a glass of wine (the Riesling is my favorite) a few food items, and dessert, and not go over 100 dollars. The wait staff is SO friendly, and equally thrilled to gush over the menu with you. So many congratulations to the proprietor, Andrew Gütt, for transforming Cafe Mantic into what it is today. read more

I can not tell you how happy I am that Cafemantic has started to serve dinner, and we now have another dining option in downtown Willimantic. My fiance and I stopped in this past Sunday night and we left so satisfied with everything, even though he is a picky eater, he ate everything and loved it! We started with the garlic bread and ceasar salad. Probably the best garlic bread I have ever had. We then moved onto the Chicken Satay, Mac & Cheese and Flank Steak with Chimichurri sauce. My favorite was definitely the Flank Steak, while his was the Mac & Cheese. For the two of us, we probably could have done without one of the dishes as I took some of the flank steak to go. We ended the night with a flourless chocolate cake that we asked to be warmed to go. I didn't get to try ANY of it, as my fiance managed to gobble it up in 2 minutes when we got home. They serve locally sourced items when available, and the food is fresh and made to order -- if you are a vegetarian, you can ask to have things like pancetta removed from your dish. The beer selection is pretty good, the wines were delicious (I had the chardonnay and the malbec) and of course, they have Hosmer Mountain soda. All in all, I can't wait to head back again. It has a great atmosphere on the inside... it is perfect for date night! My favorite spot is by the front window so we people watch as we enjoy the fabulous food. read more

First time here: Long story short, I'm going to stop going to willibrew after my Tuesday/Thursday classes, these guys just got a new regular. Let me explain: Jalapeño margarita...on point $1 oysters... sound terrifying but were buttery and not too salty and a perfect texture (they only do this on Tuesdays apparently) The lamb meatballs.. literally the best thing I've ever eaten. The bread was a little toasty for my taste, but I didn't even need it The service was efficient, which is just how I like it. Drinks stayed full, knew the menu like the back of his hand, was there literally every time I needed something, and didn't prolong conversation (which is always awkward for me) read more

Food, glorious food! Local food! Fresh food! Food for the foodie and the common man. Food for special occasions and every day. Food that qualifies for a feast, a place to convene with friends, to enjoy and revel in. Cafemantic embodies all that and more. There is something for everyone at Cafemantic. I like variety to I like to order things that I wouldn't normally make at home. The food is farm fresh, local, and brought to the table as a visual feast. After you try what you ordered, you'll have a feast for your soul, too! At the geographical edge of the Willimantic Arts and Eats District, Cafemantic has been making people happy for just a few short years. Started as a humble coffee/tea and breakfast-y place, it has morphed into a place with a beautiful outdoor patio, an extensive menu of items that are often based on the bounty of the farming season, and a panache and flair to top it all off. I particularly like the small plates so I can taste lots of different things without feeling like I need to roll out of the door! There have been receptions of all kinds on site as well as jazz Sunday brunches and more. And Cafemantic was kind enough and community minded enough to participate and host the town's first ever Arts and Eats Stroll this past October, 2014. They have been generous in the community as well as beyond. Their reputation is gaining more and more recognition as the days go by! The ambiance of the place is warm and friendly. Besides the restaurant at one end of Main Street, there is a venue for events at the other end, too. It boasts a setting that includes a fireplace for chilly day events as well as space to serve a large gathering of people. The staff pay attention to the details of serving and are ready to take care of you and all your food desires when you dine at Cafemantic. All in all, Cafemantic is a great place to go for any reason. You can grab a bite, glass of wine, gourmet coffee drinks to go, seasonal sips that reflect the flavors of the season, and so much more. You won't leave disappointed once you order and get your food and drink! The Town of Willimantic is very proud of Cafemantic; it's a jewel in her crown. read more

I love Cafemantic! My husband brought me here for our anniversary and I'm a frequent visitor every since. The service and food is always top notch. My favorites are the olive and feta (so simple, but oh so good!) and the ricotta. Yum! Each plate we have tried is amazing. Great spot! read more

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Had this place talked up to me a lot so maybe I went it with too high expectations. Don't get me wrong, food was very good - it just didn't blow my mind. Love the tapas-like plates as you can try a lot of the different items (there are always new ones) and it's reasonably priced for the high-quality that you get. read more

We finally made it here. The only think we are raging mad about is that Wllimantic is so darned far away from our home in Avon. Cause this place is sublime. The meal opened with the most delicious bread with homemade herbed ricotta cheese spread. And then the small plates began, and they were each stupendous. The hangar steak, the foie gras, the route 316 asparagus (yes, it's good enough to warrant that special moniker, and OMG the applewood smoked bacon on it!), the pork belly... The mussels! The broth for the mussels! And then, the most delicious strawberry shortcake I've ever had in my life. Seriously. For that, we moved ourselves to the romantic outdoor patio, where you can almost make yourself believe you're in Europe instead of CT. Yes, the hype is all true. Chef Jon Hudak, you've created something very very special here. Thank you. Please make a copy in Avon? read more

Places like this are hard to find! Especially in small-town New England. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, convenient location, wonderful food, EXCELLENT espresso drinks. read more

Stone Row Kitchen + Bar - Seafood Near Me - Willimantic, Connecticut

We've been regulars at Cafemantic for a long time and thought it was time for an update.The food and service is, as always, excellent but we thought they deserved recognition for how they've handled changes in the kitchen and the front of the house. A few months ago Chef Jon moved on to an opportunity a distance away and Chef Tyler has taken over the kitchen without missing a beat. They didn't make any radical changes at first and many of the seasonal favorites still appear. Over time Tyler has put his personal touch on preparation and flavor profiles reworking familiar dishes in new and delicious ways. We won't bore you with details, let's just say you won't be disappointed. The drinks and desserts along with a a small but excellent wine list complement the excellence coming out of the kitchen. The service is top notch. The staff are professional, knowledgeable, and engaging. We're lucky to have Cafemantic nearby and are happy and more than a little impressed that it continues to excel. read more

Love the atmosphere, love the beverage selections, love the ricotta! My only complaint is there aren't too many options for vegetarians read more

A hipsters dream- we sat on the patio.. Which was very simply decorated with overhead string lights. Hubby and I came in for our weekly date night, and were pleasantly surprised. The tapas we had were delicious- garlic bread with spicy marinara, Mexican corn and Mac and cheese (w/o bacon) and chocolate truffles for desert. Only disappointment was they had discontinued the tomato mozzarella panini. read more