I don't post reviews often but my recent experience here was so outstanding I had to share. Let me start with my bartender I had Cole, what a consummate professional in all aspects of hospitality. This young man navigated the bar like a champion and a scholar. Guiding me through a libatious journey that tickled my taste buds in addition to the delicious food being served. Wow whatever they are doing there keep it up. A++ read more

The service was great, the food was spectacular and the outdoor dining area was gorgeous. The salmon we got was quite expensive but it was the best salmon I've ever had -- flavorful, soft, juicy, and it melts in your mouth. We also got two pizzas, the Tiger King and Margarita, both of which were delicious. It ended up being $80 for the two of us, so pretty pricy, but definitely worth it for a nice dinner. read more

We don't get out this way often but when we do we always try to stop into Swyft. We drove through the area in a beautiful Saturday. This part of Connecticut is perfect for a nice drive. Swyft is a beautiful place with a modern farmhouse design, gorgeous wood finishes, and a rustic, sophisticated vibe. Our favorite part is sitting outside enjoying their lovely courtyard country setting. It's private and quaint. We had some of the best cocktails ever. The mixology and creativity at Swyft is outstanding! Vibrant colors and flavors, pleasing to both the eye and the palate. I'll include a photo of the drink menu and our drinks. They were simply amazing! We also ordered the Rosso and margarita pizzas I believe. These pizzas are individually sized but great for sharing as well. The dough is pillowy, light, and delicious. Great flavor, high quality ingredients, and expertly prepared. Loved every bite. We also ordered a salad which was so fresh, bright, and had unique greens and vegetables- not your standard garden salad. I love how Swyft does what they do. They are offer a beautiful and delicious menu with top ingredients and flavors and the preparation is on point. Thank you, Swyft! read more

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Such a lovely dinner at Swyft! The atmosphere was cozy, the drinks were fun, and the food was amazing. Service was very friendly and helpful as well. I would absolutely recommend Swyft for anyone who wants to have an elevated dining experience but also doesn't totally break the bank. We unfortunately did not try the pizza but that seemed to be a big hit with the other tables. Will definitely just have to come back for that one. read more

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Incredible find in Kent, CT! On a recommendation, we drove over 2 hours each way, and it was totally worth it. The food is mind-blowing, uber-fresh local ingredients graciously served in a beautiful setting. We ordered drinks, pizzas, apps, entrees, all were fun, surprising, and delicious. The vegetarian options on the menu are as special as everything else, not an afterthought. There was a ton of sharing and delighted lip-smacking at our table! The chef/owner is awesome, he's clearly proud of his food, and is happy to tell you about his from-the-heart ingredients. The parking was ample if somewhat difficult to find in the dark. Even with thelong drive, we can't wait to go back! read more

Swyft Restaurant - Best. Melon. Ever. - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

I had an excellent dinner here last fall. Unfortunately my recent meal this past weekend was a disappointment. Over salty shrimp and grits, carrot soup with little flavor. This could be a knock out of a place because it's a beautiful cozy restaurant with a relaxed vibe. They just have to iron out the inconsistencies. read more

This is an outstanding restaurant with wonderful food and a great atmosphere. While it's not cheap it's well worth the price. Cocktails and beer are also artfully prepared! read more

I came for the burger but forget the burger! There are a ton of other amazing options. The pizza is freaking awesome! The crust melts in your mouth and the toppings were excellent. As a bonus, they serve beer from the local Kent Falls Brewing Company and my husband is a huge fan so that made him even happier than the pizza and dessert which was a apple tarte tatin and it was the best I've had outside of France! I would give five stars but for the burger. It was way too thick of a patty which was more like a ball than a patty and just wasn't as good as the hype. Everything else was perfect! read more

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Modern tavern in a historical setting, serving a farm-driven menu with a focus on supporting local, organic, and sustainable farming. Ore Hill is fine dining with emphasis on bringing global inspiration and local products together. Pre-fixe and Chef's Tasting Menu available Friday and Saturday nights at 6:00, 7:00 or 8:00." read more

We're visiting from California, and this is my new favorite East Coast spot. The pizzas are incredible with their sourdough crust! The pizza with clams is super delicious. Our BLT had just the right crunch and flavor. The bartender, Nikki, was super knowledgeable and skilled - she created a drink for my sister with vanilla rum, orange and lemon juice, honey, and bergamot liqueur, and it was out of this world. They have a really nice selection of local beers and liquors, and everything is farm fresh, locally grown. And the manager and his staff are absolutely kind and welcoming. We enjoyed just sitting at the bar and talking with them. The bathrooms are clean, the restaurant is really cool looking, and we will definitely come visit again next time we're on the East Coast. read more

Swyft Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

We are local. We go to Fife and Kingsley all the time. We find the staff here snooty and the food overpriced and just OK. We keep giving them another shot but it never gets any better. The ambiance and the outside patio is nice. read more

Welcome to the home of the $45 chicken...tiny portions with gigantic prices. The cosmos were in a cordial glass, half the size of a martini, at regular martini price. The pizza was mediocre at twice the price of what we expected to pay.Desserts were good, if you dont mind 3- 4 bites. We wont be back. read more

I've been to this restaurant several times on my trips up to Kent, CT. It was recommended as a go to spot, so I thought I'd see what it was all about. The ambiance of the restaurant is simple and attractive and in colder months, the warm glow from the fireplace keeps this space quite cozy. First time at Swyft, I ordered the Koginut Squash, a half Woodfired Chicken, a side of Kale and the Tarte Tatin for dessert. My first thought after being seated at the table, ordering a cocktail and then perusing the menu I noticed there was no welcoming foccaccia or perhaps an amuse bushe brought to the table and that all the side dishes were for an extra charge, including focaccia. The Koginut Squash was not what I expected. The dish arrived with ample slices of this beautiful roasted squash, sprinkled with some nuts and a very small dollop of sauce for the squash. Digging in with the first bite, I was met with a tasteless and overly oily idea squashing the squashes taste! This oil drowned the entire plate of plentiful squash and only when i dipped two bites of squash in the sauce did I taste any flavor. For me the dish was a fail. The chicken arrived on a large plate and looked lonely on there but beautiful. The kale arrived in an oversized bowl and I couldn't wait to dive in. First bite of the chicken smacked me with an overly smoky taste, blurring out the the taste of this obviously special bird that was cooked to perfection. I thought - what a shame. The kale although well-oiled and tender, lacked seasoning with the exception of salt. A little garlic could have made this side dish perfect. The Tarte Tatin was disappointing. It presented as skimpy with a single layer of flat overcooked apples on a thin, tasteless crust. Don't bother to order this, waste of money. My next visit to Swyft found me ordering one of my favorite dishes, Cacio e Pepe. I don't see this Roman classic on many menus anymore so I was quite excited. This is a simple dish with limited ingredients and easy to prepare for a chef that knows the dish. This chef did not rinse up to that knowledge. The dish arrived looking tasty but that was it. The portion was small and compared to what it costs to make this dish, the price tag was exorbitant. The first bite of this dish which came out lukewarm, literally had no taste at all. I thought it was me, so mixed it through a bit and then gave it another twirl. Unfortunately, it was not better tasting and was strewn with cooked and undercooked strands of bucatini. I would not recommend this dish and would suggest Swyft remove it from their menu until the chef knows how to properly prepare it. I've ordered Swyft's pizzas many times. I've tried the Al Diavolo, Margarita and Fontina/Thyme pizzas. The pizzas were always good and cooked correctly - no burned edges or undercooked crust. Then it all seemed to change this past February. Last few pizzas I'd ordered had burned edges, undercooked crusts with tasteless marinara, less fresh mozzarella and basil on the Margherita. Not even remotely edible. These were take out/pick up orders for me and very disappointing. Taking a long break from Swyft. read more

We had reservations for two on Father's Day and our plans changed. We had to bring our two little ones and the staff was so accommodating! They were great with the kids and explained everything very well. The atmosphere is calm and inviting. I had the Rosso pizza which was simple and perfect, not at all a heavy pizza. The parfait (brunch) is a must and the steak and eggs special was perfect. We love this place read more

This was our second time visiting Swyft. It's a charming restaurant with seating for about 30 people (not including the bar). I would highly recommend having a reservation given the size of the property. On the positive end, absolutely everything was delicious. The menu is split in to three sections, pizzas, small plates, and entrees. We shared a total of four dishes from each section and I will say the "entree" was the same size as the small dish so I would plan on ordering multiples. Unfortunately, both times we visited the service was just awkward. Our waiter never explained the menu, he just came by and said "so are you ready?". No one ever responded with a "you're welcome" when we said thank you. Only when it was time for dessert did our waiter suddenly take an interest in interacting, only to try and up-sell multiple dishes when we only wanted to order one. Truth be told, we would happily go back for the food if it was a nice day but if they plan on opening a tasting menu style restaurant next door the service has to really be revamped. Part of the fun of fine dining is staff that's usually passionate and makes the patrons feel welcome. read more

We drove from NY to meet a friend who lives near Kent and it was a great brunch. The outdoor seating was under a shady tree and service was friendly and knowledgeable about wines and other drinks. We shared two pizzas (margarita and mushroom) and a lovely side salad. Had a mocktail with ginger and fruit that was refreshing. Would definitely go back. read more

Tried out swyft when they first opened and hadnt been back since. What a gem nestled in kent connecticut. The fried chicken biscuit and burger were to fie for ! The dessert was as well. They have a good taplist as well with many local offerings ! Cant wait to go back and try more read more

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We didn't have a reservation and were seated right away (Saturday at lunch hour). Shortly after, the place filled up. Atmosphere is great. Small restaurant so tables are close together. Nice cozy, casual, modern, wood decor. Food not so good. My husband got the Randy Savage pizza. Toppings were fine but the crust was not Neapolitan style - instead of thin crisp crust it was soft and doughy. I got the Cubano sandwich. The first thing I noticed was the black burned bread. It was advertised as slow cooked pork shoulder which should have been tender and juicy. I pictured thin slices of meat or pulled pork. It was a hunk of dry, chewy meat with a huge piece of fat on it. Pork was flavorless as were the cheese and ham. The only item that had flavor on the sandwich were the pickles. The waitress was kind enough to bring it to the manager's attention, and they didn't charge for my sandwich. Had read about the award-winning chef, Joel Viehland and this restaurant. Was disappointed with our experience today. read more

Swyft Restaurant - Cubano sandwich - huge piece of pork fat and black charred bread. - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

Literal 'hidden' gem in the Kent country that you need to try. If you're passing through, grab a pie or two to share and a Gojuchang chicken sandwich, or one of their new age dishes with all locally sourced and homemade ingredients in Northwest CT. If you sit at the bar, they have local spirits (although a bit pricey...) a Litchfield Distillery Old Fashion is a must! read more

Swyft Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

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We have seen several restaurants come and go but even during covid this restaurant remained strong. It has an excellent outdoor dining patio and cozy interior dining and bar. I am a regular Sunday bruncher at this spot after hiking in the area. I would like to particularly highlight my experience last Sunday with a friend where we sat outside and had Quinn as our server. She was everything a restaurant server should be. Kind, engaging, super responsive. We both noted that we wish all servers were like her! Great work ethic! The food is always top notch and thoughtfully prepared. There is a reason this is our go to! We hope this place will be around for a long time! read more

Like other reviewers, I heard about this restaurant through word of mouth and drove from Eastern CT to see what all the fuss was about. Absolutely fantastic, the most creative melding of flavors I've seen on a plate in awhile. And vegetarians, rejoice! You have as many choices as the meat-lovers do here. I loved the vegetable-forward menu - how rare it is to see main vegetarian dishes that are given as much care and thought as the meat dishes! We were seated indoors, which was clean and beautifully decorated. Outdoor seating was packed - get a reservation in early if you want to sit outside! The Easy Wind cocktail was a winner, as were the apps and main dishes (we skipped dessert but will try it next time). After the meal, the chef himself came out to check on us! Nice guy. Actually, very friendly staff overall. Looking forward to making a birthday reservation here. read more

Very disappointed! Pizza was soggy. Drinks such as wine start at $14 for 2ozs,, very overpriced along with desserts. Credit card required to make reservations. If you cancel within 24 hours of the designated time, a $25 fee is charged. read more

First time to visit this place over the weekend. Cozy and clean. Loved the little patio but noisy from groups of motorcycles constantly passing by. We ordered pizza and was a little disappointed. Dough is a little undercooked, soggy with barely-there toppings. The service needs a HUGE improvement. Felt unwelcome and rushed. The server starts cleaning while we are still eating, removing my plate before I can barely put down the fork on the plate. read more

What a delightful place!! We sat inside at the bar this past Saturday night for drinks and dinner. The architecture and decor of Swyft provides a warm, cozy feel, though many diners were taking advantage of their patio on the night that we went. The place filled up by 5:30, so I'd recommend making a reservation. The draft list has a ton of local beer options, in particular Kent Falls and OEC. We shared several small plates and pizza and all of the dishes were fantastic. The bartender was wonderful and provided great recommendations and friendly conversation despite having quite a busy bar. We had a great time and will be back if we're in the area! read more

Swyft Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

Heads down! Great restaurant. Chef Joel you always surprise us. We love this casual but delicious restaurant. It works the drive !! The pork cheeks pizza is delicious, also try their chicken is perfectly moisture and it taste sooo good. The ambiance is cozy and very relaxing! read more

Overpriced for the small portions you get. $100 for two people--just a sandwich with no sides, basic drinks, and a tiny $17 personal pizza. Waited about 30 minutes for drinks that never came, and finally had to go inside to order at the bar. It seemed like nobody even knew about our drink. No apologies from any of the staff, or reassurances that the food was coming soon. I try to give servers a break - it's usually not fair to blame them. But our server completely disappeared for most of the meal, and there was absolutely no sense of urgency. Our food took about an hour to come out - again, no apologies. As an extra kicker, they tack on $7 per bottle for the sparkling water, so make sure you know that going in. Won't be back again. read more

I was excited to see that we could walk in and get a table. I read about the restaurant in the paper and had wanted to try it. I've been all over the world in search of and experiencing great restaurants and exquisite food. This could be good. But it's only ok. I read the reviews online and on yelp prior to writing this, just to be fair. The food was very good if not excellent, obviously the chef is talented and has a vision. I understand that it is not easy to run a restaurant, however I do not think it is wise to hammer your patrons with upcharges. I asked the bartender prior to ordering our martinis if the glasses would be full, he said yes and then served us drinks that were 3/4 full, when I called him out on it he made more and as he was pouring the newly mixed addition he said "this was on him" I wouldn't have ordered the $15.00 martini if it wasn't to be to my liking in the first place. And after all there was a $4.00 bar surcharge on our check. Wtf? We had a pizza as an app, it was good but not great It was small for the price and undercooked. Dinner was great but the plate it was served on as well as my companions was ridiculous, totally wrong. We laughed. We were charged $3.00 for 2 slices of bread. Lucky me, how privileged I should feel to eat their bread. $100 buck a head. Silly for a mediocre experience on a Thursday night. What am I missing???? read more

Absolutely divine! Food was perfectly delicious- beautifully presented - and service was excellent.

I'm just going to say one word. It was BRILLIANtT. I loved the flourless chocolate cake and the pizzas. Decoration is modern, warm and minimalist. Outstanding lighting and cozy fireplace. .The best place around in KENT. read more

Swyft Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

Tonight we decided to give Swyft a try. Unfortunately, after being bumped from the table we had been waiting for, we decided it wasn't worth the long additional wait. Long story short, we arrived at 7:00pm and were told a two top was just finishing up and it would be less than 10 minutes to be seated. A six top then arrived and was seated. While we waited, the six top requested to be moved and the restaurant accommodated them, which necessitated bumping us from our two top. We asked why they bumped us to accommodate the six top and we were told they had a reservation. The hostess then told us there were no other two tops available. We won't be back. read more

The wait staff were attentive, the acoustics not good. Every time someone walked past our table they bumped someone's chair. The food was ok, not memorable. In fact, the most memorable part of this meal was the very large check we got at the end. We won't be returning. read more

Went for brunch today. The food was lackluster at best. The pizza is too doughy. The scrambled eggs and bacon we could have gone to a local deli and had the same. The Cubans was ok, but came with not even a garnish on the plate. The entire food presentation is ordinary and that's a compliment. Very disappointing. read more

I came for the first time tonight and couldn't be happier with the entire experience. They have a nice cocktail/drink selection and all of the food was incredibly fresh and delicious (we had cocktails, naan, salad, and two pizzas and loved everything). While the atmosphere and food would've been great on their own, the service was what made it amazing! Our server was so kind, down to earth, and very attentive (despite being the only server in a full restaurant). She was happy to make recommendations and checked in on us along the way. We will definitely be returning soon! read more

Amazing pizza and gnocchi dishes. Beautiful renovation was done on the interior. The pizza tastes like we were transported to Napoli. We had Potato and kale pizza which was worth trying again . read more

The atmosphere is very attractive post and beam farmhouse in an antique building in bustling downtown Kent, CT. Our server recommended the gnocchi which was delicious and we ordered a salad which was a bit too vinegary. We came on the Friday before Christmas and it wasn't too full but there were about ten people at the bar which was full and people were enjoying food, as well. Entrees were both delicious, cheeseburger was everything a cheeseburger should be and the wild salmon was perfection, moist and rare. Looking forward to many memorable meals here! read more

The Cacio e Pepe is a no for me. I hv had this dish many other places but this is the first time I ordered it here and was extremely disappointed. The pasta was cooked nicely and al dente.....but there was very little cheese and zero pepper added to this simple dish. I'm unsure if they forgot to add it or just use a low grade pepper because only freshly cracked pepper is best in this recipe. I ended up with an overpriced bland bowl of spaghetti. Also it was served lukewarm which is a real NO for any pasta dish. This brings up another issue I have with this eatery. I went for brunch recently and had the French toast.... It arrives with 3 little deflated pieces of toast without accouterments such as a colorful tasty garnish of jam, strawberries, orange slices, nothing! It was a sad presentation. I think we'll stick to Kingsley's Tavern a few doors down for our brunch visits. read more

I love this place. We shared a pizza, French fries and salad with a glass of Sancerre. Heaven!! Service was excellent. read more

The food was ok. But the service was lackluster, they brought us each out mains separately and slowly over the course of 15 mins so those who got their food first had cold food by the time everyone was served. Additionally, my chicken entree was just chicken, no sides or anything and the server never mentioned that at the beginning. read more

Fanfreakingtastic. One of the best meals we've had in CT. Homemade pizza dough is out of this world good and service is very genial. Great tap list and cozy, warm wood interior. Nothing else like this around. Highly recommend a visit and returning soon. read more

The decor was lovely. But that is about the only thing. Dined at happy hour, with a very limited menu. We had multiple "servers" and our drink order was not taken for almost 15 minutes after being seated. We only ordered a small pizza and a burger. It took over 30 minutes for our food to arrive. Food was subpar at best. Upon receiving our check, we were dumbfounded with the total. A small pizza, burger and TWO glasses of wine - $83.00. When we questioned the total, they took the check back and removed SIX dollars. When ordering a glass of wine, the "house" option should be given. $23 for a glass of wine at HAPPY HOUR is outrageous. Bottom line - this place is overpriced and overhyped. I will never be dining here again nor would I ever recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more