Kim Noble
I’ve been here several times now, and the Village Bistro is quickly becoming a personal haunt of mine. I just feel magic here; between the beautiful ambience, the incredible food, the literature-themed drinks and decor, and the waiters and bartenders who clearly have an appreciation for providing an elevated experience to their guests, I’ve always had a phenomenal time.
Additionally, I love a classy place where I can go as a single, middle aged woman, and be treated at the same level of valued patron whether I’m dining alone or with a friend.
… moreRochelle Grenier
HIGHLY RECOMMEND … 1st time here. Atmosphere, service, food, and overall experience A+++. Our server, Ian, was welcoming, friendly, professional, and on point along with all wait staff. Definitely a positive experience and we will be back soon. Parking tip: although limited, if you circle the center a couple times, you’ll find a good spot if not, the public parking around the corner is a nice walk. Everything we ordered was amazing. My swordfish was perfect! The cauliflower appetizer was very flavorful. The beautiful plates, all different patterned china, was beautiful and a quaint touch. We highly recommend the visit.
… morePatrick Clapp
My wife and I had dinner at the Village Bistro last night as a belated Valentine’s Day celebration. I had been there before, and it previous experiences here had been outstanding. Unfortunately, this experience was anything but.
Before I begin, I’d like to note that our server was kind, attentive, and courteous. Her service was was good and much appreciated. The food was honestly a massive let down.
my biggest gripe is the steak frites. $44 dollars for a hanger steak and a handful of fries is steep. But, it wouldn’t be an issue if the quality was great. It was not. The steak was rubbery, beyond chewy, and the flavor was lacking. We’ve all had rubbery, tough steaks. This was one of those. The fries were whatever. I will add that the oysters we got were great. The cheeseboard was pretty good. The wines were good. That’s why I’m giving 2 stars rather than 1. The Old Fashioned was improperly made and on the way-too-sweet side. The nail in the coffin was the Shrimp Rice dish. I am not a huge seafood fan, but there are a few seafood dishes I enjoy. Mostly shellfish. Well, I love shrimp due in part because it’s not fishy at all. This dish reeked of fish and tasted like extremely fishy. It honestly tasted like crab meat that was past its prime.
When it was all said and done $240 for a disappointing meal. I was very unpleasantly surprised. I’d be willing to give the Bistro another shot but it was a disappointment to say the least.
… moreCharles Macleod
I liked eating at this restaurant because of their attentive service as well as the French styled aesthetic. However the food was in my opinion good but not great. The restaurant is situated on the main street in E. Haddam. It’s a lovely spot with outdoor and indoor seating. The bar inside looked lovely, they had copper tabletops and a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.
My complaint with the food was that the burger was too thick and lacked seasoning. Personally, I think a thinner burger is tastier and the patty could have been improved with a good seasoning salt. The other aspects of the burger were fine though. The duck Benedict could have been improved by not overcooking the duck. I noticed that the duck was dry and a bit tough. However the bread and the eggs were excellent. The eggs on both the burger and the Benedict were perfectly cooked, they were runny and tasted great. The potatoes on the Benedict were tasty and savory. They had a good seasoning on them that made them stand out on the plate.
Overall, I think I would come back here if I was in the area since I liked the atmosphere and would like to give the food another chance. Their cocktail menu also looked enticing, and I would like to try out their drinks in the future.
… moreElise Paternostro
Chelsey does it right. Ambiance, staff/service, food quality/quantity, and pricing. Brunch, happy hour, dinner…everything excellent. With so many mediocre restaurants out there, Village Bistro makes dining out truly special. And…Chelsey makes the most creative delicious drinks! Thank you for a consistently excellent experience!
… moreKayla M
My friend and I had a phenomenal time at brunch here. The restaurant is gorgeous, the staff are doting, and the food was outstanding.
I had been here once before with a different friend, but wasn’t in a place where I could afford more than soup and bread.
I am so thankful I came back when I had saved up a bit of money so I could enjoy a full meal and drink. I guarantee no matter what you order you will be impressed. Their menu is kinda small which allows them to perfect everything they offer.
… moreKathy D
This is a beautifully quaint restaurant in a quintessential New England town. The rating is bases on total experience. The brunch was good, the cocktails were really tasty and the atmosphere was just lovely, a perfect combination. The french onion soup was one of the best I have had, deep flavor, not too salty and almost every bite had some bread and cheese. Grits needed a touch of salt but had a nice bite. Quiche was creamy and rich and the pickled veg on the salad were a nice contrast. Turkish eggs were also very good. Lemon dessert had a beautiful presentation and was creamy tart and not too sweet, pretty perfect dessert.
… moreElisa Funteral
Incredible dinner on the patio at The Village Bistro. Everything we tried was better than the last! Especially loved the Crispy Chicken Bao, French Onion Soup, Roasted Carrots and Gnocchi. Staff was great and their patio is dog friendly. We’ll definitely be back and need to try their brunch!
… moreLeslie Kane
Absolutely love this place! The ambiance is super romantic and the food is always delicious. Staff is great – understands the food, attentive, and responsive. Not a Michelin star but the best for a romantic evening and a great cocktail
… moreMatia Allen
I had brunch at Village Bistro last weekend with a group of friends and was drawn right back this weekend. The menu and atmosphere are equally beautiful and well thought-out. There was no rush in our service and both times I felt encouraged to linger and enjoy our meal. Don’t miss the sourdough boule with house butter or the tuna tartare!
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