When I was asked recently where I would like to dine on my birthday, I could think of only one restaurant in Greenwich: Homestead Inn.
Then I thought about all the restaurants in town I’ve sampled only once or twice with no desire for another visit: Gabriele’s, Nuage, Rebecca’s, Jean-Louis, L’Escale, Toscano, Lolita’s, China White, which was recently reviewed in the Greenwich Time.
To be sure, there are many nice restaurants in town, and even some unique ones. (Meli-Melo on the Ave comes to mind.) But in general, you have to go to neighboring towns to find great food and good value: Tarry Lodge in Port Chester, Napa & Co. in Stamford, Arrosto in Port Chester, Sonora in Port Chester, Aberdeen in White Plains, Tequila Mockingbird in New Canaan, Ching’s Table in New Canaan – to name a few.
The No. 1 Greenwich restaurant on Yelp is “Burgers, Shakes and Fries” in Byram. Nuf said. (No. 1 on TripAdvisor is Thomas Henkelmann – aka Homestead Inn).
No doubt, my gastronomic ennui is heavily influenced by my extensive travel to places like San Francisco, Chicago and Texas. On the rare occasion I feel like steak, there is no comparison to Gibson’s in Chicago, or Pappas Bros in Texas. I feel blessed to be able to call SF a second home. That city has attained a true culinary nirvana – and you don’t need a second mortgage to have dinner out.
Nonetheless, there are plenty of Greenwich restaurants which offer great value: Centro in Glenville, Hunan Cafe in OG, MacKenzie’s in OG, Greenwich Tavern in OG, Pasta Vera on the Ave, Boxcar Cantina on Railroad Ave … I also hear great things about Crew on Railroad Ave which I have never been … But these are generally family places … Just don’t expect Greenwich to deliver extraordinary dining experiences.
What’s your view?
Haven’t been there in a long time, but the Elm Street Oyster House on West Elm is one of my favorites of all time.
Comment by Tom Mellana — January 12th, 2012 @ 12:22 pm
This is probably the dumbest claim I have heard. Greenwich has been a restaurant hub for almost 20 years.
Comment by Local Yocal — January 12th, 2012 @ 2:11 pm
I pretty much agree with the article’s evaluation of local restaurants. I think the biggest offender is Rebeccas. It is horribly overpriced with dreadful service and lately, dreadful food. I used to enjoy going there, but the last few visits were very disappointing. The last visit was a FOUR hour dinner (I felt crippled when I stood up). I ordered scallops with truffles over risotto, which I have ordered in the past with delight. This time they served me dime sized “rubber” scallops with tasteless truffles and charged me $90. My dog could have prepared a better meal. This was not their only mess up over the years. I have decided to never return and take my business to Port Chester or the Homestead Inn, which is always a wonderful experience.
Comment by Local Resident — January 12th, 2012 @ 3:20 pm
Just last night I had my third wonderful meal at Louie’s in Cos Cob. Perfectly prepared food and cozy setting. Try it!
Overall, though, I agree with your assessment of Greenwich restaurants. We usually eat in Stamford or Portchester.
Comment by Jeannine Riley — January 12th, 2012 @ 3:45 pm
I am a town native so I have seen restaurants come and go in my 42 years. I will admit, due to personal reasons, I have not dined out much in years,but I made a commitement with a friend that we are gonna change that.
I went to lunch at Baang yesterday, It had been years, but I found always too be good. I agree with poster 1. Elm Street Oyster House has always provided a good meal.
I am looking foward to getting in the groove again, but we all have different tastes and bugets, so there is never going to be a general consensus on what we all like. But we do live in a town with many options.
Comment by Greg — January 12th, 2012 @ 6:46 pm
I agree with #2 above”dumbest claim” ever. Greenwich offers their resisdents a wide varity of eating or dining choices, and there is a difference. They have fine dining, e.g. The Homestead and they have eateries. They recently changed Chef’s and menus at Versailles Bistro and Bakery on Greenwich Avenue. Real Bistro food served unpretentiously in a beatiful space and very reasonably prices.
A hidden jem open seven day a week from breakfast through dinner. There frites are killer.
Comment by Michael — January 12th, 2012 @ 6:58 pm
Greenwich does have a couple of family places for dining. Since Maneros closed there really isnt a nice steak house for the whole family to dine at. Instead of putting up banks maybe some nice family dining places should be considered instead. Maybe a nice seafood place to replace the Clam Box that use to be in Cos Cob. It would be nice to have more of a variety of places to dine other than hamburgers and such to eat at. I agree with the article.
Comment by Diane Kirkland — January 12th, 2012 @ 7:43 pm
Seriously! Who listens to Yelp. You have your choice of good and great food depending on your mood and hunger.
Price is a different story, but I have never had a bad meal at Gabriel’s, JeanLouis, Polpo’s, Louie’s, Valbella, Mediterraneo or Terra. Even the delis are good in Greenwich, but Burger Shakes & Fries – not even close.
Comment by Townie — January 12th, 2012 @ 8:32 pm
hey townie, you are right BSF isn’t good-not even close-its GREAT!
Comment by clarence — January 13th, 2012 @ 8:42 am