The Village Bistro — Restaurant in Chester

If you're looking for an adorable little town, or a great date night, Chester is the place to be. The Village Bistro might be a good stop, but I would say only for drinks.

My partner and I started out with a vodka gimlet, and their signature "Hucklecherry Finn." The gimlet my partner got was just okay, but the "Hucklecherry Finn" I ordered was next level. To say that it was amazing is truly an understatement. It was SO delicious, and such a memorable drink - so much so that we each got one on second round.

Unfortunately, my praises go south from there.

The oysters we started with were good, but were served with a sort of cocktail sauce that was smokey, and almost more reminiscent of a barbecue sauce.

The butternut crab bisque, roasted pork belly, and ricotta toast came next (almost 25 minutes later, mind you).

The crab in the bisque was tasty and tender, but the bisque was very watery. The pork belly lacked much flavor; the little bit of peanut butter was melted down at the bottom of the plate, and the "jalapeño apple jam" consisted more of just chopped up apples on top. The ricotta toast was probably the best out of these three, with good-tasting sausage.

We split the vodka rigatoni, and while the pasta was cooked well (not overdone and not al dente), the taste was truly unremarkable.

Before being offered dessert, we were already finding alternative options. (Thank goodness Honeycone was still open to salvage the night).

The ambiance was great, and our server was wonderful (slow food service aside).

Overall, not worth the $160+ (before...

My wife and I the pleasure of dining at this charming French restaurant on multiple occasions and they continue to exceed expectations. From the moment we stepped in, the warm ambiance and impeccable service set the tone for a delightful evening. The attention to detail and commitment to authenticity were evident in every aspect of our experience.

The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the perfectly cooked duck, a masterpiece of French culinary artistry. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, showcasing the chef's skill and dedication to traditional French cuisine. And let's not forget the French onion soup – it's not an exaggeration to say it might just be the best in the entire state. Rich, flavorful, and topped with the perfect amount of gooey cheese, it's a dish that will linger in your memory long after the meal is over.

In addition to the outstanding food, the service was impeccable. Attentive yet unobtrusive, the staff made us feel welcome and well-cared for throughout the evening. Their passion for French cuisine was evident in their knowledge and enthusiasm, enhancing our overall dining experience.

Overall, I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. Whether you're a connoisseur of French cuisine or simply looking for a memorable dining experience, this hidden gem is sure to impress. Five stars all around – We will definitely be back for more culinary delights and continue to recommend friends and family to this wonderful...

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...