Terra — Restaurant in Danbury

While my waitress was good under the circumstances and I always generously tip when someone has to work on holiday. I left, the overall experience was frustrating and disappointing. I had made a reservation for Easter brunch and was contacted three times—twice by phone and once by text—to confirm. Each time I called back, I was put on hold and met with confusion.

My reservation was for one person at a table. When I arrived, the entrance was packed—a complete sea of people—with no clear direction or host in sight. I followed a small sign and waited where I thought I was supposed to be, but after 10 minutes of being ignored, I asked staff if I was in the wrong place. They sent me to the opposite end of the restaurant, only for me to be redirected again through the buffet to the same original spot. And then back to the other end of the restaurant again. Eventually, a kind waiter noticed I needed help and found the hostess for me.

However, she tried to seat me at the bar, which was right where all the buffet desserts were being served. I had specifically selected a table when booking, and the bar option had been grayed out online—it wasn’t even an option. I politely explained this, but was dismissed and ultimately seated in the hotel lobby, far from the dining area. Being told oh it’s Easter even after explained that I had not had a great morning and was looking forward to brunch.

The atmosphere there was chaotic—drunk guests stumbling through, including one woman loudly singing opera on her way back to her room. People kept approaching me, mistaking me for staff, asking about the menu and where to check in. It was uncomfortable and definitely not the relaxing brunch I had envisioned.

While the food itself was good what little I ate of it and fairly priced (though drink prices had gone up), the entire setting was disorganized and overcrowded. Minus tip I spent $95. And much the food was picked over by the time I tried to get something to eat and hadn’t been replenished the entire time I was at my meal. Which the experience was so unpleasant I left in under an hour of getting seated. I ended up leaving hungry and having to make something when I got home cause I didn’t wanna have fish for brunch. I couldn't even safely leave my payment unattended in the lobby and had to track down a staff member to ensure it was handled properly.

It was a very unpleasant day overall. I had been looking forward to this brunch as a way to turn my day around, but it only added to my stress. It’s a shame, because I live nearby and this could have been a great spot for hosting clients or meetings in the future. Sadly, I won’t...

This past weekend, I ventured into Terra, nestled within the chic Hotel Zero Degrees in Danbury, Connecticut 🏨✨. This gem of a hotel houses an exceptional, upscale restaurant that boasts an extensive menu that will satisfy any food lover’s palate 🍽️.

Our appetizers set the bar pretty high. First up was the crispy buffalo cauliflower, adorned with micro celery and a decadent gorgonzola sour cream 🌶️🥦. The cauliflower struck the perfect balance - crispy without being overly fried, bursting with flavors that scored a delicious 9/10 on my scale. Next, we savored the gnocchi al forno, a heavenly blend of porcini mushroom cream, nduja (pork), and lemon breadcrumbs 🍄🍋. The mushrooms effortlessly won my heart, earning an easy 10/10.

For our mains, we explored the hidden fjord salmon, accompanied by heirloom beans, Brussels sprouts, and a rich porcini and tomato sugo 🐟🍅. While the sauce had a slightly off note, the salmon itself was impeccably cooked, meriting a 7/10. The 12 oz. C.A.B. strip steak, served with duck fat potatoes, mixed mushrooms, and sherry vinegar, was a carnivore’s delight, perfectly medium-rare with a sauce that was nothing short of amazing 🥩🍄. And let’s not forget the special - fish tacos that were so delightful, I believe they deserve a permanent spot on the menu 🌮🐠 9/10.

Dessert was a sweet finale with their strawberry shortcake in a cup and a luxurious chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream 🍓🍰🍫. Both desserts were a testament to indulgence, effortlessly meriting a 9/10 with their perfect pairings and depth of flavor.

For those with a penchant for espresso martinis, Terra’s rendition, where the coffee taste is subtly masked, is an absolute must-try ☕🍸. Beyond the exquisite food, Terra’s vibrant ambiance and extensive drink selection make it a must-visit spot 🍹🎶.

Overall Scores:

Food: 9/10 🍴 Affordability: 4/10 💸 Ambiance: 8/10 🌟 Terra isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience worth indulging in. Whether you’re a foodie or just in search of a great spot to dine, Terra promises an unforgettable...

Imagine paying over $5000 for your son’s post wedding 1 ½ hour farewell brunch and seeing your guests (under 75 people) walk up to the bar to pour their own coffee from an urn into paper/disposable cups, and then walk back to their bare tables (no place settings) with coffee in one hand and sugar packets and individual creamers in the other. I couldn’t believe it and I was really upset.

I asked to speak with the event planner, and she told me that this is what they do and mentioned something about a safety issue with regard to the disposable cups??? and acted surprised that I was upset, saying that she had never gotten such a complaint. (Read all the negative reviews and you will see similar complaints.) I took a deep breath and went back to my guests because I didn’t want to spoil what was an amazing weekend.

For context, before we booked the event we went to the restaurant with the bride and groom and the bride’s parents. We sat at a lovely table and enjoyed a very good brunch with excellent service. I therefore fully expected the same for my son’s farewell brunch - place settings on each table and wait staff, of which there were plenty, circulating from table to table with fresh coffee. When we officially booked, we were never told about the disposable cups and self-serve/cafeteria style breakfast, and it was written nowhere on the contract.

As previously stated, the food really was very good, and we added the omelet station and French toast as enhancements – no regrets there. But if Terra wants their service to match the quality of their food, the lovely ambiance, and the very high price, then they need to set the table: fork, knife, spoon, napkin, cup, saucer, creamer and sugar bowl – it’s...