Lenny & Joe's — Restaurant in Westbrook

Our story begins with my two sisters and I excited to try Lenny & Joe's for the first time. We took a long drive from Massachusetts to New Haven, CT. Location 501 Long Wharf drive. We were greeted by Steve who we found out later to be the Manager of this location. Steve sat us at a table that at least 8 people could have sat comfortably in. There was a smaller table below us which would have given us a better view of the water. So when Steve returned we politely asked him could we go to the next table. Steve "The Manager" looked us in the eye and said unfortunately we could not sit there because he was holding the larger tables just in case groups of 5 or more came in. Keep in mind I stated above that the table we were sitting at could have sat at least 8 people comfortable. Needless to say that didn't make any sense to us. We began to explain to Steve that it did not make sense to hold a table for a group of 5 or more people that did NOT exist while we were there sitting at a table that could seat a larger group and that he should acknowledge the paying customers that was there verses anticipating a group that might or might not come. Mind you the table was not reserved for certain. This was simply Steve's speculation of just in case. Sigh! Again he said well I apologize but that's the way it is. At this point we got up and decided not to patronize there. I also asked Steve for his Manager and he stated that he was the Manager. I said again Steve I'm certain that you have a Manager and I need to speak to someone other than you. He finally gave me a card with 3 locations on it which included the location in New Haven. I called the Westbrook, CT location and spoke to a Manager by the name of Roger which did everything possible to make things right for us including calling the New Haven, CT General Manager by the name of Victor which was supposed to give me a call within a few minutes but Never did. I still don't understand that. However, we stated to Roger that we drove a long way and would like to come to his location which was approximately another 28 minute ride. Roger said his shift was soon to end but if he was not there when we got there he would pass the information about our experience to the best of his knowledge to the General Manager John at the Westbrook, CT location. When we arrived we were greeted with open arms by John and Roger . They went above and beyond our expectation. The waitress was awesome the service was very good and the food was extremely great. We we're happy we decided not to let the horrible experience we received with Steve at the New Haven, CT location interfere with the awesome experience we received from John and Roger at the Westbrook, CT location. The reason Lenny & Joe's can get a 5 star from me is simple. One bad apple don't spoil a whole bunch. "Update" the General Manager Victor did call me back and was very professional and concerned about our issue. He made things right....

Reply to owner response:

Joe,

While you may call the food delicious, I am an actual customer that is saying it is not. The portion was small and the stuffing was not good. The other person with me also did not like it. Don't pr spin feedback, just make better food if you want to keep customers coming back. Ask the chef at the Monkey Farm how they do it or whatever is needed to fix that dish.

We did bring up the issue with the server and sent that dish back to where it came from. We got a smiley face drawn on our receipt, other than that (and the sole not being charged for) there wasn't any other follow up.

As for the Covid stuff, keep it or not. If other customers like it great, but the seat I was sitting in was definitely made worse from the plastic bucket effect. Go with an actual booth divider with a sound absorber cover. It's been 3+ years. Temporary plastic is not a good look.

Original review: Reading other reviews the owner seems to cite Covid, prices increasing, etc, etc as a response for any bad review, then say they feel everything is good to go and they did a good job.

I dined in last night and the food was not good. Ordered a stuffed sole dinner for $25.95, It was bland fish, terrible and dry Ritz crackers mashed into a "stuffing" a small side of rice and some French fries with no butter or seasoning. It just was not good, and it was definitely not a good value. The same menu item at The Monkey Farm in Old Saybrook is much better, and lower cost.

I sent it back and got a burger instead, the waitress did not tell me it was a kids burger and I received quite possibly the thinnest burger I have ever seen. At $7.95 it was an ok value for a kids meal, but still not great.

Finally, there are Covid plastic sheets still up. It is like sitting in a plastic bucket. Even though the restaurant was mostly empty all customers were seated back to back, so its not a "real" Covid thing, its just keeping crap up everywhere for some reason.

Clearly this is one of those places that is declining and citing Covid and the price increases instead of dealing with the material service issues, a strange recent trend among some service oriented facilities where they just "give up".

They used to offer an all you can eat special, solid value lunch pricing, and decent dinners. Not any more.

The food quality, quality control, and value are very poor. The service could be improved but is acceptable as it.

The only reason I would go to a restaurant like this is for a big, value oriented, flavorful meal, and that was it's biggest point of failure.

I will...

Ahoy, fellow food explorers! In my quest for fresh seafood along Connecticut's shores, I dropped anchor at Lenny and Joe's. Hoping to discover a cornucopia of oceanic delights, I set my sights on the dishes before me. While the food had its moments, the overall experience left me with a mixed catch.

Our adventure began with a platter of oysters, enticingly fresh from the sea. They were enjoyable, providing a decent taste, but they failed to truly make waves. While I appreciated their quality, they didn't quite reach the extraordinary flavor that would make me sing their praises to the heavens.

Next, we delved into the depths of their lobster Bisque. The promise of rich flavors and succulent chunks of lobster held our hopes high. As we took our first spoonfuls, we discovered that while the lobster portions were generous, the Bisque lacked the necessary oomph. It left us yearning for a bolder, more flavorful essence to truly elevate the experience.

As our main courses arrived, we eagerly anticipated the promised seasoned potatoes. Alas, disappointment washed over us. The menu had confidently advertised flavorful, seasoned spuds, but what we received were unseasoned little red potatoes, bereft of any seasoning whatsoever. It was a missed opportunity to complement our meal with a burst of flavor. Unfortunately, this lackluster execution extended to all the sides, rendering them disappointingly bland.

Despite our longing for a taste of the ocean's treasures, we opted for the lobster casserole. While it showed promise, the execution fell slightly short. The lobster itself, while present in the casserole, was a tad overcooked, resulting in a slightly rubbery texture. It was a shame, as a perfectly executed dish would have been the crowning jewel of our maritime feast.

Now, let's address the lack of diverse seafood options. In a coastal haven like Connecticut, where fresh catches abound, it's disheartening to find an overemphasis on fried dishes. While Lenny and Joe's may cater well to those seeking crispy indulgence, it detracts from the opportunity to showcase the natural flavors of the sea in their true glory.

In conclusion, my gastronomic journey at Lenny and Joe's left me with mixed feelings. While there were enjoyable moments, the overall experience failed to live up to the potential of the region's abundant seafood offerings. If you find yourself craving fried seafood, this may be the place for you. However, if you're seeking a more diverse and elevated seafood experience, you may want to cast your net elsewhere along the...