Gabriele's of Westport — Restaurant in Westport

There would be no way to criticize the food here, but as someone who went out with the intention of celebrating a special occasion the service was really lacking for a restaurant at this price point.

Their dismissive attitude colored our entire experience here and while we did enjoy the food, it really isn’t something I would have had trouble sourcing and make myself at home. At least at home I would not be paying nearly $1,000 for the pleasure of having an entire restaurant staff make it known how unnecessary they consider my family’s presence to be to their business.

When you go out you want an experience, ambiance and a thoughtful and attentive staff. If you don’t have the attentive staff then the beautiful ambiance and experience of ordering the lovely dishes on the menu just gets soured and this place really missed the mark in terms of our expectations for going out as a family to celebrate together. I wish we had just stayed home. It was sad because we were really excited to have found this place and somehow even though we have lived in the area since the 90s had not heard of this restaurant.

They have a sommelier who was unable (or perhaps unwilling) to explain to me the different French wines they had and make an effective recommendation of which would go the best with our food. He ended up suggesting the most expensive bottle and basically said « I like this one. » I lived in France for 10 years and one of my closest friends is a sommelier who builds wine caves for restaurants all over the world…it’s not supposed to be like that…So, I see he’s not going to explain the blends or the vineyards and what makes them special. I take the more expensive bottle he suggested and figured, what the hell? Maybe it will surprise me. When the bottle arrived and he came over, didn’t decant the bottle or say one word about it to the table. I assume that is because he thought as a woman who looks deceptively young I didn’t know the difference…well, that isn’t the case. Extremely disappointing because I love learning about why a house sommelier choses the wines they do for the restaurant. Thé champagne selection was also wanting…no Dom Ruinart vintages or even Veuve Clicquot.

Then we had the waitress who didn’t bring bread, filled the water glasses with tap water when we had ordered bottled water, one of the dishes was not only late but it was wrong - and it was a salad they clearly forgot to make and threw it together at the last second. The presentation was really subpar. Despite only having 3 small tables our waitress could have cared less about ours and it was reflective in the wait time and how she totally didn’t pay attention to a word coming out of our mouth. The staff put the same amount of care into wrapping up our leftovers, and clearly didn’t put all the leftovers in our to go containers. This is exceptionally annoying and why I would have almost preferred to put it from the plate into the container myself. Maybe then the containers wouldn’t have been sticky?

If they knew better…they would do better. I would take lesser quality food for a more engaging staff and an atmosphere that feels inviting and warm all day...

Our recent visit to Gabriel’s in Westport, CT, was an exquisite journey from start to finish, with every detail contributing to a truly memorable evening. The ambiance of the restaurant, with its enchanting fireplace, thoughtfully selected decor, and mood-setting lighting, created an atmosphere that was both calming and magical.

The warmth of our welcome set the tone for the night, beginning with a gracious hostess who not only took our coats but also complimented my wife’s attire, igniting a smile that lasted the entire evening. This personal touch added a special glow to our experience.

Our waitress was a delight, promptly attending to us with professionalism and warmth. Her knowledge of the menu and the evening’s specials was impressive, and her guidance was invaluable, especially with our dietary preferences in mind. She made our dining experience seamless and enjoyable.

The culinary offerings were exceptional, with both the fish special and the chicken scarpiello surpassing our expectations in presentation and taste. However, a standout feature of our dining experience was the wine list. Even for those of us choosing to savor a glass rather than a bottle, the selection was above average. My choice of Brunello was superb, rich in flavor and perfectly complementing my meal, while my wife’s Chardonnay was equally impressive, enhancing her dining pleasure.

The crowning touch to our meal was the freshly baked chocolate soufflé, a decadent end to a perfect evening. Our experience at Gabriel’s was one we’ve reminisced about for days and eagerly shared with friends. It stands out as one of the most enchanting dining experiences we’ve had recently, marked by exceptional service, a warm ambiance, and a wine list that truly impresses. Gabriel’s is a five-star treasure in Westport, CT, that beckons...

Gabrielle’s is impressive and should be on every top Westport dining lists. A small but cozy bar greets you upon entrance. The backlit illumination baths the bar in a welcoming warmth. The dining rooms are larger than you’d expect but don’t create a dining / beer hall feel. Dress is upscale – no jacket required but you’ll want to look professional.

Our server was knowledgeable and comfortable providing meaningful recommendations. She was also incredibly personable, and we enjoyed learning a bit about her.

We started with two salads, Caesar and House, – both were excellent (the dressing on the House is fantastic). From there, my guest ordered the pork chop and I got the NY Strip. The pork was cooked to perfection – juicy and flavorful. The steak was marbled, juicy, and positively delicious. We finished with the chocolate soufflé, which I would also recommend.

Dropping Gabriel’s from five stars is the sommelier, who was positively slippery. We were looking at three Loire Valley white wines in the $90 - $105 range. The sommelier responded that he had another French white he suggested instead. He did not volunteer the price of his recommended white, and I almost assumed it was in the same range as those I asked him about. Fortunately, I asked and he sheepishly admitted that his recommendation was $220. That’s a bad move. If a customer is looking at a $100 bottle, the sommelier is free to recommend a more expensive bottle, but he / she should note that as part of the sales pitch.

Otherwise, prices were more than fair and we’ll be back to Gabriel’s (but we’ll be picking...