Best Contemporary American Restaurants in Hampden

Our most recent return to The Wolf's Tailor is the first time I've been since they have done away with the a la carte menu. (I still miss that and would love to sit at the bar once again with a pasta and cocktail.) But, the tasting experience today is outstanding. All killer no filler when it comes to the courses, with many highlights (Dungeness, pasta, both bison dishes, sorbet course and squab). Service was warm and provided an appropriate amount of explanation. Will definitely be returning.

It was overall an amazing experience! Delicious food and wonderful staff!

The food was great as was the service. When we arrived the music (old Taylor Swift) was so loud we could not have a conversation. To their credit the music was turned down to a tolerable level at our request.

Our experience was very good. From the moment you walk in there is no question that it is an extremely unique space. From the lighting to the decor, everything was stunning. I’m happy to say the food matched the ambience. We loved the dishes we ordered. Everything was fresh, flavorful and delightful. The service was amazing as well. Very excited to go back in the summer and enjoy the rooftop patio.

Brutø is next-level dining—seriously, what a ride! From the second you walk in, it’s clear this place isn’t messing around. The vibe? Modern, cozy, and a little edgy, like it knows it’s cool but doesn’t need to try too hard. Even the plates, bowls, and cutlery were so on point that I caught myself thinking, “I need to step up my dinnerware game.” We went big with the 11-course tasting menu, and wow—just wow. Each course was like opening a little gift, perfectly wrapped and full of surprises. Every single dish had a story, a purpose, and a whole lot of heart behind it. You could feel the thought and care that went into not just the food, but the entire experience. The flavors were bold and inventive but somehow still comforting. Oh, and everything? Sustainable in some way, which made me love this place even more. And Lauren, our expert in literally everything…absolute rockstar! She didn’t just bring us food; she brought us into the food. The way she described each dish and wine pairing—like she was giving us the inside scoop on a masterpiece—made the whole night feel like a VIP event. Plus, her energy was infectious. You could tell she loved what she was doing, and it made all the difference. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a full-on experience. Brutø is the kind of place that makes you want to tell everyone you know about it and then book your next visit before you’ve even left. I’m counting the days until I can go back and hopefully see Lauren again. If you’re on the fence—go. Just go. You’ll thank me later.