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The Essex Brasserie, Branford, CT

The Essex Brasserie

4.4
4.4
41 Reviews
$30 and under
French

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 1 time today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Innovative
  • Neighborhood gem
Chef Colt Taylor, celebrated for his culinary gem, The Essex in Old Saybrook, is proud to announce the opening of The Essex Brasserie in Branford, Connecticut, This is comfort food at its finest.

The Essex Brasserie showcases Chef Taylor’s innovative approach to French cuisine with a focus on local ingredients and bold flavors. The menu features classic French dishes, including many of the favorites at The Essex. Among the highlights:

Lobster Bisque, Clam Chowders & French Onion Soup

The Wagyu Burger

Beef Wellington served with pomme purée, haricot verts, and bordelaise

Fluke Meunière: A zesty and flavorful dish with peanut chile crisp

Moules Frites: Fresh mussels offered in three unique styles

The famous Essex Lobster & Beet Fusilli

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French, American, Contemporary French
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (860) 237-4266
  • Website
    https://theessexbrasserie.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Colt Taylor
  • Location
    120 N Main St, Branford, CT 06405
  • Neighborhood
    Branford
  • Cross street
    Cedar Street
  • Parking details
    Park in the Rear and enter through the back door!
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

At present, we do not have menu information for this restaurant. Please see their website or wait to visit the restaurant to learn more.

What 41 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Connecticut

    Innovative

  • New Haven

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Essex Brasserie offers a delightful French-inspired dining experience in Branford, featuring "outstanding and delicious food" and "impeccable service." Guests rave about the "amazing" menu, including unique options like lobster and beet pasta. While some reviews mention service inconsistencies, the overall ambiance and culinary excellence make it "a must-try in Branford."

41 Reviews

  1. michele

    New York City

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was excellent; great flavors and cooked perfectly. I had the fluke and highly recommend it. The service was very good; the waiter was very knowledgeable.

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  2. Chris

    Connecticut

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Don’t miss the tuna toast or steak tartare. Chowder best I’ve ever had! Steak frites on point. Great food. Great drinks. Casual but nice enough for a date night with class.

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  3. C

    New York City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful service. Welcoming atmosphere and fun and delicious food! This will become a frequent rotation restaurant!

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Connecticut

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 19, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The background music was unappealing. Service was great. The physical setting was good. The food was what one would expect at a French restaurant at the prices one would expect at a French restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  5. David

    Las Vegas

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Food is fantastic. Restaurant still getting its feet underneath and service was erratic. I wish the space was a bit warmer, not temperature but vibe. We'll be back because of the food, the bread/butter is excellent.

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  6. Anthony

    New York City

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was attentive and friendly, making us feel right at home. The food was delicious, with each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening out.

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  7. Deborah

    New York City

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 13, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Very good food, but it took a long time to be served

    Is this helpful?

  8. steven

    Connecticut

    13 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    High cost wasn’t justified. Food was ok. But very slow bar service and equally slow kitchen put a damper on the evening. Server was spectacular. It wasn’t her fault!

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  9. Melissa

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 8, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was good. Highly recommend the lobster and beet fuselli

    Is this helpful?

  10. terese

    New York City

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a pleasure dining at this fairly new establishment in Branford. The menu is excellent with a variety of choices. The ambiance is soft and pleasant with nice music in the background. The service is friendly and attentive. We had the lobster bisque, gravlox, steak frites, and risotto. It was all delicious. They could use a few more options for dessert but we had the Pavlova which was tasty. We will definitely be regulars going forward!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Essex Brasserie is rated 4.4 stars by 41 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 1 time today
Google Map for The Essex Brasserie

120 N Main St, Branford, CT 06405

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Cedar Street
  • Neighborhood
    Branford
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    French, American, Contemporary French
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Park in the Rear and enter through the back door!
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Colt Taylor
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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