The Cottage

- 256 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880

For Connecticut diners seeking a truly premier and seasonally inspired culinary journey, **The Cottage** in Westport is a celebrated destination that consistently raises the bar for American cuisine in the region. Since its opening, this restaurant has garnered critical acclaim for its thoughtful, innovative dishes and its unwavering commitment to sourcing the finest local ingredients. Led by James Beard-nominated Chef Brian Lewis, The Cottage delivers a sophisticated yet casually charming experience where coastal elegance meets modern cooking techniques.

The core philosophy here is "seasonal American cooking," meaning the menu is fluid, constantly evolving to showcase the best bounty from local and regional farmers and purveyors. This dedication to local food is not just a trend; it's a foundational commitment, with Chef Lewis actively partnering with local farms like Millstone Farm and Holbrook Farm for ingredients like farm eggs, Chioggia beets, and fresh produce. The result is a dining experience that feels connected to the Connecticut landscape, where every dish is a celebration of the season.

The atmosphere at The Cottage perfectly complements its culinary style. It is described as cozy, romantic, trendy, and upscale, featuring a beautiful interior with white-washed wooden beams that evoke a breezy, chic seaside cottage. This intimate setting, often highlighted by a candlelit ambiance, makes it an ideal spot for date nights, special occasions, or an unpretentious fine-dining evening. The service is attentive and excellent, with servers praised for being "attentive without being overpowering."

While the focus is on seasonal American cooking, the menu is eclectic, incorporating global flavors and techniques, particularly Asian influences, as seen in items like **Wagyu Brisket Steam Buns** with Napa kimchi or the **Spicy Squid & Broccoli** with black garlic. This innovative approach ensures that even regular visitors always find something new and exciting to explore. Be advised, as an experience-focused establishment, the pricing reflects the haute cuisine quality and meticulous presentation, and reservations are highly recommended, often required, to secure your seating.

Location and Accessibility

The Cottage is centrally located at **256 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880**. This prime spot in the heart of Westport makes it easily accessible for residents across Fairfield County and beyond. The area is known for its upscale retail and dining, positioning The Cottage as a centerpiece of the local fine dining scene.

Accessibility is a key consideration for the restaurant, which provides several accommodations for all guests:

• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**
• **Wheelchair accessible restroom**
• **Wheelchair accessible seating**

A major convenience for guests is the ample parking available in the vicinity. The Cottage offers multiple parking solutions to ensure a smooth start to your experience, including a **free parking garage**, a **free parking lot**, and **free street parking** options nearby. While parking is described as "plenty," it may be located behind the building or require a short walk, a common consideration in the downtown Westport area.

Services Offered

The Cottage provides a focused, high-end dining experience supplemented by a top-tier beverage and dessert program. The primary services include:

• **Year-Round Dining:** Offers full table service for both **Brunch** and **Dinner**. The Dinner service is available Tuesday through Sunday, and Brunch is a popular Sunday fixture.
• **Reservation Policy:** Due to its popularity and intimate size, **Reservations are required** for dinner, and **Brunch reservations are recommended** to guarantee seating.
• **Beverage Excellence:** Features a **Bar onsite** with **Great cocktails**, a **Great wine list** of global boutique wines, **Beer**, and **Hard liquor**. They also offer a **Great coffee** program.
• **Flexible Ordering:** Provides **Takeout** for those wishing to enjoy the cuisine at home, though the primary focus is the **Dine-in** experience.
• **Menu Variety:** The kitchen offers a full range of **Small plates**, **Organic dishes**, and **Vegetarian options**, ensuring diverse dietary preferences can be accommodated.
• **Atmosphere & Amenities:** Offers **Seating**, **Counter service** (at the bar), a **Gender-neutral restroom**, and complimentary **Wi-Fi**.

Features / Highlights

The Cottage is renowned for its distinctive culinary approach and exceptional offerings, making it a standout in Connecticut's dining landscape:

• **Seasonal, Local Cuisine:** A true "farm-to-table" proponent, with menus changing weekly to reflect the freshest local ingredients, including produce from the Westport Farmers’ Market and local farms.
• **Signature Savory Dishes:** Highlights include the indulgent **Lobster Spaghetti** with sea urchin and Calabrian chilis, the must-try **Wagyu Brisket Steam Buns** with Napa kimchi and duck fat potato tempura, and the meticulously presented **Halibut in Fig Leaves**.
• **Upscale Comfort Food:** The menu elevates comfort food classics, such as the **Prime Burger & Fries** with gruyere and bacon-onion jam, and the richly satisfying **Cottage Duck Hash** for brunch.
• **Exceptional Brunch Menu:** The Sunday offering is highly sought after, featuring inventive dishes like **Buttered Lobster Eggs Benedict** with Meyer lemon hollandaise and **Soft Duck Egg w/ Chorizo**.
• **Acclaimed Wine & Cocktails:** Features a robust list of fine wines, meticulously chosen to pair with the seasonal cuisine, alongside creative, house-made craft cocktails.
• **Artful Presentation:** Dishes are described as "artful" and "immaculate," with a strong emphasis on beautiful presentation, reflecting the high standards of haute cuisine.

Contact Information

To secure a table at this highly-sought-after Westport destination, or for any inquiries regarding the seasonal menu, please use the contact details below:

Address: 256 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880

Phone: (203) 557-3701

Mobile Phone: +1 203-557-3701

What is Worth Choosing

The Cottage is worth choosing for Connecticut residents who seek an authentic, cutting-edge, and high-quality dining experience. You are not just paying for food, but for the entire "haute cuisine" experience delivered by a James Beard-nominated chef and his talented team. The restaurant’s dedication to **seasonal American cooking** ensures the freshest, most vibrant flavors possible, with the menu being a constant source of innovation and surprise.

This is the destination for a truly memorable evening. The intimate, **Romantic** and **Upscale** atmosphere, coupled with the impeccable service and stunning presentation of every dish, makes The Cottage perfect for milestone celebrations or a sophisticated date night. Furthermore, the commitment to its world-class **Great wine list** and unique **Great cocktails** ensures that the beverage program is just as creative and carefully curated as the food. While it sits at a premium price point, visitors choose The Cottage because it consistently provides a superior, critically acclaimed dining performance unmatched by most in the Connecticut area.

The Cottage

256 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880, USA