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The Essex Brasserie, Branford, CT

The Essex Brasserie

4.2
4.2
74 Reviews
$30 and under
French

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
  • Neighbourhood 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
  • Neighbourhood
    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 74 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • New Haven

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Essex Brasserie shines with "fantastic dining experiences," offering delicious French-inspired dishes and impressive service. Highlights include "excellent food" like the lobster beet fusilli and steak tartare, and a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Despite minor service hiccups, patrons love the "amazing ambiance," "knowledgeable staff," and "generous portions," making it a Branford favorite.

74 Reviews

  1. Joe

    VIP

    New York City

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was fantastic. Service was great. Awesome experience.

    Is this helpful?

  2. David

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything soo tasty. Service great. Will definitely return

    Is this helpful?

  3. WILLIAM

    New York City

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very good excellent service Nat was a good waiter and attentive

    Is this helpful?

  4. Mark

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful bistro. Relaxed atmosphere, low noise level allowing for conversation, and outstanding food. Terrific addition to the area dining scene.

    Is this helpful?

  5. tom

    Hawaii

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Been to their others locations and food was much better. Had early reservation (6:30) and they were still out of a few menu items.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Suzanne

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    38 reviews

    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love this restaurant. Food and service are great. My next visit will be on a Tuesday for bouillabaisse.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Colette

    VIP

    New York City

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 24, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Delicious Flake Meunière...very large portion. Attentive staff. Will go again!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Corey

    New York City

    25 reviews

    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The savory food was excellent. Desserts were good to very good, but not great. Server was nice, but didn’t do a great job refilling water. The space seems to work better for the brasserie than it did for the previous iteration.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Daniel

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service, delicious food in generous portions. Quiet atmosphere, beautifully decorated.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Jenna

    Connecticut

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Not only was the food impressive at The Essex Brasserie, but the ambiance and service was exceptional, as well. From wine to food to cocktails, our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, which made ordering lighthearted and breezy. With a party of 5, noise level could become a concern. But the volume was at a minimum all night, even as the dining room and bar filled up on a Saturday evening. Also, although the menu may seem pricey, the quality of food and generous servings more than make up for it - you are truly getting what you pay for. Although we loved everything we got, among our favorites were the Nantua Moules Frites, Lobster Thermidor, and the Filet (which was cooked to perfection). We will absolutely be back!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Essex Brasserie is rated 4.2 stars by 74 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 p.m.
Google Map for The Essex Brasserie

120 N Main St, Branford, CT 06405

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Cedar Street
  • Neighbourhood
    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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