The Essex Brasserie

4.2

75 Reviews

$30 and under

French

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 26, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

Good for groups
Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions

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

What 75 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

4.2Food
4.3Service
4.1Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

New Haven
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Essex Brasserie offers a "wonderful dining experience" with "fantastic" food and "excellent service." Guests rave about the "outstanding menu," including dishes like Lobster Thermidor and Filet. The ambiance is "relaxed and quiet," perfect for conversation. The Parker House-style bread and "attentive" staff are highlights, making it a "terrific addition" to Branford's dining scene.

75 Reviews

R
Ronald
VIP
New York City
22 reviews
2.0
22 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
We were a bit concerned when we arrived for our 7:30 reservation on a Thursday and noticed that the restaurant was practically empty. We were immediately seated by the friendly hostess and our drink order was taken by the sole waiter. It took quite a while for our drinks to come ( a glass of wine and a Manhattan) because the waiter had to search for the bartender. Both drinks were fine. We asked the waiter about the picked duck confit salad and were told it was duck confit off the bone over a “thick green lettuce salad”. We ordered that and the salad verte. The duck confit salad was not a salad at all but some sort of braised duck and radicchio stew. No green lettuce in sight. It wasn’t terrible but not at all what I wanted or expected. The salad verte was inedible because the vinaigrette turned out tasting like it was just straight white vinegar. It was immediately sent back. The main courses (5 spice braised short rib and sole meunière) were a bit better although the short rib was dry and the sole didn’t have much taste. I must say that the small, buttery Parker House style loaf of bread that came with the appetizers that seems to be a trademark of the chef was terrific as was the little amuse bouche. We opted not to try dessert. When the check was presented it still included the salad verte but the waiter had it taken off when we complained. We were very disappointed with the whole experience particularly since Chef Taylor has such a great reputation and we have had some very good meals at some of his other restaurants in the area over the years.
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J
Joe
VIP
New York City
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was fantastic. Service was great. Awesome experience.
Is this helpful?
D
David
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything soo tasty. Service great. Will definitely return
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W
WILLIAM
New York City
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very good excellent service Nat was a good waiter and attentive
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M
Mark
VIP
Greater Boston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 13, 2025
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.
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t
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.
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S
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.
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C
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!
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C
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.
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D
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.
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FAQs

The Essex Brasserie is rated 4.2 stars by 75 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 26, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

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

Website
https://theessexbrasserie.com/
Phone number
(860) 237-4266

The Essex Brasserie

Make a reservation

Additional information

Menu

What 75 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Essex Brasserie restaurant rated?

Is The Essex Brasserie currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information