Branford, Connecticut, is along the Long Island Sound in New Haven County, approximately eight miles east of New Haven and 45 miles south of Hartford. For those who visit Branford for its fishing, boating and public beaches, the town has a variety of dining options. Most of the restaurants are along Branford's main roads: Montowese and Main streets.
Le Petit Cafe is on Montowese Street near its intersection with Main Street in downtown Branford. The restaurant held "Zagat" dining guide ratings of "extraordinary to perfection" for its food and service and "very good to excellent" for its decor as of October 2010. Every evening, the cafe offers a four-course, prix fixe menu. The selections feature French cuisine and vary each week to incorporate fresh, in-season ingredients. Past entrees include duck cassoulet with sausage and flageolet beans and organic Australian rack of lamb with parsnips in a bordelaise sauce. The chef typically features a wine pairing for each course for an increased cost.
Le Petit Cafe serves dinner Wednesdays through Sundays and closes every Monday and Tuesday. Reservations are required and taken by phone only. Ask for a table by the windows for the chance for people watching. Business-casual attire is appropriate.
Le Petit Cafe
225 Montowese St.
Branford, CT 06405
203-483-9791
lepetitcafe.net
Established in January 2003, Foe, An American Bistro, is on Main Street, across from Branford's Lockworks Shopping Center. The restaurant held "Zagat" ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food and service and "good to very good" for its decor as of October 2010. "Connecticut Magazine" has given the restaurant awards for being the best American restaurant in New Haven County.
The restaurant is known for its seafood sauteed monkfish medallions with fingerling potatoes and the sea scallops with risotto and wild mushroom cakes. A daily selection of vegetarian dishes is available. The restaurant has a full bar with a varying wine list.
Foe serves lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays. The restaurant closes every Sunday. Reservations are recommended. For added ambiance during a romantic meal on a cool evening, ask for seating near the restaurant's fireplace. Casual attire is acceptable.
Foe, An American Bistro
1114 Main St.
Branford, CT 06405
203-483-5896
foebistro.com
Situated on South Montowese Street, Lenny's Indian Head Inn is two miles south of Main Street and has served the Branford area since August 1968. The restaurant held "Zagat" dining guide ratings of "very good to excellent" for its food and "good to very good" for its decor and service as of October 2010. Other accolades include a listing among the 25 Best Seafood Restaurants in the United States from "Coastal Living Magazine" and Favorite Traditional Clambake from "The Phantom Gourmet."
The menu features simple presentations of seafood, such as the signature Lenny's Famous Shore Dinner, a combination of clam chowder, steamed cherrystone clams, sweet corn, a lobster tail and watermelon. Ribs, steaks and sandwiches are also served. The bar offers seven wine selections and nine draft beers, as well as bottled beers and a variety of spirits.
Lenny's Indian Head Inn is open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations are not taken. Consider dining during off-peak hours during the summertime, when a long wait for dinner is not uncommon. Ask for seating outdoors on the restaurant's terrace to enjoy views of the Branford River. Casual attire is the norm.
Lenny's Indian Head Inn
205 South Montowese St.
Branford, CT 06405
203-488-1500
lennysnow.com
