Café Routier – Westbrook, CT

 

Café Routier – Westbrook, CT

By

Jesse E. Mullen

 

Originality can make or break a restaurant. On one hand, a unique menu can draw in those with eclectic tastes. On the other, it can turn off traditionalists who want a more “meat and potatoes” meal. As someone who falls in the middle, I prefer restaurants who walk the line between the two extremes.

Last Saturday, my family and I dined at Café Routier in Westbrook, CT. I had been looking forward to trying it ever since I first laid eyes on the eclectic menu. But how does it live up to the hype? Let’s get into it.

Atmosphere

Café Routier boasts an aesthetic that is both traditionally “New England” and urbane. With plenty of elbow room in the dining area, you certainly won’t mistake it for a New York City eatery. However, they also have black and white photographs on the walls looking upward at skyscrapers from street view. A unique combination for the Connecticut shore and it works wonders.

Appetizers

For starters, we ordered the calamari bruschetta, and the brussels sprouts. The calamari was surprisingly light – and unbreaded – while the bruschetta itself had a fine subtle tomato sauce. I was also impressed with how the calamari was cooked – tender, not at all chewy, yet maintaining the firm texture it should have.

The brussels sprouts were a New American take on the classic side – a dash of honey glaze and Piave Vecchio cheese rounded off this flash-fried treat. I wound up with most of the cheese, as another member of my party is non-dairy, and it really added a sharp zestiness to the sprouts.

Main Course

For my main course, I chose the steak/frites – a New York Strip steak with a mustard butter topping, and a watercress salad side. I ordered my steak medium-rare, and it was grilled to perfection. Still tender, with minimal fat, it was much less of a “cheat meal” than I was anticipating. The mustard butter brought out the natural flavors in the juices without overpowering them.

Service

Of course, the bread and butter of any dining experience is the service. And Café Routier did not disappoint. My server Dan was both attentive and patient, giving helpful suggestions for drinks, specials, and desserts. He made a very compelling case for the chocolate cake and pecan ice cream, which we gladly obliged. While I was mostly full after my meal, my tablemates more than happily took up the slack in finishing it.

While I love the Connecticut shore, I don’t always love the restaurant selection. Overpriced entrees and sub-par service seem to be the norm. But there are exceptions to the rule. Café Routier is in the latter category.

If you are on the Connecticut shoreline, I would highly recommend visiting Café Routier for your next dining experience. The atmosphere is tasteful yet lively, the appetizers are eclectic, and the entrees exquisite. Furthermore, the service excellent and propels the dining experience to an even higher level of quality. A 10/10