This was our first visit to Cafe Routier. This was a great experience. We greatly enjoyed the specials (Lobster focus) and the items on the Amalfi Coast menu. Amazing cocktails and wonderful wines. We will be back ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Sofia Wladimroff
As I entered the premises I was shortly greeted by staff and my needs addressed. I was assigned a great table in the bar area with a banquette, I loved the dim lighting. It made for a very special evening. The server and busboy were attentive and sociable, the service quick and appreciative. Didn't go for a full meal experience but definitely will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Margaret
Their Fig and Stormy cocktail was wonderful. We shared the roasted duck breast and the special miso black cod. The duck was good, but the cod was spectacular.
John
This was a lovely evening out to celebrate my birthday with my wife. Superior service provided by an attentive wait staff and, as always, superior food and drink. Cafe Routier is one of the finest restaurants I have enjoyed and they keep getting better!!
Kerry
Had another wonderful dining experience at Cafe Routier with 4 of my friends. Love the new winter menu items. 5 out of 5 meals were delicious! Service was great. My favorite restaurant along the shoreline!
Leigh
We have been going to Cafe Routier since for nearly 25 years and have never been disappointed.
STACY DWYER
First time visitors. We sat at the bar. The bartender greeted us quickly and we ordered a drink. Took menus but said we wanted to wait. We asked the bartender his name “Anthony” we did ask what time the kitchen and bar closed, kitchen at 9:00 and then bar follows suit. We got there around 6, Away for just a quick weekend. Shortly after ordered a small plate to share then another. The food was delicious and the menu unique which we love. We then met the other bartender Merideth who was so absolutely friendly and wonderful. She assured us there was no hurry and to take our time. Merideth suggested a few dishes. Shortly after it seems she left. At 8:30 we asked Anthony if we could order he said yeah if you hurry the kitchen is closing. We decided to order an entree and a side dish to share. The steak frits, really good. Through the evening had several cocktails small plates and an entree and our check would not be huge but not small. We appreciate good service, good drinks and good food. I asked the manager Kevin when the bar closed he said there is no hurry we are here if you’re here. We met nice people to chat w finished dinner at about 9:30 and asked for a drink, we were served by Anthony w an attitude. They proceeded to put the bar stools up around us as we were finishing our drinks. We noticed Anthony put his jacket and hat on left the bar and was sitting in a booth waiting for us to leave, which who would not at this point. As we were leaving 10:00 Kevin ( manager ) walked back in and we said well this is super uncomfortable he said what is uncomfortable? We said we were finishing our drinks Anthony put his jacket and hat on ( never mind the attitude all night ) and they put the stools up all around us. Kevin had nothing to say. I really don’t leave reviews but the owner needs to know the staff, other than Meredith (and food runners) have horrible attitudes, this place needs new management and certainly needs to hire another Meredith. Our check was over $200 which is not much for us, we go out often. I don’t understand the uncalled for attitudes. You are doing your job, be grateful you have one. What a shame. It’s so easy to be nice and kind, you won’t find it here unfortunate as the food is really good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
dirk
We had not been back to Cafe Routier in a while, so we were not sure what to expect. New to us was the addition of Thai food, which turned out to be excellent. Our server, Sarah, was cheerful and very attentive. I now remember why Cafe Routier was our favorite go-to restaurant on the coast.
Marci
The soup was delivered cold . I asked to have hot soup it was returned cold . We caught the waitress in a 14 dollar mistake in a bottle of wine. The dinner was just ok The second time this month we went just to be close to home our real favorite Livs was to far in the snow storm . I ordered the steak and the fries had so much salt in it that it was not possible to eat it . Worse than tha a bad meal group of young adults came in to drink with a seven year old the bar tender gave them permission to sit at the bar with her . This was disappointing and I feel like i'm not sure I could go back to this restaurant. It's inappropriate for this child to sit at the bar . Who was driving this child the young people drinking . Just awful no food just drinking . This should be illegal a bar with what people talk about is no place for a child.
Jane
Always a favorite for dinner with friends, we had a most enjoyable evening at Cafe Routier. A lesser crowd on Sunday was great since the noise level was more reasonable and we were unrushed and enjoyed a leisurely evening.
The food here is top quality, NYC style cuisine. Every time we come we have a delicious meal. Tge steak is always perfectly cooked, the salads have clean crisps dressings and the vegetables are nicely presented. I have two things that bug me every time. One, I wish they would improve the decor in the dining room. It is so plain and almost Russian at this point. Second, some of the servers are inexperienced and they reach across you and interrupt you to clear the table at the end of the meal (we were about to leave.)
sandy
Excellent meal. Delicious and wonderfully presented. Outstanding drinks. Love this place. Are in the dining room.
Marialina
As always, the food and service at Cafe Routier was excellent. We went to CR for my birthday and I had the steak frittes - my favorite meal at CR. The steak was cooked just right and the frittes were great. My partner had the butternut squash ravioli which she thoroughly enjoyed. Also, the wine list provides many choices for wines at all price points. Finally, the service was attentive and professional. Overall, a wonderful experience.
Pam
We have been going to Routier since it was located in Old Saybrook and always enjoyed it. Last night we did not check the menu first, and found it was Thai food month. For my appetizer I got the steak tartare, which I disliked so much I sent it back. The chef had taken a tender, expensive cut of meat and overloaded it with vinegar and/or dijon mustard, plus it seemed to have cornichon or something similar cholled in, adding more acid to it. You could not taste the meat at all. It was served with toasted bread smeared with a very acidic aioli. The dish was very heavy-handed, unbalanced, and unappetizing. I had the Thai style duck breast, which was ok, but again the sauce was acidic. Their regular duck dish is much better. The mound of rice that came with it was uninteresting. So I ordered wrong, my bad, but I thought they could cook well across the board and that did not happen. My husband had the fried oysters and the boar/ papparadelle dish and thouroughly enjoyed his meal. The waitress was slightly pushy about me refusing desssert. If we go again we will stick to their American fare.
everly23
This restaurant was listed as the #1 spot in Westbrook and they certainly lived up to their reputation. The atmosphere is lovely, the seating is roomy and the food was superb. Hubby and I started with the mussels appetizer which was large enough to share. They were PEI mussels (Prince Edward Island) which are the best and the sauce they were prepared in was delicious. Then we shared an Autumn salad - fresh mixed greens with goat cheese and honeyed pecans. The chef split the dish for us. I ordered the duck breast in a Thai sauce with Thai rise that was out of this world. My husband ordered the wild boar ragu which was also stupendous. We had enough for leftovers and saved room for dessert - we shared profiteroles with home-made hot fudge sauce - yummy! Even the bread and olive oil served as a starter was superb. In this place, you truly get what you pay for - and every bite was worth it.
This was our first visit to Cafe Routier. This was a great experience. We greatly enjoyed the specials (Lobster focus) and the items on the Amalfi Coast menu. Amazing cocktails and wonderful wines. We will be back ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As I entered the premises I was shortly greeted by staff and my needs addressed. I was assigned a great table in the bar area with a banquette, I loved the dim lighting. It made for a very special evening. The server and busboy were attentive and sociable, the service quick and appreciative.
Didn't go for a full meal experience but definitely will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their Fig and Stormy cocktail was wonderful. We shared the roasted duck breast and the special miso black cod. The duck was good, but the cod was spectacular.
This was a lovely evening out to celebrate my birthday with my wife. Superior service provided by an attentive wait staff and, as always, superior food and drink. Cafe Routier is one of the finest restaurants I have enjoyed and they keep getting better!!
Had another wonderful dining experience at Cafe Routier with 4 of my friends. Love the new winter menu items. 5 out of 5 meals were delicious! Service was great. My favorite restaurant along the shoreline!
We have been going to Cafe Routier since for nearly 25 years and have never been disappointed.
First time visitors. We sat at the bar. The bartender greeted us quickly and we ordered a drink. Took menus but said we wanted to wait. We asked the bartender his name “Anthony” we did ask what time the kitchen and bar closed, kitchen at 9:00 and then bar follows suit. We got there around 6, Away for just a quick weekend.
Shortly after ordered a small plate to share then another. The food was delicious and the menu unique which we love. We then met the other bartender Merideth who was so absolutely friendly and wonderful. She assured us there was no hurry and to take our time. Merideth suggested a few dishes. Shortly after it seems she left.
At 8:30 we asked Anthony if we could order he said yeah if you hurry the kitchen is closing. We decided to order an entree and a side dish to share. The steak frits, really good. Through the evening had several cocktails small plates and an entree and our check would not be huge but not small. We appreciate good service, good drinks and good food.
I asked the manager Kevin when the bar closed he said there is no hurry we are here if you’re here.
We met nice people to chat w finished dinner at about 9:30 and asked for a drink, we were served by Anthony w an attitude. They proceeded to put the bar stools up around us as we were finishing our drinks. We noticed Anthony put his jacket and hat on left the bar and was sitting in a booth waiting for us to leave, which who would not at this point. As we were leaving 10:00 Kevin ( manager ) walked back in and we said well this is super uncomfortable he said what is uncomfortable? We said we were finishing our drinks Anthony put his jacket and hat on ( never mind the attitude all night ) and they put the stools up all around us. Kevin had nothing to say.
I really don’t leave reviews but the owner needs to know the staff, other than Meredith (and food runners) have horrible attitudes, this place needs new management and certainly needs to hire another Meredith.
Our check was over $200 which is not much for us, we go out often. I don’t understand the uncalled for attitudes. You are doing your job, be grateful you have one.
What a shame. It’s so easy to be nice and kind, you won’t find it here unfortunate as the food is really good.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
We had not been back to Cafe Routier in a while, so we were not sure what to expect. New to us was the addition of Thai food, which turned out to be excellent. Our server, Sarah, was cheerful and very attentive. I now remember why Cafe Routier was our favorite go-to restaurant on the coast.
The soup was delivered cold . I asked to have hot soup it was returned cold . We caught the waitress in a 14 dollar mistake in a bottle of wine. The dinner was just ok The second time this month we went just to be close to home our real favorite Livs was to far in the snow storm . I ordered the steak and the fries had so much salt in it that it was not possible to eat it . Worse than tha a bad meal group of young adults came in to drink with a seven year old the bar tender gave them permission to sit at the bar with her . This was disappointing and I feel like i'm not sure I could go back to this restaurant. It's inappropriate for this child to sit at the bar . Who was driving this child the young people drinking . Just awful no food just drinking . This should be illegal a bar with what people talk about is no place for a child.
Always a favorite for dinner with friends, we had a most enjoyable evening at Cafe Routier. A lesser crowd on Sunday was great since the noise level was more reasonable and we were unrushed and enjoyed a leisurely evening.
Restaurantji Recommends
The food here is top quality, NYC style cuisine. Every time we come we have a delicious meal. Tge steak is always perfectly cooked, the salads have clean crisps dressings and the vegetables are nicely presented. I have two things that bug me every time. One, I wish they would improve the decor in the dining room. It is so plain and almost Russian at this point. Second, some of the servers are inexperienced and they reach across you and interrupt you to clear the table at the end of the meal (we were about to leave.)
Excellent meal. Delicious and wonderfully presented. Outstanding drinks. Love this place. Are in the dining room.
As always, the food and service at Cafe Routier was excellent. We went to CR for my birthday and I had the steak frittes - my favorite meal at CR. The steak was cooked just right and the frittes were great. My partner had the butternut squash ravioli which she thoroughly enjoyed. Also, the wine list provides many choices for wines at all price points. Finally, the service was attentive and professional. Overall, a wonderful experience.
We have been going to Routier since it was located in Old Saybrook and always enjoyed it. Last night we did not check the menu first, and found it was Thai food month. For my appetizer I got the steak tartare, which I disliked so much I sent it back. The chef had taken a tender, expensive cut of meat and overloaded it with vinegar and/or dijon mustard, plus it seemed to have cornichon or something similar cholled in, adding more acid to it. You could not taste the meat at all. It was served with toasted bread smeared with a very acidic aioli. The dish was very heavy-handed, unbalanced, and unappetizing. I had the Thai style duck breast, which was ok, but again the sauce was acidic. Their regular duck dish is much better. The mound of rice that came with it was uninteresting. So I ordered wrong, my bad, but I thought they could cook well across the board and that did not happen. My husband had the fried oysters and the boar/ papparadelle dish and thouroughly enjoyed his meal. The waitress was slightly pushy about me refusing desssert. If we go again we will stick to their American fare.
This restaurant was listed as the #1 spot in Westbrook and they certainly lived up to their reputation. The atmosphere is lovely, the seating is roomy and the food was superb. Hubby and I started with the mussels appetizer which was large enough to share. They were PEI mussels (Prince Edward Island) which are the best and the sauce they were prepared in was delicious. Then we shared an Autumn salad - fresh mixed greens with goat cheese and honeyed pecans. The chef split the dish for us. I ordered the duck breast in a Thai sauce with Thai rise that was out of this world. My husband ordered the wild boar ragu which was also stupendous. We had enough for leftovers and saved room for dessert - we shared profiteroles with home-made hot fudge sauce - yummy! Even the bread and olive oil served as a starter was superb. In this place, you truly get what you pay for - and every bite was worth it.
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