In the Byram section of Greenwich, Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar has given way to Rouge Brasserie & Oyster Bar,
which in better weather will have nice patio seating. I can’t say whether silent films will be projected against the outside wall on the left, as they were when it was Lolita.
While I mourn the passing of a trendy and fun Nuevo Mexican restaurant that I enjoyed a number of times, the Gallic-themed brasserie replacing it exhibits plenty of potential as well. Both were the brainchildren of passionate cb5 restaurant developer Jody Pennette, whose work I’m a great admirer of.
One also has to appreciate Pennette’s apparent patriotism, as besides Rouge, he was the brains behind China White on Mill Street and Bleu Café on Greenwich Avenue. Red, white and bleu. But so is the French flag, n’est-ce pas? So maybe it’s La Marseillaise and not the Star Spangled Banner coursing through his veins. Pennette sounds pretty Français to me.
My companion and I rendezvoused with our fellow members of the food media in the bar area.
After enjoying drinks like this Champagne-based Brigitte Bardot,
we settled into three tables at one end of the dining room.
I excused myself to take a quick photo tour of the restaurant. The seating ranged from romantic
to Gothic.
There were areas that seemed to encourage lounging
as well as counter seating that I surmised was more for décor than real use, given the lack of space for legs and the take-home bag sitting on one of the stools.
I thought the ways of indicating the ladies’
and men’s bathrooms
were hilarious.
We were taken great care of throughout our meal by the friendly staff.
We enjoyed a choice of red
or white wine
but not blue! We were brought sliced baguette with butter, radishes and pickles.
The press dinner menus at our places suggested we were in for a really good meal.
The fish eggs with chips featured various forms of caviar served over potato chips with crème fraîche, an unusual and tasty treat.
Making everyone’s mouth water
was a seafood tower
served with three accompaniments.
Let’s enjoy some close-ups of these fruits de mer.
Other starters included classic steak tartare,
warm onion tart,
and escargots bourguignon served over toasts.
Not part of the menu, but the foie gras was spectacular too.
The entrées excelled as well. The moules frîtes were delicious,
as was the skate meunière
and the short rib bourguignon.
And the desserts? An espresso was perfect accompaniment
to these simple treats.
And finally, restaurant publicist Linda Kavanagh introduced us to executive chef Josh Moulton.
Rouge Brasserie & Oyster Bar, 230 Mill Street, Greenwich, 203-813-3555