Blue Cottage (Branford, CT)

[linguist]

I recently noticed that a new restaurant had opened in the space formerly occupied by a market next to Bud's Seafood, across from Lennies, on rte 146 near Indian Neck. This is the Blue Cottage, apparently related to another Branford restaurant (Mango's, which I've never visited).

The space is attractive enough, though the lack of acoustic treatment made it unbelievably loud. Full bar in a separate (but not separate enough) area from the dining room. The place was quite full for a Tuesday night: no space in the parking lot (I had to park next door at Bud's) and all of the booths occupied when I arrived. Although this is probably not a bad location for a restaurant, I can't imagine why all of these people were there.

The menu is distinctly uninspired: your basic fried seafood selections and also a basic array of other fish dishes, plus a list of sandwiches (including a rather scary sounding "double cheeseburger sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches"). I had a rather strange interpretation of clams casino (not baked or grilled -- just a bunch of clams with peppers, tomatoes and limp bacon apparently made on the stove) that is not an improvement on the standard versions, and a misconceived swordfish dish: supposedly blackened, but with no discernible spiciness, and covered with blue cheese(!) and more of the peppers and tomatoes that were in the clams.

At one other table I saw a plate of what were apparently fried clams that looked seriously overcooked, and at another, a plate of fried fish at the other end of the spectrum (barely blond, not golden brown). With Lennie's across the road, I can't think many people will come here for the fried stuff unless they are just too fastidious to appreciate the atmosphere of Lennie's, and my experience doesn't make me want to recommend the other parts of the menu.

The service was also rather bad, at least at first. It took me about ten minutes to get anyone's attention when I arrived (maybe they just don't like single diners). Once seated I was treated to a description of why I really shouldn't order a house wine (the only by-the-glass choices), but something on the by-the-bottle list. By the time I'd decided on something to drink, though, the host who had seated me was deep in conversation with people at another table (where he remained for a long time), and none of the waitresses standing around talking with one another seemed to think I was their responsibility. Eventually one came by and asked if I had been helped (surely they have assignments?), and from that point I have no further complaints in this area.

Prices seemed reasonable, at least if you like the food. Wine list limited but adequate, whites in the $20-30 range (plus reds, though I didn't really look at these).

Overall, this place does not look like a likely success story. But I thought other CHers might have seen it and wondered whether they ought to try it. My advice is, if you're in the neighborhood, you might go to Lennie's, or else up the street to Assaggio or Foe, but unless things change, there's no real point in going to the Blue Cottage.

[pigglett]

I found the food so-so, the atmosphere too loud, and the regulars at the bar less than desirable.
Won't be visiting again. I'll be returning to Lenny's across the street or the Dockside down the street

[pigglett]

I meant to add, their other restaurant Mango's is awesome!!

[emanniel]

I have been there twice now and both experiences were very pleasant. The menu is much more creative and cheaper than Lenny's.

During my first trip I started out with the Rhode Island Clam Chowder which was very well seasoned and had plenty of clams. For my main course I had a crab cake over their spinach salad. The crab cake had mostly clams and very little filler and the spinach salad was delish with some very crispy bacon. My friend had the fish filet sandwich, which she had the option to order broiled, blackened, or fried- she chose blackened. Not only was the fish fresh but it was a large and thick cut. The bread for the sandwich was a tasty ciabatta roll. Our meal only came to about $35 including drinks and we were both left more than satisfied.

During my second outing I ordered the King Crab Legs, mostly because the price seemed so reasonable at $21. The meal not only included a plethora of crab meat but a salad, two pieces of very yellow and sweet corn, as well as a baked potato which I traded in for a side veggies. The side of veggies, including my favorite yellow squash, were enough to feed a family and were fresh and crisp instead of overly cooked which tends to happen in many restaurants. Everything was great and it was some of the best crab meat I have ever had. My father ordered the blackened shrimp which were also amazing. He was particularly impartial to the lime/cajun seasoning.

In terms of atmosphere and service I had no problems. The food came promptly and the staff was extremely friendly. The only negative is the acoustics and there does tend to be somewhat of an echo but I did not find it difficult to maintain conversation. While I did not spend time in the bar era it seemed very nice and there are a couple booths for diners.

I recommend giving this place a shot. They seem to be doing a good business and whenever I talk to other locals about the Blue Cottage they also express very positive experiences.

[Shoreliner]

I liked Blue Cottage - only went there once and we sat at the bar, had a bottle of wine, crab cakes (which were the best I've had in the area) and a fried combo platter. We found the food fresh and very good. Service was great. I didn't notice the noise level but never went into the dining room. I'm anxious to go back to try a meal there. I found the food so much better and fresher than Lenny's. Lenny's uses too many frozen (over fresh) foods.

[sar16]

I agree with the reviewer. As a lifetime shoreline resident, I have tasted good seafood and this is not it. I went on a night where there were only 3 other tables in the restaurant, and the acostics were so bad, I couldn't even hear a friend across the table talking. The service was alright but nothing spectacular.

I found that the food was the worst part. I left feeling like I could have whipped up a much better meal in my own home. The calamari was not fresh tasting at all. For dinner, the 4 shrimp I recieved on a plate taste like they were coated in some old bay seasoning and thrown together. My friend had the hamburger, that tasted alright, but was a sloppy mess. My son ordered the macaroni and cheese, and as a boy who eats everything, he wouldn't even touch it.

If you want real seafood, Lenny's is absolutly a better choice. It's not worth the cheap decor , in adequate food, or loud noise.

[jenntim]

My husband and I were grad students when we started trying all the shoreline restaurants and we've been to most from New London to West Haven over 4 years. We tried the Blue Cottage when it first opened and were not pleased at all but chalked it up to being "new". We just returned last week and it's not much better in the food department and much worse in the acoustics (as so many folks have pointed out).
As one reviewer pointed out the peel and eat shrimp have a very nasty old bay after taste, we didn't enjoy it, nor did we like the crab cake. We loved the corn and clam fritters though, they were very fresh. My stuffed shrimp were not hot and the stuffing was sticky as if old. My husband had the broiled scallops which were swimming in sherry.
We love the decor and would return to sit outside for drinks. The waitstaff were wonderful as well., kudos to them.
We've been to Lenny's, Lenny and Joes and Bill's Seafood and we found their fish much fresher.

[jenntim]

I do have to add that there is enough room for every restaurant to florish on the shoreline and I do hope they fix some of their flaws and do well! Their menu is much different than Lenny's and the Dockside so all 3 should appreciate each other

[Jenny76]

I actually went very recently and will not return, nor would I recommend it. The service was bordering on rude and the food dreadful. The acoustics make it impossible to have a proper conversation and it's all just painfully loud. We happened to be 'fortunate' enough to be there when the live band was playing, talk about painful, a little like karaoke at 200 decibels. It seems to be more the place for locals to get drunk on cans of beer, one of the tables on the deck had all their empties in a tower for all to see, a very proud moment I'm sure.

[Tobypels4]

I really can not believe some of these negative reviews. Not only have I been to the Blue Cottage more than once, I can not wait to go again to try several other things on the menu that will please my palate. The first time we went I ordered the spinach salad with swordfish.Fresh as can be & cooked to perfection!! While the party that accompanied me ordered the tuna which was also cooked perfectly & was fresh.The restaurant itself is decorated beautifully and brings you the feeling of being close to the beach in Cape Cod or other similar New England beach points.As for the atmosphere or the noise level, we love that knowing everyone is laughing & having a wonderful time in conversation.Not only was the restaurant itself packed, the outside seating & patio were also filled with people and there was a wait for the outdoor dining. This leaves me to believe that the Blue Cottage is doing something right...GREAT food, GREAT location-GREAT prices = a GREAT time any night of the week!!! or day for that matter..lunch on the patio would be perfect after a day at the beach. I would highly recommend it & for a change of scenery other than your typical seafood restaurant ( no names) the Blue Cottage is the place to go!!

[Scargoe]

I too find some of the negativity surprising for the Blue Cottage where I have been twice. Noisy, yes it is, and the service has been amateurish and slow. Bar service was particularly slow on a recent Sunday evening. I'm sure that will be soon rectified when receipts suffer.
The food was very good and I really like their RI style clam chowder. Good soft shells crabs and the Flat iron steak was cooked to perfection and more tender than expected, possibly due to it's being marinated?
I think carpeting and curtains would help the noise situation but it's good enough that I will be back.

[laa53l]

Visited the Blue Cottage last night with 3 friends. Unfortunately we were unable to have any conversation because of the noise level. Unbelievably loud! Service was poor. The waitress dropped a tray of dirty dishes, brought the wrong appetizer to one friend and the wrong entree to another. Obviously she did not know the difference between fried clam strips and fried shrimp. Attempted to switch plates between us. Another friends meal (swordfish) was poorly prepared and the portion was tiny. The coffee was barely warm and when one of us asked for milk and poured it into the coffee, it created an oily film on top. Not a great experience at all. Doubt I would ever go back even if I was able to find a place nearby to park.

[cranky chef]

I've been to the cottage several times and always been pleased with the food and the atmosphere. The scallops are huge and fried perfectly. I also get steamers every time I go and have never been disappointed. Usually you order steamers and either they are sandy or over cooked. HERE THEY ARE COOKED PERFECTLY. Definetly stop by and try both

[glt1964]

I've been here three times... loud dining room - the food wasn't too great the first time but, they must've improved on some things b/c my food the second time was fabulous... crab cake sandwich... tasty... good place to grab a bite after a day on the boat.

[vanpc]

if anyone thinks this food has any flavor (i.e. taste) they shouldnt be on chowhound. service ok,place was clean but that's about it.

[zammdogg]

Wow, a lot of mixed reviews here. I'm rather surprised on some points, namely, the food, but let's address things as we go.

The atmosphere is not my favorite. It leans heavily, and I'm talking three sheets to the wind leaning, no pun intended, on the bar side of restaurant, and sitting too closely to the bar can be a hazard in its own right. The regulars are overtanned and loud and usually tanked. If you go on a day when there's live music, it can muffle the sounds of inebriation, but more frequently than not, it's a decidedly average guitarist. Still better than drunks!

I've been three times. Twice I've ordered the cottage dog, my personal favorite. It's not seafood, their specialty, but for something outside of their scope, they do a damned good job. Bun is storebought and so so, but grilled. The dog is something large and snappy, hopefully local, and is grilled to bursting, juicy perfection. The onions are sometimes hit or miss, but when done well, are crispy and slightly sweet, and the pepper jack cheese blanketed over the whole thing is great. Fries are clearly frozen from a bag.

On my first visit, my dining companion ordered the chicken sandwich with their daily special topping, pesto or hummus. He wanted both, so they carefully applied it to each half so he could have a sampler. Both the pesto and hummus were fresh and didn't dominate the sandwich. The chicken was a hefty portion, well-cooked and juicy, and it was served on ciabatta. Same average fries, but that was a good sandwich.

On my next visit, I had the crab cake sandwich with lemon aioli. Could have stood to be crispier, as the inside got a little mushy, but it was a nice, big crab cake with a ton of lump crab meat and very little filler. Lemon aioli was nice, just a little tarter sauce with mayo and lemon, but it tasted fresh. Ciabatta bun also good. With pina coladas, (and literally getting caught in the rain after the fact,) it wasn't a bad lunch at all.

Seafoodwise, I've no comment as I didn't really sample their fried fish, but my be all end all is Lenny and Joe's in Madison.

[Shoreliner]

I think the food at Blue Cottage was better last summer. They don't seem to be consistent. I've had some great onion rings there but another time they were ho hum. Guess I have to try it again and give them another chance but not anytime soon. I haven't been to Lenny and Joe's, Madison yet this summer so that's where I'll go next.