The Suburban, Branford, CT

[Shoreliner]

The Suburban is now open. I went by earlier this week and there was no sign - today there was a sign. We made reservations for tonight - they didn't have many openings. I'm looking forward to trying their food!!

[jaypealarson]

ummm, i was considering checking this place out, does anyone know of some good recent reviews of this place?

[opinionatedchef]

jay, i just wrote long rave review here:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/790971

recent nytimes review:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/nyregion/bright-spots-at-the-suburban-in-branford-review.html

recent blog review:
http://www.biteofthebest.com/the-subu...

[pigglett]

Jay
It still gets very mixed reviews. I know people who loved it and people that didn't care for it. It's very expensive, so be prepared for that. I think you can get a great meal for a lot less many other places.

[opinionatedchef]

pigglet, sometimes it's so frustrating for me as a CH who attempts to enlist CH advice before visiting an area. I posted a request for help last week, but maybe you never saw it. So plse tell me where else you have had great meals in the NewH to R.I shore area, so we can pursue them our next time down! Thanks so much.

[pigglett]

OC,
I believe we have met before....
I would suggest the wonderful Le Petite Cafe in Branford, Augies in Short Beach in Branford , Foe in Branford, Stone House in Guilford, Ballous in Guilford, Quattros in Guilford, Whitfields in Guilford, Som Siam in Guilford.
Opinionated Chef... Give Mangos in Branford another try, they've changed their menu.. not fine dining but really fun and very good food. Chicken wings were fantastic from my friends reviews and for me, lobster pizza was great.
Costa in Branford just opened too!!!! In Lennys/Blue Cottage area of Indian Neck, Branford

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Le Petite Cafe
426 Main St, Greenfield, MA 01301

[opinionatedchef]

pigglett, i have never eaten at Mangos; do you still think we've met? where?

[zammdogg]

Jay, you'll see that I just wrote on my thoughts toward The Suburban here. A little different than some other reviews, but still worth checking out. Enjoy.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/790978

[GoodFoodie]

Finally went this past week. Very expensive restaurant (no surprise for the Franco-Comachos). Food was good but I felt it was overpriced. Who can afford to drop $150.00 on a meal for two that often? I wish they would consider lowering the prices.......I am spoiled having moved here from a restaurant mecca where one can get excellent, excellent food at very reasonable prices. I will go again but it won't be for some time.

[GoodFoodie]

Am anxiously awaiting additional reviews before I decide to venture here....BIG fan of their past restaurant, Roomba's but was quite underwhelmed by Bespoke (overly priced with mediocre food and lackluster service). Sounds like they've adopted Le Pain Quotidien's dining style at The Suburban. Will be interested to see how dishes/menu evolve. The one thing you can say about Arturo and Suzette is they know how to create great ambience.

[lsnhc]

There was a very complimentary review this past Friday in The New Haven Register. That being stated, people I know who have dined there have reported very mixed results...

[pigglett]

I went last night and wasn't impressed. I found it extremely overpriced and the food was not all that great, both my dinner and my friends dinners were lukewarm. They have no prices on their cheese/charcuterie and was very surprised when the bill arrived and they charged $14.00 per slice of cheese!! Not a lot of choices and there are basically none for someone who doesn't eat meat. I went, I ate and won't be returning.

[lsnhc]

Wow...have you ever seen reviews so disparate here? A friend of ours, an avowed "foodie," said their visit was wildly uneven - of the 4 diners, two had absolutely horrible meals and two thought it was very good. Go figure!

[newhavener07]

I'd give them a few more months. It's still pretty new and the middle of summer, so they may have a B team in the kitchen due to vacations. Just guessing but I really want this place to be good!

[rbailin]

You are severely mistaken. The menu clearly prices the cheese at $8/ea, 2/$14, and 3/$20.

http://www.thesuburbanrestaurant.com/ (wait for the annoying flash to load & finish

)

7 "snacks", 3 cheeses, 3 charcuterie, 7 small plates, 8 "bigger plates". But there's always the Parthenon Diner a couple of miles up the Post Rd.

And if by "no meat" you mean vegan, you would be correct. But on my recent visit I sampled their devilled eggs, Bomster scallops and grilled halibut. All were expertly prepared and delicious.

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The Suburban
2 East Main St., Branford, CT 06405

[cheereeo]

This place looks amazing. I wish it were open for lunch--I think it soon will, bt not yet. Here's the website.
http://www.thesuburbanrestaurant.com/

[opinionatedchef]

thanks to you CHs, we are headed there tomorrow night from boston. big fan of his food at roomba; this is all a different game here. GM said maybe 2 more months for their mex. place across the street. I bet that will be terrif because the chef owner hails from mexico.
i'll post a report after dinner.

[Shoreliner]

am curious - did you enjoy your dinner there? Actually there were some replies to my original post - someone went there and posted and i answered and now i don't see those posts. Anyway, i really enjoyed my dinner there - the popovers were delicious and so were our meals. I'm looking forward to going back and also to the mex. place that will open hopefully in the fall.

[opinionatedchef]

shore- i can't thank you enough for taking the time to post about this place on CH. i NEVER would have known about it if not for you. We ended up going there BOTH nights we were staying in new haven!! it was very very very special and i plan to do a long report very soon. The food and service were just tremendous.We spent 3 hrs there @ night! because we had so much fun talking w/ the staff and owners and then the neighboring table.

will report soon!

[Shoreliner]

I look forward to your report!