Spotted Horse Tavern Opens Today in Westport

Sarah Green March 30, 2012

Last night, the CTBITES crew along with 100 (or so) other Westporters attended the "opening" of THE SPOTTED HORSE TAVERN, the latest and GREATEST by restaurateurs Kevin McHugh, Pete Mennona and Tommy Febbraio. (The Gray Goose in Southport is also one of theirs!) And I am placing all my bets on this HORSE! With former Manolo chef Pedro Garzon as head jockey, this SPOTTED filly is bound to cross the finish line in first place.

This restaurant is just what the doctor ordered as far as Westport's downtown dining doldrums are concerned. Situated on Church Street, across from the YMCA, the renovated 1802 Sherwood House has an utterly charming exterior. And inside? Fireplaces, beamed ceilings, gas lanterns, reclaimed horse stall doors and, of course, beautiful photographs of - you guessed it - horses! The views of an old church out one window and URBAN OUTFITTERS out the other, exemplify the SPOTTED HORSES style - mixing the reclaimed, restored past with classy, urban chic.

And the menu? Very similar to THE GRAY GOOSE (at 246 Old Post Road in Southport), Chef Garzon will offer New American Cuisine at very reasonable prices.Chicken and black bean empanadas, lobster and avocado BLTs, grass-fed beef burgers and spicy tuna tartare are some of the items to choose from and the prices are just right. Last night, champagne flowed freely along with passed hors d'oeuvres including hangar steak skewers with chimichurri sauce, shrimp and chorizo with garlic aioli, mushroom and goat cheese pizzettas and chicken empanadas. Just a delicious sampling of what is yet to come. Stand by for a full review of this thoroughbred next week!