In Westport: Tavern on Main

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 09 July 2009 15:22

When Demetri and Helen Servos purchased Tavern on Main restaurant in Westport in 2006, their goal was to bring back genuine old-fashioned hospitality from a time gone by, and they have succeeded with their very talented executive chef Jose Briceno and highly professional staff.

Maintaining the integrity of the restaurant space located on the second floor of the historic building, the owners added design elements that enhance the rusticity of the rooms, which feature the original brick fireplace, dark wood furnishings and large windows that frame a view of downtown Westport.

An outdoor patio is available and the bar/lounge offers choice wines with martini and tapas nights and other weekly events.

Chef Briceno, originally from Chile, has added more globally influenced menus incorporating southwestern fare, a signature he made popular at Stamford’s Telluride Restaurant where he was also chef/co-owner, and New England dishes from when he was a chef at Nicklebys in Pittsfield, Mass. He acquired his classic French technique while working at the four-star Homestead Inn in Greenwich before coming to Tavern on Main.

Since purchasing Tavern on Main, the Servos have made good on their promise to “return” to old fashioned hospitality, but also are moving forward in the direction preferred by loyal clientele. General manager of Tavern on Main is Hector Manneiro.

Menu specialties since the arrival of Demetri and Helen Servos and Chef Briceno are New England clam chowder, pan-roasted PEI mussels with sherry wine, saffron and smoked paprika; seafood ceviche; oysters tempura; grilled Atlantic salmon with lobster sweet potato puree, sautéed baby bok choy and cranberry jalapeno relish; oven-roasted, herb-crusted rack of lamb with whiskey green apple chutney, green peppercorn sauce, goat cheese potato cake and broccoli-roasted garlic custard.

The tap room menu ($5 to $24), with full dinner menu also available, includes Angus burgers, buttery lobster rolls, Farmstead cheese selections and a chargrilled tuna club. Two pasta appetizers — open lobster lasagna with basil pasta with roasted corn, fava beans, tomatoes and lobster on cognac sauce and confit duck ravioli with papaya port wine sauce and Stilton cheese — are tasty and different. There’s also a sautéed lump crab cake sandwich with tomato, red onions, arugula, and lemon-black pepper mayo. Appetizers are from $9 to $17; lunch entrees, range from $10 to $22; dinner entrees are from $18 to $34; and a la carte brunch selections from $12 to $29.

The impressive menu continues with desserts ($9) and offers great house-made Kahlua & Bailey’s cheesecake, warm pecan pie with chocolate sauce, warm chocolate molten cake with Grand Marnier cream and chocolate tuile, a three sampler dessert, and the Tavern’s Farmstead cheese board.

Friendly and enthusiastic service complete the picture.

Tavern on Main

146 Main Street
Westport, 203-221-7222

Serving lunch and dinner 11:30 to 10 Sunday to Thursday; 11:30 to 11 Friday and Saturday.

Reservations accepted; major credit cards; not handicap accessible; full bar; wines by the glass, $8 to $12; starting at $30 by the bottle; beer, bottles and on tap; American continental cuisine; vegetarian selections; casual dress; private functions; seasonal outdoor dining; metered street and municipal parking.

Side dishes

Sunday brunch is served from 12 to 3 at Le Chateau in South Salem, N.Y.; $38 for adults; $17 for children under 12; plus tax and gratuity. Other specials include two drinks for the price of one in the garden Tuesday to Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m.; prix fixe dinner and dancing on the terrace on July 24 and Aug. 7 and 24, and a Bastille Day dinner July 14. New are three-course author luncheons for $25, plus tax and tip. Le Chateau is at the junction of Routes 35 & 123. Reservations, 914-533-6631.