Bernard’s

My wife and I ate dinner at Bernard’s a week ago, and we absolutely loved it. We had lobster risotto, smoked salmon, a steak, and pumpkin ravioli in a sage butter sauce. Everything was delicious! The server was attentive without suffocating us. Dessert was good, too, though the portions were a bit small.
One drawback was the valet parking. The two kids were slackers and one used the «f» word. Pretty low class. Definitely should be working where they don’t come in contact with people — maybe grave diggers

We were going to a show at the Ridgefield Playhouse and were excited to try Bernard’s. We made reservations for 6pm on a Friday night. When we arrived, the restaurant was empty except for one other table. So, we decided to sit upstairs at Sarah’s Wine Bar. The atmosphere was very cozy. Our waitress provided us with menus and talked through how the menu was organized and recommended the $ 25 wine bottle list. We asked her the difference between the two cabarnets and she did not know the answer so she went to ask the bartender. She came back with a bottle that was not on the list that he recommended so we agreed. She tried to open the bottle and it had a dry cork and it fell into the bottle. She left the table (we assumed to get another bottle) and she came back with a filter and carafe. We requested a new bottle be opened. She unsuccessfully tried to open another bottle and then went to get help and came back with a different bottle (a different brand this time). This was a «screw-​top» so she was able to open it and the wine was fair. The maitre d’ came to our table and asked how everything was and we told him about our experience and he told us «that is what you should expect when you order a $ 25 bottle of wine». Why would the wait staff recommend the wine if that is the case? The assumption at a wine bar is that unique, good wines have been selected for the menu. Now onto the food… We ordered the bacon sampler special which was just okay. most pieces were tough. The cheese plate we ordered featured 3 nice cheese and this was the best part of the meal. My husband ordered the sirloin steak and was disappointed. I had the Mixed Greens and Frisee salad with scallops. It was soaked in dressing and was listed to come with «Asparagus, Avocado, Fennel, Yellow & Red Grape» and I only found one piece of avocado and one tomato in it.
If you, like we, are a fan of the Union League Café, you will be extremely disappointed.

Our first, and last time! My husband and I have been to many, many fine French restaurants in CT and NY. this was our first visit to Bernard’s. We had an 8:30pm reservation and the only table they had available for us was a table for 6 with full view of the kitchen in the back of the restaurant? Really??? Did we look like 2^nd class citizens or something? Why would you seat 2 people at a table big enough for a large group is BEYOND me! Table setting was very bland… no flowers? Drinks and apps were fine. However, we waited almost ½ hour for our entrees. Waiter and owner apologized due to large parties, kitchen was very busy. Worst excuse I’ve heard in my life. Owner bought us a drink (to add insult to injury) and moved us to a table for two in the main room, since by now all diners in our area were done and gone and we are now sitting all alone in the back of the restaurant. We don’t mind paying $$$$$ for GREAT food and service. We didn’t get it here! Note to restaurant owners… DON’T SIT A PARTY OF TWO AT A TABLE BIG ENOUGH FOR 6! IT RUINS THE AMBIANCE FOR THE DINERS! Not to mention the spotlight sconce on the wall… it’s too bright! Also, you might want to think about putting up a screen or something by the kitchen door! It’s very distracting to diners to see a constant rush of people in and out!

My wife and I first enjoyed Bernard’s for brunch when we were house hunting in Ridgefield 2 ½ years ago, and we have been regulars ever since.
The food is second to none. The wine list is extensive with something to please every palette, including many nice ½ bottle options. There is also a simplified wine list in the front of the book with some specials/​bargains for those intimidated by the novel of a wine list.
Service is both professional and friendly. We know everyone by name, and they know us and say hello even if they are not serving in our section that night. Feels like home.
Each dinning experience at Bernard’s has been wonderful, and doubly so around Christmas. The interior is dressed to the nines with lights, boughs, and a beautiful Christmas tree.
Having live piano music skillfully played by Hank while we dine adds a magical touch that makes me wish I could have a permanent reservation for dinner. I often say that I can’t decide which is better, the food or the live piano.
The food is flawless; the service is impeccable; the wine cellar is deep; the ambience charming; the piano is splendid.
Book a table now, but please don’t book my table!

We took a party of 7 there for Thanksgiving, 2015 after looking for places of quality. Found them listed on the ‘top 25 restaurants’ from «Connecticut Mag»
Very impressed.
Having done many Thanksgiving dinners around the State, this was the best experience (and expensive) that we’ve done.
Impressive food, wine, and service. That says it all. Good selections on the set menu (fish, pork, turkey options), and the dessert was a sampling of three different items, also very good.
No complaints! Well, maybe it could have been a bit cheaper, but hey, you get what you pay for. Basically the set course was like $ 80 a plate, plus wine, tax, tip, coffee…
I would say the coffee (espresso/​cappuccino) was just o.k.; small thing, but kind of weak — most places in CT don’t know how to make espresso anyhow — these things are difficult to teach and you can’t find any decent coffee houses that specialize in quality anyhow. It was certainly not bad, and not something to detract from the experience. Heck, we’ve had some mediocre cappuccinos in Italy also.
Warm welcome. We were first seating, and frankly, would recommend doing it early again too, since everyone is fresh, the noise is low (er), and you get the food on time, and there is obviously no waiting.
It was a good hour/​hour and a half drive from Hartford area, we knew that going in, but it was great. Also, the weather was amazingly warm for Thanksgiving, no precipitation, so that made the day easier with the grandparents (4 of them). So location is a problem unless you are already in the SW part of the State, and weather could easily be an issue. Doing first seating made it possible to get there, eat, and get home, all in daylight.
So overall, zero complaints, would recommend, and would go again.

I can’t understand why this restaurant receives such high marks. On the positive side, I will say the old inn setting certainly gives it charm. But, that charm turns to chintz quickly with the Saturday night addition of a piano player predictably pouring out Andrew Lloyd Webber hits and an unimaginative (and bland) offering of olive, raisin or country bread to start the meal. Unfortunately the blandness continued through the sage gnudi and boar sampler starters which were both flavorless and strange. The T-​bone entrée was tough and lacking in flavor as the red wine sauce was thin and underdeveloped, the cassoulet was so much bean and overwhelmed in garlic without getting the confit favors. Not great French cooking. In addition, The service fell far short of a fine dining experience (we had to ask for a wine list, service took forever, etc). Save your money — there are way better places in the area.

We had the opportunity to attend the «Paella in the Garden» event tonight, and it was a truly top-​notch dining experience from start to finish. The «endless tapas» setup was unreal, featuring myriad delicious Spanish-​inspired apps and cheeses, along with some duck pâté, just for the hell of it. There was also a wine tasting, featuring some complex yet unpretentious Spanish whites and reds. The service was friendly and very professional.
From the tapas, cheeses, wines, and the paella itself (which Bernard himself helped cook right outside), to the best flan I’ve ever had as our desert, this was one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had in the past few years. I’d love to come back some day to check out their regular menu as well.

Loved the lamb trio entrée. Husband got t-​bone which unfortunately was sinuey (to no fault of the restaurant-​just a one-​off) but it was cooked to perfection and the entrée itself was delicious! I cannot wait to go again… Think we’d like to try a lunch there outdoors in the fall!

My cousins took me there for my 40^th bday dinner while on my 40^th bday East Coast trip. I’ve had French food once or twice in my life & didn’t know what to expect. Let me tell you, not only was the food fresh & beautiful it was the best meal I’ve ever had! The restaurant had beautiful indoor & outdoor dining & has a wine bar upstairs. They had great live music being played by local high school students (instramental, sort of jazzy background music). Afterward, we took a tour of Sarah & Bernard’s garden. If not all, them most of the fruit & vegetable they serve come fresh from their big, beautiful garden. Check out their website. Try this lovely place. It was a meal & an experience I’ll never forget. ;)

Although the restaurant gets good reviews, I must say that the experience from both culinary and service perspectives was unremarkable. My octopus appetizer required searching for the actual octopus. Perhaps I should have brought portable sonar? Or perhaps a magnifying glass? The salmon main course was swimming in some sort of heavy brown sauce with the fish sitting on top of mashed potatoes. Lest one thinks that this was a healthy choice, forget it. Although refilling of water was very attentive, no such service was experienced after a single roll was consumed. Getting the check or processing the charge on the credit card was interminably slow.

I went on Valentines Day and there was a set menu. With this being said, the food is probably better when the regular menu is available. I was not impressed with the appetizer, entrée, or desert. They charged about $ 100 per person, we ordered a half bottle of wine, two cocktails, and two cappuccinos. The bill was $ 320 which I thought was over priced for the quality of food they presented. They use the term 20% «service charge» instead of gratuity included which can be misinterpreted easily. They should say gratuity included and verbalize that to customers. The environment is nice and the service was okay. Overall I was not impressed and would not go back.

Since my initial review, I have eaten at Bernards at least several dozen times. Each experience has been a five-​star meal. I don’t know how I would survive living in Ridgefield without Bernards and Sarah’s wine bar.
I unreservedly recommend Bernards and Sarah’s wine bar to all.

Bernard offers once a month, Sunday evening of jazz. This was my only reason for coming, as was explained by me when making the reservations. I was informed about the $ 15. minimum and was not bothered by this.
I was bothered by the obnoxious staff who were insisting we eat, to the point that the manager came over to ask if we were going to eat or not. Not happy to have this conversation yet again but managed to get the point across that wine and jazz was my evening.
Now, I did love the jazz and the impressive wine and beer list and would try another evening of this. I just hope they tone down the snotty behavior.

There are fancier restaurants and more modern restaurants, sure. But I love Bernard’s charm, which reminds me of a good, old-​fashioned fine dining restaurant for ladies and gentlemen — not people who just want to see and be seen in their hottest getups. After spending all week in the city for work, I appreciate a low-​key atmosphere.
As for the food, I haven’t had a bad thing here. Some dishes aren’t super exciting, but they’re always delicious and well executed. And you definitely won’t leave hungry. :) For special occasions, Bernard’s has been my go-​to for a night focused on the food and the company, not loud music, other guests, etc. It’s a great date place!

Took my wife here for her birthday. The food, atmosphere and service are all top notch. The wine list is a little overwhelming but your server will be happy to help you pick. Excellent spot for a special occasion and worth the drive.

Just visited Sarah’s Wine Bar, upstairs from Bernard’s. Waitress didn’t know anything about the wines, so got answers to questions from the bartender … Who shouted them to us from behind an empty bar. Shouldn’t a wine bar know their wines?
Food just ok. Nothing special.

We decided to try the Seven Course Tasting Menu. This proved to be an outstanding decision. There were really a lot more than seven courses. They would bring each one of us different things. We had the option of eating it all or sharing. Even item was cooked to perfection; plated well; and served correctly. I cannot say too many good things about an outstanding dining experience.

For me, this restaurant impressed on many levels and certainly deserves a 5-​star rating. I’ve been in Danbury/​Ridgefield for a few months and I would have to rate this restaurant as the best meal I ever had while being here.
A quick summary of my meal:
Appetizer: Lump crab meat salad: was presented beautifully as a corn and crabmeat mix encircled by slices of zucchini. The dish as a whole was very fresh and light. The char on the zucchini added a smoky component.
Entrée: Vegetarian dish (which I appreciated as a separate option) was a ravioli Filled with ramp, garlic and leek. The ravioli was fresh as well and the flavors were not overpowering with garlic. It was also a very light feeling meal but the portion was perfect.
Dessert: crème brûlée trio of apricot, vanilla bean, and banana. All were very true to flavor. Even the vanilla bean had specks of real vanilla throughout.
Overall: The dishes were simple with a high attention to detail. The manager was really involved with his staff and remained on the floor most of the time. It shows an added investment in the quality of the service and the food. Loved it!

A very nice place with excellent service. Their olive bread was delicious. I thought the food was also good, but perhaps everything together didn’t scream 5 stars. The deserts, however, were superior and definitely put me over the fullness! I had the sampler someone posted below — I highly recommend it.
The place looks a bit worn in a good way the way only a long time fancy restaurant can. I’d go back and try a few more items.

Top of the line restaurant just around the corner! The Best New Year’s Eve I’ve had in years.
Having had very good experiences at Bernard’s on several past occasions, my husband decided to reserve us a table for last night’s New Year’s Eve. We were delighted with the entire night. The evening began with romantic seating for two in a lovely dining room gently lit by candles and warmed by the flame of a roaring fire in the fireplace — we could hear the music and easily access the dance floor,(which was a tad too slippery, but the music was unusually varied which encouraged many to get up and dance nevertheless.) The sound was kept to a level at which one could also carry on a normal conversation — a very welcome change from events at other places where amplifiers drowned out any hope of talk.
The service was prompt and flawless. The food was spectacular — the presentation absolutely gorgeous and the flavors, subtle, creative and delightful. My husband is not easy to please and there are very few restaurants that he thinks are outstanding, but last night’s meal he relished. I loved the scallops and he loved the risotto. The only slight disappointment was that the Beef Wellington was not up to the excellence of the other dishes.
Although we are not generally interested in desserts, last night we both could have licked our plates! The chocolate mousse was a much richer, more subtle flavor, not the usual overpoweringly chocolate, that I expect of such a dessert. The stand out for both of us was the orange sorbet — obviously completely home– made, fresh, and delightful, just the right proportion of sweet to citrus and truly out of this world delicious. That sorbet knocked it out of the park for me.
I said to my husband this morning that I think we should go back to Bernard’s more often. Maybe next week.