The Wharf Restaurant

One of my favorite restaurants on the CT shoreline. Porch seating has beautiful views of the sound looking out over Madison’s West Wharf. Tuna tartare is to die for. Best I’ve had in a long time and a must get every time. Mussels always delicious. The chicken milanaese used to be my go to dish. New menu replaced it with chicken francaise which is also delicious. Short ribs also excellent. Can’t go wrong. Nice bar as well if you just want to have a drink. This restaurant is located within the Madison Beach Hotel. Enter via the back porch or through the lobby in the front.

Great place for lunch, drinks, and light meals. The absolutely beautiful water views are well worth the crazy high prices. The food is always delicous....portions are a little on the small side but makes up with the quality. We each had a Cobb salad and Crown Royal Manhattan. Everything was spot on with these meals and also when we've been here in the past. Did I say the views are incredible? Gets very busy here when seating outside so if you're coming from out of town, I suggest reserving a table. Place to go at least once in late Spring, Summer, or early Fall.

Absolutely wonderful 25th wedding anniversary lunch! Our server Martha was gracious, super- competent, and really knowledgeable about the menu and wine-list, matching us up to a perfect, buttery Sonoma Chardonnay, just what we like! She was very attentive to details, including our son’s lactose allergy, making sure his burger (« the best ever » according to our family burger aficionado) was lactose free and when she gave us our dessert menues, she offered him the off-menu mango sorbet. My husband and I both had the grilled salmon (one well done, the other medium - both perfectly cooked to our respective tastes. The EVOO mashed potatoes were light and fluffy, the vegetable medley of sautéed artichokes, leeks, and peas, lightly herbed, was sublime, and the dash of lemon ricotta was a perfect complement to the plate. For dessert, the pear tart with key lime gelée squares and a small mound of crushed pistachio-topped whipped cream was delightful and it arrived on a plate with a chocolate anniversary greeting. All this with a view of the Sound on Madison’s shore! The Wharf has moved to the top of our favorite restaurant list. (The vegetables were so good, I had to order a side to take home. And Martha conveyed my culinary questions to the chef, who was kind enough to share the secret of his superb salmon.) I would rate the entire experience as off the usual scale of excellence - five stars will have to do.

Service was slow. It took a long time for our orders to be served. Yes, there was sufficient waitstaff. When my Cauliflower Steak with Tandoor Chickpeas came out(last,I might add), it was room temperature. I did send it back to be reheated. It came back with half the Chickpeas and sides as the first one had. The other food ordered did not come out hot, either. Disappointed with the quality and wait time. On the plus side, the view was nice.