There’s something about The Chelsea that invites you to slow down, savor every bite, and bask in a warm ambiance. From the moment you step inside, you’re surrounded by warmth and coziness. The interior decor exudes rustic charm, with exposed brick walls, soft lighting, and wooden accents that create an intimate atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can come for a romantic date night or a relaxing dinner with friends.
Seating options include comfortable booths, tables, and of course the bar. The Chelsea offers a diverse menu that includes classic American dishes that vary from mouth watering burgers and steaks to fresh seafood.
We started our culinary journey with the fried meatballs that were panko crusted, stuffed with mozzarella, over arugula pesto, and topped w/ marinara & parmesan. This just melts in your mouth, there were absolutely no meatballs left behind!
We also tried the burrata, which was rich and creamy and paired nicely with the strawberries and the herbed honey. We had to ask for more bread with that delicious honey. It was that good.
For cocktails, we went with the bartenders, Junior, recommendations. First up we tried the Chelsea rose. This was a very refreshing martini as they infused their own vodka with cucumber, st germain, and a bit of mint. I had to have some self control not picking up my glass every two seconds! We also tried their famous espresso martinis. Dangerous to say the least this has to be up there for one of the best i’ve tried.
For our main course, we chose the very recommended chicken scarpariello. This dish had just the right amount of spice and wasn’t overpowering. The smashed potatoes were unreal and crisp to perfection.
We also had to get their lobster roll that was doused in butter and put into a pretzel roll. Coming from a lobster lover, this is one of the best I have had and needs to be on your devour list!
To finish it all off, we got cappuccinos to cleanse our palates before diving into the bread pudding. It was warm, sticky, and had an amazing cinnamon flavor. Pro tip: ask for an extra scoop of vanilla ice cream! This was the perfect ending to our meal.
The service was attentive and friendly, and made sure all of our dishes were to our liking. Everything we had here was incredible and I will definitely be back to try out more!
Q & A with general manager Erika:
How did you come up with the concept and name for your restaurant?
- We wanted to create a restaurant that captured the vibe of Chelsea in New York that made people feel welcomed and comforted. The Chelsea has dimmed lighting throughout the restaurant which sets the mood for a relaxing dining experience.
What are some of the signature dishes or specialties that customers love at your restaurant?
- Our top selling dishes are definitely the tuna crudo and meatballs for appetizers, the chicken scarpariello and carbonara for entrees, and bread pudding for dessert! Our top selling cocktails would have to be the Chelsea rose and black rock lemonade, both very refreshing drinks. We are also known for our burgers as well! Our wine list is also curated based on complimenting our menu.
Do you have any menu additions coming for the fall season?
- Yes! We are adding our bolognese topped with whipped ricotta and we are changing our burrata from summer to fall with cranberries, maple butternut squash puree, and herbed honey. These items will be on our menu in about 2 weeks!
About the Chelsea:
The Chelsea just celebrated its 10 year anniversary and was recently awarded the Best Restaurant in Fairfield by Fairfield Magazine’s Readers Poll. Since opening in 2012 The Chelsea has received praise from The New York Times (Patricia Brooks’ only complaint was that it wasn’t closer to her home) and many other publications. Owner Scott Beck (original co-owner of Match in South Norwalk and Little Barn in Westport and Shelton) and his team continue to produce delicious innovative spins on classic dishes and provide great service, maintaining The Chelsea’s reputation as one of Fairfield County’s favorite dining destinations.
Author: Kirsten
Hi everyone! My name is Kirsten Horlbeck, one of the interns at 203 local. I was born and raised in Norwell, Massachusetts and I spend most of my time on Cape Cod where I'm on the beach 24/7. I decided to pursue my academic career at Fairfield University in CT, where I'm currently studying communications with a minor in psychology. I'm currently a senior graduating in May 2024! I decided to take on this internship at 203 local to enhance my marketing and communication skills and so far it has helped me decide which career path I would like to enter. A few fun facts about me is that I am one of five and have a twin sister! I also have a cat named Milo and two dogs, Jetti and Cash. I have always loved to travel and took that passion abroad where I spent 4 months in Florence, Italy. That experience is one I'll never forget and has taught me so much, I always highly recommend going to everyone here at Fairfield! Alongside traveling, I love to try new things that are out of my comfort zone such as foods i've never had. I'm a huge seafood lover...
Stamford Downtown hosts Arts & Crafts and WineFest on Bedford – Saturday, October 14 – Tickets still available for WineFest!