This Cozy Coastal-Inspired Spot Feels Like ‘New England Summer’ in Restaurant Form

If you’re looking for an elevated yet ultra-cozy spot for date night or girls’ night out, head to The Cottage, nestled in the heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Here, the mezcal-Saint Germain cocktails hit just right, and every bite feels like a coastal road trip—best enjoyed between sips from a chic coupe glass and forkfuls of fresh pasta.

We had the pleasure of dining here and chatting with chef and owner Brian Lewis about this local hotspot that, honestly, knocks it out of the park. We were seated at the coziest booth by the front windows—arguably the sweetest spot in the house.

The Cottage proudly sources the best ingredients from trusted regional farmers and purveyors. The menu is always evolving, shining a spotlight on the season’s freshest bounty in new, mouthwatering ways. It’s no surprise that The Cottage was a James Beard Foundation semifinalist in both 2018 and 2022—and a nominee in 2025.

Let’s just say, during our experience at The Cottage, we left with happy, full bellies.

Chef Brian greeted us with the most aesthetically pleasing “Turn the Lights On” cocktail, which features mezcal, St. Germain, pineapple, and Rockey’s. It’s smoky, sweet, and slightly tart—an ultimate summertime sip—topped with a vibrant slice of lime.

Next came a few fun “snacks,” starting with the salt and pepper snap pea tempura served with lemon miso aioli. This app was so delicious, it was a serious challenge pacing ourselves for the courses ahead!

We followed that up with Kusshi oysters on the half shell, topped with trout roe and bathed in the most delightful citrusy yuzu mignonette. If you’re into bold, creative takes on oysters, this appetizer’s a must.

Then came the Alaskan King crab hand roll with kaffir lime leaf and bamboo smoked salt, along with the colorful salt roasted Chioggia beet salad. The latter was a complete and utter showstopper, featuring perfectly charred apricot, burrata di bufala, mandarin glaze, and pistachio aillade. We're not exaggerating when we say this is the best, most refreshing beet salad we've ever had. The flavor combination was spot-on.

Even though our tummies were nearly full, our foodie hearts were ready for more. For the main course, we had our eyes on the sweet street corn tortelloni—and it seriously delivered. We're pretty obsessed with both fresh pasta and street corn, so this dish felt like it was made for us. It’s decadent, but not over-the-top, with perfectly stuffed tortelloni, smoky chili oil, and creamy Cotija cheese that ties it all together.

For dessert, chef Brian surprised us with the most refreshing watermelon sorbet creation, complete with olive oil, chili spice, and rum caramel. We're now campaigning for this dessert to become a permanent fixture on the menu.

Whether it’s peak summertime or the chilliest winter day, The Cottage brings the coastal New England aesthetic you always crave.