Three Bears Restaurant, Westport, CT
Have been in bed sick for a week not eating, so when my appetite started to trickle back 3 nights ago the first thing it craved was dessert. My only option was the Three Bears since it's a couple doors down and as far as my energy would allow me to go. I called for the choices and nothing appealed except for a cheesecake. I'm not usually a cheesecake person and prefer fruit based desserts but because the menu was primarily chocolate based this was my only option. Hobbling in to pick it up, the waitress was sympathetic with my predicament of being in bed with the flu and comforted me like a mom. Everyone is always very, very nice here. A definite plus. Getting it home and uncovering the lid revealed a lovely presentation of dark cherry sauce drizzled around the cheesecake and was adorned with several cherries. Lovely, but a very old fashioned choice of fruit I thought. The cake itself was delicious, rich and creamy. The perfect option to recover from a sickness or to enjoy after a meal. I ate half and decided to save the rest for another evening of enjoyment sans the cherries.
Last night, I actually had an appetite for dinner but still little energy to cook or sit for a proper meal, so it was Three Bears takeout again. I hoped to order the goat cheese ravioli with tomato coulis and asparagus but they informed me the menu just changed last week. One of the few entrees that could be made vegetarian was the gnocchi. It sounded good sauteed with truffles, asparagus, tomatoes and garlic. Once again, everyone was lovely in greeting me. The new chef was sitting at reception since it was a slow night so we started talking about having more vegetarian options available. Their new appetizer list actually has a bunch of options and I can't wait to go back and try some of it.
It's beautiful there at night. The building is an old inn from something like the 1700's and little white lights abound outside. Inside, tiffany lamps hang all over and look really romantic all lit up. I find it very magical and very New England. I hope they continue trying to cater to the younger crowd to be able to stay around for many years to come.
I said good-bye to everyone and was so excited when I got home to see such a wonderful dish in front of me. The gnocchi were lightly browned and the sauce looked utterly delightful. The first bite was an exquisite melange of flavors. After my initial excitement, I realized the gnocchi weren't the little soft, cuddly pillows I usually love, but decent nonetheless. Not everyone has time to make their own. Besides, this place is more for the meat and potatoes crowd. There was a nice amount of garlic used to saute the truffles and the vegetables were mixed perfectly. I was happy yellow tomatoes were chosen and not the standard red ones. Again, I ate half and saved the remainder for the next day's lunch and was very, very content with my first real dinner in a week.
A lovely place more appropriate for a romantic evening out or for lovely al fresco dining in the rear. They are open for lunch with very reasonable prices and offer weekend brunch, which I have never tried.
Route 33/Newtown Turnpike; Westport, CT 06880; (203) 227-7219
http://www.threebearsrestaurant.com/