When we've gone out to eat as a family we've generally stuck to our tried and true kid-friendly places such as local pizza shops or chain restaurants where we know the food will be consistent. Because consistency is important when it comes to feeding young kids with finicky tastes, right? I know there are parents reading this who have picky eaters like I do! However I've been on a mission to branch out and explore restaurants we haven't yet tried in an effort to not only expand the kids' palettes but also to add some variety and excitement for us adults.
So last Thursday evening, my family and I went out to dinner at Widow Browns Cafe at 128 Federal Road in Danbury (directly across from Stew Leonards). Widow Browns Cafe has a family-friendly, casual atmosphere with a hopping bar/pub area complete with pool tables and dart boards separate from a bustling dining room with a combination of large booths and tables. Perfect for kids I thought, as my youngest found the corner of the booth bench particularly appealing as she discovered that her voice was amplified while singing into the hallow of the corner (ah...kids....the things that entertain!). No one else in the dining room really noticed except for us...my daughter's song easily swallowed up by the din of the restaurant. My husband and I observed how that the warm, cozy atmosphere reminded us of some of the local pubs/cafes we used to frequent back in the Westchester/NYC area when we were first married. So even though the kids were with us, it kinda felt like a date night. Kind of...because my oldest quickly interrupted our conversation with some trivia questions from game cards she discovered at the table. We had so much fun quizzing each other that we continued even as the food was brought to the table.
The menu features a variety of American comfort foods from burgers and sandwiches to steak, seafood and pasta dishes. We started out with the daily special appetizer - Stuffed Zucchini. It was SO delicious! The zucchini was cooked just long enough (not too crunchy, not too soft) and the ricotta stuffing was done just so - warm and flavorful. For the main meal, my husband ordered the Smokey Bird Sandwich (turkey, bacon, arugula, onion, tomato and Swiss cheese with garlic aioli on a grilled rustic roll with sweet potato fries) while I ordered the Veggie Rice Bowl (sauteed peppers, onions, carrots and broccoli in a light sesame ginger sauce served over brown rice). We were both thrilled with our choices. The sandwich was fresh-tasting and satisfying and the veggie bowl was a perfect portioned size with a sauce that was very flavorful without overpowering the veggies. The kids each ordered mac and cheese (they're usual go-to) and my oldest loved it! My youngest wasn't as big a fan so we ordered her chicken strips with fries instead which she gobbled up. While the kids menu contains your typical "kid food" (Hamburger/Cheeseburger, Hot Dog, Chicken Strips, Grilled Cheese, Mac & Cheese, Pasta with or without sauce), the quality of the food was anything but. The mac and cheese featured a delicious homemade cheese sauce...that's right...real cheese...not like the boxed variety. And my younger daughter told me that her chicken strips "taste just like yours at home, mommy!". That's because they are hand-breaded and fried fresh. The kids menu is for ages 10 and under and is reasonably priced at $6.50 per meal. Drinks are extra ($1.50 for small milk or juice; $1.00 for soda). On Thursday nights, kids eat for free (one child with an adult purchase of a meal). Overall, our experience was a positive one and we very much look forward to a return visit to try additional items off their menu!
Widow Browns is celebrating 40 years as a Danbury landmark. Owner Aura Showah, of New Milford, couldn't be more pleased. With a mom-and- pop mindset and the assistance of her son, she says, "Our goal is to make our customers comfortable and feel as if they are a part of the Widows' family. In return, we've enjoyed 40 years of customer loyalty, so we ourselves become an important part of our community. Some say 'Life begins at 40,' so Widow Browns looks forward to many years to come."
With live music on Friday & Saturday nights, Open Mic on Sundays, Trivia on Tuesdays, Kids Eat Free/Wings Night on Thursdays, among other special events, Widow Browns Cafe consistently receives high ratings. Add to that a reasonably priced menu, and TripAdvisor comments pop up regularly with four-star reviews: "Best BLT Around," "Best Monte Christo Sandwich," "Best French Dip Sandwich," "Great Value," "This is one of my new favorites." Every other month, the Cafe offers up a five-course beer dinner that features different breweries from across the country. The eatery features 20 beers on tap with 15 rotating craft beers and also has pool tables and video arcade games - something for every member of the family.
Widow Browns Cafe is open Mondays through Thursdays 11:30am to 1:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11:30am to 2:00am, and Sundays 11:30am to 1:00am, with Happy Hour food and drink specials from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call (203) 743 7021 or visit widowbrowns.com.
Author and her family received a complimentary meal in order to be able to write and share this review. Opinions reflected herein are her own.
