Market Place Kitchen - Woodbury

A/C does not work. Music during dinner way too loud ! Can’t hear people who are with you its so loud.

We were disappointed that it was overly warm (a/c was not utilized effectively), the service was very slow, the restrooms had not been cleaned no TP available, and the food was not as good as it used to be.

We came here in a large group to celebrate successfully putting on our independent play. The place is absolutely beautiful and has a romantic aura. The food was good also. I would NOT recommend coming with a large group as the service was disorganized and unfriendly to large groups. They wouldn't split the check for us and moved some of our party out of the area (to make more space) even after we expressed we didn't need more space as some people had left already. We also had to wait a bit because of poor communication. When I initially made the reservation, I was told we would get the private room for 20-30 ppl. They called back to ask if two long tables would be okay, which was fine of course. When we got there, they made the tables outside of the private room, which wasn't ever clarified. We did eventually get the room but many people ended up eating at the bar and leaving before it was ready. Overall, I would come back in a small group to sit and eat at the bar. The bar staff was really friendly and courteous. I wouldn't come in a large group or dine as the wait staff seemed annoyed and not up to the task.

We enjoyed a pre-fixed lunch at Market Place Kitchen and Bar after Hollister House Garden tour on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. The tables were elegantly set with bottles of cold water, cloth napkins, silverware, and printed menus. Our meal began with a refreshing salad featuring radishes, avocado, baby spinach, strawberries, and nuts, all drizzled with olive oil. For the entrée, I chose skillet-roasted Atlantic salmon with roasted vegetables, rice, and green peas under a balsamic sauce. The salmon was absolutely delicious. I accompanied my meal with two glasses of apple juice and concluded with a chocolate peanut brownie topped with chocolate sauce and vanilla gelato, coffee plus a complementary seasonal sorbet. Despite the excellent food, the service left room for improvement. The staff were polite, friendly, and patient, but the wait time was excessive, with an hour-long wait for the salad alone. Additionally, the women’s bathroom was out of order, there were no salt or pepper shakers on the tables, and the frequent sound of breaking dishes from the kitchen was distracting. Nonetheless, the overall dining experience was enjoyable.

The Market Place Kitchen and Bar is a regional Farm to Table restaurant chain with five restaurants throughout Connecticut. It specializes in Farm To Table dining, to include seafood, meat, poultry, pasta, salads, and other choices. Our party chose to dine at the Woodbury branch on a Friday evening, and due to the rather late hour (approximately 9:15) we had plenty of tables from which to choose. Our pleasant server served us some beverages while we decided what to eat from the menu, which offered a variety of dishes. Market Place offers small plates, shared plates, boards, seafood, meat, poultry, and pasta. Not in the mood for a large meal, I chose the Short Rib Focaccia, consisting of beef short rib, caramelized onions, white cheddar and provolone cheese, natural jus dipping sauce, and a large cup of fries. The meal was delightful, with the focaccia fresh and the beef very tender.n The au jus wasn’t your standard “brown water” type, but a rich, reddish sauce that was tangy and mouthwatering. The fries were also pleasing. The Butternut Squash Ravioli, however, was disappointing. The dish consisted of roasted butternut squash and sage brown butter in a creamy gorgonzola sauce, sprinkled with walnut gremolata. The problem with the meal was that the sauce drowned out the squash and ravioli. Overall, it lacked a balance of flavor. The restaurant’s exterior is a barn-like structure. The wooden interior is very spacious, with a vaulted ceiling supported by wooden beams, and illuminated by string lights and hanging lamps throughout the dining area. From where we were sitting, we had a glimpse into the kitchen. The establishment is very clean and inviting. The Market Place Kitchen and Bar offers a varied selection with a rustic atmosphere. The service is decent, and the place has a distinct charm. Although the pasta dish was wanting, it shouldn’t deter those looking for other options.