Dining, Other Ways To Spend Your Weekend In Westport

WESTPORT, CT — With so many beautiful beaches and places for outdoor entertainment around town, Westport residents may find themselves busy all summer trying to soak up every last ounce of sun. With the first day of fall this weekend, perhaps your schedule is clearing up and you're looking for fun things to do.

Well one thing Westport offers in spades is great places to eat. In fact, I've always found Westport to be an epicenter of great food, drinks and after-dinner treats. In order to find out what makes Westport such a hotspot for fabulous dining, Patch reached out to acclaimed chef Bill Taibe, who owns three restaurants in town: The Whelk, Kawa Ni and Jesup Hall.

Each of Taibe's popular eateries capture the essence of Westport through their attention to detail in both food and service, and their ever-evolving menus cater perfectly to the average Westport customer's ever-evolving palate and adventurous spirit.

"The people and the town of Westport have always been so supportive of everything we do," Taibe said in an email. "It was nine years ago next month that we opened our first restaurant here, LeFarm. From day one the people of this town have opened their arms to us and allowed us to evolve."

Taibe also praised the town for its constant promotion of local businesses and the great food its local restaurants offer.

"The Westport Downtown Merchants Association and the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce are heavily involved in promoting the restaurants and businesses in the area," Taibe said. "We are truly grateful to be a part of this community."

Taibe also offered reasons why residents looking for something to do this weekend or seeking an adventure in dining might want to come out to one of his three restaurants:

The Whelk

A restaurant and seafood bar located along the Saugatuck River, The Whelk offers guests a chance to catch some views of the water while enjoying cocktails and oysters caught from a variety of areas in Connecticut and nearby.

"As the summer winds down, it's a great place enjoy some $1 oysters during Happy Hour and catch the end of 'Frogger Season' after a walk along the Saugatuck," Taibe said.

Kawa Ni

If you're looking for something with more of an Asian flair, Kawa Ni offers items like peekytoe crab rangoons, smoked hamachi wantons and bbq eel. Here's a tip: try the crab fried rice.

"We only have a few more good nights left on the rooftop," Taibe said. "What better place is there to meet, grab a sakebomb and enjoy a view?"

Jesup Hall

The newest addition to Taibe's local eatery empire, Jesup Hall is located in the old town hall building. Here you are invited to a unique experience where you can enjoy a game at the bar while sampling whipped chicken livers, lamb sausage or a hot pepper burger, featuring burnt tomato mayo, Italian peppers and provolone.

"Jesup Hall is our casual, everyday eatery," Taibe said. "It’s at the epicenter of downtown Westport and it’s just an easy place, whether you’re coming for 'Happy Time' and watching a game at the bar or joining a group of friends for a full meal. It really has something for everyone."

Of course, these three places are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dining options in Westport. So if you have an adventurous palate that can't be satisfied by simply cooking at home, why not head out and prepare for the upcoming Connecticut Restaurant Week (Oct. 8-14) by mapping out your favorite local places to grab a bite or a drink.

Westport Trivia

What was the name of the first church built in Westport? See answer below, but no peeking!

Upcoming Fun Things To Do In Westport

Here's a list of fun things coming up this weekend in Westport, according to the Westport Patch calendar:

• Countdown to College Expo - Saturday, Sept. 22 at The Westport Library
  • Meet academic tutors and college counselors from around Fairfield County. Click here for more details.
• Group Canoe Paddle - Saturday, Sept. 22 at Earthplace
  • Travel along the Saugatuck River in search of ducks, shorebirds and more! Click here for more details.
• Destination Westport: Stroll Through Saugatuck History - Saturday, Sept. 22
  • Join the Westport Historical Society for a Stroll Through Saugatuck to relive the history of the little village at the mouth of the Saugatuck River and its importance to the town of Westport through time. Click here for more details.
• Pillow Concert with Ken Kubota and JHM Jams at Suzuki Schools - Saturday, Sept. 22
  • Suzuki Music Schools’ "Pillow Concert" series returns and opens with cellist Ken Kubota and JHM Jams. Click here for more details.

In Case You Missed It: Recent Westport Patch Headlines

• Westport Middle School Closes For Week Due To Mold Issues: Report
• 5 Westport Students Receive Awards In Literary Competition
• 2 Charged With Stealing Tires, Rims From Dealership: Westport PD
• Staples Sits Near Top of Initial Girls Soccer Poll
• Popular Westport Donut Shop Under New Ownership

Trivia Answer

According to the town website, the first church built in Westport was the Green's Farms Congregational Church in 1711, and it served as the focal point of all town activities.

Photo credit: RJ Scofield