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85 Main
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
85 Main StPutnam, CT 06260
(860) 928-1660
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for 85 Main
Review Highlights
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"I'm in love with the raw bar." In 4 reviews -
"Very nice atmosphere and the bar is gorgeous." In 1 review -
"The wait staff was very friendly and engaging." In 3 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Bradley H.
Putnam, CT
5/3/2012
Been there a handful of times, with co-workers, with friends, in a group, or just with my wife, and all scenarios work well at 85 Main. They have a bar menu and a regular sit-down menu, both filled with delicious and imaginative dishes. I have never had bad Sushi there. The beer selection is decent, especially with Stone IPA on draft, and a Seasonal Peak Organic. The staff seems knowledgeable and friendly as well.
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Review from Jamie H.
4/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really wanted to love 85 Main. There is a nice outside patio which was perfect for a sunny afternoon. My friend ordered the crab cake salad, which I was tempted to order as well. Instead I got the chicken and brie sandwich, I love brie and cheese in general. My friend said the crab cakes were not that great and it was quite small as well. She did say the salad was very tasty though. My chicken sandwich was just average, not amazing. It needed something to give it more flavor.
Also it took far too long for us to get our drinks, the service in general was pretty slow. I'm so disappointed because I wanted to love it. -
Review from Daria Jayne O.
Thompson, CT
1/16/2012
I've been here a couple times, both with groups of co-workers. This is definitely a great place for groups. I've had a burger, apps, and sushi here, all were very delicious. Cocktails are divine! Would recommend for anyone willing to pay a higher fare. Well worth it!
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Review from Izabela B.
North Grosvenor Dale, CT
Updated - 8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Since my last review almost two years ago, I still feel mostly the same about 85 Main. The food is local, creative, and very good. Between the bar, the tables by those big beautiful windows and the European patio, the options for seating are plentiful and the atmosphere is really top notch.
Some have said that 85 Main is hipster and yuppie... but the bottom line is this: foodies will rejoice with the rich, diverse menu at this small town restaurant.
Having said that, good things in life don't come cheap. But for a small town, 85 Main is pricey. Note, however, that most patrons are quite happily willing to pay, perhaps in exchange for this kind of a dining experience so close to home. Or, perhaps, just because many of us want to support the really great small businesses in our hometown.
Mostly I wanted to update my review because I just want to say:
The sushi here is awesome.
I'm a big fan of the caterpillar roll (spicy tuna with avocado.) Sushi is hard to come by here in the Quiet Corner. In fact, other than the sushi offered at some Chinese restaurants in the area (*read: sketchy*), I can't think of anywhere else it can be found. So do try the sushi at 85 Main. And don't forget to pair it with a bowl of miso soup or wakame (seaweed) salad.
Sushi in Putnam. Oh, little Putnam, you are growing up. It makes me happy.Listed in: A Friday Night in Scenic…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/20/2010
Located next to the well loved cafe Victoria Station, 85 Main offers some of the more upscale (and… Read more »
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Review from Sharon A.
Putnam, CT
3/24/2012
Wonderful food, great atmosphere! Service is good, but a tad slow.
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Review from Shari N.
Phoenix, AZ
1/24/2012
85 Main is my favorite place to dine when I am visiting in Putnam. I love that I can have sushi and my boyfriend can find something that he really enjoys as well. My experiences have always been great here! I will say that my boyfriend dined here without me recently, and had terrible service, but that hasn't happened to me. I hope that whatever service issues occurred that night have been remedied, because I don't want to lose this favorite spot to eat!
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Review from Kasey B.
4/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Putnam is such a cool little area in Connecticut. We have been trying lots of the restaurants in the area with some other couples we know. This one is very nice looking inside. The bar area is beautiful, and there were lots of people there. Always a good sign.
The menu is pretty diverse. They have a raw bar, sushi, as well as a menu with more American-type fare. We did not try the sushi unfortunately. We ordered entrees from the 'American' menu. They had some really interesting dishes on the menu, however, the ones we ordered were not that special. They were not as flavorful as I expected. Perhaps, we did not order their strongest dishes. It was not bad, but for the price I was not impressed.
I would list more specifics if I could, but it was a while ago I was there! Anyway...it is definitely a place worth trying if you are in the area. -
Review from Elsa H.
Putnam, CT
10/11/2011
I like 85 Main but the few times Ive been there havent blown me away. There are more places in Putnam to try out before this one haha.
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Review from Heidi B.
San Francisco, CA
5/20/2011
Solid 4 stars here. Great Value, cuisine and service. I came here for a celebratory dinner with my family and so glad we chose this restaurant - the menu is varied & fresh and the service was topnotch.
I highly, highly, recommend the maple-glazed pan seared scallops. -
Review from Mytch S.
Windham, CT
8/31/2011
Great food, on a pricey side though. Great atmosphere, you can hang out under the stars indoors or on their patio when it's nice out. 95% of what I order there is AMAZING. But there are a few dishes I didn't feel much for, but others with me loved it. I'm in love with the raw bar. Anytime I'm in the mood for little necks or huge shrimp, I go here, since this is really the only place I know locally that offers a raw bar.
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Review from Michelle P.
Los Angeles, CA
8/28/2009
Deliciously Fine Cuisine per visiting Los Angelino Yelper... Northern Connecticut's only Raw Bar and late Night Restaurant.
You know you have picked the right place when you are having a hard time deciding what to order.
I'm surprised this place hasn't had higher ratings because this beautiful little bistro is a favorite of mine on my trip to CT. They are open Mon -Sun from 11:30am - 11:30pm, and it was recommended to me by the staff many of whom come from Boston, NJ, NY, etc (They were adult at the local camp where I was working). They did not steer me wrong!!!
In the middle of an wonderfully exhausting 7-day camp volunteer experience, we each get one 8-hour period of time off. I went to 85 Main with 4 of my co-volunteers (two from NY and one from Philly) all of us eat at fine restaurants all over the world. We were very happy with our meal and service from a lovely young waitress this past Monday mid-day.
I had a bowl of their Roasted Corn Clam chowder, deliciously smokey with bits of bacon, sweet corn, and Thyme ($6.00!!! Well worth it!!!). I also ordered a side of artichokes tapas ($4.50) marinated in olive oil, lemon, and some herbs that make your mouth want more. My friends ordered delightful veggie wraps, scrumptious pesto chicken salad (tossed with fresh basil pesto Aioli, shallots, and roasted red peppers over field greens...also can be served as a wrap - $10), and a chicken & brie sandwich with sweet potato fries ($11). The fries were the best I have ever tasted... thick, lots of potato, perfectly crispy on the outside. Delish!
They also have other items on the menu such as Oysters, Shrimp, Clams, Potato Leak Asparagus Soup, Salmon Salad, Warm Chevre Salad, Burgers, Crab Cakes, Fish Wraps, etc. My only regret is not having room to eat more or try dessert.
We didn't go for dinner, but the dinner menu also featured items like steak tips with wild mushrooms, orange and coriander 1/2 chicken, wild mushroom ravioli, BBQ platter, Wild Salmon, Maple-glazed Pan-seared Scallops. YUMMOOOO! What's not to like?
Our waitress was a go getter and never left us feeling unattended. Even the bathrooms made you feel like you were in a spa-like environment.
Final 5th star was earned when I saw that Big Bird had written and autographed a note for the chef and it was framed and hanging in the doorway of the kitchen.
When in Putnam, this is YOUR PLACE TO GO! -
Review from John H.
Coventry, RI
10/1/2011
Great place!! The food was really good, had oysters, sushi, shrimp and a couple cocktails.... Didn't break the bank either! Sat outside, great on a nice summer nite. Very impressed... I'll be back real soon. The waitstaff was awesome too! *****
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Review from Ed T.
Central Manchester, CT
7/19/2011
A very pleasant surprise. Inventive and tasty fare. Very good service.
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Review from Lisa K.
Carlsbad, CA
Roasted pumpkin bruschetta, toasted pumpkin tinis= sooo tasty. Service is a bit lacking however here during busy day during local Pumpkin Festival. 85 Main should not be missed as part of overall splendor of this historic New England town.
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Review from Greg W.
Jewett City, CT
3/24/2010
Excellent atmosphere, great for a first date. It's somewhat trendy, with a very comfortable feel to it. The wait staff was very friendly and engaging.
It has an outdoor patio, which will be nice once the weather gets better.
I only went for appetizers, so I can't comment on the main menu. The apps were delicious and on par price-wise with other restaurants.
The only drawback is the parking. There are a number of restaurants/bars in this area and you'll need to be prepared to battle for a spot. -
Review from Beth M.
6/5/2007
My husband grew up in the lovely town of Putnam, and when 85 Main opened its doors, everyone we are friends with there started raving about it...how great the food is, the hip relaxed yet upscale atmosphere...the great wine and cocktails...and I have to say that upon finally trying it a couple weeks ago, I agree! This place is great, and just what a small town like Putnam needs to spice up their dining choices.
We started with a glass of local wine from Pomfret, the next town over (Ballet du Angels, so yum!) and the olive and cheese plate which was really delicious and generous. It easily satisfied 4 of us as an appetizer with an assortment of yummy olives, cracker bread with bean spreads and cheeses, and bonus sopressata.
I then moved onto a tuscan chicken dish with lots of spinach, balsamic, tomatoes and garlic over angel hair...very yummy with bolder flavors than I expected. The rest of my party enjoyed their entrees too...but we were too stuffed for dessert.
The service was friendly and efficient, and the chef even came out and chatted with us about our meal...you can tell how proud he is of 85 Main and he should be! All in all we had an excellent meal and will definitely be back when we visit the Putnam area. -
Review from john l.
Medway, MA
8/7/2011
Fantastic.....what else can you say
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Review from lisa l.
Ashford, CT
5/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Good hideaway date night place for us. The atmosphere is bustling but still intimate, casual but you can get a little snazzied up and not feel overly dressed. We have been to this place a couple of times and we have been quite satisfied.
People have mentioned that it is reasonable- which I think needs clarification;
Dinner 4 2 will run easily $75, which isn't a cheap meal- but certainly for the presentation and experience a fine value.I have my own opionons regarding "cheap" food and since 85 main supports local and sustainable types of food, I am willing to support that.
The menu has a good amount of choices- maybe more than it needs to have. I haven't been in the sushi mood when we went, though from the other reviews sounds like they are doing that well. It seemed out of place to me to have sushi out in Putnam- though I don't know why. I have had the Saffron PEI Mussels, very nice. The Bruschetta was decent- I believe the tomatoes were pretty local which I like. As I write this review, I have looked over the menu again, I must have been pretty happy with what I ordered, as I cannot remember what my husband had! It probably isn't a 4 star -of blow your mind away place, but it is solidly good. I think you need that kind of place more often than the fancy 4 star kind. -
Review from Christopher M.
South Grafton, MA
6/8/2010
I have eaten here several times now, over the course of the past year. Each time I have gone, I have left happy. Their lunch menu is fantastic...creative and simple at the same time, if that's possible. Sometimes, less is more, and such is the case with their lunch menu. Not five pages of options, however, the choices that are on the menu are excellent.
I have only been here once for dinner, and it was a Sunday night, I believe. The restaurant was not too busy at the time, as we were there during off peak hours. The wine list was decent, and we were able to find a choice that suited us. Not your run of the mill, boring, standard wine list. There were some different options in there, which I like. I don't like going to a restaurant and they have the standard Kendall Jackson's and CA cabs. I like to see some varietals from other parts of the world (Spain, France, etc) In the summer, there is seating outside, which makes for a nice, romantic setting with an olde town feel.
The servers here are very competent and friendly. I have not had a bad experience, and I am sure I will return. I would recommend 85 Main to anyone in the area. -
Review from Beoir D.
Putnam, CT
85 Main offers the best cuisine and the sushi is a must. The atmosphere and the friendly wait staff top it all off.
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Review from Bryan D.
Oxford, MA
After a fantastic lunch the other day i was very excited to go back for dinner. We arrived at 6:05. We were sat immediately and our waitress took our drink order at 6:09. She came back and took our food order at 6:11. At 6:20 the waitress said my drink should be out in a minute. Our app of "85 main wings" came at 6:31. These were over cooked and the taste was just ok. They had some nice heat that took a few seconds to kick in, but the base flavor was lacking. At 6:34 my drink finally came (25 minutes for those who don't want to do the math). There was no apology or explanation for how long it took, it was just delivered and she walked away. Now we sat and waited for our main course. At 7:01 we were told it should be out in a couple minutes. At 7:11 we requested the bill. The waitress apologized up and down and pleaded with us to stay for a minute so she could go get us an exact time. She said "i will go get you an honest number. If its over 5 minutes then I will get you the check. I am really sorry". She came back and told us that we were the next to be plated and she would be standing there waiting for it to run it right out to us and she was very sorry because they got stuck behind a party of 20 and they were short handed in the kitchen. So we sat and waited only because we trusted our waitress and felt bad for her. She wasn't the best, but we knew she was getting the short end of the stick with the kitchen messing up so bad. Then it looked like the kitchen lied to her. 17 more plates came out of the kitchen, we were waiting for her to come back out so we could get the check and leave. Then at 7:23 we finally got food. We wished we hadn't. I had the center cut sword with a succotash and broccoli rabe. The fish was cooked good, not perfect but good. The succotash was COVERED in oregano. I dont know if the cook grabbed a handful of the wrong thing, but it was totally inedible. The broccoli rabe was so bitter that it was also inedible. My wife got steak medallions with mashed and asparagus. The mashed were barely warm in the middle and gritty, the asparagus was very over cooked and tasted bad and lastly the steak was ordered medium rare and it was raw. We have eaten at a lot of placed that cost ~$30 for entrees and this was by far the worst I have ever be served. The manager took the two entrees off the bill and apologized, but going here for dinner was planned for 3 days. All the build up and expectations and it completely ruined our night and set the tone for the next day. Waking up, still disappointed.
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Review from Jen S.
Boston, MA
7/7/2009
We were in Putnam for the day and choose 85 Main because it looked welcoming and had a large menu. The patio and the indoor tables near the big windows made it a good choice for the warm sunny weather. After so much rain, being near the sun is key.
I had the fish wrap, which was not fried like most fish sandwiches. I thought it was a bit bland - it would have been better with something to make it more interesting. The fries, however, were amazing - hand cut, piping hot, and with just the right amount of sea salt. My bf had oysters from the raw bar, which he said were good, and a salad with arugula and goat cheese. He also got a Ginger Beer, which you don't see much these days.
It was a relaxed and pleasant dining experience, something that wouldn't have been remarkable in Boston but which I'm guessing is a bit more unusual in a small town. -
Review from Katie K.
Somerville, MA
4/22/2010
A perfect spot for lunch. Good prices for high-quality, sophisticated, well-presented food.
I ordered the pesto chicken salad over field greens with a nice pinot grigio and my friend ordered a burger. We were both very satisfied. The atmosphere was pleasant and the service was great. I'm definitely coming here again the next time I'm in the area. -
Review from Jennifer H.
Worcester, MA
9/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
Very nice atmosphere and the bar is gorgeous....but looks can be deceiving. The food was extremely average...My boyfriend and I both got cheeseburgers and both of them were completly burned on one side. The sweet potato fries were horrible too they were burned...I can't believe the chef was ok with serving the fries looking that way. Portion sizes are pretty small considering the price. We got the bruschetta for an appetizer for 9 dollars and it came with only two slices of bread.
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Review from Zach G.
Jewett City, CT
6/16/2011
This place is pretty classy and it offers a lot of options in an area with not a lot to pick from. If you're into sushi/sashimi they have a pretty good selection here. The fish is pretty fresh compared to local alternatives. The gyoza is always a good choice for the appetizer. The orange and coriander chicken is usually what I get and I found it to be quite enjoyable. All the ingredients here are really fresh and it shows in the quality of the food.
It can be a little pricey, but it has a nice atmosphere and it's classy. Service can vary. More often than not, it's a little slower than what I like. -
Review from April L.
Webster, MA
8/29/2011
A great local establishment that takes pride in their creative and usually local menu. 85 has a big city feeling nestled in the quiet corner. We often gather here for our ladies night out, or for a date night dinner. Always delicious. My personal favorite is the Vegetarian Experience, but I have never been disappointed.
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Review from Heid H.
Boston, MA
10/23/2008
There comes a time when every town which is attempting to become more progressive acquires its own yuppie restaurant. I decided to try 85 Main this past year because my mother had bought me a $25 gift certificate for the place. Their food was fairly good, but the prices are outlandish and my gift certificate barely covered the appetizer.
Sorry, but I have eaten at much better "fine dining" restaurants in Boston which charged me far less and gave me superior service. I suppose it's only fair of them to charge such high prices since their hipster consumer base continues to happily hand over their paychecks. In the meantime, I'll stick to the Victoria Station side of the outdoor platform. -
Review from A A.
Glastonbury, CT
1/14/2010
New York/ Boston prices for Putnam, CT faire. I imagine the only reason it remains in business is that it is one of few restaurants in a 30 mile radius. I heard great things prior to going there and I was definately disappointed. What can you expect from a cullinarilly challenged region? Blah..
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Review from Matty O.
Dayville, CT
11/13/2008
This is the best place to eat in the town of Putnam when it comes to dinner. Its a hip place and the atmosphere is nice. The food is always well prepared and made by people that care about their craft. I've been here a dozen times and the menu changes enough to keep you coming back. My only complaint has been with the waitresses. Sometimes you get a waitress that doesn't share the same customer focus that the owners have. Usually the service is great, but once in a while you get a waitress that you wish you trade in for a better model. Then again, that's probably true for every restaurant.
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Review from Wesley F.
Costa Mesa, CA
10/10/2009
Hit or Miss.. It really depends on what you are looking for. Unfortunately, night to night this place is so inconsistent with service, its hard to give it the four stars that it probably deserves. If you are looking for a drink or two with a ritzy appetizer, and you have an hour or two to kill, 85 main is great.. However, if you wanna have a full meal (or appetizers & sushi) in a couple of hours on a weekday, this is a bad choice.
The interior is nice, its kinda trendy and artsy, and they have a pretty cool outdoor eating area and a nice vibe in the bar area... Best of all they do a great job of changing up the menu and making some great tasting dishes. The chef here does a great job, probably some of the best food I have ever had within a 30 minute drive of Putnam, however for the amount they charge, the restaurant management & service here is pretty weak.
The problem with 85 main is consistency. This place clearly has an A team, and a B team. You will be taken care of when the A team is working, usually this is on the weekends, and you will enjoy your experience for around $100. On a weeknight, the B team will make you wish you didn't eat out...
In my most recent experience with the B team I sat waiting for my food, staring at an empty drink that I had ordered a refill for when I got the first one.. When my food finally came out It had been an hour since I got there and all I ordered was some raw bar and sushi.
But all the negatives aside, its a great spot, as long as you have patience and the luck to get the A team. -
Review from Robert A.
Putnam, CT
8/29/2010
I went yesterday with my wife to enjoy the beautiful weather and finally spend a gift certificate that we have had for some time now. We chose to dine outside and I will admit that the atmosphere was wonderful. I wish that I could say the same about the food and the service. My wife had the chicken caesar salad and I chose to try the burger. We decided to split the corn and clam chowder as an appetizer. The chowder was delicious however it would have been nice if it was more then luke warm. When the entrees came my wife's salad was not bad. My burger, however, was over cooked by quite a bit. This situation could easily been rectified but our waitress chose to disappear. She never checked back so I was stuck with a very subpar burger. When she finally did come ready to give us the check, she noticed the non-eaten burger. She asked what was wrong and did take it off the bill when I told her. I must say that for these prices it was an all round awful experience.
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Review from R C.
Muncie, IN
11/15/2008
85 Main is a cozy bistro in downtown Putnam. The wait staff are attentive and welcoming and their level of service is certainly exceptional for this region. I have had dinner entrees here that were fresh and well seasoned and many of the appetizers too. In my opinion this is a good place to go and lounge for a few hours either inside or outside while munching on appetizers and drinks.
