Tucked away in Wilton's quaint Cannondale Village overlooking the babbling Norwalk river, the restaurant is located inside a schoolhouse built just after the civil war in 1872. The completely renovated and stylish interior reflects the elegant and thoughtful cuisine of Chef Tim LaBant whose focus is on searching out the finest ingredients from both local CT farms and exceptionally passionate farmers from around the nation.
"I can't tell you, not much to recommend the Schoolhouse based on this visit. Mother's Day, but the place has less than 20 tables,so you wouldn't expect it to fall apart. Almost a 30 minute wait after our reservation time for a table, no apologies or sympathy. The staff is embarrassingly novice, undertrained (spilled wine, forgotten drinks, confused service, hard to catch their attention). They seemed annoyed we were waiting for our table in their (small) foyer. The meals (fish, steak, optopus, chicken) were OK but nothing was particularly inventive, no home runs or even close. The portions were silly small, the price was silly high. On balance, I'm not sure if it's worth it with so many good choices nearby."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"We go here for all of our special occasions - birthdays, anniversaries. Tim LaBant is a masterful chef - the dishes are simple, yet the flavors are so intense and delicious. Food is gorgeously presented, and the staff is always smiling, helpful, and responsive. We love it so much that we got married here last year!"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, scenic view, neighborhood gem
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"The food was good, certainly not great like some of the reviews said. It also was expensive. The waiter was not good at all. He didn't explain any of the courses and barely paid any attention to our table. It was my husbands birthday and I asked them to put a candle in the dessert. A $14.00 soufflé ( which was not worth the money). They did not do it and it took 15 minutes to get the waiters attention. They finally brought over some ice cream with a candle in it, but by that time the moment had passed. All and all I can not recommend the restaurant and would not go back"
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We are not strangers to schoolhouse. However, it has continually declined each last visit to an all new low. While I understand holidays are busy that's no excuse for being seated and having to wait 20 minutes for silverware, water and drinks. It was uncharacteristic for this special place with a very talented chef. I honestly would have enjoyed my brunch at a local diner for less than half the price. The food was served over cooked and hastily. Sadly, I don't think we will be back again."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"Schoolhouse consistently delivers an incredibly fresh, imaginative and delicious meal with friendly, efficient service and comfortable atmosphere...every time. We met friends who are serious foodies and had just returned from Paris, where they thought the food was not as good as they remembered it being!! They loved Schoolhouse. Two of us had the Foie Gras, which was divine and 'better than Paris" and the other two had a ravioli that was not squares, but a single sheet of homeade pasta with topping, and divine. Bronzini and strip steak for main course--both fantastic. Menu is not extensive, but creative and EVERYTHING is incredibly fresh. Nice touch: Every menu is custom printed for the party who made the reservation, with your name!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"We had the four course with wine pairing on Thursday night and were very impressed with the food and found the wine to be an excellent pairing. Highly recommend Thursday nights pre fixe for the quality and value!"
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"My husband and I spent our 22nd Anniversary here. The food was amazing, along with wonderful service! I would come here most definately again. If fact we made a reservation to come for brunch today. This is the restaurant we have been looking for in Fairfield County. Just perfection!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"The brunch was first rate. My mushroom quiche was ethereally light and really flavorful. It came with a lovely green salad and a nice crispy wedge of hash browns. My husband has brioche french toast which was very good but a little sweet for my taste. Everything else we saw looked fabulous. The service was god overall, a bit laid back. We were not pushed to order cocktails as is often the case. We were also given our check before we had an opportunity to request dessert even though the room was not booked to capacity at that point. Toward the end of the meal, our server seemed MIA. These are minor quibbles though. We loved the menu and the chef executed on it beautifully."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch
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"The food at The Schoolhouse was absolutely delicious! You can tell that every dish was crafted with care. I loved the beet salad; the beet raviolis were also delicious but the portion size, at 3 ravioli, was a little small even for an appetizer. Our entrees, the char and the gnocchi with sausage, were fantastic and more generously portioned. The chocolate soufflé was a perfect ending to this excellent meal. The wait staff and Christine(?) at the front desk could not have been nicer; I had mentioned that it was my boyfriend's birthday and our menus were customized with birthday wishes printed up top for him! We also loved the charm of the building itself. Overall a great place to have a special occasion, or a delicious meal any time!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"longtime staff is always so welcoming and attentive. The menu is always varied and special, we love coming to eat here for a great meal or a special occasion."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"They have a special Thursday evenings that is -- well -- special. Four courses for $40. With wine pairings it is $65. Each course is a little different with multiple tastes on the plate. Each plate had something extra - it was fun to anticipate what might come next. Trying different wines help make things interesting.
Connecticut country atmosphere - old house next to a stream. Try it!"
Dined on 03/28/2013
2009
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"We had a delicious lunch here - interesting location, small but varied menu and the portions were perfect and beautifully presented. Good choice for non-meat eaters in our group. Service was friendly but unobtrusive and timely. We will definitely go back and highly recommend this restaurant."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"The food was basically good, but very over-priced for what it was. The decor in the restaurant is very basic and uninspiring. The service was OK but not great."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2005
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"We have been to Schoolhouse five times; the first four were very good/excellent, the last was UNACCEPTABLE. The food was not up to usual standards but more significant is that some of the tables including ours were so water drenched that as the meal went on the water wicked onto our clothing. The couple at the table next to us actually had stained wet spots on their clothing. We told the waiter who simply said, "yes, the tables were outside and they got wet". I sent an email to the restaurant but did not get a response so now I letting others know that the restaurant does not care enough about their customers to seat them at tables that do not cause the diners clothes to get wet."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"As always, Chef/Owner Tim LaBant creates delish dishes from simple ingredients. The portions are perfect and every morsel fantastic. We love the cheese plate-always a beautiful pairing with champagne."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Everything we ate was excellent, although given all the hype, none of the food blew me away - still, everything was solid. Also, the schoolhouse setting is super cute, even if the tables are really (I mean REALLY) close together. My only problems were 1) The service was pretty slow considering the ratio of servers to tables, and 2) For the price, the lamb pasta dish my husband ordered was absurdly small! If he hadn't eaten half my pork tenderloin, probably would have left hungry. Would likely return, but only if we were already in the neighborhood - otherwise would probably not justify the 45 minute drive from home."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Not only was the meal amazing, but the staff couldn't be any nicer. We were running late on Valentines Day no less, and they were extremely accommodating, despite having a packed house. Great spot."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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"Truly captures that New England charm with expertly designed and prepared dishes. I had the Berkshire pork loin and my wife had the Scotch egg, both were delicious! The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I plan on returning there soon!"
Dined on 02/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"A great LITTLE place with very good food. Went for a birthday and they personalized the menus with our name. The small staff was very attentive, but not intrusive. I would go again."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"We were greeted amiably by one of the wait staff and shown to our table. It is a very small restaurant in an old renovated one-room schoolhouse, yet you don't feel like you are sitting on top of other people. We never felt rushed. The food is good (we went for Sunday brunch) though perhaps a bit over-priced. I would recommend making reservations as it is a small place in a historic area of town, so it tends to be a trendy place to go on Sundays."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, kid-friendly, special occasion, great for lunch
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"First time at this restaurant but it won't be the last. Charming but low-key atmosphere. Menu was well-thought out and everything we had was delicious...The foie-gras torchon with toasted brioche was absolutely scrumptious as was the lightly smoked trout entree. The Portuguese octopus with squid ink pasta appetizer was outstanding and beautifully presented. Perhaps the only tiny criticism would be that the Berkshire pork loin in one entree was a bit underdone and a little too chewy...the latter not uncommon with some of the 'farm to table' organic meats. Otherwise, the combination of accompaniments and flavors was excellent as was the presentation of the food on the plates. Enjoyed the whole experience and will definitely go back."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for The Schoolhouse at Cannondale