Reviews for Gates Restaurant + Bar in New Canaan, CT
Whoever the host was today was terrible. He was a Latino man who wouldn’t even look my friend in the eye nor did he welcome... her in. Please help him understand that diverse people come to restaurants like yours. We both left because I wouldn’t sit ina restaurant whose host mistreats and ignores people because they are not the ‘right’ sort of clientele. By the way, just soyou know who I’m talking about, hr mentioned that you usually have a hostess but she wasn’t in today. Read more
Food and service excellent. They just need to work on their desert, well at least the two we ordered.
This is an unusual place. It can be hit or miss, depending on the time of day, what you order, and who is working there. Most... times it's been great. Last visit was a disaster from start to finish. I'll write that off as an off day for them. They havesomething called the "Bang Bang shrimp bowl" that never fails to please. The hamburgers are excellent also. Other dishes don'tcome off so well. Chicken pailliard (sp?) was way overcooked and inedible. Some other dishes are just boring. The appetizers arefirst rate and some of the desserts are excellent, however, be warned that if you order the chocolate sundae, it will feedtwelve. Each time I've been, the servers have been excellent and attentive, but there seems to be a glitch between them and thekitchen staff. Food and coffee can arrive cold, but they're happy to fix that. However, if you go and it's more than half full,you will wait easily up to 45 minutes for your food. I like the vibe of the place, and you'll find the clientele unpretentious.Two minuses for me are the noise level when it gets crowded (concrete floors and not a lot of things to buffer the sound), andsomething strange is going on with the table tops. They are all sticky. I've eaten at several and they're all the same. Atfirst, I thought someone had spilled something on them and they had not been cleaned, but this is not the case--evidentlythey're that way on purpose. THIS I wish they would change as it doesn't feel clean. Gates has been around a long time, and I'mglad they survived the pandemic and are still in business, but they need a bit more quality control, especially since they'resituated on Forrest Street, which is "restaurant row" in a sense--one eatery right after the other. I'll go back, but when thebad experiences start to outweigh the good ones, I'm gone. Read more
I have been going to Gates since I can remember. I have lived in New Canaan since 1977. Unfortunately tonight was one of the... worst experiences I’ve ever had. The service was absolutely horrendous From the moment I walked in. Unfriendly host, requestedbar seating was ushered to the main dining room. Took 45 minutes to get drinks once they were ordered. Then took an additionalhour to receive entrées. I had to get up and physically get my own ketchup from the kitchen area as well as request a box totake my leftovers home. On top of that, Gates advertises that they have live music starting 9pm. The music started at 8:20. Fora person that has sensitive hearing and hearing aids, that was completely unacceptable. I never write bad reviews but I had towrite this one. How unfortunate. I’m afraid I will not be returning. Read more
New Canaan institution. Best bar in town. Great cocktails, huge menu with specials all the time. Great date night or family... dinner spot. Can’t go wrong. There’s a reason Gates has a regular crowd. Run don’t walk Read more
This was the slowest service I have ever had. Coffee and food were cold when we got it. The place wasn't even very busy. Staff... was friendly but that didn't help much. Food might have been good if it was still warm Read more
This is a great place. We went for dinner and LOVED IT! It is great for kids, and our server and the staff were so kind to go... out of the way for me to put on the Masters from their TVs. The food was amazing, with a little peace symbol charred into mybun. And the dessert was excellent. Ice cream and cotton candy, WOO! This restaurant is amazing and you should definitely visit. Read more
Excellent!!! Food was scrumptious, service was top shelf. Truly enjoyed the time there. We will be back soon! Cheers!!