Fife 'n Drum Restaurant & Inn

We had Thanksgiving dinner here and actually sat at one of the high tops in the bar. It was super fun… The meal was delicious with actual home-cooked food… The service was fantastic, and the live piano music in the background was cheerful and not intrusive. The place was festive and clean and nice…. We really enjoyed it and will be back soon.

We did not do the hotel. This review is only for the restaurant. We ate on a Wednesday right when they opened at 3, we were the only ones in the restaurant but it was an off season day. Chicken parmesan was good. Substantial amount of chicken. Ravioli was good also. Caesar salad for two at the table was also good but not noteworthy so I would skip it next time. Bill was $100

Service was great for lunch, I was able to order off the old menu without hesitation by the server. Very professional, nice older tavern like feel and good food. We have been here before and will be back.

LOVE LOVE! Beautiful clean room, thoughtful service, free WiFi, restaurant right next door, in the center of town, easy parking, a gift shop below...I mean, really? When everything else is going up, the Fife Country Inn is still affordable yet well appointed and maintained. I LOVED that I could walk everywhere! It's a special place, family-run, in a special town.

YUMMY! We live 40 minutes away, and decided to come to Kent for the weekend. My brother recommended this restaurant., and the Prime Rib. Well, it did not disappoint!! It was like butter!! I did not eat any appetizers or bread. Thank God! It was a nice sized portion!! My husband had the calamari and the prosciutto with figs. He loved it. The staff were friendly, the atmosphere was great! I will definately be coming back on a Friday for dinner. Looking forward to the Ceasar salad made fresh at your table! That was entertaining to watch! Pianist was great too! Don't skip the gift shop! Perfect time! Thank you!!!

After hearing good things went there with friends to a disappointing experience. The place is pretty enough and piano player was very talented. Unfortunately, that's were it ends. Kitchen was slammed because they were short handed so said our server after 1.5 of waiting as if their staffing was our problem. After another 30 mins the food finally arrives and it is mediocre at best. My scallops were overcooked and the risotto they were served on tart and dramatically over salted. My wife's porkchop so tuff she had difficulty cutting it. Our friends faired somewhat better. I normally would have sent mine back but needed to get on the road. Hopefully, this was an isolated issue but felt they compounded the problem by having a really bad additude -- will not be back.

Very good food and interesting decor with many, old tools and implements displayed. Welcoming and efficient staff.

Very nice restaurant, with great service and lots of history woven in. The Cowboy Burger and thin fries were fabulous. We did not stay at the hotel.

Good and atmosphere is amazing and the desserts are top notch. The service always fast too even though they were very busy. A lovely place to spend Christmas eve!

I expected standard American fare. But the menu through in some items with a Mexican flare. Started out with Onion soup and it was top notch. I opted for the Mexican home style Pozele bowl. ( pork, veggies, avocado, chips in a soupy pork broth. Truly excellent on this cold Saturday night. My friend was less hungry and opted for an Onion soup with a side of fries. ( we took some home) Drinks were poured heavy as they say ( pleasantly surprised). We sat at the bar and the bartender was fun, friendly talkative ( the way it should be) I think/ believe her name is Lucy. This was my first time in, but since I've started hanging out in town I'll be back

The Fife'n Drum is The Best Restaurant in Kent,CT. What a beautiful atmosphere with the live piano player, the ambiance, the joy and efficiency of everyone who works there. I just had the best onion soup I have ever had, and I have been having onion soup for forty years. Also, The Inn is the cutest, most comfortable bed and room you could ever ask for. I love the Fife'n Drum Restaurant, and I love the Fife'n Drum Inn!!!!!

Fife 'n Drum is an old fashioned charmer. It's all dark wood and rustic elegance, the kind of place where one expects to see an old country gentleman in a tweed suit and bowtie, taking Sunday supper by the fireplace. The fireplace was sadly not lit on the wet, March evening when our group of eight stopped in for an early dinner, but the service was warm. Two small loaves of airy, soft, white bread were brought out to the table with butter -- a nice, increasingly rare courtesy. We tried desperately to fend off little hands so little bellies wouldn't fill up too much before the "real food" came. Our food was a bit of a mixed bag. The best dish we tried was by far the pork chop with braised red cabbage and fingerling potatoes. The meat was beautifully brined and very moist, potatoes nicely roasted, and cabbage tender, not-overly-acidic. It was a seasonal and balanced preparation. The least well liked dish we tried was the duck flambé. The children quite appreciated the pyrotechnics of course, but enjoyed the dry, overcooked meat and dry rice far less. The summer squash, while not a hit with the kids and not seasonal, was cooked to just the right degree of doneness (a touch firm, not mushy) and pleasantly garlicky -- but was quite excessively oily. Somewhere in the middle: The scallops with risotto. The five scallops in the dish were small, but sweet and nicely browned. Risotto was the correct, al dente texture and the roasted tomatoes that studded it were lovely: sweet, almost sundried in flavor and texture. But the dish was again unpleasantly overpowered by oil. I had a hard time eating the risotto after I fished out all the vegetable matter. Given the lovely service and pleasant setting (and the fact that we drive by four times a weekend for a third of the year), I'm quite sure we'll return to try more of this promising menu -- especially the nice sounding cocktails when I don't have to drive!

Although we don't live terribly far, this was our first time here and it was fantastic! My husband and I both had the onion soup and it was delicious. He then had the pork chop with red cabbage and fingerling potatoes. He said the pork chop was the best one he's ever eaten. I had the filet mignon with mushroom Marsala and it was excellent. The service was outstanding. We went to the lovely bar for an after dinner espresso martini. Lucy was behind the bar and she was an expert bartender and very friendly to talk to. We also chatted with Tim the maitre d' and he was lovely. All around a great experience. We can't wait to go back.

We visited for the first time yesterday for lunch. Very good overall experience. Sort of an old-school Americana atmosphere. The service was excellent. The food was good (not great). There aren't many options in Kent, so if you need a solid option for a leisurely lunch or dinner I would recommend Fife 'n Drum and I would return for a similar occasion.

Hubby and I stopped for lunch on a Saturday. I had the soup - beef veggie orzo - rich flavor and a nice size bowl and Caesar salad. He had the house braised corned beef sandwich. All was delicious. There was also bread that was served warm and a great selection of teas (~11 flavors). The server was very pleasant- Alina. Stop a moment and enjoy the place.

I'm actually updating this to 5 stars. The food is stellar. And, they have a dedicated pastry chef for the wonderful ever changing dessert menu PLUS real whipped cream. Very few restaurants these days have such a magnificent dessert menu. Do not pass by the Fife 'n Drum for all the other shiny upscale restaurants around. The Fife firmly deserves a spot in the fantastic Litchfield County restaurant lineup.

Food, service, and ambiance are all incredible! The table side Caesar salad is to die for.

Not only is the food and service fantastic at the restaurant (had the French onion soup, scallops and hubby had Caesar salad and steak frites with Sonoma Chardonnay), the room at the Inn was absolutely fantastic! So comfortable, cute, and clean! I love this place and highly recommend it to fellow leaf peepers and then some.

I have gone to the Fife since I was a child. My grandfather used to take my sister and I to fine dining establishments to show us manners, and likely food we were never aware of. Some of my fondest memories are being taken to the Fife, as my grandfather and Dolph were friends. if a restaurant had a piano bar? High on his list. I remember many a night listening to his Irish tenor against Dolph, and Ephraim Zimbalist Jr. While I am local, it's just far enough to not be my local place. but last year, I decided that we would have Easter lunch there. While it is a time capsule memory for me, the food is stellar. It is the very essence of New England cooking slightly reimagined. it is seriously old school and I love that. The Fife has likely changed through the times, but they offer a wide array. The service is perfect. You are not waited on by just one, but the whole staff. As someone who worked in every facet of restaurants while getting my career off, I know how valuable a team they have. Trust me when I say, this is an unpretentious local gem that really shines. I am so happy that even while Dolph is gone, his legacy continues. Our late lunch today was lovely. I am always transported to a different time. the music is always wonderful. We will always return for special occasions, if not more regularly than Easter dinner.

Go to the Fife 'n Drum 4-5 times a year, always liked it and food/service was great. Just went again and experience was 50/50. Waiter came back 2-3 times to confirm order and the meals still came out wrong. Caesar Salad mixup and burger did not have onions. Not a huge deal, but was asked 3-4 times to confirm what we ordered. We will definitely go back, but last experience was 50/50.

Great service for what these wonderful waiters and waitresses have to work with. Certainly great Old New England ambiance, we'll stocked bar and wine list, but the food is just so, so. Regardless, still worth a visit, I will, again, always hoping for those food improvements. But then I probably would have too hard a time getting a seat. I guess I'm happy just the way they are.

The Fife and Drum is a wonderful place for any occasion. A night out with your girlfriends, a date night or a special event! Elissa & team are spot on with their service. The food is delicious and lots of options to choose from! I had my baby shower at the Fife- the perfect spot to host my special event. The Fife has been a staple in Kent for many years and consistently provides top service!

My husband and I were visiting from LA and happened to walk into this magical restaurant. It was like walking into a warm hug. The place is beautifully charming. It was Feb and cold outside and we noticed a table in front of the fire. We had the absolute best lunch and so enjoyed the friendly and professional staff. We got an opportunity to meet both of the owners and hear a bit about the history of the Fife n Drum. Elissa and George were so incredibly kind and welcoming. They make me want to move to Kent. The Magic of the warm fire and lovely conversation along with the fabulous food is definitely 5 Star. Best Cesar salad we have ever had and the Pozole soup was fantastic. I would highly recommend Fife n Drum and look forward returning in June.

What a delight. Food, ambiance, and good old fashioned service. Treat yourself to their Ceasar salad and Filet Mignon prepared tableside. Our party of six were so pleased that we made this restaurant part of our kent getaway!

I was cautious going here as from a quick glance, the menu didn't speak to me. Very traditional. Not terribly exciting. After dining here I can say I'm glad I took the leap! The service alone was ten outta ten. The staff are all uniform not only in their presentation but also their kindness and commitment to service. Everyone who worked there waited on you hand and foot. Not one detail or item was missed. You are the focus. The food was also incredible. I had the salmon and it was out of the world. Likely the best I've had. The sear was perfection. My family all had filet or steak frites and not one leftover to be had. They prepare certain menu items table-side which is a lovely touch. If you want great service in a world where there is no customer service left- come here. It's a step back in time to class and service that sadly has become a thing of the past.

Basically one of the few restaurants open in town, so gave it a try. The food was very tasty. Ordered bbq wings, Bacon Mac and cheese (a little heavy) steak frites, and scallop and shrimps. The food was very appetizing considering it's take out and tasted good. They will be having an anniversary soon with some specials. Try it out if you are in the area.

Ordered the prime rib, my wife had a sandwich, prime rib was dry, no Au jus. Service was less than stellar.

I stayed two nights and ate at the restaurant twice. The staff is very professional and attentive. The room was nice and the food was good. Now back to hiking the AT.

Terrible , Where do I Start ? I decided to give the Fife N Drum a try. First of All , The server with the accent who took our drink order was extremely rude with me and started rolling their eyes with me when I was asking a simple question. Second , We got our Order taken by another waiter who seemed like he didn't know where he was or what he was doing, he looked like he was about to fall asleep.( Our Order Ended Up Being Wrong ) Third , This place is disgusting , The Servers when they clean up the tables, They just leave the dishes on Top of the piano Gross !! knowing that someone else's germs from their plates is on the piano. GROSS ! The tables don't even Get sanitized after someone leaves either. There were marks on my Silverware also . Gross ! I also saw that Only 2 out of 10 ? Servers were working and I saw that the other servers were either sitting down or On their phones or sitting down at the bar . Our food was cold and when we sent it back , it still came back cold . I ended up feeling not so good after my meal . No One ever came to apologize. The bill at the end was to expensive. Why do you charge so much for food that looks and smells horrible . This is the worst Restaurant I have been to in my life , How do you guys stay open? , I will never return , If you want good food , Go down the road to Kingsley Tavern. Or 20 Minutes down Route 7 For good Restaurants in New Milford. If I could give this restaurant zero stars . I would give this place ZERO stars . ZERO .

My husband and I stopped here for lunch while visiting Kent over the weekend! We ordered the margarita pizza and butternut squash ravioli. The margarita pizza was nothing to write home about, but no complaints either. The butternut squash was excellent! I loved the flavor of the goat cheese with the roasted tomatoes and walnuts -- it was an excellent dish, highly recommend!

Food was good Service was attentive. The ambiance was very rustic Very nice although

The Fife is the heart of the restaurant offerings of Kent, CT. For me, it has an aspect of a country club dining room and all the warmth of hospitality that implies.

Celebrated my mom's bday here with a group of 9. Great service, nice live music. It's a bit loud - I personally didn't mind it but if you go with people who get overwhelmed or anxious with a lot of noise just ask to sit in the back room which is away from the music. Food was great, lots of parking, bathroom clean, great service.

I am surprised to see a few less than favorable reviews of Fife and Drum on Yelp. I have to assume those that left said reviews either have no appreciation for service, are more inclined to favor soulless, trendy, hipster establishments or simply have no taste. I'd always wanted to try the Fife. Every time I'd pass by it, I'd think to myself, "I need to stop in some time." When my husband took me out on our first date, he opted to take me there, (unbeknownst to me). I was thrilled! The service was top notch from the homemade pasta to the table side Caesar salad for 2, the extensive wine list and live music. Whether you are looking for a lighter meal, (if so, recommend having a drink at the bar and enjoying a bowl of French Onion Soup), or you're looking to enjoy a special meal out, (everything on the menu is delicious, the Caesar salad is a must, creme brulee hits the spot every time...) this is a place one must appreciate. You just don't find eating establishments with this kind of character anymore. You don't find the impeccable service. You'd be hard pressed to find live piano appearances anywhere in the area. Where can you find table side duck flambé in Connecticut in 2023?! And the charm. The fireplace, the dim lighting, the bucolic country setting you'll find in Kent during any season. This is the type of dining experience that is meant to be enjoyed. That being said, if you do not like "country" motifs, appreciate stellar service, if you do not care for pewter or Americana with (one might say) a British pub flair, if you are not a foodie, if you are not into "the Northeast vibe" then please, by all means, go elsewhere as this place is not for you and those of us that thoroughly enjoy it will have a greater chance of getting a table closest to the piano man, (tip: check out the Fife's website prior to your visit to check out the current menu and live entertainment schedule! You won't be disappointed). The sad thing about unique places like this, (and something I wish more connoisseurs would keep in mind when posting reviews), is that once they are gone, that's it. It gets harder and harder to compete in a fast moving world where so many sacrifice quality for speed and budget. It is so important to support small, independent, family owned, local businesses. We were lucky enough to have witnessed one of Dolph Traymon's last performances during our visit on our first date and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity as he was phenomenal as both original proprietor of the Fife and as world renowned pianist. We are so pleased to see that the Fife has continued to showcase local talent in Mr. Traymon's memory and aligned with his vision. We have dined here a dozen times since our first date. We've not once had an "off" meal or experience. Married 6 years and expecting our first child, we plan on returning with our parents to celebrate our growing family soon. We could not think of a more desirable spot to do so. Thank you, Elissa, for carrying on your family's legacy and giving us all a chance to enjoy the Fife and Drum for another 50 prosperous years! We appreciate all you, (and your wonderful staff) do to bend over backwards in a display of authentic and evident hospitality toward your guests.

The Fife is a legend and for good reason. It's been in Kent for almost 50 years! With the same family running it! So what I wanted to talk about was the Chicken Wings. I do not know how they do it but they're always wonderful with an equally wonderful Blue Cheese dressing. I always get Lemon Mustard but sometimes the BBQ but they have other flavors like Tandoori Dry Rub. They're all delicious! Don't get me wrong. This is not a "chicken wing" place. They have good food for serious diners but if you don't want a Rack of Lamb, those chicken wings will hit the spot. Thanks Chef Leon!

Great atmosphere. Excellent food. Perfect service. Tony Bennett's ghost is playing the piano. Love this place.

We had a fantastic time at this awesome restaurant. The server was extremely friendly, kind, and responsive. All together it was a great meal. The Oso Buco was to die for, highly recommended.

The hostess was great specially sense we ordered to go. Got the lamb and potato with beets the lamb was good the needs were good but the potato wasn't cooked all the way. We also got a sea food with angel hair pasta and the pasta was clumped together ... for the price of the meals I think they coulda done a lot better !! Not really impressed by our meals .

Well worth the effort to travel to Kent, CT. What awaits you is a wonderfully varied menu, and excellent, attentive service. You are surrounded by a country inn decor with cozy and safe seating. We felt very comfortable there.

Staff/service is great. Ambiance is cozy especially in the winter. Food is very good. Priced approximately for the town.

My wife made reservations here a couple of months ago, and we finally arrived last night around 10:30 PM only to find that the room she actually booked was given to someone else, so they put us in a different room with a roller bed for our son (this was after she called in the afternoon to confirm our reservation and let them know we were getting in late). The room they put us in itself was very nice and quaint. It was closest to the street, don't plan on sleeping in as the car noise and train whistle won't allow for that (reminded me a bit of My Cousin Vinny). The lady who checked us in and got the roller bed for us was very nice. We'll probably stay here again, but would make sure the actually hold the room that is booked.

Elissa Potts runs a first rate operation--friendly and efficient, with great food. The spirit of Dolph lives on at Fife n Drum!

We got a room here and the room was nothing like advertised musty, dark, and cave like would be how I would describe it, emphasizing MUSTY. There food may be "award winning" but there rooms certainly are not.

Been all around the Northeast to have my best meal of 2021 at The Fife and Drum. Phenomenal! I got the Brussel Sprout Salad (insanely good) and the Duck! My 4 year old got their pizza...again, insanely good. The ambiance is so cozy, quaint, perfect. Service, impeccable. Can not wait to return.

We were looking forward to lunch and a delicious new salted caramel butterscotch pudding dessert that was advertised ... service was extremely slow and the restaurant had a horrible smell that kept creeping out. The butterscotch dessert was absolutely not what was advertised and my grapefruit meringue was frozen solid. We had requested the check when dessert came and 15 minutes later, had to go up to the waiters and request it. Awful, just awful. The owners were kind enough to work on rectifying the above situation.

Really surprised with this one; food was really good clearly all made fresh. If this was just based on food I'd have given them 5/5. Unfortunately I also found It to be stuffy and overpriced and the furniture could use an upgrade (the booth I was sitting at was rather uncomfortable) There is a lot of charm here, don't get me wrong! But if you are going to charge that much you may want to start upgrading tables and chairs.

We were visiting friends who live in the area and they recommended that we go to dinner at Fife 'n Drum. We were very impressed with the decor and warmth of the restaurant and greeted warmly upon our arrival. We were surprised at how large yet inviting the restaurant was- bar room with a piano player, several rooms with fireplaces and large and small tables to accommodate various sizes of dining groups. The menu is diverse, yet each dinner and appetizer we had was delicious. Our dinner party had the Caesar salad, burger, prime rib and pho- all delicious. We would highly recommend this restaurant for a wonderful dining experience when you are visiting in the Kent, Cornwall Connecticut area!

To owner/proprietor Fife n Drum: Sorry but you're mistaken regarding the "complimentary" status of my meal. I paid full amount for my meal and bar tab. There was no credit given whatsoever. You've mistaken me for another displeased patron. Please check your accounting.

Way too expensive and the portions are very, very small Not sure how they stay in business? you feel like you're walking into a country diner expecting country diner prices then you look at the menu and your think are these the calories or is this the price for the meals? Worst part is when the waiter ask "do you want change"

We are new to the area, a little more then a year, I can't say enough good things about Fife ' Drum. The owner has an excellent wine cellar and makes first rate recommendations. If you are fortunate to be in the area for Friday or Saturday dinner, there is a terrific piano bar. The staff is well seasoned and pitch in if you need something and your waiter is busy. Friday they do a yummy prime rib special that always hits the spot. From an official "townie" it is the best place for a meal.

If you need any more of a reason to visit the sweet little town of Kent look no further than this eatery. The general ambiance of the inside and outside is relaxing and classic. The staff is clean cut and very attentive. Don't let the prices scare you away; you get what you pay for!! The quality of food and how creative the dishes get make it worth the buck! The chefs, Alex and Taylor, are always thinking of new fun ways to switch up the menu or improve a popular entree (for example, we've had the filet here three different ways in the past six months and LOVED it every time). We have frequented ordering from here more often since covid struck but have definitely become very loyal customers! Pictures of today's meals included below, plus a picture of takeout from earlier in the week!

for the price there wasnt enough food left hungry and the quality want very good either. wiil not go back

Service and prices were very good! Vegan lasagna and the bang bang scallop and shrimp were so delicious! Loved it! My plan was to eat half. Yeah, ok!

Excellent catering !!! We have organized large parties at the Fife n' Drum ovefr the years, so it was natural to try them for catering as well. Elissa and her team served yummie appetizers, desserts and beverages at an off-site event for 100 people. Everything was beautifully organized, prompt and friendly. We had dozens and dozens of both traditional and new creative dishes to choose our menu from. When it was over they left everything cleaner than they had found it. Professional throughout the process. We will definitely select the Fife n Drum again for our next big event.

Our first time at the Fife 'n Drum yesterday was terrific! My hubby and I enjoyed specialty cocktails, the sticky chicken app, steak au poivre (tableside preparation) and the vegan eggplant dish. It was all fabulous as was our waitress! Topping off the evening was pianist, David, who played an outstanding rendition of Gershwin's "Our Love is Here to Stay." Wow! We cannot wait to return!

My only disappointment is we didn't get to eat off the metal plates waiting for us at the table, complete with the image of the Fife and Drum on them. They were whisked away in favor of glass plates which, I must admit, are probably easier to wash in mass. My family and I went to the Fife and Drum for our Easter dinner. It was a little crowded for our three o'clock seating, and slowly died down the later it got. The Lobster Asparagus Bisque was plentiful with lobster meat, and my lamb was tender and well seasoned. For dessert, the Bailey's cheesecake was a touch overcooked but creamy and well complimented with the whipped cream. My father was almost through with what he thought was a very fudge-like Chocolate Mousse when the waiter came over with a new slice, explaining he had given him the chocolate ganache in error. Can't hold free chocolate against them! The staff was extremely quick and attentive. They kept refilling out water glasses, although had to prompted for a drink from the bar. The artwork on the wall looks homey and personal, although unremarkable. The bathroom was a single room, not multiple stalls, but clean and stocked with extra rolls of toilet paper. The meal ended with the check and festive proffering of a basket of Easter eggs, each with a handful of jelly beans. It was an adorable touch.

Such a neat place. Came here with my family there were 11 of us and everyone of us was very happy with our meals. We had two little ones with us a 2 YO and 5 month old. The place is big enough that we were able to be away from everyone, so I didn't feel that we were disturbing anyone with our big and slightly noisy group. A couple filets, the pork meals, and swordfish. I had the shrimp with pumpkin curry sauce which was so good I love trying something different and was very happy with it. One of the filets was done tableside which was a fun little show for my little one. The drinks were great I had the fife which I loved. Everyone also had dessert again great. I had the creme brûlée best I've ever had! Great service I didn't feel like we were rushed and we always had what we needed.