Café Bretton Means Fine Dining

By Serena Spencer

It’s a special night, an anniversary, birthday, or maybe you’re just in the mood for an incredible dining experience. Where do you go? The answer is simple, Café Bretton.

Nestled in a quiet residential area, and almost hidden in a quaint, cottage-like building, Café Bretton is everything you would expect from a fine restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy, easily evoking the French countryside it’s named for. Service is impeccable, and the menu varies throughout the seasons. It’s not uncommon for Manager and Chef Victor Ledezma to stop by the table to see how you are doing.

And the food? In a word, delicious.

We started our meal with a venison sausage in rich, deep garnet-colored sauce that tasted of berries and red wine. Our first entrée choice was Black Angus filet mignon. Served with a red-wine demi-glace and green peppercorns, it was a beautiful dish. The steak was cooked to perfection, and the sauce was an ideal compliment. This is not a dish for the faint of heart, however. It is rich and the pepper leaves a lingering bite. A good red wine is almost a necessity.

The second entrée was sea bass cartoccio with mussels, clams and sea scallops all nestled in with tomatoes in a bouillabaisse-style dish. This was a symphony of beautifully blended flavors, the liquid begging to be spooned up, or eaten with crusty bread. Our server suggested a pinot noir to go with the dish and the combination of a soft red with the light tomatoes and rich seafood was sublime.

Whatever you choose, leave room for dessert. The choices are amazing, delicious and the portions are not so huge you’ll feel terribly guilty (or too stuffed) to enjoy. The crème brulee came out with a crisp crust of caramelized sugar hiding soft, creamy, and not too sweet custard. The tiramisu was a moist concoction with strong coffee and chocolate flavors blending with dense custard.

Prices are what you would expect from exemplary service, food and atmosphere. There is also a fixed-price “early diners menu” that includes appetizer, entrée and dessert. The wine selection is outstanding, and even the “house” wines available by the glass are a step above average. During warmer months, be sure to tour the gardens. The flowers and fruit trees make for a scenic stroll, and the restaurant certainly benefits from the fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs grown on premises. The entire experience truly is a taste of France.

Contact Café Bretton at 410-647-8222 for reservations or to ask about upcoming special events and wine dinners.