Good french food but the place is a bit small for large group of people but located convinient location.

The food may be good but our family tried to book an event here and were treated poorly. We made an appointment to meet with the manager and when we showed up, he insisted we never had an appointment. When we tried to counter and say we did, he was completely rude saying "LOOK AROUND, DOES IT EVEN LOOK LIKE I COULD ACCOMMODATE THAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ANYWAY?!" Will never attempt to go back again. read more

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. They get everything right. From the decor to the ambiance to the lovely service to the food. Perfect. Seriously, they have an attention to detail that is so rare these days and so refreshing. It's like you don't realize how terrible other places have become until you stop in here and experience a restaurant that is functioning as it should be. Bravo. Highly recommend. read more

Amazing service, nice atmosphere. Food was delicious. Had the escargot, and the duck and fish specials of the night. Beignets looked amazing, as well, but didn't have room for dessert. Can't wait to go back! read more

Martel was a very pleasant surprise for me. I had passed by the restaurant many times but just never had an opportunity to dine there, although I had heard good reports. Recently I had lunch at Martel with a group of women from a club I belong to. There were twelve of us seated at a few tables put together. The staff seemed happy to have us, a group of chatty women, during their busy lunch time hour. The waiters were pleasant and experienced, which is always a plus. No "what can I get for you guys" here. I ordered the bistro steak frite au poivre with garlic chive butter and it was fabulous. Others in the group had fresh oysters, steamed mussles poulette - we were all very pleased with our food. We shared several delicious desserts and had coffee and wine. It was a very pleasant experience and everyone left feeling that we would go there again for one of our "ladies who lunch" outings. read more

Food came out mixed up and cold. Staff was clueless and rude. Server could not explain a dishh along with wine. Manager was just as lost and rude. read more

I love Martel! It has a warm, neighborhood vibe and the regulars are loyal to the French Bistro. The elegant atmosphere belies the value that Martel represents. There's a $15 price fixe lunch. And, buck-a-shuck $1 each oysters, clams and shrimp served Sunday through Thursday afternoons. read more

Just arrived to order takeout (phone was off the hook). Another takeout order came from the kitchen. Took 15 minutes for host/bartender to ask who it belonged to before realizing that the woman had been waiting at the bar the entire time. Last time I come here. Service is horrible. read more

Where do I start!! Service very slow. Our order was wrong and we had to send it back. Salad was not tasty but rather bitter. Buyers were just ok. Not a pleasant experience and I will not return. The place is not big enough for the amount of tables in there. It would be better to take a few tables out so that when your neighbor leaves his table, his back end does not bump into your water glass. read more

My coworkers and I frequent Martel's for lunch. Lots of locals tend to fill the bar area and have lengthy five martini lunches. More truffle oil on my prom frites, please. read more

The place is tight inside but cute enough. The staff is abrupt and nearly throws things down on your table and says things like please give me a minute and walks away. They need some customer service training. That being said, the menu was short but the food was good. My table got a couple lunch specials and the pork milanese and everyone was happy. read more

hard wooden seats...i don't care how good the food is, i won't return to such crappy seating

Haven't been in a while (the no reservation policy in Fairfield can be a problem) but spent a very nice evening last week eating at the bar with a friend I haven't seen in ages. Very nice atmosphere, the owner on premises (ditto every time I've been here over the past 8 years), wonderful fresh oysters, nice wine list. Low key but vibrant spot with nice patrons. Adding them to my list for 2016 to go more often! read more

Why does Fairfield continue to disappoint? The food was decent but the prices are not, I would rather spend a little more and make the trip down to Balthazar or Artisinal in Manhattan. I suppose it caters to the neighborhood since it's at the foot of Sasco Hill, so you'll find a lot of older, moneyed couples there. I had the cod, it was good but didn't warrant the $25 price tag. Dinner for 2 with drinks will easily cost $100. Maybe I'm just not the right audience, but I'd rather go to Grey Goose. read more

Martel never fails. Food is solid, fresh and always well executed. The atmosphere is lively. The staff is friendly. I go there quite often and would love to see the menu updated more often. I love their desserts, including the cheese plate which is served nicely and has real artisanal cheese. read more

Not having been in a few years, I was looking forward to a delicious meal and told my husband, a first timer, how great the food and ambiance are. 5 stars for ambiance, the restaurant is simple and charming, they get the 'bistro' effect perfectly. A short wait at the bar with a decent house rose and then to the table. We were 5, and they put us at a table for 4 with an extra chair, always hate that, table gets too crowded between glasses and plates, etc... Appetizers were just okay, nothing to drool over; i normally love their take on escargot, but tonight they were barely sauced. I made the mistake of ordering lobster ravioli, when the dish came it was literally a bowl of a dark veloute sauce with a couple of lumps underneath, The pasta itself was so overcooked it was pasty, the sauce was not the light velvety sauce it should have been, it was heavy and tasted like flour. So disappointing. Short ribs were so-so, a pork chop was overcooked. We fared better with desserts, pots de crepe were yummy, berry shortcake good (could have used a bit more fruit) and bread pudding delicious. This was a go to restaurant, and having returned to the area I was excited to once again spend time here, perhaps this was the chefs night off, I will try again, with fingers crossed. It seemed to me they had expanded their menu, maybe they should think about paring it down a bit? read more

Have eaten here 4 times over the past couple years. Delicious Food, Great Atmosphere. Love the steak frites!

In our opinion (my wife and I, formerly of NY and 20 years now of Fairfield County, CT), the drinks were watered down, the food, I'm sorry to say, was terrible, and the service as good as you would find in a diner - all for only $167 for two (tax and tip included). The exoctic sounding appertizer was a pile of beans, the Lobster Risotto prestented as a bowl of soup with carrots and "look for and see if you can find lobster" and the Cod with Seafood Chowder was so salted it burned the mouth to the extent you could not taste the white wine ($65) anymore. By the way, we had to turn back (prior to opening) the first bottle of wine because the bottle frosted up when they brought it to our table becuase if was the temperature of a bottle of Heiniken beer, about 32 degrees. None of the waitstaff, when asked, had any idea what the temperature of a bottle of white wine or red wine should be. read more

Popped in for lunch with colleagues. Good salads on lunch menu. I cannot speak to the dinner menu yet.

Loved, loved, loved the food. It was simply amazing. It was just rather tight quarters for seating. Felt like we were sharing a table with people on both sides of us. Worth a trip back however for the food. read more

I went to Martel last night with a friend. We went in around 7:45, the restaurant and bar were packed but we were seated immediately. From the outside the space looked very small but the parking lot was jammed. Somehow, they fit all those people into that very small restaurant. It was tight. It was loud. Not so loud that I couldnt hear the person across from me, but loud enough that I could hear every conversation at the surrounding tables. It was also cold. Not exactly a great choice on my part for a beautiful summer night, but we were there so we stayed. I thought the service was fine. Again, they were very busy. Our food was slow to arrive, but I wasnt in a rush and enjoyed a great artisanal cocktail at the table while waiting. We shared a burrata mozzarella appetizer which was fresh and delicious. I love burrata! It came with a bit of sliced tomato, some arugula, prosciutto, basil oil and a bit of fresh cracked pepper. For $12, not bad. I just kind of wished I had some bread to have it with but we had already polished off the meager bread basket. For entrees I had the trout ($19) which I love and very few restaurants around here serve. It was OK. The green beans and white bean salad which came with it were also OK. I wont order it again. My friend had the salmon with sweet pea risotto which was AMAZING. I read in another review that they thought the salmon was undercooked, but I think its always best medium rare and this was perfect. For dessert we shared the bread pudding. It was delicious but Ive had better. The crowd was much older than I, (Im 32, most people appeared to be mid 50's+) but that didnt bother me. It definitely isnt a "scene" like Molto, or a singles spot. I'm pretty sure I will end up there again. read more

The restaurant was highly recommended to us via local friends so we had an opportunity to take lunch there on a recent Saturday. At 1:30 the dining room was not at all busy. The menu had some attractive dishes on it and we opted for a prix fixe at $14 of caesar salad followed by smoked salmon on a fried bed of shoestring potatoes and a $21 lobster salad with avocado and hearts of palm in a spiced and herbed mayonnaise. Both okay and I realize in today's America it is churlish to suggest the portions were a bit on the frugal side since everyone in the country is overweight, but there you are. Lunch left us still hungry so an excellent tarte tatin was shared and all was well. One thing to beware of, though. The delicious iced tea (mixed with a little orange juice--a Laura Palmer?) is considered a drink in the pure sense so if you ask for a second, you will be charged another $2.50 for it. One could on a hot and thirsty day run up quite a bar tab on just the tea alone. But to give them credit, when I raised the topic with the host, the second tea was taken off the bill. But, caveat bibendor. read more

Had two awful meals there when they first opened but have enjoyed ordering take-out so we didn't have to deal with the less than attentive wait-staff. Stew is rich and luscious. read more

Food is good and service is okay. We come here often for work related dinners and lunches.

amazing. so many choices. always excellent. the prices are great. the wine selection. is very good. and the bignet are better than in new orleans. read more

Great food. Don't forget to check out the dessert menu. The beignets are super tasty!

Great time. The duck confit was awesome, service phenomenal and an overall great night.

You're not going to find much more consistently high quality food in Fairfield... I've looked. If your in the mood for a warm and rich meal or just a tall drink and a cold app, Martel is always a solid choice. read more

Small, but very cute. Could use some up-dating or re-vamping with the paint etc. but I love the warm light, low enough that its intimate and relaxing without being so dark I can't read! The waitstaff is polite, if reserved. You need to send up flares to get their attention if they're not already on their way over. The wine list is fantastic, lots of great choices at various prices so everyone can try something. The cocktails are a bit on the strong side, and not in a good way. I couldn't finish my drink, the cucumber one with st. germaine. and I LOVE st. germaine! the "buck-a-shuck" deal that runs Monday-Thursday from 4-6 is FANTASTIC!!! The oysters are amazing and the shrimp are great too. I haven't tried the raw littlenecks, they make me a bit nervous anywhere. I was so looking forward to my duck confit, but when it came (after a very long wait) is was extremely salty, almost inedible. the beet salad however, YUM!! I only wish there were more beets. yummmm read more

Excellent food and drinks. Very small space, but somehow it works. Waitstaff are very nice (especially the ladies). Have never had a bad meal here. Only complaint: They need to shake up the menu more often. read more

Minus the final star because place is so small, tables so close together, back room gets a bit stuffy. However, this is the most amazingly wonderful restaurant- my first choice in all of Ct. ; just aim for mid week early evening.This chef has talent. I started dinner with a glass of Lillet, an impossible to find French apperatif-- I recommend you try this (with slice of orange). Look over this menu-- the choices are "Frenchified comfort food.Dinner starts with great bread (from Balthazar Bakery in manhattan). Someone in your party has to get the onion soup. This is to die for. Obviously slowly caramelized onions in intensely flavorful broth. This is a must. Now, any choice will be exceptional, loved the mussels, croque Monsieur, fish, lamb chops, creamed spinach-- all great. Now save room for dessert (quite impossible) . The shortcake is so delicious and coffee is strong and excellent. GO! read more

The host was the RUDEST man I have ever encountered. My husband and I had an 8:30 pm dinner reservation. We arrived on time and were told it would be a few minutes. After 15 minutes and with 6 tables for 2 open, we asked when we might expect to sit down. He retorted that it would be 5-10 minutes longer and he knew what he was doing. When I questioned him further, he said I don't want to deal with you right now. At that point we left and decided to eat elsewhere. I would not recommend this restaurant! read more

Fig stuffed foie gras is a dish sent from above!! Martel always has great food with consistent service.... The owners are on top of everything to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. True professionals with exception menu options. read more

Unless you're willing to buy 3 lamb chops for $30. This place is overcrowded, overpriced, and the waiters look miserable. Honestly one of my worst restaurant experiences ever. Very humid as well. read more

We stopped in at Martel on Sunday for the first time for a light lunch. What a wonderful little place! We sat at the bar. Yummy Bloody Mary and the most delicious burger ever. My husband and I split the burger and we were very full. Excellent frites, too. Definitely will go back to sample the lunch and dinner menus. read more

We have been enjoying ourselves here from day one ! The drink pour is generous the quality is excellent the portions ample dessets are creative and the music and low lights are sexy ! Outside dining for appetizers and drinks all very comfortable and pretty -its NOT a pick up bar like other places in the area.There is sometimes a wait however its all very friendly at the bar and the owner really keeps in touch as to the wait- he cares. Specials are delish especially the Lamb rib eye - unique concept and some have transfered to the menu- in other words they listen to their patrons - ! Our only issues is the staff:some "lifers" best let go and new energy would be nice. when you sit at the bar you can see them drinking and hear the internal gossip and I have heard them making comments about customers and each other- so we wait for a table .The tables are spaced enough to enjoy a romantic meal or chat up your neighbors ! Well behaved children are more than welcomed and dietary requests are handled with complete care -IF- you tell them your allergies etc.Our last experience a woman went nuts over a meal however she never told the waiter her issue. Marty - the owner- smoothed things over - If you want a great meal - at a reasonable price chocolate fondues and drinks late night ample parking and a cool cleintele visit MARTEL- They always remember you ! Its a dream in a sea of new pretentious restaurants.. It will be here a good long time- we hope ! read more

I want to like Martel's. But it seems like something always keeps that from happening. It's a nice place and the bar is great to sit at and have a bite if you're lucky enough to get seats. Last week we were lucky enough to get 2 seats and sat down for dinner. The drinks were great and the atmosphere was good. The guy next to us had ordered the Whole Chicken and it looked and smelled great, so we ordered it. When ours came out we couldn't believe our eyes. If the guy next to us had gotten a chicken, we got a sparrow. OK, maybe a pigeon. This "bird" was unbelievably, ridiculously and infuriatingly small. It had about 3 bites on it. There's no way it should have been served to a customer. We were stunned. I asked the bar tender what it was and he said "a baby chicken". At that point he had 3 options: 1. Order us a new one, 2. Have us order something else, 3. Say and do nothing. Guess which he chose - # 3. Of course we should have sent it back but we were kind of stunned, and the bar is close quarters. Not a good place to make a scene. But we should have. Anyway, we had our 3 bites of "chicken" and left. Will pass on Martel's next time. read more

Went for a birthday dinner and regretted the decision to stay when the Owner/Maitre de attempted to offer us a table for 2 in front of the exit door, other tables were available on a Monday night but no attempt was made to accommodate us (there were plenty of 4 seat tables available). It was an inconvenience to him for us to ask for better seating and we were doing him a favor by dining there; ambivalence to say the least. The quantity of the entres were too large, un-inspired and poorly plated....wait staff not schooled in proper table etiquette, (handed salad to me over my wife and tried to do the same with the entre). The highly touted dessert menu was pedestrian, home-made biscotti was rubbery with large chunks of raisin?....the only highlight was a double-espresso that was the proper size, served in an espresso cup (no logos) w/lemon rind and extracted by a machine. Dined outside were other customers (older, full of themselves) were overly boistrous and obnoxious. Will never return again and would not recommend to anyone. A puzzlement that the place is 8 years old and still in business. read more

I hadn't been to Martel's in several years. The owner's previous restaurant, Pane Vino's, was one of our all time favorites ( in the world). When it closed and the owner opened Martel's the ambiance and the menu selection was not a gourmand's delight Nice pub atmosphere but when my wife and I go out to dinner it's not really our thing. Our son was in town visiting and we wanted to go somewhere locally where we could be very casual and have a decent meal.We decided to pay Martel's another visit. Wow were we blown away by the breadth of the menu and the quality of the dishes that came to our table! Truly gourmet fare, mouth watering and delicious: coquille St. Jacques, pumpkin ravioli, duck confit, two entrees that were specials that night: duck breast and monkfish. Bravo Martel's, bravo. Needless to say we will be back to Martel's in the very near future. The only thing preventing me from giving this 5 stars, is that without reservations and the tight quarters in the bar area ...the wait can be tough...it's part of the reason the pub scene, for dinner, is not our thing. The food however was worth the inconvenience. read more

Best food around!!! No matter what restaurant we go to we always compare it to Martell's and nobody has come close. The food is top notch gourmet ,whether you are getting fish, meat or chicken, you cant go wrong with anything you pick. The grilled octopus appetizer is one of our favorites it is an entire plate filled with the best octopus not half filled with potatoes like other restaurants for $10, you cant beat the price. Best of all you will never leave there hungry, don't you hate when you go to restaurants and you pay $30 for fish and the tiniest little piece comes on you plate with 4 carrots and you say to yourself "that's it?"...at Martell's you get big portions of amazing food and lots of vegetables or whatever the side is. They never skimp even on the drinks, a glass of wine is truly a large glass of wine, the best pours around. If your still hungry the deserts are great too! Martell's is truly our favorite restaurant ,Marty and his staff are so nice they don't take reservations but the wait is never more than 30 mins, less if your 2 people, have a drink and get ready for some of the best food around! read more