I had a lovely late mothers day brunch at pond house. The outdoor atmosphere is perfect. I loved my food, sangria, and time with family. There was something for everyone, even picky eaters. They were very busy although not many folks seated outside. Reservations highly advised and they were turning away large parties. read more

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We had Sunday morning breakfast before heading over the see the rose garden. We sat outside on the patio which is surrounded with beautiful flowers and the soothing sound of the water fountain in the adjacent pond. The food was excellent, perfect portion sizes. Very attentive and pleasant service. We will be back! read more

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Met some girlfriends for lunch today at Pond House Café. If I were to rate this place on decorations for Christmas, it would be a 20 out of five. Absolutely spectacular in their banquet hall! Just wow! And, my girlfriend who I was with, said that it's only about half of their decorations as it's the end of January. We sat in the dining room and had a reservation, which I was glad because it was quite busy. I had debris and apple omelette and substituted sweet potato fries. It also came with cornbread. My two friends had the French toast special. The omelette was good, it had spinach in it and was cooked very well. Plenty of fries very good. The cornbread was dry, but otherwise everything was very nice. I would highly recommend! read more

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I was here on their pop-up dinner Thursdays and the whole experience was filling in all aspects. The overcast weather made dining indoors intimate in a dim lit room. I was seated right away with no issues. I enjoyed their Salmon Nicoise salad, grilled hangar steak and black & white chocolate mouse. The salad was intricately arranged, the main course was well balanced and the dessert was rich and that I wanted more it all. I wasn't impressed with the service all too much since I was left to myself with having to ask for attention each time I needed it. Would I try it again, sure, would it be right away? Probably not in a long while from now. read more

The cutest restaurant! Tucked quaintly in Elizabeth Park, we stopped here for brunch and it was fantastic. The first thing we noticed was the beautiful decor - all decked out for Christmas and made it such a fun experience. The specials menu was extensive and everything sounded delicious, we ordered everything off specials! Our sever was also so sweet. We mentioned we walked there so she brought us a bag to carry our leftovers out in. Highly recommend: the dinner menus also look great. read more

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Have been here for a couple of events and food is always amazing for each event. Recently went for a wedding and the food options were amazing- recommend the short rip and loved the apps. Service was wonderful and location is beautiful. Really recommend this venue and foods read more

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Lunch reservation today at 1:30. Table for 3 in the glassed in area leading out to patio. Our orders included Eggplant Rollatini, Caprese Sandwich & BBQ Burger. Food was delicious. Service was great. Would definitely dine again at the Pond House Cafe. Don't miss the Beautiful gardens & decorations on perimeter of Cafe. read more

I held the wedding reception for my daughter here this weekend and could not be more pleased. From the assistance and guidance of the wedding coordinator, to the quality of the food, this was a fantastic experience. The venue is gorgeous and the waitstaff was efficient and friendly. I am sure there are less expensive options to celebrate a wedding, but it was completely worth the premium to have the help of professionals, as well as have access to excellent food, decorations and service. Highly recommend . read more

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Wine Luncheon for Julia Child's Birthday was held yesterday and it was fabulous! Blue Fish amuse bouche, Veal and Pork Patē sampler plate for appetizer, Bone Marrow/Ravioli/French Onion Soup pasta course, Lobster Thermidor and then a Poached Pear dessert. WOW! Prosecco Cocktail, Rosē wine and Chardonnay. What an extravaganza; exquisite service and a very friendly neighboring table. What a way to spend an afternoon!. read more

This place looks pretty casual, but they do have a wonderful looking wedding venue attached. The grounds of the park are beautiful and the garden in back of the restaurant is very attractive. Finding a parking space can be a challenge. We sat in the back by the windows looking at the garden. We went for lunch. The menu was pretty big, from sandwiches and salads to larger entrees. My friend devoured her chicken wrap. It came with a small side of coleslaw. The salad with grilled salmon was prepared exactly as I had requested. The fish special was elegant and delicious. We were told the chef makes his own pasta. The butter poached lobster with pasta was perfectly cooked and we loved this dish! The tea service was spot on too - it comes with your own pot and they use Harney & Sons. The service was a little slow, otherwise a great experience with surprisingly excellent food. read more

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Delicious ladies lunch today at Pond House before walking the beautiful park. Everyone loved their lunch which ranged from full three course meal to a cup of vegetarian chili. The eggplant parm came with a full salad and mini dessert. The vegetarian chili was packed with vegetables . We appreciated our waitress who was honest with her descriptions of various dishes.Portions were generous and prices very reasonable . read more

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I met a friend here for Sunday brunch. We had a 10:30 reservation and were seated right on time. It was quite busy. Our table was located in the back corner and we felt a bit squished. It took longer than expected for the server to arrive to take our orders for coffee but luckily once ordered it came out quickly. It was hot and tasted good and the cream was served in a cool metal container- see pic. We both ordered the Vegan Scramble. It was pretty good and there was a nice fresh salad served with it. The scramble was not trying to be an egg substitute. It was a moist chic pea mash. We were both impressed they had a vegan brunch entree option. The server did not return in a timely manner to check on us or refill our coffees. We also waited quite a while for our check. After the server took our credit cards, a manager came over and gently told us they needed our table. I told her we were just waiting on the server to bring our credit cards back. She was very sweet about it. I will likely return again. I really do appreciate that they offer several vegetarian options and at least one vegan option for brunch. read more

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I ordered the gnocchi--and wow. If I hadn't been in public, I absolutely would've licked the plate clean. I took some family members there for a special occasion. After which we walked around the park. read more

Make Mother's Day Reservations awhile back, class to cancel last minute for family emergency. Took our $400 deposit, no refund. Only option was to come in and take the extra seat as credit for drinks. Life happens, have compassion. If your policy is took take peoples money for something they won't enjoy because of an emergency, that's a bad company. Thanks, Joe- Operations manager. read more

The apps were Good the chicken with mashed potatoes was very Flavorful. The cod was very bland The cheesecake was flavorful and well-presented.was one of their pop-up dinners was able to be seated in time but took a While to get water Over a good experience read more

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Amazing brunch experience! We went with our two under two for a Sunday anniversary brunch. Couldn't have been happier! 1) make a reservation! Walk ins are rare 2) if you pick to sit outside there will be bees and wasps. Just be aware 3) the specials are so worth checking out! I loved my lobster risotto and at 22 and change it was sooo worth it. This place is totally kid friendly and the staff is A+. Our server, Sue made everything run so smoothly. read more

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Amazing experience. We were there for a private party in the event room. Super friendly staff. Beautiful chic decor and the food was tremendous. Penne vegetarian bolognese, chicken piccata, salmon and a carving station with brisket. read more

The Pond House is one of my favorite locations to dine and to bring people who want to be impressed. It's beyond gorgeous out on the patio and all around the restaurant outside. Tons of plants, planters, cool architectural pieces amidst the landscaping. Let's talk about the food...it's DELICIOUS. I love going for brunch and really love that they're open earlier than most brunchy places, at 9:30am. The Pond House Benedict is pretty much my dream breakfast with eggs (I order them over medium as I'm not a fan of poached eggs), hollandaise and a crab cake piled in a bowl on top of a crispy potato pancake. This past weekend I also tried my wife's Pond House scramble and it too, was SO good. It's got tomatoes, onions, asparagus, black beans, poblanos, spinach and cheddar. The combo of the veggies really made the dish sing, in particular I dug the beans in there. The service also rocks. Everyone is friendly as heck. check them out. read more

Pond House Cafe - As a tea drinker, I appreciate the mug size and the personal teapot - Cafes Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

First time visitor as we were looking for a place to eat near the park. When we checked in the girl was a little rude because we had a baby with us and a stroller but we only had a reservation for 2 and she was snippy stating it should have been for 3. We sat inside. Our server was good and very friendly but the service was slow. Overall the food was okay. Nothing special. I wouldn't come back honestly. It really just works for the convenience that it's located on the park grounds. Good if with elderly folk. read more

Pond House Cafe - Pond House Breakfast Sandwich and cranberry mimosa - Cafes Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

It's a beautiful place to go for lunch. I ordered a crabcake. Since it was barely lukewarm, i sent it back. They brought me another one, but it was the same temperature. My friend didnt like one of the two appetizers that she ordered. The place was busy and the service was good. I would try this place for lunch again, because the setting in Elazabeth Park is so beautiful. PS. I had key lime pie for dessert and it was very good. read more

The Pond House Cafe is a beautiful venue and the staff are incredibly friendly. In particular, I found Charlene to be professional, pleasant, and extremely helpful. I went to the Pond House Cafe in order to look at wedding venues. Not only did Charlene do a great job explaining to us everything about the Pond House Cafe, but she did a fantastic job educating us on what to look for in venues and how to prepare for a wedding. read more

Restaurant inside of Elizabeth Park with both indoor and outdoor seating. I came for brunch with my GF and we had a nice experience here. They had a solid amount of options, and we both really enjoyed our food. I got the eggs benedict and she got the bacon grilled cheese (which was more like a bacon, cheese, lettuce, and avocado). Although my eggs benedict were very tasty they oddly served them inside of a bowl, which made them more difficult to eat. read more

Pond House Cafe - Cafes Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Nine of us came here to celebrate a friend's 60th birthday. The food is really good. They were short-handed so service is slow. Other than that we enjoyed the place. read more

Pond House Cafe - Fish. - Cafes Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Yesterday my wife and I had lunch at the Pond House where we have had many enjoyable meals. This time was a disappointment. My wife had the french toast with a side of eggs over easy which she thoroughly enjoyed. I had the crab cake sandwich. I grew up in Maryland where crab cakes are made with crab meat. I didn't expect Maryland style, but in the Pond House version I could find no discernible crab meat at all. Texturally, it was a fried bread crumb patty with a crab flavor and I regret not sending it back at first taste but didn't want to wreck the mood at the table. My recommendation to the kitchen is either put some crab meat in or take it off the menu and to the patrons I say order anything else. It will be good. read more

I was there for an event last night 11/18/25 and I have special dietary needs of no gluten or dairy. My first encounter was with whoever the host was. She was very rude to me and tried to tell me they can't accommodate me when I was told by another person there they could. A little while later she brought me gluten free pasta and when I asked her for Parmesan cheese, she said very rudely "I thought you said you were dairy free?" I said I can eat Parmesan cheese thank you. I didn't think it was part of her job to question or be rude to the customers. I will not be returning to this restaurant because that is no way to be treated by staff. read more

The Pond House Cafe remains one of my favorite lunch spots in the the state. I do see that there are a variety of reviews regarding the quality of the food and service, but I have always had a consistently positive experience(see previous reviews). I will admit that I have only been here for lunch, which may be less hectic than other meal times. Food - Always delicious, fresh, and well seasoned. I most recently had their grilled cheese, which was toasted perfectly. I believe that they vary what's on the grilled cheese. In my case it included a formidable amount of bacon and avocado and was perfectly executed. The greens are always crisp. I will eat any type of coleslaw, but theirs is one of my favorite and one of the few I think is most balanced - not too much mayo with mild tang and crunchy texture. Serving size is average. Drinks - Have not examined their libation menu, but have been pleased wit the soda or Arnie Palmers I order here. Decent size beverages and water always served. Pricing - I think they are on point for the current market, but could probably afford to add in chips or fries as part of their entries and charge perhaps a few more $. Service - Hostess and staff always friendly as well as courteous. Food arrives in appropriate amount of time. Location - Situated in gorgeous Elizabeth Park. I love coming here in warmer months to sit outside and enjoy the flowers, fauna, and fowl that frequent near the adjacent pond. All in all I still stand by my original rating that this is an awesome spot for a fresh quality meal in an idyllic lunch setting. If you are in the area or within a 30 min drive I do think it's worth the trek and the opportunity to enjoy Elizabeth Park. read more

Pond House Cafe - Grilled cheese with coleslaw. - Cafes Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Beautiful surroundings in Elizabeth Park. Food is very good with interesting choices and I was surprised by the hefty portions! Reservations are a must. Good options for vegetarians. read more

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I was so happy to go to the Pond House Café. I have been there before on numerous occasions and the food has always been wonderful. It pains me to not give them five stars on this review. This time I ordered the California Grilled Cheese. It would have absolutely delicious if it had been grilled. It was tasty but barely toasted and the cheese not at all melted. Another person in my party got the same item but on regular bread and hers was perfectly toasted with beautifully melted cheese, so I expected the same. Also, the side was an orzo salad, I would like to suggest that when someone orders gluten-free bread, that there also be a gluten-free side to accompany it. The wait staff was gracious and brought me a salad. Hopefully, my next visit will be a better experience. read more

Pond House Cafe - California "Grilled" Cheese on gluten free bread - Cafes Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

The Pond House was the perfect venue for our wedding. We had our ceremony and reception there in October 2024. The staff was professional, attentive, and ensured everything went exactly as we had envisioned. Our ceremony was held in front of the glowing fireplace, which created a cozy and elegant atmosphere. The reception was held in the same space towards the windows looking over the pond. The room was beautifully transformed for the event. Since it was a lovely Fall evening, we were able to step outside and take photos on the patio by the pond, which made for some truly stunning moments. We also took our engagement photos in July 2024 at the nearby Elizabeth Park Rose Garden, just a short walk from The Pond House, which added a special connection to the venue. The food was great, presentation was excellent! We had a plated menu and an open bar. The Pond House is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a beautiful venue with good food and a team that will make your day memorable. We couldn't be happier with how everything turned out! read more

The Pond cafe is a staple in West Hartford. We loved their brunch and special menus on holidays. It's a beautiful property on a historic location with outdoor seating. The waiters, bartenders and front hostesses were incredibly personable and genuinely friendly. The food was delicious with quality ingredients. Unfortunately, within the past 2 years, everything changed for the worst but the recent renovations are lovely and well done. Now on to the issues... the hostesses are off putting!. Each time we call for a reservation, there's apprehension like a weekly waitlist is standard practice. The food is bland, unimaginative and sometimes old and reheated. The manager Jessica is pleasant with certain patrons but passive aggressive with others. It's uncomfortable to witness. Anyways, Elizabeth Park is a popular location so Pond Cafe will always have patrons. Unfortunately, patrons will not experience excellent food and service Pond Cafe is known for. read more

This was my first time having brunch at the Pond House and I must say the staff here is amazing! It was my friend's bridal brunch so we made a reservation for 2pm on a Saturday. We got there a bit early and took some pictures in the park area until our table was ready. The ladies at the front desk were personable and sat us down while we glanced through the menu. I decided on a vegetarian omelette, which came with home fries and I got a mimosa with pineapple juice. Our food came out relatively quickly and it was hot! It tasted good and our server was amazing. The other patrons were also very warm in how they interacted with us. I certainly enjoyed my time at the Pond House and I look forward to going back. read more

My wife and I made reservation for brunch at the restaurant, Pond House Cafe for 9/22/2024 at 12:30PM . We explained we have an emotional support service animal. My wife is diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. We have a registered small Dachshund who fits in a bag and offers my wife comfort during her anxiety attacks. We arrived at the restaurant on time and after waiting in a line with people who didn't have reservations because they told us to then having another couple arrive, walk around us and have their reservation be honored, we were informed in front of a lobby full of people that "emotional support animals" were not allowed. We showed our dogs registration and Jessica (describing herself as the manager) informed the lobby "that our dog can't be a service animal because it in a bag and emotional support is NOT a service". She was dismissive, rude, boisterous and belittling. My wife and I do intend to seek legal representation but I do hope Jessica is never in a position to need an emotional support animal and have someone like Jessica discriminate and embarrass her like she embarrassed us. Suggestion to ownership, you may want to train your staff that emotional support is a service protected under the ADA and the federal fair housing act, and refusal to serve is discrimination, further, inquiring about the service a registered dog provides is actually against the law. Belittling and embarrassing people for it is grounds for a legal claim. read more

Seated on Father's day w/o a reservation. Excellent service. They saved the outdoor patio for those without a reservation as originally it was going to be closed due to weather but that changed leaving many open tables. But.......the hostess was a b****!!! Rude!!! I swear EVERYONE was so nice except her! Anyways, this restaurant located right in Elizabeth Park is one I would love to keep in touch with. Their food and ingredients are quality. Their bread and jam they started me off with was delicious. I forgot to mention their menus are on iPads. That's REALLY COOL. Simple and easy to use. Haven't seen this before and this is not one place I was expecting it from. As directed by my dermatologist, I have to lay off the eggs. So when I have my one cheat day to eat eggs, I pray to God it tastes amazing. My expectations were blown with this Cubano Omelette. Soft shredded pork and all these other keys to success within a perfectly cooked egg omelette. EASILY the best omelette I have ever had in my entire life. The meat was so delicate and tasty, the egg was bright yellow, no flaws just perfection. Look around, take in that beautiful view outside, especially the fountain in the middle of the pond. What is there to not like about this place other than the unique decor (which I like but maybe people have other views of it) and of course the said hostess? Not much! Excellent place for breakfast in the park! read more

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What an elegant spot! Picturesque and elegant. Felt like I was part of some elite social circle! The place was packed and people were leaving as quickly as some were being seated. The hostess seemed flustered but polite. I did not have reservations so was willing to wait 1/2 hour for a seat on the patio in direct sunlight. The waitress was sweet and efficient. She apologized for no umbrella over the table. I ordered a lime-ade and my friend, the ginger iced tea. They were served in cute mason jars and no straws Being in the sun, I opted for nachos in the park and onion and roasted pepper quesadillas. Everything was fresh and delicious and very filling. I would say that they both could've used some cilantro or fresh citrus on top. And I'm as plain Jane as you get. Go figure. I definitely want to come back-this time with reservations, and maybe have their brunch! read more

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Limited hours, most of the limited menu is not available. Really a shame because the park is so nice. It would be great if Elizabeth park allowed a food vendor that actually cared about their casual customers. read more

For $770 for 8 people for Mother's Day brunch and to get lukewarm food at best was overly disappointing. Who leaves prime rib, lamb, Turkey ( I can understand ham) on a cutting board and not in a warmer (served cold). Went to get a vegetable empanada and it was the last one that looked old and dried out so I said something to the server and not one time did he offer to refresh the dish ( more like oh well). The kitchen menu forget about it my husband got chicken and waffle ( see picture) it was 1/2 of a 1/4 of a waffle and 1/2 of a chicken finger (chicken and waffle over cooked to completely dry) Beautiful venue however the Mother's Day brunch left a lot to be desired. First time going for Mother's Day brunch (or eating there at all for that matter) and most likely my last but hey other people like so try it out for yourselves. read more

Pond House Cafe - Cafes Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

If I could leave zero stars based on the unprofessional behavior of the Pond House Sales Team, I would. We had a tour as the first step in the process of booking the venue for an event this spring and the staff member we were assisted by, Charlene, was the epitome of classless and hostile from our initial meeting, expressed her displeasure for working that day and having to tour with us, refused to answer our questions, and spent the entirety of the tour trying to dissuade us from booking. Despite this, we expressed our intent to book our preferred date, as we had previously positive encounters with Pond House and requested a contract. We were put off by Charlene who informed us, when I followed up the next date, that she had booked our requested date and time with a party who had toured after us. Upper management was also contacted and extremely dismissive and unwilling to resolve Charlene's egregious behavior. Save your time and money for a venue worth the effort as Pond House is clearly incapable of basic customer service. read more

I had hoped to use my Groupon in the warmer months during outdoor seating months because the view of the pond and flowers in warmer weather just looked so pretty. But of course, time slips away from you and I had to use it up just days before expiration in November. The interior was nicely decorated for the holidays. I didn't have a reservation but was seated immediately. The menu was a tablet. My server was very friendly and knowledgeable. Many of the menu items seemed a bit over priced to me. I feel like the place is really trying a bit too hard to be fancier than it really is. I ordered the 5oz flank with chimichurri sauce and hand cut fries. It was delicious and cooked perfectly. The coffee was also hot and delicious. Overall this was a very nice lunch and I'd return again with a Groupon. read more

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I am so glad I found this place! I've been on the hunt for a all around great brunch spot for sooo long. This place has it all! The place is unique in it's own way and makes for a guaranteed go to spot! It has an artsy/relaxing and even romantic feel. I fell in love with the place before even being seated! Love the idea of it being hidden in Elizabeth park with great views! I can not wait to return in the spring/summer time to be able to enjoy a stroll or just the views of the small pond while enjoying a meal here. This place did not disappoint! The food was perfectly delicious! The eggs on a biscuit starter was to die for! Super tiny and I'm hoping they will eventually make this as a meal instead (being a tad bigger). French toast and egg Benedict's were delicious as well! Let's not forget their potato pancakes! So so yummy! This is by far my new favorite brunch spot! I will be back to give lunch/dinner a shot! read more

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Had a wonderful lunch here, weather was fabulous, outdoor seating was so nice with all the plants still looking great. Sue our server was amazing and seemed to be the only one they had. It was pretty busy and she was attentive, personable and knowledgeable. Food was great. We all (4 of us) loved our lunches. The only negative was the lobster bisque. It was a big disappointment. More like a lobster broth. Not creamy and not a spec of lobster in it. Only had a couple bites and they were nice enough to take it off our bill. But other than that completely satisfied with our lunches. read more