Pip has seen many faces in the past and we have been going there for a good many years. In its current incarnation the best that can be said is that the front of the house staff are very professional. The food is good with some occasional home runs. The problem is that the prices have gone through the roof. The main dining room is just not a pleasant place to have dinner especially as it is usually pretty empty. The Brasserie area is a fantastic room. There do seem to be some regulars at the bar who enjoy hanging out. We used to go there at least twice a month. Lately it is a rare outing to go to Pip. In my opinion they need to be less "Cheffy" and get back to being a neighborhood brasserie with a more expansive and less expensive menu, There are too many other choices in the area that offer better food at a more reasonable price point. read more

I'm skeptical of glowing reviews, and tend not to write them very often. But this place quite simply deserves it. My wife and I had stayed at The Copper Beech many years ago (more than I care to admit), before we were married. Our children attend a nearby summer camp, and it happened that the day to pick them up was the day after our anniversary. So we booked a room and made a dinner reservation. It was kind of a nostalgia thing, and we didn't get our hopes too high, especially since there seems to have been a recent change and there were a few mixed reviews. On our anniversary, we kayaked out of Essex for a few hours, had a couple of beers at The Griswold (another old haunt), and then went to check in around 3:30. Place was hopping, and even though we were filthy and not dressed well, the staff were great and welcomed us. Got to our room and found it large, comfortable, well-appointed. We were in the Comstock Building, behind the main Inn (we had stayed in another annex building last time, I'm not sure this one even existed back then). The "lobby" in this building is exquisite. The room had a back entrance, as well, and a private deck with two nice chairs and a table (although it just overlooks the woods out back, it was really very nice). We put a bottle of wine on ice and enjoyed sipping it. Went down to dinner around 6:30 and were treated wonderfully (including "Happy Anniversary" wishes, as I had mentioned this when I made the reservation). The place was buzzing and we sat at the new horseshoe bar for a drink. Service attentive and friendly, and the crowd very nice. Were seated halfway through a glass of wine, in a really nice spot (they let us pick, we picked near the bar as it was noisy and fun). Our waitress was adorable. Not everyone loves foie gras, but I do, and I am *very* picky about it (wife and I traveled thru France years ago, eating it in country restaurants and on local farms). The foie gras appetizer was a respectable portion, and was *delicious* (served on a unique bread thing with a nice chutney). I forget what appetizer she had, but the lobster-scallop risotto that my wife had as an entre was unreal. She pronounced it "Maybe the best meal I've ever had" (there was not a speck left on the plate). My steak was perfect, black and blue as requested and cut like butter. This was topped off with a really nice piece of cake, delivered with a candle and another "Happy Anniversary!" Felt great walking back to the room. I should add, the grounds of this Inn are beautiful. It's nice just walking around. Everything about the place speaks of care. Really. (And I almost hate saying that, as I am generally pretty critical.) OK, so complaints? Not many. One is the AC units. On ours, the controls were by-passed and it was hard-wired to a wall thermostat, with limited controls. No matter what we did, we could not get it to stop cycling on and off, making all kinds of racket. In the morning, as we were leaving, someone turned the AC on in the room above us, and the noise that thing made would have driven us out of the place if it had been on overnight. These things need some attention or updating. Other than that, I might suggest an upstairs room. We were on the first floor, and although it was nice, the walking around in the room above us was quite noisy (even though the person was just moving around normally). Some people came into one of the rooms around midnight with a somewhat loud group, which woke me up, and lasted for about an hour. No loud music or anything, they were just being normal Friday night people. But it carried pretty well thru the walls. Not a big deal and hard to avoid these kinds of things in country inns. We did not do the breakfast, as we were heading off to get our children from camp, but it looked very nice on the outside deck of the restaurant. Staff here were all great - friendly, professional, attentive. Overall a very good experience. Highly recommended, and don't bother going out to eat - the food is more than half the draw here. read more

We ate at Brasserie Pip, by candlelight, outside on the deck that overlooks the garden. They accommodated us right away in spite of the fact that we did not have a reservation. Super attentive service all around and they moved us outside as we originally requested when they had a cancellation. Brasserie Pip has really great atmosphere and the food is top-notch. We had duck fat fried fries, chicken liver pate, and the bone marrow to start. All were perfectly prepared and seasoned and were absolutely delicious. For dinner we had short ribs and halibut with chick peas - also delicious. The wine selections are reasonably priced and well thought out, as is everything at this restaurant. It's not cheap, but not expensive and the prices are about on-par with what is in the Fairfield/New Haven/Hartford county areas. Highly highly recommended. read more

We booked four nights at the Inn for a quiet getaway from the bustling city on our anniversary, and were very pleased. Named after the spectacular old copper beech tree in the front yard, the three houses and property is well-maintained. The Main House is the original inn with restaurant (more on that later), then behind that there's the Carriage House (built in the '70s) and Comstock House (built in 2008). We stayed in the Comstock but also saw some of the rooms at the Carriage House, where it appeared all bathrooms had been renovated nicely. The rooms at Comstock are larger and obviously newer. We had a Jacuzzi tub which was a great bonus. It was very peaceful. Breakfast is included with the rooms, and you eat at the Main House either indoors or out. I had the lemon pancakes, the Belgian waffles, the omelette of the day and the "standard breakfast" of eggs, bacon and toast, while my wife enjoy the yogurt, granola and fruit - everything was delicious! And we had dinner there twice in the beautiful Main Dining Room. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection, the Ivoryton Burger was beautifully stacked and prepared, and the organic breast of chicken was moist and delicious. On top of everything else, Innkeeper Peter Pajor, Colleen and the rest of the staff could not have been more welcoming and accommodating. We will definitely return to the Inn and Essex/Ivoryton! read more

Stayed at Copper Beech after a wedding. Beautiful place, inside and out. The staff is friendly and formal at the same time. Very luxurious, without being stuffy. The rooms are well appointed with period furniture, that's actually comfortable. My bathroom has large standalone tub, and a walk-in shower. Coming from NYC, it took a few minutes to adjust the absolute silence of the room after I turned in. Best nights sleep in forever! read more

I have been fortunate to have gone here on several occasions and have been delighted with the menu and the wine list. Definately not inexpensive but if it is THAT special occasion, this is the place to go. The quality of service and food overwhelmingly good. Dinner for two can easily be over $80 but well worth the experience. Just a small addendum: They also have 13 guest rooms available. Their web site is : http://www.copperbeechinn.com/home.htm read more

We have eaten dinner here twice, in a different dining location each time (one of them is called "Pip's," but I'm not sure which). The first time, the service was adequate and the food outstanding. The second time, the service was great and the food was outstanding. Chef Noel Jones is impressive as ever. We have decided to book an important dinner event here as a result of our great experiences. Highly recommended. read more

Beyond what I could have imagined! Working for a celebrity chef and managing one of the top steak houses in the area, I know great food and service and Copper Beech hits the mark every time! It's such a romantic little spot...with the feel an old inn with its huge old wood burning fireplace but yet this old country inn has wonderful modern touches. Sitting at the bar you'll find a beautiful copper bar top versus the traditional wood top which give the room a very chic feel! Aside from warm romantic decor, the food is probably some of the best in the state, top 3 I'd say. If you've ever been to "On Twenty" in Hartford and had Noel cook for you, Chef Tyler at Copper Beech is strong competition to him! From foie gras bon bon's to absinth foam on the cauliflower soup, the food belonged on Top Chef or at the very least in some trendy NYC restaurant!! Don't let that scare you away though! If you're more of a simple hearty food type of person, they have a number of simple yet delicious dishes such as roasted chicken, gnocchi, lobster bisque...right down to a good old American burger! Although we didn't on this visit, during our last visit we sat in their lounge and picked at all different types of meats & pate! Their Charcuterie selection changes daily, i believe, and is always amazing! Honestly this place is great! Sexy, Chic and romantic setting with an equally amazing dinner and wine menu! Keep up the great work because its nice to get this type of food & service in little ole CT! read more

Although the food was very good, I was very surprised when one of our guests informed the waiter that she wanted to split a meal with another guest and the waiter informed us that there would be a $2.50 split plate charge. I have seen this on menus, but I have never actually seen it charged on the bill. And the waiter got us three times! We were a party of ten with a bottle of wine. Very ticky tack. Really, who does that? read more

A few years ago we were very disappointed. Not anymore! Welcome back Copper Beech! Very pleasantly surprised. The service and food are top notch. 21st century fine dining. Can't wait to return! read more

We went here for Mother's Day dinner. It was a fixed menu and most really enjoyed their meal. The ravioli appetizer was the best ravioli I have ever had. The desserts looked much better than they tasted, a bit disappointing. The atmosphere was beautiful. Our issue was that there was one vegetarian in the group and it was disappointing the restaurant did not have a vegetarian menu for Mother's Day as the main four courses were salmon, filet, scallops, and duck. The chef tried putting together a polenta dish that tasted terrible, the waitress never checked back on the table to see how everyone was enjoying their food. When the vegetarian dish was cleared and clearly not eaten nothing was said by the wait staff - still charged the $70 even though that person didn't really get a main entree. I have never been to a fine dining restaurant without vegetarian options, even on holiday or special occasions with limited menus. When you are spending 70 a person you expect everyone to be able to eat something. Will try again if they include more options as the other food really was delicious. read more

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Where do I start? Arrived yesterday afternoon to a warm reception by the staff. Had refreshments in the tavern, a classic "old" style venue. Move on to the room......love 211. Perfect for a one night getaway. Cozy and comfortable. Oh, had steak for a late dinner room service. Yum, cooked to perfection and cut like butter. Again, the staff who brought it were very nice AND had personality if you all know what I mean. Finally, this morning's breakfast (OMG....the bacon is to die for) was perfecto, not to mention the great service from Holly. Oh, and yes, Holly's got personality too. I can't say enough about the environment but if the employees don't bring that personality "spark" the wonderful environment won't be remembered. WE'LL BE BACK! read more

An outstanding restaurant. The food is always good. The waitstaff very friendly and knowledgeable. Very European feeling. Fun and enjoyable. read more

We had a reservation today Sunday @ 2:00 -we arrived 2:08 and we were told that the chef left the kitchen is closed.

We had been to the Copper Beech Inn a number of times over the years for dinner with mixed success (see my review of the Brasserie Pip), but we took our first trip to stay over at the actual inn. We stayed in the Carriage House in the back. Not cheap but there was a good amount of availability. We walked onto our room, and I must say that it seemed to be a bit modern for a historical B&B. We walked down a set of stairs that could have been in a newly built McMansion. When we got to our place, though, I was pleasantly surprised. Our room was enormous with a comfy bed, and there were a bunch of really great touches - for example, an honor bar which was great for drinks/food on the go and a beautiful plasma TV. The best part, though, was the ultra-modern bathroom with enormous tub and beautiful shower. We came in the winter, but the bathroom was a great place to hang out and thaw out. Que romantica! We went to the Brasserie Pip for dinner (again, see my lackluster review) and then crashed back in our enormous, beautiful room. I could have stayed another night. Regarding breakfast, I'll be quite honest. The free breakfast stunk on ice. It was really, really bad. It was seriously orange juice, bran flakes and a few muffins. If someone had not come to our table, this would have been a 2-star review. By the grace of god, we got menus and I ordered the Salmon Eggs Benedict, and it rocked my world. Come here just for the Salmon Eggs Benedict! It rules. Nice room, pot of coffee, Salmon Eggs Benedict. Life is good at Copper Beech Inn. We'll be back. read more

One of the best Cosmo's I've had in a long time!! I feel bad that I didn't get a chance to let the bartender know:( So whoever was bartending Monday 1/4/16- you rock!! The calamari was pretty amazing also- perfectly fried w a side of kimchi and some super sauce, it all went together perfect! read more

We booked the Copper Beech suite for a romantic getaway specifically because it was advertised with a fireplace. While the room was lovely and had an indention in the wall that resembled a fireplace, it was not operational and we were only able to burn votive candles in it. To me this is the equivalent of advertising a bathtub that doesn't have running water. I mentioned this to the manager and all I got was a sideways grin and an offer for more candles. At this price point we were disappointed with the dishonest description. read more

I am so disappointed. We haven't been to Copper Beech since February 2020. Our typical seat was at the bar because it was a very friendly place. I finally decided to try sitting at a table in the restaurant and made a reservation. When we arrived, they requested they take our temperature which they never told us about when making the reservation. They had a very limited menu due to COVID-19, which we are not used to, leaving us not much to decide from. They sat us in what they call the main dining room, which was very musty and old smelling. I ordered my French onion soup with extra cheese and made crispy, it came with no cheese. I then ordered a NY strip made medium with crispy fries, it came well done and the fries were not crispy. This was not the Copper Beech I am used to. If they are going to have a limited COVID menu they should adjust the pricing based on the quality of their food. I don't think we will be back anytime soon. read more

Can't get enough of this place - excellent service, cozy atmosphere, delectable food. The bar is a perfect spot if you have a party of two or three. Serve full menu at the bar. Happy hour specials too! read more

We went to the Copper Beech Inn Restaurant for dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary and were disappointed, especially given the great reviews we've read about its food and its high rating (26) from Zagat. We ordered the Chef's Tasting Menu and were surprised to receive just an "okay" meal. Worth noting, one of the courses was Foie Gras coated with nuts, which was served in a paper cup without proper accompaniment like toast, and the dessert was a hard graham cracker-like cookie (which tasted old) topped with ice cream -- very unimaginative. The meal was not bad; it just didn't live up to the hype. read more

Had a wonderful time celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary Peter and Coleen were wonderful! They even upgraded our room. See you at our 60th! Would highly recommend El and Harry H. read more

So glad we stayed here during our Columbus Day weekend last October! It was the last place we stayed during our trip and definitely a favorite. Delicious food the night we arrived (great steaks at their restaurant) and the room we stayed in (Room 216) was plush and comfortable. Big beautiful spa type of tub in the lavish bathroom. Had breakfast at the inn the next morning and it was pleasing to the eyes and the palate. Great time of year to go. HIGHLY recommended. We really hope to return again. read more

This place is very cool. A great example of classic CT house from long ago. The service was great and food was delicious. Definitely hope to stay again in the future. read more

Great ambiance. Excellent food and service, as well as fantastic drinks. They have a really special martini list and everything is made to order. Definitely check it out. Dave the head mixologist is awesome! read more

Just spent a night at this inn. Room was nice, but the restaurant and the service were superb. Will definitely be back!

My husband and I stayed here Sept 28-30th 2015 and everything about our stay was fabulous! We were there to see our son who was performing at the Ivoryton playhouse. I booked the room #323 which I'd chosen from the picture of it online, but it was so much better in person! Much larger than the photo portrayed and had all the amenities you could want. Another pleasant surprise was that the amazing breakfast at the restaraunt was included! (Not just a coffee and croissant in the lobby as expected). The grounds are stunning and the staff was friendly. Everyhting about our room and the Comstock House building were immaculate. We truly cannot wait to return to this amazing hotel which was worth every cent of the price!! read more

We have been here several times in the past and stayed at the Inn. The food was excellent when Chef Tyler (Chopped winner) was there. Went last night and was beyond disappointed. Both the calamari and the halibut were so salty that we could not even finish them. The marinara sauce and the red sauce under the fish were very acidic. So, I had a headache from the salt and both my husband and I had heartburn/reflux from the acidity all night. Will not go back until they get a new chef which is a shame because the Inn was one of our favorite weekend get-ways. read more

Wow! really unfortunate. I so wanted to like this establishment, had reserved a room online for my 30th wedding anniversary at a discounted rate, was told the inn would honor the price, only to get a call the next day saying they in fact could not honor the -rate. SO disappointed in their lack of professionalism. read more

Excellent service, but the food truly feels pedantic. Seriously. Go somewhere else. We spent well over $200 and the food was merely passable. You can do better. read more

Face/Palm. This place was a favorite until recently. They haven't changed their menu in 2 years; which was sort of okay when everything was cooked wonderfully. However, now they are cutting costs everywhere. Food quality is down and the price isn't. Tonight (last night I choose to be here) the barman's outfit was filthy, everyone is depressed, and the food mediocre. Sort of indicative of the downward spiral they've found their selves in. Sad. read more

Loved our stay and Peter, the innkeeper, made it top notch! His attention to detail is amazing! Room was cozy, grounds ante beautiful! Loved every bit of it!! read more

My wife and I just returned from our second visit to the Copper Beech Inn. The first visit was several years ago and the property has since changed owners. Both visits included staying in one of the wonderfully romantic rooms at the Inn. The true value of the this place is that you can have a romantic getaway here with a great restaurant at your doorstep! The restaurant (as well as the other area businesses) has clearly been affected from the economic downturn. In 2006 (our previous visit), the restaurant was always busy and if you were not lucky enough to have secured a reservation in the grand formal dining room, you could 'settle' for a great albeit more casual atmosphere in the bar area. Now they only open the main dining room on busy weekend nights and the menu has been pared down quite a bit. With that said, we had a great meal and while the ambiance has lost some of it's luster, the bar area retains a very nice 'friendly' feel. My wife and I both had the prime tenderloin steak and it was cooked to perfection and very flavorful. Our appetizer and shared dessert were also very good. The service was good. So while The Oak Room (the new name of the restaurant) may not be as good as it once was, it is still a really nice place to escape for a romantic dinner while staying at the Inn. Also, breakfast at the restaurant is included in the price of the room and I had one of the best eggs Benedict I've had in long time! read more

If you haven't been to the Copper Beech in for while (as they transitioned cooks and renovated in late spring), I recommend you revisit this serene and wonderful bistro. The addition is seamless and the new bar area is inviting and beautifully executed with a fireplace at one end. Our meal was perfect and beautifully presented, Chilean Sea Bass, crab cakes, (my litmus test for restaurants) and a scrumptious German chocolate cake. I do recommend they play something beside Strauss waltzes if they want to encourage (somewhat) younger clients...not hip hop, but how about Etta James, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett? I know the chef hails from Vienna, but I half expected the Lippizager stallions to come prancing through! read more

My wife and I stayed here for a few nights and had a wonderful time. The staff (Peter, Gabrielle, and others) was so friendly and accommodating. Our room was beautiful and clean. The food was superb...the breakfasts were hearty, the dinners were first-rate. And the mango mojito is perfect. Great for a getaway. We'll definitely be back. read more

We stayed here while our house was undergoing some renovations. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The food was delicious. I would definitely recommend it. read more

I really enjoyed the part of the evening in PIPS before we sat down. It was at least a wee bit lively. Once in the restaurant on a Saturday Night it was very quiet. It was full but QUIET. Too quiet. We wanted so much to go back to PIPS, well, that we did. Less than 15 minutes later we moved our dinner to PIPS. They were accomodfating read more

We had a surprisingly bad experience last evening at the Copper Beech. We have not eaten there in some time and expected the superlative experience we once had. Quite the contrary. The problems ranged from the very poor service to the inedible soup appetizers. After a so so meal, the bill arrived charging us for the soups we returned and double billing for the coffees/teas. The difference was nearly $50. Never have we had so many apologies from the wait staff. I am sorry that this once esteemed establishment either had a very bad night or has taken a turn in the wrong direction. read more

The food was excellent - everything we had was delicious and the specials sounded amazing. Great ambience - so happy to have found this gem and will definitely add this to the list of favorite places to eat out. read more

Have had a number of really good diners here. A little pricey and the service can be iffy at times but overall a good dining experience for the area. Have not stayed in the hotel but have put up a number of guests here for business. No complaints from them but where are you going to stay in the Essex area? read more

We ate here for Christmas Eve dinner. We had a group of 17, and were expecting a "semi-private" room with two separate tables. When we arrived, we instead were in a BEAUTIFUL large room to ourselves, with one big table that was set gorgeously. So much more than we were expecting. The service was impeccable, and the food was delicious. We sort of found this place on a whim, but we will absolutely come back for any future family meal! Wonderful, comfortable, special experience. read more