Cardinal Critics Review Little Pub in Cos Cob: Best Pub Food in Town

Cardinal Critics is a feature series on Greenwich Free Press. Led by GHS senior Kai Sherwin, the hungry team will make their way through Greenwich restaurant, deli and pizza parlor menus – and everything in between. The views expressed in Cardinal Critics reviews are not affiliated with Greenwich High School.

Drew Fuller (Cardinal Critic), Bill Taylor (Little Pub manager), Spencer Grabel (Cardinal Critic), Kai Sherwin in photo taken at the Little Pub Selfie Station

This week, Cardinal Critics reviewed Little Pub, a rustic and warm restaurant located on East Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob.

With stained glass windows, chandeliers, reclaimed barn wood walls, and a cozy, intimate atmosphere, both the interior and exterior of the building feel like an English pub.

Spencer Grabel

Credit: Spencer Grabel

Stained glass window inside the Little Pub Credit: Kai Sherwin

The Little Pub offers a comfortable bar – perfect for after work drinks – and sit down dining for more formal meals.

Doug and Daneen Grabe, the founders of the Little Pub, bought the building where Fonda La Paloma formerly operated, and performed extensive renovations. The Cos Cob location is the third Little Pub, joining Wilton, Fairfield and Ridgefield, which was the original Little Pub, opening back in 2009.

Bill Taylor, the general manager of the Greenwich location, told the Critics that Little Pub seeks to create a friendly, local atmosphere with a focus on sustaining frequent customers.

Inside of the bar. Credit: Spencer Grabel

Regardless of the weather or season, there is always something special going on at Little Pub. There are two huge stone fireplaces, as well as live music on Saturday nights that livens up the already vibrant atmosphere.

From April to November, Little Pub’s outdoor patio is open and makes for great outdoor dining.

The Critics eagerly sat down at a booth and looked at the menu. Spencer ordered the Buttermilk Ranch Crunch Wrap and Kai ordered the Little Pub Salad.

As a frequent visitor of the Little Pub who knew the menu inside and out, Drew ordered his favorite: the Steakhouse Burger with sweet potato fries.

Little Pub Salad. Credit: Spencer Grabel

“The tater tots in the wrap give the whole experience a surprisingly crunchy taste,” Spencer said after tasting his wrap. e

Kai thoroughly enjoyed his salad and especially the warm panko crusted goat cheese that sat on top.

Steakhouse burger with sweet potato fries. Credit: Spencer Grabel

Drew, as always, loved his burger and was reluctant to have to share with Spencer and Kai. The burger includes bacon, cheese, caramelized onions, and the special steakhouse sauce that complete’s the whole burger. Drew always order extra sauce on the side because the fries also go perfectly with Little Pub’s signature sauce.

Other very popular items include the Kickin Chicken, Habanero Jack Burger, and their Scarpelli. In order to keep with their local theme, the Scarpelli features sausage made locally in Cos Cob.

One interesting feature is that Little Pub has a valet service for lunch and dinner hours, which is helpful with their tight parking lot.

Arguably the Critics’ favorite non-food related feature was the selfie station that is installed near the entrance.

The Selfie Station consists of an iPad station that allows customers to take photos together to remember their experience at Little Pub. The Critics could not pass up the opportunity to take a photo with manager Bill Taylor who was kind enough to host us.

With high quality offerings on the menu, perfect customer attention, and an easygoing atmosphere, Little Pub is surely one of the best and most unique restaurants in Greenwich.

Little Pub’s locations, menu and hours can be found on their website: http://www.littlepub.com

Little Pub in Greenwich is located at 531 East Putnam Ave, Cos Cob, CT, 06807.

Little Pub in Ridgefield is located at 59 Ethan Allen Highway, Ridgefield, CT, 06877.

Little Pub in Wilton is located at 26 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT, 06897.

Little Pub in Fairfield is located at 2133 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT, 06825.

If you want your restaurant reviewed by the Cardinal Critics contact [email protected].