Restaurants in Westport

Sunlight streams through the wall-to-wall windows in Roberto’s Restaurant’s garden room, warming hanging greenery, exposed-brick walls, and platefuls of pasta and grilled steaks. Servers slip among the tables, carrying pizzas with adventurous toppings such as chopped clams and broccoli rabbe. The eatery seats 140 people, the exact number of players on field during a standard soccer game, and was voted Best Family Dining in the county by the readers of Connecticut Magazine.

The artfully plated sushi that arrives at Akita Japanese Steak House's tables shows the pride chefs take in their work. They wrap maki rolls in whimsical heart shapes, whittle citrus peels into swanlike figures, and decorate lettuce hearts to resemble the blossoming cacti often pinned to lapels at cowboy prom.

Diners can expect the unexpected from fusion creations such as the Pacific roll, whose spicy wasabi-mayo exterior belies the sweet-potato tempura inside. Hibachi griddles sizzle with proteins from scallops to sirloin. Guests can also wash down grilled Chilean sea bass and other dinner specials with glasses of wine.

Though the brick bar and large, bright front windows immediately catch customers’ eyeballs, Bare Tapas & Vino is a restaurant best represented by its Mediterranean-inspired menus of tapas, pizzas, wine, and cocktails. Elegant small plates include grilled steak tips in a demi glaze, or crisp, golden shrimp and artichoke croquettes finished with manchego-cheese sauce. Flatbreads easily carry toppings such as roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella, or combinations of asparagus, roasted onion, and smoked peppers. In accompaniment, wines hail from the vineyards of California or Portugal, while cocktails of exotic fruit blends sport colors more vibrant than the cheek of a crying two year old.