189 Sports Café on Federal Road opened its doors only a month ago and already the place is hopping. Although it is smack dab in the middle of a slew of other eating establishments, they have found their niche in the industry that will enable them to hold their own in the Federal Road restaurant jungle. That unique quality is sports, sports, and more sports. There is no other place in Brookfield that offers 18 television screens with a panoramic window for "ultimate sports viewing", according to their website. They also have an additional eight screens throughout the restaurant. The building is the former site of Chris' American Restaurant, a well known and well liked eatery that closed its doors last year. Before that it was Fiddler's Restaurant. The new owner is Eli Hawley from Danbury.
With 12 different beers on tap, a full wine list, and top-shelf premium liquors this unique Sports Café is a bit more upscale then its local counterparts. Offering "Wing it for a Quarter night" every Monday is sure to be a hit among local college students and young adults. On Mondays they offer $5 dollar Bud and Bud Light pitchers and have Power Hour from 4:00-5:00 pm when they serve $4 dollar Vodka Red Bull drinks. Every Monday through Friday Happy Hour specials include $2 dollar Bud, Bud Light or Coors Light on draft.
While the atmosphere is lively, the food was just okay. My friend and I started with a plate of Nachos which came topped with chili, jalapenos, and mozzarella cheese. The beans tasted like baked beans instead of kidney beans and the chili had a sweet, rather than spicy flavor. The cheese was a bit rubbery and we both agreed that the nachos left much to be desired. Next came our lunches. I ordered the Corned Beef Sandwich accompanied by French fries and pickles. The corned beef sandwich was packed with flavor but lacked in the way it was prepared. There was a way too much Russian dressing and the rye bread was barely grilled. This made for a very soggy experience. My friend ordered the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad which had a lovely presentation, in a large white bowl. She said the salad was "pretty good" and liked that the chicken breast was sliced thin rather than the usual chunks at other restaurants.
The portions are large so we didn't have room for dessert but the café did have a great selection ranging from a Crispy Banana Burrito, Tiramisu, and Chocolate Lava Cake. The prices are reasonable and they offer free refills of fountain soda. Lunch for two with an appetizer and sodas came to $35. Our waitress was cheerful and very attentive. The restaurant also offers an outdoor patio, which is nice for sipping their signature martinis on a sunny day.
For young adults and sports enthusiasts, 189 Sports Cafe is definitely a fun place to hang out and watch the game.
