Restaurant Week Day 4: The Brazen Hen
For day 4 we decided to go back to downtown Westerly and hit The Brazen Hen. This is a spot that we had been wanting to try. The Brazen Hen not only has beautiful dining options but is also known for its entertainment. We went during their trivia night but we got there before all the excitement as we wanted to focus on restaurant week.
Featured on the menu:
Course 1:
Soup Du Jour
House Salad
Bavarian Pretzel w/ cheddar beer sauce
Waffle fries poutine style, or curry sauce, or chili and cheese
Crispy fried pot stickers w/ dipping sauce
6 chicken wings (any style)
Course 2:
Shepherd’s pie with cheddar mashed potato crust
Bangers & mash with Irish baked beans
Tenderloin tips stroganoff over pasta
Fried Cod with home style fries, cole slaw, & tartar sauce
Grilled or pan seared fish of the day
Grilled & Chilled vegetable salad with chicken or steak, goat cheese fritter & tomato basil dressing
Chicken and waffle with maple syrup
Course 3:
Cheesecake of the day
Chocolate Grand Marnier Creme Brûlée
One thing that makes this Restaurant Week selection so nice is the that it has a very big variety that allows you a lot of different options. It almost makes it difficult to decide on what you want. We decided to mix things up and get two different appetizers so we could try more of the menu so we ordered the Bavarian Pretzel with beer cheese and the Waffle fries poutine style. I am a sucker for a good pretzel and this hit the spot. In looks it reminded me of the 
pretzel you would get at a sporting event but in taste it is nice and fluffy and not too salty. The beer cheese is a great compliment to it as well I had to stop myself from using it all in the first couple of bites. They also give you a side of brown mustard sauce with some horseradish that not only tastes good but also has nice kick to it. The poutine style fries were a different option than what you would get on a standard appetizer menu. If you’re not familiar with poutine, it is a Canadian dish that is fries with brown gravy and cheese. I would recommend getting this as a fun appetizer, but I suggest adding extra gravy on top.
For the next course we thought we would keep it traditional and pick the two 
classic Irish dishes: Bangers & Mash, and Shepherd’s Pie with cheddar mashed potato crust. Both dishes lived up to their traditional Irish recipes. The mashed potatoes for the mash tasted fresh and light. You also get a nice helping of bangers (sausages) with gravy and a side of beans. The beans are very similar to Boston baked beans. These are served on the side but you could easily add them into the dish. The Shepherd’s Pie comes in is own baking dish. Warning it is very hot and if you are not patient you will burn your mouth. The Shepherd’s Pie hits all the traditional notes: beef in gravy, peas, and a flavorful potato topping. It is simple but still melt in your mouth tasty. For future reference this pie could easily be split among two people as it is a big portion.
While there were two options for the dessert we both wanted to get the Creme Brûlée. I mean who doesn’t want to try a Chocolate Grand Marnier Creme Brûlée! You have chocolate and orange flavored custard with a layer of hardened caramelized sugar. I’d never had Creme Brûlée before so I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was delicious. It reminded me of a chocolate pudding with an extra roasted marshmallow on top.
For More Information on The Brazen Hen:
4 Canal St
Westerly, Rhode Island
The Brazen Hen is an upscale Irish pub located in Westerly, RI. Newly renovated, The Brazen Hen offers high ceilings, street front parking and a spacious dining room. The menu offers traditional New England fare from fish sandwiches and chowder to classic Irish fare like the Guinness French Onion Soup and Bangers and Mash. Open Blues Jam Tuesday at 8pm, Free Trivia with TriviAcademy is held on Thursday, Live music is offered on Friday Night, and Karaoke on Saturday w/ DJ Nikki.
Be sure to check out the other options happening throughout the week!
