Westport is a town with a significant Jewish population, yet most restaurants close their doors on Christmas day. These three, however, remain open for business. I reviewed two of the most popular dishes, according to the wait staff, from each of the restaurants to find the best place for the family this Christmas.
The Little Kitchen
423 Post Road East
Upscale decor and reasonable prices have made this restaurant a Westport staple for years. It’s more of a dinner destination, with its dim lighting and red/black color scheme. Their most popular dishes include pork gyoza and chicken lo mein.
Gyoza:
While I’m usually not a fan of thick and doughy shells, these were fried to perfection and therefore not overwhelming. The meat was flavorless and unmemorable, but the tangy dipping sauce made it fantastic. This is the most popular appetizer, and rightly so—they’re the best thing I tried.
Chicken Lo Mein:
Lo mein is the classic take-out Chinese food, and this version was nothing special. The sauce was bland and the chicken bits were barely detectable. I’d be satisfied with eating this. It was okay.
Overall Grade: B+
The dumplings were unbelievably tasty, but the lo mein was just satisfactory. I recommend bringing the family and sharing a bunch of appetizers because that seems to be Little Kitchen’s strongest suit.
Matsu Sushi
33 Jesup Rd.
Matsu is the only restaurant on this list located in downtown Westport, making it a convenient trip for many. Convenience isn’t the only plus, though. The sushi bar and open, airy atmosphere keep customers returning again and again. The most popular dishes include shrimp shumai and vegetable gyoza.
Shrimp Shumai:
These tiny lumps had an alien texture. A combination of mooshy, slimy, and gooey. Regardless, they were a light and flavorful little snack. I can get over a strange feeling for a delicious taste.
Vegetable Gyoza:
Unlike The Little Kitchen, Matsu uses a thin, delicate shell for its dumplings. The bottoms were lightly browned and oily. Inside was a somewhat bland mix of vegetables. Again, the sauce was the best part and really tied all the ingredients together. These are definitely lighter and healthier than The Little Kitchen’s.
Overall Grade: A
Both dishes were tasty and didn’t leave me with that greasy Chinese food regret. Matsu is great for a light lunch, but I hear their dinner bento boxes are also superb. This is the best place for a family meal on Christmas.
Westport Chinese Takeout
67 Saugatuck Ave.
Although not exactly a restaurant, Westport Chinese Takeout is a newer establishment that has become a go-to for takeout. It is far less expensive and fancy than the other two, and the service is a lot quicker in comparison—I waited only five minutes. Popular dishes include spring rolls and pork fried rice.
Spring Roll:
I got exactly what I expected from this roll. It was crispy, greasy, and filled with an assortment of indeterminable vegetables. Nothing to rave about but no complaints, either. You can’t really go wrong with such a classic dish.
Pork Fried Rice:
I have no idea why this is a popular item here. It was pretty awful. The rice was greasy and had absolutely no flavor. The pork was nowhere to be found. I couldn’t even finish eating it, so I gave it to my stepdad.
Overall Grade: C+
I would eat the spring roll again, but I could honestly get the same thing from any Asian restaurant in the area. The fried rice is an atrocity. Westport Chinese Takeout does, however, have good service and a nice staff. I’d stay away from this place, especially on Christmas.
