Rothbard Ale + Larder gastropub specializes in hearty Euro fare

Joe Farrell, left, and Adam Roytman, owners of the new Rothbard Ale + Larder located in the lower level of the old Town Hall building downtown. Joe Farrell, left, and Adam Roytman, owners of the new Rothbard Ale + Larder located in the lower level of the old Town Hall building downtown. Photo: Jarret Liotta / For Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Jarret Liotta / For Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Rothbard Ale + Larder gastropub specializes in hearty Euro fare 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

It’s unlikely another restaurant in the region has a name as unique as Rothbard Ale + Larder, the recently opened “European gastropub” downtown — its moniker a nod to Murray Rothbard, an American economist and political writer.

Located in the lower level of the old Town Hall building at 90 Post Road East, the restaurant specializes in central European cuisine, with dishes like wiener schnitzel, bratwurst, moules frites, coq au riesling, pork goulash, raclette, choucroute garni and tarte flambé featured on the hearty menu.

“Nothing fancy, no fuss,” said co-owner Joe Farrell, who along with partner Adam Roytman also operates the Walrus + Carpenter restaurant in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

“We avoid vegetable oil as much as possible, so it’s very old school and a simple way of cooking,” Farrell said, noting that while the food reflects the cuisine of several nations, they all are comfort foods.

While their Bridgeport restaurant offers American fare, this “complimentary sister restaurant” showcases international offerings, including the entire bar inventory, from Germany, Austria, Belgium and the general area.

“It’s all European, but at that same level of comfort,” said Farrell, who previously worked in real estate.

Roytman, meanwhile, said he’s been cooking in various Connecticut and Massachusetts eateries for about 20 years.

“It’s the culture of it,” he said of the restaurant business, “the culture of hospitality, eating and drinking and living well.”

“It’s like throwing a party every night,” he added.

Rothbard, which began serving dinner in early November, recently started serving lunch at 11:30 a.m. Fridays, Saturday and Sundays.

The main entrance to the restaurant is located in the walkway between Restoration Hardware and the old Town Hall building. The site was previously occupied by another restaurant, Tierra.

For more information, visit the restaurant’s website at www.rothbardct.com or call 203-557-9666.