Rothbard Ale + Larder to open its doors, bring European fare to Westport

Hour photo / Erik Trautmann Rothbrad Ale + Larder chef Adam Roytman and and owner Joe Farrell at the new Westport restaurant at 90 Post Road East. Hour photo / Erik Trautmann Rothbrad Ale + Larder chef Adam Roytman and and owner Joe Farrell at the new Westport restaurant at 90 Post Road East. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Rothbard Ale + Larder to open its doors, bring European fare to Westport 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

WESTPORT — The owners of Southern-themed Black Rock Walrus + Carpenter Joe Farrell and Adam Roytman are bringing a new concept to Westport in a nod to Central European cuisine.

The pair’s new eatery, Rothbard Ale + Larder, a European-style beer bar and restaurant, opens Thursday at 90 Post Road E., featuring food and beverage offerings from Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Alsace.

“While Walrus and Carpenter is Southern-inspired American cuisine, we like to think of Rothbard as its European counterpart,” Farrell said. “We will be serving foods from the Alpine region and there’s really nothing like this in the area.”

The 65-seat Rothbard Ale + Larder is a lower level space that Roytman said fits their personality perfectly.

“It has a warm and inviting character that people can feel very comfortable in,” he said. “It will have the same vibe as Walrus, which is a lively, casual fun atmosphere.”

Another draw to the space was its history Farrell said.

“This was the basement at the old Town Hall, and this area used to be a jail cell around 1910,” Farrell said. “From the exterior you can still see the holes where the jail cell bars were.”

Even the restaurant name highlights the basement location of Rothbard Ale.

“Rothbard means ‘red beer’ in German. People ask us what larder means, and it means ‘cold storage’ which is traditionally in the basement, which is where we are,” Farrell said.

Roytman, who has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years, will step into the role as Rothbard Ale chef.

“I’ve done a lot locally, I worked in the kitchen at Match and had been a private chef for a while,” he said. “I will be directing the kitchen here.”

The menu will feature traditional Raclette, Wiener Schnitzel, bratwurst and sausages and spaetzle for dinner.

“We’re starting with dinner now and may open for lunches in the future,” Farrell said. “We’re going to be open at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays and serve until 10:30 or 11 p.m. We will also be serving late night bar snacks.”

For those with a sweet tooth, site-made desserts will include Belgian Chocolate Crepes and Black Forest Cake.

The 10-seat bar will feature cocktails, and many beers and wines from Central Europe.

“This will be a full bar, and we will have specialty cocktails and modern interpretation of European classics,” Farrell said. “We will also have wines from that region at a moderate price point.”

Rothbard Ale + Larder will open its doors on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Rothbard Ale + Larder, 90 Post Road E., Westport. Information: (203) 557-9666.