Nestled along the scenic Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook Center is a hidden gem — a refined dining experience awaiting you. Located at 6 Washington Avenue and just south of the intersection of Church Hill Road, Glen Road, and Riverside Road, Nouveau Monde has transformed itself over its six-year existence into a destination for new American cuisine in a cozy, stylish, and relaxed atmosphere.

Known widely in town as “The Wine Bar,” Nouveau Monde is a full-service restaurant that has evolved with seasonally inspired dishes incorporating flavors of global influences and focusing on local ingredients, including farm fresh produce from Daffodil Hill Growers.

Nouveau Monde has one of the most extensive wine lists in Connecticut. With more than 800 different selections, the wine list has been recognized by Wine Spectator magazine as Best of Award of Excellence. There are fewer than 1,400 restaurants in the world sharing this outstanding honor. Nouveau Monde has also been awarded multiple Experts’ Pick awards by Connecticut Magazine. Engage their sommelier to help you navigate their full electronic wine list to select just the right wine for your meal. Select craft beers and a robust cocktail list round out Nouveau Monde’s beverage program, including the Negroni, the Aviation, Old Fashioned, and the signature Dangerous Liaison.

Nouveau Monde features a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options (weather permitting), which includes a covered porch at the main restaurant and patio seating overlooking the Pootatuck River in front of Antoinette’s, the standalone, early 20th Century-style barn. Antoinette’s has the feel of a speakeasy — secret saloons that operated during the Prohibition era. True to the spirit of a speakeasy, Antoinette’s will be open on select Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, with opening days announced on Nouveau Monde’s social media channels, serving an extensive list of classic cocktails, craft beer on tap, and ultra-premium spirits.

Nouveau Monde is an elegant venue for special events. Whether hosting a shower, celebrating a rehearsal dinner or wedding reception, or hosting a business dinner, Nouveau Monde has event menus to fit your needs and budget. There are three separate event spaces that can be tailored to guests’ needs, including the main floor bar and dining area, upstairs private dining room with closed doors, and Antoinette’s. For larger groups, the main restaurant, or a whole venue buyout, as well as outdoor dining spaces, are available.

Keeping guests and employees safe is Nouveau Monde’s top priority. In addition to meeting all cleaning and safety procedures required by the state, the restaurant has installed HEPA circulating air filters in all indoor dining spaces. These specialized air filters are similar to those utilized in hospitals, filtering the air to trap particles as small as 0.3 microns and utilizing built-in UV-C lamps to sanitize the air.

A Sample Of The Menu

For The Table: Nouveau Monde offers selections to start your meal, including house-made rosemary focaccia, selections of cheeses from Murray’s of New York, and specialty meats from purveyors such as Olympia Provisions in Portland, Oregon.

Small Plates: The seasonal menu features several hot and cold starters. The classic Maryland-style crab cake is a perennial favorite along with the shrimp and grits that hits the right notes of savory and spice. Salads change seasonally reflecting the produce of the time.

Entrées: The menu changes seasonally based on availability of fresh local ingredients and the appetite of the guest. You will always find a selection of house-made pastas, salmon, poultry, pork, and beef dishes; many are the restaurant’s take on the classics with a twist. Many are gluten-free or can be made gluten-free.

Dessert: A variety of desserts includes the refreshing Limoncello cake or Junior’s individual classic cheesecake. Nouveau Monde has introduced its “by the ounce” after dinner drink program, allowing guests to select one, two, or three ounces of their favorite cognac, port, madeira, or sauternes. Try just an ounce or maybe three one ounce pours to compare!

Full Bar: Nouveau Monde has a full bar of top-shelf spirits, including Whistle Pig, Kavalan Whiskey, and Jefferson’s Ocean. Liqueurs, digestifs, vintage port, and sauternes are a great way to round out the dining experience.

Nouveau Monde, 6 Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook Center, is open five days a week, closed on Monday and Tuesday. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday, 5 to 10 pm; and Sunday, 4 to 8:30 pm. Reservations can be made on the restaurant’s website or by calling 203-491-2723. For more information, visit nouveaumondesandyhook.com or search “NouveauMondeCT” on Facebook and Instagram.