Swyft

I loved Swyft! I heard about the place for a while & was not disappointed. It is a small & cozy gathering place with a fireplace. The beet salad, cheese plate & carrots were all a hit (see photo) Presentation was A+. The real show stopper was wood-fired PIZZA! (we ordered TIGER KING, the one with the chili oil on it, YUM!)

Ugh I love this place. Situated in downtown Kent, this restaurant is so cozy and the outdoor patio is probably my favorite in the state. I love that their menu changes seasonally and the ingredients are fresh and locally-sourced. I highly recommend the cheese platter. I can never decide between pizza or an entree so we often order both and share lol. The waitstaff is always so kind and patient - and unpretentious! I know we can always come here to eat well, relax, and enjoy ourselves.
P.S. I can't wait to try Ore Hill now that it's finally open!

burger good

Edit: I have since returned to this restaurant for an updated review as follows:

I recently had the pleasure of trying the smash burger made from the rare breed of grass-fed Randall cattle from the local Rock Cobble Farm at Orehill & Swyft, and I can confidently say that it was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Not only was the burger itself exceptional, but the cocktails were also top-notch, and the service provided by Kaitlynn was truly phenomenal. And to top it off, there was even a cozy fire in the room that added to the delightful ambiance, which was started by the ever-helpful Robert.

From the moment we walked in the door, Kaitlynn went above and beyond to ensure that our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. She greeted us warmly, gave us great recommendations, and was attentive throughout our meal without ever being intrusive. Her friendly demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for the food and drinks on the menu were infectious, and it was clear that she truly cared about making sure we had a great time.

The burger itself was nothing short of amazing. The perfectly toasted bun was paired with a juicy, flavorful patty that was cooked to perfection. The beef had a depth of flavor that can only come from using high-quality, grass-fed meat, and the smashing technique used by the chef resulted in a crusty exterior and tender interior. The simplicity of the ingredients allowed the true flavor of the beef to shine through, making for a truly satisfying burger experience.

But what really took the experience to the next level were the cocktails. The bartender at Orehill & Swyft is clearly a master of her craft, and each drink was expertly crafted with unique and unexpected flavor combinations. From the classic old fashioned to the signature house cocktail, each drink was a work of art.

The cozy fire in the room, which was started by the ever-helpful Robert, added an extra layer of warmth and comfort to our dining experience. It was a welcome addition to the already fantastic ambiance of the restaurant, making us feel right at home.

Overall, I cannot recommend Orehill & Swyft highly enough. The exceptional food and drinks are matched only by the phenomenal service provided by Kaitlynn. And with the added coziness of the fire in the room, you're in for a truly unforgettable dining experience. If you're looking for a top-notch burger and cocktail spot, Orehill & Swyft is the place to be.

As an Italian, it’s very hard to find such an amazing pizza as the one I just had @ Swift! My husband had an amazing lamb rack. This place is fabulous! As an interior designer I also appreciate the design and the whole vibe! The staff is super professional and friendly! Happy we just discovered it, looking forward to be back soon! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤩

Beautiful service, location, and food. I can't speak about consistency because I've only visited once, but we were able to try an array of dishes on that one visit.

The staff was kind and helpful, but I would have liked to have been offered more descriptions and explanations of the dishes without having to ask. Perhaps it was a bit busy when we went so the waiter wasn't focuses on staying at our table for chat, but a quick explanation of what was being brought out on each plate would have been appreciated.

The food was undeniably well crafted. All the small plates we tried--scallops, beet salad, pork belly--were plated beautifully and balanced themselves well. The beet salad lacked a savory protein though, preferably to my taste, in the form of an earthy goat cheese. The raw scallops were perfect, refreshing, floral and sharp. The pork was intensely savory sweet and salty.

The grilled bread served with the sardines and anise butter was my favorite dish. The bread was a beautiful nutty sourdough and the grilled sardines went perfectly with the airy whipped seasoned butter.

Despite all the other fantastic plates, the pizzas were/are the star. The presentation and cooking method is so perfectly orchestrated with the best notes from neapolitan pizzas, and it's paired with one of the best savory-tart airy yet chewsome naturally leavened doughs I've had since Lodge pizza in LA. The margarita is heaven, and shouldn't be overlooked for their more extravagant offerings.

I hate doing this because it makes it harder for me to book a reservation in the future. Game Theory in action.

The service was perfect. The cocktails, excellent and exciting. The food, truly inspired. That's all I will say. The rest is to your imagination.

Don't book, don't go, cause I don't want any trouble next time I want to book a rez. (which to be honest is soon. The food is so good.)

It's hard to imagine a pizza so perfect, so exquisite, so delicious a couple hours north of NYC. But here it is. Fluffy crust may be the star, expertly charred and airy, perfect in every way. But, then there's the sleeper tomato sauce, comprised of milled San Marzano tomatoes and/or the Calabrian chili oil that comes on some pies, but they'll gladly add it if you want. Yes, do. But, the other things on the menu, particularly the chicken at night is just not to be missed. It's a beguiling smoked, charred mix of a half or full bird. It, as well as the smoked sauce accompaniment, haunt my dreams. Burger, double patty with cheese. Yes. Fries. Awesome. Salad with lettuce that actually tastes like something. Nice beer list. Good selection of wine, with a focus on Italian. A nice selection of special whisky and even some good amaro (my favorite) means a good bar experience. I don't know the owners personally, but they seem to have attracted a good set of complement, friendly staff. Run, don't walk, here but just don't get in the way of my next reservation

Ore Hill & Swyft bring two different concepts to one location – a fine-dining restaurant and a casual restaurant. On the Swyft side, the interior is casual and warmly inviting, clad in pine with the original 1780 post-and-beam construction beautifully preserved. Ore Hill, its fine-dining counterpart, will be more dressed-up, but similarly understated, furnished with Shaker-inspired tables and chairs. From the architecture and furnishings to the landscaping and lighting, a lot of careful thought and consideration has gone into Ore Hill & Swyft. Ore Hill has yet to open, but Swyft is in full-swing.

The menu at Swyft has a Southern Italian focus, but incorporates local and global features. Thanks to the nearby Rock Cobble Farm, the menu benefits from a wide array of exquisite, fresh produce (e.g. black opal, indigo rose, and green zebra are among 34 varieties of tomatoes that the restaurant makes use of). Fresh meats, cheeses, and other ingredients come from the farm, too. You’ll find wood-fired, farm-driven pizzas, shareable small plates, and seasonal entrees across the menu. Try the Neapolitan-style wood-fired margherita pizza. It’s made from dough prepared using natural sourdough from a 30-year-old starter. Many of the seasonally changing toppings come from nearby Rock Cobble Farm, including mozzarella and burrata, which are made in-house using their milk and cream. A Pavesi oven made in Naples, Italy bakes and crisps the pizza to perfection. Try the Swyft burger with fontina cheese, agrodolce, basil aioli, and beef-tallow French fries. For dessert, get an espresso and try the vanilla panna cotta with Sicilian pistachio, and saba. Be sure to enjoy all the freshness and flavors of your meal.

Don’t forget to check the chalkboard in the bar for some excellent drink options. Their extensive beer selection focuses on a variety of local craft brews, while the cocktail and wine lists combine familiar favorites with new discoveries. Try a beer from the local Kent Falls Brewing Company or a cocktail like the Honey blossom. The bartender stocks a lot of truly unique spirits and can create a custom drink to your preferences. He knows his stuff and is especially talented with creating drinks. Take advantage of happy hour food and drink specials Wednesday through Saturday 4:30 to 5:30 pm. This was an exceptional and memorable dining experience. I am looking forward to my next visit and the opening of Ore Hill.

Great food and well crafted drinks. Truly a great place, with truly friendly and accommodating staff. A little bit out of the way, but truly worth the trip.

Great small town vibes and amazing spots to hike locally. Did two hikes in the area and stopped for a pizza on the way home. Ordering/Pick up was a smooth transaction. Have been going to this area for awhile to hike and grab a pizza and will continue to do so(:

From the service and hospitality to the food itself, Swyft is unlike any other place I have been to. Although the atmosphere inside is casual and feels a lot like a modern cabin, the dining experience is as if you were in a michelin star restaurant. The staff is friendly, witty, and incredible at their job. Everyone who works there knows about the food. Unfortunately, I have not had much experience with their entrees, because I drive across the state to eat their breath-taking pizza. One of the best pizza places in CT, hands down. Neapolitan style with fresh (in season [I believe]) ingredients, unique flavor composition, and the most delicious naturally levained dough.... this is truly a beautiful establishment. Oh, and they have a phenomenal beer list from local breweries (OEC, Kent, Sloop, etc.)

I love this place! We live an hour and a half away but try to get here seasonally. Everything is delicious!

This company was the best I ever worked for. I ran out of money hiking the AT, and they came through for me. Wallet got stolen in front of the bookstore, but they still got me home. Precovid. I hope you all are doing great still, greatest crew I've ever worked with, management especially. 5 stars all day. Love ya guys!!!

Outdoor seating is great, and decor is tasteful. Food at brunch was delicious and portions were generous. The service was excellent.

We were presently surprised with this little place in the quaint town of Kent. The salads were extremely fresh and the specialty pizzas were amazing. We loved hearing about the history of building and enjoyed the tree covered patio. plan on coming back to explore the additional food offerings.

Came in for lunch at Swyft and will definitely be returning. We sat at the bar (place gets very busy for lunch) and had an amazing meal. Highly recommend the Korean Chicken Sando and Bahnn Mi (spelling??) Sandwiches. Also bar is top notch with amazing drinks. We shared a Lingering Kiss cocktail.

Delicious food in a fun farm to table atmosphere.
Robin's koginut squash (buttermilk marinade, burnt cream, pumpkin seed gremolata, sourdough crust) was delicious and though listed as a small plate was a very generous portion. Definitely worth trying.
The Swyft smash burger (two 4oz patties, pickles, caramelized onions,aoli, RCF everett cheese & old school fries) was tremendous. Awesome blend of flavors cooked to order on the perfect bun with loads of fries. A definite must try.
The wood fired half chicken was delicious with a hint of smokiness.
The side salad with a light dressing was very tasty and an excellent palate cleanser before dessert.

Terrific farm to table fare. Excellent wood fired pizza. Bloody Mary with everything is the bomb. Special recognition to the servers and bar tender. Rate to have everyone so friendly and responsive.

Had a wonderful and amazing time here. The food was amazing, and so was the specialty drinks I had. The staff was friendly and the manager greeted all of her guests with a smile. I will be coming here again, and I'm going to tell my friends all about this cute place.

Tiger king pizza was amazing! A best place for brunch on weekends.