I bet that, at some point, many of you have been asked “If you were on death row, what would you want your last meal to be?” Although there is a long list of foods I could answer with, Shakshuka is one of the most underrated dishes on my list by far. After finding out that Terrain Cafe in Westport served this meal, I knew I had to try it.
Stepping through the door into Terrain, I was welcomed with warm lighting and gorgeous greenery. The aromas of fragrant soaps and fresh flowers filled the air, with wooden shelves of christmas ornaments and rustic home decor lining the walls. The cafe portion of the shop is tucked into the corner of the building, split into outdoor and indoor seating. It was a sunny day, and though it was a little bit chilly outside, the patio seating had heat lamps to ensure customers can be comfortable regardless of the temperature outside. After a delicious appetizer of warm bread and fresh butter, I ordered the Shakshuka and an iced pumpkin white mocha latte. The brunch menu also features other delicious items such as the smoked salmon toast, Terrain burger, and brioche french toast. Their ingredients are locally sourced from farms and businesses all around New England, making it an ethical meal as well as a great one.
The free bread you are given as an appetizer tastes so fresh and fluffy, and is served with a seasonal flavored butter. I would rate the bread a 9/10, only because I wish there was more of it.
When my food was brought to the table, a fragrant tomato-feta mix filled the air. Shakshuka is a traditional mediterranean take on a tomato soup. There are many different variations of it from different regions or countries. The precise origin of Shakshuka isn’t known, but it is traditional to Moroccan, Yemeni, Tunisian, and Turkish cultures. It is made by poaching an egg inside of a flavorful, spicy tomato sauce and topping it with feta, chickpeas, and extra spices. Terrain also serves it with some sourdough bread on the side for dipping. The food was scorching hot when it reached my table, so I had to wait a couple minutes for it to cool down before taking my first bite.
It was a delicious mix of flavors, with a perfectly poached egg in the middle of the sauce. As someone with a very low tolerance for spicy food, I think it had a very good amount of spice. There’s enough to burn your mouth a little, but it won’t completely overpower the real flavor of the dish. I would rate it a 9/10 because although it was a very flavorful and rich lunch, another poached egg would have made the meal more filling. The latte was an easy 10/10, with a perfect balance between the bitterness of the espresso and the sweetness of the pumpkin and white mocha syrups.
Overall, I would rate this experience 10/10. The atmosphere is beautiful, the menu has something for everyone, and the quality of the food/drinks is amazing. I definitely recommend going here for a nice brunch!
