About 85 Main
Our Story
Twenty years of culinary artistry in Putnam, Connecticut
Twenty years of culinary artistry in Putnam, Connecticut
Want to experience 85 Main for yourself?
For twenty years, Chef James Martin has been the creative force behind 85 Main — a restaurant born from passion, fueled by curiosity, and recognized as one of the finest dining destinations in New England. His approach is deceptively simple: source the best ingredients, honor classical technique, then push every dish into unexpected territory.
That philosophy has earned him the highest accolades in the state. Connecticut Magazine has recognized Chef Martin as one of the most creative culinary voices in Eastern Connecticut, and diners across the region agree.
"Hands down the most creative restaurant in Eastern Connecticut. The Asian fusion dishes are unlike anything else in the region."— Connecticut Magazine
85 Main is rooted in the New American tradition — seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking that celebrates the best of local farms and purveyors. But what sets us apart is the bold, creative overlay of Asian flavors and techniques that Chef James weaves through every menu.
Expect miso-glazed salmon alongside braised short ribs with gochujang glaze. Tuna tartare with sesame and ponzu next to hand-cut pasta with local mushrooms. It is a cuisine built on contrast, harmony, and the thrill of the unexpected.
This fusion is not an afterthought — it is the DNA of every dish that leaves our kitchen, and it is what has kept guests coming back for two decades.
Our award-winning raw bar is the heart of the 85 Main experience. Named the Best Raw Bar in Connecticut, we source oysters from carefully selected farms along the New England coast, prioritizing sustainability, quality, and traceability.
Chef James has built deep relationships with oyster growers who share his commitment to responsible harvesting. Every oyster on our menu can be traced back to its origin — from the cold, clean waters of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts to your plate.
Sustainability is not a marketing buzzword here. It is a core principle that guides how we source, how we prepare, and how we serve. When you eat at 85 Main, you are supporting a food system that gives back more than it takes.
Long before "farm to table" became an industry trend, Chef James was forging relationships with Connecticut's best farmers, foragers, and artisan producers. For twenty years, those relationships have been the foundation of everything we serve.
Our seasonal menus change to reflect what is growing, what is fresh, and what is at its peak. We partner with local farms for our produce, heritage meats, and dairy. Our seafood comes from trusted New England fisheries and shellfish farms. Every ingredient has a story, and that story starts close to home.
This is not farm to table for the sake of a label. This is a chef who believes the best food starts with the best ingredients — and the best ingredients come from people who care as deeply about their craft as we do about ours.
At 85 Main, we believe fine dining should never leave you wanting. Our small plates are designed to be shareable — generous in size, bold in flavor, and always delivering equal or greater value than what you paid. Whether you are sharing a spread of dishes across the table or savoring a beautifully composed entree, you will leave satisfied.
This is our competitive advantage: award-winning cuisine, crafted by one of the best chefs in Connecticut, at prices that welcome you back again and again. We are not trying to be exclusive — we are trying to be exceptional. There is a difference.
Every guest should feel that what they received was more than what they expected. More flavor. More creativity. More generosity. That is the 85 Main way, and it has been for twenty years.
When Chef James Martin opened the doors at 85 Main Street in Putnam, Connecticut in 2006, he had a vision: build a restaurant that could compete with any dining room in the state — in a small town with a big heart.
Twenty years later, that vision has become a landmark. 85 Main is the restaurant that put Putnam on the culinary map, drawing diners from across New England who make the trip specifically for Chef James's cooking. It is a place where first-time visitors become lifelong regulars, where celebrations are remembered for decades, and where the food is always worth the drive.
Now open seven days a week, 85 Main continues to evolve — with new seasonal menus, exclusive experiences, and a commitment to being better today than we were yesterday.
Reserve Your TableAcross 2,200+ reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Yelp — guests consistently return for Chef James's cooking and the 85 Main experience.
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