piecrust's Profile
Best Sandwich- Fairfield County?
I guess we all have to pick our poison! It's true that a couple of years ago, the food was not good and the pastrami sandwiches were shrinking. Disappointed, we didn't go for a while. But we tried again two years ago and it was back to what we remembered. The bagels with lox are still delicious and more authentic-tasting to me than anywhere else. But that's just my humble opinion, I am far from expert. The owners very kindly ordered stuff for me during the holidays at the last minute when I got a lot of unexpected company from the old country.
Eating in Skopelos
I can't remember any particular restaurants, but be sure to eat a Skopelos cheese pie, which is spanakopita or tiropita made into a rope, then coiled and fried. Also, there is a loukoumathes stand, a tiny place in town, that makes the fried dough puffs right in front of you. I remember the fish was good, and that some restaurants had more Italian-style food, catering to the people who frequent the island. Have fun!
Best Pasta Dish Fairfield County but not too expensive
Well that's good to hear because we're headed there soon since we also like that style of Italian cooking. What did you find different, if anything, about the food? Any menu changes? Is there a brick oven for pizza? ! I hope they do well, we are bringing a lot of people who used to also weekly frequent the old place.
Best Sandwich- Fairfield County?
I know, I go often. But when I do, I bring along my own "same old guys" so it's the same to me! I do see many familiar customers all around us, especially at lunch on weekends, perhaps maybe older and now retired, but still there. I think the pastami tastes exactly the same. And when things change, I ask them to order some of the old stuff and they have done that. I like to frequent the old places and encourage others to also, so that they stay around.
Any notable seafood shacks between NY and New Haven?
I have a peeve about this at all restaurants. Please tell me what today's market price is for fresh seafood to avoid sticker shock.... I want to know up front.
Any notable seafood shacks between NY and New Haven?
SONO also has fried softshell crab, but when I asked if they were fresh ones they were honest and said no. Just FYI. I always ask if I'm feeling picky. Doesn't mean the sandwich won't be good, but the fresh ones are of course plumper.
Any notable seafood shacks between NY and New Haven?
Btw, at the Glenwood people also frequently order fried softshell crab sandwiches in season (I always ask everywhere fresh or frozen), though it's best at the Black Rock Oyster Bar in Fairfield off I-95. The batter is light, and the frying oil must be fresh and hot. It's never greasy or heavy with crust.
Lobster Rolls and Whole Belly Clams
The Sagamore Inn under the Bourne Bridge - fried lobster tails, oysters, whole belly clams in a worn but friendly old inn. Love the place, it's family style with close seating in captain's chairs. Reasonable prices, very fresh local fish, so if they're out, they're out. You won't get stuff pulled from the freezer as far as I can tell. Closed Tuesdays.
Lobster Rolls and Whole Belly Clams
I think it was Thompson's Clam Bar in Harwichport?
Lobster Rolls and Whole Belly Clams
The seafood, especially fried whole belly clams and oysters at the Black Rock Oyster Bar in Fairfield, off I-95 at Exit 24 is of exceptional quality. Pair them with what appears to be house-made thin onion rings or sweet potato fries and excellent-for-once cole slaw and you are set. The raw oysters are always plump, shucked on the spot and served ice cold - perfect. Don't overlook this place!
Best Sandwich- Fairfield County?
Thanks, I've been to Katz's and it was good. I just like the history at Gold's and the people - the older deli guys are great. I also think the A&S in Fairfield makes the best food of all the stores. I occasionally bring them a lasagne pan and they fill it with whatever baked dish I want. I usually order eggplant parmigiana and add it to the table at any holiday meal even though I am not Italian! We will try Giovannis' this week and thanks for the tip. That is, if I am able to drive past the Lakeview Diner and their crepe-like pancakes!
Best Pasta Dish Fairfield County but not too expensive
Maybe that's because the original Brick Oven changed owners sometime during the past 2 years? Carmine opened up Carmine's north of Sikorsky off the Merritt Parkway. I should have mentioned that. I agree, the original Brick Oven is now off our list, too. We noticed the difference immediately recently and never went back. I wish we had known earlier the original owners moved and opened Carmine's in Shelton - especially since we were regulars for more than 30 years and were never told. . . imagine that. . . and we discovered the new place by accident and design. I had to call the Chamber of Commerce in surrounding towns to figure out what happened to them. It's still good I've heard, but a bit more upscale and a recent diner told me they weren't friendly to their children, so they left after drinks. We are planning to try it and see for ourselves anyway. I can be remarkably forgiving in exchange for a retro plate of veal parmigiana.
What's your favorite local old-time restaurant? Why?
We lived several states away, but in Fairfield County mine was Sabia's Open Door in Stamford, with the Brick Oven in Bridgeport following close behind. Sometimes The Hearth restaurant (a.k.a. Wrinkles) in New Milford is fun for a flashback, steak tips and delicious mashed carrots. Are any of your old family spots still in existence and still good? We'd love to know and we'd love to go.
Best Sandwich- Fairfield County?
Hot pastrami on seeded rye at Gold's Deli in Westport with a side of potato salad, a pickle, and lots of mustard. And an eggplant parmigiana grinder at A&S Foods in Fairfield.
Best Pasta Dish Fairfield County but not too expensive
It's not cheap, but Pasta Nostra in SONO is worth the $$$. Too bad they're not open for lunch. Otherwise, the Brick Oven on Capital Avenue, or Carmine's in Shelton.
Who has Great Pasta and Meatballs- Fairfield County
It used to be the Brick Oven on Capitol Avenue in Bridgeport. It's still there. We went for casual food for 30 years. The original owners moved to a new location in Shelton at Carmine's off the Sikorsky exit of the Merritt Parkway. It is a bit more upscale rather than family-style, but the sauce and basic Italian old stand-bys are like your grandmother made them and never disappointing. I've also never had a bad meal with these people. Quite the contrary. Good choices: fried calamari, fried mozzarella, spaghetti and meatballs, veal parmigiana, shrimp francese. Not crazy about the eggplant parmigiana, everything else is great.
has anyone eaten at Tucker's Cafe in Fairfield
We went a few years ago - it is small and crowded, tables very close - we actually ate chicken paprika that day which was a special and it was excellent - the burgers and sandwiches are supposed to be good. It was noisy but not really so kid-friendly as the tables are next to the bar. But families go all the time anyway. I've never heard anything negative about the place.
Any notable seafood shacks between NY and New Haven?
By the way, I believe Abbott's is still open after labor Day for several weeks on weekends only - I suggest you try to make it there if possible - life is short (!) - we went two weeks ago and it was spectacular! I forgot how clean, fresh, bright red and not greasy a really quality crustacean can be!
Any notable seafood shacks between NY and New Haven?
I have been up and down the Connecticut coast for years and honestly I have yet to find a tolerable lobster roll south of Branford. Lenny's on the marsh in Branford is superior for fresh oysters, fried belly clams and oysters, lobster rolls, and broiled or stuffed lobsters. The steamers are wonderful; everything is so fresh. Other excellent choices are the Clam Castle in Madison on the Post Road (I've been there when Jacques Pepin was enjoying a lobster salad roll), Johnny Ad's in Old Saybrook for tasty fried shellfish or lobster rolls, the Sea Swirl in Mystic for Chinese cardboard takeout pails full of fried clams and oysters, and Abbott's in Noank for steamed lobsters or lobster rolls on a soft round bun. At these particular places the lobster is always fresh and of the highest quality around. there may be others, but I have never had a bad experience at any of these stands in more than 30 years!
Should restaurant food be made to order or prepared in advance?
I think it is becoming very apparent that many restaurants recently prepare too much ahead of time. We have been more and more disappointed in restaurant food in the past few years for this very reason. It is easiest to distinguish at a lunch table (was this prepared yesterday?!?) or on a Sunday. Never mind those Sunday brunch places. . . never. But my biggest gripe is a simple neighborhood family-style restaurant where you might have veal parmigiana, and the veal is like dry leather and was obviously cooked earlier in the day. Ugh. Our favorite local corner restaurant just started doing this when it switched owners. I could tell immediately, and now a 30-year-old Friday night habit is crossed off my list. Another nasty advance prep menu item: ice-cold, wilted, pre-mixed Caesar salad for $8.00 and up. How do they get away with it?
What is Wild Boar
I had wild boar recently at a restaurant out West, and although I like the taste of most game, I found this meat to be unpleasant. It was beautifully cooked to medium rare by a wonderful chef, and although it was supposed to be roasted and served with a sauce of huckleberries and strawberries, it had blueberries and grape tomatoes, which ruined the dish. I thought it was way too gamey and bitter. However, I once roasted a very tiny boneless wild boar roast and it was okay.
I miss Sabia's Open Door
Does anyone know anything about whether anyone in this Stamford, CT restaurant family is cooking anywhere in the U.S.? Anyone ever get any recipes by chance? They had the best stuffed clams, never mind the lasagne and sausage... They had a great sauce and do you think the sausage was from D'Yulio's, or homemade? Sigh.
Pizza in Stamford
Take a side detour to Devon (that section of Milford) and look for Papa's Pizza tucked away. It is only take-out with one picnic table outside, but you will think Pepe's airlifted on oven to Devon. Go on, try it!
Pizza in Stamford
hmmm.... in Monroe try Jennie's on Rte. 111 (sausage or eggplant pizza), or Julian's on Rte. 25 (mushroom & onion) or further up, Carminuccio's on Rte 25 in Newtown - you will probably not be disappointed.
good bagels near Norwalk
Bagel King - but only the one on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield or the other store on the Post Road. Not the Bridgeport or Norwalk stores. That's it. You can buy H & H Bagels at Balducci's in Westport if that's your favorite kind.
