louuuuu's Profile
Southern New England Board
Big Restaurant news in Stamford: the opening a week ago of Bar Rosso, by the people behind Fairfield Cty's top restaurant Napa and Company . Previewed in detail in CTBites by "former" Chow mainstay Jfood, covered with much hoopla by local papers, packed to the gills every time I've walked past, but totally invisible since it openind on the Southern New England board. Once upon a time there would have been at least a dozen reviews and comments on CH.
Southern New England? What a mistake.
Southern New England Board
Naming places like Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport, even Fairfield as "Southern New England" is just downright misinformed. State borders do not mark culinary lines. Jim Leff, a New Yorker knew that Fairfield County was part of the NY metro area, foodwise -- not a culinary subdistrict of New England.
Must confess, I do prefer creamy chounder. Otherwise, it's hot buttery lob rolls, Hebe Nats at Yankee Stadium, and a Times double folded on the Metro North Express to GCT. I will watch local Cablevision 12, but not 3,6,8 or 25.
Southern New England Board
I just learned that the Tristate was one of the first of 4 boards Jim created when Chowhound expanded beyond NYC. He consecrated them as "Manhattan," "Outerboroughs," "Tristate", "All the Rest of America." Like Moses and his stone tablets (a biblical Ipad).
Return us to our Promised Land. Southern New England is just another word for diaspora.
Southern New England Board
Yes, I'm throwing in the towel. Used to read this daily. Now maybe once a week. Other blogs, like CTBites and SmallBites (Westchester) far more relevant and informative.
CH Jumped the Shark when they broke up the TriState.
Stamford: Kona Grill or Mitchells Fish Market
The best fish in town are at some of the fine Italian restaurants close to the Hilton. In addition to Columbus Park and Sienna mentioned (CP gets my vote), there is Emme and Aria. And yes we encourage everyone to support our great locally owned establishments. I avoid The Town Center's chain restaurants and stores and consider them a blight to downtown Stamford (incidentally, the fortdress stands as the only interuption of Highway 1 from New York to Boston.)
Solo weeknight dining in Stamford
Jasty, you'll fine this earlier thread on the verysame topic helpful.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/725387
as for takeout, Stam is not really a takeout food town. But close by the Hilton is City Limits Diner, which is a terrific casual and comfortable restaurant that masquerades as a retro diner. Or maybe it's a gourmet diner. ( It has a very good and quiet bar as well with a nice wine list where you can read a book in peace.)
Here's the menu
http://livanos.c24design.com/files/pdf/CityLimitsMenu.pdf
Easter Dinner ideas in Fairfield County?
Napa and Company until 3:00
http://napaco.blogspot.com/2011/04/food-for-thought.html
What's your favorite thing to dip french fries in?
In Milwaukee at Marc's Big Boy.... Big Boy, fries, side of bleu. Actually it used to come as part of the BB dinner, you'd get the blue for half a head of iceburg lettuce. Then ordered ala carte cuz more fries than with the dinner.
But just had them at the new Bobs in Pasadena (on Lake St.). Still great, especially when there's a small hunk of bleu and a frie with a pointed end that you can stab it with.
West Coast BB dressing diferent than what I had in Midwest, which was more mayo based. Marc's also used to sell the burger in a paper sleeve, that sort of steamed the bun and melded the burger, lettuce, and cheeze.
Southern New England Board
It's been 4 days since anyone in Fairfield Cty has posted on Southern New England. In old tristate, you'v be lucky to go 4 hours during waking hours without some contribution.
CH -- you're losing what was a loyal and vibrant crowd. You need to do something before we are lost for good.
Peking Duck in Stamford Area?
Who woulda thunk? Very servicable Peking Duck. Our bird was moist without being greasy, the wrap was delicious, and the price for a full portion not bad (26). Waitress did a nice job assembling the meat, scallion and sause inside the crepe. We took home the legs, but they didn't travel well (maybe we should have paddled).
I've driven past this place a thousand times, thought it was just a takeout joint. Actually, Pearl East is straight out of 1980's suburbia. May try something else on the menu next time... with measured expectations. Not Flushing or Chinatown, but Stamford 1989.
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Pearl East
2720 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06905
Fairfield County Food
Alas, Knapps Landing is not a go to place for anything BUT lobster rolls, with the posible exception of mussels in a warm gorganzola sauce. But score a table on their terrace at the mouth of the Housatanic and Long Island sound. Gulls wheeling overhead, fishboats plying the waters, and a warm buttery Lobster Roll in your hands ... a Connecticut picture postcard.
Two great FFD cty seafooders are Rowayton Seafood and Harbor Lights in Norwalk. Also consider the Boathouse in Westrport. There's a shack attached to Rowayton where you can get a lobster roll on the fly.
For clam chowder and fied bellies on the go, give Westfair in Westport a try.
Do yourself a favor and stop in to Fjord Fisheries in Cos Cob or Westport and bring home a 1/2 lb of smoked Marlin dip and jalopena peppers, spread on a ritz cracker, and make an unforgettable Ct taste memory.
Hotdogs, SuperDuper Weenie in FFD or Swanky Franks in Westport.
Hamburgers Cherry St East in NC or Black Duck in Westport. Napa's hamburger draws raves, but there are even better entries on their menu.
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Harbor Lights
84 Seaview Ave, Norwalk, CT 06855
Rowayton Seafood
87 Rowayton Ave, Rowayton, CT 06853
Swanky Frank's
1050 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880
Black Duck Cafe
605 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880
Fairfield County Food
You should narrow this down a bit. Way too openended.
First to know what's "new" for you, it would be helpul to know what are some of your past faves. That would avoild recommending somewhere you've already been and provide hints what new to suggest.
If you're moving far away, I'd try some of the uniquely CT food you can't get there, seafood including CT lobster roll, NewHaven style pizza or Colony, only in CT burgers and franks, etc.
You might also check the board for the best places in cities like New Canaan, Stamford, Sono, Westport.
A good researching of this board using keywords is the proactive way to go.
Guess this is hello goodbye.
Saturday lunch on southern Connecticut coast?
Rowayton Seafood -- a bit north of Stamford -- perfectly prepared shorefood and a wainscotted welcome to New England, geographically ordained by Chowhound.
http://www.rowaytonseafood.com/
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Rowayton Seafood
87 Rowayton Ave, Rowayton, CT 06853
Morelli's Pizza Now Open in Stamford, CT
Maybe if you're looking for by the slice. But very pedestrian.
Heard on the grapevine that Sabatiello "Sammy" Settembre is involved, former owner of the late and not lamented Sabatiello's on Bedford (btw, called cafe Morelli before he ran it into the ground.) If so, not a good signature of quality or excellence.
Anyone know the scoop on ownership?
The Plate Restaurant in Ridgefield,CT
this was the site of the late lamented Insiemmi restaurant, off the the beated track, in ridgefield. Understand the owner died of cancer. Sounds like the new incarnation carries on his fine Italiano legacy.
CORNBEEF & CABBAGE PIZZA AT COLONY STAMFORD AND FAIRFIELD
Methinks this was the wrong crowd to ask. Maybe next St. Pats.. Then again, probably not!
CORNBEEF & CABBAGE PIZZA AT COLONY STAMFORD AND FAIRFIELD
I try not to venture out much on St. Pats Day, much less to a bar. Has anyone ever indulged in Colony's once a year special CB&C pizza? Verdict?
Hidden Italian Gem East 40's
Ended up at Grifone. Not a CH style "find", to be sure, but a good old fashioned red sauce Italian that harkened back to times gone by. Everyone at the table, especially our Italian guest, thought the food was delicious and the service charming. But it was a lunch, so no big expectations for spills and thrills.
Exactly what was needed for this particular business lunch, which was meant to be a trip back in time. And was that Don Draper canoodling with the young blonde exec in the back booth?
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Grifone
244 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017
Meatloaf in Fairfield County?
Share applause for S&S (and not just because they are a Yankee stronghold on the cusp of Sox territory). In addition to old fashioned meat loaf (served either cold or with hot gravy) -- they are famous for their fresh sliced RB's. My only quibble with the sandwich is that the meat is still cool from refigeration, and at room temperature roast beef becomes more flavorable. ( But you can't leave a roast sitting on the counter.)
A bit of a haul from Danbury, but if you're travelling on 95, rite off Exit 6, you might try City Limits Diner. Rather than a three meat meat loaf ( beef, pork and veal) theirs is strictly veal with a fantastic gravy over creamy mashed. The epitome of comfort food. But ab out 10 dollars more than S&S.
CL is 180 degrees from SS.. City is modern gourmet diner retro. Clean as a whistle. While S&S is old school old. Their toot a bit tattered.
Both have their place.
Hidden Italian Gem East 40's
A friend mentioned Grifone. Said classical Italian, decent, very old school. Any one been there?
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Grifone
244 E 46th St, New York, NY 10017
Is Aria in Stamford worth the visit??
Sherbo, Aria's prices are no more expensive (and in some cases less) than other good Italianos in town: Columbus Park, Emme, Sienna, Tappo. Quatro a smidge less..
Also, Aria honors a 25-50 dollar off coupon from Restaurant.com. Which would take care of the sitter!
Hidden Italian Gem East 40's
Looking for authentic Italian for lunch. Intimate and Italian staff.
Southern New England Board
Just give me back most of the old tri state board Hudson Valley and Long Island far more logical and local than Cape Cod and Newport.
Lots of CH'ers in Western Westchester who will be active participants in the new board do the Hudson Valley and Rockland more than they get to Fairfield Cty . Peter Kelly's in Piermont is closer to us in Fairfield County than his x20 in Yonkers.
Will be interesting to see what Jaquillyne comes up with... but she's dealing with one tough outspoken crowd! Which is exactly what will revive the new board. And Site.
Farmer's Table New Canaan, CT?
Delicious food locally sourced, cozy space, intimate acoustics, attentive, personal service. What's not to like? The inordinate wait for our first app. In the total scheme, a quibble, but I'll get back to that later.
Had the scrumptous pork pate from Little John's farm with thin toast, tangy mustard and greens. The entry duck breast was perflectly flavored, just a hint of game, but it was a touch overdone. My wife's mussels were second only to the wonderful Jubilee in the city, but her scallops were the hit of the night, creamy, yet meaty. The key lime pie had a cheesecake texture, its tang nicely balanced with a sweet graham crust, powdered sugar, and whipped cream.
Back to my quibble ... we waited almost a half hour for the app, which I understood because they were packed and "cooking." on a Saturday night. But could have used some of their lucious bread to nibble on as we waited, tho none was offered nor any apology proffered.. Because I was driving, didn't byob any wines, which might have made the wait pass more quickly. The entry did come a few minutes after the app...
Though tables (lots of two tops) are closely spaced, most conversations seemed private. Nora Jones singing just under the conversational hum provided a very comforting, warm sound layer on a Winter's Eve. Perfect acoustics, the brick walls absorbing the din nicely
We will return. Next time with booze. But I'll reserve two hours ... and think of it as a night.
A very nice one.
Stopped in at Gates across the street afterward because a friend was singing there. What a time warp, from 2011 back to 1985.
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Southern New England Board
Thanks, Jacquilynne. Good to know redistricting is at least under consideration!
Southern New England Board
Appreciate the time and effort of the unpaid Mods. Really. And also realize the borders were established at a level above them. Unfortunately, our only way of waging our Border War is Site Talk, and that alas seems a dead end. Very frustrating. Perhaps someone from above would explain the reasons against a suburban NYC board. Not to encourage a debate, but just an explanation. Otherwise I think the traffic will continue to dwindle ... as we all lose interest in a board that is becoming more and more irrelevant to the real geographical world of our food lives -- one not apportioned by State boundaries.
Southern New England Board
Manhattan would overwhelm, as would Outer Boroughs, so keep those boards intact. And you left out Long Island.
Southern New England Board
This thread will doubtless be shifted to Site Talk. See existing thread there. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/718289
The dwindling Fairfield Cty participation in this board is sad... it used to percolate.
Ah for a people's revolution here....
Fairway (Stamford CT) Four Months Later - Thoughts?
I have far more positive feelings. The variety and volume at FW is unmatched by any other store in the County and probably the State. And though I don't take advantage of it everytime I shop, it's nice knowing that I can always find hard to find there. Their prices are very competitive (not as good as Manhattan, tho).
There's now a place in lower CT for great smoked fish sliced lranslucent thin in front of your eyes (along with a very generous tasting sample as you wait for the surgeon to complete his work) so I no longer have to travel to New Rochelle Sunday mornings. Aged prime in the meatcase. They'll steam your lobsters and add a gratis container of garlic butter. I haven't been dissappointed by their bagels and feel their lightness carries nova and cream cheese beautifully. The french pastries look good, but haven't tried. Their breads are only typical supermarket baking.
Wonderful selection of oils and like their sampling (tho people double dip despite the signs.) Good selection of pickle from half dones to full garlic, domestic and imported roast peppers and pastes, and really fresh capers. Best supermarket array of cheeses, domestic and imported. Also have not been dissappointed by their produce, and can always find ripe avacado there, unlike most other markets..
I also am reluctant to buy my seafood there, preferring local like New Wave (always fresh and best prices) or Stamford Seafood(convenient and nice family runs it) and the umatched quality of Fjord. It does offer a store for fresh seafood on Sundays, when New Wave and Stamford SF are closed.
Yep, checkout is not up to the professional standards of the rest of the store.
I'm truly appreciative Sterling partners and the Glickbergs chose Stamford as their homestate outpost, have hired hundreds of locals, and are an anchor for the new retail and residential development that's transforming the city's south side. They have also been great civic citizens so far.
FW has also raised the bar for other stores.
Plus they clear the carts from the parking lot with the speed of sorcery.
