Bon Appétit Café: Authentic French Cuisine

If you’re looking for French cuisine in Wilton, look no further than Bon Appétit Café. Located near the banks of the Norwalk River, Bon Appétit Café features classic tastes. The dining room is cozy, so be sure to make a reservation for dinner. And since it’s a BYOB, find a bottle of wine to complement your meal. On nice days, there’s also outdoor seating. Come for lunch and check the board – there are always tasty market specials. Or look to the menu for delicious sandwiches on baguettes and ciabatta, salads and quiches. For dinner, there are always traditional starters, soups and entrees. This is truly the taste of France! And try to stay for an equally classic dessert. The Bon Appétit Café is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, and on Sundays for brunch.

Bon Appétit Café
5 River Rd
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 563-9002
www.facebook.com/pages/Bon-Appetit-Cafe/120954501262417
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-bon-appetit-wilton

Village Luncheonette and Pizza: A Wilton Mainstay

With a welcoming diner atmosphere and menu of quick, quality food, Village Luncheonette and Pizza is a favorite among Wilton diners. This charming establishment has been in operation for over 25 years, proving it knows a thing or two about satisfying customers. Diners have their choice of breakfast items served all day, sandwiches perfect for a quick lunch, and top-notch pizzas. Pizza dough is made fresh daily, and diners can feel free to choose from a variety of toppings. Breakfast items include everything from cold cereal to a variety of hearty omelets. You can even create your own omelet with your choice of meat, cheese, and veggies. The portions here are quite substantial, from wraps to calzones and pasta dishes. From the friendly service to the great selection of food, you are sure to love Village Luncheonette and Pizza.

Village Luncheonette and Pizza
88 Old Ridgefield Road
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 762-5883
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Village-Luncheonette-Pizza/93605769826
http://www.yelp.com/biz/village-luncheonette-and-pizza-wilton

Seriously Tempting No-Bake Desserts to Try This Summer

If you can’t even imagine turning on the oven during the summer heat, no-bake desserts are the perfect alternatives to your usual fresh baked cookies. These oven-free desserts are just as delicious as more traditional options, and they’re often much easier to prepare, which leaves you with more time for lounging by the pool! Here are three no-bake dessert recipes to try at your next potluck dinner.

7-Layer Ice Cream Cake [marthastewart.com]
Cool off after a summer dinner with this colorful ice cream cake. Pound cake creates a sweet, dense base stacked between layers of tasty vanilla ice cream, while thick meringue is a wonderfully fluffy replacement for the usual heavy icing.

Creamy Layered Lemon Squares [snackworks.com]
Swap out your usual lemon square recipe for something much quicker — and cooler. Basic graham crackers create a crunchy crust, and the addition of ripe strawberries makes this dessert perfect for the summertime.

Hawaiian Cookie Balls [kraftrecipes.com]
The kids will adore these fun and tasty cookie balls made with sweet, crushed pineapple and flaky coconut. You can also decorate them with colorful gel icings and sprinkles to turn them into fun ducks or chickens for a child’s birthday party.

Leonce Antiques: One of a Kind Antiques

Leonce Antiques has a reputation for exceeding its customers' expectations with a carefully curated selection of antiques, all of which are lovingly displayed in this beloved establishment. The store boasts 10,000 square feet of space, making it optimal for storing larger items as well as maintaining a massive selection of goods. Leonce is perhaps best known for its phenomenal silver dining ware selections, but the store also features an array of home décor items unavailable at similar establishments. Despite the store's large size, browsing is a joy thanks to the thorough organization of the pieces. While much of the merchandise is on the expensive side, the pieces showcased here are one-of-kind items meant to be collected for generations. More like a museum than an antiques shop, Leonce Antiques is the perfect place for that rare item with which to beautify your home.

Leonce Antiques
1435 Post Rd East
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 254-8448
http://www.leonceantiques.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/leonce-antiques-westport

Compo Beach: The Preferred Beach of Westport

Both visitors and residents agree that Westport’s Compo Beach is the premiere spot for fun and relaxation. Offering a beautiful view of the Long Island Sound, Compo Beach is composed of 29 acres of gorgeous sand, in addition to many recreational facilities. The variety of multi-purpose recreation areas cater to more active visitors, while the beach itself offers the perfect environment for some much-needed relaxation. Concession stands are available, offering visitors a chance to replenish before enjoying more fun in the sun. Let the kids run wild at the lavish play area while mom and dad catch up on some much-needed quality time. While the parking fee is a bit more expensive than at similar beaches, it allows Compo Beach to maintain the higher standard that visitors have come to expect. Both kids and adults are sure to love Compo Beach, making it the ideal place for the whole family.

Compo Beach
260 Compo Beach Road
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 341-5090
http://www.westportct.gov/index.aspx?page=321
http://www.yelp.com/biz/compo-beach-westport

Public Domain/Public Domain

Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing you a Fourth of July filled with pride, honor, and lots of fun!

Save Room for the Almond Tiramisu at Mike’s Ristorante

A fixture of Norwalk's dining scene for more than four decades, the family-owned Mike's Ristorante serves authentic southern Italian fare in an intimate, bistro-like space. Only a handful of tables are scattered about the eatery's yellow-walled dining room, which, coupled with Mike's Ristorante's local acclaim, makes a reservation here essential.

Still, regular diners insist a meal at Mike's is worth the effort, even if you have to call several times to get a table. Dishes center around high quality ingredients, many of which have been imported straight from Italy. That means you'll likely taste the difference top-cut meats and freshly made pasta make in dishes like the Capellini al Pesto, the Fusilli alla Sorrentino, and the Pollo con Marsala e Funghi. Leave room for dessert: Frequent diners report that the almond tiramisu is out of this world.

Mike's Ristorante is open for dinner Tuesdays through Sundays. The restaurant serves lunch Tuesdays through Fridays.

Mike's Ristorante
50 Main Street
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 838-3256
mikesristorantect.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mikes-ristorante-norwalk

Happy Father’s Day!

Today is a chance for us to recognize some very important people in our lives. May this day bring you many reasons to smile!

Happy Father’s Day!

How to Help Ensure Your Growing Teen Is Getting the Proper Nutrition

Teenagers may seem like they don’t need your help with anything, but as a parent, you know that this simply isn’t true. When it comes to proper nutrition, your growing teen needs you more than ever. Here are a few smart tips to help ensure that your teenager is eating the right foods and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

  1. Have regular meals together. Eating together doesn’t just bring you closer as a family, it also ensures that your son or daughter eats a well-balanced dinner every evening. Prepare meals with lots of whole grains, lean meats and fish, and fresh vegetables.
  2. Prepare more food. As your child becomes a teenager, his or her appetite will begin to increase dramatically. Keep teens energized by serving larger portions at mealtime and keeping lots of healthy snacks on hand.
  3. Limit saturated fats and sugars. Even if your teen loves to snack on potato chips and chocolate candies, these things can contribute to certain diseases later in life. Try to limit the foods that contain saturated fats, sugars, and sodium in your household.
  4. Increase calcium intake. Because teenagers typically go through growth spurts, they require much more calcium than children and adults. Serve low fat milks, yogurt, or even calcium supplements. Ask your child's doctor for advice.

Nutrition for Children and Teens [HelpGuide.org]
A Teenager’s Nutritional Needs [HealthyChildren.org]
Do Teens Have Different Nutritional Needs Than Adults? [SF Gate]

Woodcock Nature Center: A Wilton Haven

Commune with nature at Woodcock Nature Center in Wilton. This 149 acre preserve provides habitat for hundreds of species to call home. Free and open to the public 365 days a year, there are three miles of well-maintained trails that traverse wetlands and forests. Take a load off on one of the many benches along the way where you can be still and watch wildlife like birds, turtles, snakes and lizards. The center offers a great opportunity for people of all ages to connect with nature in a safe and supportive way. There are classes available for children as young as 18 months as well as overnight summer camps for teenagers. Check their website for upcoming programs.

Woodcock Nature Center
56 Deer Run Road
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 762-7280
www.woodcocknaturecenter.org
www.yelp.com/biz/woodcock-nature-center-wilton

Public Domain/Public Domain

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