Taste Why Colony Grill Is Considered a Local Pizza Institution

In business in Stamford since 1935, Colony Grill has become a local institution revered for serving refreshing libations and delicious thin crust pizzas in a classic tavern setting.

Settle in with a cocktail or a pint of draft beer while you chat with friends and shake off the cares of the day. The only food on the menu is pizza, and by all accounts it’s tasty. No designer pizza combos here; just order your pizza topped with anything from the lengthy list of ingredients. Options include meatballs, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, cherry peppers, onions, anchovies, peppers, and bacon. Don't skip the restaurant's signature hot oil for your pie!

Colony Grill is open 11:30 a.m. to midnight every day.

Colony Grill
172 Myrtle Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 359-2184
www.colonygrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/colony-grill-stamford

Bradford’s Grill and Tavern: Brews and Bar Bites in Stamford

Bradford’s is a favorite local watering hole in Stamford. Regulars rave about the generous pours that bartenders provide for the mixed drinks, and the prices are extremely fair. What's more, Bradford's boasts a solid beer selection, while an above-average food menu hits all of the classic pub offerings. Regulars note that the hot wings are equally cheap and tasty (they're available in eight unique housemade sauces), the burgers are solid, and the pizzas are surprisingly good.

If you’re a sports fan, an array of big-screen televisions are usually tuned to just about every game of interest, with one screen devoted solely to bar trivia. A large dance floor upstairs draws a rowdy crowd on weekend evenings. The crowd can get a little funky at times, but that should be a good thing!

Bradford's Grill and Tavern
83 Bedford Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 961-9999
www.bradfordsgrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bradfords-grill-and-tavern-stamford

Order the Strawberry and Chantilly Cake at DiMare Pastry Shop

Family-run business Di Mare Pastry Shop has almost 40 years under its belt baking yummy treats for Stamford residents, so it’s gained status as a local standby.

Visit for a variety of freshly baked goodies, including custom cakes, cupcakes, and cookies made to order for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions. The Strawberry and Chantilly cake is a luscious favorite with golden sponge cake, Chantilly cream filling, fresh strawberries, and strawberry sauce. It can also be made with peach, banana, raspberry, or pineapple!

DiMare Pastry Shop also makes a great selection of freshly baked breads. Breakfast pastries include Cheese Danish, Chocolate Chip Muffins, Cinnamon Raisin Buns, Chocolate Croissants, Blueberry Muffins, and Apple Strudel. Brownies, Cupcakes, Cookies, Lemon Bars, Biscotti, Cheesecake, Cobbler and Coffeecakes are also in the pastry case.

DiMare Pastry Shop is open every day.

DiMare Pastry Shop
12 Largo Drive South
Stamford, CT 06907
(203) 967-2253
www.dimarepastryshop.net
www.yelp.com/biz/dimare-pastry-shop-stamford

Darien Seafood Market: Ocean Fresh

If you’re looking to eat some awesomely fresh fish, locals will steer you towards the Darien Seafood Market. First opened in the 1980s, this place has been an institution for more than a generation. The owners source their product from the best regional fishermen and sell it at a fair price, even giving you tips on how to cook it.

If you dig lobster, you can get great ones here in season. If you don’t feel like sweating in the kitchen, there are chefs on-site who will fry up your choice expertly. Th market even sell pre-made meals that you can heat and eat later. Go for the great clambake in a box, the shrimp platters, or the stuffed clams. Darien Seafood Market also sells high-grade sushi and sashimi, depending on what the daily catch is. If you feel like dessert, it even has ice cream.

Darien Seafood Market
1941 Post Road
Darien, CT 06820
(203) 655-9124
www.facebook.com/pages/Darien-Seafood-Market
www.yelp.com/biz/darien-seafood-market-darien

Colony Grill: Hot Oil Makes for Fiery Pies in Stamford

A thin, chewy crust. A healthy smattering of fresh mozzarella cheese. A drizzle of oil that's hot in every sense of the word. Those are the building blocks for Colony Grill's wildly popular signature Hot Oil pie, which proves that keeping it simple is sometimes the best route. This spicy pie can bear any toppings you choose, from sausage to the extra hot "stingers" if the oil doesn't bring enough heat for you.

Colony Grill has been serving the same simple, thin-crust pies at its flagship location in Stamford since 1935, when the tavern opened following the downfall of Prohibition. And true to the post-Prohibition era, Colony Grill boasts a fully stocked bar. Domestic and imported beers and ales are on tap, so order a pint to extinguish the fire set by a Hot Oil pie. Or wash down your pepperoni- or bacon-topped pie with a glass of wine. Either way, you'll dine in the midst of casual, American decor that makes Colony Grill feel more like a neighborhood watering joint than a local franchise.

Colony Grill
172 Myrtle Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 359-2184
www.colonygrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/colony-grill-stamford

Harlan Social: Sustainable American Cuisine in Stamford

At Harlan Social, you'll never be left guessing what Chef Stephen Lewandowski is up to behind closed doors. Snag one of the seats at a counter overlooking the open kitchen, and you'll be able to see for yourself. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and former chef of New York City's Tribeca Grill, Lewandowski spent many years honing his skills before debuting Harlan Social here in Stamford.

The chef's devotion to using mostly local ingredients (that is, ones from the Northeast region) means that his menu changes with the seasons depending on what meats and produce are available. Some of Harlan Social's most popular items include anything containing the fresh mozzarella that chefs create in-house every day, as well as other selections of international cheeses and charcuterie. While most of the menu consists of small plates, it also offers a few main dishes that might take the form of the signature Harlan burger, an herb-crusted rack of lamb, or pan-roasted Atlantic salmon. Each dish pairs well with one of the wines from an extensive list, a cocktail, or a craft brew—all of which can be found at the bar.

Harlan Social
121 Towne Street
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 883-8000
www.harlansocial.com
www.yelp.com/biz/harlan-social-stamford

Public Domain/Public Domain

Atlantic Pizza House: The Lasagna Pizza Is Out of This World

For some of the best pizza in town, look no further than Atlantic Pizza House. Regulars rave about the specialty pizzas, like the Steak and Gorgonzola Pie and the Lasagna Pizza with ricotta and Romano cheeses. The menu also includes an array of hot and cold sandwiches, melts, wraps, and panini. The Vegetable Panini is a crowd favorite and contains spinach, peppers, olives, and red onion, while the Steak Panini comes stuffed with peppers and mushrooms. For appetizers, there's quesadillas, fried mozzarella, and homemade tzatziki sauce with pita bread for dipping. Takeout, delivery, and catering services are available.

Atlantic Pizza House
221 Atlantic Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 348-0729
http://www.atlanticpizza.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/atlantic-pizza-house-stamford

Ole Mole: A Stamford Mexican Restaurant

Some of the best Mexican food around can be found at Ole Mole. This charming eatery packs a lot of flavor into its cozy walls. With your order you'll also get chips and some fantastic pico de gallo salsa, and you may want to add some of the awesome guacamole into the mix.

The menu has a fairly comprehensive list of dishes, all using fresh and high quality ingredients. The tacos and burritos are always a solid option, but you can also find empanadas, taquitos, and ceviche here. The wings are really terrific, as well! Order up a refreshing limonada with it, too, and you've got a fantastic Mexican meal that might just leave you craving another visit.

Ole Mole is just a short trip away from Stamford Corners Apartments. Visit its website to learn more.

1030 High Ridge Rd
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 461-9962

Fiesta Atlantic Restaurant: Try Something New

Authentic Peruvian cuisine is on the menu at Fiesta Atlantic Restaurant. A unique blend of European, Asian, African, and South American culinary influences, Peruvian cuisine is some of the most diverse in the world. There are numerous meat and seafood options, all expertly prepared and full of vibrant flavors. The Lomo Saltado is an especially popuar choice, a dish of pepper steak sauteed with veggies in an incredible blend of seasonings. Whatever you order, you're sure to have a meal that is hearty, delicious, and affordable. Make sure to try some of the great sangria while you're at it! If you're looking for something other than the normal dining options, give the unique and delicious food at Fiesta Atlantic Restaurant a go. You'll be glad that you did.

 
83 Atlantic St
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 323-4300
 
 

A “Grand” Night Out

Located in a former department store building, Grand offers upscale comfort food and one of Stamford’s trendiest clubs.  Stop in for an early bird dinner an enjoy a gourmet yet classic American meal that starts with complimentary house-made chips.  If you’re feeling indulgent, try the mac and cheese with truffles and Gruyere cheese.  Gourmet burgers with grass fed beef, free range turkey or a homemade veggie patties are the star of the menu.  You can build your own or choose from their house creations like the bing burger with fresh mozzarella and cherry preserves.  The bar is known for its inventive cocktails and whips up grown-up milk shakes – try the “Float My Boat” with root beer flavored vodka. Later in the evening, a DJ turns Grand into a club, complete with a light wall timed to the music. Dress to impress if you’re headed there for late night entertainment.

Grand
15 Bank Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 323-3232
www.yelp.com/biz/grand-stamford

Pin It on Pinterest