You are here: Home / Archives for Dining in Stamford

Patrizia’s: Classic Italian Food in a Warm Atmosphere

July 30, 2015 by

There’s a certain feeling you get at a really good Italian restaurant, like you’re part of a family. It’s that feeling that makes Patrizia’s in Stamford such a popular eatery. When you step through the doors of this place, you’ll immediately feel welcomed whether it's your first time or your twentieth time.

Patrizia’s is an outpost of a legendary Italian joint on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, and the menu is virtually identical. Start off with the savory baked crabs with seasoned breadcrumbs, or the eight-spice chicken wings with gorgonzola. Some entrees that win raves include the skirt steak with broccoli rabe in a balsamic reduction and the eggplant Parmigiana. When it comes to pasta, you can’t go wrong with the fettuccine carbonara with applewood smoked bacon or the spaghetti a la Frank Sinatra, made with clams, shrimp, and olives. Or you can just go “family-style" and let the chef send out dishes he thinks your party will like the best.

Patrizia's
249 Main Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 348-8000
www.stamfordpatrizias.com
www.yelp.com/biz/patrizias-stamford-2

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

ZAZA: Fresh Pasta, Steak and Seafood

May 28, 2015 by

Indoor and patio seating; a chic, casual ambiance; and an impressive menu of food and drink have won ZAZA in Stamford a bevy of fans. Go there to relax with a glass of wine from the expansive selection and a flavorful starter like roasted truffle sprouts with honey truffle, pancetta, and almonds; the lobster polenta with burrata mozzarella; crab cakes with arugula and house-made tartar sauce; or lamb sliders with polenta and Barolo wine sauce.

Paninis, salads, and pizzas are also on the menu, along with pasta dishes like lobster ravioli with pink sauce, penne ala vodka with chicken, fettuccine di mare with seafood and pink sauce, and penne puttanesca with shrimp, olives, garlic, tomato, and capers. Non-pasta items include Tuscan grilled steak with potatoes and mixed vegetables and the seafood stew with clams, shrimp, scallops, mussels, and calamari.

ZAZA
122 Broad Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 348-2300
www.zazagastrobar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/zaza-italian-gastrobar-and-pizzeria-stamford

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Experience Classic French Cuisine at La Bretange

March 26, 2015 by

The cuisine of France stands head and shoulders above most of Europe, and for good reason. France is the cradle of so many different cooking techniques that later spread throughout the world, and its chefs have been constantly refining and developing them over the last few centuries.

So Stamford residents are lucky to have a French restaurant of the caliber of La Bretange at their disposal. Start your meal off with the the chef’s country pate, which is rich and flavorful, or the smoked Scottish salmon. For entrees, regulars recommend the tender frog’s legs sautéed in garlic butter, the sweetbreads in tarragon sauce, and the rack of lamb for two. As you may have noticed, the food here is deeply traditional—so if you’re looking for fusion cuisine, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Make sure to leave room for dessert, as it’s delicious. The Grand-Marnier-soaked berries are decadent and delicious.

La Bretange
2010 W. Main Street
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 324-9539
www.yelp.com/biz/la-bretagne-stamford

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Stamford’s Chic Bar Rosso Has Style to Spare

February 26, 2015 by

Stamford has no shortage of visually striking restaurants, but the space at Bar Rosso is impressive by even the highest standards. The bi-level space has a wraparound mezzanine with open-air seating, giving the environment a combination of lots of space and surprising intimacy.

The bar is located just across the street from the Avon Film Center, drawing a diverse crowd of Stamford’s youngest and hippest people. A wood-fired oven is the cornerstone of the kitchen, and it churns out exceptional Neapolitan-style pizzas with a distinctly smoky flavor. The small plates menu is second to none, so get a group together and nosh on truffle fries, grilled octopus with couscous and chickpeas, or tuna tartare with capers and lemon. The rest of the menu is fairly short, with a half-dozen pasta dishes (try the spaghetti chittara) coupled with a few larger plates. The grilled lamb chops with fresh mint and sautéed broccoli rabe are highly regarded by customers.

Bar Rosso
30 Spring Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 388-8640
www.barrossoct.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bar-rosso-stamford

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Mario the Baker: The Best Pizzas in Stamford

February 5, 2015 by

Ask any pizza aficionado and they’ll tell you that a true pie is nothing without the perfect dough. That’s why Mario the Baker has been Stamford’s go-to choice for exceptional pizzas since it first opened in 1970. With almost a half a century under their belts, the chefs have developed a devoted clientele of locals.

The first thing you need to do upon entering the restaurant is order some garlic bread for the table. It’s made from a fresh loaf of Italian bread slathered in garlic and butter, and it’ll disappear quickly after it arrives. Other appetizers that win raves include the clams and mussels Posillipo and the cold antipasto.

Moving on to pizza, Mario the Baker offers a number of popular combinations, including the popular Mario’s Special of sausage, meatballs, mushrooms, green peppers, pepperoni, and onions. The Scarpariello with chicken, sausage, and hot peppers is also very good. Pasta dishes also win raves from regulars, as do the wedge sandwiches. Prices are fair and portions are enormous.

Mario the Baker
864 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 329-0440
www.mariothebakerstamford.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mario-the-baker-stamford

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Head to Stamford’s Whip for Sandwiches for Breakfast or Lunch

January 29, 2015 by

Stamford residents have no shortage of quality casual eateries to choose from, but Whip manages to stand out due to its dedication to fresh ingredients, healthy preparations, and tons of flavor. Crowds head in for breakfast before work for the reasonably-priced egg sandwiches. You can get one with sausage, bacon, or steak on a bagel or roll, and the most expensive one comes in at just five bucks.

Other popular morning choices include omelets and danishes. For lunch, the offerings stick to traditional salads and sandwiches, but they’re executed expertly. Some favorite sandwiches include the Calamity Jane, made with ham, Swiss cheese, honey mustard, lettuce, pickles, oil, and vinegar, as well as the tasty Jeff Spicoli Stromboli that is loaded with quality Italian meats. All of the sandwiches can be ordered on white, wheat, or rye bread, or as a wrap or “wedge." The daily specials are usually very good as well.

Whip
36 Dyke Lane
Stamford, CT 10506
(203) 325-3595
www.whipeatwell.com
www.yelp.com/biz/whip-stamford

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Try the Tamarind Margarita at Casa Villa

November 24, 2014 by

Head south of the border without having to dig out your passport at Casa Villa in Stamford. Fans of the Mexican eatery rave about its flavorful selection of authentic food served in a warm, welcoming setting.

Start your feast and fiesta with a tamarind margarita or glass of sangria and an appetizer like gorditas de maiz—corn tortillas stuffed with tomatillo sauce, fresh cheese, lettuce, onions, and crema Mexicana. The cocktail de camarones, on the other hand, is another solid option: a shrimp cocktail with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. Of course, you can always go with the classic guacamole with crispy tortilla chips.

The entrée menu features flavorful options like fajitas with chicken, steak, shrimp, or vegetables; enchiladas with chicken, mole sauce, and cheese; and tacos al pastor with pork loin and grilled pineapple.

Casa Villa
866 E. Main Street
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 348-0622
www.casavillarestaurant.com/restaurantecasavilla
www.yelp.com/biz/casa-villa-stamford

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Churros and Coffee Make the Perfect Pair at Stamford’s Lorca

November 6, 2014 by

Lorca’s owner studied the art of making churros in Spain, but learned to brew great coffee right in Connecticut. Her two talents converged to result in her own cafe in Stamford. Fans of this great little coffee shop, bakery, and cafe love the ambiance, friendly servers, and yummy array of drinks and food. Of course, the main event is the churro, a spiral of fried dough sprinkled with sugar. Order some of them here and they'll arrive freshly prepared with sugary dipping sauces.

Lorca also serves croissants, muffins, and alfajores—better known as butter cookies with dulce de leche, coconut, and powdered sugar. St. James cake is gluten-free because it’s made with ground almonds instead of flour. The menu also includes a quiche of the day, ham and cheese croissant, grilled cheese sandwich with sharp cheddar, and the classic sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheddar grilled on a panini press.

Lorca
125 Bedford Street
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 504-2847
www.lorcastamford.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lorca-stamford

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Pin It on Pinterest