Bridge Street Wienery: Make Any Day a Dog Day

After a visit to Bridge Street Wienery in Stamford, it might be hard to imagine going back to those plain old frankfurters served at family reunions and baseball games. The guys behind the Wienery are crafting some of the most inventive hot dog creations you'll find anywhere near Stamford, according to regular diners.

Regulars recommend the Squealer (pulled pork and sauerkraut), the Aly (bacon and chipotle mayo), and the Kardashian (gorgonzola and onion rings). You can even design your own custom dog using the Wienery's selection of 18 different toppings that range from barbecue sauce to coleslaw and sauteed peppers. If you want something familiar, you can’t go wrong with a standard chili dog or one of the non-dog options, like a cheeseburger with tater tots on the side. And if you're looking for a friendly place to enjoy your lunch break without breaking the bank, Bridge Street Wienery is a must-try.

Bridge Street Wienery
17 Bridge Street
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 569-4990
www.thewienery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bridge-st-wienery-stamford

Café Oo La La: A Chic Lunchtime Eatery in Stamford

Café Oo La La took the idea of fast, fresh Parisian cafe fare and combined it with American cuisine to create a reliable lunch option that many Stamford residents love. From grabbing a sandwich on busy day to catering a corporate meeting at your office, Café Oo La La can accommodate just about any of your lunchtime needs.

The restaurant’s menu is filled with breakfast pastries, omelets, and handmade espresso drinks to get your morning started on the right foot, as well as healthy sandwiches and wraps once the afternoon rolls around. Warm soups are perfect for chilly winter days, while light, crisp salads taste delicious any day of the week.

Inside, Café Oo La La is sparse and chic, complete with two-seater cafe tables, a sleek espresso bar and lots of natural light. Glass pastry cases are filled with mouthwatering treats, and it’s almost impossible to leave without sampling at least one!

Café Oo La La
2325 Summer Street
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 353-3300
www.cafeoolala.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-oo-la-la-stamford

Sink Your Teeth Into a Slice at Remo’s

Pizza is serious business in Connecticut, and Remo’s Brick Oven Pizza Company in the heart of Stamford is not messing around. This restaurant's brick oven has been firing since 2006, and Remo's has made its name by producing quality pies in Napoletana and New York styles. You'll never go wrong with a classic margherita pie, but locals also rave about Remo’s signature offerings: the salad pie with mixed greens and avocado and the Parma with prosciutto and arugula.

But remember that Remo’s is more than just a pizza joint. This shop does a brisk lunch business (try the Mediterranean salad with salmon if you’ve had your fill of pizza), and the spacious dining room provides a lovely atmosphere for a family dinner. Whatever you order, be sure to leave room for a fresh-filled cannoli for dessert. Take-out and delivery options are prompt and efficient.

Remo's
35 Bedford Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 973-0077
www.remospizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/remos-stamford-2

Mexican Food Goes Mobile at El Charrito

El Charrito has had a brick and mortar location in Riverside for quite a while, but in recent years their food truck in Stamford has gained quite the following. The menu is pretty extensive, serving all kinds of authentic Mexican street-style food: tortas, enchiladas, and even Mexican burgers all have their devotees among the truck’s loyal customers.

But let’s be real here: El Charrito is about the tacos and the tortas. You can go with the standard chicken, fish, steak or chorizo tacos, or you can branch out to try the tacos lengua (cow tongue), tacos oreja (pig ear), or tacos chicharones (fried pork skin). Best of all, you can work your way through all of their offerings without ever spending more than a few bucks per meal. Just a quick note: All of the food is made to order, so it usually takes 15 minutes or so to get your food.

El Charrito
Richmond Hill Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 940-0922
elcharritollc.com
www.yelp.com/biz/el-charrito-stamford

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

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

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