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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

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Bridge Street Wienery: Make Any Day a Dog Day

June 25, 2015 by

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

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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

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Café Oo La La: A Chic Lunchtime Eatery in Stamford

April 23, 2015 by

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Sink Your Teeth Into a Slice at Remo’s

January 8, 2015 by

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

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Mexican Food Goes Mobile at El Charrito

December 22, 2014 by

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

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