Bar Rosso opened on Spring Street earlier this year.
I’ve popped into Bar Rosso about a handful of times since it opened on Spring Street this June, just to grab a glass of wine or a cocktail with friends at the end of an evening. Their wine by the glass list is pretty extensive, which should come as no surprise to Stamford sippers since it is owned by Mary Schaffer, who also owns Napa & Co. on Broad Street.
Monday night, I finally ventured in for dinner. I was a little bummed that the weather wasn’t being cooperative enough for us to sit outside for our meal, but the inside is so beautiful (much improved since the location served as the home of Bennet’s steakhouse) that I couldn’t pout for too long.
I skipped right over the pizza section of the menu (mainly because it’s a brick-oven kind of place, but since it’s only a couple months old, I had a feeling the bricks would lack the flavor of the older pizza establishments in town) and opted for pasta instead.
I’ve gotta say the truffle & ricotta gnocchi, which they serve with braised pork and a farm fresh egg on top, was awesome. Definitely my favorite of the night, making me wish I had thought to order it so I wasn’t forced to snag bites from my friend’s plate when he wasn’t looking…
I had the bucatini & clams, which they served over pasta in a white wine and garlic sauce. It was simple, but good. And the waiter pointed out that you could tell all the pasta was homemade at the restaurant: like snowflakes, each strand was unique.
They have tons of Italian bar snacks at Bar Rosso, but to be honest, the pasta dishes were so huge, you can totally skip appetizers and still struggle to make a dent in the dinner-sized portions. Especially if you want dessert, which — trust me — you do. We were celebrating a birthday, so we had the pine nut tart with cappuccino creme and cinnamon gelato. At first it seemed silly to enjoy gelato at Bar Rosso when Stamford’s new gelato spot, Volta, is literally next door, but after one spoonful, I was too happy with the dish to think about being silly. In the New York Times’ review of Bar Rosso, the reviewer says the tart is too sweet for his taste. I admittedly have a ridiculously overactive sweet tooth, but I thought it was perfect.
Long story short, I’ll be back from more than just a glass of wine.
The first time I went to Bar Rosso I thought it was pretty good, although I too didn’t care for the pizza or calamari. But the second time I went was disappointing. I ordered the saffron arancini, which the first time I went were delicious, but this time were not the same at all and very bland. The dressing on the beef carpaccio ruined the dish and we weren’t impressed by the gazpacho. The service was also not very good. On the plus side, the hanger steak was excellent.
I badly want to like Bar Rosso because I like the ambience there so much, but I can’t bring myself to go back. Maybe some kinks just need to be worked out. If I hear good things I’ll give it another shot.
For what it’s worth: The pizza here is disappointing. The crust is way, way too dense.
The pasta I’ve had was very good.
Also, I’m glad they have affordable wine options since, you know, I work for a newspaper company.
–Chris Preovolos
P.S. The sweet glaze or sauce or whatever on the calamari is kind of weird.
P.P.S. The panna cotta is hella good.