Archive for the ‘restaurants’ Category

Stamford slices shine on national pizza list

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When New York Magazine waded through hundreds of pizzas to name the best in the nation, they saved a spot for Stamford on the coveted Top 101 list.

The magazine recently released a list of the top pizzas in the country for several different kinds of pizza. From deep-dish, New York style, new wave, thin crust and everything in between, the magazine named the top pies in 11 different categories, adding Stamford-based Colony Grille to the top of the thin crust category in a move that, frankly, doesn’t surprise us.

Here’s what they had to say about our city’s most famous pie:

Hot Oil Pizza

Colony Grill

Stamford, Connecticut

“You can’t help but respect a place that only has one thing on the menu. That’s the case at the Colony Grill, where cracker-thin pizza is the only choice. You can pick your toppings, but the only real decision to make is whether you want that pizza with or without the place’s signature chile-infused hot oil. You want it with.”

And Stamford was in good company; in addition to pies from Brooklyn, St. Louis, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and other cities famous for their near-perfect pizzas, Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s Apizza in New Haven were also named to the top thin crust pizzas.

Darien’s Post Corner Pizza turns 40, slashes prices

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For its 40th anniversary, Darien’s popular Greek-style pie joint Post Corner Pizza is throwing itself the kind of party we can all get behind: throwback prices.

I’m fashionably late to this, as the party has already started, but you can still grab a large cheese pizza for $6.50 if you make your way over by the end of the day Wednesday, May 9.

It’s NOT 1992 at Garden Catering

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UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to some incorrect information in a press release, it turns out that this special was earlier this month, not this week.

However, the $2 donations to the Junior United Way are ongoing.

The LBC sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience!

This week only, Garden Catering is offering 1992 prices on select “popular items” in celebration the stalwart Old Greenwich deli’s 20th anniversary.

Which raises the question, what did a high school special cost in 1992?

Also this week, the deli promises to donate $2 to the Jr. United Way for each new Facebook fan, Twitter follower or “loyalty member,” a status that begets frequent customers “nugget points” with an “I heart nuggets” card.

Looking to complete the time warp? How about cuing up that ipod to Sir Mix-A-Lot, whose “Baby Got Back” topped the charts in 1992.

Click here to learn more

Polpo serves up martinis, live music

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Polpo restaurant in Greenwich is hosting “martini nights” from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

At $10 a pop for a martini, it’s not your most bargain basement happy hour. But with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment in the longtime Greenwich standby’s piano bar, you could look at it as a relatively affordable night on the town.

Though not a celebrity hotspot on a par with Gabriele’s Italian Steak House or Mediterraneo, two other Greenwich eateries, Polpo has drawn its share of big names, including A-Rod and Kate Hudson, Katherine Heigl, and none other than John Boehner.

Polpo
554 Old Post Road No. 3
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-629-1999

If you’ve checked out the martini nights yourself, let us know!

The return of Restaurant Weeks

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Stamford Downtown is sponsoring its semi-annual Restaurant Weeks extravaganza, with dining deals at more than two dozen of the city’s eateries. This year, the 15-day belly-busting binge will span from this Sunday, Feb. 26 through Sunday, March 11.

During that time, Stamford diners will get to choose from special prix-fixe menus, which range from $10.12 to $20.12 for lunch and $15.12 to $30.12 for dinner.

Here’s the complete list:

$10.12 lunch and $15.12 dinner:

Black Bear Saloon; Kujaku Japanese Restaurant; Picante Fresh Mexican Grill; Remo’s Brick Oven Puzza Company; and Volta Gelateria Creperia.

$12.12 lunch and $20.12 dinner:

BUtterfield 8 Restaurant & Lounge; California Pizza Kitchen (excludes Friday and Saturday); Capriccio Cafe; Grand (Dinner only); Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant; Lola’s Mexican Kitchen (excludes Friday and Saturday); Quattro Pazzi (excludes Friday and Saturday); SBC Downtown Restaurant & Brewery; and Tengda Asian Bistro (excludes Friday and Saturday).

$20.12 lunch and $30.12 dinner:

Aria Restaurant; Barcelona Restaurant (excludes Saturday and Sunday); Bar Rosso (excludes Friday and Saturday); The Capital Grille; Chez Jean Pierre (excludes Saturday and Sunday); Columbus Park Trattoria; Emme of Capri; EOS Greek Cuisine (excludes Friday and Saturday); Ferrante; Mitchell’s Fish Market; Morton’s (dinner only); napa & co (lunch only); Patrizia’s of Stamford; Sam’s American Bistro at the Marriott; Tappo Restaurant; and ZAZA Italian Gastrobar (excludes Friday and Saturday).

Many of the restaurants have participated before (remember Restaurant Week Bingo?). But there are also some new additions, like Patrizia’s, an awesome family-style restaurant that opened up in Market’s old location earlier this winter. If you do go to Patrizia’s, make sure you order the calamari alla Toscana. It’s amazing.

Looking for more details about Restaurant Weeks? Check out the Stamford Downtown website. As always, they’ve got all the information.

Tell us what you think: Darien Social

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Looks like Darien Social, which opened last week on the Post Road, is shaping up to be a runaway success. By the restaurant’s second day in business, it had 100 reservations for dinner that evening.

Chef Baird Van Beever says he plans seasonal changes to the menu, which currently consists of small plates, pizza and entrees, including Swedish meatballs with foie gravy, shrimp and grits, wood-oven-roasted chicken, wild salmon and filet mignon.

Our folks at Darien News have done the reporting, now go try it and let us know what you think. Is this the hottest new spot to hit Darien? Or are you not believing the hype?

New liquor license, Coolattas in Old Greenwich?

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With Dunkin Donuts about to land in small-business-minded Old Greenwich, Arcadia Café is looking to expand its offerings. The old-school venue, which has an airy, New England feel complete with high ceilings and an arched entrance, recently applied to the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission to switch to a restaurant model, allowing them to serve beer and wine and increase the number of seats.

Which will you welcome? A new watering hole in the OG or the arrival of Coolattas on Sound Beach Avenue? Neither? Both?

Darien restaurant week starts Feb. 6

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Above: The Pan-seared scallops in chickpea purée at Café D’Azur, one of the participating restaurants in Darien Restaurant Week.

This just in from the organizers of Darien Restaurant Week:

Darien Restaurant Week will offer consumers great deals, the opportunity to experience some new restaurants, and re-visit a few of their favorites throughout the next installment of Darien Restaurant Week, Monday, February 6 thru Friday, February 10, 2012.

“We have had another year of great progress in our local food scene,” says Darien Chamber of Commerce President / CFO Carol Wilder-Tamme,” Darien has grown into a genuine restaurant destination.”

Beginning Monday, February 6 thru Friday, February 10, participating restaurant will offer a special prix-fixe lunch and/or dinner menu during the entire week. Number of courses to be offered is a minimum of 3 (Excludes tax and gratuity)

Mid-range: Lunch $10.12 Dinner $15.12
High-end: Lunch $20.12 Dinner $30.12

Some of the participating restaurants include:
Cesco’s Trattoria
Chuck’s Steakhouse
Matsuri, Ole Mole
Phil’s Grill
Robeks Juice
Rory’s Restaurant
Scena Wine Bar & Restaurant
The Goose
Backstreet Restaurant
Café D’Azur
The Melting Pot
and the newly opened Darien Social
(more to come)

“This is great timing,” says Chef Nick Bilello of Darien Social, “My team is excited to introduce our restaurant and what better way to do so than with a specially designed multi-course menu.”

Details and participating restaurant updates: www.darienchamberonline.com or 203-655-3600.