The colors, beauty and flavors of autumn extend well beyond the early-appearing, pumpkin-spiced lattes! Here in Fairfield County we celebrate the arrival of fall with outdoor recreation, apple-picking excursions, festivals and dining on seasonal fare. Did someone mention German Apple Pancakes or Eggplant Torre?
Luckily for us, there are several new places to try this fall within the restaurant meccas of Fairfield County. Featuring nearly every cuisine on the planet, in every kind of spot and for all sorts of budgets, Westport and Fairfield have your palates covered.
Here is a tasting menu of some of the newest and most popular places.
Zucca Gastrobar, home of Eggplant Torre, has replaced Tarry Lodge in Saugatuck, as the old Italian neighborhood keeps cooking with great Italian restaurants. This gastropub created an immediate impact with its handmade pastas, brick oven pizzas, and a menu filled with small plates and antipasti boards. Fans of Fairfield’s Molto Mozzarella & Wine Bar and will find some favorite on the menu. This is the fifth offering of owners Dan Camporeale & Gino Raccanelli (also running Spiga in new Canaan, Lugano in Greenwich and Ecco in Trumbull).
Since arriving in Bedford Square, Emmy Squared has taken Westport by storm. Three signature dishes – Detroit-style pizza, burgers and a decadent brownie dessert – are well-loved by New Yorkers, where Emmy began. Their first foray into Connecticut has been an instant success.
Tacombi too has followed city fans to the suburbs. The taqueria was packed from opening day last month, with long lines lusting for very popular items like fish tacos.
Long-awaited Casa Me in Sconset Square draws rave reviews for both its northern Italian cuisine and its imaginative renovation of a previous cramped space. There’s a lively bar scene too.
Around the corner on Main Street, Mexicue’s “street food sensibility” mixed with fine dining is packed inside and out on the patio, in space previously occupied by long-time favs Bobby Q’s and Onion Alley.
A few yards up Main Street, the Original Pancake House filled a downtown niche – breakfast until late afternoon – nicely. Of course, items like their German apple pancakes are good any time of day.
Yuki Kitchen is primarily takeout, but its nine seats are usually filled. Fans love the inventive Korean, Japanese and Chinese creations.
Lomito offers an entirely different take on takeout: Peruvian. Westporters have learned to love dishes like saltados (stir-fry), chaufas (fried rice) and more.
And there is more in the works. The owners of Nômade – itself a relatively new and wildly popular restaurant – plan to open a second place not far away, where 190 Main Bar & Restaurant recently closed.
Blondinit will bring Israeli food to Church Lane; Cava fast-casual Mediterranean to Post Road; Sweetgreen (salads) and Cobs Bread (bakery) to Compo Acres Shopping Center and Il Pastaficio will begin lunch and dinner service soon.
Meanwhile, on the Post Road in the heart of Fairfield, Il Pellicano began serving up its modern take on traditional Italian cuisine. All we can say is yum!
Nearby in the Brick Walk, the team that brought Malibu and The Sinclair to town has opened Sophie’s Pizza Bar. Specialties include a 12-inch oven-charred pizzas with basil, meatballs with whipped ricotta, and an Aperol spritz.
Esh, Modern “Middleterranean” (hybrid of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean), comes to Fairfield from the creator of Hells Kitchen’s Taboon. From the Lahma Joun Flatbread with mixed lamb, tahini and sumac, to the Fire Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Black Tahini smoked Maldon Sea Salt, many dishes arrive at your table by way of an open flame.
After a burst pipe flooded Toto, the owner rebuilt & created Gabagool Wine Bar. From the tasting menu (try All the Balls – rice, meat & potato) to the entrees (salmon piccata), drinks & dessert, you will leave happy and satiated.
Off Black Rock Turnpike (in the old Stefano’s locale), Vespino Pizza & Restaurant is filling the void. A sister restaurant to Quatro Pazzi, it’s a great place for a casual lunch or dinner with friends.
About to open on the Post Road: Cibus. It will bring Latin fusion – dishes from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Domincan Republic, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia – to diners who already love its two Stratford locations.
Bon appétit! Buon apetito! Dig in!