Monday, July 27, 2009

Christie's Country Store

Christie's Country Store ~ 161 Cross Hwy Westport, CT 06880 ~ (203) 222-9999

Unlike the Christie's that many teenagers are familiar with, the new and improved country store is clean, safe, delicious, mostly organic/natural, and offers many services. Christie's has it all - tons of beverages, hot dogs & hamburgers, pizza (yes, they deliver), deli sandwiches, salads, prepared foods, a Tex-Mex menu, breakfast foods, candy, snacks, and plenty more. In addition, there is a grocery section of the store with all-natural chips, salad dressings, cereals, etc.

In the past, I have gotten appetizing pizza, breakfast burritos, deli sandwiches, and Burrito Extremes - a wrap loaded with chicken cutlet, lettuce, tomato, cheese, bacon, refried beans, sour cream, salsa, and probably some other ingredients. If you plan on going to the gym afterwards to burn off all the calories, this is a great filling meal.

However, I was in a rush tonight so I grabbed a pre-made chicken cacciatore dish ($7.20). I had never tried Christie's pre-made meals before, but I could tell this was fresh because the plastic container was still warm despite being in a cooler.

I heated up the chicken dish as soon as I got home. It consisted of roasted chicken with roasted sweet peppers and mushrooms in a hearty tomato sauce over perfectly cooked linguini. Honestly, it was very good, and I even consider it great for being pre-made. The portion was big enough that I had to leave some extra (and I can eat a lot), so it is well worth the $7.20. Next time I'm at Christie's, I will definitely grab a prepared meal because I know that they are fresh and tasty. In fact, there was a sausage and pepper dish in the cooler tonight that looked very good, so I already know tomorrow night's dinner!

**I am not giving Christie's Country Store a numerical review because I ate the chicken cacciatore at home. However, it was very clean and the people are extremely nice there.


Sunday, July 26, 2009

Super Duper Weenie




Super Duper Weenie 203-334-3647
306 Black Rock Tpke. Fairfield, CT 06825

Super Duper Weenie has the best hot dogs in Fairfield County. Yes, I said it. Grilling is clearly the best way to cook a dog (sorry Rawley's). Their relish is unbeatable, and I'm not even sure what mustard they use- but it's amazing.

I haven't had any thing but the dogs and the fries. It doesn't really matter though. The fries are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. And they're always fresh and hot.

My favorite dog would have to be the New Yorker- tangy sauerkraut, onion sauce, mustard and an addicting spicy relish all on a crispy hot dog. Second place goes to the Georgia red hot- a spicy sausage with kraut, relish and mustard. I like spicy, but they've got plenty of other options.

All their dogs are $3.50 and they're conveniently located off exit 24 from I-95. I hear their soups, chicken tenders and sandwiches are great (although I've yet to try them), but I can tell you if you're going out to get a hot dog, make sure its a Super Duper Weenie.




Saturday, July 25, 2009

Vote for your favorite culinary city

Just a little poll to keep the blog interesting.
Comment and tell us the city that has the best food.


Thursday, July 23, 2009

Border Grill

Border Grill 203-254-8322
1550 Post Rd. E Westport, CT 06880

The Border Grill in Westport serves up very good Tex-Mex food in a small stand on the Post Road. They've got takeout and delivery, or you can sit on one of the grill-side stools and watch your food cooked to order on their grill. 

While Border Grill doesn't have any really creative dishes, they do a great job of making filling dishes at cheap prices (all items are under $9). The quesadillas are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, and their homemade hot salsa adds a great kick to any dish. My personal favorite though is the bean burrito (onions, peppers, beans, rice, cheese, guacamole). It's a tasty  and filling vegetarian dish and the guacamole is very good.

The Border Grill also serves up burgers, dogs, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and some pretty good salads. I can always depend on the Border Grill for a quick, cheap Mexican lunch. With quick service and must-try burritos, Border Grill is definitely worth checking out. 

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Vosges Chocolates


Vosges Chocolates are my new obsession. This company uses exotic ingredients and flavor combinations to make chocolates, ice cream and other snacks. 

I've only tried two of their products, but I'm already hooked. 
One deep milk chocolate bar with Tibetan goji berries and Himalayan sea salt. 
One dark chocolate ice cream with ancho and chipotle chillies and Ceylon cinnamon. 

I don't even like chocolate ice cream, but the one I tried has the perfect combination of sweet, salt and bitterness. First you get a slight cinnamon flavor with the chocolate and then there's a great kick at the end from the chillies.

I can't wait to try the rest of their exotic chocolates- especially their bacon chocolate bar. 
Although they're a little expensive ($7.50 per bar), it's definitely worth it for a chocolate treat. 

Check them out on vosgeschocolate.com or in Balducci's stores, and just give one of them a try. They have different chocolates combined with plums, wasabi,  and even mushrooms.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Roly Poly


Roly Poly 203-226-9376
45 Saugatuck Ave. Westport, CT 06880

Roly Poly is national chain with locations in several Fairfield County towns- Fairfield, Westport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Shelton and Monroe. And for a chain- I'd give its a food a pretty good grade. 

I went just this past week and ordered a sandwich (really just a wrap) with steak, eggs and veggies. The steak and eggs had a very fake, overcooked taste, and overall, the wrap did not have much flavor except the salsa on the side. 

And I have to complain quickly about how they don't close up their wraps. Whatever wrap you get, half the stuff falls out of the bottom when you're eating it.

Although I didn't really like my wrap, I will say the ones with chicken are pretty tasty. Maybe not as hard to mess up chicken? Not sure, but I have to commend Roly Poly on their creative and varied menu that has soups, salads and sandwiches that include chicken, veggies, beef, pork and several different sauces. The only bad thing- the menu has too many options and too many words to read because they list out every ingredient in each wrap. 

Overall, I'd order from Roly Poly again- you can even order online and pick it up. But stick with the chicken wraps.  


Westport House of Pancakes


Westport House of Pancakes 203-454-9709
520 Post Rd. E Westport, CT 06880

I've been wanting to try WHOP for a while now, mostly because of the mystery behind it. Has anyone in Westport ever been here? Is it related to IHOP? (I found out it's not) How do you even pronounce their name?? "Weehop" seems reasonable to me. But anyways I went in one Sunday morning for a pre-golf breakfast with a few friends. We were seated in a booth by a friendly waiter and promptly served water. 

Unbelievable as it may be, the water actually tasted bad. I'm not one to be picky about any food, but the water was luke warm and had a weird aftertaste. OK, so now on to the food. I ordered the breakfast sampler which let me try a little bit of the ham, sausage, bacon, eggs, hash browns, french toast and pancakes. The eggs were your average scrambled eggs- nothing special. The three meats and hash browns were clearly all packaged and warmed up. All tasted boring and sub-par. 

The pancakes weren't bad actually. And the best part of the meal was the french toast. Thick bread, golden crisp outside and powdered sugar. I was pleasantly surprised with their french toast, and was actually wanting some more. 

WHOP serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and their extensive menu is a basically your normal diner fare. But after trying their breakfast- which seems to be their specialty- I would not go back to WHOP. Their prices are slightly cheaper than local diners, but I'd probably just rather head to Dunkin Donuts or McDonald's for even cheaper breakfast. 
Oh, and I still think I'm one of the few Westporters to enter the WHOP. 




Monday, July 20, 2009

The Lime



The Lime ~ 168 Main Ave. Norwalk, CT06851 ~ (203) 846-9240

The Lime may look like an average restaurant alongside others on Main Ave in Norwalk such as Taste of Brasil and Valencia, but the food distinguishes it from the rest. Their motto of "Naturally Delicious!" is spot on because every dish on the all-natural menu is spectacular. Voted Best Vegetarian Restaurant by Connecticut Magazine and Fairfield Weekly for the past 15 years, The Lime also pleases carnivores with the various meat dishes it offers. It has the typical meals such as steak, chicken, fish, and vegetables, but all these come with a twist. The Lime offers many unconventional dishes, so it may be tough to decide on one. For instance, the Barbecue Shrimp appetizer comes with grilled shrimp in a spicy Jicama sauce over grilled cheese toast, and is simply amazing. Also, several dishes are served with ginger wasabi sauce, mango chutney, or even honey mustard horse radish. In all honesty, there is not a weak dish on the menu, so no need to be picky.

One unique aspect of the lime is that every entree is served with a salad, vegetables, wild brown rice, and delicious soy carrot bread. This is a lot of food for a reasonable price.

Tonight, I had the usual barbecue shrimp to start and once again loved it. For my main course, I chose the Mixed Grill Sweetfire (Chicken breast, shrimp, and hot andouille sausanfe, grilled with Cajun spices and served with a honey-salsa mustard - $18.95) while fellow diners Ben and Corey respectively ordered the Cajun Sweetfire Steak ($22.95) and a special chicken dish smothered in pineapple mango chutney ($??). By the end of our meal, we had a tough time leaving because we were too full to move.

The Mixed Grill Sweetfire was excellent. Each component of the dish - chicken, shrimp, and sausage - was perfectly cooked and was full of flavor. The honey-salsa mustard added a simultaneous combination of sweetness and spiciness that was interesting yet extremely appetizing. Although I was stuffed after only eating half the plate, I had no choice but to keep on eating. Go big or go home, right? The food was truthfully too good to leave any on the plate.

Ben's said the steak was great too, and Corey could not stop raving about the chicken. He let me try some of the chutney after he ate all the chicken, and that too was top-notch.

Finally, we got a round of desserts - Mississipi Mud Pien (best of the three), some rich chocolate cake, and a dessert filled with apples, cinnamon, caramel, and graham cracker crust (all desserts are $3.95). Sweet. Filling. Rich. Amazing.

I'd have to say that The Lime is definitely the best restaurant I have reviewed thus far. The food is unbeatable, and so is its unmatched service. The Lime is full of nice friendly people, so I know every trip there will be an enjoyable experience.

**TIP: I have been to The Lime a few times and highly recommend the swordfish dishes, sea scallops, and honey maple glazed salmon as well as the Mixed Grill Sweetfire.

Overall: 5
Taste: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Experience: 5
Menu: 5
Service: 5
Would I return? I can't wait to

Friday, July 17, 2009

Westfair Pizza and Pasta

Westfair Pizza and Pasta ~ 1759 Post Road East Westport, CT ~ (203) 259-2299

A hidden secret about Westfair Pizza & Pasta (formally known as "Slice"), is their paninis.  One would not think to order one from here because the name of the restaurant is not Westfair Pizza, Pasta, and Paninis, but the grilled sandwiches are in fact very appetizing.

Tonight I had the hot "Cha-Cha" panini (all are $7.25), which consists of grilled chicken on a grilled roll with cheddar, avocado, bacon, sundried tomatoes, and pesto mayo - an original combo I had never seen before.  I brought it home, and upon opening the styrofoam box I literally said out loud "Whoa."  The variety of colors - green from avocado, yellow/orange from chedder, red from tomatoes....) this panini had made it look incredible, and almost like a painter's pallet. Anyway, the sandwich was very good.  Each component was tasty except for the pesto mayo.  There was not enough of it, and it was quite bland.  To compensate for it, I put Annie's Goddess dressing on the side to dip the panini into; this was a great call.

In the end, I very much enjoyed my panini and the "small" (it was actually very big) garden salad I got on the side.  Next time any of you go to Westfair, make sure you try a panini.  However, if you're in the mood for pizza, get the salad pizza.  It's delicious.


**I'm not giving Westfair Pizza & Pasta a numerical review because I did not eat at the restaurant

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Westport Farmer's Market


Located in the Imperial Ave. parking lot in Westport, CT sits my newfound favorite place in my hometown. It's the Westport Farmer's Market- open every Thursday 10am-2pm and Sunday 11:30am-2:30pm from May until mid-November. (Sundays are behind the Saugatuck Congregational Church on 245 Post Rd. E)

Here in this ordinary parking lot is not only the best place to buy fresh vegetables, but also the best place to fill yourself up on a meal of food samples (sorry Stew Leonard's). 

They've got the best fruit pies from various bakeries including Michelle's and SoNo Bakery. There's fresh clams, oysters, and lobsters from Capt. Jeff Northrop. Then there's organic tomales from Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich, Wave Hill bread, and fresh fruit + vegetable smoothies. Add in Andrew's honey, fresh vegetables from several local farms and Arogyo tea. And lastly-one of my favorites- 6 different kinds of fresh goat's milk cheese. 

All of the food is organic, freshly made, and best of all- there's free samples galore. I make sure I hit every stand before I leave. And then eventually I'll buy something to take home. If you haven't yet, you MUST check out the Westport Farmer's Market. And there's several others in Fairfield County so be sure to look online for them all. 

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Jeff's Cuisine


Jeff's Cuisine 203-852-0041
54 N. Main St. South Norwalk, CT 06854

After hearing several rave reviews, I headed over to Jeff's in South Norwalk with high expectations. Chef Jeff friendly greeted Kenta, Jordan and I with big fist pounds (think Shaq meets Howie Mandel), and he did so with the rest of his customers. But now to the food.

It was a hit and miss kinda thing for me. First, most of the food is sitting out in dishes in front of the customers, which was somewhat unappetizing (like an ice cream shop). I ended up tasting several of the items on the menu.

My hits: the pulled pork- tender meat, great flavor, enough spice
corn bread- served with every dish- a nice sweetness
fried chicken- my favorite item- perfectly cooked with a good crunch on the outside
mac + cheese- baked the way I like it with a lot of crisp parts and good cheddar flavor

Now the misses:
the ribs- not bad by any means, but had too much sauce for my taste
jerk chicken- a good amount of spice but no distinct flavor-simply burned my tongue
cajun fries- tasted out of the bag and no cajun spice

The prices were good (about $10-11 for an entree w/ side + cornbread), the service by other employees wasn't great,  and the decor was minimal (but honestly who cares at a bbq joint).

You can tell Jeff puts his heart and soul into his food, and although I thought he missed on a few dishes, I'd definitely come back for the hits (which were very good), so hit up Jeff's for some great southern food!


How to Cook Everything


If there's one cookbook you should buy it's "How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman.  Or maybe two books- "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian", also by Mark Bittman. 

These two books have over 4,000 total recipes, hundreds of illustrations, demos, and techniques. And there's literally a recipe for every imaginable culinary category out there. If you're not much of a cook- all you need to do is get these 2 books and you're all set.

If you're an experienced cook, you basically need to get these 2 books and you're pretty much all set. I know people who have 50 cookbooks for recipes from each state. No need. Mark Bittman's recently updated books have everything you need.




Monday, July 13, 2009

Ash Creek Saloon

Ash Creek Saloon ~ 2 Wilton Ave. Norwalk, CT 06581 ~ (203) 847-7500

I've been having quite a bit of BBQ food lately including an excellent Carolina Pulled Pork sandwich from Westport's own Bobby Q's, which is hard to beat.  However, Ash Creek puts up a fight.  

This was my first time eating at the Norwalk restaurant because I usually go to the one in Fairfield.  Also, I ventured away from my usual self and tried the BBQ Brisket Sandwich ($8.99) instead of the ribs (voted best in Connecticut 2005 and 2008).  However, to no surprise, the sandwich was delicious.  Rich in tasty vinegar-based BBQ sauce, the brisket was of perfect consistency and there was plenty of it.  Enough meat filled the roll that I didn't even bother finishing it or the sweet potato fries on the side.  Side note:  I did notice that the brisket somewhat resembled the pulled pork because it wasn't as chunky as the brisket I'm used to, but this had no effect on my review.

I must not forget to mention the appetizer.  Though simple, the small gorgonzola salad ($6.99) was very good.  Filled with mixed greens, fresh gorgonzola, red onions, dried cranberries, walnuts, and a nice balsamic vinaigrette, this salad vanished in a matter of minutes.  

TIP: If you aren't too hungry but are in the mood for great BBQ, get one of the sandwiches.  There is enough meat in these sandwiches - pulled pork, chicken, brisket, etc. - to fill your stomach, and they are far less expensive than the full BBQ dinner plates.  These platters can range up to the mid-$20s while no sandwich tops $10.99.

Overall: 4.2
Taste: 4
Atmosphere: 4 (cool bar scene with big TVs)
Experience: 4.5
Menu: 4 (standard BBQ + original sandwiches)
Service:  4.5 (waiter was extremely prompt and nice)
Would I return? Yes

Community Supported Agriculture


Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a nation-wide program that supports small local farms, and there's a program right here in my hometown of Westport, CT. Every week my family gets a basket of the fresh produce of the week from Stone Gardens Farm in Shelton, CT. 

Every week the products change. And you know it's fresh because it still has the dirt on it. 

One recent basket included peas, cauliflower, strawberries, collards, beets, escarole, garlic scapes, turnips, radishes, a loaf of fresh bread, and fresh herbs like thyme, parsley and oregano. And you can even buy chickens from the farm.

Next year (the program runs from June-October), please sign up for this great program. You get all the great produce you need, while supporting a local farm. It's healthy, fresh and delicious. What more could you ask for...and they even give you recipes to use your produce in.


Stone Gardens Farm


Swanky Frank's


Swanky Frank's 226-5355
1050 Post Road E. Westport, CT 06880 

Here's my third hot dog place, and in my opinion, Swanky's takes last place for food. The original Swanky Frank's is on 182 Connecticut Ave. in Norwalk, but I'm gonna write about Westport's because I've been there many more times. 

Swanky's does a deep-fried hot dog like Rawley's, but the dog and its toppings just come up short compared to Rawley's. Their hot dog just has an odd texture, their coleslaw is too watery and their chile lacks any spice or flavor. As they're known for their dogs, I just wished they had a more distinct flavor. Plus the dogs always look really shriveled up.

Swanky's french fries are overall pretty good- crispy with the skins left on. The onion rings, though, have too much batter on them and not enough onion, and they always come out way too greasy. 

While Swanky's serves up burgers, chicken fingers, grilled cheese and seafood, all their items are just average.

But overall, Swanky's is a cheap place to stop for a quick lunch, and the service is friendly and helpful. Just don't come expecting much more than average dogs/burgers and a load of other greasy items. 


Friday, July 10, 2009

Italian Festival of Westport


Stop by the Italian Festival in Westport at Luciano Park (by the train station) today (6-11pm), saturday (12-11pm) and sunday (12-10pm) for all kinds of different food.

They've got ribs and pulled pork from Bobby Q's and pasta from Calises. Then there's dogs, burgers, pizza, calamari from Italia Restaurant, fresh clams and lobster rolls from Szabo's, pizza fritta from St. Ann's volunteers. There's also Carvel ice cream, gyros from 4 Brothers, chinese food from Jasmine's, and sausage/pepper from some place in Norwalk.

And lastly, my favorite, deep fried candy/dough. You can get oreos, three musketeers, snickers, reeses and twinkies. It's all healthy and delicious so check it out. 

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Top Chef Masters


Check this new show out on Bravo- Wednesday nights at 10pm. 

The show takes 24 big-name chefs including Tim Love, Hubert Keller and John Besh. To put it simply, they compete in various quick-fire and elimination challenges and are awarded stars by a team of critics based on how well they complete the challenges. The winner of the show wins $100,000 for the charity of their choice. 

The show doesn't have the drama or intensity of Top Chef, but does feature a bunch of highly-skilled chefs and some good looking food. Overall a solid show worth watching, especially if you like the regular Top Chef.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Asian Cafe of Westport

Asian Cafe of Westport 256-8882
1757 Post Road E. Westport, CT 06880

Asian Cafe is located in a small space in the Westfair plaza across the street from Stop & Shop. That whole plaza is uninviting, especially the Asian Cafe that occupies the left corner spot. But today I went in for some lunch and ordered the curry chicken and sambal beef. 

Both dishes were labeled as "hot and spicy", but when I tried both, neither had even the slightest kick. Both dishes were cooked with a variety of vegetables (peppers, onions, sugar snap peas)

I honestly could not even taste any curry flavoring in the curry chicken, and it lacked any good flavor. The sambal beef was barely better- only because it had some pineapple chunks in it that added a slightly different flavor. 

Both dishes were about $6 for the meat/vegetables, white rice and a large egg roll. A good deal for the amount of the food except for the fact that none of the food had any flavor (including the egg roll). Both dishes basically tasted the same even though they were completely different. 

Don't bother coming to Asian Cafe- the lunch portion was plenty of food, yet the prices double after 3pm (for dinner portions). The low prices cannot justify that the food was not good and that the service was mediocre at best.  

I'm surprised this place is still in business...

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Best Pizza in Westport

So in my hometown of Westport, we've got way too many pizza places. Tell us what your favorite is!

This is just places that specialize in pizza:
Planet Pizza
Pizza Thyme
Angelina's 
Joe's Pizza
Arcudi's 
Martha's Pizza
4 Brothers
Westport Pizza
Bertucci's
John's Best
Julian's
Westfair Pasta & Pizza
Elvira's (sorta)

My personal favorite is Julian's Brick Oven Pizza (located on Riverside next to Mansion Clam House)- which I only recently tried. Reminds me a lot of Pepe's.
It's got a crispy thin crust, good amount of sauce,  fresh toppings and a great smoky flavor from the brick oven. 

Leave a comment and tell us who has the best pizza in Westport.

Archie Moore's


Archie Moore's ~ 48 Sanford Street Fairfield, CT ~ (203) 256-9295

As many have claimed, Archie Moore's may just own the rights to the best wings in town.  Hooters in Milford, CT puts up a fight, but that doesn't count because it is outside of Fairfield County. And yes, pictures don't lie.  The photo to the left is in fact of a "200 gallon wing sauce spill" in January 2009.

I ventured to the buffalo wings capital of Fairfield County today with fellow friend and co-founder of FC Foodbytes, Sanders McNair, and another friend of ours as well.  The restaurant is of moderate size and features a nice bar with several large televisions along the walls.  There are wooden tables/chairs and booths as well, and sort of felt like I was at an Americanized pub.  For appetizers, we knew we had to get the wings.  So, we ordered a modest 14 for the three of us.  Unlike Buffalo Wild Wings, Archie Moore's did not offer a choice of sauce or preparation for the wings.  However, this meant they had true authenticity.  When our friendly waitress approached us less than 10 minutes after ordering, we were awestruck as the silver plate carrying 14 pristine looking wings came closer.  Coupled with celery and chunky blue cheese, the wings were drenched in Archie Moore's Famous Buffalo Wing Sauce that covered the surface of the plate.  14 wings: $9.95, Sanders' parking ticket for parallel parking on the wrong side of the street: $25.00, taste of Archie Moore's wings: priceless.  They truly were amazing.  The wings were hot enough to add a satisfying kick, yet not too spicy.  Also, they had an attractive crunch that distinguished them from other wings.  I was happy to eat lunch with my two good friends, but was slightly disappointed that I had to share my appetizer with them because I could have easily eaten the whole plate.  

As for the main course, Sanders and I split a Bar Burger ($9.50) and the Mongolian Steak Sandwich ($9.95) while Sam had the famous Buffalo Chicken Wrap ($8.95).  Like the wings, the chicken in the wrap was spicy, crunchy, and very tasty.  The Bar Burger was very big; almost too big to bite into.  It had the traditional lettuce, tomato, and cheddar cheese in addition to grilled onions, crisp bacon, and barbecue sauce.  It was very good, but like I said - too big.  It is not enjoyable to force a giant burger into your mouth and risk jaw cramps.  The Mongolian Steak Sandwich was so-so.  As the menu reads, the sandwich was "Marinated and sliced flank steak, grilled and stuffed in a pita with grilled onions, mushrooms, and an Asian barbecue sauce (hoisin sauce)."  I should have changed my order when the waitress strongly recommended putting the sauce on the side.  The sandwich was messy and overall not incredibly tasty.  The steak and onions were cooked nicely, but the mushrooms were not too great and the sauce was just decent.  Next time, I would get something else.

Although the three of us were stuffed, we were strongly considering dessert for a good 4-5 minutes.  Some of the desserts on the menu seemed too good to pass up: Kentucky Pecan Pie, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Pie, Oreo Cookie Pie, and Chocolate Mousse Cake.  However, we went with our better judgement and saved our money.  

Final feeling - I really enjoyed Archie Moore's wings and thought the main course was all right.  I would stick with a chicken dish for a main course because the Buffalo Chicken Wrap was very good and they are known for their wings.  

Online Menu: http://www.archiemoores.com/amFairfieldMenu.html


Overall: 4.3
Taste: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Experience: 4
Menu: 4.5 (very extensive)
Service: 5
Would I return? Definitely 


Pasta Nostra

Pasta Nostra 203-854-9700
116 Washington St. South Norwalk, CT 06854

If you're looking for an authentic Italian/Sicilian dinner, head over to Pasta Nostra in South Norwalk. Open only wed-sat for dinner, Pasta Nostra changes its menu weekly so that they only use the freshest ingredients available. 

First I'll start with the bad. The decor is slightly lacking- it reminded me of your average deli. Second- it's a bit pricy (total meal comes out to about $50/person without tip)

But besides those two things, Pasta Nostra was overall some of the best Italian food I've had in Fairfield County. To start, the bread and olive oil were outstanding (they get their olive oil directly from small Italian farms). The bread was crisp on the outside but warm on the inside, and the olive oil was definitely top notch. 

As for appetizers, I tried the salumi plate, which was filled with great meats and provolone cheese. A simple dish, but still a good one. 
I also had the arancini- fried balls of rice stuffed with peas and sausage. Also good.
But my favorite appetizer was the mixture of sauteed hot and sweet peppers with fresh mozzarella cheese. The spice and sweetness worked great with the mozzarella.

When you go to Pasta Nostra (translated to Our Pasta), you have to order a dish that has pasta. I tried their fresh asparagus and cheese ravioli, spelt pasta with garlic, and potato gnocchi with beef stew. 

My favorite pasta was the potato gnocchi because it melted in my mouth and was delicious with the beef and vegetable stew. But the other two pastas were also very good and clearly were fresh, homemade pastas. I also had baked white eggplant stuffed with parmesan and anchovies and topped with tomato sauce, which was extremely tasty too. The eggplant was soft and went well with the salt of capers, cheese and anchovies. 

I ended my meal with warm chocolate lava cake- a hot dessert that I would definitely order again.

While all the food was clearly fresh and very delicious, it was the service that impressed me the most at Pasta Nostra. The service was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about every dish. The homemade food and the fantastic service made my experience at Pasta Nostra feel like eating a traditional home-cooked meal in Italy. This is definitely recommended for all in the mood for that authentic Italian dinner!



Nauti Dolphin Pizzeria


The Nauti Dolphin Pizzeria ~ 1 Carter Henry Drive (Fairfield Train Station Northbound Side) Fairfield, CT 06824 ~ (203) 256-1877

Today I stopped by the Nauti Dolphin Pizzeria in Fairfield, CT for a quick slice.  For a pizza place, this small restaurant (all that is there is a bar, 3-4 stools, a small television, a beverage cooler, and a coffee machine) could not have a better location.  It is literally at the Fairfield train station, so commuters come through all day for their pizza fix.  However, upon looking at the menu, I realized that this is no ordinary pizza joint.  They also serve salads, dinner platters such as chicken parmesan, grinders and heroes, calzones, pasta, and most notably delicious specialty pizzas.  These unique pies include Buffalo Chicken, "The Commuter" (chicken, sun dried tomatoes, garlic), "Hot N' Spicy Sow" (sausage with romano cheese, cherry peppers, spice, and olive oil), "The Park City" (white pie with shrimp, broccoli, and garlic), and other original creations.  Customers are encouraged to add spice or fresh cherry peppers to their specialty pizzas at no additional cost.

Anyway, as for my experience at the Nauti Dolphin (isn't that a great name?), I was pretty boring considering I just had one plain cheese slice.  However, it was huge, delicious, very cheesy, and only $2.00.  It was served in a matter of minutes after ordering (yes, it was made fresh right before my eyes), and I had a very nice conversation with the friendly owner who works there often. The taste was nearly flawless, but could use a little more flavor - this is where the red pepper and parmesan cheese come in handy.  By the time I finished my giant slice, I was already full and didn't need to order a second.  So, this place is great if you're running low on dough.  Plus, for all you germophobes out there, the pizza oven is directly in front of the eating bar, so you know exactly what is going on your food.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed the pizza I ate at the Nauti Dolphin and am excited to try one of the specialty pies.  I definitely foresee a second visit in the near future. 

P.S. - Free delivery in Fairfield!

Overall: 4.3
Taste: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Experience: 4
Menu: 4.5
Service: 5
Would I return? Yes

Monday, July 6, 2009

Quick Tips

Maybe this is the start of a "food tips" section of the blog. 

Here's the first- quick tips for dining out and staying thin.

I'm no dietician or anything but I figure these will help you keep off weight when you dine out.

First- going to a restaurant (especially dinner) is going to be a lot of calories (probably 1000+)
So here are some tips (albeit obvious ones) to help you not eat that much.

1. Do NOT eat the bread- it's that simple- it will keep you hungry for the real dishes and will keep off the carbs/cals
2. Share an appetizer- or even better don't even order an appetizer
3. Your best bet is fish or chicken- these two are on almost every menu and are usually good choices for lean protein, so they are still filling but are less on the fat/cals
4. A salad is not always a smart option!- most in restaurants are filled with steak, cheese and fatty dressings- and you can even ask for dressing on the side
5. Still- don't eat nothing and then come home and eat through your fridge. 
6. Lastly, drink water instead of ordering a soda or beer

S & S Dugout

S & S Dugout 203-255-2579
3449 Post Road Southport, CT 06890

Located on the Post Road (just past the Westport border), the S & S Dugout has been serving up breakfast and lunch for years. The decor is nothing to brag about, but the Dugout does offer a place to stop for a cheap breakfast or lunch. 

I've eaten at the Dugout several times, and I'd say my favorite item on the menu was the sausage and egg sandwich. They use a spicy sausage patty that adds much more flavor than ham or bacon. The Dugout also has omelets, french toast, hash browns and your other breakfast regulars. The breakfast was nothing too special- just pretty average. 

The lunch at the Dugout has very limited options with your normal sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and that's about it. For me, the burger and hot dog were just average, too. Although I have yet to try their supposedly delicious roast beef sandwich, the Dugout is simply a place for a quick, cheap bite to eat. 

I'd say don't expect a great meal, as they have few choices and offer just your standard dishes. If you are going to eat at the Dugout, I recommend getting breakfast and get the sausage with it. Unless you're looking for a cheap, greasy dish- skip the Dugout and head somewhere else.




Sunday, July 5, 2009

Jr's Hot Dog Stand

Jr's Hot Dog Stand 203-227-9803
265 Riverside Avenue Westport, CT 06880

Speaking of hot dogs, I recently went over to this little-known eatery that sits along the Saugatuck river in Westport. Jr's Hot Dog Stand is only open for breakfast and lunch, and it's only big enough for about 15 people to be inside it at one time. 

All the food is cooked on the small grill right in front of the counter. Even with only two employees, the service was fast and friendly. I tasted the fries, steak sandwich and just a regular hot dog with chili. 

The fries were just your average out of the bag fries, and the steak sandwich was just simple thinly sliced steak with american cheese. The steak sandwich was just mediocre and didn't have too much flavor. 

The hot dog, split in half and grilled, was quite delicious though. The dog itself had a good crisp on the outside and was very tasty. The chili was very good too, and I also added a sweet relish on top which was even better than the chili. Jr's doesn't have many toppings for their hot dogs but the hot dogs themselves are pretty good.

I recommend going to Jr's if you want a good hot dog or a quick, cheap bite to eat (only $2.60 per dog). I'd say stick with the dogs and skip the other items on the menu, but I myself would like to go back to try the sausages and breakfast items. 



Joey Chestnut Slaughters Kobayashi


Joey Chestnut, 25, beat out his only real competition, Takeru Kobayashi, in the 94th Annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut ate 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes, which was 9 dogs better than last year's total (when he beat Kobayashi in a 5 minute overtime). It was his third straight win at the competition, and he's beaten out Kobayashi for first place in all three.

At just 210 pounds, Chestnut ate 68 dogs at 309 calories each. That's 21012 freakin calories!
More than 10x the average recommended caloric for a 25-year-old male. 
1972% of the recommended daily value of sodium.
2652% of the recommended daily value of saturated fat.
And he did this all in 10 minutes. I'm not sure how he didn't die.

Just ridiculous. A beast. 


Friday, July 3, 2009

Best Food Shows


The Food Network is clearly a mecca for food lovers. Here's the inside scoop on my top 10 on all channels.

Honorable Mention: Man vs Food, Challenge and Barefoot Contessa (gotta love Ina)

10. Dinner Impossible- solid fun
9. Throwdown with Bobby Flay- all about Bobby
8. Ace of Cakes- hilarious
7. Next Food Network Star- Michael's my boy
6. Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern- mmmm a little gamey
5. Chopped- Heated competition with bad chefs at its best
4. The Best Thing I Ever Ate- the title explains it
3. Diners, Drive-ins and Drives- killer food at super duper/valencia
2. Iron Chef America- One man: Masaharu Morimoto (and maybe the chairman)
1. Top Chef- Flawless.




What's Cooking?

What's Cooking? ~ 1700 Post Rd #C1 Fairfield, CT ~ (203) 259-7373

Once again, I decided to eat lunch at the restaurant I had just delivered Steaz to.  This time, it was "What's Cooking?" in Fairfield, CT.  This place was really cool.  It had a typical deli setup - narrow room, few indoor seating, glass case in front with deli meats, 3 beverage coolers - but it was much nicer and lacked the dirtiness that many delis have.  So, I was already intrigued.  Then, I looked at the menu.  This was like no other deli I had ever been to.  Unlike the typical #17: Tuna on rye, each item on the menu was a homemade creation and sounded incredible.  For instance, the menu featured "The Beast" (roast beef, swiss, lettuce, tomato, horseradish sauce), "Philly Guacamole Cheese Steak Wrap," Monte Cristo, San Diego Chicken sandwich, and many other delicious concoctions.  In addition to their fresh salads, wraps, hot sandwiches, cold heroes, paninis, "croissant-wiches," kid menu (PBJ or chicken cutlet), and breakfast foods, What's Cooking? also offers prepared foods to take home; and they deliver (if ordered before 11am)!  

Anyway, moving on to what I ate...I was told that the Hot BBQ Roast Beef sandwich was a popular dish, so I went for it.  A short 5 minutes later, I was sitting down with a bottle of water examining my sandwich.  Between the two buns of the Kaiser roll were hot roast beef, barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions to top it off.  It was quite messy, but as they say, the messier the better.  I bit into the sandwich, and I was immediately struck with mouthwatering flavor.  The BBQ sauce dripped off the sandwich onto the plate as some of the load of onions fell along with it.  It was amazing.  I could have devoured the sandwich from heaven in less than 2 minutes, but I took my time and cherished it.  

What's Cooking is a great place for a quick bite, taking out food for a picnic, or even for eating dinner at home as they have prepared foods.  I highly recommend it not only for its appetizing menu, but also for its service.  The staff is very nice, and there are jokes taped along the glass case where the deli meats sit; they give customers something to do while waiting for their food.  One thing is for sure - I will certainly be returning to What's Cooking? in the near future.

Overall: 4.9
Taste:5
Experience: 5
Atmosphere: 4.5
Menu: 5
Service: 5
Would I return? Absolutely

Kohlrabi


We're not only about reviewing restaurants. We're just about food stuff.

So I wanted to quickly give you a food that most of you haven't heard of, but should definitely try. 

It's called kohlrabi, and it's a crazy looking vegetable that's a relative of cabbage,  but has the texture like that of a turnip. It's sweeter than a turnip but has the same crunch, and it can be prepared in so many ways- sauteed, in a soup, or raw in a salad. It's even good raw with peanut butter or hummus. 

And it's widely available, especially in local farmer's markets. So definitely check this vegetable out because it's one of those unknown and under-appreciated ones. 

Pho Mekong



Pho Mekong 203-255-2900  1849 Post Road E. Westport, CT 06881

Pho Mekong is a thai/vietnamese restaurant that serves up your traditional asian cuisine, as well as several specialties. The restaurant is overall pretty casual, with average service and an extensive menu. Probably too extensive. When I first sat down and opened the menu, it was just too long for me. There were really so many dishes that I couldn't decide what I wanted. 

But after a while, I tried the fried pork dumplings, a rice pancake filled with ground pork and a crab meat spring roll.  The dumplings were the best dish, nice and crisp on the outside with a good filling. The rice pancake was just too mushy, while the spring rolls did not really have the taste of crab.  

For an entree I tried the traditional Vietnamese dish "pho", which the restaurant is named after. It's rice noodles with thin slices of beef and a hot broth with bean sprouts, peppers and basil.  Overall the dish had tons of flavor- the saltiness of the broth, the spice of jalapenos, and the fresh taste of the basil.  It was the first time I'd had pho, but I would definitely order that dish again. 

Although it needs to shorten its menu and improve some of its dishes, Pho Mekong pulled through on its traditional Vietnamese dish. It was not my favorite asian restaurant around, but it definitely had a couple very good plates. 

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Dressing Room



The Dressing Room- A Homegrown Restaurant 203-226-1114
27 Powers Court Westport, CT 06880


Here's to our first review of a Westport restaurant! And a truly great one it is. 

Started back in 2006 by the late Paul Newman and famed chef Michel Nischan, The Dressing Room has quickly grown to be one of the most popular restaurants in Westport and Fairfield County. The vision behind The Dressing Room's owners was to create a restaurant that used fresh, local, sustainable ingredients to make delicious meals that make you think of home. And The Dressing Room has done just that. The Dressing Room also has a non-profit organization that helped to start the Westport Farmer's Market .

But let's get to the food already. They have recently changed their menu, which is composed of almost entirely small and medium sized plates, and they recommend that diners order any combination of three dishes to have a "full meal". Some of the dishes are simple side dishes while others have several components to the dish. The restaurant uses ingredients from several local farms, and you can really tell that they're using fresh ingredients in all their food. 

So I'll start off by saying that almost every dish I tried was at least good enough that I would finish the plate. But I'll give you all some of my favorite must-tries on the menu.


Yellow Grits- If you haven't had this southern classic before, try it now! The Dressing Room does some of the best cheesy grits I've ever had.
Diver Scallops w/ beets and citrus- One of my favorite scallops dishes that I can remember, this dish uses oranges which go great with the seared scallops. 
The Burger- probably their most popular dish, their cheddar, bacon burger with caramelized onions is exactly how I like my burgers. 
Braised Pork Shoulder- One of my favorites because the pork is soft and tender, and the spice of the pork works well with tangy cabbage- a great combo!
Duck and Dumplings- Perfectly cooked gnocchi, braised duck and a fantastic tomato based sauce.

Is The Dressing Room expensive? Yes for sure. But is it worth it? Definitely!
It has become one of my favorite restaurants because of its fresh, local ingredients and the restaurant has a homey feel like few others. Chef Nischan does simple preparations that bring out the best in the food. 

So when you're looking for a "fancy" dinner one of these days, one of my first suggestions would be The Dressing Room, located right behind the Westport Country Playhouse. 


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Pantry


The Pantry ~ 1580 Post Road (Route 1),  Fairfield, CT ~ (203) 259-0400

Yesterday I ate at The Pantry in Fairfield, CT for a quick bite in the middle of the workday.  My main intention was to deliver them Steaz Iced Teaz, but I was pretty hungry so I stayed for some lunch.  The Pantry has it all - prepared foods, cold beverages, spices, sauces, groceries, fresh salads, gourmet foods in coolers, homemade coffee/tea/soda, and sandwiches ready to order.  In addition, it's clean and has indoor and outdoor seating available.  I wasn't especially hungry, so I headed towards the salad station.  Unlike other places like Chef's Table and Garelick and Herbs, The Pantry prices its salads by the pound as opposed to a choice of 5-7 items.  However, I was limited to a combination of mixed greens and romaine for my lettuce option, but this didn't bother me.  I then went on to choose cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, grilled chicken, lima beans, and sunflower seeds as my toppings, all mixed in with balsamic vinaigrette.  

I sat inside at  a small table that was perfect size for a quick lunch or a coffee break, and took my time with the salad.  Though it was just a salad, it was very good.  All of the ingredients were fresh, and I'm pretty sure everything in the store is organic.  The other food in the store looked delicious too - notably the steak and chicken in the case beside the salad station.  Plus, the store seemed to be upscale considering the products are organic.  To be honest, I don't remember how much the salad costed, but that just means it wasn't so expensive that I would remember it.  All in all, I really liked The Pantry, and even more now because it  officially carries Steaz Iced Teaz.  Head over there and try it out!

Overall: 4.5
Taste: 4.5
Atmosphere: 5
Experience: 4.5
Would I return? Yes

Valencia Luncheria


Valencia Luncheria 203-846-8009
172 Main Street Norwalk, CT 06851

Valencia is a small cafe in Norwalk that serves up delicious Venezuelan and other latin specialties for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

The breakfast features interesting omelets, delicious breakfast wraps, unique arepas (like brie and mango), and it even has the traditional pancakes, granola and french toast. Today I had the plantains, ham and queso omelet. The cooked plantains have a sweetness that goes well with the salty ham and cheese. The omelet was served with a delicious rice and beans and crisp sauteed potato hash browns. Overall the breakfast was extremely filling, delicious and cheap (only $7.50). 

But if you're gonna go to Valencia, be sure to try one of their many arepas. The arepas are corn bread stuffed with all sorts of fillings. At Valencia they have arepas for breakfast, lunch and dessert.  Fillings range from steak and eggs to barbequed pork to fresh fish ceviche to peanut butter and jelly. A must have for dessert is the dulce de leche and banana arepa.  

They serve their arepas up with two killer sauces- one a green cilantro sauce and the other a spicy red chile sauce, both of which I could drink straight out of the bottle. 

They also have a wide range of latin-influenced sandwiches, empanadas, and soups. For dinner they have many great Latin dishes, like camarones al ajillo.  
Lastly, they've got fantastic homemade desserts and drinks, like fresh chi-cha (a rice drink) or fresh fruit smoothies.

I've been to Valencia several times and have been met with friendly service and fresh, hot food. All the food is made with fresh ingredients and is made right when you order, so you know you're getting top quality food.

Valencia is one of my favorite places to get breakfast and lunch, and it is truly one of the great unique eateries in Fairfield County. If you have not been to Valencia, make sure you stop by now! But just a heads up, there's limited seating room so you may have to take out, and they don't accept credit cards.