Tag Archives: Finalmente

Patching Together Westport’s Top 10 Restaurants

Posted on December 23, 2014 | 33 comments

Patch is not exactly at the forefront of Westport media. That’s not surprising, since it is was owned by AOL — you know, the company that back in the last century was for a while the world’s largest distributor of CDs.

Kids! Ask your parents what these were.

Kids! Ask your parents what these were!

But the other day someone sent me a link to Patch’s list of the Top 10 Restaurants in Westport (according to Yelp).

It must have been a slow news day over at Patch. But hey — it’s a slow news day at “06880” too!

So here is the Yelp list.

There’s no arguing with #10 and 9: Acqua and Via Sforza. Kibberia is #8, though I’d bump this great Middle Eastern spot a few notches higher.

Some of the many intriguing dishes at Kibberia.

Some of the many intriguing dishes at Kibberia.

#7 is Rainbow Thai, in Bridge Square. I’m glad it’s not overlooked.

Checking in at #6 is Yamafuji, which apparently is a sushi place across from Super Stop & Shop. I’ve never heard of it, but Yelpers give it rave reviews.

The Top 5 is where things get a little odd.

Yelp’s 5th most popular restaurant in Westport is Gold’s Delicatessen. Sure, it’s been around since Moses. And yeah, the lox and bagels are good. But when was the last time you heard anyone say answer “Gold’s!” to the question, “We’re looking for a really good restaurant in Westport. What do you recommend?”*

Westport's 5th favorite restaurant. (Photos/Judy Crowley Simonetti)

Westport’s 5th favorite restaurant. (Photos/Judy Crowley Simonetti)

#4 is Finalmente — that’s reasonable — but #3 is Westfair Fish & Chips.

Let me repeat that. The 3rd best restaurant in Westport is a place whose signature dish comes wrapped in newspaper.

Fortunately, Westport’s Top 2 are actual restaurants, with many devoted fans. The Whelk is #2, LeFarm is #1 — and Bill Taibe is a very happy man.

lefarm-logo

I know that ranking restaurants is subjective. One man’s meat is another man’s poison, to use a pretty gross but nonetheless apt saying.

Westport Patch invited readers to comment on Yelp’s Top 10 list. There were none.

I bet there will be a few here on “06880.”

*Around the last time you clicked on Westport Patch for the latest town news.

 

 

33 Comments

Posted in Media, Restaurants

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Another Little Kitchen

Posted on October 26, 2014 | 6 comments

How many little kitchens — er, Little Kitchens — can Westport support?

At least 2.

There’s the pan-Asian place in Compo Shopping Center. Up sprouts Leera Little Thai Kitchen, which is taking over the “Make & Mingle” storefront across from the old post office.

(Photo and hat tip/JP Vellotti)

(Photo and hat tip/JP Vellotti)

That strip of Post Road East was once home to La Villa (before that, Mr. Sandwich), S&M (and later Joe’s) Pizza, Baskin-Robbins and Häagen-Dazs.

Now there’s Finalmente, Post 154, Blue Lemon and Westport Pizzeria. Plus Leera Little Thai Kitchen.

Very quietly, that section of town is becoming a foodie’s destination. Who knew?

6 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Restaurants

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Food, Glorious Food

Posted on March 20, 2014 | 16 comments

Some restaurants close, and everyone notices. That’s what happened to Cru, late last month. The Dressing Room‘s demise had everyone talking; earlier, so did V’s.

Others quietly shut their doors. That’s the story with La Villa, the longtime Bay Street spot with a steady, seemingly loyal clientele.

I included them in a list of nearby restaurants — along with Post 154, Finalmente and Blue Lemon — in a story about Westport Pizzeria moving in around the corner. They were already closed. One reader commented that she “thought” it was gone; no one responded.

La Villa was one of the 1st Westport restaurants to have pop-up seating 2 years ago. It seemed kind of weird, dining on Bay Street. But they added 5 more tables, in front of the indoor space.

La Villa, in its sunnier days.

La Villa, in its sunnier days.

No restaurant is forever. The Clam Box, Manero’s, Allen’s — all met their end. And who knows what will happen to Mario’s, when the next phase of the Saugatuck Center development begins on Railroad Place?

So, “06880” readers: Let’s hear from you. Knowing the run will end eventually, what can a Westport restaurateur do to maximize his or her chances of success? What works in this town? What restaurants consistently do it right?

Play nice. Don’t dis. Use full names (yours, as well as restaurants’). And dig in!

16 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Restaurants

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Pies!

Posted on January 14, 2011 | 6 comments

Out went the ice cream (and ice cream cakes).

In comes pie.

A small sign on the vacant Baskin-Robbins window announces the arrival  of Michele’s Pies.

Soon, we’ll join Norwalk with the opportunity to buy lemon lime pie.  Tiramisu pie.  Twisted citrus blackberry pie.  Maple pumpkin pie with a pecan streusel.  Caramel pecan chocolate pie.

Also chicken pot pies.  And Australian beef pies.

Not to mention handmade cookies, tea breads, pastries, cheesecakes, muffins, coffee, cappucino and espresso.

Our long national downtown nightmare is over.

Owner Michele Albano uses only fresh seasonal fruit — nothing canned or frozen.  Even the pumpkins are puréed by her staff.

Michele’s grandmother taught her to bake.  Her creations remind people of their own grandmothers’ pies.  At least, that’s what the website says — and would a pie-baker lie?

In high school Michele sold her pies locally.  She founded her business in her Killington condo in 2006.  Her pies quickly earned a following at farmer’s markets and craft shows in Vermont and Fairfield County.

Michele's pies won 7 (count 'em!) 1st prize ribbons at the National Pie Championship.

In 2007 Michele competed in her first National Pie Championship.  She won 1st prize in the coveted “commercial nut” category, for her chocolate pecan bourbon pie.

When demand outgrew her Killington kitchen, she headed to the big city:  Norwalk.  Her Main  Avenue location was an instant hit — but Michele did not grow too big for her toque.  She was there every day behind the counter, serving customers.

She began selling to local outlets — Oscar’s is a customer — but now she’s ready to expand to a Westport location.

Her little corner of downtown brims with dining options, though they all seem Italian:  La Villa.  Finalmente.  Joe’s Pizza.

Perhaps Michele has a baked manicotti pie up her sleeve.  Or a lasagna Bolognese pie.

All with fresh, seasonal tomatoes, of course.

6 Comments

Posted in Downtown, People, Restaurants

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