Roundup: Fatto A Mano, Lyfe Cafe, South By Southwest …

It’s (almost) here.

Fatto a Mano — Pierluigi Mazzella’s artisanal, locally sourced bakery, which has earned a passionate following through the Westport Farmers’ Market and selling directly out of its kitchen at 971 Post Road East, behind Cycle Dynamics — opens its own space tomorrow.

The new location is 1835 Post Road East, next to Fjord at the intersection of Bulkley Road North.

Pierluigi was the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s 2022 Baker of the Year. He’s gotten even better since then.

According to CTBites, “the new storefront will have all of the beloved favorites, like sourdough bread, sfogliatella, cornetto Italiano, cornmeal olive cake. Everything will be freshly baked in their production kitchen — just 3 minutes away — and delivered warm to the shop each morning.

“In addition to sourdough and dulci, Fatto a Mano will serve specialty coffees, matcha, soups and focaccia sandwiches. The weekend menu will include specials like a Roman style pizza, handmade fresh pasta, and seasonal salads inspired by the Westport Farmers’ Market.

“The storefront is mostly going to be grab-and-go, but there are 10 seats for those looking to dine-in. There’s also a high-end market section with housemade spreads (e.g. hazelnut, coffee, pistachio) and some of his favorite Italian food items: San Marzano tomatoes, fancy olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, castelvetrano olives, and San Carlo chips. Lastly, there’s 2 refrigerators, one stocked with an assortment of local and italian style drinks and another with fresh handmade pasta.”

Fatto a Mano will be open Wednesday through Sunday (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Click here for the website.  Click here for the full CTBites story.

Pierluigi Mazzella, with his panettone.

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Speaking of CTBites: The statewide foodie’s bible — published by former Westporter Stephanie Webster — has another story this week, on a second new Westport eatery.

It’s Lyfe Café, across Long Lots Road from Pizza Lyfe.

That’s no coincidence: Both are owned by Gino Riccio and his nephew, Dimitri Pantzos. finally opened its doors and to much fanfare. (Riccio also owns Organika and Quattro Pazzi in Fairfield.)

The breakfast menu includes croissants, bagels, and creative dishes the Belly Up (2 eggs over medium, gochujang glazed pork belly, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese); Oatmeal Brulé (gluten-free rolled oats, orange zest, and almonds topped with berries and caramelized sugar), and more.

Lunch items include sandwiches, salads, a smash burger and more. Click here for the full CTBites story. Click here for the Lyfe Café website. Click here for an Instagram reel.

Lyfe Cafe. (Photo collage courtesy of CTBites.com)

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“Other Side” — a film about Lynda Bluestein’s fight to die on her own terms — debuts at South by Southwest next month.

The longtime Unitarian Universalist Congegation in Westport member suffered from terminal cancer. It took a court order, but she became the first non-resident of Vermont to take advantage of the state’s patient choice and control at end of life law.

Vermont now allows other terminally ill non-residents to end their lives, with physicians’ assistance, there.

The world premiere of “Other Side” is March 7, 9 and 11 at the Alamo Drafthouse Lamar in Austin, Texas. Directors Heather Hogan and Carter Oakley will participate in a Q-and-A after the screenings.

The film has been called “intimate and gripping.” Click here for details.

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The effects of yesterday’s wind storm continue.

As of 6:20 a.m., 36 Westport customers, and 8 in Weston, remained without power, according to Eversource’s outage page.

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How you gonna keep ’em away from the farm?

If you’re talking about Wakeman Town Farm: You can’t.

Not with these programs set to begin:

• Mardi Gras Cooking with chef Raquel Rivera (March 4)
• Soil is Alive! Garden lecture with horticulturist Duncan Himmelman (March 10)
• Spring Into Cooking (March 28)
• Kids’ Spring Cooking (grades K-2; March and May sessions)
• Kids’ Spring Garden Cooking Adventures (Grades 2-6; March and May sessions)

Click here for more information, and registration.

Mardi Gras Cooking, at Wakeman Town Farm.

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Nearly every “Westport … Naturally” photo shows Westport’s in daylight.

But our town is beautiful at night too. Check out this view of the Saugatuck River, taken from the Westport Library.

(Photo/Wendy Levy)

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And finally … in honor of the new Lyfe Café:

(“06880” covers Westport’s robust dining scene. But we need to put food on our table too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog, with a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)