Tag Archives: Amis restaurant

Roundup: World Record Set, Amis Closes, Marigny Art …

This is one of the greatest sports items I’ve ever run:

On Saturday in Staten Island, Westport’s own remarkable athlete (and artist) Norma Minkowitz broke the 400 meter world — yes, world — indoor record,

For the women’s 85-90 year-old age group.

Norma’s record time was 1:50.99. That smashes the previous record of 1:51.89 — held by Emma Mazzenga of Italy, since 2019 almost a full second.

Here she goes:

And here’s what happened next:

But wait! There’s more — much more!

Norma had just 30 minutes to prepare for her next race: a grueling 800 meters.

Typically they’re run on separate days — certainly not just half an hour apart.

Yet Norma smashed/demolished/obliterated the American record. She ran a 4:33.38. The old record was — are you sitting down? — 6:14.93, set by Florence Meiler last year.

With a bit of rest, Norma might have made it 2 world marks in less than an hour.

Norma Minkowitz, with her medals. (Photo/Jeff Mitchell)

Congratulations, Norma. You’re amazing.

And to the rest of Westport: What did you do this past weekend? (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)

BONUS LAP: Click here for an in-depth “06880” story on Norma Minkowitz.

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Amis restaurant closed yesterday.

The restaurant — one of the anchors of Bedford Square when it opened 6 years ago — posted this sign:

(Photo and hat tip/Larry Bartimer)

In response to a request for information, a restaurant representative said: “Simply put, just not enough sales.”

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Earlier this winter, Wendy Van Wie was the winning bidder on a work of art. It showed Marigny, France — our first sister city, since just after World War II — and was donated by residents there to help raise funds for the new sister city our two towns share: Lyman, Ukraine. (Click here for the back story.)

The artwork recently arrived in Westport. Wendy’s husband Mark Yurkiw, his fellow Westport Artists Collective member Miggs Burroughs, and Katya Wauchope of Ukraine Aid International created a short film. It honors and thanks our friends from Marigny, and celebrates our connection with Lyman.

Click below to see:

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Longtime Westporter Martin (Marty) Albert died on Thursday, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 77 years old, and had been diagnosed nearly 30 years ago.

The Brooklyn native graduated from Jamaica High School in 1962. He earned degrees from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, Boston University Law School, and a master’s in taxation from NYU. He worked as an attorney at Cohen & Wolf for 35 years.

He enjoyed golf, skiing and walking. He served as vice president of United Way (Bridgeport), vice president of the United Jewish Appeal, board member of the Jewish Home for the Elderly Foundation, president of Birchwood Country Club and vice president of Temple Israel.

Martin is survived by his wife Janet, children Elizabeth Heyer (Joseph) and Andrew (Rachel), sister Naomi Gardner, and grandchildren Samson, Austin and Presley Heyer, and Madison and Aaron Albert.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, February 28, 10:30 a.m., Temple Israel). Burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery, 225 Richards Avenue, Norwalk. Shiva will be observed at the home of Janet Albert on Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday, March 1 from 2 to 8 p,m. To share a condolence message, click here.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation.

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I’m not sure if a rock has ever been the centerpiece of our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

But it doesn’t get more natural than this view, from Compo’s South Beach:

(Photo/Jonathan Prager)

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And finally … in honor of Norma Minkowitz (story above):

(“06880” — your hyper-local blog — relies on reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

Pic Of The Day #1714

Serving dinner at Amis (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)

Pics Of The Day #1579

Restaurant scenes: Basso …

… and Amis (Photos/JC Martin)

Pics Of The Day

Peering into Amis restaurant …

… and across the street, Pink Sumo (Photos/ John Videler for Videler Photography)

Pic Of The Day #1322

Amis restaurant, Bedford Square (Photo/Joel Treisman)

Anne Craig Unravels The Yarn Bomber Mystery

The other day, I posted a story about Anne Craig and the “yarn bomber.”

Anne — a former Fox 5 New York reporter and Channel 8 New Haven news anchor — is familiar to Westporters. She’s now a Westport mom, no longer working full-time. But she loves reporting stories about our town.

The “yarn bomber” is familiar too — though not by name. Ever since the COVID crisis began, she’s decorated Westport with beautiful designs. Trees, utility poles, light stanchions — they’ve all been transformed in the dead of night, from something we never looked at to works of art. She brings inspiration, color and hope to us all.

One of the yarn bomber’s first works, at fire headquarters. (Photo/Molly Alger)

The “06880” story deepened Westport’s interest in the mysterious artist.

It also caught her attention.

Stealthily, anonymously, the knitter contacted Anne. She left a note at the reporter’s home, using kidnapper-style letters cut out of magazines.

The first note from the yarn bomber to Anne Craig.

They continued their super-secret conversations. Anne still did not know who the yarn bomber was. But — this time using a message in a (wine) bottle — she invited Anne to come along on her next mission.

Which is how she made her next video: a mini-documentary on the yarn bombing of Amis restaurant, in Bedford Square.

Working quickly late at night, in Bedford Square.

It was the knitter’s 25th project.

She’s still anonymous. But Anne’s film — complete with music, cut-away scenes and foreshadowing — is every bit as artistic and cool as the yarn bomber’s own gifts to Westport.

From the video: The yarn bomber at work.

Now you can see it. Just click below.

Then keep your eyes open, all over this beautiful, yarn-bombed town.

Menu Moments: What To Order At Amis

As part of “06880”‘s new feature, registered dietician Heather Bauer offers tips on the best, healthiest dishes to order at local restaurants.

Today she talks about Amis. The popular Bedford Square trattoria  offers indoor and patio dining — and many options. Heather says:

Amis is very accommodating for specific dietary needs. There’s even a key in the right corner of the menu specifying gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian.

Amis Trattoria.

With my recommendations, you will not have to make any substitutions or special requests. As always: Skip the bread and dessert, and enjoy your food the way the chef has prepared it for you!

Fish Lover Options

Appetizer:

Arugula salad

Ccucumber salad

Entree:

Grilled octopus appetizer (make sure you specify you want this to arrive with entree) + asparagus (share with table)

Grilled salmon

Whole branzino (recommended for fast eaters; you’ll have to “work” for your food)

Mussels (another good working food option;  great for faster eaters)

Meat Lover Options

Appetizer:

Arugula salad

Bufala mozzarella

Entree:

Grilled chicken paillard (bufala mozzarella as starter)

New York strip (arugula salad to start)

Sal’s meatballs (arugula salad to start)

Sal’s meatballs at Amis.

Vegetarian options (vegans must stick to vegan options listed on menu)

Appetizer:

Arugula salad

Cucumber salad

Asparagus “alla plancha”

Entree:

Spinach ricotta meatballs

Bufala mozzarella

Kale and quinoa salad (if you have this for an entree, start with asparagus)

Bonus dining tip from Heather

Be Prepared with A,B,C: Researching the restaurant beforehand is great, but have 2 backup meal choices in case your first choice isn’t available. A lot of clients get discouraged when they can’t order what they planned on. They end up making a choice they regret.

Pics Of The Day #503

Dining al fresco last night, at Rothbard Ale + Larder …

… and Amis, across the Post Road in Bedford Square. (Photos/Doris Ghitelman)

Pic Of The Day #92

Open windows help Amis patrons feel like they’re dining al fresco. (Photo/Dan Woog)