Soon though, dishes like shaksuka (poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce with vegetables and spices) and deep-fried matzo stuffed with cheese will be available in Westport.
On, ironically, Church Lane.
The Blondinit: coming soon. (Photo/Sal Liccione)
The Blondinit will fill the space vacated this winter by Manna Toast. It’s the first restaurant venture for Solomon and Inda Sade, who own several other businesses already. Her background is in retail and fashion.
But this is their passion project. They love food and entertaining. And they’re putting their money where their, um, mouths are: They’re funding it themselves.
While not Israeli, the Sades have strong ties there. Solomon’s parents were born in Israel. His father had 10 siblings, his mother, 8.
Growing up on Long Island, his family visited there every summer. More recently, he and his wife honeymooned in Israel.
When COVID struck, they and their 1-year-old left New York for their second home in the Poconos. But after 6 months of boredom — “the event of the day was standing outside Walmart with rubber gloves,” Solomon recalls — they moved to suburban New Jersey.
Solomon and Inda Sade, with their children.
Through a close friend, Inda found Westport. The couple fell in love with “the small town feel,” he says. “Main Street, the fact that everyone knows each other — it was exactly what we were looking for.”
They moved here in August — just in time to enjoy summertime pleasures like outdoor dining at Spotted Horse.
Soon after arriving, they began planning their Israeli restaurant. They were outbid on their first space.
Then realtor David Waldman showed them the recently vacated Manna Toast. They took it that day.
Despite a reliance on meats and salads, Israeli cuisine is not exactly the same as Middle Eastern, Mediterranean or Greek, Solomon notes.
Shakshuka features eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, with Israeli cheese and spices. It’s served with charred pita bread.
Two examples: there is no pork. The seasonings are different.
And this: the Bulgarian cheese Israelis use is soaked in brine, rather than fresh water.
Grilled artichokes are served with a lemon garlic aioli dip.
“There’s the same base — falafels, hummus,” Solomon says. “But every culture executes their food differently.”
The Blondinit’s meats, pitas, pickled goods and beers will all be “authentic” from Brooklyn.
It will be delivered fresh daily. The Sades will not use freezers or microwaves. All leftover food will be donated to pantries and food rescue organizations.
Bourekas are a puff pastry, stuffed with Israeli cheese, meat or potatoes. They’re served with a dipping sauce.
Their restaurant will be a place of joy and community.
“We learned during COVID how important it is to celebrate,” Inda says. “We’ll have the vibe, with good food and good company.”
As the couple plan for their opening — working on architectural drawings, getting permits and a liquor license, doing everything else a new restaurant needs — they’ve been impressed by the people they meet.
“Everyone has been very, very helpful,” Solomon says.
“06880” will announce the opening.
In the meantime: What’s with the name?
“Blondinit means ‘female blonde’ in Hebrew,” Solomon explains.
“It’s named for my wife.”
(“06880” is your place for local restaurant news. To support our coverage — and everything else we do — please click here. Thank you!)
Common Ground — the Westport Library’s project to bring civility back to civic discourse — launches this Tuesday (May 2, 7 p.m.).
The event includes a conversation with former Congressman Roy Blunt — a Missouri Republican known for his bipartisan work — and attorney Steve Parrish, whose consulting firm specializes in corporate social responsibility and public affairs.
The aim of the initiative is to host positive, productive conversations on how we work together as a civil society, encouraging respectful, constructive dialogue while tackling challenging, controversial issues.
The Library leads the effort, with community leaders representing a wide array of constituents and views. Click here for more information.
Senator Roy Blunt
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A follow-up on the Representative Town Meeting’s recent “Community Conversation on Affordable Housing” promises to be as important and illuminating as the first.
“Our Town’s Affordable Housing Needs and Solutions: What Westporters Should Know and How They Can Help” will be held — virtually — on May 17 (7:30 p.m.).
RTM moderator Jeff Wieser will lead a panel of men and women who know the topic intimately: State Senator Ceci Maher, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin, RTM Planning & Zoning Committee chair Matthew Mandell, and Westport Housing Authority director Carol Martin.
As with the first session — which drew 200 people — there will be plenty of time for public questions.
New construction at the Wilton Road/Kings Highway North intersection — opposed by Westport’s Planning & Zoning Commission, but allowed by a judge based on Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable housing regulation — is on many residents’ minds.
The final Westport-sponsored project in Lyman, Ukraine has been successfully completed.
Thanks to $252,000 raised — in just 3 weeks — over the holidays, Westport has helped our sister city in many ways. They include:
Repairing 6 apartment buildings, housing 132 people
Purchasing and delivering 2 patrol cars, and communications and other equipment, for the police department after their station was destroyed
Purchasing and delivering 2 trash trucks, to haul away debris and garbage that piled up during 5 months of Russian occupancy
Purchasing bulletproof vests and other protective gear for utility works, who restored electricity near the front lines
Delivering food kids to hundreds of family, including holiday meals for 1,000
Delivering Christmas presents for nearly 500 children
Supplying 2,940 families with seeds for their farms and gardens.
Non-monetary support included 200 cards and artwork, created by Bedford Middle School 7th graders.
There’s still time for other Westport students — and their families — to add to the packages, which will be delivered next month.
Letters, drawings and posters of encouragement can be dropped off on the front porch of 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore’s house: 2A Baker Avenue (between Compo Road South and Imperial Avenue). Blue and yellow balloons (Ukrainian colors) are on the mailbox.
The deadline is May 5. Questions: Email amoore@westportct.gov.
More monetary help is needed. A new drive will begin soon. In the meantime, watch “06880” for news of a giant “thank-you” party for Westport. Save the date now: Sunday, July 9.
PS: To donate now, click here (and select “Westport” from the “Where it is needed most” dropdown menu.
The other day Wynston Browne — the non-speaking autistic Staples High School student who has made spectacular progress since learning to communicate less than 2 years ago — wowed the crowd of 200 people at the Circle of Friends celebration.
The event — celebrating teenagers who model inclusion and service to the community, by providing social experiences for children and teens with special needs — featured Wynston and his communication partner Elisa Feinman.
He earned 2 standing ovations, as he described his journey. Once thought to be intellectually disabled, he now shares deep insights about himself and the world, with many people who are eager to listen.
Also honored: Westporter Stephen Schwartz. Jenn Falik served as MC; 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Circle of Friends founder and director Freida Hecht, and Caroline Caggiano and James Dobin Smith, co-presidents of Staples’ Circle of Friends Club, offered remarks.
Wynston Browne (center) with his brothers BK (Staples High Class of 2016 graduate) and Harrison, a Staples junior, at the Circle of Friends celebration.
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Pierrepont – the small, non-traditional and very low-profile private school on Sylvan Road North at Post Road West — invites everyone to a big, non-traditional but very intriguing Arts Festival.
The event begins Thursday, May 4 (3 to 5:p.m.) with lectures on raga and contemporary opera, plus poetry. There’s a 5:30 p.m. reception, then at 7 p.m. music from Voices of Hartford and a raga ensemble.
Friday, May 5 includes a 4:30 Urban Bush Woman Workshop, 5 p.m. reception and 7:15 p.m. dance performance.
The 3-day festival concludes on Saturday, May 6 with 8:30 a.m. coffee, and 10 a.m. “Conversations in Art.”
Pierrepont School, on Sylvan Road North. The entrance faces Post Road West.
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“The Gospel of Soul” comes to Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church tomorrow.
The Empire Voices — regular performers at the Metropolitan Opera, on Broadway, and back-up for artists like Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Pete Townshend and David Bowie — will take the Branson Hall “stage” at 5 p.m.
The church’s own Choristers will be make a guest appearance. A reception follows.
Organizers says, “This concert will fill your soul and have you on your feet.” Click here for tickets, and more information.
As outdoor dining returns to Church Lane, the Westport Downtown Association is finalizing its summer concert series. Musicians will provide over 35 evenings of entertainment, al fresco.
A GoFundMe collection will help offset the cost of the singers and bands. Click here to help.
The Levy Family of Westport will lead the 18th Annual STAR Walk & Roll fundraiser on Sunday, May 7 at Sherwood Island State Park.
The Levys have supported STAR — the 70-year-old not-for-profit that serves over 700 people with disabilities, from birth to their senior years, and their families –since their daughter Ariel began attending its day program.
Over the past several years, the Levy Family’s “Team Ariel” has raised over $100,000 for STAR.
The Walk begins at 10 a.m. May 7 with a 1k route suitable for any ability (walkers, strollers, wheelchairs and baby joggers are welcome). There’s a continental breakfast, and family activities including live music, arts and crafts, Bollywood dancing, a photo booth, face-painting and food trucks. Click here to register for the walk, or donate to Team Ariel or other teams. To learn more about STAR, click here.
Ariel Levy (center) with her parents.
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When you live on Myrtle Avenue, sooner or later nearly everyone in town passes your house.
Former Wesptorter Marie “Tina” Jennings-Kamber died April 15 in Sarasota, Florida. She was 98.
Tina came to the US from Venice, Italy in 1948 as a war bride. She established and ran a Ridgefield children’s clothing store, the Cortina Shop.
She married Sereno Jennings of Westport, where they eventually settled. She was a member of Greens Farms Church.
They spent winters in Islamorada, Florida. The couple built the first tennis club, “The Net,” in the Keys, then moving to the mainland in 1983.
After her husband’s passing she met United Nations Diplomat Hans W. Kamberg. Because of their European connection they became close friends. and married soon..
Tina is survived by her step-grandchildren, including former daughter-in-law Ruth Jennings of Westport.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Resurrection House, 507 Kumquat Court, Sarasota, Fl. 34230.
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When you live in Westport, you get used to cormorants.
Still, William Whitmal says — today’s “Westport … Naturally” photographer — he’d never seen so many as the other day, in the Saugatuck River.
Nearly 40 years after Hall & Oates did not appear in Westport, Daryl Hall will be here.
That 1985 non-event is the stuff of local legend. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the town, Hall & Oates were signed for a special concert at Longshore.
Except the signing was done by a Westport nanny, who had no connection with the duo. It was, to use the technical term, BS.
Nearly 4,o0o people thronged Longshore, on a beautiful day.
They waited … waited … and waited. No Hall. No Oates. Nothing.
Staples High School student Cary Pierce had a band. They stepped up, saving the day (and kick-starting Cary’s eventual career, as one half of Jackopierce).
Now — in a new millennium — Daryl Hall has been signed for a Levitt Pavilion gala. He will be here August 24.
And there’s more: Todd Rundgren joins, as a special guest.
Levitt member pre-sale begins today at 10 a.m. Public sale starts Friday, at 10 a.m. Click here for all tickets. Click here for sponsorship opportunities.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is sill going strong. Four decades later, we’ll get to see for ourselves.
Hall and Oates, back in the day.
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More entertainment: Music returns to Church Lane June 2.
Area artists have already been booked, to add to the al fresco enjoyment of restaurants like Spotted Horse and soon-to-open The Blondinit.
The entertainment runs through September 30.
Click here for a full schedule — and a link to donate to the cause.
Staples High School’s Jazz Ensemble rocked the National Jazz Festival this past weekend in Philadelphia.
They placed 2nd in the top division, with drummer Witt Lindau receiving one of 3 Outstanding Musician medals. .
This is the second time the jazz program at Staples has been recognized nationally in recent years. The Staples High School Jazz Combo received first place in Small Ensemble Live Performance at the 2021 National Jazz Festival.
Congratulations to instructors Phil Giampietro, Gregg Winters, and all the young, award-winning musicians: seniors Jason Capozucca, Jaime Paul, Ana Jahnel, Delaney McGee, Henry Now, Jet Tober and Witt Lindau; juniors Freddie Aldridge, Zach Abramowitz, Deneil Betfarhad, Spencer Geiss, Ethan Walkmark and Matt Weiner; sophomores Sam Rondon, Tommy Linn and Cooper Paul, and freshman Charlie Beckwith.
The Staples High School Jazz Ensemble. Director Phil Giampietro is in the front row, at right.
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Today’s “What’s Next in Weston” with 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor covers the plan and timeline for construction of Weston’s first sidewalks. Click below for insights into this town-changing event, courtesy of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
Speaking of podcasts: Beth Berger sends along a link.
In it,, former Westporter Blanche Napoleon is interviewed about her friendship with Dan Hartman. In the 1970s she made music with him in his “schoolhouse” studio here.
Blanche was a background singer on some of Dan’s biggest disco hits (“Instant Replay”, “Relight My Fire”, “Love Sensation”). They remained good friends until his death from AIDS in 1993.
“It’s a great piece of Westport musical history,” Beth — who is now friendly with Blanche, her Palm Beach neighbor — writes.
The expanded Bruce Museum reopened 3 weeks ago. It showcases community, art, science and education, in a natural light setting.
Yesterday, the Y’s Women enjoyed a fascinating presentation by executive director and CEO Robert Wolstertoff.
The painting, sculpture, mineral and science galleries (the latter featuring penguins past and present) are free on Tuesdays. Free passes to the Bruce (and other museums) are available at the Westport Library.
Robert Wolstertorff at the Y’s Women meeting.
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Sunday’s rain did not deter Pam Constantikes’ friends.
A crew from Staples High School’s Class of 1981 walked to raise money for research to end pancreatic cancer, in her honor.
They note that contributions can still be made. Click here to help.
Walking for Pat Constantikes (from left): Suzanne Sherman Propp, Patty Kondub, Linda Prestegaard, Ann Wriedt Sisto, Lauren Tarshis, Susan Charlton Wallace, Helen Rauh Glenn.
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A new monthly podcast for the Westport Library’s Verso Studios features 2 familiar faces: Westport Writing Workshop leaders Patricia Dunn and Tessa Smith McGovern.
“Go Ahead, Write Something” is for “writers who want motivation and the deep-down truths about getting published, and how to find joy in writing and sharing your work with the world.”
The podcast launch begins this month. Five episodes are available via traditional podcast aggregators. Among them: Dunn and Smith McGovern’s StoryFest 2023 discussion with bestselling fantasy author Naomi Novik.
So it was appropriate that this one — the subject of today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — was fishing for dinner the other night behind the police station.
Luciano Paving, the writer noted, is a long-time, very generous local business.
They donate to Westport PAL, and supply the equipment that keeps the Longshore skating rink clear. They bring equipment to the Touch-a-Truck event at the Imperial Avenue parking lot, and provide trucks and a car for the Westport Woman’s Club Memorial Day float.
Sam Luciano — former Westport chief of police, for whom the Saugatuck train station park is named — was Tim’s cousin. Every year, Tim sponsors a golf tournament in Sam’s name at Longshore.
More broadly, contractors are an asset to the town. In weather emergencies, they plow snow, clear roads and do whatever else is needed.
We would not be where we are without contractors like Luciano — a family that traces its heritage back to Antonio Gilbertie, founder of the floral business over 100 years ago.
Tim Luciano, of Luciano Paving, is a Westport native and Staples High School graduate.
Winfield Street Coffee has come a long way from its start, 98 years ago in East Norwalk.
Under current owner Breno Donatti, there are locations in Westport (the old Art’s Deli, just over the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge) and Stamford; kiosks in the Croton-Harmon and Rye train stations, plus Q line subway stops in Manhattan, and 2 in Naples, Florida.
Now — in addition to coffee (f course), Italian deli sandwiches, healthy bowls and salads, and fresh pastry.
Donatti is not sitting still. Culinary director Chris Gonzalez has designed an expanded menu, adding side dishes like bacon mac & cheese, roasted brussels sprouts with hot honey and crispy shallots, fries options like (sweet potato wedges, polenta fries, home fries), and homemade baked goods.
Coffee director Caleb MacPherson is implementing new drinks and roasting beans.
I know all this because Westport’s own Stephanie Webster covered it in her great CTBites blog. Click here for the full story (and excellent food photos).
PS: Click on the “Restaurants” tab at the top of “06880,” for details on Winfield Street Coffee and many more.
“Ain’t Misbehavin'” — a revival of the Broadway show celebrating jazz pioneer Fats Waller’s career, while exploring the “masks” he and his musicians wore while performing for white audiences — opens tonight at the Westport Country Playhouse. It runs through April 29.
Among the special events:
Taste & Chat (tonight, Tuesday, April 11, 6 p.m.): Wine and cheese with Marcella Monk Flake, of The Monk Center for Academic Enrichment and Performing Arts, and co-founder of Monk Youth Jazz and STEAM Collective.
Pride Night (Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m.): Pre-show cocktails for the LGBTQ community and friends.
Black Excellence Night (Friday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.): Free pre-show celebration for the Black and Brown community.
For ticket information, click here. For more on these special events, scroll down on that page.
Especially fascinating is this Westport connection: His 2010 biography, “Al Jaffee’s Mad Life,” was written by local writer Mary-Lou Weisman.
A 2010 story explains:
He has always had a soft spot … for Mary-Lou Weisman, a 72-year-old author from Westport, Conn., who used to own a summer place near his (in Provincetown, Massachetts). Not only did she appreciate his eccentricities but she also donated a stupid question to his collection. (For that, she thanks the sister who demanded to know, “Where do you keep your ice cubes?”)
Their friendship has led to a collaboration that should cheer anyone with a secret affinity for Mad magazine. Written by Ms. Weisman, “Al Jaffee’s Mad Life” lays bare in harrowing yet often riotous detail how a Southern boy, twice uprooted by his mother to Lithuanian shtetls on the eve of World War II, grew up to become a tireless satirist for some of America’s cheekier magazines. HarperCollins published the book on Tuesday under its It Books imprint.
Readers will also be treated to 74 original drawings by Mr. Jaffee, nearly twice what he had pledged. “He was on fire,” Ms. Weisman said.
Ever-popular pianist Chris Coogan headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, April 13; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.).
Chris grew up here, and the area is home base for his multi-faceted career. He is a world-class jazz pianist; an in-demand accompanist for singers; a powerhouse Gospel pianist, choir director and bandleader; an inspiring educator, and an all- around good guy.
He’s joined this week at the VFW by bassist John Mobilio and drummer Joe Corsella.
Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Chris Coogan
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Starting yesterday, Church Lane will be closed to through traffic.
The move — begun during COVID, and continued in following years thanks to the popularity of outdoor dining and leisurely strolling — continues through November 6.
Marty Yellin — a Ph.D. in engineering, who helped design and manage the Hubble Space Telescope — explained the differences between it and the James Webb Telescope.
His photographs, we are told, were “out of this world.”
Marty Yellin addresses the Y’s Women.
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Martha Stewart returned to Westport recently.
She sampled Arogya Holistic Healing & Tea’s teas, and shared recipes. The event was filmed for her TV show, “Martha Cooks!”
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