Tag Archives: Fatto a Mano Bakery

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

Posted on February 18, 2025 | 2 comments

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!)

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Roundup: Fatto A Mano, Groove’s Fire Donations, Peter Reid’s Bald Eagle …

Posted on January 16, 2025 | 5 comments

For more than 2 years, Westporters have salivated over Pierluigi Mazzella’s sourdough bread, focaccia, panettone, biscotti and pastries.

All are made with natural ingredients.

All are also made (of course) by hand. That’s why the Italian-born baker calls his business Fatto a Mano (“made by hand”).

Until now, his many fans could buy his fresh-baked goods only at the walk-up window of his commissary kitchen behind Cycle Dynamics, or at the Westport and Ridgefield Farmers’ Markets, and Wakeman Town Farm.

Now Pierluigi is taking the next step, turning a long-time dream into reality.

He’s opening a retail location at 1835 Post Road East, next to Fjord Fishery across from Stop & Shop.

Breads and other baked goods will be delivered hot out of the oven from his kitchen, just a couple of minutes away.

Pierluigi plans to add specialty coffees, cooking classes, menu tasting, a selection of high-end retail products (local and important), and Farmers’ Market foodie collaborations to the menu.

He’ll start with breakfast and lunch, probably Wednesdays through Sundays. He’s shooting for a soft opening before Valentine’s Day.

Pierluigi knows Westporters are hungry — for his breads, and the opening of his new place. “06880” will feed you all the details. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)

Pierluigi Mazzella, at Fatto a Mano.

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Many Westporters have donated clothing to vicitms of the Los Angeles fires.

Corri Neckritz is donating 2 entire truckloads.

As the owner of 2 Groove stores (in Westport across from Whole Foods, and New Canaan), she’s got plenty of clothes.

Her customers have more.

When she heard how many Angelenos lost everything, Corri decided to help. Her daughters helped her contact people in California, who could accept and distribute donations.

She posted on social media. She expected a few hundred views, and a few donations.

It went viral: over 60,000 views.

People — customers, and those who’d never heard of Groove — dropped off enormous bags of clothes at her shop. She took them all — plus more, off the store floor — to her garage. It’s now overflowing with clothing, shoes and bags.

Corri Neckritz’s garage, 3 days ago. There are even more bags now.

Someone donaated a 26-foot truck. Corri got a very reduced rate on another — this one 58 feet long — which she is paying for.

This morning, the first truck will arrive, load up and depart.

Tomorrow, the larger truck will come. Corri has rounded up volunteers to help load it.

“I just want it all to get there soon,” Corri says.

Thanks to her — and generous customers and strangers — it will. (Hat tip: Joan Lipson)

Groove, on Post Road West.

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Another day, another animal rescue.

Yesterday, Westport animal control officer and Wildlife in Crisis intake director Peter Reid responded to a request for mutual aide from Wilton Animal Control.

A bald eagle had been sighted for a few days in the area. It was flying a bit, but staying on low branches. Yesterday, the eagle sat on a stone wall.

Officer Reid caught him safely. The eagle was very skinny and weak.

He was taken to Wildlife in Crisis, where he gorged on a large bowl of beef heart.

Officer Reid thinks the bird may be suffering from a bacterial infection, or be a victim of rodenticide poisoning.

Soon, hopefully, the eagle will soar again above our skies. (Hat tip: Westport Animal Shelter Advocates)

Peter Reid, with the rescued bald eagle.

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The Board of Education has one item on its January 16 agenda (7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria).

But it’s a big one: the board will discuss the proposed 2025-26 budget.

The meeting can be viewed on Cablevision Channel 78, will be livestreamed at http://www.westportps.org.

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The Westport Library kicks off Super Bowl week with a talk by Jeff Benedict.

On February 3 (7 p.m.) — 6 days before the big game — the author/producer/ commentator will discuss his book on the New England Patriots, “The Dynasty.” (Spoiler alert: The Pats will not be playing in New Orleans on February 9.)

Benedict spent 5 years inside the team. Sports Illustrated says he “slips inside, lowers the drawbridge, and waves us in to see the ramparts, towers, turrets, and castle keep where the Brady-Belichick-Kraft trinity ruled.”

The event is free. Click here to reserve a seat (and, if interested, purchase a copy of “The Dynasty”).

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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between January 8 and 15.

A 58-year-old Newtown man was charged with breath of peace, criminal attempt at assault on an elderly victim, and threatening, following a road rage incident near the Post Road East/Roseville Road intersection.

The 62-year-old complainant admitted that he instigated the incident, by blowin his horn and following a vehicle in front with the intent to harass. Both vehicles pulled into a parking lot and assaulted each other. The complainant shoved the other man, who pulled a boxcutter. The complainant returned to his vehicle, where the other man slashed at his jacket with the boxutter through an open window, ripping his jacket and undershirt.

The man who instigated the incident wsa given a misdemeanor summons for brach of peace, and following too closely with intent to harass.

A 56-year-old Fairfield man was charged with driving under the influence, traveling unreasonably fast and failure to drive in the proper lane, after an investigation into a single vehicle crash on Beachside Avenue last June.

A 19-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with larceny and identity theft, after a complaint about fraudulent checks totaling more than $5,600. He was held on $100,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 12 citations
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 6
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
  • Driving while texting: 4
  • Speeding over 70 mph: 3
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
  • Assault: 1
  • Disorderly conduct: 1
  • Breach of peace: 1
  • Identity theft, and conspiracy to commit: 1
  • Illegal possession of personal ID information, and conspiracy to commit: 1
  • Reckless driving: 1
  • Failure to remove snow/ice from motor vehicle roof: 1
  • Failure to renew registration: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 1
  • Improper turns: 1
  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1

It’s the law: You must remove snow and ice from your vehicle.

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On May 18, Schoke Jewish Family Service celebrates 50 years of service to Fairfield County . The, with a gala at Temple Beth El in Stamford.

What began in the late 1970s with one secretary, a part-time director and a part-time social worker primarily focused on helping Russian immigrants resettle, has grown into a diverse service provider.

Schoke JFS now offers a wide range of programs, including counseling, geriatric care services, emergency assistance, and initiatives to combat food insecurity. The agency is also home to the Freedberg Family Kosher Food Pantry and the Kosher Mobile Food Pantry, Connecticut’s only kosher food truck.

An Evening with Schoke JFS features a cocktail reception, dinner, awards presentation and dessert.

Tickets are $250. For more information and purchase tickets, click here. http://www.ctjfs.org.

 

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature is a geometrically intriguing look at Minute Man Hill:

(Photo/Laurie Sorensen)

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And finally … in honor of Peter Reid’s heroic rescue yesterday:

(From Westport, Connecticut to Winslow, Arizona, “06880” is your hyper-local blog. If you enjoy our work, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here — and thank you!)

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Roundup: Fatto A Mano, Sustainable Westport, Clay Singer …

Posted on December 27, 2023 | 2 comments
Last January, “06880” introduced Fatto a Mano to the world.

Since then, Pierluigi Mazzella’s bakery (whose name means “made by hand” in Italian) has risen faster than the sourdough bread, focaccia, biscotti and pastries he makes in his Westport commercial kitchen.

The other day — in the midst of his very busy panetone-making Christmas season — Forbes stopped by for an in-depth profile.

Click here to read.

The best part of the story is this quote from Pierluigi:

I think most of my customers love me as much as I love them. We have customers that have been so loyal and so supportive since day one. A funny thing is, my customers are noticing the growth of Fatto a Mano and tell me they are afraid I will become too famous and forget about them. But I will never. Every single one of them is the reason why I can do what I do.

Pierluigi Mazzella, and his Fatto a Mano panettone. (Photo courtesy of Forbes/Lisa Nichols with Bread & Beast Photography) 

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For Sustainable Westport, a challenge grant is the gift that keeps on giving.

So far this holiday season, 115 residents have contributed to the town’s environmental advisory group.

Inspired by the outpouring, the generous donor who issued the initial challenge has doubled down. If Sustainable Westport receives a total of 150 gifts by December 31, the donor will add another $5,00.

That will fund programs like Refill Not Landfill, the Residential Energy Learning Series, Clean Up Westport Day, Green Building awards, mattress and box spring recycling, the “Abundance” film screening and panel, a Sustainable Hospitality Guide, and more.

Click here to donate. Click here to learn more about Sustainable Westport.

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At Staples High School, Clay Singer was known as a talented actor (Players) and Orphenians.

He went on to perform in shows like the national tour of “The Band’s Visit.”

In February, his voice will join “The Voice” Season 16 winner Maelyn Jarmon. They’ll star in “The Last Five Years,” at The Drowned Lands in Warwick, New York.

Click here for details and tickets.

Clay Singer and Maelyn Jarmon.

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Before yuletide fades too far into the background, here’s a look back at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport candlelight Christmas Eve service.

Senior minister Rev. Alan Taylor is at the right. (Photo/David Vita)

Candlelit congregation. (Photo/Rob Zuckerman)

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Hey!

That is, Henry Hey.

Pianist/keyboardist/music director Henry Hey headlines tomorrow’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, December 28, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service starting at 7; $15 music charge).

Hey has toured and recorded with David Bowie, George Michael and Rod Stewart, served as musical director for Kennedy Center extravaganzas, and played with some of the most compelling jazz artists in the world.

He’ll be joined by bassist Hannah Marks, drummer Jon Wikan, and saxophonist Greg Wall. Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.

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Christmas night fog over Burritt’s Creek produced this spooky “Westport … Naturally” scene:

(Photo/Richard Jaffe)

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And finally … on this day in 1927 “Show Boat” — considered to be the first true American musical play — opened on Broadway.

Nine years later, Paul Robeson starred in a groundbreaking film version:

This too is from the 1936 film:

 (“06880” is your hyper-local blog. To help support our work, please click here. Thank you!)

 

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Roundup: Panettone, Restaurants, Sustainability …

Posted on December 21, 2023 | 8 comments

Martha Stewart has not forgotten Westport.

Yesterday, she sent her minions here to pick up a large order from Fatto a Mano.

That’s Pierluigi Mazzella’s bakery. He’s earned a large, devoted following — at the Westport Farmer’s Market, and through online ordering — for his magic with all things sourdough: bread, focaccia, pastries and more.

Martha wanted plenty of panettoni.

And for good reason. Though Pierluigi comes from Italy — and an image of his village and his father’s boat is on his cookie boxes — his baked goods are actually out of this world.

Pierluigi Mazzella and his bakers, at Fatto a Mano. The name means “made by hand.” (Hat tip and photo/Frank Rosen)

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Speaking of food: There are some changes on the restaurant scene, just over the Southport line:

A sign promises that X Ramen (“Ramen, Fried Chicken, Tea”) is coming soon to the site of the former Wafu. A quick Google search turned up no further information.

Meanwhile, a few yards east, the longtime S&S Dugout has already become Kabab & Hummus House, offering “Mediterranean Fusion Grill.”

The menu looks great, even if they did not employ an editor to check mis-apostrophied words like Soup’s, Salad’s and Special’s.

Plus, “Meat Balls” is actually one word.

Oh, yeah: They also spelled “Mediterranean” wrong on their big outdoor sign.

(Photos/Stacie Curran)

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Last week, Sustainable Westport announced its first-ever Community Giving Challenge.

Since then, 73 Westporters have supported their mission: to help Westport make small changes and big commitments toward a healthier, more sustainable future.

If they reach 100 gifts by December 31, a generous Westporter has pledged to donate $5,000 to help expand the organization’s sustainability programs, educational initiatives, and community outreach efforts.

Sustainable Westport is ab independent non-profit, run entirely by volunteers. To donate, click here.

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It’s not quite the McDonald’s arch.

But this blue crane made for quite an interesting vista yesterday against the blue sky, on Buena Vista Drive.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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Yesterday was the second shortest day of the year.

But there was enough time for this dramatic “Westport … Naturally” scene, on the south side of Saugatuck Island.

(Photo/Sam Tetlow)

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And finally … speaking of the winter solstice — which arrives at 10:27 p.m. tonight:

(It’s not a winter solstice tradition, but it could be: Donating to “06880.” Please click here to support our hyper-local work. Thank you!)

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Fatto A Mano: Italian Baker With A Twist

Posted on January 18, 2023 | 3 comments

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Or — if you’re Pierluigi Mazzella — make sourdough bread, focaccia, panettone, biscotti and pastries.

That’s the life he knows. Pierluigi began baking as a 12-year-old, on his native island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples.

He apprenticed with a world competition winner, then came to the US. He worked hard at bakeries in Darien and New Haven (where, at Atticus, he became the lead bread baker).

He married a woman from Connecticut. They moved in with her family, in Monroe.

When the pandemic struck, neighbors wanted fresh food. Pierluigi began baking once a week, in his in-laws’ basement.

Pierluigi Mazzella, baking in his basement.

Customers loved his goods. They asked for more.

He took a risk. Pierluigi quit his job, to bake full-time. Working at his tiny oven — as a permitted Connecticut Cottage Food operation — he sold his items at farmers’ markets in Westport, Monroe and Trumbull.

He named his business Fatto a Mano (“Made by Hand”). Italian ex-pats — especially those from Ischia, many of whom live in the Norwalk  area — told Pierluigi that his food brought them instantly back to their childhood.

Others — many of whom had never tried some of his creations — became fans after their first bites. He uses fresh, natural ingredients, creating products full of flavor and personality.

Last year, Connecticut Magazine named the 28-year-old to their “40 Under 40” list. They wrote:

To make the wildly popular panettone … Mazzella sleeps at most 4 hours a night. His panettone eats like a sweet cloud, a dreamlike and addictive creation. Although a loaf stays fresh for weeks, it rarely survives a day before it gets devoured….

He never stops researching and honing his craft in the pursuit of an even better product. His energy and positivity are infectious.

Pierluigi Mazzella, with his panettone.

Pierluigi earned another honor last year too: Baker of the Year, from the Connecticut Restaurant Association.

That was especially meaningful. The other nominees were from real, brick-and-mortar bakeries. Pierluigi still worked with basic equipment, in his in-laws’ basement.

That may soon change.

For a year, Pierluigi searched for commercial kitchen space in Westport. Most of his customers are here. They assured him he could find plenty of opportunities, with a kitchen of his own.

In December, Manna Toast closed. Its kitchen — behind Cycle Dynamics, on Post Road East — was available.

This month, he took over the lease.

The space is shared with Pop-up Bagels. Like that other baker, he has no storefront. He loads his van with his food, and meets customers at other sites.

Pierluigi Mazzella, outside his new space.

It’s a perfect spot. Pierluigi bakes fresh sourdough, authentic breakfast pastries, focaccia, traditional biscotti, and his mouth-watering panettone — the sweet bread and fruitcake traditionally associated with Christmas — all year long.

He can bake much more, too. He can sell to local restaurants. He can cater. He can offer baking classes.

Investors have helped customize the space to his needs. Now Pierluigi needs just $25,000. That’s the cost of key items, including a deck oven and mixer.

“Many people don’t realize how difficult and expensive opening a food business is,” he says.

But Pierluigi has created a community that loves, appreciates and supports him.

They’ve already contributed over $10,000 to his Kickstarter appeal. He has less than $15,000 to go to reach his $25,000 goal — and 3 weeks to get there.

Donors’ pledges will be good only if the project is fully funded by February 10. (Click here for more information, and to help.)

Contributors at various levels receive “grazie” rewards, ranging from free food and cooking classes, to a catered meal.

Pierluigi Mazzella’s baked goods.

Pierluigi hopes to be fully operational by Easter. That’s an important holiday for any Italian baker.

Just think of all the pastries, biscotti, panettone and more he could make for you then!

(Hat tipi: Louisa D’Amore)

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