You can’t stop progress.
First the Y sells its downtown building.
Then Mario Batali and Danny Meyer bring New York-chic restaurants to our little village.
Now Coffee An’ has gone an’ reupholstered their stools.
Alert “06880” reader Larry Perlstein sent this photo along:
The owner — George — told Larry it’s the 1st time the seats have been redone since the place opened.
What’s next? A level floor at the Duck?
Posted in Restaurants, YMCA
Tagged Black Duck, Coffee An', Danny Meyer, Mario Batali, Westport YMCA
According to Skip Lane — who brokered the deal for Cushman & Wakefield — Mario Batali’s new Charles Street restaurant will be called: Tarry Lodge Enoteca & Pizzeria.
When “06880” broke this story on Monday, we suggested a Saugatuck-themed name. Well, at least the famed restaurateur/chef tips his toque to the area’s Italian heritage with the 2nd half of the new name.
“Enoteca” is Italian (from Greek). According to Wikipedia, “it literally means ‘wine repository’ … but is used to describe a special type of local or regional wine shop that originated in Italy.”
Urban Dictionary‘s definition is spicier: “like a wine cellar; a place where you drink wine, get drunk, and get sweet hookups.”
Everyone knows what a pizzeria is — and Westport’s got pizzerias a-plenty — but what about “Tarry Lodge”?
Batali’s already got a trattoria and market by that name in Port Chester. According to his website, a lodge is “a meeting or dwelling place” that “fosters gathering and community.”
As for “tarry,” it means to “stay for a time, especially longer than intended.” Another definition is “to delay or be tardy in going or coming.”
Ah! Given the new restaurant’s location just a few steps from the railroad station, it all makes sense now.
Posted in People, Restaurants, Saugatuck
Tagged Cushman & Wakefield, Mario Batali, Skip Lane, Tarry Lodge Enoteca & Pizzeria
“Abbondanza” is Italian for abundance.
Mario Batali
“Abundant” certainly describes Mario Batali’s empire. The restaurant owner, chef, cookbook author, TV personality and philanthropist has created restaurants — and buzz — in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Singapore.
Now, add Westport to the list.
On Friday, according to Skip Lane of Cushman & Wakefield, Batali closed on the former Abbondanza property. The popular restaurant/speciality food store — across from the Charles Street office building in Saugatuck — closed last April. (It reopened in August, in Fairfield.)
No details on Batali’s newest venture are available yet, such as a projected opening date or name. He prefers Italian names — Babbo Ristorante, Lupa Osteria Romana, Pizzeria Mozza — and of course for nearly a century Saugatuck was a vibrant Italian community.
Something honoring renowned Saugatuck families might work — Santella Ristorante perhaps, or Pizzeria Nistico.
“06880” readers are invited to submit their own suggestions. Click “Comments” above — we’ll pass them along to Signore Batali.
(Posted 12:40 p.m., Monday, Feb. 7, 2011)
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