Tag Archives: Viva Zapata

Pic Of The Day #2283

Posted on July 19, 2023 | 1 comment

Rainfall outside Viva Zapata (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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“06880”‘s Newest Feature: Restaurant Tab

Posted on March 2, 2023 | 7 comments

“06880” always looks for ways to serve our community. Readers always look for ways to find out what’s happening around town – including where to eat.

Which is why “06880” introduces today a new feature: a “Restaurants” tab. It appears permanently in two places on our home page: at the top (directly underneath “06880”), and on the right side (under “Pages”).

It’s a way to feed the hunger of our readers — for both information and food.

The drop-down menu (ho ho) includes:

  • Links directly to a restaurant’s website
  • Its social media handles
  • Its phone number
  • And a 2- to 3-sentence description (from them) about why they’re special.

Each restaurant can choose its own category. (NOTE: Restaurants pay a small fee to be listed.)

Click here (or above, or on the right side of the home page) to access the “Restaurants” tab. For more information on being listed, email 06880blog@gmail.com.

What to eat tonight? Click on our “Restaurants” tab!

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Scenes From The Slice

Posted on September 10, 2022 | 1 comment

The Slice of Saugatuck has carved out a great niche: The best, most walkable and tastiest street festival in town.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce snagged a great date, too. The second Saturday in September is almost always guaranteed to be gorgeous.

Today’s event — the 10th one — may have been the best ever. The weather was the most perfect. The food and drink was the most plentiful. The crowd may have been the biggest, and the post-worst-of-the-pandemic smiles seemed the broadest.

It’s on until 5 p.m. today. If you miss it, head down to Saugatuck anyway, for post-slice fun. Many restaurants will have happy hour prices, and special menus.

Any way you slice it, it’s a great day.

Tickets ($15 for adults; $5 for children 5 to 12) helped raise funds for the Homes with Hope food pantry.

Some restaurants offered pasta or tacos. Dunkin’ had donut holes. Kawa Ni went big: fried octopus.

One of 4 bounce houses.

A steel band played on the plaza between The Whelk and Saugatuck Sweets.

Elaine Marino joined the crowd at the Black Duck.

Double-barreled treats at Tutti’s.

Slice-goers of all ages enjoyed the beer garden on Railroad Place.

There was a strong sustainable presence at the Slice of Saugatuck. Staples High School students helped festival-goers use 3 different bins to separate trash.

Saugatuck Financial sponsored a raffle to benefit the Catch-a-Lift Fund, aiding post-9/11 wounded combat veterans.

Jr’s Hot Deli & Grill is technically not in Saugatuck. But they’re honorary members, and their food truck was a welcome addition to the Tarry Lodge patio.

This vintage car was not part of the Slice of Saugatuck ticket. But it could be yours for $25,000.

Staples High School boys ice hockey players sold lemonade to raise money for Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, at the Saugatuck firehouse.

State Senator Will Haskell campaigned for Ceci Maher, who hopes to succeed him. She is running against Toni Boucher.

Matthew Mandell tests out Viva Zapata’s margarita maker. As he pedaled, the chain powered a blender. Drink up! (All photos/Dan Woog)

(“06880” covers the Slice of Saugatuck — and [nearly] everything else in town. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Posted in Restaurants, Saugatuck

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Huge Restaurant Tip: Order Direct. Then Pick It Up!

Posted on January 14, 2022 | 13 comments

When COVID struck, Westporters rushed to support their favorite restaurants.

Owners who already had an online ordering/takeout presence heated up their efforts. Those that did not quickly cooked one up.

The ability to pick up a meal curbside — or have one delivered to your home — helped many restaurants survive.

It’s easy to pick up an order at Jeera Thai, or have it delivered. But behind that convenience, there’s a surprising story.

But most customers have no idea how much the service costs those same restaurants they think they’re supporting.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce wants us to know that 3rd-party apps, and delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, feast on restaurateurs’ bottom lines.

Those platforms charge fees up to 30% to the restaurant for delivery — and up to 25% for an order that, amazingly, a customer picks up herself.

Viva Zapata co-owner Bob O’Mahoney says, “those fees are our profit margins.”

Viva Zapata has been around for over 50 years. To survive the pandemic, it needs diners’ help.

The Chamber wants to help. They’re launching an initiative called “Order Direct — Pick It Up.”

The idea is simple: Use a restaurant’s own website or app to make a takeout order online. Or just call by phone, then pick it up.

“This simple adjustment will put those excessive fees back in the pocket of our local friends and businesspeople,” says Chamber director Matthew Mandell.

Restaurant owners understand that delivery is important to some people. Pane e Bene owner Angelo Capponi notes, “70% is better than 0%. But we also offer takeout, and we hope people will come to us. They can just call us up.”

It’s easy to have Uber Eats on your first smartphone screen, or speed dial. But it’s just a step or two more to Google a website, then click on your order. Or press “call.”

If you love a restaurant enough to support it with takeout, take those few seconds to cut out the 25 to 30% fee they toss away, as they toss your salad.

As the Chamber of Commerce says: Order Direct. Pick It Up!

(Graphic courtesy of Miggs Burroughs)

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Posted in Economy, Restaurants

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Roundup: 3rd Moderna, Modern Thermometer, Polestar EVs …

Posted on August 27, 2021 | 3 comments

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The Westport Weston Health District will host a “3rd dose” Moderna vaccine clinic — for moderately and severely immunocompromised people — on September 10 (1 to 4 p.m., Senior Center).

Appointments can be scheduled here. Bring your vaccination card to the appointment.

The CDC’s additional dose recommendation includes people who have:

Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood

Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

Received a stem cell transplant within the past 2 years, or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency

Advanced or untreated HIV infection

Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress an immune response.

To learn more, speak with your healthcare provider. Click here for the CDC website.

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Polestar2 — an all-electronic vehicle — is giving test free test drives to the public. From now through Sunday (11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), they’re doing it at Bedford Square.

If you’ve never driven a fully electric vehicle, this is a great. chance. Everyone is welcome — so long as you have a driver’s license!

Polestars, at Bedford Square.

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On Wednesday, Bob Weingarten went to Town Hall, for house research.

Usually he signs in at the front desk, and heads to the Town Clerk’s office. This time, he was asked for a temperature check — and to do it himself.

There’s a device, just inside the main door. Stand in front, and get a readout.

I haven’t been in Town Hall in months. I don’t know if this is new and noteworthy, or not news. It could be cool — or a story like George H.W. Bush’s surprise at how a supermarket scanner works.

You be the judge. I’m just passing along Bob’s photo.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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2003 Staples High School graduate Jesse Levin owns the Readiness Collective — an emergency training club and outfitter in Norwalk. Earlier, he opened a pop-up shop in Bedford Square.

After the chilling news from Afghanistan, Jesse turned the Collective into am ad hoc volunteer emergency operations center, to facilitate emergency evacuation efforts.

We have turned our training club, The Readiness Collective into an ad hoc volunteer emergency coordination operations center to facilitate efforts under way for emergency evacuations in Afghanistan.

Professional logistics and disaster response experts on site help guide volunteers on how to contribute. They’re tied in with working groups on the ground, and assisting from abroad.

Recent efforts include the expatriation of 20 targeted Afghan nationals and their families to Uganda, critical medical advice provided to parents of a young girl injured by a tear gas canister and unable to reach medical help, and the development of overland evacuation plans for wide distribution.

Jesse’s Collective needs help and support. “Just bring a computer and a willingness to dig in,” he says.

Offices are in the SoNo Collection (just off I-95 Exit 15 in Norwalk, Level II0. Questions? Email ready@readinesscollective.com, or call 203-275-7297.

Jesse Levin, providing aid in Puerto Rico.

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Sure, Westport Book Shop is the go-to for “pre-owned” (okay, used) books and more — including music.

But they also run an online store. It’s got a selection of new, sealed CDs, in categories from pop and oldies to classical and jazz.

Click here to browse the online selections.

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Three attorneys at Westport-based FLB Law have been named to the Best Lawyers in America list.

The FLB honorees are managing partner Stephen P. Fogerty, and attorneys Alan S. Rubenstein and Leslie E. Grodd.

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Seen the giant sunflower at Viva Zapata?

The restaurant’s Sam O’Mahony explains today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, growing out of the 2nd-floor window boxes:

“We didn’t plant sunflowers this year! We’re assuming a bird dropped it up there last summer from our garden in the side yard.”

(Photo/Sam O’Mahony)

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And finally … in honor of Town Hall’s new temperature scanner:

 

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Posted in Downtown, Local business, Local politics, Restaurants, Transportation

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Friday Flashback #242

Posted on April 30, 2021 | 2 comments

For the 2nd summer in a row, nearly every Westport restaurant will offer outdoor dining.

Viva Zapata has done it for decades.

Viva’s (as it’s universally known) has not changed much over the years. Here’s a view from the 1970s.

The menu is not much different either.

As for the prices … well, consider what your Westport home cost back in 1969, when this menu was popular, and Viva’s was in its first location. That was Post Road East (State Street), at the entrance to what is now Playhouse Square.

(Photos courtesy of Sam O’Mahony)

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Posted in Friday Flashback, Restaurants, Saugatuck

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Staples Sports Teams Feed Front Line Personnel

Posted on April 27, 2020 | 2 comments

As former president of Staples High School’s Gridiron Club and current treasurer of the Staples Boys Basketball Association, Amanda Thaw knows that whenever a Wrecker team needs help for a fundraiser, it turns to local restaurants and businesses.

They always come through.

Now, she thought, there must be a way to help support those owners in their time of need. And at the same time, to help front line personnel when they’re working so hard.

She made a few calls. Quickly, nearly a dozen Staples sports teams said “sign us up!”

#FeedItForward works this way: Teams pair up with a restaurant they choose. They provide a meal for a front line group of their choice. The restaurant delivers. The hungry personnel eat well. Everyone wins!

So far the girls soccer team fed Norwalk Hospital staffers, from Sherwood Diner. Boys soccer provided Tutti’s dinner to the Westport Police Department. The football team took care of the Westport Police Department, thanks to Viva Zapata. And boys lacrosse donated dinner to Westport EMS, through Colony Grill.

Girls soccer calls Norwalk Hospital staff “our heroes.”

Also committed: boys basketball, rugby, wrestling, boys track, boys volleyball, baseball and boys tennis.

Future food providers include Calise’s Market, Jr’s Deli & Grille, and Four Brothers Pizza. All are grateful for the business, and eager to help.

Boys soccer co-captain Jack Douglas, flanked by Tutti’s owner Maria Funicello and Officer Jimmy Sullivan.

ASF — the always-helpful sports store — is involved too. Norwalk Hospital staffers are on their feet all day. So they’ve been provided new socks — and chewing gum. (Their mouths get stale wearing masks).

Hot meals for the Fire Department, courtesy of Staples football and Viva Zapata.

There are plenty of other groups to feed too, like supermarket and pharmacy personnel, utility workers and others.

More teams can get involved — not just Staples, but throughout town. Other organizations can help as well.

For details, email amandathaw@gmail.com.

The boys lacrosse team hooks up Westport EMS.

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Posted in Local business, Restaurants, Sports, Staples HS

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Friday Flashback #156

Posted on August 23, 2019 | 29 comments

Regular readers know “06880” often laments the loss of things that make a town a community.

Movie theaters. Mom-and-pop shops.

And bars.

I’m talking about real bars. Not bars attached to restaurants, like so many places in town: Spotted Horse, Tavern on Main, Arezzo, Little Barn, you name it.

And not restaurants with very active bars, like Viva’s and the Duck.

No. I mean actual, go-and-stay-and-drink-and-maybe-have-peanuts-but-a-place-where-everybody-knows-your-name bar.

The Westport equivalent of Cheers.

Parsell’s Purcell’s was that kind of bar, on the Post Road near Southport. So was the Red Galleon, across from Green’s Farms Elementary School.

Ship’s Lantern was too, downtown on the Post Road (before it become The Ships nearby — which today is Tiffany 🙁 ).

Then there was “The Bridge.”

Formally Ye Olde Bridge Grill — though there was nothing formal about it — The Bridge sat on Post Road West, right over the bridge (aha!), a couple of doors down from National Hall (at the time, Fairfield Furniture), and directly opposite Art’s (now Winfield) Deli.

It was around for years, but hit its stride in the 1970s and ’80s. With generous owner Dave Reynolds, popular manager/bartender Dennis Murphy, a large and loyal bunch of regulars, and a jukebox that played the same songs over and over and over again (“Domino” by Van Morrison, anyone?), The Bridge was the kind of gathering spot we just don’t have any more.

Owner Dave Reynolds …

(It was also the sponsor of an Under-23 soccer team of the same name. Stocked with the best Westport players of its time, and their friends from the college and semi-pro ranks, it won all kinds of state and regional championships. After every match, players and fans celebrated you-know-where.)

… and manager Dennis Murphy (standing, left). He coached the Bridge Grille team to many state titles.

Things change. Rents rose. The drinking age rose too, from 18 to 21.

The Bridge has been gone for 3 decades or so. Today it’s an antiques shop, or something like that.

Cheers!

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Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Friday Flashback, Restaurants

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After 41 Years, Martin O’Grady Ducks Out

Posted on July 24, 2019 | 10 comments

This Saturday, Viva Zapata celebrates 50 years as a Saugatuck institution.

But that’s not the only party in town.

Martin O’Grady

A few yards away, the Black Duck will bid farewell to Martin O’Grady.

The popular bartender is retiring after 41 eventful years at the Riverside Avenue instititution.

He’ll serve his final drinks on Saturday (July 27) from 12 to 5 p.m. The Duck invites Martin’s many fans to wish him well.

Plus, the Duck says, “this is your last chance to show him what a good tipper you are.”

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Posted in People, Restaurants, Saugatuck

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Relishing The Best Burgers In Town

Posted on April 2, 2019 | 3 comments

The burgers have been eaten. Over 1,000 votes have been cast.

Now, the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce announces the winners of its Great Westport Burger Contest.

The envelope please…

Best Classic Burger: Viva Zapata

Best Cheeseburger: Match Burger Lobster

Best Gourmet Burger: Match Burger Lobster

Match Burger Lobster was one of two double winners. From left: Matthew Mandell, director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce; restaurant owner Matt Storch, and Ira Bloom of Berchem Moses, contest sponsor.

Best Veggie Burger: Little Barn

Best Non-beef Burger (fish, turkey, lamb…): Little Barn

Best Fast Food Burger: Shake Shack

Best Slider: Dunville’s

Honorable Mention: Rothbard and Parker Mansion

Vegans: Eat your hearts out!

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In more Westport Weston Chamber news, the 5th Supper & Soul event takes place on Saturday (April 6).

One $75 ticket buys 3 great entertainment elements: a 3-course dinner at 6 p.m., a concert with Head for the Hills, and happy hour prices for drinks after the show.

Participating restaurants are 190 Main, Amis, Jesup Hall, Rothbard Ale + Larder, Spotted Horse, Tavern on Main and Wafu. All are located within a couple of blocks of Seabury Center, where the concert takes place.

Head for the Hills has been together for 15 years. They mix rock, folk, R&B and bluegrass. Mandell says, “If you like Mumford & Sons, you’ll love this band.” (Check out the video below — you’ll agree!)

Click here for tickets. A limited number of concert-only tickets are available too.

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