Wednesday
Jan122011
Shout Out: What's The Best Dish You've Eaten in FC?
If you eat out, even occasionally, there is always a dish that stays with you. It's the dish you crave, the one you tell your friends about...a truly memorable entree, appetizer, or sinfully good dessert. Some of my favorites are shown above.
What is The Best Restaurant Dish You've Eaten in Fairfield County? (And where was it consumed?)
If you can't decide on one, feel free to list 'em all....
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CTbites Shout Out
CTbites Shout Out
Reader Comments (31)
I think my favorite dish in Fairfield County is the "PEPERONI ALLA GRIGLIA" appetizer at Paci in Southport. Delicious hot peppers (and some of them VERY hot) are grilled and topped with toasted ciabatta breadcrumbs, anchovies and caramelized garlic. it is served at room temperature, which i usually don't like, but for this dish it really brings all the variations in the peppers to life. it is served with a healthy serving of cured black olives (yum!) and provolone cheese. spectacular and NOT expensive!!!
For me it's the baked mussels with garlic at Strada 18 in Sono. Copious garlic and a stick of butter perhaps are married to create a wonderful broth with the abundant natural flavor of the bivalves. It comes to the table piping hot from the oven in an earthenware pot with slices of baguette for zopping, the mussels intact in their shells (a couple may have escaped into the temporary safety of the broth). Festive with bold but simple flavors, it's generous even for two people, so you may want to share one of Strada's delicious apizzas after that.
Lasuni Gobi at Coromandel Darien is one of my all-time favorite dishes. Described as "mini cauliflower tossed with garlic, tomato and cilantro" it's a delicious appetizer to share with friends but I have to admit I've occasionally (ok, more than occasionally) ordered this as my entree. It's sweet, crispy/crunchy (lightly fried, I believe), and has a good dose of veggie too!
Impossible task. So I'll just refer you to this list .
With today in mind, I'd have to vote for bolognese at La Zingara in Bethel. Winter comfort food at its finest.
As per Amy's comment above, our list has been broadcast previously, but...
leFarm's Griddled Octopus, fennel, chorizo, heirloom beans, and harissa mayo. Great heat, texture and flavor combo.
I also keep going back to that Wagyu burger from Napa & Co.
I would add another Bolognese dish to the list. Mine was served at Napa & Co. and included a wonderful homemade pasta with Pancetta added to the Bolognese to add a nice crispy texture to the richness of the sauce
Veal Tongue Reuben at Le Farm
Pappardelle w/ Lobster at Schoolhouse at Cannondale (unfortunately I only saw it on the menu once)
Butternut Squash Ravioli at Paci
When I want to eat Japanese Sushi Rolls, let’s say the Americanized fusion variety – I always head to Sushi 25, on Elm Street in New Canaan.
My favorite of course is The Sushi 25 Roll – on the inside it has a crunchy shrimp tempura with a spicy mango concoction and in the fusion sushi roll style the rice is facing outside (uramaki) and the roll is topped with eel and avocado. A close second is the Wasabi Roll which fresh Tuna with Yellow tail and avocado and cucumber and is garnished with a red tobiko which is flying fish roe and wasabi tobiko.
http://www.sushi25.com/
@ Amy - I thought we just did this! So I'll reiterate...
Veal Milanese at Paci in Southport.
I have to go with two very different dishes, because limiting to one is just, well, too limiting. The first would be the herbed paparadelle with lamb braised in wine that I enjoyed multiple times at the Boathouse Restaurant at Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport. The second would be a my "must order" sushi item, the Sex and the City roll at Red Bean Sushi, also in Westport.
Man, this is a toughie. I thought of this more like, if I had friends visiting from out of town for one night only, these would be the places I know we've had good meals at before with some particular things we liked. Otherwise, I don't think I could narrow it down! So much delicious grub to be had here.
Napa & Co.'s Sheep's milk gnocchi and their burger with onion jam
Red Bean - had so many delicious rolls...will totally second the Sex & The City roll and add Red Bean roll
The Boathouse (@ Saugatuck Rowing) the ravioli with apple and fresh pecorino from the CTBites lunch event
Colony Pizza - hot oil and pepperoni (yup, I'm one of those)
I'm a huge pasta fan… and possibly my favorite of all time was in the Fall at Pasta Nostra. It was a butternut squash pasta stuffed with ricotta - - - kind of like a big tortellini twisted into a bow. The amazing part was that the butternut squash was part of the pasta, not the stuffing. A few thin slices of prosciutto were laid at the bottom of a bowl and then the pasta was put on top. From there it was drizzled with a not-so-heavy brown butter sauce and a sprinkling of warm walnuts. Simply awesome.
This is a seasonal dish and probably still on the menu now - - - but it does disappear in the spring and summer. You can bet I’ll be on the lookout for this dish again next Fall.
I think one of the best appetizers I've had, hands down are the Carpetbaggers at Match in SoNo. I am not a huge fan of oysters, especially fried but these are done to perfection. The steak tartar is amazing and if you're a truffle lover (I am) the different variations used in this dish is sure to please anyone. Crispy, salty, creamy...a superb dish!
I have never thought about a dish as much as this one in my entire life. At 55 degrees in Fairfield I had the most scumptuous salad. Brussels Sprout Salad - Fontina risotto cake, hazelnut, parmesan, truffle vinaigrette. The crunch of the brussel sprouts and the flavors of everything else, simply amazing. Fairly simple to recreate (minus the risotto cake) but just not the same as 55 Degrees.
The quarter pound bahama mama sausage. 7 eleven main ave norwalk. Hot off the heat rollers!
The cornbread dessert at LeFarm.
Caramel fried lobster with cheddar and chilies at Osetra in Sono. Inventive, surprising and delicious.
braised short ribs as Martel's, Post Rd, Fairfield/Westport line
I need to second Mike's response. leFarm's cornbread with candied bacon, local honey and a scoop of maple chili gelato is worthy of 6 trips to the gym.
Despite many expensive meals consumed, the Tacos La Lengua at El Charito were the best things I have eaten in a LONG time....
After last night's dinner at Tappo, I've got one to contribute... cavatelli with arugula, the freshest chunky tomato sauce and a liberal amount of ricotta salata. After my first bite, I wanted to strip down and dive into that dish. Had the orecchiette my first time there, but the anchovies overwhelmed the dish. However, their homemade pastas are easily the best I've had in FC. That cavatelli was a special for the evening, but I strongly encouraged the waiter to get that dish into regular rotation. Wow.
Hands down - the Sweet chili glazed Jumbo Diver Scallops with corn, poblano, onion & cheddar Risotto at Valencial Luncheria in Norwalk. I believe this used to be manchego risotto, but still absolutely awesome.
I have to go with the Carmel Fried Lobster with cheddar at Osetra in SoNo. It's so creative and delicious. I always order two! :)
I love the appetizer of scallops with parmesan crumb topping at Strada 18 in Sono. Often get just that and their salad with red and golden beets which makes a lovely light meal.
Two dishes at Pasta Nostra come to mind:
-Stuffed squash blossoms: with ricotta & herbs & very lightly fried.
-A chicken breast stuffed with pesto & pancetta? I wish I could remember specifically. It was magnificent.