Filtering by Tag: Interview,Italian

Joe Criscuolo Opens Luca’s Pizzeria in Greenwich's Glenville Section

Features Interview Restaurant Pizza Italian Greenwich Takeout Openings Homepage Interview

Andrew Dominick

When trying to come up with the “what is it?” as it pertains to his new pizzeria in Greenwich’s Glenville section, Joe Criscuolo uttered the phrase, “it’s the evolution of the neighborhood slice shop, without the slices.” That’s exactly what Luca’s Pizzeria—named after Joe’s father, who founded the legendary Pizza Post in Cos Cob back in 1972—is all about. You won’t find doughy pizza that sits in your stomach like a brick. No wilted, colorless salads either. The cheesesteak, served on pizza bread? It’s not as dry as cardboard.

And to think, Criscuolo, who you don’t only know from his family’s Pizza Post, but Meatball & Co. in Darien, almost didn’t open anything. The reality is, he almost left the state, and country, altogether.

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The Pompano Opens in Norwalk with Seafood Concept from Evarito's Owners

Features Ingredients Interview Restaurant Opening Seafood Interview Norwalk Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Back in 2018 when Christian Burns opened Evarito’s on the corner of N Main Street, just past the 50 Washington Street building, “Hola!” was the restaurant’s catchy little social media term. Six years later, Burns, and the public, can say “Hola!” to the new concept that inhabits 14 N Main, The Pompano.

Before we get to what The Pompano is all about, a lot of folks are itching to know why Evarito’s is no more after announcing its last days earlier in 2024. While there were a few factors, the simplest answer is they never fully got back on track financially after 2020.

“We just did OK,” Burns explains. “We were popping in 2019. In the winter, we still had a crowd. Then we never really popped out of COVID the same way. 2021 came and it was less (customers). 2022 came and it was even less. I knew it was time for a change and I thought Evarito’s had run its course.”

Burns—who you know from The Ginger Man and Cask Republic locations—had to think about if he wanted to relaunch the Evarito’s space, and if so, what would he want it to be. Travel was that inspiration. If Evarito’s was inspired by Burns’ trips to and love of various parts of Mexico, his new idea for a restaurant would be a New England seafood restaurant meets a South Florida seafood restaurant.

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Sally’s Apizza Launches NEW Spring Menu

Restaurant Italian Pizza Stamford New Haven Fairfield Homepage

Jessica Ryan

A new Spring menu has launched at Sally’s Apizza, but before launching into the particulars allow me to introduce you to Chef Bret Lunsford who recently joined the Sally’s team as Executive Chef and Culinary Director. An Italian American raised in Mississippi, Chef Lunsford grew up eating the approachable foods of his heritage, and his love for cooking led him to work for local restaurants through high school and college where he earned a Masters in Musical Theater. But the kitchen ended up being his true passion and he subsequently enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America for more formal training. While there he did his externship at the esteemed August restaurant in New Orleans before joining Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group in 2013. He began his 10-year career at the Michelin-starred Gramercy Tavern under Chef Michael Anthony. In 2015 he joined the opening team of Untitled at the Whitney Museum. In 2016 he transitioned to Blue Smoke where he rose in rank quickly to become executive chef. 

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It's a Woman's World: Andrea Clark of Little Gem Bakery

Interview It's A Woman's World Interview Bakery Baker Baked Goods

Andrew Dominick

Towards the end of the 2023 edition of summer, Emily Mingrone’s restaurant, Tavern On State, posted a strikingly beautiful ube tart set in a vanilla cookie crust, topped with a dollop of whipped yogurt and grapefruit segments, stating that “it’s the most addictive item on our dessert menu.”

The creator of the purple pie slice that received a lot of Instagram attention in terms of likes and comments is Andrea Clark of Little Gem CT.

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Momma's Tacos: Mexico City in New Milford

Features Interview Restaurant Tacos Mexican Interview New Milford Litchfield County Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Once you try Alejandra Aguilar Gonzaga’s food at Momma’s Tacos in New Milford, you’ll sense the soul that’s in it. Talk to her even ever so briefly about her story and you’ll get a glimpse of her strong will, determination, and passion.

Catch Alejandra in her soon-to-be three-year-old restaurant. She’s in the back cooking her mostly Mexico City inspired recipes, she’s always smiling and talking to her several regular customers, and frequently asks for feedback on the food served at Momma’s Tacos.

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Hidden Gem: La Scogliera In Shelton-Authentic Italian Since 1978

Restaurant Shelton Italian Hidden Gem Old School Italian food

Todd Lyon

It started with an email and ended with wedges of cake so creamy and fluffy we swore they were slices of Cloud Nine. Or perhaps Nuvola Nove.

The note was from Daniela Petrucelli, offering a brief history of her family’s restaurant, La Scogliera in Shelton. She explained that her parents, Carmelo and Carmelina Maione, opened the original restaurant in Bridgeport 46 years ago. In the early days, Daniela and her family, including sisters Francesca, Maria, and Diana, lived above the 150-seat eatery. “We would go downstairs to go to work, upstairs to go to bed,” she recalls. The restaurant became something of a hot spot, with a menu of hearty Italian-American dishes, fresh fish, and eventually, live music. Even the famously picky New York Times critic Mark Bittman liked it, rating it “Very Good” in 2003. 

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Josie and Tony’s Italian Deli & Supper Club Opens in South Norwalk

Restaurant Italian South Norwalk SONO Opening Homepage Supper Club Deli Italian Deli Pasta

Lloyd Allen

Actors take classes. Actors wait tables. Actors go to casting calls. Actors land roles.

Joshua Anthony Mesnik studied musical theatre at NYU, did all of the above, landing roles off-Broadway, but while he pursued his acting career it became apparent his main stage was not on Broadway. His shows were wowing New York audiences, but the scripts he memorized were on menus and wine lists. There were scenes to define, refine and flesh out.

He opened at ABC Carpet, had successful runs at Sushi Samba and Cafe Luxembourg, discovered the sexy, seductive storytelling aspects inside a bottle of wine from his role at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill.

A one Virginia Philip, Master Sommelier at The Breakers mentored him, he then upped the ante directing the wine scene at The Standard High Line Hotel. There’s a lot more, but long story short, he’s going it alone.

Well, not completely. A few of his big fans are involved and invested, not to mention the other 50 devotees of fine food who ponied up a few G’s to cover the yearly membership fee for his soon to be opened dinner club. But no matter all of this, Josie & Tony’s, yes, named after his grandparents, strives to be a show stopping, luxurious dining experience for all.

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John Nealon Opens Crust Issues in Norwalk Featuring Pan Pizzas

Features Interview Restaurant Norwalk Pizza Homepage Interview Italian

Andrew Dominick

Roll into the former Davinci’s Pizza (or Cosmos if we take it back to 1985) at 60 Connecticut Avenue, and it’s a way different vibe than it used to be.

Quirky artificial intelligence cartoons, featuring pizza, are pasted in the entryway. Sawed off cookbook bindings are the art on the walls. A black and white photo of Marco Pierre White stares at you if you glance to your right.

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It's A Woman's World: Pastry Chef Jessica Spivey of Oyster Club + The Port of Call

Interview Restaurant It's A Woman's World Baker Pastry Chef pastry Mystic Interview

Andrew Dominick

Oyster Club in Mystic, its alter ego concept, Treehouse, and their sister cocktail and bites bar, The Port of Call, aren’t only popular in Connecticut, but they’ve received some serious national coverage, including a 2023 James Beard nomination for chef Renee Touponce.

Part of the restaurant group’s stellar squad is pastry chef Jessica Spivey, who just received a nod of her own as she was nominated for Best Pastry Chef by the Connecticut Restaurant Association for its annual CRAzies Awards.

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Sandra's Next Generation: Southern Cuisine With a Whole Lotta Heart in New Haven

Features Interview New Haven Restaurant Soul Food Southern Food New Haven Interview Homepage

Andrew Dominick

If not for her belief of setting “unrealistic goals,” Sandra Pittman’s namesake restaurant, Sandra’s Next Generation, may not have ever been born in the first place.

Now in over 34 years with no signs of slowing down as evidenced by our Thanksgiving week visit where we witnessed the crew rapidly filling catering orders and making so much cornbread stuffing and baking hundreds of homemade pies it would blow your mind.

And even with an already booming takeout business (the restaurant is mostly takeout, but there’s a patio when the weather is nicer), Pittman’s still finds time to put the SOUL in soul food by consistently giving back to the New Haven community and all its charitable causes.

Wait. Did I say 34 years? To tell the origin story of Sandra’s, we have to take it even further back to New Haven’s Edgewood neighborhood where Pittman, whose name back then was Harris, started cooking in the first place.

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It’s a Woman’s World: Olivia Olsen of ATC South Street

Features Interview It's A Woman's World Homepage Interview Bartender Litchfield

Andrew Dominick

As a judge for each of the first two years of SoNo1420’s Blaze Whiskey Competition—that’s four rounds total, by the way—one of the best drinks I tasted came from a bartender I hadn’t heard of before, but from a place I’ve not only been to, but wrote about in the past.

Olivia Olsen is the head bartender behind the stick at ATC South Street, Carlos Perez’s hip taqueria in Litchfield.

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Il Pastaficio in Westport: Artisanal Pasta Market Launches Dine In Restaurant...And It's Outstanding

Restaurant Westport Greenwich fresh pasta Pasta Italian Specialty Market Lunch Opening Homepage

Jessica Ryan

In 2018 I headed to Cos Cob to meet Frederico Perandin and his wife Anissa Nouhi at the location of their brand new restaurant, Il Pastificio, adored by all in the Greenwich area. 

Born and raised in Padova, Italy, the founder of a successful Italian advertising agency, Federico Perandin moved to Greenwich in 2016 where he immediately fell in love with the town, the scenery and the lively international community.

In 2022 Perandin and Nouhi found a second home for Il Pastificio in Westport. Initially it was to serve as a market of sorts with its take out menu, but that changed when, after closing for a month over the summer for some light construction, a new sit-down eatery was born. The new restaurant is best described as rustic chic. Its elevated casual atmosphere offers guests a comfortable setting dressed in pale yellows and woods in which they can linger comfortably over Frederico’s authentic recipes, steeped in tradition alongside a healthy serving of Prosecco and conversation.

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Craven Dawgs & Ting Reemerges in Norwalk w/ Jamaican Inspired Hot Dogs + Burgers

Features Interview Jamaican Hot Dogs Burgers Food Truck Norwalk Homepage Interview

Andrew Dominick

Swing by the Norwalk Town Green on any given day, and you’ll see at least one food truck parked out there. If you meandered over there this summer, you may have noticed a silver trailer that’s about as big as your smallest clothes closet. It’s also where you’ll find Darlene and John Banks slinging Jamaican…hot dogs and burgers?!

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Massimo Italian Corner Opens in Norwalk With Gourmet Italian Specialties

Features Interview Restaurant Deli Italian Norwalk Homepage Interview Openings

Andrew Dominick

Like Batman running to help the Gotham City Police Department when he sees the Bat-Signal in the night sky, CTbites was summoned in a similar fashion. Only we spotted our Bat-Signal across the street from Aitoro Appliance in Norwalk, in the form of a neon sign that read: “Massimo.” I hadn’t been that far up Westport Avenue in a while, so I turned to Steph and said, “Hey, hey. What’s this place? Heard of it?”

“Ohhh! Yeah! Fritz Knipschildt told me about it! He loves it!” was her reply.

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Winfield Street Coffee in Stamford Launches “Tudo” w/ Brazilian Pressed Sandwiches + Smash Burgers

Features Interview Restaurant Burgers Tudo Brazilian Winfield Street Coffee Stamford takeout Homepage Interview

Andrew Dominick

If you hear the word “tudo” being whispered around Fairfield County, don’t try to decipher what it means without your iPhone’s translate app and “Portuguese (Brazil)” selected.

Don’t actually open your app. I’ll do you the favor.

“Tudo” translated to English means “all” or “everything.”

We’re talking loaded and pressed sandwiches. Two types of smash burgers, a hot dog, a fried chicken sandwich, plus a few sides and a couple of unique (at least to this area) desserts.

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Chef Prasad in New Canaan's Chef Collab Events: How It Started + Where It's Going

Events Interview Restaurant New Canaan Indian Interview Chef Prasad Collab Pop-Up

Andrew Dominick

Between courses at one of his collaboration special events, Prasad Chirnomula spoke to his full dining room about creating a bond with his fellow Connecticut chefs.

“We’ve been doing this for almost a year now, bringing chefs together,” he says. “The whole point of doing this, is we, as chefs, work our asses off. We’re always back in the kitchen on Saturday nights, Sunday nights, holidays, and everything else. I’ve done my share of work, so I said to myself that I’m gonna enjoy what I did for so many years of my life. I want to create a legacy and a bond with people I recognize and know of. Even if I don’t know someone, I’ll pick up the phone, call them, and say, ‘Hey, buddy! How are you doing? Do you wanna cook together?’ This is the hardest industry to work in and food brings people together.”

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John & Morgan Nealon To Open New Restaurant, Crust Issues, in Norwalk CT

Restaurant Opening Norwalk Pizza Comfort Food Cocktails Italian Lunch Kid Friendly Homepage

Stephanie Webster

Restaurateur husband and wife super-team, John & Morgan Nealon, are back at it again! Enquiring minds wondered what was next for this duo, and now the wait is over. John & Morgan have just signed the lease on the old Davinci’s Pizza in Norwalk at 60 Connecticut Avenue. Get ready for CRUST ISSUES, a casual neighborhood joint, opening in early Fall. As the name might suggest, there will be pizza, but as per usual with these two, it won’t fit into a classic pizza-style. More on that if you keep reading… and wait till you hear what else is on the menu.  

Crust Issues is housed in the bones of an old school pizza spot, with tiled floors and big pizza ovens in the open kitchen, and the Nealon will be leaning in to this relaxed vibe. Guests will order at the counter, grab one of the 40 seats, and enjoy a cocktail (John’s got some fun new tricks up his sleeve in the cocktails department…obvi), and you’ll likely get a Nealon bringing some tasty elevated comfort food to your table. 

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