The New Station House in West Redding

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 12 November 2009 16:48

Self-trained Chef Abe Ali, owner of The New Station House, formerly the Station House Café in West Redding, is no stranger to the restaurant. He was the manager there for three years for former owner Patty Finnegan who closed the West Redding business in May.

Before re-opening, Chef Ali made some renovations that included painting the restaurant interior, refinishing the floors, and displaying Norma Rockwell prints and old railroad photos. During an interview, Chef Ali describes the breakfast and lunch menus as “fresh country comfort foods made from scratch and all reasonably priced.”

In Marbledale: White Horse Country Pub

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 27 August 2009 10:01

A long-time familiar face on the Fairfield County restaurant scene as owner and consultant, John Harris, a designer/builder known nationally and internationally, has created a new restaurant for himself on the site the former Marbledale Pub, which was stripped down to the studs. The result is the White Horse Country Pub featuring favorite English and American menus at affordable prices, served in two dining rooms filled with local art, artifacts, and antiques from the private collection of Mr. Harris and his wife, Lisa, a film producer.

Artifacts were collected by John Harris while he worked in the hotel business traveling the world, primarily in Kenya, Bermuda, and the Middle East before coming to America 25 years ago.

Lime Restaurant in Norwalk

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 20 August 2009 09:50

Vincent Labazzetta has always had a passion for food and healthy eating, and in 1979, then working as an investment banker, he left his Wall Street job to open a restaurant where he would serve the healthy food he enjoyed.

With a unique and well planned menu and a professionally trained staff, the restaurant has continued to draw crowds to the small and comfortable space in Norwalk. The gourmet organic menu is regularly updated, keeping the favorites among the new items.

Vincent Labazzetta said the small space has been an easy one to handle. It’s like one big party when there’s a capacity crowd, and that is very often

The Redding Roadhouse

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 13 August 2009 13:29

There are memorable dishes, simple to elegant, from wherever we dine, and they are what brings us back to enjoy a chef’s creativity.

As a pasta lover, I find one of my favorite dishes at the Redding Roadhouse: the housemade butternut squash ravioli with baby spinach, roasted garlic and a rich and creamy sherry sauce, available as an appetizer or entrée.

Daily Fare in Bethel

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 06 August 2009 10:38

Sharing culinary adventures as personal chefs in their own businesses, Robin Grubard and Karen Isaac opened Daily Fare at the Bethel Railroad Station, accommodating early morning commuters from 5:30 to 7:30 Monday to Friday, and other travelers during the day, with scones, muffins, bagels, Simpson and Vail teas, and juices, and Redding Roasters’ Coffee. Finding this scone source was a delight. Choices are raisin, peach, pistachio, apricot, mixed berry, and ham and cheese. In addition to their baked goods, the chefs are taking commuters’ orders for seasonal gourmet meals to be picked up in the evening on the return home.

Bistro 52 at the Spinning Wheel

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 30 July 2009 09:43

It comes as no surprise that Michael Pedicini, new chef/owner of Bistro 52 at the Spinning Wheel, has found the right formula to keep diners happy and returning frequently to the 1742 building on Redding Ridge.

Self-taught, the genial chef spent time at the popular La Zingara restaurant in Bethel, working with Executive Chef Thomas Giudice, and, before that, at the restaurant at Stamford’s Sterling Farms golf course. He also served as head chef for Sodexo at General Electric Corporate headquarters in Fairfield.

Thali in New Canaan

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 23 July 2009 10:10

Before opening Thali in New Canaan, his first restaurant as a solo owner, Chef Prasad Chirnomulaowned and operated as a partner six restaurants in the Northeast. His goal, he said, was to “create imaginative dishes based on traditional Indian standards.”

He immigrated to the United States from India in 1985, having studied at the Food Craft Institute of Poona, India, and becoming, at age 22, director of food and beverage at the Ritz Hotel in Hyderabad.

Following his success with Thali in New Canaan, Chef Prasad opened two more Thali restaurants, in Ridgefield (296 Ethan Allen Highway; 203-894-1080) and New Haven (4 Orange Street; 203-777-1177).

Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 16 July 2009 09:53

Here is an all-around family dining pleasure: authentic New Mexican food provided by Boxcar Cantina. Now in its 15th year, it is owned by Nancy Allen Roper of New Canaan.

As a new member of the non-profit Green Restaurant Association (GRA), she and her staff are making a special effort to conserve natural resources, recycle, and source locally raised food.

In Westport: Tavern on Main

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 09 July 2009 15:22

When Demetri and Helen Servos purchased Tavern on Main restaurant in Westport in 2006, their goal was to bring back genuine old-fashioned hospitality from a time gone by, and they have succeeded with their very talented executive chef Jose Briceno and highly professional staff.

Maintaining the integrity of the restaurant space located on the second floor of the historic building, the owners added design elements that enhance the rusticity of the rooms, which feature the original brick fireplace, dark wood furnishings and large windows that frame a view of downtown Westport.

Café on the Green in Danbury

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 25 June 2009 09:53

After 17 years as owner of Café on the Green, Chef Tracey Kydes, with his highly efficient staff, continues to design attractive menus that complement the restaurant’s surroundings overlooking the greens at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, one of the top 25 public courses in the United States. I always look forward to dining there.