Continental Bistro in Brookfield

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 19 March 2009 12:40

Self-taught Chef Bey Dilemani, co-owner with his wife Diane of the new Continental Bistro in Brookfield, has been a hotel and restaurant consultant for other companies and had his own restaurants.

Originally from Milan, Italy, he came to the United States in 1969 to attend college, received a degree in business administration from City College, fell in love with New York and did not return to Italy. Instead, he worked at various jobs in restaurants, and in the mid-1970s, accepted a position as assistant general manager at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. He opened his first restaurant, Tapestry, in 1978 in Manhattan, featuring Mediterrean food. A frequent visitor to Spain, Chef Dilemani was among the first to introduce Spanish tapas in New York City.

At Continental Bistro, four dining rooms, with wood-burning fireplaces, reflect the colors of France, Spain, Italy and the United States. Wood floors and beamed ceilings create a comfortable atmosphere in this new restaurant that offers a menu for everyone to enjoy.

After his Feb. 10 opening, Chef Dilemani is now “refining” his menu. I enjoyed an organic greens salad topped with sliced apple, candied pecans and goat cheese with a balsamic vinaigrette. Salads are from $7 to $14. My entree, pan-seared salmon with lentils, sautéed spinach in a golden raisin brown butter sauce, was tasty and colorful. A very refreshing dessert surprise was flute lemoncello, lemon gelato swirled with lemoncello.

Soups are $7 and the French Onion is notable. Appetizers are from $8, for shredded spaghetti squash, basil, plum tomatoes with toasted garlic chips, to $11 for beef carpaccio, thinly sliced tenderloin, capers, shaved pecorino topped with arugula. Grilled polenta cake with porcini mushrooms in a cream sauce; mini meatballs in a garlic, tomato and basil sauce; ceviche, scallops marinated in lime juice; and fricassee of escargots and wild mushrooms in a pastry cup are other temptations.

Burgers and sandwiches are from $9.50 to $12.50, and a Barcelona burger is tasty with Manchego cheese and roasted peppers.

Pasta and rice dishes are $15 to $23, and entrees $17 to $22. Signature plates are braised short ribs with roasted root vegetables and mashed potatoes; grilled sea bass with artichoke hearts in a smoked tomato sauce; and grilled chicken with leeks, pancetta and wild mushrooms in a marsala wine sauce.

Desserts, $5.50 to $7, are a challenge. Which one? Choices are tiramisu, mixed berry cake, 3-chocolate mousse; chantilly Napoleon, mascarpone cheesecake and coppa caffee, latte gelato swirled with pure cocoa. All decadent and wonderful.

Side Dishes

It’s always St. Patrick’s Day with Irish food and beer featured at Mackenzie’s Grill Room, 148 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich. Reservations, 203-698-0223...Reservations, 203-431-0200, are being accepted for a March 24 wine dinner at Sagi Cucina Italiana, 23 1/2 Catoonah Street in Ridgefield starting at 6:30. The cost is $65 per person plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited. ...A new three-course prix fixe dinner menu, $27 a person and $48 a couple, tax, tip and beverages not included is offered at Monty’s River Grille at the Great River Golf Club, 130 Coram Lane, Milford. Reservations, 203-701-0051.

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