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.”

Sous chef is Claudio Tenempaguay and another previous owner, Jeff Van Vooren, is also involved in operations.

Breakfast signature items are make-your-own-omelets; breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs, peppers, refried beans and cheddar cheese wrapped in a tortilla topped with salsa and sour cream; Belgian waffles, blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes; egg, bacon, ham, and sausage sandwiches and sweet potato fries, ranging in price from $2 to $7.25. Lunch menu prices are from $3.50 to $9.50 for soups, salads, wraps, sandwiches and burgers. Recommended for dessert is homemade cheese cake, regular or sugar free, $3.95, with fruit $1 extra.

An expanded children’s menu, $1.50 to $5.25, offers two sliders, grilled cheese, all-beef hot dogs and freshly made chicken tenders, all served with fries.

Longtime house specialties are the farmer’s breakfast (short stack of pancakes, three eggs, Canadian bacon and toast); Texas Pink, scrambled eggs, jalapeno, home fries, sour cream, salsa and grapefruit; and corn and cheddar pancakes. Chef Ali’s Mediterranean dishes, created when he owned Adam’s Diner in Stamford during the 1990s, are also on the menu, including hummus, roasted veggie or chicken-falafel wraps with tahini sauce.

Conveniently located across from the West Redding Railroad Station, the New Station House offers commuters breakfast treats, baked goods, and coffee. During the day, diners are welcoming back favorite signature dishes and new creative items on the healthy menus designed by Chef Ali.

The New Station House

3 Side Cut Road

West Redding, 203-664-1577

Open for breakfast and lunch from 7 to 3, Monday and Wednesday through Friday (closed Tuesday); 8 to 3, Saturday and Sunday.

No reservations necessary; major credit cards accepted; children’s menu; no bar service; country comfort food; vegetarian dishes; take-out, catering available; casual dress; available for special functions; senior discount; seasonal outdoor dining; free parking adjacent to restaurant.

Side dishes

Lunch from 12 to 3:30 is now available Monday through Saturday at Sagi Restaurant, 23 1/2 Catoonah Street in Ridgefield. Dinner is served from 5 to 10 Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday. Fresh pasta is made daily by owner Bianca DeMasi Occhino...Chef owner Johnny Rugovac, is offering three-course lunch and dinner prix fixe menus at Della Francesca, 35 Lake Avenue in Danbury. Reservations, 203-791-2068.