The Bar & Grille on 7 in Ridgefield

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 17 December 2009 11:37

An ideal place to dine and refresh during the rushed holiday season and beyond, is the new family-owned and operated Bar & Grille on 7, formerly The Catch, created by former Ridgefielders Tony and Kristina Wilmot.

Not only are menu prices affordable, the selection of American fare, prepared by chef Eric Stumpf, sous chef Mike Rosa, both CIA graduates, and line cook Luis Lopez, covers all tastes.

Add to this 11 flat screen televisions that show all NFL Sunday games, a game called Buzz the Trivia where 10 players compete against each other and with thousands of other players in restaurants around the country, an open mike night, and Fiddlers’ Brawl the first Thursday of the month.

Although this is the first restaurant for the Wilmots, they are familiar with day-to-day operations of a business having both worked at The Ancient Mariner in Ridgefield, which is owned by Tony’s sister Jessica Wilmot. Kristina Wilmot was also general manager at Boston Billiards in Danbury. The Wilmots collaborated on the menu with the chefs of Bar & Grille on 7, and have designed a restaurant that has gained instant popularity on both food and sports-related activities.

Favorite starters, $5.95 to $11.95, are lobster sliders in drawn butter, half rack BBQ ribs, crisp-fried calamari with cherry pepper rings, B & G fried chips, and deep-fried scallops with lemon tartar. Wines are from $6.50 to $10 by the glass and starting at $18 by the bottle.

Specialty salads, $8.95 to $14.95, making dieters happy, include Southwest Angus steak and field greens with avocado, pan burst tomatoes, red onions, and cilantro-lime vinaigrette and fried eggplant and mozzarella with roasted peppers, black olives and field greens. A colorful choice is the field greens salad with pistachio-rolled goat cheese medallions with sliced pears, and dried cranberries tossed with a house vinaigrette. Iron-seared shrimp, blackened salmon, sliced flat iron steak and bourbon chicken may be added.

A generous selection of wholesome and hearty sandwiches and hamburgers, $8.95 to $16.95, served with B & G chips, coleslaw and pickle, includes beer battered fish and chips; Applewood bacon, avocado, arugula and hot house tomatoes; twin footlong hot dogs with B & G chili; marinated steak tips served over garlic bread with mushroom jus and Swiss cheese; and turkey-apple-sprout, with melted brie, honey mustard on seven-grain bread; and the B & G burger with melted brie, avocado and bacon.

Pastas, $16.95 to $19.95, accompanied by a house salad, are butternut squash ravioli with braised short rib ragout; lobster with penne, scallions, mushrooms, tomatoes and sherry cream; and linguine and clam sauce.

Off-the-grille and out-of-the pan entrees, $16.95 to $21.95, are twin pork chops, 14 oz. NY strip, chicken teriyaki, salmon steak, and sautéed shrimp scampi.

Friday night specials include prime rib au jus, bone in king cut, $22.95, and queen cut, $18.95, both with house salad.

A children’s menu, $4.95 to $6.95, offers mac and cheese, burger and hot dog.

Favorite desserts, $4.95 to $7.95, are apple crisp, hot lava cake, tiramisu and gelato.

The Wilmots have accomplished what they set out to do, provide a “warm, inviting, comfortable dining spot,” which has been well received by diners and sports fans.

The Bar & Grille on 7

967 Ethan Allen Highway

Ridgefield, 203-438-6033

Open 11:30 to 10 for lunch and dinner Sunday to Thursday; 11:30 to midnight Friday and Saturday; Sunday brunch 11:30 to 3. Monday night, children under 10 eat free.

Reservations accepted; handicap accessible; major credit cards; very child friendly, children 10 and under eat free Monday night; full bar; wine dinners pending; eclectic American fare; take-out; 11 flat screen TVs; live music; private functions; seasonal outdoor patio; parking adjacent to the restaurant.

Side dishes

A three-course lunch, $17.75, with a choice of five appetizers and six entrees, and four-course dinner, $24.75, are now available from Tuesday through Friday at La Fontane Restaurant, 137 Route 100, Katonah, N.Y. Reservations, 914-232-9619...The popular holiday dessert bûche de Noel, available in chocolate and hazelnut, is available at Bernard’s, 20 West Lane, in Ridgefield, a benefit for the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra. The price is $45 per dessert. Call 203-438-8282 or 203-894-8786 to place an order. Pickup is Dec. 22 from 12 to 4.