Burger Bar & Bistro in Norwalk

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 23 September 2010 12:56

When Nick and Dana Bilello of Redding made plans to open their first restaurant, Tenero, in South Norwalk in 2006, the concept called for a space with old world charm inside and a seasonal patio for lunch, afternoon glass of wine and antipasti or dinner, and menu options were northern and southern regional Italian dishes with a variety of flavors and textures.

I enjoyed Tenero for its creative menu, and it was successful and conveniently located next to the Bow Tie Cinemas and large municipal parking lot. Thus, I was surprised when, in 2009 the Bilellos changed their concept and expanded the restaurant to appeal to a larger audience and changed the name to Burger Bar & Bistro. The restaurant space was expanded 1200 square feet, the bar extended, and a friendly family dining room added with banquette seating and paper-covered tables.

A visit reveals there’s more to Burger Bar & Bistro than hamburgers. I’ve tried the hamburgers ($6 to $15), and enjoyed my first sliders (minis) there, and also several variations of mac and cheese.

For a lover of comfort foods, the blue plate special of open-faced meatloaf melt with BBQ sauce, bacon, pepper jack cheese and fried onions was a hit on this playful menu.

And who doesn’t love a burger, whether it be made with beef, Kobe beef, chicken breast, vegetables or turkey with such innovative titles as Baja, Soprano, Tijuana, Surf Dude, and The Ultimate, the latter comprised of a beef burger, sweet onions, gorgonzola, pancetta and aged balsamic. Really hungry? Try the B.E.C. beefburger with fried egg, double American cheese, bacon, and spicy ketchup, topped with fries.

Also available at Burger Bar & Bistro are sandwiches,($2.50 to $8), hot dogs, pizza ($7.50 to $13) with a large choice of toppings, $1 each.

Among the signature dishes at Burger Bar & Bistro are marinated beet salad with goat cheese, mint, and truffle vinaigrette; fish and chips; N.Y strip; and this is your time to try the 7-ounce Kobe (Japanese organic beef) burger with lettuce, tomato and dill pickle, $15.

Nick Bilello has been involved with the SoNo restaurant scene in the kitchens of Habana and Ocean Drive, He said during an interview that Burger Bar & Bistro has been “fun and a good match for its location in SoNo.”  Since opening in 2009, Burger Bar & Bistro has won the majority of “best” in hamburger awards in food competitions.

Desserts, $3.50 to $6, come from Chocopologie, also in SoNo, and include a large brownie sundae to be shared, cheesecake, and chocolate cake.

There is a 70-bottle global wine list, beer, creative cocktails and milk shakes and floats, traditional and “adult.”

Burger Bar & Bistro

58 North Main Street

South Norwalk (SoNo), 203-853-2037

Open every day, serving lunch and dinner from noon to 10 Monday to Thursday; noon to 11 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Reservations accepted for six or more; major credit cards; child-friendly; handicap-accessible; full bar, wine, 70 bottles (some Spanish) $6 to $9 by the glass; $24 to $40 by the bottle; American comfort food; take-out; casual dress; full catering up to 300 available; private functions; seasonal outdoor patio; metered street and municipal parking.

Side dishes

Michael and Andrea DiBari and Philip and Maureen Roux, all from Wilton, are the owners of the new Pearl Restaurant in Georgetown featuring modern American cuisine. Lunch is served 1l:30 to 3 Tuesday through Sunday; dinner 4:30 to 10. The chef is Daniel Eleftheriades.  Reservations, 203-853-2037.