In Fairfield: Vinny’s Grill & Grotto

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 16 December 2010 13:14

Restaurant partners Jack Hekker, Ernst Buggisch and John Lastrati have opened a fifth restaurant together, Vinny’s Grill & Grotto, a family-style restaurant in the Grasmere section of Fairfield. They suggest you prepare yourself for an evening of fun and relaxation  and enjoy favorite Italian entrées ($11 to ($18),  pub food ($6 to $15) and innovative 12-inch style thin crust pizzas (all $11) including an original salad pizza with a parmesan coated crust, chopped field greens, diced tomatoes and a house balsamic “Vinny-grette.” Vinny’s Grill & Grotto menu is designed and executed by chef Robert Carrillo.

Hearty salad plates ($6 to $13) are seared sirloin with Portobello mushrooms, diced tomato, red onion, crumbled gorgonzola, mixed greens with balsamic dressing and organic field greens topped with poached pears, craisins, gorgonzola cheese and walnuts with balsamic vinaigrette; both are colorful and delicious.

Also recommended is the pear and gorgonzola pizza in addition to the traditional white clam, margarita and Hawaiian style, with mozzarella and caramelized onions.

The new restaurant is designed in a similar fashion to other restaurants created by the three partners, with cozy booths and a large bar that has become a popular spot for watching sports. The grotto section of the restaurant is a wine bar complete with flat screen TV to keep up with sports of the season.

All favorite pub “starters” are on the menu: Cajun shrimp. chicken tenders, spicy calamari nachos, New England clam chowder ($5), fries and garlic bread.

Ultra tasty-specialty  burgers ($11-$15), include The Godfather with Bolognese sauce, jalapenos and melted mozzarella cheese; The Casablanca, basted with steak sauce and topped with bleu cheese and Cajun onion rings; and  ’Shroom burger with melted Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms and garlic-parmesan butter. Restaurants owned by the three partners are also famous for Bertha’s baby back ribs, and  chicken wings with a choice of the original topping — sweet & sour, General Tso’s, chipotle, or BBQ.

Chef Robert Carillo also offers several popular entrees ($11 to $18): spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, spaghetti Bolognese, and sirloin steak with gorgonzola garlic butter with frites.

Housemade desserts ($5 to $7), generous in size to share, are Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie pie topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream; the Bocce Ball made with ice cream, rolled in toasted coconut and served with hot fudge and whipped cream; and Rice Krispie treat pie, in addition to a surprise dessert of the day.

Vinny’s Grill & Grotto

93 Post Road

Fairfield, 203-292-8730

Reservations accepted for six or more; handicap accessible; children’s menu ($6); major credit cards; full bar with extensive wine list; Italian-accented dishes; famous for thin-crust pizza, wings, and Bertha’s baby back ribs; take-out; casual dress; private functions; parking in rear or street.