The Flying Dish in Fairfield

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 18 September 2008 15:06

If you’ve ever looked at a restaurant menu and didn’t find something to order, a visit to Flying Dish Restaurant in Fairfield is recommended. There are American classics for breakfast and full menus for lunch and dinner representing the cuisine of many countries, with one country’s traditional foods featured monthly.
Originally from Bombay, India, Flying Dish owner Mita Spilo of Greenwich came to the United States to attend NYU where she majored in computer science. After graduation, she began her professional career with Solomon Brothers on Wall Street in 1983, continuing for nine years until she and her husband Michael, a hi-tech entrepreneur, started a family.
Ms. Spilo said during a tableside visit that she became active in her children’s school, sharing her cultural experiences and the foods she enjoyed while traveling.
Each month, Flying Dish features the cuisine, culture and unique flavors of a particular region, complete with videos from that country and questionnaires for children to fill in and win free cookies.
Ms. Spilo feels it is important to “give back” to the community and occasionally donates a percentage of her restaurant’s profits to a good cause.
Helping achieve her goal is chef/consultant Omar Laaraj, who attended culinary school in Morocco. He was a corporate chef in Greenwich and also worked at The Good Life Café in Rye, N.Y., for six years. Restaurant manager is Matarr Sajaw.

A recent menu from Senegal included Thiebou Djeun, stuffed fish sautéed with a rich assortment of vegetables, eggplant, carrots, cassavas and white cabbage, served with an exotic fried white rice; Mafe Yapp, marinated lamb, braised with vegetables in a light peanut butter sauce; Yassa Guinaar, sautéed chicken marinated in lemon, seasonings and onions and sautéed and served with rice. In each food interpretation, there is an enjoyable diversity of flavors.
Among the breakfast choices are a healthy breakfast burrito, omelettes, fluffy pancakes, french toast and Belgian waffle. Four soups, chicken noodle, split pea, vegetarian mushroom and barley, and soup of the day, are featured for lunch in addition to sandwiches, wraps, panini, thin crust pizza, and a pasta of the day, to which free-range chicken breast, grilled jumbo shrimp and Norwegian salmon may be added at an additional charge.
On the dinner menu are: New England crab cakes with a spicy mango remoulade; a Mediterranean delight salad of falafel, hummus, kalamata olives, romaine, tomatoes with warm pita and lemon oregano dressing; a choice of 15 entrees, including a seared 10-oz. strip steak with mushroom ragout and gorgonzola butter served with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables; oriental stir fry; and fajitas.
Desserts, all made in house, are bread pudding with ice cream and cinnamon, super natural brownie sundae, chocolate chip cookie sundae, Italian cheesecake, seasonal fruit crisp, and intensely flavored gelato.

Flying Dish

Open for breakfast from 9 to 11; lunch, 11 to 4; dinner 4 to 9 Monday to Saturday; brunch 9 to 2 Saturday and Sunday; dinner Sunday from 2 to 9.

Reservations accepted; handicapped accessible; major credit cards; child-friendly; full bar, happy hour 4 to 7, Octoberfest, wine dinners; international menu, all natural, free-range foods; vegetarian selections; take-out; casual dress; corporate and off-premises catering; private functions; senior discount menu; seasonal outdoor dining; parking in rear and next to the Shell Station.

Breakfast: $4.25 to $7.99

Lunch: $6.49 to $10.79

Soups: $3.59 to $4.75

Appetizers: $6.99 to $9.99

Salads: $10.49 to $14.99

Entrees: $12.99 to $19.99

Children’s menu: $7.49

Wine, glass: Starting at $6

Bottle: Starting at $24

Beverages: $1.99 to $4.75

Desserts: $3.29 to $5.29

Side Dishes

North Salem, N.Y., restaurant John-Michael’s is joining other restaurants in Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out presented by American Express from Sept. 21 to 28, an initiative to help end childhood hunger in America. For more information, call 914-277-2301...Stonehenge Restaurant & Inn has a new menu with first plates priced from $8 to $14; and main courses from $22 to $32. The restaurant is located on Route 7 in Ridgefield. Reservations, 203-438-6511.

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