The vistas and dining experience at this Westport eatery do not disappoint. From the festive elegant interior to the stunning sunset and water views, if you had a glass of water and went home, you would still leave enriched.
That being said, our party had the mussels, chopped salad and a pasta dish, all of which were fabulous.
The service was also very attentive, and the staff even volunteered to take our picture!
La Plage Restaurant and Oyster Bar is located in Longshore Park at 260 South Compo Road in Westport Connecticut
We had a great dinner and fun night at the new Gabagool Wine Bar in downtown Fairfield!
I had the salmon piccata and Mark had chicken parmesan, both of which were very good. We had the blueberry lemon cheesecake for dessert which was also delicious.
You will love the new bar and a fun Sopranos theme. The new chairs are also cushy and comfy. The owner, Antonio is the best, so come by with your appetite and leave with your mug shot!
We went back for Super Bowl Sunday and had the antipasto and spicy pizza. Both were delish! Thank you, Antonio!!!
The restaurant is located at 70 Reef Road, Fairfield Connecticut 06824
If you love great food and a cool, elegant vibe, you will want to try out Il Pellicano!
We enjoyed a fabulous dinner there Saturday night The Funghi (with papperdelle, brandy cream, wild mushroom, and truffle oil) was to die for and we loved the trendy vibe. Host, Colton and server, Fallon were the best!
Great food, service, and scenery!
The scenery outside the windows is just as pleasing as the interior, with the full downtown green and gazebo in view, all the passers-by, and during the holiday season, all the festive downtown lighting.
If you are looking for a place to go this New Year’s Eve, they are offering a five-course meal and three seatings!
You will need a reservation.
Whenever you do decide to go, be sure to call ahead, because they are generally booked up well in advance.
If you would like the scoop on this and other area restaurants, (my take anyway), reach out below.
We had a fun time and a great dinner at Malibu Taco last weekend! The vibe was definitely lively 🎉 with up beat music in the background that made me think maybe I felt more like dancing than eating. 🙂 The upper and lower outdoor patios were bustling and equipped with multiple heaters. The super-cool and airy interior and bar were completely open to the patios which made everyone in all the eating spaces feel included.
The restaurant definitely attracted a very young crowd, and I think it’s the first place I’ve seen that seemed to have a dozen or more high school kids quietly having dinner together. Yet, there were plenty of older peeps like us enjoying ourselves as well.
The food and drinks were very good and also well-priced. We enjoyed the guacamole with house-made corn chips (which were not too salty) to start. Mark had the Nashville Hot Chicken Taco 🌮 and Spicy Crumbled Chorizo Taco which cooled off perfectly with the Patio Lemonade (yes, with vodka)🍹. I LOVED the Duck and Pineapple Taco and my Malibu Marg (without the salt).
Be sure to check out Malibu Taco in the Brick Walk at 1177 Post Road in Fairfield, (203) 292-8544. Here’s the link to their menu. We will definitely be back. Maybe we’ll see you there!
For more information about our fabulous local communities or how I can help you with your moving goals, give me a call or send a note below.
Fairfield residents always love a new eatery when one comes to town, and the new “Reef ShackFFLD” has just opened on Reef Road!
The set-up resembles a hybrid of The Pantry, Starbucks, and the beach concession stand with a a separate barista counter and a beach-glam flair. The menu is large and fabulous with eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The space can completely open via glass garage doors to a cute patio with a beach shack vibe.
Charming patio for all kinds of weather!
For some more background, here’s the story from the CTPost. Check out their website at https://www.reefshackffld.com to browse the menu. It’s a good idea to call in your order until they have set up their online ordering service. Be sure to stop by!
If you have any questions about this post or the housing market in the neighborhood or surrounding areas, reach out using the form below, visit my website or call me direct at 203.912.4440.
Maybe you noticed the subtle change in downtown Fairfield restaurants? If not, you should know that the former Cafe Madeline is now Aurora’s. How did this happen? The story is as delightful as the food!
Lauren was working as a waitress at the neighboring restaurant, Quattro Pazzi when she spotted a cute guy named Byron in the kitchen. One night they decided to go out for a drink, and this launched the start of their long-term romance.
They were still together when Lauren changed jobs and went next door to work with Madeline at Cafe Madeline. Byron stayed put and soon became the manager of Quattro Pazzi. Before you knew it, Lauren and Byron were married and had a daughter.
Fast forward three years and Madeline decided to sell her business to focus more on world travel which she has always loved to do. Lauren and Byron jumped on the opportunity to buy the restaurant and named the new cafe Aurora’s, after their little girl!
What can you expect when you go? You will enjoy the same cozy and festive atmosphere but with more than a new name. The menu is new, and while it has held on to some of the favorites from before, like the to-die-for butternut squash soup, there are many new and exciting choices.
One of them is the Scallops Small Plate. It offers an outrageously delicious blend of flavors that take your taste buds on vacation to paradise! They are also very personable and accommodating. My husband, Mark likes to stick to his favorite chicken piccata with broccoli-instead-of-spinach, which he had historically ordered every time went to the cafe. Even though it’s no longer on the menu, Aurora’s still makes it for him! The wines are delicious too. Mark likes the Robert Mondavi Merlot and I enjoy HobNob Pinot Noir.
The other cool thing? They actually take reservations! And we recommend making one before you go because we have tried a number of times without, and the place has been booked solid. So definitely call, go, and enjoy!
Hands down, one of the most fabulous features of Fairfield is all the chic eateries downtown. So, I thought I would share seven of my favorite picks for dining and ambiance.
A Friday night ritual for me and my husband, Mark is to pop over to Cafe Madeline on the Post Road, a tiny, personal place, where Madeline is not just the proprietor but also the regular hostess. (You can see her in a white blouse in the photo talking with guests.) The atmosphere is nothing short of charming and, shall we say, adorable. Madeline’s taste is somewhat eclectic as evidenced by the pink floral sconces, mini white party lights surrounding the glass case with handmade beaded jewelry for sale, and the flat screen that displays musical performances or nature scenes to fit the mood. There are probably no more than 10 tables inside, when it’s warm and pleasant outside, maybe another six or so out on the front patio. The food is always absolutely delicious. We cannot resist ordering the butternut squash soup, which is rich and flavorful and always comes as a very generous serving. I typically follow that with the “small plate”, Portobello Mushroom with arugula and goat cheese, served hot is unbelievably delish! Mark always gets the Chicken Piccata, also a small plate. He’s not a fan of the spinach that normally comes on top, so he substitutes it for chopped broccoli, which the staff always remembers and does automatically. Intimate, romantic and wonderful!
Another favorite where regulars are made to feel like family is Toto. The Mediterranean-style eatery offers gregarious people and food with a flare. The owner, manager, and team always greet you with a warm welcome and seem genuinely thrilled that you have arrived. The decor’ has a stylish and sophisticated, yet casual European elegance, and the covered patio is in service for most of the year. An absolute MUST starter (if you like cheese), is the Spicy Feta, served in a mini deep dish as part of a larger appetizer dish. You simply spoon it out and enjoy with some rustic bread. It’s truly a burst of flavor! The Crispy Calamari Salad is the best I’ve had anywhere. Mark cannot resist the Four Cheese Fettucini, the ultimate decadence!
The Chelsea is a funky and somewhat rustic place to have a drink and enjoy a meal. Rough wood accent walls and ornate wrought iron design elements are contrasted with neon green metal chairs. The cozy bar hosting stylish guests (all the women seem to wear great shoes- just saying) pulls it all together! Mark says that no one else in town can beat the Chelsea Burger. I personally cannot live without their octopus appetizer, a dish they tend to vary from time to time. It doesn’t look huge when it arrives, but there is so much protein in it, you are sure to be full when you finish. The flavors in my favorite version are spectacular! Large tentacles come with potatoes, greens, onions, and a pickled vegetable that adds a perfect punch! It’s a must-have in my book, with all the goodness and none of the guilt. Their Cobb Salad is fantastic too.
For your classic tavern feel, visit the Old Post Tavern right on the corner of the Post Road and Unquowa. They have been known to have a fun band during happy hour, and the patio is lovely. If you are a fan of French Onion Soup, go no further. Something about their blend of cheeses as well as some magic ingredients in the broth makes theirs completely unbeatable!
If it’s gourmet Mexican food in a festive atmosphere you’re after, Bodega is the place to go. Since it’s another tiny place, you may have to sample their top notch margaritas or other specialty drinks while you wait for your table or seat at the bar. One of Bodega’s delectables is the Ceviche, a deceivingly filling dish posing as an appetizer. The fish, in a specialty cocktail sauce, has a fantastic flavor and comes with some toasted plantains, that in my opinion, make a complete meal. If you prefer something hot, their Chicken Soup is hearty and delicious. You can have it mild or spicy depending on whether you opt to dump in the hot peppers served on the giant turquoise spoon. Burrito Tinga is Mark’s tasty favorite, and my daughter loves the Gombos Tacos.
Martel is on the Post Road in Southport and is a cozy place with a bit of a steakhouse feel. The ceilings are high, yet ornate, and there is always an art gallery adorning the walls. Always bustling, the place serves a warm, upbeat atmosphere. Although there are many excellent dishes here, my husband and I have gravitated toward sharing the Fondue for Two followed by Martel’s House Salad. The salad features marinated tomatoes and an aged Danish Blue Cheese that are fabulous together. If the fondue is off-menu for the summer, an equally rich and yummy alternative is the side order of creamed spinach! I have it as a meal, with wine, of course.
Last, but not least, we love the Grey Goose, also in Southport, where we once stood elbow to elbow with John Mayer before being seated. The atmosphere can be described as rustic and cozy with an eclectic crowd. Some folks go to hang out, others go for dinner. There’s always a flat screen at the bar featuring a sporting event as well as a crackling fireplace on the opposite wall. Penne ala Vodka, Grey Goose Style is Mark’s staple, while I go back and forth between the Lobster Macaroni and the Steak Tips small plate. The Lobster Macaroni is the absolute best here, with the secret ingredient of truffle oil to enhance the generous chunks of lobster and the crispy cheese topping. The Steak Tips are equally fantastic. Cooked to perfection, they come with a corn salsa and chipotle mayo dip that together, absolutely melt in your mouth!
All this talk is making me hungry! Be sure to come and try out Fairfield’s fabulous eateries, and should you want to ensure you live right nearby, take a look at the featured home for sale below and send a note through the form with any questions!
P.S. New kid on the block, The Sinclair Kitchen + Bar has recently opened downtown in the Brick Walk. I have been there twice with a positive experience both times. The patio is great, surrounded by thick trees and protected by a multi-settings awning. The Mussels in a Pot Thai Style (5 additional styles to try!) were delicious, and Mark gave two thumbs up to the Steak Sandwich. Anyone else, care to weigh in?
Want to live downtown? Look no further!
254 Penfield Road, Fairfield
Walk to Train, Town, & Beach!
OPEN HOUSE Sunday 8/19, 1-3 PM!
For questions and comments about anything real estate, please send a note below.
Linda Raymond Real Estate Blog, Fairfield, Westport & More 