Connecticut in Style Favorite Restaurants

This weekend, my husband and I are meeting some friends for dinner at the Little Barn, one of my favorite restaurants in Westport, Connecticut. There are so many great restaurants up and down the Connecticut coast, but ultimately, which restaurant I go to depends on my mood and who I am going with. Date nights with my husband, Girl’s night out or larger gatherings with friends or kids points me in different directions, literally. I wanted to share a list of my current favorites, which I have grouped into four categories (Date Night, Girl’s Night Out, Larger Gatherings and Family Friendly).

Hope to see you there!

xo,
Sarah

Date Night:

Liana’s Trattoria, 591 Tunxis Hill Road, Fairfield (203) 368-1235 – A hidden gem. A tiny, romantic and totally authentic italian restaurant. Menu. What to order: Spinacetta di Pollo.

Le Farm, 256 Post Road, East, Westport (203) 557-3701 – A unique dining experience from a true farm to table, green restaurant that supports local farms. Menu. What to order: Roast Duck & Foie Gras.

Bonda, 75 Hillside Road, Fairfield (203) 292-5995 – A sexy and sophisticated restaurant, everything is impeccable. Menu. What to order: Sriracha-Brined Fried Chicken, Coconut Jasmine Rice, Cucumber-Herb Salad, Sriracha-Mirin Aioli – you’ll thank me.

Girl’s Night Out:

Barcelona Wine Bar, Summer Street, Stamford (203) 348-4800 – Tapas and Wine Bar with multiple locations in CT, they are always busy because everything on the menu is good and they have an impressive wine selection. Menu. What to order: Grilled Churrasco with Chimichurri and Blood Orange Margaritas (just order a pitcher). NEWS! Barcelona Head Chef Adam Greenberg wins Chopped! Click here for the story, so exciting!

Bodega Taco Bar, 1700 Post Road, Fairfield (203) 292-9590 – A galley-style restaurant that has some of the best flavor combinations in the area and a list of tequila so long that it reaches Mexico. Menu. What to order: Anything on their Specials menu and save room for the Pot de Creme, I think they must use Mexican chocolate. For a more complete review from Connecticut in Style click here.

Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, 2070 Post Road, Fairfield (203) 955-1643 – A fun atmosphere year round, they make customized tableside guacamole that is divine and their margaritas are delicious. Menu. What to order: Pork burritos and anything with tequila in it.

Larger Gatherings:

Little Barn, 1050 Post Road East, Westport (203) 557-8501 – A casual pub with a cool outdoor patio, I get a small thrill from the fact that the patio is only feet away from the Post Road with cars zipping by. It makes me feel like I am in the city. Menu. What to order: Chatham Fish ‘n’ Chips and Low Country Lemonade.

The Spread, 70 North Main Street, South Norwalk (203) 939-1111 – Fairly new to SoNo, they have had a quick rise to snag Best of the Gold Coast for American cuisine. Menu. What to order: Massaged Kale Salad, Brussels Sprouts, Ricotta Gnocchi.

Walrus & Carpenter, 2895 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport (203) 333-2733 – I’d eat here once a week.  Everything is fantastic, their menu basically consists of comfort food. Menu. What to order: Southern Fried Chicken (everyday and twice on Sundays), Brussels Sprouts, Cornbread with honey butter. Ask your server for a beer recommendation, they have one of the best beer inventories in the area.

Family Friendly:

Colony Grill, 1520 Post Road, Fairfield (203) 259-1989 – One of the greatest features of this small chain of restaurants is the simple pizza menu. Pizza shouldn’t be complicated and they make one thing very well and stick to it. Menu. Thin crust pizza (served with or without their signature hot oil) and soft drinks or ice cold beer for the adults. The perfect combination.

Plan B Burger Bar, 230 Tresser Boulevard, Stamford (203) 964-8353 – It is all about the burgers here and it caters to the kiddos. They only serve 100% Verified Humane beef (no hormones, no fillers, no colors, no chemicals). Menu. What to order: Duh.

Shake Shack, 1849 Post Road, East, Westport (203) 682- 6570 – Okay I know it is another burger place, but come on people, it’s the Shack. Heavenly burgers and fries and a different flavor of custard every week (what could be better than that?). Menu. What to order: The Shack Burger with Shack Sauce, fries, and a dense, rich, creamy frozen custard or malted shake. This week’s flavor is Salted Buttery Caramel, check out their Custard Calendar for what they serve up every week.