Visiting Stamford for a week — where to go?

[SouthToTheLeft]

Hey everyone,

I have the pleasure of spending a week in Stamford, CT. Is there anywhere I should go to eat? I don't mind traveling to Greenwich or Darien if there's somewhere really special.

I'd love to find good Italian food or anything ethnic. I've heard there are good Peruvian places, too?

Thanks!

[mats77]

My gf, and I were in Stamford about a month ago and sat at the bar at Bar Taco and had wonderful tacos, drinks and service. Nice atmosphere and the place was pretty busy for a Monday night. Can't say enough nice things about this place.

[SouthToTheLeft]

Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for the great responses. So, it looks like I'm only going to have the opportunity to eat out for Friday and Saturday lunch. If you had to pick any of the places you suggested for these meals, any particular standouts?

Thanks!

[SteveSCT]

Tough for me, because I never get out for weekday lunch, and rarely do sit-down lunches on weekends. When I do, I often find myself at Chavin, Chili Chicken, Colony, or in Port Chester. The others may be more helpful in this regard.

[stamfoodie]

Napa and Company is the best restaurant in Stamford, if not lower FFC. I'd go there for Friday lunch., since they don't serve lunch Saturday. Neither does Columbus Parkm which would have been my second nomination . Brasitas is open Sat afternoon, and it is sensational. Stamford is great for ethic -- Indian especially, Coromandel, Tawa. Another possibility for Saturday is Rowayton Seafood in Rowayton, about 15 minutes away. On the shore in December!!! Or down 95 to Exit 3 in Greenwich and the highly underated L'escale restaurant... they do a french version of fish and chips which is ethereal.

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Rowayton Seafood
87 Rowayton Ave, Rowayton, CT 06853

Brasitas
954 E Main St, Stamford, CT 06902

Tawa
211 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06901

[dinerfan]

I second brasitas and zaza, both are consistently good and excellent of service. Fiesta is a great bargain (a half chicken with trimmings for $9!) but not a fabulous venue, more a nice neighborhood joint. And I'd avoid Colony, though many swear by it, I don't, and a friend who worked there confirmed my misgivings in spades.

[SteveSCT]

I have no qualms with the previous responses, though I prefer Chavin over Fiesta for Peruvian and Chili Chicken over Chinese Mirch for Indian/Chinese (according to Indian friends, it is a very authentic rendition of the Chinese food served in India).

I would also add Brasitas, a pan-Latino to the mix.

I've always been a fan of the pizza at Colony Grill, though I also understand the downsides (no food besides pizza, potentially long waits).

In Greenwich, I second the Gabriele's rec, but realize that it is pricy. Douro is an overlooked Portuguese place.

If you are sincerely interested in Peruvian and other Latin American food, I would suggest a trip to Port Chester, NY. It's the town just past Greenwich. There are several good ethnic restaurants, including Chavin and Acquario (both Peruvian). Patrias was excellent, but they may have closed.

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Colony Grill
172 Myrtle Ave, Stamford, CT 06902

Brasitas
954 E Main St, Stamford, CT 06902

[taboo]

If you do decide to go to Port Chester, go to Tarry Lodge... SO good!

[LW1]

for italian, you can't miss Pasta Nostra. The baked clams are great, as are the homemade pastas. if they are in season, the nantucket bay scallop appetizer is fantastic. don't miss it.

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Pasta Nostra
116 Washington St, Norwalk, CT 06854

[taboo]

For Stamford restaurants, you should try:
Napa & Co
Columbus Park
Market
Greenwich Restaurants -
Polpo
Morrello Bistro
Gabriel's - (Italian Steakhouse)
If you want really good Italian, go to Da Pietro's in Westport right off exit 17
Tengda in Greenwich is great Sushi

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Polpo
554 Old Post Rd, Greenwich, CT 06830

Da Pietro's
36 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880

[LorenV]

Market has been closed for a while now. Walked by yesterday and a sign was up saying Patrizia's?

http://patriziasitaly.com/

?

[plien69]

Lots of good Italian and ethnic right in Stamford. Just some off the top of my head I can recommend:

For Italian:
Tappo
Columbus Park Trattoria
Quattro Pazzi
Zaza

For ethnic (incl. Peruvian):
Tawa
Chinese Mirch (Fusion Chinese and Indian)
The standard bearer for Peruvian is Fiesta, and there are two branches: Fiesta Atlantic is downtown on Atlantic St, Fiesta Cove is in the Cove section south of I-95 on Shippan Ave.
EOS (Greek)
Kotobuki (old school sushi joint)

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Quattro Pazzi Restaurant
165 Fillow St, Norwalk, CT 06850

Zaza Restaurant
114 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906

Fiesta Cove Restaurant
323 Shippan Ave, Stamford, CT 06902

Columbus Park Trattoria
205 Main St, Stamford, CT 06901

Tawa
211 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06901