Local Flavor

FOR FOODIES OR FAMILIES, THE DINING SCENE CATERS TO EVERY TASTE

Never before has the Greenwich food scene served up such a delightful array of dining options. Within its 32 square miles are a host of fabulous restaurants, offering everything from haute cuisine to tequila and tacos. There are coffee bars offering coldpressed brews, gluten-free bakeries and fast-food spots specializing in healthy fare (think dairy-free smoothies and vegetarian grain bowls). Although many of the town’s most popular eateries are located along the six-block stretch of Greenwich Avenue and the surrounding side streets, there are plenty of options in the outlying hamlets. From classic French to authentic Italian, from wood-fired pizzas to fresh-off-the boat sushi, newcomers will find options for all tastes and budgets. In Glenville, REBECCA’S is a stylish spot specializing in New American cuisine; its minimalist décor attracts a well-heeled hedge-fund crowd. Ditto POLPO on the Old Post Road, where diners sup on hearty Italian fare and the piano bar has a New York saloon vibe. The Riverside landmark, VALBELLA, boasts elegant dining rooms and an outdoor terrace. THOMAS HENKELMANN at the Homestead Inn, a nineteenth-century Victorian manor in Belle Haven, serves classic contemporary French cuisine. With its impeccable service and formal flair, this pretty spot is consistently named one of the state’s best restaurants.

Closer to the Avenue there is more fine French cuisine. At LE PENGUIN, butcher-paper-topped tables and a cozy stand-up bar add to the bistro atmosphere, as do favorites such as escargot, mussels in white wine and steak frites Béarnaise. Its sister restaurant in Old Greenwich, LE FAT POODLE, is a fun, upscale spot with French bistro cuisine—the red snapper in coconut curry is a crowd fave. High ceilings, tall potted palms and a painting of a portly blue poodle add to the breezy ambience. At L’ESCALE at the Delamar, the fresh seasonal fare is Mediterranean in feel. The chic bar attracts a lively crowd; at the waterfront terrace, with its distinctly nautical air, you’ll find the cheerful Bar Octopus, which offers a menu of craft cocktails and, of course, a variety of seafood bites. Inside, the restaurant’s Provençal terra cotta tile floor and wood-burning fireplace transport diners to the south of France. The contemporary BISTRO V offers a diverse selection of pastries—buttery croissants, tarte tatin—crusty breads and classics such as French onion soup, croque monsieur, grilled salmon and beef bourguignon. Owners Marc and Eveylyn Penvenne, who hail from Bretagne, are the couple behind the popular MELI-MELO across the street. Families adore this bright, cheerful space where crepes take center stage.

There is no shortage of superb coffee shops, cafés and bakeries in town. COFFEE CAFÉ ROASTERS on Greenwich Avenue was one of the town’s first boutique coffee joints. The beans are roasted in-house, and the brew is sublime. Ditto for newcomer JOE STUDIO CAFÉ in Old Greenwich, where the coffee culture thrives. Joe’s beans are roasted daily on-site, and there are plenty of comfy chairs for lounging. Virtually next door, UPPER CRUST BAGELS serves fresh bagels and all the trimmings. Down the street, SWEET PEA’S BAKING COMPANY has become a neighborhood hot spot. With its classic American Miku Sushi chose the name Miku, which means “beautiful moment” (opposite); Duoro chef/co-owner Rui Correia (above, left); Back 40 Kitchen’s popular veggie burger (above, right)

treats and Brazilian staples, as well as excellent luncheon fare, on a typical weekday morning it’s the place to see and be seen. In Riverside, ADA’S KITCHEN + COFFEE has become the go-to-destination for grab-andgo breakfast and lunch options. Start the day with avocado toast or a blueberry chia smoothie; for lunch, the kale and quinoa salad bowl hits the spot. LORCA COFFEE BAR is another local favorite, tucked away into the front of Fleisher’s Craft Butchery on East Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob, as is newcomer CHOCOYLATTE GOURMET, home to a delectable assortment of desserts, chocolates, coffees and more. Back on and near the Avenue, other top-notch offerings are Debra Ponzak’s AUX DELICES on West Elm Street, a great place to refuel after shopping, BLACK FOREST BAKERY on Lewis Street, with its delightful selection of German-baked goods and pastries, and ST. MORITZ BAKERY, another crowd favorite for its European baked goods, many of which are glutenfree. And speaking of gluten-free, BY THE WAY BAKERY’S small-batch, handmade cakes, cookies, muffins and more, are gluten and dairy-free. SOMETHING NATURAL (behind Saks) is an outpost of Nantucket’s iconic sandwich shop, known for oversized sandwiches on its signature house-baked Portuguese bread. For a post-shopping pick-me-up, head to CAFÉ 47, which is tucked away in Perfect Provenance, a luxury goods boutique. Near the top of the Avenue, the GINGER MAN is known for its hearty American fare and craft beers. You’ll find an affable crowd bellied up to the wooden bar where there is a wide assortment of stouts, lagers and IPAs on tap. For fresh seafood and shellfish served up in a bright, convivial atmosphere, locals head to ELM STREET OYSTER HOUSE. Small plates, tapas, paellas—all this and more awaits at DOURO, a Mediterranean-style restaurant with a Portuguese flair. Newcomer SOUTH BAY transports guests to a coastal dining experience, with its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Across the street, its sister restaurant, HARVEST WINE BAR, offers farm-to-fork fare in a beautifully rustic setting. Several other cool, new spots include LITTLE BEET TABLE, with its gluten-free, vegetable forward menu; MIKU SUSHI, a sleek contemporary space that serves traditional Japanese cuisine; and LA TAQUERIA, which offers a modern take on Mexican comfort food and a stellar selection of tequilas, to boot. When it comes to Mexican food, nothing beats BOXCAR CANTINA, the family-owned classic on Old Field Point Road, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Touting New American seasonal fare, THE SPREAD at the top of the Avenue on West Putnam, is the second offering from Norwalk-based Spread SoNo. In Old Greenwich since 1994, APPLAUSI OSTERIA’S fresh pasta and other Italian specialties attract a loyal following. Similarly, LOUIE’S in Cos Cob has a clubby atmosphere and serves classic comfort food, Italian-style.

For great steak, you can’t do better than BLACKSTONES, which sets a high bar when it comes to food. For something a little simpler, LITTLE PUB in Cos Cob has the art of the burger down pat—no surprise, since it serves up roughly 3,000 a week between its four locations. Sustainable and local Crispy Fish Taco from La Taqueria with homemade tortillas (above, left); L‘Escale evokes the South of France (above, right); Signature Bloody Mary cocktails from The Spread (opposite)

Matcha Tea Latte and Avocado Toast from Lorca Coffee Bar

are the watchwords at BACK 40 KITCHEN, which grows much of its own produce at its farm in Washington, Connecticut. The farmhouse décor features reclaimed barn wood and an herbal growing wall. For cuisine inspired by the farm and coast, try newcomer TOWNHOUSE on Church Street. Perfect for an after-work drink and American fare, the family-friendly OLD GREENWICH SOCIAL CLUB is a short walk from the village. Tuesdays are trivia nights, Fridays are karaoke nights, and every night is taco night. Fast food takes on new meaning at B.GOOD, the Boston-based chain with farm-to-table dishes. Order a signature kale-and-grain bowl or craft sandwich. Another healthy spot is MYX CREATIVE KITCHEN, which features gluten-free selections like sautéed bowls, crafted salads and cauliflower-crusted pizzas. At the bottom of the Avenue, FRESHII has a nutrition-led menu of healthy options while THE GRANOLA BAR serves up more than its namesake granola. You’ll find bowls, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies and coffees in a bright, modern space. Families love BOBBY Q’S PIT STOP for its authentic pit-smoked barbecue. Another option in Riverside is the contemporary TONY’S AT THE J HOUSE and the J HOUSE COFFEE BAR, both at the J House hotel. When it comes to delis, GARDEN CATERING, CORBO’S, RINALDI’S and the FIREHOUSE all have a loyal following. High school kids craving comfort food gravitate to CHICKEN JOE’S in Cos Cob, home to the infamous High School Special, as well as the new GELATO & CIOCCOLATO, serving homemade gelatos made from locally sourced and imported ingredients.

BYRAM Famous Greek Kitchen 10 N. Water St. 203-531-6887 famousgreekkitchen.com

Firehouse Deli 265 Mill St. 203-531-0002 firehsedeli.com

COS COB

By the Way Bakery 19 E. Putnam Ave. 203-489-3610 btwbakery.com

Chicken Joe’s 231 E. Putnam Ave. 203-861-0075 chickenjoesofgreenwich .com 1075 E. Putnam Ave. Riverside; 203-698-1066 auxdelicesfoods.com

B.Good 342 Greenwich Ave. 203-489-3255 bgood.com

Back 40 Kitchen 107 Greenwich Ave. 203-992-1800 back40kitchen.com

Bistro V 339 Greenwich Ave. 203-661-6634 versaillesgreenwich.com

Black Forest Bakery 52 Lewis St. 203-629-9330 blackforestpastryshop .com

Chocoylatte Gourmet 121 E. Putnam Ave. 203-900-1622 chocoylatte.com

Gelato & Cioccolato 232 E. Putnam Ave. 203-900-1288 gelatoecioccolato.com

Joe Studio Café 185 Sound Beach Ave. 203-990-0479 joestudiocafe.com

Little Beet Table 376 Greenwich Ave. 203-405-5787 thelittlebeettable.com/ greenwich

Little Pub 531 East Putnam Ave. 203-717-1147 littlepub.com

Lorca Coffee Bar 160 E. Putnam Ave. 203-930-2401 lorcacoffeebar.com

Louie’s 136 River Rd. Ext. 203-422-2177 louiesrestaurantbar.com

Rinaldi’s Country Deli 70 Orchard St. 203-622-8315 rinaldiscoscob.com

The Spread 18 W. Putnam Ave. 203-900-1887 thespreadgreenwich.com

GLENVILLE Rebecca’s 265 Glenville Rd. 203-532-9270 rebeccasgreenwich.com

GREENWICH Aux Délices 3 W. Elm St. 203-622-6644 Blackstones 28 W. Putnam Ave. 203-661-8700 blackstonesteakhousect .com

Boxcar Cantina 44 Old Field Point Rd. 203-661-4774 boxcarcantina.com

Café 47 47 Arch St., 203-900-1131 theperfectprovenance .com

Coffee Café Roasters 118 Greenwich Ave. 203-661-8300 coffeecaferoasters.com

Douro 253 Greenwich Ave. 203-869-7622 dourogroup.com

Eastend Restaurant 409 Greenwich Ave. 203-862-9200 zhospitalitygroup.com

Elm Street Oyster House 11 West Elm St. 203-629-5795 elmstreetoysterhouse .com

Freshii 375 Greenwich Ave. 201-413-1299 freshii.com

Ginger Man 64 Greenwich Ave. 203-861-6400 gingermanct.com

The Granola Bar 41 Greenwich Ave. 203-883-5220 thegranolabarct.com

Harvest Wine Bar 372 Greenwich Ave. 203-869-4080 harvestwinebar.com La Taqueria 10 Greenwich Ave. 203-992-1199 taqueriact.com

L’Escale 500 Steamboat Rd. 203-661-4600 lescalerestaurant.com

Le Pain Quotidien 382 Greenwich Ave. 203-404-7533 lepainquotidien.com

Le Penguin 61 Lewis St., 203-717-1200 lepenguinbistro.com

Mediterraneo 366 Greenwich Ave. 203-629-4747 zhospitalitygroup.com

Meli-Melo 362 Greenwich Ave. 203-629-6153 melimelogreenwich.com

Miku Sushi 68 Greenwich Ave. 203-900-7676 mikugreenwich.com

Myx Creative Kitchen 19 W. Elm St. 203-861-1150 myxkitchen.com

Polpo Restaurant 554 Old Post Rd. 203-629-1999 polporestaurant.com

St. Moritz Bakery 383 Greenwich Ave. 203-869-2818 stmoritzgreenwich.com

Something Natural 189 Greenwich Ave. 203-863-2100 somethingnaturalct .com

South Bay 403 Greenwich Ave. 203-717-1836 southbayct.com

Terra Ristorante 156 Greenwich Ave. 203-629-5222 zhospitalitygroup.com

Townhouse 35 Church St. 203-622-4223 townhousegreenwich .com

Thomas Henkelmann Homestead Inn 420 Field Point Rd. 203-869-7500 homesteadinn.com

OLD GREENWICH

Applausi Osteria 199 Sound Beach Ave. 203-637-4447 osteriaapplausi.com

Beach House Café 220 Sound Beach Ave. 203-637-0367 beachhousecafe.com

Corbo’s Corner Deli 1380 E. Putnam Ave. 203-354-4675 470 W. Putnam Ave. 203-629-4987 corbosdeli.com

Garden Catering 185 Sound Beach Ave. 203-698-2900 177 Hamilton Ave., Byram; 203-422-2555 gardencatering.com

Le Fat Poodle 20 Arcadia Rd. 203-717-1515 lefatpoodle.com

Old Greenwich Social Club 148 Sound Beach Ave. 203-990-3033 ogsocialclub.com

Sweet Pea’s Baking Company 212 Sound Beach Ave. 203-990-0008 sweetpeasct.com

Upper Crust Bagel Co. 197 Sound Beach Ave. 203-698-0079 uppercrustbagel.com

RIVERSIDE

Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee 112 Riverside Ave. 203-637-1956 adaskitchenandcoffee .com

Bobby Q’s Pit Stop 1340 E. Putnam Ave. 203-990-0606 bobbyqpitstop.com

Tony’s at J House 1114 East Putnam Ave. 203-698-6999 tonysatthejhouse.com

Valbella 1309 E. Putnam Ave. 203-637-1115 valbellarestaurants.com