Restaurants in Fairfield County
Fans of classy lowbrow eats will want to make a stop at Chez Lenard (203/431-1313), on the sidewalk toward the north end of the shopping district in Ridgefield, opposite Ballard Park. It’s an open-air hot-dog cart with foot-longs that come with such trappings as peppers and onions (“Le Hot Dog Excelsior Veneziano”) and cheese fondue (“Le Hot Dog Garniture Suisse”). The boss gallantly stays open through much of the winter.
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9 Results
- American
Bailey’s Backyard
Sustainable, local, responsible ingredient sourcing is at the forefront of the kitchen’s mission, and when you see the colorful plates of favorites likeshort-rib bolognese or summer greens salad with strawberries and tomatoes, you won’t mind at all that the casual environs are rather…$$Ridgefield - Mediterranean
Barcelona Waypointe
Tapas are the attraction here, one of five such outposts in western Connecticut. The kitchen looks all over the Mediterranean and down to South America for inspiration. Two or three tapas per person make a meal, and sharing is inevitable. Start by mixing and matching global cheeses…$$Norwalk - Pub Grub
Black Duck Café
A floating barge on the Saugatuck River is Westport’s quirkiest place to grab a beer and a bite. You can’t beat the view, especially when sunset paints the water hot pink. Named for owner and champion powerboat racer Peter Aitkin’s speedboat, this Duck is a place to slow down and…$Westport - Italian
Café Silvium
There’s a lighthearted vibe here that makes even guests who are just passing through feel like part of one big Italian family. Homemade pastas are a must, whether you choose simple, perhaps angel hair and baby clams, or fancy: You’ll never go wrong with lobster ravioli in vodka sauce…$$Stamford - Japanese
Kazu
Each sushi plate is more artful than the last at this enduring destination for truly fresh fish and rolls both traditional and inventive. In the latter category are jalapeño and spicy tuna with Sriracha sauce and a lobster tail tempura roll. Bountiful bento boxes are a favorite.…$$Norwalk - Middle Eastern
Layla’s Falafel
This looks like just another stripmall ethnic joint, and the handful of tables and bad paintings of Arabian street scenes do little to alter the original impression. But the welcome is cordial, especially for the regulars who pile in after work for takeout. Choose from an enticing…$Stamford - New American
Match
SoNo’s original hot spot still strikes all the right notes. Don’t expect elegance: Walls are bare brick, the ceiling is exposed wood joists, and industrial lamps provide lighting. There is the expected craft cocktail menu, which morphs with the seasons. Five different kinds of…$$Norwalk - American
Spotted Horse Tavern
Classic yet playful describes both the menu and the environment at this heart-of-it-all pub. The building’s been on the scene since 1808, and planked wood walls and floor and exposed ceiling beams evoke a spirit of yesteryear, while the spirited cocktail menu, including a farmer’s…$$Westport - American
Terrain Garden Café
A gourmet dining experience inside a garden shop? Granted, Terrain is more Eden than your typical outdoor retailer, but it’s still surprising to find a conservatory-like indooroutdoor restaurant hidden inside. Dishes here are crafted with locally grown, raised, caught, and produced…$$Westport
