We kicked off our amazing series of our trip to Coastal Fairfield County with two fantastic places to stay, now we move onto something just as important (or even more important given my ever expanding waist size)- food! Whenever you are taking a trip, big or small, something that should always be planned ahead of time is finding delicious places to eat so you are left satisfied in more ways than one. Well, the next time you are in the Fairfield County area, you can have these three places to check off your list and have fantastic individual experiences as they are all so different from one another. Take a look at what we think you should be ordering at the next time you are taking a trip to Fairfield.
Pearl at Longshore Restaurant & Bar- 250 Compo Road South, Westport
With its breathtaking views, amazing scenery, relaxed environment and amazing staff, Pearl at Longshore gives this vibe that it has been open for years upon years as the regulars from the golf course that it is part of and so many other people were flocking to it that Saturday afternoon. On the contrary, Pearl has only been open for a couple of months, which came as a shock to me. They replaced another location which was there for 18 years and seemed to have done it in style with the decor and surrounding environment of the location (the feature picture of this article says it all). It really is a beautiful place which sits in an area that has a fabulous Inn right next to it and is engulfed in an amazing golf course, which will come in handy now that the warm weather is coming in.
I was treated to their amazing Brunch menu, where so much of it looked incredibly tasty and made me eager to try each. Suffice to say, I didn’t, however I would recommend the following from start to finish. You can never go wrong with classics, and their Chopped Caesar Salad and Shrimp Cocktail are two great ways to start off your meals. Clean and crisp, they wake up your taste buds for what will be a great meal ahead. For an entree, their Pat La Freda 1/2 Brisket Burger with a side of scrumptious fries is filling and does the trick for what a great burger is supposed to be. I love Brisket in general, so to have this be in burger form is just awesome. To finish, celebrate with Everyday is your Birthday Cake, with warm flourless chocolate pudding cake and a side of mint ice cream. Simply divine and oozing with flavor. All great choices for the next time you are finished teeing off and want a great place to eat, or just happen to be in the neighborhood. For more information, check out their official site.
Match Restaurant- 98 Washington Street, Norwalk
If the golf and grass scene really isn’t your thing, and you are looking for something a bit more on the nightlife and hip circuit, then Match Restaurant is the place for you. Located in the heart of SoNo (South Norwalk), this trendy area is part of a great neighborhood that is filled with a great bar and outdoor patio to enjoy in the warmer months ahead. The restaurant itself is not huge in size, but it makes up for it in its design and amazing hospitality. Super fun place to go to for a fun night out with friends and family.
The food options at Match are diverse and infused with a ton of flare and spice, that even the pickiest of eaters will find something of interest to enjoy. Chef Matt Storch really capitalizes on this type of idea, who sources locally to find the freshest ingredients for you to savor and enjoy upon arrival at Match. I for one, am never someone to turn down a good slice of pizza or two, so naturally I beelined for their amazing choices of Wood Oven Pizzettes. I decided on a classic in their Margherita, which was simply delicious. Not a dish that over-complicates itself, and doesn’t need to based on the amazing execution this dish provided. The Calamari was another great dish of choice, as it was prepared on the spicier side which I happened to enjoy. To finish, try their Chocolate Chip Cookies with two different types of ice cream and a flambe’d banana. Three great components to end on a great note. For more information on Match, check out their official site.
Artisan Restaurant Tavern & Garden- 275 Old Post Road, Southport
The epic beauty and relaxed vibe of Artisan Restaurant Tavern & Garden coincides with the location it is in… The Delamar Hotel. I stayed at The Delamar Hotel the first night of my trip, and was very excited about all the different aspects the hotel provided, in particular their fantastic restaurant which has received rave reviews from several different sites. The great thing about Artisan is that you can go there for two different options- to sit at the bar with some friends and watch the game while munching on some tasty bar bites, or to have an elegant evening with whomever you are with on the other side of the restaurant as seen in the picture above. I love how the location itself is adorned in its wood furnishings throughout, which add a huge element of sophistication to it and enhances the entire experience.
As far as the food goes, it was my favorite of all three locations. The tastes in each just really came through for me in how they were executed. Here is what i think you should have upon your next visit or stay at Artisan/Hotel Delamar. The Seafood Chowder is chock full of different tasty seafood options in a delicious broth, that has fennel crackers and mushrooms floating within. The Sliders and Foie Gras Meatballs are two very, very good starters as well as they are packed with a ton of flavor. I am a huge fan of Scallops and they truly did that dish justice with each being perfectly cooked, and with the side of Brussel Sprouts, it really completed the dish in its entirety. Overall, an incredible meal. For more information, check out their official site.