Trailer Park Burgers
Big Booty Bread Company
The Whelk – Westport, CT
A couple of weeks ago I was driving back from Pennsylvania and couldn’t decide where to go for dinner. I had a real hankering for a burger and immediately remembered how much I love the gourmet burgers at The Whelk. I called the restaurant and of course they were totally booked, but the hostess said that I could eat at the bar. It was about 6:45pm on a Friday night and the place was packed when I pulled up. I decided to park anyway and try my luck. After checking in I was immediately seated at the bar and given a menu. Of course I knew that I had to have that delicious burger, but saw the muscles on the appetizer column. I ordered the muscles to start and the burger for my main course. The muscles were absolutely delicious and the broth was to die for. The server asked me if I was done, and I was, but I just couldn’t let her take that delicious broth away. I told her I wanted to hang on to the broth. My burger came right up and I dug immediately dup in. Patrons at the bar were super friendly as well as the staff. I was having such a good time talking with Massimo and everyone around me. Suddenly I decided to dip my fries into the leftover muscle broth. It was so unbelievably delicious that I ended up dumping all of my fries into the broth and fishing them out by the handfuls. Eating the burger and fries soaked in muscle broth. My God I needed a shower! Patrons and the staff were still chatting away with me and I have to admit I was having the best time. Chef Bill Taibe came out of the kitchen to say hello and admitted that his muscle broth has become the condiment of choice for the fries. I have decided that The Whelk has become the Cheers of Fairfield County. Even if they don’t know your name they will welcome you with open arms anyway.
The Whelk
575 Riverside Avenue
Westport, CT 06880
Phone: 203.557.0902
Fax:203.557.0903
http://www.thewhelkwestport.com/
BILL TAIBE
Chef/Owner
LeFarm, Westport, CT
The Whelk, Westport, CT
Massimo Tullio
Owner/Sommelier
Andy Hayes
Chef de Cuisine
New Canaan Farmers’ Market
I love going to farmers' markets, especially good ones. It's the closest to "farm to table" that I can get without growing my own fruits and vegetables. Yesterday was my first visit to the New Canaan farmer’s market. It’s a good one! I picked up beets, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peaches and plums. Everything looked great and even though the vendors were busy they were very friendly and seemed happy to be there.
New Canaan Farmers’ Market
Saturday 10am to 2pm
May 12th Through October
Old Center School Parking Lot
South Avenue & Maple Street
www.newcanaanfarmersmarket.net
Antiques in the Church Yard
One of my favorite things to do is browse vintage and antique shops. I like to add to my collection of interesting platters, silver and other various kitchen and dining items that I found over the years. I am thrilled when I come across a real find and if it has a low price sticker I am even more thrilled. Imagine my surprise when I ran into an ad for the “Twentieth Annual Antiques In The Church Yard” at the Stevens Memorial United Methodist Church in South Salem, New York. Honestly, I didn’t really have any July 4th plans so how great it was that I now had something fun to do. The drive to South Salem was beautiful and finding the place wasn’t too difficult. I parked the car, paid my $7 admission and started combing through the 120 booths. Like most “antique” fairs, there was a lot of junk, but there was plenty of good stuff too. I came away with a nice set of Vintage Sandwich Glasses (Depression Era Glass) and a Vintage Amish Lunch Pail. It couldn’t have been a better day. Nothing fancy or over the top. For me it’s about the simple things.
Pasta Nostra
Last night I went to South Norwalk’s Pasta Nostra and had a wonderful meal. Everything on the menu is fresh and homemade. I had the stuffed peppers to start which is the Pasta Nostra signature appetizer. For my main dish I had the delicious spiral sausage with a side of fresh linguini which had the nicest tomato sauce that was not heavy at all. The fresh linguini melts in your mouth and the spiral sausage has the just the right amount of flavor. I wouldn’t change a thing. The dessert was a delicious coconut slice of cake/pie goo that was like eating a mounds bar, but only better. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the bread was outstanding. I couldn’t help but dip the delicious bread in the olive oil. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive. My server, Jose, has been with the restaurant for almost 19 years. Owner and Chef Joe Bruno makes sure to come to everyone’s table to chat. Bruno is friendly, funny and full of great stories. Pasta Nostra is a bit pricey, but worth it.
Pasta Nostra
South Norwalk
116 Washington Street (Between Main and Water Streets)
Norwalk, CT 06854
203-854-9700
Owner Joe Bruno
Cheese on 62nd
Each week I try to visit a food shop or an interesting restaurant that I have never been to before. This week, by chance, I ran across a cute little cheese shop not far from Bloomingdales. Cheese on 62nd is the name of the shop and it is aptly named as it is on 62nd & Lexington. The refrigerated case was filled with nice cheeses, there were many hanging salamis and a nice variety of oils, vinegars and packaged treats. All in all a nice selection of Mediterranean goodies. They also make lunchtime sandwiches which looked good. The prices didn’t seem crazy (at least for New York) and the man behind the counter was very friendly as well. If you’re in the neighborhood you just may want to swing by and check it out.
Cheese on 62nd
134 E 62nd Street
New York, NY 10065
212-980-5544
Subway: Lexington Ave/63rd Street (F Train)
Lexington Ave/59th Street (N, Q, R Trains)
59th Street (4, 5, 6 Trains)
