Fairfield and Westport CT Real Estate Guide

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Tag Archives: Eateries


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New Restaurant in Downtown Fairfield CT, Gabagool Wine Bar!

We had a great dinner and fun night at the new Gabagool Wine Bar in downtown Fairfield!

I had the salmon piccata and Mark had chicken parmesan, both of which were very good. We had the blueberry lemon cheesecake for dessert which was also delicious.

You will love the new bar and a fun Sopranos theme. The new chairs are also cushy and comfy. The owner, Antonio is the best, so come by with your appetite and leave with your mug shot!

We went back for Super Bowl Sunday and had the antipasto and spicy pizza. Both were delish! Thank you, Antonio!!!

The restaurant is located at 70 Reef Road, Fairfield Connecticut 06824

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Mini Vacation at Malibu Taco in Fairfield CT!

We had a fun time and a great dinner at Malibu Taco last weekend! The vibe was definitely lively 🎉 with up beat music in the background that made me think maybe I felt more like dancing than eating. 🙂 The upper and lower outdoor patios were bustling and equipped with multiple heaters. The super-cool and airy interior and bar were completely open to the patios which made everyone in all the eating spaces feel included.

The restaurant definitely attracted a very young crowd, and I think it’s the first place I’ve seen that seemed to have a dozen or more high school kids quietly having dinner together. Yet, there were plenty of older peeps like us enjoying ourselves as well.

The food and drinks were very good and also well-priced. We enjoyed the guacamole with house-made corn chips (which were not too salty) to start. Mark had the Nashville Hot Chicken Taco 🌮 and Spicy Crumbled Chorizo Taco which cooled off perfectly with the Patio Lemonade (yes, with vodka)🍹. I LOVED the Duck and Pineapple Taco and my Malibu Marg (without the salt).

Be sure to check out Malibu Taco in the Brick Walk at 1177 Post Road in Fairfield, (203) 292-8544. Here’s the link to their menu. We will definitely be back. Maybe we’ll see you there!

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New Eatery in Fairfield CT Beach Area – Reef Shack FFLD is Open!

Fairfield residents always love a new eatery when one comes to town, and the new “Reef Shack FFLD” has just opened on Reef Road!

The set-up resembles a hybrid of The Pantry, Starbucks, and the beach concession stand with a a separate barista counter and a beach-glam flair. The menu is large and fabulous with eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The space can completely open via glass garage doors to a cute patio with a beach shack vibe.

Charming patio for all kinds of weather!

For some more background, here’s the story from the CTPost. Check out their website at https://www.reefshackffld.com to browse the menu. It’s a good idea to call in your order until they have set up their online ordering service. Be sure to stop by!

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If you have any questions about this post or the housing market in the neighborhood or surrounding areas, reach out using the form below, visit my website or call me direct at 203.912.4440.

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New Kid on the Block, Aurora’s (Cafe)!

Aurora'sMaybe you noticed the subtle change in downtown Fairfield restaurants? If not, you should know that the former Cafe Madeline is now Aurora’s. How did this happen? The story is as delightful as the food!

Lauren was working as a waitress at the neighboring restaurant, Quattro Pazzi when she spotted a cute guy named Byron in the kitchen.  One night they decided to go out for a drink, and this launched the start of their long-term romance.

Lauran and Byron

They were still together when Lauren changed jobs and went next door to work with Madeline at Cafe Madeline. Byron stayed put and soon became the manager of Quattro Pazzi. Before you knew it, Lauren and Byron were married and had a daughter.

Fast forward three years and Madeline decided to sell her business to focus more on world travel which she has always loved to do. Lauren and Byron jumped on the opportunity to buy the restaurant and named the new cafe Aurora’s, after their little girl!

What can you expect when you go? You will enjoy the same cozy and festive atmosphere but with more than a new name.  The menu is new, and while it has held on to some of the favorites from before, like the to-die-for butternut squash soup, there are many new and exciting choices.

IMG_5662

One of them is the Scallops Small Plate. It offers an outrageously delicious blend of flavors that take your taste buds on vacation to paradise!  They are also very personable and accommodating. My husband, Mark likes to stick to his favorite chicken piccata with broccoli-instead-of-spinach, which he had historically ordered every time went to the cafe. Even though it’s no longer on the menu, Aurora’s still makes it for him!  The wines are delicious too. Mark likes the Robert Mondavi Merlot and I enjoy HobNob Pinot Noir.

 

The other cool thing? They actually take reservations! And we recommend making one before you go because we have tried a number of times without, and the place has been booked solid. So definitely call, go, and enjoy!Auroras

Aurora’s
1603 Post Rd Fairfield, CT 06824
203.259.5800
Be sure to Like Aurora’s on Facebook!

If you have any real estate questions or comments about this blog, please send me a note below.

 

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Martel


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Fairfield’s Super Seven for Supper 2024

Hands down, one of the most fabulous features of Fairfield is the wide selection of chic eateries downtown. So, I thought I would share seven of my favorite picks for dining and ambiance.
 
The Chelsea is a funky and somewhat rustic place to have a drink and enjoy a meal.  Rough wood accent walls and ornate wrought iron design elements are contrasted with neon green metal chairs. The cozy bar hosting stylish guests (the women always seem to wear great shoes, just saying) pulls it all together! Mark says that no one else in town can beat the Chelsea Burger.  I personally cannot live without their octopus appetizer, a dish they tend to vary from time to time.  It doesn’t look huge when it arrives, but there is so much protein in it, you are sure to be full when you finish. The flavors in my favorite version are spectacular! Large tentacles come with potatoes, greens, onions, and a pickled vegetable that adds a perfect punch!  It’s a must-have in my book, with all the goodness and none of the guilt. Their Cobb Salad is fantastic too
 
Gabagool Wine BarOne local favorite where regulars are made to feel like family is Gabagool. The owner, Antonio and his team always greet you with a warm welcome and seem genuinely thrilled you have arrived. The ambience is stylish, glamorous, cozy with plush chairs to relax in, and funny. Poking fun on the Soprano’s TV series, the restaurant is complete with The Family portrait and a mugshot backdrop where you can get an instant photo of your own! The covered patio is fully heated and decorated for service most of the year. The eatery offers gregarious people and fun food with a flare, featuring “bawls” of all flavors on their appetizer menu, a fabulous antipasto, and their signature Gabagool Pizza with spicy oil! The Crispy Calamari Salad is the best I’ve had anywhere, and for the must-have drink with cucumber tequila, ask about “Howyoudoin”!
 
Old Post Tavern
 
For your classic tavern feel, visit the Old Post Tavern right on the corner of the Post Road and Unquowa.  They have been known to have a fun band during happy hour, and the patio is lovely during the warm season.  If you are a fan of French Onion Soup, look no further. Something about their blend of cheeses as well as some magic ingredients in the broth makes theirs unbeatable!
 
 
BodegaIf it’s gourmet Mexican food in a festive atmosphere you’re after, Bodega is the place to go. There’s a location in Fairfield and Darien. Since it’s another tiny place, you may have to sample their top notch margaritas or other specialty drinks while you wait for your table or seat at the bar.  One of Bodega’s delectables is the Ceviche, a deceivingly filling dish posing as an appetizer. The fish, in a specialty cocktail sauce, has a fantastic flavor and comes with some toasted plantains, that in my opinion, make a complete meal.  If you prefer something hot, their Chicken Soup is hearty and delicious.  You can have it mild or spicy depending on whether you opt to dump in the hot peppers served on the giant turquoise spoon.  Burrito Tinga is Mark’s tasty favorite, and my daughter loves the Gombos Tacos. Bodega's Festive Atmosphere
 
Martel is on the Post Road in Southport and is a cozy place with a bit of a steakhouse feel. The ceilings are high, yet ornate, and there is always an art gallery Marteladorning the walls. Always bustling, the place serves a warm, upbeat atmosphere.  Although there are many excellent dishes here, my husband and I have gravitated toward sharing the Fondue for Two followed by Martel’s House Salad. The salad features marinated tomatoes and an aged Danish Blue Cheese that are fabulous together. If the fondue is off-menu for the summer, an equally rich and yummy alternative is the side order of creamed spinach!  I have it as a meal, with wine, of course.
 
Last, but not least, we love the Grey Goose, also in Southport, where we once stood elbow to elbow with John Mayer before being seated. The atmosphere can be described as rustic and cozy with an eclectic crowd. Some folks go to hang out, others go for dinner. There’s always a flat screen at the bar featuring a sporting event as well as a crackling fireplace on the opposite wall. Penne ala Vodka, Grey Goose Style is Mark’s staple, while I go back and forth between the Grey GooseLobster Macaroni and the Steak Tips small plate.  The Lobster Macaroni is the absolute best here, with the secret ingredient of truffle oil to enhance the generous chunks of lobster and the crispy cheese topping. The Steak Tips are equally fantastic. Cooked to perfection, they come with a corn salsa and chipotle mayo dip that together, absolutely melt in your mouth!
 
The Sinclair commands space and attention downtown in the Brick Walk. The patio is great during the summer, surrounded by thick trees and protected by a multi-settings awning. The Mussels in a Pot Thai Style (5 additional styles to try!) are delicious, and Mark gave two thumbs up to the Steak Sandwich.  Sometimes on a Thursday night, you can dance and sing along to the live music of the fabulous Tangled Vine!

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All this talk is making me hungry!  Be sure to try out Fairfield’s fabulous eateries. Thinking of moving to the Fairfield and Westport area?

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