Saturday, December 1, 2012

Moving from the city to Fairfield County I was skeptical about finding reliable sushi. When I first met my husband his family religiously went to a restaurant called East. It was in a very unassuming shopping mall - the one with Michael's Craft Store - but had amazing sushi. Top-quality fish, sophisticated dishes that would rival top sushi chefs in Manhattan. Unfortunately, East changed ownership and we no longer go there (quality went down the tubes).

One of the owners from East went on to open an amazing restaurant in New Haven called Miso. It was the best of East plus more. Omakase at the sushi bar with Jason, the owner, is the way to go. You can tweak the dishes by telling him what you like or don't do sushi-wise. But, New Haven is a trek so we don't get there very often. But let me tell you my friends, this is 110% worth the drive. I could eat there every day and not get sick of it. 

This week, Pink Sumo Sushi & Saki Bar opened in Westport behind Patagonia. I admit I went twice - once with a girl friend and once with my husband. Both times I thought the food was delicious and inventive. 



The decor is cute, kind of upscale I guess for a sushi place, but casual with sports on the TVs at the bar. The chef urged us to try the lobster sashimi special, but it's not one of my favorite textures. I am sure it's good though. The Web site says the chef at Pink Sumo was formerly of Nobu, but doesn't say in what capacity. Still, the fish was super fresh and yummy.




The middle dish was my favorite. I couldn't find their menu online to link to, but I remember it was fluke wrapped around avocado and greens. So yummy. The last photo is the Sumo Cup. There are four and each have a different fish on top. Mmmm. We can also vouch for the calamari salad, rock shrimp appetizer, bollywood roll and mango tango roll. So good!

Only slight disappointment was the toro appetizer special. It was a tartare but it was a little too cold. I am guessing they pre-formed the tartar and kept it cold before dinner service. I told my hubby I would rather have cold sushi than warm sushi! It was definitely delicious though and high quality toro.

Still, if I had to choose my last meal before the apocalypse, it would be omakase at Sushi of Gari. Nothing better. 

Monday, November 26, 2012

I have been missing out ...

When Ole Mole Southport disappeared, our family went into mourning. That place was delicious, affordable and convenient. If in a pinch we needed take out, there was something for everyone.

I was skeptical of the not-so-new-anymore restaurant that took its place in the strip mall, but after the girls at Blow Dry Bar turned me onto Tabbouleh Grill, Ole Mole seems like a distant memory.

We have been missing out for sure. The food here is delicious! So far we can only vouch for the hummus, chicken kebab, Israeli salad and pita bread. They also make their own baklava, which is time intensive to make but yields a super sweet dessert of flaky pastry, nuts and honey.

The place was packed on Saturday for lunch and when we got take out tonight the phone was ringing off the hook. The menu says delivery, but that is only for their other location.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Don't Sit There ...

Rallied to meet up with my girlies last night for a drink. We tried Paci, but there must have been a holiday party because it was packed and usually that place is a ghost town. No parking spots. I had to make my own. So we trooped over 30 seconds to Artisan at the Delamar

Had never been and it's really a nice place. Free valet parking, just don't forget to save cash for a top. They have a pretty inside courtyard that must be delightful in the warmer months (pretty please get some space heaters for outside!). Inside is cute with a lounge area up front by the bar. Then there is a back dining room as well. 

The lounge is totally the coveted spot to sit with cozy little seating areas and a fireplace. It was hard to get a seat at the bar when my friend and I arrived early. We asked to sit in the lobby and the hostess said they don't usually allow it but that it would be ok. We promised not to dance on the table. 

We are about to sit down and the guy in the lobby tells us we cannot drink in the lobby. Totally fine, but why listen to our conversation, let us sit down, only to tell us we can't. Silly, but totally understandable. Anyway, the decor is gorgeous. Loved it. 



The only problem is that it was like 100 freaking degrees inside. No joke. I thought I was going to pass out and had to go outside multiple times to cool down. We finally got a spot by the fireplace and couldn't even stay because it was so hot. Everyone else was saying the same thing. We ended up standing in the covered entryway. The kind restaurants erect in the winter so people inside don't get blasted with cold air every time someone opens the door.

The bar tender was nice, but told us a weird joke that wasn't funny. I guess he thought we would have liked it. The crowd was mixed. We saw families with kids, some asleep on shoulders, as well as young to middle-aged couples. 

My friend commented that the food is usually delicious but her meal the previous night was so-so. I would love to give it a try. Everything looked yummy. 



Saturday, November 17, 2012

Been Here Yet?

I love healthy food. I usually hit up Catch A Healthy Habit (mmm, super yummy try the Spring Fling smoothie or Tara juice or Spring Rolls) or The Stand (Almond Pate Collard Wrap or Sweet Potato Soup - it's all good) in Fairfield for juices and vegan fare and now just fell in love with Embody in Westport. The food at these places costs more because of the ingredients and process. I got a juicer and it is such a pain to clean out that I would gladly pay the price. Maybe I am just lazy.

Anyway, Embody is right by Bridge Street next to the Dunkin Donuts (which, btw, charges a full dollar more for an iced coffee than exit 19 D&D). The nice part is that it offers a ton of protein options, including salmon and chicken, which is great if you are not strictly vegetarian or vegan.

You can eat in or take out. They have fresh juices, smoothies, salads and salad wraps. Everything I've had is delish, even the cayenne pepper drink I ordered by accident.

Recommendations include: The All Green w/ginger and lemon, GT Surge, The Jolt, Embody House Mix, Tuna Salad and the Cali Love. But I don't think you can go wrong.


Friday, November 16, 2012

Hello, Blogosphere!

The other day when I was getting a well-deserved manicure at my favorite spot when I decided to start a new blog focused on local happenings. Sort of like favorite places, favorite faces, etc. I have a personal blog to chronicle special moments in raising my two girls, but this is going to be different. 

It's not really a confessional, but it sounded like a snappy title. Work with me!

Three days later, here we are. Hopefully it will help people discover new things around town. In no way am I trying to compete with Patch or other local bloggers, just wanted to add my 2 cents. Hope people find this a good resource and maybe I can learn some new places from you guys. Ok, that's it for now. 

Time for baths and Friday night take-out decisions.