Kronick Wino

A Wino’s List of Places To Sip (and Eat) in Connecticut

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 | Favorite Wine Destinations, Restaurant Reviews, wine

I think it’s high time I share with you some of my favorite places to go to indulge myself. I might not give away all my secrets, but I think there are lot of places around the Fairfield County / New Haven County region that most wouldn’t know to go to for wine and great food. I tend towards a lot of South American  and European wines and cuisine, in case you couldn’t tell.

Here’s my list for you:

Great Food & Wine:

55 Degrees Wine Bar & Restaurant (Fairfield, CT)

Reservations Recommended Fri / Sat. Bar Tables are open for reservations as well (there are only 2).

55 Miller St.
Fairfield, CT 06824
203.256.0099

See my review for them here.

Website
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Match (South Norwalk, CT) - Ok, Fois Gras fans unite! But if you’re not into that kind of thing, then Seared Tuna Fans unite! If I could only pick 2 things here, those are what I’d pick. But don’t overlook the great entrees and fantastic pizzas they create. MMMMM - always a great atmosphere, stylish crowd and awesome bar scene. Reservations strongly recommended Fri / Sat night.

98 Washington Street
South Norwalk, CT 06854
203.852.1088

Website
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Strada 18 (South Norwalk, CT) - Kind of new to me, but the few times I’ve been there I was very impressed. They have some great cheeses to choose from for a sampling plate, amazing wines, and the Chicken Scarpiello is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Oh, they also do wine dinners often, so make sure to ask your waiter about that!! Reservations Recommended Fri / Sat.

122 Washington Street
South Norwalk, CT 06854
203.853.4546

Website
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Barcelona Wine Bar (South Norwalk, CT) - A great place to grab Spanish tapas and numerous wines by the glass. Sundays and Mondays offer 50% any bottle! That’s a great deal! They have my favorite Tannat wine. Reservations Recommended Fri / Sat.

63-65 N. Main Street
South Norwalk, CT 06854
203.899.0088

Other Locations

Website
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Kazu (South Norwalk, CT) - Sushi, here. Don’t overlook the world of Sake and Fish! I’m reserving my sushi thoughts for a whole other post. Too many places to not talk about! But this is one of my favorites in the area.

64 N. Main Street
South Norwalk, CT 06854
203.866.7492

Website
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Bistro Basque (Miilford, CT) - A hidden pearl in the salty waters of the harbor town, Milford. The owner, David Fernandez, is straight from the Basque region and his palette is impeccable. The dishes here are just wonderful for anyone who has taste buds and looking for more. He’s always there to say ‘hello’. And I prefer to sit on the Spain side of the restaurant. (You’ll see when you get there.) Don’t miss the Fois Gras, Sea Bass and Duck Confit! Reservations Recommended.

13 River Street
Milford, CT 06460
203.878.2092

Website
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Paci (Southport, CT) - At the Southport train station you’ll find a converted conductor house that now caters to the very fine gastronomes in the area. This can be a ‘pinkies up’ type of joint, but don’t be fooled. There is an underlying sense of down-to-earth feel in the brick and steel that confines this place. The food is fantastic and the wine list can be daunting. Ask your server for their suggestions.

96 Station St.
Southport, CT 06490
203.259.9600

Website
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Cucina Modo Mio (Westport, CT) - Not a well-known place. Sits right on the Saugatuck River in the Bridge Market plaza. Small, quaint, amazing Italian cuisine, nice size bar, cozy and kind of romantic. You can bring your own wine too! Check it out! They do take out and are closed Monday.

5 Bridge Square
Westport, CT 06880
203.557.4826

Website
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Zest (Westport, CT) - For those of you who are familiar with Da Pietro’s, this is a more trendy spin-off of the classic cuisine that you might be used to. They have the Stag’s Leap Petit Syrah that I love. A fantastically cozy basement location under the old bank building in Westport near the YMCA. Excellent service and very classy.

8 Church Lane
Westport, CT 06880
203.226.9378

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Tutti’s (Westport, CT) - BYOB; Excellent family-owned Italian eatery with remarkable Chicken Scarpiello (are you noticing a theme?) and Veal dishes.
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599 Riverside Ave
Westport, CT 06880
203.221.0262

Wine Bars:

Wine Knot (Southport, CT) - Right near the Southport train station and next to I-95, this wine bar with sailing theme is a great stop for a glass or a bottle, even a night-cap. The wine list has a good selection of Old World and New World wines alike. They don’t serve food here, BUT one can order take-out. Southport Pizza is right down the road and they will deliver to this spot. The bartenders also have a stash of menus to get food delivered to you and if you ask, they will also plate it for you to eat like a normal human being. Fantastic!

Old Post Road
Southport, CT 06880
203.254.5668

Map:View Larger Map

Note that Google maps does NOT have the correct address for this bar. (Maybe that was on purpose….) But this map I’ve linked you to will give you the most approximate area you can find this place. It’s on the opposite side of the road between John st and Elmwood Drive.

Wine Shops:

Wines Unlimited (Milford, CT & Stratford, CT) - Pricing is almost always a few bucks less than most other shops I know of. However, selection is hit or miss sometimes. Call ahead if you’re looking for something really specific.

Stew Leonard’s Wine Shop (Norwalk, CT) - the Back room……that’s all I have to say.

Wine Emporium (Shelton, CT) - If Bob is working, ask him what he’s sipping on. Great recommendations will await you here. And they have a phenomenal selection of Spanish wines which i thoroughly enjoy.

Harry’s (Fairfield, CT) - Wine tastings on Saturday afternoons (12-4pm, usually). These guys can find you almost anything.

Turnpike Liquors (Fairfield, CT) - Ask to see their ‘cellar’.

The Twisted Vine (Fairfield, CT) - Great for weekend wine tastings and fantastic selection of Italian wines, along with a small, but focused ‘cellar’ room full of collectibles!

Random Goodness (wine, of course):

Cafe L’Atlantique (Miford, CT) - Very casual cafe in downtown Milford. But the great thing here is you can sit down to some house-made crepes, paninis, salads and….. wine. (oh, they have beer too.)

Jonathan Edwards Winery (North Stonington, CT) - Don’t leave without a bottle of the Syrah or the Syrah Port.

Hopkins Vineyard (Warren, CT) - My favorites are the Cabernet Franc and the Westwind. Although, I will say I am very much enjoying the current Chardonnay vintage. Nice and delicate; not too oaky as in past years. Do NOT leave without trying the ice wine. It’s worth the extra $2.50.

McLaughlin Vineyards (Sandy Hook, CT) - Great in the summer for picnicing and listening to jazz on the lawn.

Sunset Meadows (Goshen, CT) - Ask for Judy. Tell her Natalie sent you and that you must try the Twisted Red with the chocolate pairing.

I essentially enjoy all of the Connecticut Wineries. For a full list, click here.

I’m always looking for a few good wine spots to add to my list. Send me one of yours!

Tags: bistro, BYOB, Connecticut wine bars, CT wine bar, Fairfield, New Haven, Westport, wine bars, wine shops, wine tasting

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