Westport Restaurant Week Begins Today
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Restaurant Week will run from Sunday September 25th through Sunday October 9th.. It’s all part of the continuing “Eat Local” campaign to promote area restaurants, which follows on the heels of the highly successful Slice of Saugatuck Festival.
This year Restaurant Week, two weeks, features 21 eateries offering Prix Fixe meals to suit any foodie’s interest and pocketbook. Venues from one end of Westport and Saugatuck to the other, including Southport, will once again be treating diners to a gastronomical feast.
“Rising out of the pandemic our restaurants are truly stretching their wings and this year we have quite the selection of them,” said WWCC Executive Director Matthew Mandell. “We want people to eat local and realize Westport has the best dining scene in Fairfield County.”
Instead of a single price for all places, each one has set their own prix fixe ranging from $25+ for lunch and $35+ for dinner. Some offer just lunch, others just dinner, and many are offering both. It’s all about what fits best to bring in new patrons and old friends alike.
Restaurant week, running for two weeks, is a tried and true event that gives restaurateurs an opportunity to show off what they do with hopes of finding new regulars. Maria Funicello, co-owner of Tuttis, a Saugatuck mainstay summed it up best, “when you come to Tuttis, you dine at my house, come, have a meal with my family.”
Restaurant Week is once again being sponsored by Castlekeep Advisors, WEBE 108 and WICC 600 where radio commercials and interviews to promote the event have been ongoing.
The full list of participating restaurants, the meals they are offering, and their menus can be found on the Chamber’s website at www.westportwestonchamber.com/restaurantweek.
“Back to the Playhouse!”: Gala Celebrates the Westport Country Playhouse
Westport Country Playhouse’s 2022 Leadership Award was presented to Barbara K. Streicker, second from left, by, L-R, Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director; Michael Barker, managing director; and Anna Czekaj-Farber, board of trustees chair. Photo contributed by Coppola Photography. Press ReleaseMulti-award-winning Broadway star Renée Elise Goldsberry, perhaps best known for her role as Angelica Schuyler in the musical “Hamilton,” headlined Westport Country Playhouse’s 2022 Gala, “Back to the Playhouse!,” on Saturday evening, September 17. The evening featured Goldsberry’s high-energy concert of Broadway, pop, and soul, backed by a seven-piece band, along with a pre-show cocktail party, live auction, and an after-party with a DJ and dancing—all while providing generous philanthropic support to the Playhouse.
Three-time Tony Award-nominated actor Robin de Jesús served as gala host. Barbara K. Streicker, former chair of the Playhouse board of trustees, received the Playhouse’s Leadership Award at the event.
Executive Committee included Tom Coppola, co-chair; Tracey Knight Narang, co-chair; Anna Czekaj-Farber, board chair; Mary Ellen Marpe, development chair; Carin Freidag, auction chair; Judy Phares, gala fundraising chair; Jessica Caldwell; Paige Couture; Marjorie Jacobson; Maggie Lehnerd-Reilly; Ellen Petrino; and Tricia Schwartz. Benefit committee includes Athena and Daniel Adamson; Alisyn Camerota and Tim Lewis; Diane DelVecchio; Terry Nardozzi; Barbara Streicker, honoree; Diana and Scott Metro; Amy and Carl Wistreich; MJ and Terry Hogan; Preetika and Ashok Narang; Jane and Rami Leshem; and Holly McCarthy.
Gala proceeds benefit the non-profit, professional producing theater, now in its 92nd season - its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community.
For Westport Country Playhouse information, visit westportplayhouse.org. Westport Country Playhouse is located at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
ABOUT WESTPORT COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE
The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater of the highest caliber and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; the New Works Initiative, a program dedicated to the discovery, development, and production of new live theatrical works; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round. Charity Navigator has recently awarded its top 4-star charity rating to the Playhouse in recognition of its strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
New Neighbor: Bridgewater Chocolate to Call Main Street “Home”
Contributed photoPress ReleaseBridgewater Chocolate, the beloved Connecticut chocolate brand known for its lineup of familiar American classics made with European techniques, is opening a flagship retail location in Westport on September 15 at 165 Main Street. The opening of the new location follows a successful pop-up experience for Bridgewater Chocolate in the area during the 2021 holiday season.
“Westport had a chance to get a taste of our house-made chocolates with our holiday pop-up last year, and the community welcomed us with open arms. We couldn’t be more excited to be returning this year with a permanent location,” said Jeff Stoeckel, CEO of Bridgewater Chocolate. “We aim to be the iconic chocolate brand in Connecticut and growing our retail presence is a significant part of that.”
The Westport location is the fourth retail location for the chocolate company, which first offered chocolates for sale in Bridgewater, Connecticut in 1995. As the company started to grow, operations were moved to Brookfield, Connecticut in 1999. The 1350-square-foot location in Westport will feature a customer experience designed to be engaging, approachable and delicious.
The flagship Westport location will be the first location of its kind for Bridgewater Chocolate with several unique offerings that will make for a special shopping experience. When customers step into the store, they will be greeted and guided through an in-store sampling experience of Bridgewater Chocolate’s best-sellers. A “By the Piece Bar” will allow chocolate-lovers and chocolate-gifters alike to select a box, choose from a variety of house-made chocolates and customize details for a personalized chocolate selection at every budget.
Known for stunning hinged boxes and hand-tied ribbons, Bridgewater Chocolate is focused on providing an elevated gifting experience. From corporate gifting, weddings and anniversaries, housewarming and host gifts, teacher appreciation and graduation, party favors or just a little thoughtful gesture to brighten someone’s day – or even for yourself - the chocolate shop will offer something for everyone.
Shoppers will have the opportunity to select from items including nostalgic favorites like Chocolate Peanut Butter Patties and the top-selling Bridgewater Assortments, packaged in hinged boxes that range in color from a classic navy blue, holiday red, burgundy or gold complete with a hand-tied bow.
Partners on the project included BA Staging and Interior Design, Brandfuel Co. and Wainscot Solutions.
The store will be open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. In addition to retail and larger volume corporate sales, Bridgewater Chocolate offers online ordering and shipping across the country.
For more information on Bridgewater Chocolate, visit the website.
“Only in your State” Features Westport’s Viva Zapata; “Will Take You Straight To Taco Heaven”
One Of The Oldest Mexican Restaurants In Connecticut Will Take You Straight To Taco Heaven
August 12, 2022 by Lisa Sammons
We have plenty of delicious Mexican restaurants in Connecticut, and one of the oldest and most delightful is Viva Zapata in Westport. This delicious eatery is set up in a historic home that looks quite tame from the outside. Inside, however, you’ll find a peppy and colorful spot with unique decor and incredibly tasty food. It’s no wonder that it’s been around for over half a century.
Late Night Bites at Old Mill Grocery
Old Mill Grocery was bustling just before closing time this evening as dinner orders and desserts headed out the door. WestportLocal.com photo
Good Day for a Good Humor
A vintage Good Humor ice cream truck remained along Soundview Drive as passersby young and younger stopped to peruse the classic collection of frozen treats. The Good Humor company began to deliver ice cream in converted Model T Fords in the late 1920s, according to the Company, and continued to innovate up until they began to use the Ford F-100 series trucks that we can still see today - most popular due to their being sold-off in the 1970s. The Good Humor Man, and in this case: woman - rang their bells on many of the Westport community’s hottest days along the waterfront for decades. Today was no exception. WestportLocal.com photo
OMG: Old Mill Grocery and Deli Open for 103rd Season with New Crew at Helm
WestportLocal.com photos. Click to enlarge. The shoreline corner store opened today for its 103rd season under a new, yet familiar name with a team of intrepid neighbors at the helm. The Old Mill Grocery & Deli brings the history of the property back to the forefront of everyone’s minds as its community connections will be propelled into 2022 with renowned food service by The Granola Bar Hospitality Group and ownership that’s dedicated to the community’s future.
From bacon/egg/cheeses to pasta bolognese, the shop will crank out old and new favorites in addition to the stock of snacks, drinks, clothing, and other shoreline sundries seven days each week from 7 AM until 9 PM. From teenagers on bicycles to parents walking in the early morning: OMG&D is back and here to stay with every french fry sold and with every moment spent chatting on its picnic benches.
The new lease on life for 222 Hills Point Road came just as it was at risk of development and demolition for residential housing. Through philanthropy and quick action by neighbors who formed the Soundview Empowerment Alliance, “in a few short months, the team raised nearly $1.3 million dollars from more than 500 donors, secured a mortgage from Fairfield County Bank, and in May of 2022 closed on the purchase of the property.” With a mission to save the property, preserve and evolve the business, and then to support the training and employment of individuals with disabilities - the SEA and TGB Hospitality Group have made the store a community landmark both physically and emotionally for all who cross over its threshold.
“The Delamar Hotel Westport”: Westport Inn Makeover will go before P and Z Commission in September
Click to enlarge artist rendering. Westport Planning & Zoning Department Press ReleasePlanning and Zoning Director Mary Young has announced that the proposal to upgrade the Westport Inn at 1595 Post Road East will NOT be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 11, 2022, as recently reported in the media. The public hearing is postponed to September 12, 2022.
P&Z Director Mary Young identified the plans originally submitted included both hotel rooms and housing units. The project was subsequently revised to exclude the housing units. The current proposal is to redevelop the existing 116 room Hotel to 85 rooms. Site improvements include the addition/expansion of landscaped areas, a new 3-story addition, demolition of the front building, minor additions to the rear building, pool and rear dining terrace, and driveway/ parking improvements. To facilitate the proposed changes, Text Amendment #818 was filed to create appropriate standards for the redevelopment and site design. All application materials can be viewed on the Town of Westport’s website here.
Rick Redniss, Principal Planner at Redniss and Mead, and Bruce Beinfield, Founding Principal of Beinfield Architects, are the consultants assisting WI Associates, the new property owners, to convert the Westport Inn into the “The Delamar Hotel Westport.”
Supporting Small
Shoppers support Savvy + Grace, one of Main Street’s locally owned businesses, during the Westport Downtown Association’s Sidewalk Sales. WestportLocal.com photo
New Neighbor: Former Le Penguin Storefront turns Italian as “Casa Me” comes to Sconset Square
As both interior and exterior renovations continue, Casa Me has quietly announced their arrival into the Downtown Westport community through a small poster on their soon-to-be front doorway. The former location of Le Penguin’s French Bistrot, Casa Me describes itself as a cafe, restaurant, and bar space. No word yet on when the new neighbor plans to open their doors. WestportLocal.com photo