I HEARD A RUMOR (yes, I did)...

...that Marisa's, the venerable and over-the-top restaurant/bar/sometimes nightclub/occasional venue for live comedy, may be closing its doors.  This is, of course, a highly unsubstantiated rumor, and let's face it- it's probably not true.  I heard it from someone who heard it from somebody who heard it from somebody else.  But as I always say, rumors start from somewhere for some reason or another.
Should Marisa's in Trumbull close their doors, I would have very mixed feelings.  On one hand, I have fond memories of the way Marisa's was, some seven or eight years ago.  As the only game in town in Trumbull at that time, there was a great mix of patrons (young and old), friendly bartenders, and an all-around good vibe.  During the warmer months, there was a terrific outdoor bar and patio, complete with a fountain and tv screens mounted to the wall, so you can sip a cocktail and watch a ballgame under the stars on a warm summer night.
These were good days and good times at Marisa's, and it was one of the better spots off the beaten path in the Connecticut Gold Coast.  Sadly, this all changed a few years ago.
The outdoor patio was enclosed, and turned into a tacky and bizarre dining area/sometimes-dancefloor.  Odd red awnings hang from the ceilings along with light fixtures that look like giant scrotums, and the clientele- often times clad in Ed Hardy- look just as odd and tacky.  The chef will often double as a DJ and play an odd mix of music.  It all makes for a strange, and not nearly as fun environment as it once was.
Again, what I heard was a third-hand rumor that is most likely not true.  And in the unlikely event that it is true, it would certainly be the end of a prosperous era for Marisa's, a family-owned business that single-handedly brought some nightlife into what was an otherwise sleepy town of Trumbull.  Since it's arrival several years ago, their only real competition in Trumbull has been The O Bar, a couple of miles away.  But as O Bar is smaller, it has never been able to cater to the masses that Marisa's has.  Let's wait and see what happens. 

Why Is There Valet Parking at Barcelona in Fairfield?

And furthermore, why was I at Barcelona in Fairfield in the pouring rain this past Friday evening?  I'm not especially a fan of tapas, and I never quite understood the hype of the mini-chain of Barcelona eateries in Connecticut. If I had to dine at a Barcelona, I'd choose the original locale, in South Norwalk, as I have always felt that it is the only redeemable and enjoyable one.  But Fairfield is another story.
It was a dinner party of sorts that brought me there Friday (I wisely skipped dinner, and joined the group for drinks).  Not surprising, the event was organized by a female friend to whom Barcelona is the end-all-be-all.  Perhaps it's because the small tapas portions appeal to females who are often on diets, but I have never quite been able to fathom why women of all ages go absolutely bonkers for Barcelona, it's weird atmosphere and mediocre food. A mere mention of the name and they suddenly go into heat.  I wish I knew this years ago- I would have brought more dates there in hopes of having a good night. 
So there I was, showing up there in the pouring rain on Friday, and was reminded that at some point over the last year or so, the powers-that-be decided to install valet parking.  To do such a thing at an eatery on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield is just plain insane.  When I asked our waitress (whose gregarious but oddly-friendly personality seemed more fitting for a 24-hour diner than Barcelona) about this, she informed me that it was because people were just sort of creating their own parking spot wherever they pleased.  Fair enough.
The issue on this particular night was that- in the pouring rain- the valets were hiding under an overhang, moving as slow as molasses.  So rather than wait and have to tip, I did like countless others before me and created my own parking space (even in the rain, Barcelona was packed) near the dumpsters.
As I wrote, I chose not to eat at Barcelona, but my friends got the usual overpriced tapas choices (olives that probably came out of a jar, overly sweet chorizo and figs, beet salad with a few pieces of goat cheese, etc). I opted for a couple of glasses of Rose, which at $10.50 a piece were OK, but not great.
Barcelona in Fairfield must cater to the indecisive (hence its strong appeal with twenty and thirtysomething females).  Customers will order three different tapas at around $7.00 or $8.00 a piece, when there are countless other local eateries where they can go and have a quality meal consisting of a meat or fish with good sides for under or around $20.00. 
Alas, people like to be seen and heard around the Connecticut Gold Coast, and to say that they were at Barcelona in Fairfield enjoying an overpriced tapas and drink on a Friday night (or better, to be seen doing that!) seems like a good idea to most people.  Still, there's no disguising the fact that it's a mediocre at best bar and eatery that is overpriced and- let's not forget- attached to a motel that was rumored to be a haven for prostitutes in the 1980s.  Sure, they boast a lovely and spacious outdoor patio, but in the pouring rain last Friday night, that didn't do me much good. 

PLAN B BURGER BAR TO OPEN in FAIRFIELD: Another Missed Opportunity for Fairfield Dining & Nightlife

Once upon a time, Fairfield Center (the downtown stretch along the Post Road) was a microcosm of eclectic bars and restaurants.  The variety was fantastic, ranging from old-school well-established eateries to dive bars.  One could walk from Al's Place (a rundown but entertaining old bar) to Tommy's, a local hangout with good food and drink, to Skybox, a top-notch sport's bar.
Over the course of the last five years or so, all that has changed, and Fairfield Center is an area that finds itself with many eating and drinking spots to choose from, but none of them are actually that good.
Think about it- everything now is either a mediocre Asian restaurant and bar (Wild Rice, Tombo, Kiraku...all within a mile of each other), or an overpriced trendy need-to-be-seen bar/restaurant (The Chelsea and Molto...across the street from each other!).  Long gone are the welcoming places where- like Cheers- everybody knows your name, or the low-key spots were somebody could go and watch a ballgame and have a beer. 
Everything in Fairfield now has a gimmick; even Flipside, which prides itself on being a low-key burger bar.  The burgers and drinks are overpriced, and I'd sooner drive to Nathan's down the road for a cheaper burger (see yesterday's post).
So with a new era in Fairfield nightlife in full-swing, I had high hopes for something to come along and shake-up the landscape.  For more than two years now there's been talk of Anna Liffey's (a well-established Irish pub in New Haven) opening at the site of the old Skybox, but as of now nothing has come to fruition.  And then I heard rumblings of a possible bar and restaurant going into the old post office.  I knew this would be tricky and that I shouldn't get my hopes up high: anytime something goes into an old bank or post office, it's inevitably going to be trendy.
Sure enough, just a few weeks ago, The Fairfield Citizen reported that Plan B Burger Bar (currently with locations in both Stamford and Milford) would of course be moving to the site of the old post office on Old Post Road (you guess it, across the street from Flipside).
So to recap, not only are there three aforementioned Asian eateries and two overpriced  trendy bar/restaurants, but now we have essentially two overpriced burger bars across the street from one another.  If I had to, I'd give the edge to Flipside who at least has some outdoor seating.
This is in fact a missed opportunity that is indicative of the times and tastes of the CT Gold Coast barfly and restaurant-goer.  Somebody opens a place somewhere with a decent gimmick, the business is good, and suddenly they decide to open them all throughout the 95-corridor (see Barcelona, Bar Taco, Black Bear, etc).
Why not put a casual and comforting Irish pub at the site of the old post office? Or what about a halfway decent sport's bar?  Or- and here's a crazy idea- why doesn't somebody have the bright idea to open something like a piano bar in the area? There are in fact no piano bars around, and I'd be willing to bet that this would be a novelty that wouldn't soon wear off.  Alas, many in the area have mediocre tastes and like mediocre things. 
And at the end of the day, what exactly is so damn special about a hamburger that places dedicated to its existence and prospering need to open left and right? Last I checked, a New York Strip steak was far more enjoyable and- at these prices- not much more expensive than a hamburger. 

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me There is a Nathan's in Fairfield?

These days, it seems chic and trendy to dismiss fast food as being rubbish and sure to cause imminent death.  Don't get me wrong, fast food is, well, fast, and usually not very good at all.  But when people tell you that they refuse to eat fast food under any circumstances, they are usually lying. 
Fast food is part of American culture, and while it may not be the healthiest part or the one that we should be most proud of, there is no denying it is one of the country's contributions to international cuisines.  And in a time when "street food" seems all the rage, people need to realize that in many ways, fast food and street food are linked.
And to those who say that fast food is strictly an American thing, eaten by a bunch of unhealthy overweight Americans, I say take a look and see just how many fast food eateries have  popped up all over the world. 
I don't make fast food a regular staple in my diet, but once every few weeks, I'll treat myself to something greasy and unhealthy.  When I do, however, I be sure to make it as significant and special as possible (in other words, I try to avoid McDonald's and Burger King). 
So you can imagine my thrill and delight a few days ago as I was traveling down the busy Post Road in Fairfield, and saw that there was a Nathan's open in a gas station convenience mart.  Accordingly, it's not a full-service Nathan's, but the basics of the menu are there, and it's a great location. I wish there a was a place to sit, but with as hungry as I was, eating and drinking in my car was fine by me.
Nathan's makes a good fast-food hamburger.  In a time when hamburgers are all the rage again (with burger bars popping up left and right) the Nathan's hamburger is a good size, and a good price (for a mere $6.00 it came with a medium beverage and fries).
I was disappointed with their fountain beverage choices, and the lack of an unsweetened iced tea option (my summer staple)  didn't bode well (not to mention the fact that they were out of their famous iced tea), but these are small issues I suppose.
With the perennial local favorite, Duchess, making a very mediocre fast food burger, and the new guy in town, Five Guy's,  making a very overpriced one, Nathan's was a welcomed change.  Even better (and potentially dangerous) is the fact that this gas station convenience mart and Nathan's is open twenty-four hours a day.  So should I find myself in Downtown Fairfield, with a late night hankering for a decent burger, I know where to go. 

MY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY MEMORABLE

I generally don't care much for long holiday weekends.  Don't get me wrong- I love weekends, and I like some holidays, but these long weekends can be exhausting, draining, and very dangerous.  I write dangerous because of the countless number of idiots on the road, and (accordingly) the number of DUI checkpoints all throughout parts of Fairfield County.
And so it would be a Memorial Day weekend that was only intermittently pleasant (the weather on Saturday certainly didn't help).  If it's one thing I did do, however, it was eat and drink...a lot.
The festivities started with an impromptu dinner of sorts on Friday night at Mancuso's in Fairfield.  While my pork tenderloin smothered in broccoli rabe (and I mean smothered!) was decent, the entire experience was indicative of what's become of local "Italian" restaurants.  They remain Italian in name and design only, but the dishes are too heavy and oily to truly be considered authentic. Don't get me wrong, the entree was tasty, but I left Mancuso's feeling like I had just eaten at a mediocre wedding.  At least there wasn't a DJ encouraging everyone to dance to the Electric Slide.  And speaking of music, the bizarre 80s R&B mix that was playing at Mancuso's was about as Italian as a trip to Sbarro's.
On Saturday afternoon I stopped by Paradise Pizza in Stratford (I hesitate to consider Stratford part of the CT Gold Coast, but I was in the area).  When I had told people that I had never once sampled their supposedly famous pizza, I was met by gasps of shock.  So on a rainy afternoon, I bellied-up to the bar, ordered a pint and a small pizza. 
A large crowd was assembled to watch a soccer game, and the poor bartender (who was quite friendly and lovely) was frantically trying to cater to the needs of every demanding patron.  I remained patient, but eager to try the pizza.  When it finally did arrive (topped with spinach and black olives), I was disappointed to see that it was Greek pizza (nobody told me that).  All in all, it was good pizza, but in keeping with the Greek style, a tad too doughy for my taste.
By Sunday afternoon I needed to skip town desperately.  I hopped on I-95, and was pleasantly surprised that there was minimal traffic as I headed north.  I essentially left the geographic area referred to as "The Gold Coast" and went way into the outer-reaches of the sometimes enjoyable and often mellow Connecticut Shoreline.  It was there that I stopped at one of my favorite hideouts, Water's Edge in Westbrook.  This enormous and sprawling seaside resort is probably the finest of its sort in Connecticut. 
It was a rather mellow there Sunday afternoon, though the crew was hard at work setting up for a beachfront wedding that was to happen in a few hours.  The outdoor bar was set to open in less than twenty-four hours, but I took my drink from the indoor bar and sat outside.  The sun finally started to come out, and the weather warmed up a bit.  For a moment, I felt like I was on an actual vacation.  And I suppose that's one of the joys of Water's Edge: it's a classic resort bustling with weddings, bachelorette parties and various other activities, nestled in an otherwise low-key and quiet coastal town.  My only complaint about Water's Edge? The nearly hour drive for me to get there.  If it were only even twenty minutes closer, it would warrant far more regular visits. 
I concluded the long weekend at a rather peculiar establishment: Ruby Tuesday's at the Trumbull Mall.  Foodie and barfly purists alike shun such chain establishments, this I know.  But, frankly, I don't care.  The drinks were cheap (a mere $5.00 for a rather large mojito), the atmosphere laid back, and the service was quite good.  And though I didn't eat there, the menu looked pretty good (and the surf and turf the old-timer sitting across from me at the bar was inhaling looked very tasty).
Perhaps most important was the fact that- on Memorial Day- Ruby Tuesday's was open for business.  If Memorial Day is in fact one of the more authentically American holidays, then I suppose that I am glad I spent it at a venerable nationwide chain that serves hamburgers and fries, grilled sirloin and lobster tails, cheesecake and lemonade.

Tis the Season for Outdoor Drinking & Dining

Most will tell you that Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to the summer and- despite the somewhat slightly cooler than normal temps predicted this weekend- people in Fairfield County will be grilling, drinking up a storm, and trying to avoid the plethora of DUI checkpoints in the area all weekend long.
We don't get much more than four or five months of great outdoor weather here along the Connecticut Gold Coast, so when we find ourselves in the midst of that weather, people really like to take part in outdoor drinking and dining.  Fair enough.  I myself like to do the same,  but as time seems to pass, I notice that the choices for what is available in the area seem a little lackluster.  It's one thing to have a restaurant that has a small outdoor dining area, but what good is it when you're overlooking the parking lot of a strip mall? Seaside (or around here, Soundside) drinking spots are what become all the rage May through September. 
Stamford's Crabshell has long been a favorite for folks down county, and it's certainly not a bad choice.  It's not a great choice either.  Crabshell's waterfront location, slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Stamford is top-notch.  And sitting outside and enjoying  a few cold ones on a nice summer afternoon/evening seems picturesque.  The problem with the Crabshell is the problem with it's clientele, and much of Stamford in general: it's just trying too damn hard.  Stamford is a great city in Southwestern Fairfield County.  It's not, however, Westchester County or Manhattan.  The more advanced and developed Stamford becomes, the more cluttered its watering-holes and restaurants become with ten-cent millionaires and wannabes.
A little further up the road in Westport is Splash, a bar and restaurant located at the pristine Inn at Longshore.  This is a spot that truly epitomizes Gold Coast elegance and attitude, which isn't necessarily a good thing. And if Stamford finds itself cluttered with ten-cent millionaires, than Westport has quarter-millionaires.  They're out in full-force at Splash, along with desperate cougars and older men tying to throw some of their money around to pick up  twenty-something females plagued with low self-esteem and daddy issues.  Like that twenty-something female, Splash is fun to look at for a day or two, but sooner or later it will start to really annoy you.  I'm leery these days of restaurants and bars that boast they are part of a group of restaurants.  Such is the case with Splash, which is apparently part of the DeCaro Restaurant Group, who also own Baang, a forty-something meat-market pick-up joint in Greenwich. What happened to the good ol' days when people owned one restaurant and put everything they could into it? Nowadays, it's all about bragging about one's portfolio of places.
And then there's the venerable Captain's Cove in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.  While it's great for the sheer entertainment of people watching (I'm convinced that the DJ still plays the "Electric Slide" on Sunday nights and it packs the dancefloor), Captain's Cove is pretty much local seaside drinking at it's grittiest, and dirtiest.  I've blogged before about the collection of spare-parts that are easily found in Black Rock, and they are out in full force at Captain's Cove on Sundays in the summer.  Fortunately, so are the cops.
I won't even write about Stonebridge in Milford as it's not quite Gold Coast, and it's success is due largely to the fact that it's the safe bet for residents of The Valley to go drink when they want something waterfront and upscale (and Stonebridge isn't quite either of those).
There are countless other options I neglected to mention, from the upscale Delamar in Greenwich, to the mediocre Outrigger's in Stratford; but unfortunately, with all of the aforementioned choices, there isn't one that stands out as being original and thoroughly enjoyable.
Personally, when I feel the urge for a little seaside libation, I do enjoy The Boatyard, located around the back of Smokey Joe's Ribs on the Stamford/Darien line.  It's not quite seaside (there's a creek running along the back, with an outdoor patio), but the atmosphere is more laid back, and even a little Cape Cod-esque.  It's a far cry from the craziness of any of the other places I've listed, but if what you want is something a little more low-key, then Boatyard may be worth trying. 

Cafe Madrid (Probably Should Have Been Named Cafe Quito)

So after leaving the delicious and memorable meal at Basso, we staggered across the parking lot of the strip mall, and adjacent to the Rite Aid were flashing fluorescent lights circled around the sign that read "Cafe Madrid".   It looked as though it was brand new, and I was impressed to see some outdoor dining set-up (though looking out at people walking in and out of Rite Aid clutching contraceptives, diapers and laxatives maybe isn't that appealing).
Walking into Cafe Madrid, I was immediately impressed with the decor and vibe. It's obvious that much thought went into the design of the place, and whoever did design it really was trying to go for an authentic-looking tapas bar.  The wine list was good and affordable, consisting largely of Spanish and South American varietals (a few of which I had never even heard of).  The drink they poured the lovely lady accompanying me was incredibly strong and got her rather tipsy (good for me).  And by the time we left,  I found myself with a bit of a buzz (not good for, considering the twenty minute ride home that was awaiting me).
I decided to return to Cafe Madrid the following week to sample the food and see if everything was as good as it looked.  Now I generally have a problem with Tapas Bars, and I'm tired of seeing them pop up all over the place.  Back in the early part of the 2000's, the craze was strip-mall sushi, and even the most tried and true family-friendly Chinese restaurants (you know, places with names like Peking Garden #4) were adding sushi bars and sushi chefs.  For the most part, the sushi at these places was nothing special.  Such seems to be the case now with Tapas Bars, as they are spreading like wildfire, and just about any and every slightly ethnic eatery- even ones next to a Radio Shack or Rent-A-Center- likes to brag about their Tapas.
Really, Tapas in general leave me unsatisfied if I'm in the mood for a meal.  If I wan't a snack or an appetizer it's fine, but my appetite needs a real meal nine out of ten times. 
So when eating at Cafe Madrid, I opted for the Pollo Inferno, a spicy chicken breast smothered in hot peppers, onions and in a white wine sauce.  It was good for $14.95, though nothing that I couldn't have made at home.  And it's nothing that I couldn't have ordered down the road at any run-of-the-mill gritty Central or South American restaurant not trying to be a Tapas Bar for $8.95.  Speaking of South American, in talking with the very friendly and outgoing bartender at Cafe Madrid, I learned that the restaurant is about as Spanish as I am.  Based on the names and some of the menu items, I deduced that Cafe Madrid is Ecuadorian-owned.  I see nothing wrong with that, as I quite like Ecuadorian cuisine.  In fact, I would have much rather the place be an outright and honest Ecuadorian restaurant, and not try to pass itself as a Tapas Bar.  But, again, it's all about marketing and $$$$, and the average unknowing Gold Coast customer gets all excited and aroused when they hear the word "Tapas"; so I can't say I blame them for at least trying.
I'll definitely go back to Cafe Madrid at some point this summer.  It's a mellow, laid back sort of place, and the vibe is quite nice (indicative of the outgoing and kind people behind the bar).  And while I may not order a meal there, it's definitely worth going for a few drinks and a chance to unwind.  And if nothing else, I can sit outside and watch the locals go in and out of Rite Aid.