Some people call it "spaghetti sauce," others call it "gravy," but when we enjoy a well-made pasta topping, we don't hesitate to mop up the extra with some bread rather than let it go to waste. You can't always tell which restaurants are making fresh pasta, or their own tiramisu, by looking at the red tablecloths and white napkins. Whether you're craving a simple plate of spaghetti and meatballs, or an osso buco that melts in your mouth, here are our choices for the Top 10 Italian Restaurants in Greenwich, presented in alphabetical order. Mangia!
Some people call it "spaghetti sauce," others call it "gravy," but when we enjoy a well-made pasta topping, we don't hesitate to mop up the extra with some b... more
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1
Centro at The Mill
328 Pemberwick Rd., Greenwich, CT 06831 / 203-531-5514
Dramatic as the view at Centro at the Mill is---it overlooks a waterfall and the Byram River---it may obscure the fact that this Italian restaurant, located in a renovated carpet mill, is actually one of a three-unit chain (the others being in Darien and Fairfield). However, in this case, expansion is indicative of the old adage that practice makes perfect. To take advantage of all this branch has to offer, secure a window table or dine al fresco on the terrace, taking in the sound of the cascading water below---and the family-friendly vibe; crayons are provided for doodling on the crisp white butcher paper that serves as tablecloth. Service is prompt and unobtrusive. And if all that isn’t enough, the kitchen’s expansive repertoire is a cut above what you might expect amid all the distracting bells and whistles.
2
Da Vinci's Ristorante
235 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-661-5831
In 1966, a recently married young couple, Lisa and Tony Vitiello, opened a small Italian restaurant and pizza parlor called Da Vinci's on the corner of Greenwich Avenue and East Elm Street, sharing the kitchen chores. As the business prospered, they expanded and turned it into a more proper establishment with an extensive menu, hired a staff, and eventually eliminated all but personal-size pizzas in-house, while continuing to make them for their take-out trade. Da Vinci's has a home-like atmosphere where many customers are known by name---their favorite dishes are remembered and how they like them prepared. It's kind of like those old Prince spaghetti commercials where everyone came home to mama's on Thursday nights, only in Greenwich, they head for Da Vinci's, many for what Lisa terms comfort foods, such as ravioli al pomodoro, manicotti Siciliana, macaroni al forno and spaghetti con polpette.
3
Il Falco
59 Broad St., Stamford, CT 06901 / 203-327-0002
An oasis of calm for the corporate crowd at lunch, and a favorite for couples in the evening, Il Falco exudes an ambience that is at once both casual and sophisticated. The menu is extensive, the drinks large, and the service impeccable. Veal is what Il Falco is all about, though the daily pasta specials are generally good. And if it's not on the menu but you have a craving for it, chances are they'll oblige you.
4
Luca's of Greenwich
35 Church St., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-869-4403
Luca's of Greenwich is owned by Luca Gabriele, who was a chef at Manero's steakhouse for many years prior to opening Luca's. Diners may start their meal with buttery garlic bread, deep-fried zucchini and heaps of fried onions. Luca learned the business from his mentor, the late Nick Manero, and the quality and size of dishes prove that he was a good student, especially with his legendary preparation of Chateaubriand for two which is enough to feed a party of six. Ditto for his New York cut T-bone and sirloin for two. Don't overlook his Italian specialties, such as filet of sole Francese, chicken Francese or chicken Marsala. The veal Parmigiana is superb, and a single portion can easily satiate three.
5
Mediterraneo
366 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-629-4747
Among the numerous victims of the conversion of Greenwich Avenue into the East's version of Rodeo Drive, as the escalating rents forced many long-time businesses out, was a popular, though small, sandwich shop known as the Chopping Block. It was replaced by a splendid, albeit miniature version, of the lounges found on such luxury cruise ships as the QE2 and the Crystal Harmony. Called Mediterraneo, this café-cum-yacht cabin has an authentic and well-executed nautical décor, complete with a highly polished planked floor and bar top, and coiled lines hanging from the ends of the banquettes. It's fabulous, as is the chow, which as the name implies is Italian, although it borders on Greek. You might want to call it Korfu-Italian, with such cross-the-Ionian Sea delicacies as grilled marinated lamb kebab and kofte with spiced rice and mint yogurt, or linguine with shrimp, baby clams, hot sausage, tomato, white wine and parsley. The service is comparable to that found on board a top-of-the-market liner. If you don't have a yacht or belong to a yacht club, set sail for Mediterraneo. You can even eat on the afterdeck---sorry mate, we mean the outside patio.
6
Polpo
554 Old Post Rd., #3, Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-629-1999
With overhanging foliage, stone façades and Doric columns, Polpo's atmosphere is one of provincial elegance. The intimate, country kitchen-style dining space is further enhanced by soft lighting, white tablecloths, warm wood tones and a buffet table loaded with wines, cheeses and floral centerpieces. A glass-enclosed space on the second floor that allows for year-round dining with a view, a separate room available for large and small parties---not to mention a charming piano bar with entertainment nightly---make Polpo a versatile venue, suitable for a special occasion or a mid-week break from your kitchen. The cuisine reflects a classic sensibility; the menu features traditional Italian favorites that emphasize quality and freshness and eschew excessive complexity in taste and presentation. The double veal chop, a thick cut of veal cooked with truffles and sage, is nicely prepared, as is the hearty braised rabbit with rosemary and garlic. In both dishes, the herbs and seasonings complement rather than dominate and overpower the meat itself.
7
Pomodoro Pizzeria & Trattoria
Riverside Shopping Ctr., 1247 E. Putnam Ave., Riverside, CT 06878 / 203-698-7779
Simple wooden chairs and tables, painted seaside views through trompe l’oeil windows and an authentic wood-fired brick oven complete the quaint, comfortable setting at the family-owned and -operated eatery, where hearty Italian-American cooking is the order of the day. Granted, sometimes that order is botched: an oversize portion of fried calamari comes excessively battered and somewhat oily. But sometimes it’s not, as with the robust, thick and meaty tortellini bolognese. Ditto the gourmet pizzas, especially the margherita, which boasts only ingredients imported from Napoli.
8
Terra Ristorante Italiano
156 Greenwich Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-629-5222
Terra has all the ingredients necessary to be one of lower Fairfield County's top Italian bistros---an attractive, be it somewhat crowded main dining room with soft lighting, a commodious bar and an inviting outdoor dining patio. It even has a generous and fairly priced menu. However, the sometimes inattentive and often curt staff seriously impairs its image, detracting from what otherwise should be a pleasant experience. Having alluded to these definite faults, it's hard to criticize the food or its presentation. But like its counterparts on Capri and the Amalfi Coast, people come to Terra more to be seen and see the celebs who frequent it, rather than to dine. The noise level is so high anyhow that it won't make any difference. Chances are you'll get what you ordered the first time. Our favorites are the pizzas prepared in the wood-burning oven and the pastas.
9
That Little Italian Restaurant
228 Mill St., Greenwich, CT 06830 / 203-531-7500
That Little Italian Restaurant is a neighborhood institution in a blue-collar section of town just steps from the New York State border. The family-owned storefront eatery caters to a primarily family clientele with an extensive, well-priced menu offering oversize portions, homemade sauces and bread, and just-like-Mama's mussel soup. Testimony to its quality is the fact that many who can afford to dine anywhere are regulars, more than willing to rub elbows with the hoi polloi.
10
Valbella
1309 E. Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich, CT 06870 / 203-637-1155
Valbella's reputation as the Greenwich area's premier Italian restaurant is well-deserved. Since 1992, this has been the place to head for on special occasions. But do bring lira, and lots of it, as its unexcelled ambience, service, outstanding northern Italian cuisine and mind-boggling wine list all warrant a hefty price. And while there's an extensive menu offering a wide selection of fish, poultry and meat dishes, regulars know to ask for such signature selections as sea bass wrapped in a potato crust or a thick and juicy veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella. However, even many of the legion of loyal devotees to this emporium dedicated to feasting à la the Caesars don't know about the wine cellar, a cavernous room lined with some 11,000 bottles of vino, where private parties can dine around a radiantly heated, massive granite table, retiring to the nearby fireplace for an after dinner drink.
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