Monday, November 14, 2016

Restaurant Recommendations

By Chadwick Ciocci

Greenwich, CT is not normally considered a hotbed of fine cuisine, but the reality is the town sports some of the most enjoyable, chic and delicious restaurants outside of Manhattan. And with Greenwich Restaurant starting shortly (November 11-20), below are some of the restaurants we most enjoy.



East End is a newer establishment on Greenwich Avenue that serves fine Americana fare that changes with the seasons. Their décor is one of the chicest in town and their ambience is at once young and fun but refined and upscale too – a difficult balancing act to achieve. For dinner we recommend ordering their Rohan duck breast and a bottle of their pinot noir, Emeritus from the Russian River.


The National comes to us by celebrity chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur Geoffrey Zakarian. Not only is this a wonderful place for lunch or dinner but it is perfect for after-work drinks as well. The wait staff looks fantastic in their vintage throwback jackets. This is Zakarian’s first foray outside of Manhattan and we couldn’t be happier. For dinner we recommend their grilled Spanish octopus with a side of charred broccoli and a bottle of La Scolca, black label, Gavi di Gavi.


Back 40 serves entirely organic food that is locally sourced, and their passion for health comes through in their cooking. We recommend their organic salmon, which comes with fresh shaved Brussels sprouts and confit potato. We recommend pairing with a bottle of Pierre Morey Monthelie – a pinot noir from Brugundy.



Le Penguin is a wonderful place for family, friends or anything else, and their cuisine will undoubtedly please your pallet. You simply cannot go wrong with anything you order at Le Penguin. For something a little different, we recommend their mustard crusted rack of lamb with white beans and tomato Provençale. Pair it with Caymus Vineyards, a cabernet from Napa Valley.




The Poodle, as it is known colloquially, is simply one of the most enjoyable and well-done restaurants in Greenwich. They are the sister restaurant of Le Penguin and similarly, one will find it difficult to make a bad decision. Their service is also impeccable, and the staff will not only get to know you but your preferences too. We highly recommend their chicken paillard and to pair it with a Joseph Drouhin 1er Cru, Vaudon, a beautiful Chablis.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Rooms With a View: Must Attend Designer Event

By Christine Finch Oleynick

Each year I look forward to Rooms With A View (RWAV) and this year is no exception. Now in its 22nd year, RWAV is the premier design event in Fairfield County created by the Dean Of American Design, Mr. Albert Hadley, and now with Honorary Chairman, Thom Filicia. Each year, 12 designers are invited to create 6’ x 8' vignettes. These mini-rooms (8-foot ceilings and three walls) are staged in the library and great hall of the historic, stone, Gothic Revival-style Southport Congregational Church in Southport, CT.  



RWAV is unique in that it is not a showcase in the traditional sense.  It is a sound bite version of a designer show house.  The designers are challenged to get an idea across in a small amount of space.     


The show opens to the public on Friday, November 11 at 10:00 a.m.  
Some of the highlights of the weekend include the Gala Party Friday evening, featuring cocktails and fabulous hors d’oeuvres by the top restaurants of Fairfield County, with an entertaining live and silent auction, as well as Gingerbread People decorating from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for the kids in the tent. For $10, your child will receive a home-made gingerbread person, frosting and candy to decorate with as well as 1/2 hour of babysitting while they do it!  

Saturday, November 12th, the doors will open at 10:00 AM and features two special events.  Our popular Luncheon by Festivities has a new element this year, "The Sinatra Songbook" (a live performance by Paul Whitmore and Peary Spaght) and the evening will feature an exceptional Champagne Tour of the Vignettes and Gourmet Dinner by Paci Restaurant.  On Sunday, November 13 at 2 p.m., a Gingerbread House Workshop will be held in the main tent.
RWAV is open to the public on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 PM.
The Shops at RWAV have more than 30 vendors from around the country who are selling their crafts, antiques and decorative accessories.  A Marketplace Café, as well as other exciting events, are planned to fill out the weekend.

Over the last 22 years, RWAV has raised more than $1,500,000.00  Proceeds support the work of the church and its many local and international missions, including Alpha Community Services, Bridgeport Council of Churches, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Burroughs Community Center, Center for Women and Families, Eagle Hill School Scholarship Fund, Emerge, Inc., Family Re-Entry, FSW, Grasmere by the Sea, Homes For The Brave, Horizons, Janus House, The Kennedy Center, Operation Hope, The Pilot House, Project Learn, Prospect House, Simply Smiles, St. George’s Soup Kitchen, and Visiting Nurses of Connecticut.
This year’s designers include:
·       Hannah Childs for Hannah Childs Interior Design   
·       Joss Citrone and Beth Sheridan Schoenherr for SHERIDAN INTERIORS
·       Tyler Constanda for TC Designs
·       Ken Gemes for KEN GEMES INTERIORS
·       Douglas Graneto for DOUGLAS GRANETO DESIGN    
·       Michelle Morgan for MORGAN HARRISON HOME
·       Jhon Ortiz and Scott Falciglia for THE TAILORED HOME    
·       Stephanie Rapp for STEPHANIE RAPP INTERIORS
·       Christina Roughan for ROUGHAN INTERIOR DESIGN
·       Jonathan Savage for SAVAGE INTERIOR DESIGN
·       Alexa van Batenburg for HAUTE CINQ   
·       Sarah Weiland for TUSK HOME & DESIGN
·       PARKER & COMPANY  (chapel design)

Nearby restaurants include the Grey Goose and Artisan at The Delamar Hotel. 
National Sponsors:
CIRCA LIGHTING      FARROW & BALL
Media Sponsors:
atHome/Moffly   CT Cottages & Gardens     New England Home
Serendipity
Retail Sponsors:
Millie Rae's      Walin & Wolff
Liquor Sponsor
Asylum Disillery
Narthex Designer
Geoffrey Walsky for Fairfield Co. Antique and Design Center
For more information, please call 203-255-4538
Southport Congregational Church
524 Pequot Avenue
Southport, CT  06890

For more information, contact Christine Finch Oleynick at Christine@ChiltonAndChadwick.com.