Our readers love living in Fairfield County—but it’s hard to beat hometown pride. So along with revealing the Gold Coast winners in this issue, we’re also sharing our voters’ favorite places right here in Fairfield and Southport. Below, find insights from a few winners; at right, the complete list.
“My favorite menu item is from our new summer menu is the Pesto Burrata Caprese Pizza along with the new Summer Sparkle Cocktail —watermelon purée, prosecco and elderflower liquor,” says owner Clara Cavalli. Also, indulge in Brick + Wood’s mozzarella bar, where mozzarella and burrata are prepared fresh. And sink your teeth into the wood-fired pizza, which is APN-Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani certified.
BRICK + WOOD
Pizza
Having a summertime get-together? Perhaps you should order double-servings of the Guinness B.B.Q Pulled Pork, a dish suggested by Paul Zawadski, general manager. He’s been with The Pantry for ten years, so you can trust that he knows what Fairfielders want. “It’s just great for a summer barbecue. It’s really tasty and is made right here in the store.” He also suggests ordering lots of the appetizers and party plates, such as grilled vegetables or chips-and-guac platter.
THE PANTRY
Gourmet Grocery, Gourmet to Go, Cupcakes and Sweets
This year Greg French was named president of Henry C. Reid, a third-generation, 108-year-old, family-owned and -operated jewelry shop. “I am lucky to call many of our customers my friends,” Greg says. “We will continue to bring the world’s finest jewelry and timepieces to our clientele.” Also, due to an increased demand for in-house jewelry designs, he says “creating hand-forged pieces is now our signature offering.”
HENRY C. REID
Women’s Watches
“When couples trust our design vision, we can truly do our best work,” says Tina Ahlberg, designer and event specialist. “Don’t settle for a copy of someone else’s flowers that you find on Pinterest. Let us get to know you and work with the freshest seasonal flowers available to create custom pieces as unique as you are!” Trust experience— Hansen’s Flower Shop has been creating arrangements for life’s biggest moments since 1920.
HANSEN’S FLOWER SHOP
Wedding Floral Designer
FAIRFIELD AND SOUTHPORT WINNERS
CUISINE
New Restaurant: Tequila Revolucion
Wine List: 55 Wine Bar & Wood Grille
Steak: Blackstone’s Steakhouse
Tapas Menu + Spanish: Barcelona
Special Occasion/Date Night + Outdoor Dining + Hotel Restaurant + American: Artisan Restaurant
Creative Menu + Best Service: Flipside Burgers & Bar
Weekend Brunch: The Chelsea
Vegetarian / Health Food: b.Good
Italian: Brick + Wood
Asian Fusion: Wild Rice
French: Martel Bistro & Bar
Japanese + Sushi: Fin Japanese Restaurant
Mexican/Latin Fusion: Bodega Taco Bar
Indian: Bangalore Restaurant & Bar Of India
Chinese: Wild Rice
Thai: Lucky Thai Kitchen
Greek + Mediterranean: Layla’s Falafel
DRINK
Restaurant Bar + Happy Hour + Singles Scene (Under 35) + Margaritas + Martinis: Flipside Burgers & Bar
Pub: Little Pub
Wine Bar + Singles Scene (Over 35) + Outdoor Bar: 55 Wine Bar & Restaurant
Sports Bar + Big Game Day: Archie Moore’s
Girls’ Night Out: Molto
Beer Selection: Local Kitchen & Beer Bar
Microbrew: Little Pub (Fairfield)
GOURMET
Gourmet Caterer + Gourmet Grocery + Gourmet To Go: The Pantry
Health Food Market: Whole Foods Market
Butcher Shop: Custom Meats
Wine Shop+ Liquor Store: Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market
SWEETS
Desserts + Cupcakes: The Pantry
Chocolate Shop: Isabelle et Vincent
Frozen Yogurt: 16 Handles
Ice Cream/Gelato + Candy Store: Saugatuck Sweets
Bakery: Billy’s Bakery
Coffee Shop: Las Vetas
CASUAL
Cafe/Bistro: Café Madeline
Lunch Spot + Hamburgers: Flipside Burgers & Bar
Hot Dogs + Food Truck: Super Duper Weenie
Pizza: Brick + Wood
Bagels: Bagel King of Fairfield
Deli: A&S Fine Foods
Diner: Circle Diner
Breakfast: Chef’s Table
Juice Bar: Tied! Catch a Healthy Habit and Organika Kitchen
FASHION
Lingerie: Victoria’s Secret
Black-Tie Gala Attire + Cocktail Attire + Women’s Fashion + Designer Boutique + Jeans + Teen Fashion + Accessories: Apricot Lane
Women’s Shoes: DSW
Men’s Fashion + Men’s Shoes + Department Store: Mitchells
Swimwear: Swim ‘N Surf
Eyewear: Optical Alternatives
Consignment: Twice As Nice
Tailor: Bae’s Tailor
JEWELRY
Women’s Watches: Henry C. Reid & Son Jewelers
Men’s Watches: Lenox Jewelers
Selection By Local Designers: Altan Jewelers
Estate Jewelry + Local Jewelry Boutique + Designer Jewelry: Kasson Jewelers
Costume Jewelry: Apricot Lane
SELF
Blow Out/Updo + Women’s Salon + Colorist + Men’s Salon: H Salon
Day Spa + Facial: All About You Medical Spa
Massage: Sabita Holistic Center (Southport)
Makeup Artist: Shealeen Worby of H Salon
Waxing: Total Look Salon & Spa (Southport)
Manicure + Pedicure: Posh Nail Spa (Southport)
Spray Tan: Pink Soda
BRIDAL
Wedding Rings: Altan Jewelers
Wedding Planner: Ashley Douglass Events
Wedding Gifts + Wedding Registry: Bed Bath & Beyond
Wedding Reception Venue: The Burr Homestead
Wedding Photographer: Melani Lust
Wedding Cakes: The Pantry
Wedding Floral Designer: Hansen’s Flower Shop
Wedding Invitations/Stationery: MK&T Designs
Wedding Dj/Live Music: Dance to the Music Entertainment
HOME
Garden Center: Ganim’s Garden Center & Florist
Linens: HomeGoods
Florist: Hansen’s Flower Shop
Home Accessories Boutique + Antiques/Vintage Store: Lattice House
Appliances: Marsillio’s Appliance & TV
Cooking Classes + Personal Chef Services: Cinch
Livery Service: Serlin International Limousine and Post Road
Auto Repair Shop: Fairfield Collision Center
Car Wash: Splash Car Wash
Dry Cleaner: Friendly Cleaners
Storage Facility: Westy Self Storage
FITNESS
Gym: The Edge Fitness Club
Fitness Studio: Orangetheory Fitness
Yoga Studio: Yoga For Everybody
Crossfit: BK Athletics
Spinning Classes: Zenride Spinning Studio
Pilates: Black Rock Pilates
Barre: The Bar Method
Dance Fitness: Double Up Dance Studio
Outdoor Sports (Boards & Boats): Fairfield Swim ‘N Surf
Golf Equipment: Garner Golf
Sports Gear Store: ASF Sports & Outdoors
Bicycle Shop: Zane’s Cycles/Trek
Fitnesswear: Athletic Shoe Factory
ENTERTAINMENT
Live Music Spot + Performing Arts Venue: Fairfield Theatre Company
Local Rock Band: Tangled Vine
Local Cover Band: The Short Bus
Music Lessons: Fairfield School of Music
Radio FM: Star 99.9
Radio Personality: The Anna & Raven Show / Star 99.9
Art Gallery: J. Russell Jinishian Gallery
Museum: Fairfield Museum and History Center
FAMILY
Family-Friendly Restaurant: Colony Grill
Toy Store: New Canaan Toy Store
Place For Children’s Parties: Hands On Pottery
Baby Store: Magic Beans
Kids’ Fitness/Sports Training: Sportsplex
Museum for Children: Fairfield Museum and History Center
Children’s Haircuts: H Salon
Nanny/Babysitting Services: Nannies as Needed
Art Classes: The Studio
College Prep Courses: Mathnasium of Fairfield
Languages Classes: ABC Languages
Kids’ Music Lessons: Fairfield School of Music
Bookstore: Fairfield University Bookstore
Pet Supplies/Clothing: Petco
Dog Groomer/Pet Spa: Greenfield Hill Dog Grooming
Veterinarian: Southport Veterinary Hospital
Local Hotel: Delamar Southport
Join the party on July 19!
Winners from all our towns will share their expertise and have fun with you!
More at bestofgoldcoastct.com/party-2018