There’s no same-old, same-old in the 06880. Westport has an exciting culinary scene with diners tasting a new sensation every day of the week.
The common denominator in the town’s newest and updated restaurants is the love of breaking bread — and much more — with friends.
Each brings the winning combination of unique perspectives and the finest ingredients to the tables.
“Our passion was always to open a restaurant,” says Inda Sade, co-owner, with her husband Solomon, of Blondinit. The couple moved here with their family during the pandemic, and they’ve found an ideal situation, opening a business in the same community they’re raising their children in.
Let’s raise our glass to going out and trying something new tonight.
New Restaurants in Westport – Fall 2023
1. THE BLONDINIT
Traditional Israeli food is largely unexplored in our area, but the Sades are planning on changing that. Their new restaurant fills the former Manna Toast space on Church Lane. The name in Hebrew translates to “female blonde” in English. (It was Solomon Sade’s idea to name it after his wife.)
“We are excited to bring Israeli food to the ones that are familiar with it but have no option in the Westport area, and even more excited to introduce new diners to the tastes of Israel,” Inda Sade says.
The menu — including shakshuka and deep-fried cheese-stuffed matzo — marry the couple’s passions: food and heritage. To ensure authenticity, several items and ingredients will make the daily commute from Brooklyn. The Sades won’t use freezers or microwaves, and leftover food will be donated to food rescues.
2. ZUCCA GASTROBAR
Make sure you look up at Zucca Gastrobar: the chandeliers and tile work set up the elegant food and service while lending a casual vibe.
Coming to Westport (in the former Tarry Lodge space) makes so much sense for the Molto Group, with its many other Fairfield County restaurants. The Saugatuck Train Station location made it that much more appealing. Surely it will to diners, too.
The menu will offer fresh pastas, tapas, salads and seafood. And the specialty of the house might just be the Sunday Gravy, a combination of beef, sausage, braciola and fall-off-the-bone short ribs.
The cocktail menu is made to match the food, including some drinks on offer as brunch-only specialties, while the wine lists will offer some reserve selections for true aficionados.
3. TACOMBI
Eat well and do good. That’s what Tacombi, a taquería founded on the white sands of the Yucatán, promises its customers.
Here at the Post Road East location, diners enjoy the most honest, authentic Mexican culinary traditions. Meanwhile, thousands of food-insecure families will enjoy a nutritious meal thanks to the Tacombi Community Kitchen model.
And even thousands of miles from its original location, it is committed to “authentic taco culture.” That means doing it sustainably with wholesome, simple ingredients — and double-fisting: tacos or tostadas filled with Mexico City-style marinated pork with pineapple or crispy beer-battered baja fish — among many options — in one hand and a specialty margarita or spiked hibiscus in the other.
4. EMMY SQUARED
Detroit pizza — via Brooklyn — is coming our way.
Detroit pizza, you ask? Think square shape, crispy bottom, fluffy dough and a cheesy “frico” crust.
At Emmy Squared, there’s a lot more to enjoy, as the menu of this mini chain founded in Williamsburg in 2016 also has an award-winning double-stack burger and mouthwatering sandwiches on pretzel buns — yes, pretzel buns.
But with their fresh ingredients, restaurant co-founder Emily Hyland and executive chef Matthew Hyland, with partners Howard Greenstone and Ken Levitan, pledge more: “In every community we join, our team is committed to contributing to the community and practice our company ethos of inclusivity and unparalleled hospitality.”