Where would you like to eat tonight?

By Frank Whitman

Muses #9

In social situations I’ll sometimes give the conversation a nudge by asking, “Where do you like to eat out?” I’m not asking for favorite restaurants or the best restaurant, although the question could be taken that way.  I just want to hear where people like to go on the spur of the moment. The best response involves a weeknight spot where the food is good, the atmosphere welcoming, and access is easy – no advance plan needed, big bucks not required, and close by. 

But the responses run the gamut. One time the hesitant response was, “We don’t eat out much; we have a private chef,” – the first and only time for that answer. But after probing a little, Allium Eatery in Westport was mentioned. It’s a small, chef-run place near the train station with an excellent reputation. Based on that recommendation, we have a reservation there to celebrate Marsha’s birthday,  because it seems like more of a special occasion place. 

Hummus

Several neighbors called out Brasitis, on Main Avenue in Norwalk. It’s a close-by source for Latin and Spanish food. Sue and Bruce head there when the larder is low or cooking energy dips. Kathy and Marc were the first to talk about it.  They’ve been going for a while. It’s the kind of place where you aren’t surprised to see neighbors. 

Sally and Frank are known to get take-out from Mykonos Kouzina, another user-friendly Main Avenue eatery that’s popular in our neighborhood.

We joined Pat and Judd at their nearby go-to, Primavera on New Canaan Avenue. This family-run place was bustling on a weeknight. The owner seemed to be on a first-name basis with half of the tables. 

We were looking for exactly that kind of restaurant on a recent cold and dark January Wednesday.  

Spanakopata

Brasitis has been on our radar for some time. The appealing menu mixes South American favorites like empanadas, arepas, and seviche with Spanish flavors like Rioja braised boneless beef short ribs with Manchego risotto, Spanish flatbreads, and paella.  I felt lucky when I learned that Wednesday is paella and sangria night – paella for two and a pitcher of red sangria for $60.  My luck ran out when I called and learned that they were closed for a few days in these January doldrums for some kitchen maintenance. 

Instead, we headed to Mykonos Kouzina for a refreshing glass of Greek wine, some tasty appetizers, a shared entree and the restaurant’s year-round, sunny, blue-and-white Aegean vibe.   

Branzino

With our dining companions, we shared a plate of hummus ($11) with irresistibly warm, grilled pita bread while reviewing the menu of authentic Greek dishes. After ordering our mains, I suggested a spanakopita ($16) to tide us over while the dinner cooked. The generous square of spinach and feta surrounded with flaky pastry easily divided into four portions.  A hint of mint in the filling was a surprising and refreshing note.

Our perfectly-cooked, shared branzino ($42), a whole fish boned and butterflied, was modestly finished with a caper-butter sauce.  Delicious pastitchio ($25), a traditional Greek dish is lasagna-like, but made with tubular pasta instead of flat and seasoned with Hellenic flair. 

Pastitchio

At Mykonos Kouzina I always order a glass of Muses #9 white wine. A fresh, crisp, blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano and Assyrtiko, the white wine grape of Greece.  It’s a lovely seafood wine. 

My restaurant goal here is a modest, interesting dinner somewhere between pizza or pasta and $30 hamburgers. When I think about it, there are lots of small, often ethnic, restaurants that fill the bill. It’s nice to have a few in your back pocket for when the need or mood arises. Lucky us, there are plenty to choose from.  (If only it would stop snowing!)