Looking for a restaurant destination with a wide range of high quality options, easy parking, and an indie movie theater? Look no further than Norwalk’s Wall Street. Overshadowed by the raucous development of the SoNo restaurant/entertainment scene, “downtown” Norwalk is an alternative hub of independent restaurants. Well known for its storefront ethnic dining options (the subject of a future column), Wall Street is now the home to lots of excellent and diverse restaurant choices.

As the weather warms (may it be soon) and the daylight lengthens (yea time change), take a stroll along Wall Street to explore the enticing opportunities to eat well. The walk will include a few short detours on side streets, but its all part of a close knit dining tour.

Bar Sugo, at the west end of Wall (not far from the library), is a warm and inviting chef-owned trattoria. Any menu that starts off with a meatball tasting grabs my interest. Six variations on the theme, all robust and distinctive, are worth a visit. The hand-made pasta and brick oven pizza offerings push my buttons. A nice selection of cheeses and a wide range of small plates make it hard for me to limit my ordering to a prudent level. The checkered floor, exposed brick walls and natural wood accents create an inviting atmosphere. Friend them on Facebook for enticing pictures of the Chef’s specials.

Across Wall and a few doors down Isaac Street (on the way to the Garden Cinema) is the bustling and authentic family-run Pontos Taverna. From the sidewalk you can see happy diners, a busy staff and a full dining room through the large front windows. The authentic greek menu from the scratch kitchen, is filled with family recipes and shows a passion for authenticity and bold flavor. On their web site, www.pontostaverna.com, there are several pages introducing the family and staff – describing in detail their history, personality, style and individual roles in the Taverna’s success. No reservations are taken – get there early if you’re going to a movie.

Further east Wall and just to the left on River Street, BJ Ryan’s Banc House invites you in for barbecue and more. The casual pub atmosphere is great for families, couples and dinner with friends. The extensive menu has a southern accent with collards, corn bread, fried pickles, deviled eggs and a broad selection of slow cooked Barbecue. Crabs are featured – Dungeness, King crab, blue crab (in season) and crab cakes as well as local oysters. In addition to all this, there are more than two dozen salads, sandwiches and entrees. Prices are reasonable, service professional and presentation much more creative than you might expect. Parking here is easy at the (free in the evening) Yankee Doodle Parking Garage, just across the street.

Tinto Bar Tapas is further along Wall across the Norwalk river in the old Trolley Barn. I’m a sucker for these small plate menus. Chef owned Tinto offers 30 enticing and seductive tapas, each one irresistible. We like to order two or three with a couple of glasses of wine. And then try a few more with a different wine. I’ve been known to venture into a third wave with more wines crossing the line into overindulgence. And then, a little sweet caps off the meal. Large plates, including three variations of Paella, make it even harder to choose. The colorful dining room and knowledgeable staff round out the picture.

Diagonally across Wall St is the always popular Fat Cat Pie Co. Billed as an organic pizza and wine pub, the Fat Cat pioneered good eating on Wall Street. The limited menu of pizza, salad, and cheese plus an extensive wine list, in both glass and bottle, has been a hit since the opening. The offerings are so unique and originally presented that the Fat Cat has thrived and grown in what would not be considered a prime restaurant location. The sophisticated palates from Fountainhead wines are the driving force behind the Fat Cat. Their incomparable wine knowledge and creative menu ideas have made the Fat Cat a food and wine destination. If you haven’t been, put it on your list.

There’s much more dining just around corner on Main – too much for this column, but I’ll get to it eventually. And lots of ethnic places, great for a quick meal or take out. The Garden cinema, on Isaac St,. presents a diverse range of indie and art house movies that attract a discerning crowd. Paired with the bounty of dining options it makes an enjoyable and easy night out.

Wall Street is headed for an explosion of growth. Major development projects are on the drawing boards for residential and retail space. In the meantime, reasonable rents and the prospect of growth are drawing food entrepreneurs. If you haven’t been, plan to go soon. As the weather warms, take a food walk on Wall Street and bring your appetite.

Bar Sugo 203-956-7134
102 Wall St.
www.barsugo.com

Pontos Taverna 203-354-7024
7 Isaac St.
www.PontosTaverna.com

Tinto Bar Tapas 203-866-8800
10 Wall St.
www.TintoBarTapas.com

BJ Ryan’s Banc House
16 River St.
www.bjryans.com

Fat Cat Pie Company (203) 523-0389
9-11 Wall St.
www.FatCatPie.com