Restaurants in Fairfield are taking off in new directions. One in particular, the Flying Dish, is made to appeal to the taste buds of kids and to any parent seeking diverse and healthy choices.
The restaurant’s CEO, Mita Spilo, a native of India, came to the United States at age 17 and put herself through NYU while also working on Wall Street. With that background, plus training at a New York culinary school and much maternal experience (she has three children), Spilo has exactly what it takes to run a family-friendly restaurant with an international flair. “My goal,” she says, “is to heighten our children’s global awareness through something as fun as food and imagery.”
A children’s menu offers many traditional items: grilled cheese, quesadillas, pastas, free-range chicken fingers, salmon, and pizza. Adults can sample chicken française, BBQ ribs, stir fry, crab cakes, and Cajun chicken. But it’s the added offerings that making this place special. Flying Dish introduces kids to ethnic cuisines. Every few months the Flying Dish takes off to another region, bringing brand-new regional menu items and world images via flat-screen TV. Children are encouraged to complete “country quizzes” (to win a dessert). Spilo notes that she likes to keep the international cuisine uncomplicated so it appeals to children.
“I do not know exactly what the world will be like years from now. But I do know for certain it will be a global world,” says Spilo of her desire to expose children to international cuisine and information. “Raising healthy, culturally rich children is a joint responsibility between parents and members of the community,” she says. Open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and weekend brunch. —Michelle Baker
Flying Dish, 1125 Post Rd., 259-3500 (flyingdish.com)
Around Fairfield there are many types of restaurants offering a variety of cuisines at all price levels. With just a little research, you’ll be sure to find the right eatery for the right occasion. (If we are missing your restaurant or your favorite eatery, let us know, and we’ll consider adding it to a future issue.) To aid you in attaining the perfect dining experience, the editors of Fairfield Magazine have compiled this list, which gives a short description of the restaurant and also provides the address, phone number, and price key.
E = expensive
M = moderate
I = inexpensive
Fairfield
Angus Steak House
Newly renovated in 2007, this steakhouse is a popular local restaurant featuring a variety of cuts of beef, chops, burgers, seafood, and a $1.99 kids menu all the time. Live music every Friday night starting at 8:30 p.m.
2133 Black Rock Tpke. (366-5902)
ericandmichaelssteakhouse.com. M
Archie Moore’s Bar and Restaurant
Located steps from the Fairfield train station, this is a popular local haunt for the train crowd, college kids, and families. Serves great burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, and their “famous” wings. The service is fast and friendly and the atmosphere pub-like.
48 Sanford St. (256-9295)
archiemoores.com. I-M
Avellino’s Italian Restaurant
An attractive Italian eatery within easy walking distance to downtown Fairfield. Serves classic Italian fare in a casual but upscale environment. Longtime Fairfielders love the comfort food and the take-out pizza (also made for children dining with their parents).
1813 Post Rd. (254-2339)
avellinosfairfield.com. M-E
Beach Café
A bright and airy restaurant right on the Post Road. Features salads, seafood, pastas, and more. A great bar and drink menu, along with live music on Saturday nights, makes this a favorite after-dinner stop. On Thursdays and Fridays a kids menu includes dinner and a movie with ice cream, popcorn, and babysitting. Parents can enjoy a great meal in peace while the kids are upstairs.
2070 Boston Post Rd. (254-3606)
beachcafefairfield.com. M
Bear & Grill
With an Adirondack ambiance and a vast and diverse menu, this is a favorite for families. Menu selections range from burgers to seafood and surprisingly delicious pizzas. A large bar area and live music on weekends adds to its appeal. Sunday brunch is a can’t-miss.
2000 Black Rock Tpke. (333-1522)
thebearandgrill.com. M
Black Rock Oyster Bar & Grill
A classic seafood restaurant with a
nautical feel. Features oysters and a wide variety of fish and shellfish appetizers, pastas, and entrees. The peel-and-eat shrimp is a real treat. Landlubbers and children will find plenty of options as well. The servers are attentive and eager to accommodate diners’ requests. Another bonus: its just down the road from the movie theaters.
348 Black Rock Tpke. (576-6657)
blackrockoysterbar.com. M-E
Bravo
With a menu that will appeal to a variety of palates, outdoor dining in the warmer months, and an ideal downtown location next to the Community Theater, this spot has a lot going for it. Look for “kids eat free” specials on weeknights. There’s also a private room for parties and a sometimes-wild late-night bar crowd.
1418 Boston Post Rd. (254-1478) M