With a plan to meet a potential new client from NYC in Stamford, I sent an email to Linda Kavanaugh, a PR person who represents Stamford-area restaurants asking where — near the train station — would I get decent meal and be able to hold a conversation.

I find the noise level at many restaurants so high that it’s almost impossible to even hear your companion.

“Ferrante in Stamford, 191 Summer Street,” she emailed back along with a couple other suggestions. “Lovely (quiet) place with great dining room – stylish bar – Italian food and great wines. Ask for Lenny.”

We did just that and who did we serendipitously find at the entrance but Linda, who was there helping out her friend.

Wanting to share, Cathy and I  asked if the kitchen might split each dish. Some places find this request troublesome, but not Ferrante. Not only did they split each dish but — for the Pan-seared Alaskan King crab cake with fennel-apple slaw ($16) — the kitchen made two small ones in lieu of cutting the larger crab cake in half. Now that’s service!

We enjoyed a Portobello alla Griglia ($14), a mushroom topped with Fontina cheese and served with fresh greens and a refreshing Arugola e Finocchio ($10), baby arugula and shaved fennel in a lemon vinaigrette.

Our Ossobuco di Agnello  ($20) of  Colorado lamb shank with risotto Milanese was so tender it almost melted in my mouth.

I had been looking for just a quick bite, but discovered this little gem and would go back again. Not only for the good food good and accommodating service, but because we could easily hold a conversation.

Cathy and I did just that, and signed our deal to work together with a hug. (My kind of contract.)

Ferrante Restaurant on Urbanspoon