Having been to Rizzuto’s in Westport, I knew to expect  simple ingredients in classic presentation.

I again ordered the vegetable antipasto ($4.95 each, or the bargain of $14.95 for all seven). It included chickpea puree (hummus) with toasted pine nuts and peperonata; Sicilian eggplant caponata; Mediterranean olives with orange zest and seasoned with thyme; farro salad with finely diced artichokes, olives and mushrooms; roasted cauliflower with pistachios, preserved lemons and currants;  roasted frying peppers, garlic, rosemary and aged provolone; and —  the only disappointment — the artichoke hearts, that the menu described as grilled with lemon and olive oil, but were flavorless.  All were served with fresh  crunchy oven-fired flatbread. Delicious with a bottle of Barbera d’ Alba, Damilano, Piedmont ($34) from the “Medium Bodied and Soft” part of the wine list.

Having enjoyed that before, I should have realized it was more than enough. But trouper that I am, we kept going so I could tell you about more of the menu.

My dining companion enjoyed a perfectly cooked pan-roasted wild striped bass with roasted red peppers, asparagus, potatoes and cipollini onions in a  tomato vinaigrette.  And — having  enjoyed the Pappardelle Bolognese ($18.95)  — I ordered the rustic tomato-meat (beef, veal, pork) ragu again. This time it was finished by topping it with fresh ricotta.

If you still have a bit or room for dessert, I suggest an order of chocolate pistachio dipped cannolis with chocolate chip cream filling ($6.95 for two).

– bonnie

Rizzuto’s Stamford
1980 West Main Street
Stamford, CT 06902
203-324-5900
rizzutos.com
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