The first edition of Westport Restaurant Week proved to be a tremendous success. The event—an ideal combination of cooperation and competition—showcased some truly exceptional restaurants. On behalf of RestaurantsCT.com, Sharon Sudusky and I made the rounds to distribute our editorial awards to winners. Thankfully, Sharon presented the award plaques, allowing me to remain behind the camera where I’m far more comfortable.
So competitive was the event that a couple of restaurateurs actually expressed disappointment at awards not won. All we can say is, better luck next time! There will be another Westport Restaurant Week coming up soon enough. But Westport is so awash in fine dining establishments that to win even one award is no small accomplishment. So here are our winners…
Garnering the most first-place awards with seven was Tarantino, a neighborhood fave. Here you see Sharon posing with gracious manager Angelo Capponi.
Tarantino’s first-place awards included Best Soup, Best Cheese Dish, Best meat Dish, Best Ambiance, Best Overall Service, Best Restaurant Owners and Best Overall Restaurant. Congratulations to the Marchetti-Tarantino family for a job well done!
Raking in the second most first-place awards with five was beloved Da Pietro’s. Here you see Sharon posing with Janine and Pietro Scotti,
while here you see their adorable daughter, Lucia, enjoying the sandwich she composed of fresh Mozzarella and tomato on an English muffin. Another budding chef?
Da Pietro’s first-place awards included Best Overall Value, Best Menu, Best Wine List, Best Dessert Selection and—this should come as no great surprise—Best Chef.
Four restaurants tied for third by accruing four first-place awards apiece. Here you see Sharon presenting general manager Michael Moroney of Acqua Ristorante Mediterraneo with its award certificate.
Gorgeous Acqua received first-place awards for Best Exterior, Best Décor, Most Romantic and Best Bread & Accompaniments, and scored highly in many other categories as well.
Tavern on Main was another big winner. Here you see our Sharon presenting owner Helen Zervus with her award,
and here you see the appealing porch seating,
which chilly weather kept me from photographing during my last visit. Hospitable Tavern on Main took first-place honors for Best Bar Area, Best Server, Best Vegetarian Dish and Best Dessert.
Splash in The Inn at Longshore had plenty to be proud of as well. Here Sharon is shown presenting a well-deserved award certificate to Dan Thelan and George Overton.
Splash’s first-place honors included Most Exotic Menu, Best Salad, Best Poultry Dish and Best Drink List.
The final establishment to take home four first-place awards was Rizzuto’s. Here you see Sharon presenting amiable owner Bill Rizzuto with his award.
Rizzuto’s reeled in our awards for Best Newcomer, Best Parking, Best Lounge Space and Hostess with the Mostess. The restaurant also showed well in several food categories.
Blue Lemon, a personal favorite, won first-place awards in three categories, including Best Seafood Dish, Best Plating and Best Front-of-the-House Person. Here you see Sharon presenting chef-owner Bryan Malcarney with his award.
Dressing Room, another exciting and innovative restaurant, took first-place honors for Best Pasta Dish, Best Overall Dish, and even Best Fireplace. Here you see handsome general manager Tor Newcomer accepting the award on behalf of Michel and Lori Nischan.
Not surprisingly, tantalizing Bobby Q’s Barbeque & Grill took the first-place awards for Best Piece of Meat and Heartiest Dish. Here’s Sharon sharing our plaque with Brian White and Matt vander Els.
Elegant Café Manolo, which showed strength in many categories, took first-place honors for Best Use of Chocolate. Yum! Here’s Sharon presenting the award to talented chef-owner Pedro Garzón and genial general manager Matt Davies.
Delightful Matsu Sushi took first-place honors for Most Exotic Dish. Here are Pauline Lee and Michael Cao receiving their award from our Sharon.
And last, but by no means least, enticing Bombay Bar & Grill took first-place honors for Best Vegetarian Selection. Here is general manager Shaji K. George accepting the award.
We look forward to covering future editions of Westport Restaurant Week. Congratulations to all of our deserving winners!