By LINDA KAVANAUGH
Chef/Restaurateur Pedro Garzon, known for his culinary prowess while acting as Executive Chef for the popular Barcelona Restaurant Group, brings his own style and sensibility to Manolo Restaurant in Westport (formerly Zest). Named after Garzon’s great grand uncle who served in the Spanish Army and is responsible for exposing his nephew to numerous cuisines throughout Spain, Portugal, France and Italy, Manolo is that comforting respite where good food is matched with service and a sense of being transported to an European brassiere.
The below street level space has a speakeasy cavernous feel to it, with pale yellow and brushed earth tones, soft lighting, and artwork throughout that provide guests with a virtual tour of Spain and Portugal. A stunning maple wood communal table, while functioning as 12–person gathering place, decorates the charming space, and carpet flooring softens the noise level.
Chef Garzon’s vast gastronomic palette pays homage to traditional Spanish, French and Italian cuisines, respecting the ingredients, much of which is resourced locally. The menu is designed to give guests control over their dining experience. All dishes are offered in full and tapas style portions. Food enthusiasts can look forward to crisp veal sweetbreads with frisse lettuce, smoked bacon, red wine shallots, and soft poached egg. Pan seared Atlantic halibut with Basque style peppers, chorizo, and cockle broth shares the stage with forest mushrooms and asparagus risotto. A charcuterie of cured meats and artisanal cheeses are offered throughout the day, ideal for a mid-afternoon siesta over a glass of wine.
Choosing a great wine is made easy at Manolo. The list is comprised of 6 reds, 6 whites, and sparkling wines, all under $70, from France, Italy, Spain, and America. Served in an 8 ½ ounce quartino, this style of wine service is ideal for sharing and experiencing a variety of wines throughout your meal. Wine collectors are welcome to bring their own bottle for a corkage fee, or wine lockers can be rented on a monthly basis, which allows for complimentary corkage and “wine club” benefits such as wine education classes and tastings. Top shelf spirits and house made infused vodka round out the bar offerings.
Manolo is located at 8 Church Lane in downtown Westport, 203.227.0703; www.cafemanolo.com.








"Fast food" that breaks all the rules
Vegetarian, organic food to take out
Eat well,
Linda Soper-Kolton
GreenGourmetToGo
2984 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06605
203.873-0057 (store)
203.615.8139 (cell)
www.GreenGourmetToGo.com

2652 Fairfield Avenue, Black Rock
203 870-9981



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What is the difference between fine dining and gastronomy?
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All dishes are offered in full and tapas style portions. Food enthusiasts can look forward to crisp veal sweetbreads with frisse lettuce, smoked bacon, red wine shallots, and soft poached egg.
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The local restaurants in Cambridge are using social media to promote their business, with a special emphasis on Facebook and Twitter. As part of the hands-on workshop, participants will use their laptops to create their own Facebook pages and learn how to tweet. In addition, Pixability, Inc. of Cambridge will bring flip-cameras and show participants how to create their own videos to use as part of their social media mix. And Christos Eliopoulos of Cambridge-based Mobilaurus, will demonstrate the newest smartphone application which allows restaurant customers to place their orders and pre-pay takeout orders directly from their smartphones.
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