Fairfield Living Magazine, July/August 2020

S U M M E R S P E C I A L Clean Sunscreen, Day Hikes, Water Views and Beachy Home Accessories!

PLUS Time for a vacation home? pg. 26

SCHOOL GUIDE Special pull-out section! Experts weigh in on the evolution of education. after pg. 16

Best of the GOLD COAST

JULY/AUGUST 2020 | $5.95

Celebrate Locals Who Make Fairfield the best T H E W I NNERS in the most-loved categories // FOOD + DRINK // STYLE + SHOPPING // SERVICES + TO DO’S // starts on pg. 30

Best Hotel Restaurant ARTISAN AT DELAMAR Frederic Kieffer executive chef and partner

Best Men’s Styling H SALON Jackie Fernandes and Marisa Fearon co-founders and co-owners

Best Anniversary & Special Occasion Jewelry HENRY C. REID Greg French, president

Best American Restaurant FLIPSIDE BURGERS & BAR Michael Baffa, owner

Home is where your healthcare is with Virtual Visits There’s promise in getting care anywhere Your place. Your time. Your peace of mind. Connecting to a primary care, urgent care or specialty doctor or clinician has never been easier. Whether you have allergies, cold/flu symptoms or need a follow-up appointment, Virtual Visits are a convenient way to get the care you need, wherever you are. It’s just one more way we’re here for you.

New and existing patients can start at

nuvancehealth.org/virtualvisits

© Nuvance Health

Health Quest Medical Practice | The Heart Center | Western Connecticut Medical Group

r e s tor at i v e “A haven for relaxation” Town & Country Magazine

winvianfarm.com

contents JULY/AUG 2020 vol. 10 | issue 4

features

12

departments 10 EDITOR’S LETTER 12 STATUS REPORT

BUZZ Renee Plato of MDSolarSciences Day hikes to get lost, close to home

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3 Iconic Fairfield places for your next Instagram shot

BEST OF THE GOLD COAST CONNECTICUT While this was not the summer any of us were expecting, there’s still something to celebrate: Best of the Gold Coast CT! Inside we reveal the winners of our annual readers’ poll.

Here are places that are ready to help us live our best lives in the new normal.

5 Local walks for water-lovers The Dark & Stormy Healthy marriage secrets now SHOP Suit up your home office HOME Loving mint green and blue GO When a Travel Writer Can’t Travel The Reimagined Car 26 FINANCE FIX

The house-renting boom 63 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 64 POSTSCRIPT

EDUCATION GUIDE

2020-2021 EDUC ATION GUIDE

Evolving Education

BEST OF FAIRFIELD If you’re going to be a homebody, good thing it’s in Fairfield! Here are your favorites in town.

Special pullout section!

Experts weigh in on the evolution of education. after pg. 16

The changing roles of teachers, learners and leaders

PLUS!

TIPS FOR STUDENTS from education experts pg 40 THE SILVER LINING of distance learning pg 38 FRESH FINDS for fall school supplies! pg 26 A CUSTOM PUBLICATION PRODUCED BY

COV1_SG_EG_Cover_V1_blue.indd 1

6/10/20 12:10 PM

on the c over : a few fairfield-based gold coast winners frederic kieffer by hildi todrintr | marisa fearon & jackie fernandes by david br avo | greg french by kyle norton michael baffa c ontribu ted FAIRFIELD LIVING JULY/AUG 2020, VOL. 10, NO. 4. FAIRFIELD LIVING (ISSN 2163-7555) is published bi-monthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to FAIRFIELD LIVING PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. U.S. Subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $34.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign $44/1 year, $72/2 years. fairfieldlivingmag.com

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PHOTOGRAPH OF DOCKS BY VENERA ALEXANDROVA

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W W W. H C R E I D J E W E L E R S . C O M

going green

Presenting a collaboration with ILA, an exquisite collection using reclaimed gold and the earth’s finest gems.

T . 2 0 3 - 2 5 5 - 0 4 4W 7 W | W 1 5. H 9 1C RPEoI sDtJ E RW o aE dL ,E R F Sa .iCr O f iMe l d , C T 0 6 8 2 4

digital content & MORE

july/aug 2020

FAIRFIELDLIVINGMAG.com

COMING UP!

JOIN US ONLINE AS WE CONNECT WITH OUR TOWNS

WE ALL WIN!

SHARE THE NEWS!

Did your business win a Best Of for 2020? Get the word out!

Head to our Winners Circle for resources to help you share the good news and attract new fans. Go to: bestofgoldcoastct.com/winnerscircle.

JUMP ONLINE

Visit our directories for resources

DON’T MISS OUR LATEST ARTICLES ON LOCAL MASKS, WORKING FROM HOME, HOME GARDENS AND MORE!

JUST IN! Moffly Media launched Moffly Media Connect, a FREE e-newsletter filled with tips for local, small businesses.

Sign up: mofflymedia.com/newsletters.

Also, don’t miss Westport Magazine’s IGTV interviews with host Dave Briggs and local VIPs.

FOLLOW US ON:

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MASKS BY STEPHEN KEMPSON; WORKING FROM HOME BY ©PROSTOCK-STUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; GARDEN BY CAM GOULD; SMARTPHONE BY ©I380632883310 - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Find a complete directory of this year’s winners online. Head to bestofgoldcoastct.com for all the reasons to celebrate at your fingertips.

Thank You! WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR VOTES & SUPPORT!

2020

BEST TEEN STORE • BEST JEANS BEST ACCESSORIES & COSTUME JEWELRY

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BEST WOMEN’S FASHION BEST TEEN STORE • BEST JEANS BEST COCKTAIL ATTIRE • BEST GALA ATTIRE BEST ACCESSORIES & COSTUME JEWELRY

APRICOT LANE FAIRFIELD apricotlaneffld DOWNTOWN FAIRFIELD 1499 POST ROAD | FAIRFIELD 203.292.9888

buzz STATUS REPORT

LOCAL RESIDENT RENEE PLATO ON SUN PROTECTION YOU’LL USE

Q: Why don’t people wear sunscreen?

“One of the top reasons many people don’t wear sunscreen is that they don’t like the way it feels.

Most SPF formulas just don’t feel good. They can be goopy, greasy, sticky, leave a white cast or sting eyes. MDSolarSciences products are especially formulated to feel amazing on, while being highly effective. We pride ourselves in having some of the best feeling, clean and natural SPF formulas on the market. Our formulas have a heritage of leveraging science to ensure every product provides healthy protection, helps repair the skin and prevents from future environmental damage such as sun or blue light.

Another reason many people don’t wear sunscreen is they believe they’re getting SPF protection in their makeup or daily moisturizers.

This may be the case, but unless you’re wearing a 30 SPF or greater, you may not be getting the level of protection you need on a daily basis. The sun and environmental factors are more severe than even ten years ago. That has had a significant impact on the health of our skin, the body’s largest organ. We need to continually educate consumers on the importance of SPF as a daily habit—not only for adults, but also children.”

above: Renee Plato, CEO of MDSolarSciences

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e should wear sunscreen. We know. Our dermatologists remind us every time we finally stop by for that essential checkup. Plus, many beauty articles get around to dropping the hint about damaging sunrays. Yet who hasn’t had some less-than-fun-in-the-sun experiences with sunscreen—greasy, turns our skin white, feels heavy—and/or stumbled on the pronunciation of at least one of the ingredients. Time for a clean start this summer, because MDSolarSciences has a collection of natural, ultra-smooth, mineral SPF formulas that are also reef-safe and cruelty-free as well as follow the safety standards set by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). That covers all the bases.

This magazine was lucky enough to grab a moment with its CEO, Renee Plato to ask a few questions.

How is MDSolarSciences different?

“MDSolarSciences is doctor developed—

by Robert J. Friedman, M.D., a leading dermatological oncologist, and clinical professor at the NYU School of Medicine. Our formulas are first and foremost science backed and clean; free of any toxic ingredients that are harmful to skin and alter endocrine functions, which can happen with most chemical-based sunscreens that use oxybenzone or octinxate. Our products live at the intersection of ‘clean’ and ‘clinical,’ a phrase we’ve coined as ‘cleanical.’ Unlike many cosmetic SPF brands, we’re dedicated to true skin wellness through the creation of luxurious, clean products that feel wonderful on the skin, are safe for all skin types and the environment— no harsh chemicals.

It’s what’s not in our formulas that makes us special. MDSolarSciences is vegan and gluten, MDSolarSciences products are natural, reef-safe and cruelty-free.

paraben and fragrance free, won’t clog pores and is free from any nanos and oils.

At the heart of MDSolarSciences is another unique point of difference: Our proprietary ProVention-R™ technology, a unique combination of cutting-edge antioxidants, calming and repair complexes with key ingredients such as peptides, naturally derived CoQ10, green tea, pomegranate, aloe, seaweed, vitamin E and more. These complexes deliver unique and relevant anti-aging and reparative benefits that, over time, will improve the quality of your skin. Not your average SPF skincare.

We are proud to be Environmental Working Group top rated, a reference in our industry, and all of our SPF formulas are backed by the American Skin Cancer Foundation.”

What does reef-safe and cruelty-free mean?

“Common sunscreen ingredients, such as oxybenzone, octinoxate or aminobenzoic acid, are actually known to irritate skin and cause harm to ocean life by accelerating coral bleaching— essentially killing coral reefs. We never formulate with these ingredients. Our formulas have always been safe for people of all ages and for the environment. All consumer products need to be far more aware of the impact being made to the environment. Something as intrinsic to sea as sunscreen/SPF should have this as an underlying mission. Our products are also cruelty-free, which means that there is no animal testing anywhere in our supply chain.”

What’s the latest news?

“This year, we launched a hydrating lip balm with SPF, a perfect balance of hydration—avocado oil— sheer coverage with a lovely hint of tint. We are always listening to our customers and developing formulas that work for them and go that extra mile to deliver protection and restorative complexes.

Over the next several months we will be expanding our distribution to additional omnichannel and natural retailers. We see a lot of room in the market for skin-wellness products that feel great to wear and deliver true results.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOMIRA WILCOX; PRODUCTS, CONTRIBUTED

CLEAN UP

by diane sembrot

WALK IT OUT 5 TOP NEARBY DAY TRAILS according to a local-land expert

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PHOTOGRAPHS: LOU BY NANCY MOON; STONE BRIDGE BY BILL KUTIK; ALL OTHER NATURE PHOTOS BY LOU BACCHIOCCHI; BINOCULARS © PSIROB - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; CAMERA © ©VOYATA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

ith social distancing in place, you might be looking for a way to get out of the house, yet avoid crowds. That’s why we turned to our friends at the ASPETUCK LAND TRUST (aspetucklandtrust.org), a nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1966 to preserve open space in the towns of Westport, Weston, Fairfield and Easton. We asked: Where should we go? LOU BACCHIOCCHI, Land Stewardship Director, shared his favorite back-to-nature escapes. Read on for what he shared.

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STONEBRIDGE WATERFOWL PRESERVE in Weston is named for the somewhat unique river crossing (below). Walk through the open meadow, into the woods and follow the streamside trail toward marker #3.

After crossing on the stones, go left and follow the west bank to the gateway at Stonebridge road and cross to the southern loop, which returns along the river. I particularly like this hike in the spring with my fly rod in hand and always pause on the elevated footbridge to gaze into the river and enjoy the sound of the water rushing below.

With 20 miles of trails, the 1,009-acre Trout Brook Valley Conservation Area is such a gem I could easily pick five hikes in here alone. Embarking on the white trail from the trailhead at Bradley Road, Weston,, proceed north on the gravel road, past the wet meadow flooded by beaver activity on nearby HAWLEY’S BROOK to the meadow and note the habitat work done there as you look for birds. Proceed over the fish ladder, up to marker #5, where the white trail leaves the road and continues up the valley.

It becomes increasingly rugged as it climbs ridges and dips into valleys toward its terminus in Jump Hill—a little over 3.5 miles one way.

The orchard in the CROW HILL section of the Trout Brook Conservation Area can be accessed in a variety of ways, but whichever way you choose, you will be rewarded with great vistas. Hike to the highest point and look south to views all the way to the Sound and Long Island. Turn north and you will see a pastoral scene through the apple orchard down to farmer Bob Haydu’s fields and barn below.

Hike down the hill to the south through the verdant corridors of the blueberry patch to the pollinator meadow with its multifarious wildflowers associated butterflies, bees and dragonflies for some great macrophotography.

Members of the Aspetuck Land Trust can pick blueberries here in season; this benefit alone is worth the price of membership.

The red trail through the NEWMAN POSES preserve in Westport proceeds through a wetland on a raised boardwalk to a meadow marked by large highbush blueberry and bayberry bushes. Move through the meadow towards the lowlands and the Aspetuck River.

A favorite spot for quiet contemplation there is the stone bench on the riverbank where neighbor, actor Paul Newman used to float.

The trail loops back by the meadow, into the uplands and eventually back to its starting place.

Sometimes it’s nice just to grab your camera or binoculars and take a walk. RANDALL’S FARM in Easton provides the perfect spot. Not strenuous and with little elevation change, the interconnected paths allow one to stroll through open meadows, wetlands and woods and observe nature while breathing fresh air and enjoying the day.

Explore beautiful and serene moments in the meadows.

Just a skip, hop and jump for a unique path in Fairfield.

Keep a look out for nature buzzing all around.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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Look closer and capture your favorite moments.

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MAKE A SCENE THREE ICONIC PLACES IN FAIRFIELD FOR YOUR INSTAGRAM AMBITIONS photography by amber scinto

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ocial media posts are all fun and games until someone posts an image that racks up triple the response of what you typically get. Maybe the trick is an adage adopted from the real-estate industry: location, location, location.

If Zoom obsession has taught us nothing else, it certainly drove home the message that the image behind you makes a big impression. Before you shoot your next post, take a critical look at the big view. Is the background or landscape appealing and perfectly Fairfield? Will it resonate with other locals? Here are three iconic area locations that can’t miss. Plus, you’ll enjoy a breeze off the water. Here are our picks along the coastline of our hometown.

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1. Penfield Beach’s sweeping views 2. South Benson Marina at 471 Turney Rd. 3. Southport Beach on Pequot Avenue fairfieldlivingmag.com

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buzz No. 1

YE YACHT YARD

In Southport Harbor, you’ll find the historic Ye Yacht Yard. This waterside route has easy walking with plenty of outstanding nautical views and sights.

985 Harbor Rd.

No. 2

REFLECT 5 FAIRFIELD WALKS FOR WATER LOVERS

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here’s nothing like a long, unobstructed view of Long Island Sound or the thrill of water rushing over rocks and spilling into a lake, a shimmery ripple along its surface. Whether because of the reflections of puffy white clouds, the sail being unfurled on a Sunfish, or the delight of youngsters filling up their beach pails, a walk near water is a uniquely refreshing diversion. It’s no secret that Fairfield has plenty of options—and cool off with a quick swim or dip of your toe.

LAKE MOHEGAN

The freshwater lake is a popular draw.

Enjoy seeing its many splendors while exploring the surrounding 170 acres of woods with trails. Barring social-distancing restrictions, swimmers will be busy at the southern tip. The opposite side has a few rapids, called The Cascades, on Mill River, which feeds into the lake. The yellow trail is 2.5 miles along the perimeter, and the red route logs you 1.6 miles along the waterline of the lake and river.

Expect dog walkers— it’s a popular draw.

Consider checking outbringfido.com for tips.

960 Morehouse Hwy.

photography by venera alexandrova

No. 4

JENNINGS BEACH A wheelchair-accessible stretch of twenty-seven acres, Jennings is Fairfield’s largest beach.

A town gem, expect to share it with families, college students and dedicated beachcombers of all types. Consider the coastline your trail, and enjoy an easy, relaxing, timeless stroll. (Offseason, dogs and horses are even welcome.)

Just be sure to have your town sticker; see more at fairfieldct.org/ jenningsbeach. 880 S. Benson Rd.

No. 5

PENFIELD BEACH Penfield is three-and-ahalf acres that offers an easy stretch of beach to saunter. Because of the play areas and grills, it can be quite the magnet for locals, so for a head-clearing walk, plan to go when it’s less busy. You’ll need a town sticker. Include a loop around the surrounding neighborhood, which offers flat routes and plenty of pretty homes to see. Start off from 323 Fairfield Beach Rd.

No. 3

EXTRA STEPS…

THE CASCADES

Three more beaches to consider: South Pine Creek Beach, 1424 South Pine Creek Rd.; Southport Beach, 1505 Pequot Ave.; and Sasco Beach, 1401 Sasco Hill Rd. Find more information, including maps, about town beaches at fairfieldct.org.

Mentioned above, The Cascades are along Lake Mohegan, but often referred to as an independent destination.

Maybe because it is dog friendly (bring your own baggies) or just because it’s a unique view. The trails offer sights of a lake, waterfall and creek.

301 Eastfield Dr.

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SIGN ME UP

Beachcombing at THE DARK & STORMY

photography by venera alexandrova

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ell, look what washed up on the beach, literally. Perfectly good driftwood, ready for the crafter’s hand. Father and son AUSTIN and DAVID FOULDS transform authentic beach-sourced art resources into New England–approved home décor and accessories, such as town-proud whale signs. The flip-flops– friendly Fairfield business, called The Dark & Stormy, opened in May—just in time for the summer season. It also does good: 10 percent is donated to Save the Sound. Find it beachcombing or email thedarknstormydriftco @gmail.com. left: The chic beach shack sells driftwood signs across the country. The Dark & Stormy has sold more than 100 of the whale plaques.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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But what about when conflicts arise?

How can we keep our partnerships strong during such an unprecedented time?

Always prioritize and protect the loving bond that exists between you. Your relationship is like a living, breathing “organism” that needs to be fed and preserved. What brings a couple together is the love they have for each other and it needs to be ever present in all interactions.

This loving connection can never be overshadowed by content or a situation at hand. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a voice to speak up and work through conflicts, however; it is important to be aware that when the need to “be right” or “win” an argument becomes paramount, the “fight” (without mindfulness) can take over and inadvertently do damage to the safety of the connection. The sanctity of the relationship needs to always stay top of mind in order to keep the integrity of the bond intact.

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How do you address these conflicts while keeping the peace at home?

Focus on building on the positive by starting from a place of giving the other person the benefit of the doubt. What your partner wants/ needs matters too. The more time we spend together the more chances there are to rub one another the wrong way. Often those exchanges can feel threatening and trigger fight or flight overreactions where the dynamic focuses on the problem at hand of whose fault it is, who’s right or wrong, who’s not listening, etc.

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elationships can be tough.

Especially now.

Many of us have been quarantined for months with our partners, which has brought on new and previously unheard of challenges. Here, we examine FAMILY MEMBERS ACCUSTOMED TO HAVING THEIR INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES ARE SPENDING where couples are struggling ALMOST EVERY MOMENT TOGETHER, and seek to find ways to A SITUATION THAT COULD TEST EVEN THE make this new way of life STRONGEST OF RELATIONSHIPS work. Marion Green, by liz barron Stamford-based licensed marriage and family therapist, weighs in with her take.

HEART TO HEART

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What’s the best approach to make sure my side is being heard?

Take a deep breath and notice the negative dynamic cycle that inadvertently gets fed into what fuels the escalation. Put the need to argue aside and brainstorm ideas to come up with solutions that could work for both of you. Replace any resistance to the other‘s point of view with sincere curiosity so the conversation can focus on gratifying collaboration and compromise instead of getting caught up in the tug of war.

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Sometimes couples fight about the same thing without a resolution. Why? In order to have a successful exchange both sides need to be heard and considered. Couples who are having the same fight over and over again are only focused on being heard and understood and are typically not particularly interested in understanding and considering the other’s point of view. Fights only occur when each party stays stuck in their perspective creating an impasse with no room for compromise or resolution.

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How can we break that cycle?

Take turns sharing and actively listening with the intent to understand the other’s thoughts and feelings. Our brains can only be in the sharing mode or the receptive mode at any given time, so in order to receive someone else we need to put our needs to share aside for the moment and become openly curious and receptive to the other’s point of view. Only then can we hold both messages side by side in our awareness and consider a possible outcome that would consider both perspectives.

shop by megan gagnon

MAKING IT WORK I

f quarantine has taught us anything, it’s that setting up a designated space is essential for anyone working from home (and that round-the-clock snacking is inevitable). You can create something practical and pretty, if you look beyond items confined to the the office category. Opt for a table lamp over task lighting, and in place of a seat on wheels, consider a handsome dining chair (with all the snacking, this seems more appropriate anyway).

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MAKE A PLAN Wit & Delight Stay On Track spiral deskpad; $28. anthropologie.com

2 GET LIT

Table lamp; $720.

Tusk Home + Design, Westport; tuskhome anddesign.com

3 IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

TAKE A SEAT Maika dining chair; $313. Safavieh, Norwalk; safavieh.com

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TURN IT OUT Portugese desk by Noir; $2,900. Beehive, Fairfield; thebeehivefairfield.com

home by megan gagnon

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mint condition A GREEN T H A T P A C K S A P A S T E L P U N C H

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1 WALLSHOPPE Y Not in Caribbean Kelp; $129 per roll. wallshoppe.com

2 ANGLEPOISE Type 75 desk lamp; $255. rejuvenation.com

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4-Slice toaster in pastel green; $250. williams-sonoma.com

mint green can feel as f resh as it sounds when you pair it with warm wo ods and a p op of bl ack. picture it on a kit chen isl and t opped with a waln u t sl ab or in a l aundry ro om with a bl ack herringb one marbl e! instead of opting for the blues or gr ays in your cabinetry, give mint a go.

4 GARDE Leather backgammon set; $1,795. gardeshop.com

5 LUCA NICHETTO FOR DE LA ESPADA Elysia lounge chair; starting at $5,260. delaespada.com

6 HAWS Mini watering can; $42. Terrain, Westport; shopterrain.com

—diane rath, the rath project

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BACKGAMMON SET: TI CHU. ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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nautical stripes

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BLUE W A T E R , M E E T WHITE S A N D

who d oesn’t have a l ove affair with blue and white stripes? nau tical stripes can feel orderly and fresh all at the same time.

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

—edie van breems, eleish van breems home

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5 1 POM POM AT HOME

2 WISTERIA

3 DASH & ALBERT

4 SERENA & LILY

5 LAGUIOLE

6 BRADBURN HOME

7 JULISKA

Savannah handwoven basket; $92. pompomathome.com

Haley black & white stripe armchair; $625. wisteria.com

Port stripe denim indoor/outdoor rug; starting at $46. annieselke.com

Teak camp stool in Lido stripe; $248.

Westport; serenaandlily.com

Three-piece mariniere cheese set; $56.

Beehive, Fairfield; thebeehive fairfield.com

Redondo Beach table lamp; $847.50. bradburnhome.com

Sitio stripe indigo dinner plate; $42.

Stamford; juliska.com

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go

by kim-marie evans

HOME AWAY

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ver the years, I've introduced my children to some magical places: a suite overlooking a glittering Eiffel Tower, the unexpected bliss of a night slept on a Haitian rooftop, swimming with all manner of sea life in the open water. But it wasn't until the world literally shut down that I realized I had never taken them to my favorite childhood destination—the land of makebelieve. NASA uses the term, ISRU, in-situ resource utilization, as a fancy way of describing the use of items near you for as many purposes as possible. I was all over ISRU long before NASA. (One of the benefits of growing up poor is a rich imagination.)

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HEAD WEST I decided to include my children in the game of ISRU redecorating.

(It’s not like they were doing their online classes anyway.)

We started with the backyard, now known as “Big Sky Country.”

In California we can’t build a backyard campfire, but it turns out you can pretend as long as

fairfieldlivingmag.com

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you have a metal container, some briquets and lighter fluid. Since I’ve been great about throwing out things that don’t give me joy, I had to use a high-thread-count Sferra sheet to create our tent. Now we can roast s’mores and camp out anytime. Bringing furniture that belongs indoors outside is a thrill, even for grown-ups. So, if you’ve got the stomach for it, take your best chairs by the fire and enjoy a fancy s’mores party.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY KRIS HERNDON

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TRAVEL WRITER CAN’T TRAVEL? SHE GETS VERY CREATIVE

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HITTING THE BOTTLE (IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK)

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND The lights may be out on Broadway, but performances haven't gone dark. The magic of New York and live performances are coming directly to our homes. We've been watching Jason Robert Brown and his band recreate their SubCulture show for Facebook Live. Stephen Sondheim's 90th Birthday show "Take Me to the World" is on YouTube. It's extraordinary not just for the talent, but for the sneak peek into performers’ homes. Sutton Foster turned her closet into a performing studio and stage by, yup you guessed it, hanging white sheets. I've never felt so strongly that we’re genuinely all in this together.

As a little girl, one of my favorite TV shows was I Dream of Jeannie. She lived in a perfume bottle filled with silk pillows.

Jeannie was better than any Kardashian. She was the boss of Captain Nelson in her flowy pants, miniature top and iconic blonde ponytail. Magic was just a side-note for this original girl boss. I would spend hours playing Jeannie by hanging a sheet (there’s that sheet again) over the clothing line and hauling every single accent pillow we owned into the backyard. Today my closet is the perfect perfume bottle. Since the only clothes I need for the foreseeable future are a pile of sweats and a rotating selection of cozy tops, I relegated the sequins, leather and stilettos to a dark corner for the “future times.” There’s now plenty of room for an inflatable mattress and piles of pillows. When Momma needs some me-time, I grab a book and lantern and head into my “bottle.”

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AS SEEN ON THE BIG SCREEN

ILLUSTRATIONS BY KRIS HERNDON

Another creative use for the good old white sheet is a cheap and cheesy movie screen. Who needs a living room when you can have a twenty-four-hour food-and-booze-and-dogs-allowed movie theatre?

MacGyver yourself a projector using an old shoebox, magnifying glass, smartphone and a paper clip.

Better yet, have the kids figure it out and call it science class.

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go

THE HIGH ROAD BLACKBRIDGE MOTORS can reimagine and build your dream car by tom c onnor

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f you can afford to retire at 35, you can probably do whatever you want as a second act. Which is what Scott Gilbert did four years ago when he opened Blackbridge Motors, a high-end auto repair and restoration shop in a former warehouse in South Norwalk.

The New Canaan resident spent ten years at Goldman Sachs in Manhattan before leaving in 2016.

“I left to do this,” says Gilbert, 39. “It wasn’t an afterthought.

That job involved a lot of computer work and thinking, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But there’s a different level of satisfaction that comes from

working with your hands and building something.”

Growing up outside of Philadelphia, Gilbert tinkered with cars as a teenager.

“I liked the freedom a car gave me,” he says. “But I also liked the

complexity around it as a machine.

I always gravitated toward cars, for reasons that I probably can’t really explain to this day.”

That passion led him to start up Blackbridge Motors (“Black” connotes the seriousness of

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the work, “bridge” the linkage between old school aesthetics and new world technology and engineering.) His business model was simple enough: Identify a need, then find a way to satisfy it.

Fairfield County is high-octane automobile country, with enough car fanciers and collectors— in New Canaan especially—to support an enterprise devoted to repairing and restoring them.

Gilbert has sponsored events for Caffeine & Carburetors, the gathering of auto enthusiasts that meets six times each year at Zumbach’s on Pine Street.

“You get a sense of scale when you go to one of these shows,” he

HEADSHOT BY ALEXANDER MAZZEI; CAR PHOTOS BY JOE ADAMS

above: New Canaan resident Scott Gilbert opened Blackbridge Motors four years ago in South Norwalk.

says. “New Canaan is a relatively small town in comparison to, say, Greenwich, but the turnout is exceptional. The cars are a very important part of a lot of people’s lives.”

Gilbert has called the service Blackbridge Motors provides “an expensive ticket,” and that’s an understatement. Labor—for jobs

ranging from brake repair and belt replacement to ground-up rebuilds and restorations—runs $150 an hour, with full restoration projects requiring as many 3,000 hours.

“It takes that,” he notes. “We take classic and vintage automobiles and make them modern. Our tag line is ‘Build Better Machines.’

It’s not just fixing cars—it’s

re-engineering them.”

Basically, what Gilbert’s crew does is restore or re-create classic shells around completely modern, technologically sophisticated and reliable systems, including new engines and electronics. If a part can’t be found in the global marketplace, the crew makes it.

“The DNA of these cars is

authentic—it’s just upgraded,” he insists. “You get the car you love to look at without sacrificing anything. That, I think, is what is resonating with our customers.”

Out in the cavernous, 12,000-square-foot main workspace, flags from the foreign countries of origin for many of the cars hang from the rafters.

Some dozen and a half vehicles sit parked in various stages of completion. Among them are a 1951 French-made Simca convertible, a French-made automobile, for a collector in Weston; a two-tone 1961 Nash Metropolitan; a rare 1974 2002 Turbo (only 1600 were produced); and several British-made Land Rover Defenders, one stripped to its bare frame.

Four years ago, Blackbridge Motors occupied just 2,500 square feet of the warehouse. Today, total rented space is approaching 25,000 square feet. And from a couple of mechanics, including Gilbert himself, the team of highly experienced and vetted employees numbers 20, including two whose only job is reupholstery. And then there are the classics he himself owns and drives.

Scott Gilbert lives with his wife, Noel, and their two young children on the West side of town, next door (read “garage”) to his other, vintage family of cars: a Land Rover Defender; a 1952 Chevy pickup truck with 600 horsepower and a 2015 Chevy pickup truck; a 1952 Daimler SP250 sports car; a 1987 Porsche 911.

left: Blackbridge can totally restore or recreate classic shells around completely modern technology.

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fınance fıx

MONEY / BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

MAKE YOUR MOVE

Ryan Raveis

A

s summer heats up and you yearn to escape the surreal season of Covid-19, perhaps it’s time to consider buying a vacation home —here, in Connecticut. Fun fact: Many Fairfield County residents are purchasing second homes in the Nutmeg state, sometimes in their very own town.

“If I were to buy a summer house, now would be the time to do it. Interest rates are as low as they’ve ever been, and housing prices—particularly on a summer home on the Fairfield beach and the Westport beach—are very affordable right now,” says Ryan Raveis, co-president of William Raveis Inc. Beware, though. Inventory is going fast; you might need to elbow your way through a line of New Yorkers at a showing, cash in hand.

“The Connecticut shoreline is seeing a lot, a lot, a lot of activity,” Raveis says. “For both buying and

for rentals, we are having lines at the door twenty people deep.”

There are two main reasons to buy a vacation home, either because it’s in a place you know and love or to rent it out as an investment, says Raveis. Both apply now, and they need not be exclusive.

People tend to rent in a vacation area before they buy, all the better to get to know it.

If you live in Fairfield County, you already know Connecticut.

You know about our parks and woods, our beaches and boating, our golf and shopping—in short, many of the things you seek out on vacation. And everything in our state falls within a three-hour drive, which experts say is the ideal maximum drive time to reach a summer vacation home.

An added bonus: That proximity also means you’re close enough to check on the property if trouble arises, and it can be a lifesaver if disaster strikes and you need to get home.

“If I love a little bit of space, lawn, privacy and community, Connecticut becomes very appealing. And if I love the shoreline…I have a couple of friends who have beach houses on Fairfield Beach and live no further than ten miles away. They use it as an escape,” says Raveis.

Thousands of New Yorkers came to Connecticut back in March in search of a spacious place to hunker down during

the pandemic. Many landed in Connecticut-shoreline properties normally not inhabited until summertime. They worked from home, played outside and, as the weather warmed, so too did their appreciation for our little state and its coastline. Says Raveis, “There were people willing to spend $25,000 to $30,000 a month for a 3,000-square-foot house in a town like Fairfield.”

Many of those same renters stayed put. Gov. Ned Lamont reported in May that phones were “ringing off the hook” from New Yorkers interested in moving to Connecticut. He said they realized that telecommuting to their New York job did not have to happen from a home in New York City.

These potential buyers are not meandering through twenty open houses before making a decision. Says Raveis, they do their homework online, research virtual open houses and narrow their visits to five or six properties. And when they show up, they act.

During the pandemic, mortgage rates fell to the lowest on record, according to mortgage corporation Freddie Mac. Mortgages are still hovering around 3.25 percent. While the stock market may rise and fall like a summertime roller coaster, real estate is holding steady. Says Raveis, a summer vacation home nearby could be “a great way to diversify your assets and protect your nest egg.” F

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO FINANCING YOUR MOVE

// Before you go house shopping, have a mortgage broker or loan officer prequalify you for a loan. He or she will tally your monthly obligations and income; pull your credit report; lay out your interest rate, loan amount and repayment options; and hand you a certified preapproval. If you plan to rent out the property, have a real estate agent estimate your rental income as well as your carrying costs, including taxes, insurance, mortgage payments, homeowners association fees, utility costs and more. //

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PHOTOGRAPH OF RYAN RAVEIS BY KYLE NORTON; CALCULATIONS BY © PHILIP STEURY - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

IS NOW THE TIME TO CONSIDER BUYING/RENTING A VACATION HOME?

faces of

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

faces of

FAIRFIELD

FAIRFIELD

2019

2019

faces of ARE YOU

FAIRFIELD the Face of

HOSPITALITY

2020

The Sinclair Group

With a very successful 2018 launch of The Sinclair and now the opening of Malibu Taco, The Sinclair group is quickly establishing itself as a leader in the Fairfield hospitality industry.

The group’s goal is deceptively simple: to contribute to the dynamic and culture of Fairfield and cultivate memorable experiences for both locals and visitors alike. They create not restaurants and bars, but rather public gathering spaces that are driving the Fairfield social scene. A more flavorful

cocktail, a remarkably buttery lobster roll… down to the smallest detail, they believe in every single thing they serve.

Anyone can serve food for a price, relying on exhausted contemporary designations like “farm-to-table” and “mixologist.” This group’s business is not restaurants or even the bottom line; it’s hospitality, a convivial and open welcoming of guests that very quickly become friends.

1229 POST ROAD • FAIRFIELD 203.292.6800 • THESINCLAIRCT.COM

Newtown MediSpa Post Road Debra Sullivan, PA-C

Act my age? Sometimes. Look my age? Never. As Aesthetic Medicine’s popularity grows, Newtown MediSpa continues to stand out as “THE” place for non-surgical, anti-aging treatments.

“Experience truly does matter.” Newtown MediSpa’s providers have collectively performed 250,000+ treatments over 7 years. An elite instructor for Allergan Medical Aesthetics Institute, Debra Sullivan and her team of medical artists specialize in aesthetic rejuvenation that enhances natural beauty, delivering life-changing results.

Debra’s award-winning practice has opened a second location at 1499 Post Road in the heart of Fairfield, CT.

EXQUISITE JEWELRY & TIMEPIECES Manfredi Jewels

F.P. Journe, Franck Muller, Glashütte Original, Laurent Ferrier, Omega, Richard Mille, and Vacheron Constantin.

Brands that are innovators of style and mechanical mastery. Manfredi also carries exquisite fine jewelry: Bulgari, Chopard, Gucci, Hearts on Fire, Lauren K, Roberto Coin, and Tacori to name a few!

Manfredi is the landmark institution of fine jewelry and timepiece excellence.

NOW IN COLOR

Bob Capazzo Photography

Roberto Chiappelloni

In addition to awards for “The Ultimate 100 Global Aesthetic Leaders 2019,” “Top 100 Injectors USA” and Real Self’s “Top 25 Most Loved Injectors” in the country, Newtown MediSpa was awarded “Aesthetics Practice of the Year, Northeast 2018-2019.”

Trending at top 1% of practices in the nation for Botox, dermal fillers, and Coolsculpting, Newtown MediSpa continues to offer complimentary consultations to all.

1499 POST ROAD, SUITE 4 • FAIRFIELD 203.802.6334 • NEWTOWNMEDISPA.COM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

faces of GREENWICH 2018

IS YOUR BUSINESS THE “FACE OF” farm to table, craft brews, lashes and lips? Now is your chance to let your community know who you are and WHAT MAKES YOUR BRAND SPECIAL! People love to do business with those they know, like and trust, so put your best face forward and make sure YOU STAND OUT as a leader in your community.

the face of

121 GREENWICH AVENUE • GREENWICH 203.622.1414 • MANFREDIJEWELS.COM

BODY SCULPTING AND FACIAL AESTHETICS

PUT YOUR FACE IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

faces of GREENWICH 2018

Manfredi Jewels has been at the forefront of fine jewelry and timepieces since 1988 and is excited to be celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Their luxurious stores in Greenwich and New Canaan house an unparalleled collection of stunning jewels, timepieces and Manfredi exclusive jewelry. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are experts in repairs, hand-crafted creations, diamonds, gemstones and the rich history of jewelry.

Personally selected by Manfredi owner and lifelong watch and jewelry enthusiast Roberto Chiappelloni, they offer over thirty watch brands, including; Audemars Piguet, Breguet,

FAIRFIELD?

the face of

the face of

NEXT GENERATION JEWELER

Shreve, Crump & Low Bradford Walker and Olivia Walker

Bob Capazzo Photography

Bob Capazzo Photography

Alex Sacchetti, Nick Racanelli, Luis Arias and Paul Garbuio

Bob Capazzo Photography

the face of

Offering everything from high-end, one-of-a-kind jewels and fine timepieces to giftware and tabletop items, Shreve, Crump & Low at 125 Greenwich Avenue is the destination. The third generation of the Walker Family brings a forward-thinking mindset focused on the experience of luxury shopping. “It's a one-stop shop, where you can find a statement piece or discover contemporary fine jewelry brands,” says Bradford. Shreve, Crump & Low is America's most established and prestigious purveyor of fine gifts since 1796, yet this 222-year old blue-blooded institution brings a youthful vitality and new era of style.

“We are curators of a small piece of history here at Shreve,

Crump & Low, and look to continue providing top-notch customer service to our clientele,” remarks Olivia. Shreve, Crump & Low takes great pride in the warm relationships they have cultivated and continue to maintain through each customer-employee exchange. Both Bradford and Olivia are graduate Gemologists and alongside a well-trained staff of seasoned associates and expert service department, they are able to make celebrating that special moment far more meaningful.

125 GREENWICH AVENUE • GREENWICH 203.622.6205 • SHREVECRUMPANDLOW.COM

CONTACT your Moffly representative or Sales Assistant Lemuel Bandala at Lemuel.Bandala@moffly.com or 203.571.1610

M O F F LY M E D I A

More than

Taking a Look at Westy...

148,000 children and families served since 1978 Need help? Not sure? Call our 24-hour free, confidential helpline for guidance

203-661-1911

kidsincrisis.org

JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

27 KIC1634_Moffly-Generic-Ad-Quarter.indd 1

6/7/19 9:34 AM

GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

Save the date!

A-List Awards Virtual Ceremony Wednesday, September 16, 2020

JUDGES

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!

MARA MILLER Carrier and Company

JESSE CARRIER Carrier and Company

BRITT ZUNINO Studio DB

athomefc.com

DAMIAN ZUNINO Studio DB

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

awards

the premier home design competition

BRIAN SAWYER Sawyer | Berson

KEITH WILLIAMS Nievera Williams

EDWARD SIEGEL Edward Siegel Architect

#athomefc

SPONSORS:

fairfieldlivingmag.com

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celebrating

THE BEST Cheers all around! Congratulations to the winners of our annual readers’ poll. These are the places you told us were your favorites for drinks, food, shopping and services. You know who else wins? You do! Just turn the page to review the complete results of all the votes, then head out to try or revisit these places for yourself. You may even discover a new favorite eatery, bar, shop, salon, fitness studio and more.

Who’s ready to celebrate the love?

FOOD + DRINK

SHOP + STYLE

SERVICES + TO-DO’S

PG. 32

PG. 42

PG. 50

a note about the new normal: In the time of COVID, we have done our best to deliver these results even as our winners are experiencing immense transition. If a winner has closed, we have simply removed it from the list. This list is accurate, to the best of our ability, as of June 19. We suggest you check winners’s websites for the most up-to-date information about business hours.

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FOOD+ DRINK

Local restaurants and bars for deliciously good times

TACO DADDY

WINNER OF NEW RESTAURANT

When life is just too serious, there’s a place you can go to decompress: Taco Daddy. It’s a fun and welcoming vibe, and you’ll feel like you’re with friends from the get-go. The menu turns tacos on their head, with new twists (like red curry duck or chicken bolognese) as well as burgers, bowls and small bites. Leave room for creative cocktails and sweet treats, too.

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READERS’ PICKS

W

hen our readers get hungry or thirsty, they know exactly where they want to go—look, we have the actual list of their favorite places. From high cuisine and world-class wine to burgers and beer, there’s a tasty choice for everyone. Dig in.

Favorite toppings, like guacamole and jalapeños, add extra flavor

GOLDEN ADVICE

RESTAURANTS Best Service Table 104 299 Long Ridge Rd., Stamford, 203-388-8898; table104stamford.com Creative Menu The Whelk 575 Riverside Ave., Westport, 203-557-0902; thewhelkwestport.com

TACO DADDY BY MORGAN MACHETTE; FLIPSIDE BURGERS & BAR, CONTRIBUTED

Hotel Restaurant Artisan Southport 275 Old Post Rd., Southport, 203-307-4222; artisansouthport.com New Restaurant Taco Daddy 121 Towne St., Stamford, 203-541-5770; tacodaddystamford.com Outdoor Dining Prime Restaurant 78 Southfield Ave., Stamford, 203-817-0700; restaurantprime.com Special Occasion/Date Night Tavern at GrayBarns 194 Perry Ave., Norwalk, 203-580-1900 tavernatgraybarns.com

REGIONAL SPECIALTIES

Indian Coromandel Cuisine of India 68 Broad St., Stamford, 203-964-1010 | 25 Old Kings Hwy. N., Darien, 203-662-1213; see all locations at coromandelcuisine.com

American Flipside Burgers & Bar 1125 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-292-8233; flipsiderestaurant.com

Italian Café Silvium 371 Shippan Ave., Stamford, 203-324-1651; cafesilviumct.com

Asian Fusion Mecha Noodle Bar 151 Bedford St., Stamford, 203-801-7577 | 116 Washington St., S. Norwalk, 203-2958718 | 1215 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-292-8222; mechanoodlebar.com

Japanese Sakura 680 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-222-0802; sakurarestaurant.com

Chinese The Little Kitchen of Westport 423 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-454-5540; littlekitchenwestport.com

Latin American + Mexican Bodega Taco Bar 980 Post Rd., Darien, 203-655-8500 | 1700 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-292-9590; bodegatacobar.com

French Chez Vous Bistro 188 Bedford St., Stamford, 203-504-8770; chezvousbistro.com

Mediterranean Mediterraneo 366 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-629-4747 | 353 Main Ave., Norwalk, 203-229-0000; zhospitalitygroup.com

Greek Kouzina Taverna 223 Main St., Stamford, 203-588-0110; kouzinataverna.com

JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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3 creative twists on the All-American burger from Flipside, winner of best American food.

1 MAC ’ N’ CHEESE BURGER Can’t decide how to satisfy a big hunger? This favorite combines two American favorites: a burger and mac ’n’ cheese. Flipside adds bacon and fresh pico to this grilled six-ounce ground sirloin.

2 CHIP & DIP BURGER Everything is right with Flipside Burgers & Bar’s layering of Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, potato chips and French onion dip with your burger (or grilled chicken if you prefer). This hearty choice has lots of flavor.

3 GOAT BURGER Here’s a great twist on a cheeseburger—it’s goat cheese with sundried tomatoes, caramelized onions, balsamic glaze and honey. Just add french fries or onion rings and a cold beer for a filling meal.

M O F F LY M E D I A

C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

READERS’ PICKS The Whelk’s Kohlrabi and radish with trout roe and brown butter

THE WHELK WINNER OF CREATIVE MENU

“The Whelk is coastal Connecticut cuisine. A mixture of locally sourced seafood, meats and vegetables that are on-trend and seasonally inspired.”

BILL TAIBE, executive chef and owner

WHO’S HUNGRY? EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT SURE WHAT’S FOR DINNER, YOU’RE IN LUCK. LOCAL RESTAURANTS HAVE PLENTY OF CREATIVE DISHES YOU’VE NEVER TASTED BEFORE AS WELL AS NEW TWISTS ON YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITES.

BODEGA TACO BAR WINNER OF BEST LATIN AMERICAN + MEXICAN CUISINE

“Bodega is open for curbside pickup and patio dining in Fairfield and Darien serving freshly made tacos, guac, sides and hand-crafted Margaritas. Additionally, the truck is out and about, serving fresh food from our Guac on the Block menu.”

Tacos, chips with guacamole and salsa and plenty of other fresh-made options from Bodega.

MARIO FONTANA, owner

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WHELK BY CHEF ANTHONY KOSTELIS; TAIBE HEADSHOT BY DAVID CURTIS; BODEGA FOOD BY NOAH FECKS; OPPOSITE PAGE; PRIME BY JULIE BIDWELL

GOLD COAST

PRIME RESTAURANT

T

WINNER OF OUTDOOR DINING + OUTDOOR BAR

here may be nothing more relaxing than enjoying freshly prepared spicy tuna rolls or a medium-rare boneless ribeye with a glass of wine—all with a water view. It was worth the wait to get the all clear. Meanwhile, Prime Restaurant had served up dishes to go with online ordering, making it easy to pick up your food curbside. Be sure to take a long, lingering look at the views and feel that breeze off the water as you enjoy a expertly prepared meal that will transport you from the everyday.

Enjoy summer warm breezes at Prime Restaurant waterside location.

M O F F LY M E D I A

GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

READERS’ PICKS

MEDITERRANEO WINNER OF BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD

S

above: Frutti di mare below: Jumbo sea scallops, on point.

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CONTRIBUTED

eafood— grilled, tossed in salads, topped with sauce, paired with spinach, in soup—is the heart of Mediterraneo. You see it in every part of the restaurant, with its dark glossy wood and deep sea blue wall color and dots of lights like stars in an evening sky. On the menu, of course, there are plenty of options, but Mediterranean food is at its best with mussels, octopus, fish and other fresh catches from the sea—just add rice, broth or a bed of greens and present it elegantly. Be sure to try dessert.

M O F F LY M E D I A

READERS’ PICKS

Spanish Valencia Luncheria 164 Main St., Norwalk, 203-846-8009; valencialuncheria.com

Frozen Yogurt 16 Handles 219 Bedford St., Stamford, 203-817-0707 | 1300 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-292-9841; 16handles.com

Thai Rainbow Thai 5 Bridge Sq., Westport, 203-557-9000; rainbowthaict.com

Ribs/Barbecue Walrus Alley 90 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-333-2733; walrusalley.com

Hamburgers Shake Shack 1340 Post Rd., Darien, 203-614-1411 | 1849 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-682-6570; shakeshack.com

COMFORT FOOD

OPPOSITE: PHOTOGRAPHS, CONTRIBUTED BY MEDITERRANEO; CONROY, CONTRIBUTED; OCTOPUS BY MORGAN IONE YEAGER; ELM STREET DINER BREAKFASTS BY @CHEATDAYEATS

Pizza Letizia’s Pizza 666 Main Ave., Norwalk, 203-847-6022; letiziaspizza.com

Bagels Liz Sue Bagels 63 High Ridge Rd., Stamford, 203-323-4611 | 120 New Canaan Ave., Norwalk, 203-849-1322; lizsuebagelsinc.com Breakfast Food Elm Street Diner 463 Elm St., Stamford, 203-325-1141; elmstreetdiner.com

Seafood The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood 89 Rowayton Ave., Rowayton, 203-866-4488; rowaytonseafood.com

Hot Dogs Super Duper Weenie 306 Black Rock Tpk., Fairfield, 203-334-3647; superduperweenie.com

Steak The Capital Grille 230 Tresser Blvd., Stamford, 203-967-0000; thecapitalgrille.com

Ice Cream/Gelato Milkcraft 1215 Post Rd., Fairfield, 475-888-9091; milkcraftca.com

GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

GOLDEN ADVICE

Elm Street Diner, winner of best breakfast food, on breaking traditions.

1 STRAWBERRY FIELDS Open for takeout, an Elm Street Diner breakfast is worth getting up early for. They do it big. Take, for example, Greek Yogurt French Toast with granola, honey and a field of fresh berries.

Sushi OKO 6 Wilton Rd., Westport, 203-557-8404; okokitchen.com

2 WHO’S CHICKEN? Here’s an eye-opener: Jumbo pieces of fried chicken stacked atop French toast with cinnamon and sugar, ready to be doused with Vermont maple syrup.

THE RESTAURANT WINNER OF BEST SEAFOOD

“We can’t wait for our guests to try the amazing seafood we are preparing for our summer menu. One of my favorite appetizers is the Charred Octopus.

One bite and it transports you to seaside dining. A chilled Rosé is the perfect complement.”

3 LET’S MAKE WAFFLES New on the summer menu: charred octopus with white beans, chorizo,. charred pepper sauce and chive oil

KEVIN CONROY owner JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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Waffles can be topped with maple syrup, like always, or they can have fresh blueberries. Just wait for the butter to melt into the squares before digging in.

M O F F LY M E D I A

GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

READERS’ PICKS

GOLDEN ADVICE

Give your favorite juices from Green & Tonic the boozy home treatment.

Tapas Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar 222 Summer St., Stamford, 203-348-4800 | 515 West Ave., Norwalk, 203-854-5600 | 4180 Black Rock Tpk., Fairfield, 203-255-0800; barcelonawinebar.com

Deli Gaetano’s Deli 1713 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-955-1852; gaetanosdelis.com

CASUAL SPOTS Brunch + Café/Bistro Terrain Garden Cafe 561 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-226-2732; shopterrain.com Coffee Shop Lorca 125 Bedford St., Stamford, 203-504-2847; lorcacoffeebar.com

Diner Orem’s Diner 167 Danbury Rd., Wilton, 203-762-7370; oremsdiner.com

Juice Bar Green & Tonic 7 Strickland Rd., Cos Cob, 203-869-1376 | 85 Railroad Ave., Greenwich, 203-622-1479 | 1098 Post Rd., Darien, 203-656-1036 | 5 Burtis Ave., New Canaan, 203-920-1395 | 17 Jesup Rd., Westport, 203-557-6392; greenandtonic.com

Family-Friendly Restaurant Chips Family Restaurant 525 Tunxis Hill Cut Off, Fairfield, 203-332-3370 | see all locations at chipsrestaurants.com

Lunch Spot Valencia Luncheria 164 Main St., Norwalk, 203-846-8009; valencialuncheria.com

Food Truck The Tasty Yolk 1916 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-726-6520 | 999 Brookside Dr., Fairfield, 203-5269745 | storefront, 2992 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, 203-545-9311; thetastyyolk.com

Vegetarian The Lime Restaurant 168 Main St., Norwalk, 203-846-9240; limerestaurant.com

1 GREEN

A tasty pick-me-up duo: cortados and alfajores

Salads, bowls, wraps and more are for pick up or delivery—but also check out the bottled juices to stock up at home. Jungle Juice is made of delicious greens—and G&T suggests adding some white rum, coconut water, jalapeño and a bit of cucumber.

LORCA

2

“Being part of the Stamford community has brought me so much joy. Walking into our local restaurants and over to Mill River Park and bumping into a bunch of our regular customers to chat about life will never get old, and it’s what’s fulfilled me most about opening Lorca.”

ORANGE Take your Tumeric Tonic straight— or try G&T’s recipe: adding white rum and seltzer water. Pour over ice and use an orange slice as a garnish for your cocktail.

3 PINK This starts with tequila, then adds in G&T’s Melon cooler, lime juice, agave, sea salt and mint freshly picked from the home garden.

Recipes at greenandtonic.com.

LEYLA JENKINS owner fairfieldlivingmag.com

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LORCA BY GARVIN BURKE; ALL OTHERS, CONTRIBUTED

WINNER OF COFFEE SHOP

THE TASTY YOLK

H

WINNER OF BEST FOOD TRUCK

ere’s the great thing about The Tasty Yolk: You can pick up food from the truck or from the Fairfield location. Head to its website to choose and you’ll see the specials offered for each. Here, for example, are the made-in-shop buttermilk pancakes with wild berry sauce, citrus mascarpone, crumbled bacon and Vermont maple syrup (ask for The Berry Tasty). On the run, try an egg sandwich, like The Banker—brisket, two eggs, spicy aioli and Swiss. Be sure to grab a few napkins, too.

A stack of buttermilk pancakes with berry sauce and bacon bits

M O F F LY M E D I A

C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

READERS’ PICKS

MARKETS + MORE

Pan-seared salmon with snow peas and asparagus

Bakery + Cupcakes + Desserts DiMare Pastry Shop 1245 East Putnam Ave., Riverside, 203-637-4781 | 12 Largo Dr. S., Stamford, 203-967-2253; dimarepastry.com Butcher Shop + Liquor Store + Wine Shop Stew Leonard’s 100 Westport Ave., Norwalk, 203-847-7214; stewleonards.com Candy Store Saugatuck Sweets 575 Riverside Ave., Westport, 203-642-4615 | 28 Reef Rd., Fairfield, 203-292-8550 Caterer Marcia Selden Catering & Events 65 Research Dr., Stamford, 203-353-8000; marciaselden.com Chocolate Shop Le Rouge Chocolates by Aarti 190 Main St., Westport, 203-293-6106; lerougebyaarti.com Fish Market Superior Seafood 999 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-557-0844; westportsuperiorseafood.com Gourmet Grocery Palmer’s Market 264 Heights Rd., Darien, 203-655-2077; palmersdarien.com Gourmet To-Go The Pantry 1580 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-259-0400; thepantry.net

MARCIA SELDEN

WINNER OF BEST CATERER

W

hen it comes to the food and drinks presented by caterer Marcia Selden, bring on the close up. Everything is always in place, and the promise made by the artful presentation is followed up with the fulfillment of great taste. The ingredients are top quality. Marcia Selden has proven over the years that they can handle any party, big or intimate. Getting the big picture and every detail, the team even introduced Party in a Box catered meals for parties to enjoy at home.

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Health Food The Organic Market 285 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-227-9007; organicmarketct.com

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MARCIA SELDEN CATERING & EVENT PLANNING

GOLD COAST

M O F F LY M E D I A

READERS’ PICKS

Personal Chef Services A Dash of Salt 971 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-354-8174; adashofsaltcatering.com

BAR BOASTS Beer Selection + Sports Bar/ Big Game Day The Blind Rhino 15 N. Main St., Norwalk, 203-956-7243 |3425 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, 203-362-5001; theblindrhino.com Girls’ Night Out Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar 222 Summer St., Stamford, 203-348-4800 | 515 West Ave., Norwalk, 203-854-5600 | 4180 Black Rock Tpk., Fairfield, 203-255-0800; barcelonawinebar.com

Happy Hour Troupe429 3 Wall St., Norwalk; troupe429.com

Pub Tigín Irish Pub 175 Bedford St., Stamford, 203-353-8444; tiginirishpub.com

Margaritas + Restaurant Bar bartaco 222 Summer St., Stamford, 203-323-8226 | 20 Wilton Rd., Westport, 203-222-8226; bartaco.com

Singles Scene (Under 35) Sign of the Whale 6 Harbor Point Rd., Stamford, 203-883-8282; signofthewhalect.com

Martinis Washington Prime 141 Washington St., Norwalk, 203-857-1314 washingtonprimect.com

Singles Scene (Over 35) The Gray Goose Cafe 246 Old Post Rd., Southport, 203-292-8779; thegraygoosecafe.com

Microbrewery Half Full Brewery 43 Homestead Ave., Stamford, 203-658-3631; halffullbrewery.com

Wine List The Water’s Edge at Giovanni’s 2748 Boston Post Rd., Darien, 203-325-9979; watersedgeatgiovannis.com

GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

GOLDEN ADVICE

Two picks from Half Full Brewery, winner of best microbrewery, for summer.

1 RISE & GRIND Half Full Brewery paired up with Rise Nitro RISE Brewing Co. to serve up this new and unique beverage brewed with organic coffee and malt. It has 90 mg of caffeine for blastoff in cans to go (available for delivery).

Outdoor Bar Prime Restaurant 78 Southfield Ave., Stamford, 203-817-0700; restaurantprime.com

WASHINGTON PRIME WINNER OF BEST MARTINIS

MARTINI AND BEER, CONTRIBUTED

W

hen it comes to high summer, everyone just wants to chill out.

Take the slow lane and sip your favorite martini— possibly the coolest drink ever—at Washington Prime. This is the kind of place to linger outdoors on a nice day, where you can people watch, enjoy a meal—maybe starting with Pt. Judith Calamari, followed by Shrimp Scampi, Mahi Mahi, or a Prime Filet Mignon with charred asparagus. All of the options at this upscale restaurant are winners.

Just don’t skip the martinis.

Cucumber Basil Martini with Tito’s vodka

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2 STAM VEGAS Welcome to Fabulous Stam Vegas. The sour IPA, in collaboration with Lock City Brewing, is a hazy, juicy beer with tropical fruit and lemon flavors—sweet and snappy, just like its namesake.

STYLE+ SHOP

Dress the part, live the part, love the part: fashion, home, weddings

left: Tom Ford charcoal gray striped wool and silk peak lapel suit with silver cottonand-silk dress shirt and silver tie; plus, Tom Ford Eyewear black polarized sunglasses middle: Salvatore Ferragamo leather shoes right: Kiton floral sleeveless sheath dress and silk-blend floral jacket

MITCHELLS/RICHARDS

WINNER OF GALA BLACK TIE ATTIRE + MEN’S FASHION + MEN’S SHOES

Part of feeling your best is looking your best. The fashion-savvy pros at Mitchells and Richards help keep Fairfield County in the world’s best designer styles, from head to toe. Feel good in your clothes, with great cuts and luxurious fabrics, knowing you’re making the best impression, from business meetings to date night. fairfieldlivingmag.com

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hether making an impression at a meeting, soaking up the sun at home or cheering the newlyweds, you have plenty of stylish options to prep your closet and home.

Be your true self, live fully and celebrate love beautifully.

MARILYNN LIPTON BLOTNER co-owner

SOLEIL TOILE WINNER OF BEST LINGERIE + SWIMWEAR

FASHION Accessories + Jeans + Teen Fashion Apricot Lane 1499 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-292-9888; apricotlaneboutique.com Children’s Clothes Groove 420 Post Rd. W., Westport, 203-557-8111 | 115 Elm St., New Canaan, 203-920-1700; shopgroove.net

PHOTOS: OPPOSITE PAGE BY SERGIO KURHAJEC: PORTRAIT CONTRIBUTED

Cocktail Attire Katie Fong 60 Lewis St., Greenwich, 203-717-1660; katiefong.com Consignment Roundabout 48 West Putnam Ave., Greenwich, 203-552-0787 | 606 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-227-4334; roundaboutcouture.com Department Store + Women’s Fashion Saks Fifth Avenue The Collective, 200 Greenwich Ave. | The Vault, 205 Greenwich Ave., 203-862-5300 | Saks Greenwich Shoe, 20 E. Elm St., Greenwich; saksfifthavenue.com

JEWELRY

Designer Boutique B Chic 78 Old Ridgefield Rd., Wilton, 203-210-7037

Anniversary & Special Occasion Jewelry Henry C. Reid 1591 Post Road, Fairfield, 203-255-0447; hcreidjewelers.com

Eyewear Warby Parker 344 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-433-7701 | The SoNo Collection, 100 N. Water St., South Norwalk, 203-648-9689; warbyparker.com

Designer Jewelry Lux Bond & Green 136 Main St., Westport, 203-227-1300; lbgreen.com Estate Jewelry Peter Suchy 1137 High Ridge Rd., Stamford, 203-327-0024; petersuchyjewelers.com

Gala Black Tie Attire + Men’s Fashion + Men’s Shoes Mitchells/Richards 359 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-622-0551 670 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-227-5165; shop.mitchellstores.com

Everyday Jewelry Apricot Lane 1499 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-292-9888; apricotlaneboutique.com

Lingerie + Swimwear Soleil Toile 44 Elm St., New Canaan, 203-966-2887 | 14 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-454-8688; soleiltoile.com

Fine Jewelry Betteridge 239 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-869-0124; betteridge.com

Women’s Shoes Nordstrom The SoNo Collection, 100 N. Water St., South Norwalk, 203-642-2634; shop.nordstrom.com

Local Jewelry Boutique R. Hollander Master Goldsmith 154 Bedford St., Stamford, 203-363-2200; ringart.com

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“This summer is all about easy pieces, covers in which you can lounge at the beach or relax at home.

We are excited to now have an e-commerce site where you can shop from home and even call our associates for advice.”

M O F F LY M E D I A

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READERS’ PICKS

MANFREDI JEWELS WINNER OF BEST MEN’S + WOMEN’S WATCHES

W

The time is always right to up your watch game, and Manfredi Jewels has you covered.

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ith its iconic yellow awning, Manfredi Jewels has long been a go-to for gorgeous arm candy. We asked manager Robert Weintraub what’s hot in the watch world for both the ladies and gents.

“For men, steel sport watches continue to be in demand as well as modern recreations of classic iconic watches from the 1960s and 70s,” he says. “The Chronomaster El Primero A384 Revival by Zenith is a faithful reproduction of the very first Zenith watch from 1969 to feature the El Primero high-frequency automatic chronograph caliber.

And The Laureato by GirrardPerregaux has a history dating back to 1975. Its timeless design appeals to today’s current tastes for an elegant sport watch with an integrated bracelet. It is available in many dial colors and sizes.”

And for the ladies? “The Serpenti Seduttori by Bulgari is a fantastic new addition to its line,” says Robert. “It combines the iconic Serpenti shape with a chic link bracelet that not only looks great, but is one of the most comfortable watch bracelets on the market today. It’s available in steel, steel/rose gold, rose gold, yellow gold, both with and without diamonds.” He also points out another hot newcomer, the Marine Dame by Breguet. “This stainless steel version of the watch features a marble blue lacquer dial that is made using a unique process that creates a one-of-a-kind image on each watch dial.”

M O F F LY M E D I A

READERS’ PICKS A 2.51 carat emerald cut in a special-blend rose gold engagement ring hand-forged in shop in Fairfield.

HENRY C. REID & SON JEWELERS WINNER OF BEST ANNIVERSARY & SPECIAL OCCASION JEWELRY

“We’re thrilled to be honored by the readers for a Best of the Gold Coast. During these unprecedented times, we’re very grateful to our customers who continue to inspire us to create memorable, hand-crafted jewelry pieces that transcend time.

While taste and trends can change, anniversaries and special occasions are important reminders of the past and give hope for the future.”

GREG FRENCH, president

SHINING MOMENT

GREG FRENCH BY KYLE NORTON; ALL OTHER IMAGES, CONTRIBUTED

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL, WHETHER IN A BOLD WATCH OR A GRACEFUL RING, IS ALWAYS A WINNING LOOK. THESE THREE “BEST OF” JEWELERS HELP BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY.

LUX BOND & GREEN WINNER OF DESIGNER JEWELRY

Round Diamond ring, 2.00 cts., with a tapered diamond shank, in platinum, $34,350.

“Our talented gemologists and designers’ recommendations and your approvals make the experience exceptional—and have done so, with one family guiding the team, since 1898. Quality, value and selection top our list as we create your gorgeous jewelry with the most brilliant diamonds and unique designs.”

JOHN GREEN, owner JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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SERENA & LILY WINNER OF BEST FURNITURE + LINENS + RUGS

A

ny time, but especially these days, we can appreciate the soothing qualities of Serena & Lily’s home items. From soft rugs underfoot to a silky pillow under our head at night, there’s always a calming ease that comes with their luxurious bedding, furniture and decor. Plus, we love the fresh take on the ever-popular coastal vibe that suits today’s style. It’s time to sit back and relax in pure comfort at home.

SPLURGE WINNER OF BEST HOME ACCESSORIES BOUTIQUE

“We have lots of fun things for summer, but one of the most popular is the Swig insulateddrinkware collection.

They keep beverages cold for up to twenty-four hours, and they’re dishwashersafe.”

SONIA MALLOY owner

The Soho duvet cover in Fog and White, with sheet set and shams, and white Riviera backless bench, Stonebridge rug and Soho Sconce

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READERS’ PICKS

Men’s + Women’s Watches Manfredi Jewels 121 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 866-610-0705 | 72 Elm St., New Canaan, 203-966-8705; manfredijewels.com

Baby Store She La La 120 Main St., New Canaan, 203-594-9798 | 281 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-557-8365; shopshelala.com

On Trend Jewelry + Selection of Local Designers JL Rocks 292 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-454-4541; jlrocks.com

Bookstore Barrett Bookstore 6 Corbin Dr., Darien, 203-655-2712; barrettbookstore.com

HOME Antiques/Vintage Store Fairfield County Antique and Design Center 39 Knight St., Norwalk 203-826-8575; fairfieldantiqueanddesign.com

OPPOSITE PAGE: SPLURGE BY JULIE BIDWELL; SERENA AND LILY, CONTRIBUTED; THIS PAGE; CAMCHE AND COHEN BY JEN GOLDBERG PRIVATE PORTRAITS; JL ROCKS RINGS BY HEATHER DESMOND; CHLOE WINSTON LIGHTING, CONTRIBUTED

Appliances Aitoro 401 Westport Ave., Norwalk, 203-847-2471; aitoro.com

Furniture + Linens + Rugs Serena & Lily 35 Elm St., Westport, 203-635-8000; serenaandlily.com Home Accessories Boutique Splurge 39 Lewis St., Greenwich, 203-869-7600; splurgegifts.com Lighting Chloe Winston Lighting Design 68 Water St., Norwalk, 203-663-3768; chloewinstonlighting.com

China Hoagland’s of Greenwich 175 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 888-640-9577; hoaglands.com

Luxury Imports Bungalow 4 Sconset Sq., Westport, 203-227-4406; bungalowdecor.com

Contemporary Furnishings Crate & Barrel 1200 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-222-9500; crateandbarrel.com

JL ROCKS FINE JEWELRY WINNER OF BEST ON-TREND JEWELRY + SELECTION BY LOCAL DESIGNERS

Ring stack from The City Of Lights Collection— available in 14K yellow, white and rose gold and five ring styles— inspired by Parisian landmarks

“I was inspired on a trip to Paris, meandering through the streets in the Left Bank, lunching close to Parisian beauties in crowded cafes.

I felt a lightness and carefree spirit, where less was more. I collaborated with JL Rocks to capture the simple yet sophisticated flair that is both stylish and unassuming—the feeling I get from the City of Lights.”

WENDE COHEN, owner of Bungalow, on her collaboration with Jamie Camche, owner of JL Rocks JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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GOLDEN ADVICE

Bright ideas from Chloe Winston, winner of best lighting.

1 STRIKING “We love to find fixtures that have movement, mixed metals and unique glass,” says Candace Pereira of Tempest by Corbett Lighting.

This lighting features eye-catching javelins, glass shades and a satin silver-leaf finish.”

2 SOOTHING “We would love to see this sconce in a fancy powder room, over a wet bar or scattered down a long corridor,“ says Candace about this mixed-metal camellia flower in Corbett’s Magic Garden collection.

M O F F LY M E D I A

C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

READERS’ PICKS

Outdoor Furniture Terrain 561 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-226-2750; shopterrain.com

Golf Equipment Golf Galaxy 595 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, 203-855-0500; golfgalaxy.com

Wedding Cakes Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes 3 Field Rd., Cos Cob, 203-869-9545; sweetlisas.com

Wedding Photographer Melani Lust Photography 203-454-5878; melanilustphotography.com

Toy Store HobbyTown 847 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-256-0773; hobbytown.com

Sports Gear REI 189 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, 203-838-1938; rei.com

Wedding Deejay Kunjan Collective 652 Glenbrook Rd., Stamford; 855-881-7700; kunjancollective.com

Wedding Planner Ashley Douglass Events Greenwich, 917-748-6281; ashleydouglassevents.com

WEDDINGS

Wedding Floral Design McArdle’s 48 Arch St., Greenwich, 203-661-5600; mcardles.com

FITNESS GEAR Bicycle Shop Cycle Dynamics 971 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-226-3790; cycledynamics.com Fitness Wear lululemon 151 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-622-5046 | 69 Main St., Westport, 203-227-1378; shop.lululemon.com

Bridal Gowns + Bridesmaid Dress Boutique Marietta C. Designs 436 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich; mariettac.com

Wedding Reception Venue Inn at Longshore 260 Compo Rd. S., Westport, 203-226-3316; innatlongshore.com

Wedding Gifts Hoagland’s of Greenwich 175 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 888-640-9577; hoaglands.com

Menswear Mitchells/Richards 359 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-622-0551 670 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-227-5165; shop.mitchellstores.com

Wedding Invitations/ Stationery MK & T Design and Print 250 Westport Ave., Norwalk, 203-295-8211; mkatdesign.com

The inns waterviews, sunsets and rolling lawns create a romantic setting.

Wedding Registry Williams-Sonoma Bedford Square, 25 Church Ln., Westport, 203-221-1065; williams-sonoma.com Wedding + Engagement Rings Betteridge 239 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-869-0124; betteridge.com

INN AT LONGSHORE WINNER OF BEST WEDDING RECEPTION VENUE

“The Inn at Longshore is the perfect ‘Destination Location’ at your doorstep. Just one hour from New York City, it offers the best views of the water, incredible food and impeccable service.

The Inn hosts one event at a time, so the focus is on you and your guests.”

CHRISTINE HUSSEY director of sales and marketing fairfieldlivingmag.com

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INN AT LONGSHORE BY JOANNA FISHER PHOTOGRAPHY|CONNECTICUT

GOLD COAST

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GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

GOLDEN ADVICE

Truly dazzling beauties: 8.06 carat Asscher-cut diamond ring, 3.06 carat emerald-cut diamond ring, and 6.45 carat oval-cut diamond engagement ring

Timelessly beautiful flowers by Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes, winner of best wedding cakes.

BETTERIDGE WINNER OF BEST WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT RINGS + FINE JEWELRY

For five generations the Betteridge family has been putting a smile on the faces of brides. From intricate and delicate to stunning and bold, the rings that come out of the Betteridge workshop are as unique and beautiful as the women who wear them.

1 WHITE ROSES All of the artwork on Sweet Lisa’s cakes is done by cake designers, so if you’re not sure what you want for your cake, talk to them. Maybe it starts with your favorite flower, such as a pure white rose for new beginnings and everlasting love.

LOVE STORY WEDDING MEMORIES LAST A LIFETIME. THE EXPERTS CAN HELP YOU CREATE ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE, DOWN TO THE SMALLEST DETAIL.

MCARDLE’S CAKE 2 BY MICHELLE-LANGE-PHOTOGRAPHY; ALL OTHER IMAGES, CONTRIBUTED

WINNER OF BEST WEDDING FLORAL DESIGN

“McArdle’s gives a classic white-and-ivory bridal bouquet a modern update with sunny peach garden roses and wisps of wildflowers and jasmine vine, infusing the silhouette with carefree and effortless charm.”

CAITLIN CLONAN creative director

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2 PINK ROSES Roses are associated with romance in many ways.

Pink roses are said to symbolize gratitude, grace and joy. Sweet Lisa’s added pink roses as delicate and soft as a bride’s blush.

SERVICES +TO DO’S Add it to the To-Do List, and call on these handy helpers

NOBLE SALON

WINNER OF WOMEN’S HAIRSTYLING

Put down the scissors. Because of social distancing, we all had to take drastic measures, like maybe trim out-of-control bangs. But when Noble opened its doors, we once again turned to its professionals for a cut, maybe some highlights and a relaxing blow dry. Because the stylists work on hair all day, every day, they can fix even the worst home-styled bangs. fairfieldlivingmag.com

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OPPOSITE PAGE, SALON BY RONALD GLASSMAN; THIS PAGE: CELLPHONE HAND ROBOT - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; BARBELLS ©DJMILIC - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; JUMP ROPE ©NEW AFRICA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; SNEAKERS ©2DMOLIER - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

ou do not have to do everything yourself. Really. You have options, like plenty of local pros who will help you look and feel your best, keep the car running, take care of the kids and pamper the pooch. Your time is yours again.

PAMPERING Blow Out/Updo + Waxing Hair 39 South Pine Creek Rd., Fairfield, 203-255-1041; blog.cthair.com Color The Color Cafe 23 Benedict Pl., Greenwich, 203-769-1929; colorcafestudio.com Day Spa + Facial Versailles Medical Spa 106 Noroton Ave., Darien, 203-344-7687; versaillesmedicalspa.com Kids’ Haircuts Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids 1568 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-557-8700; sharkeyscutsforkids.com Makeup Application Lindsey Trop Weddings 203-550-3769; lindseytropweddings.com

Makeup Boutique Sephora 75 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-422-2191 | 100 Greyrock Pl., Stamford, 203-388-3824 | The SoNo Collection, 100 N. Water St., Norwalk, 203-842-5990; sephora.com

Women’s Hairstyling Noble Salon 848 High Ridge Rd., Stamford, 203-322-8483; noblesalon.com

FITNESS

Mani/Pedi To and From 975 Boston Post Rd., Darien, 203-769-1171; toandfromnails.com

Barre The Bar Method 800 Post Rd., Darien, 203-202-7975 | 85 Mill Plain Rd., Ste. V, Fairfield, 203-259-8825; barmethod.com

Massage Massage Mavens 203-340-2518; massagemavens.com

Crossfit Crossfit Stamford 75 Selleck St., Stamford, 203-569-2906; crossfitstamford.com

Men’s Hairstyling H Salon 2060 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-255-0798; hsaloncolorcutdesign.com Spray Tan Zen Bronze 1081 East Putnam Ave., Riverside, 203-990-0209 | 179 Post Rd. W., Westport, 203-940-0667; zenbronze.com

Dance Fitness Blanks Studio 6 Lewis St., Greenwich, 818-669-5177; blanksstudios.com

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GOLDENE ADesVtreIaCming

Liv , classes fitness t home ra good fo he go. or on t

1 THE BAR METHOD No, the screen is not frozen— you actually have to keep holding that pose. When not in studio, try a leg-shaking streaming class at home or on the road. See sample classes online.

2 CLUB PILATES Try out a thirty-minute intro session online. All of the instructors have hundreds of hours of training.

3 UPPER DECK FITNESS Livestream a class, so you never miss a session, no matter where you are. Plus, it’s membership-free and a virtual coach will even keep an eye on your form.

M O F F LY M E D I A

GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

READERS’ PICKS

Fitness Club Upper Deck Fitness 72 Camp Ave., Stamford | 8 Post Rd. W., Westport, 203-309-6231; upperdeckfitness.com Gym Orangetheory Fitness 1101 High Ridge Rd., Stamford, 203-883-9518 | 364 Boston Post Rd., Darien, 203-309-2669 | 205 Main St., Norwalk, 203-883-6070 | 645 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-883-9262 | 525 Tunxis Hill Cut Off, Fairfield, 203-883-8220; orangetheoryfitness.com

ORANGETHEORY FITNESS WINNER OF BEST GYM

O

rangetheory Fitness wants to help you reach your fitness goals through coached small-group classes.

During quarantine, those classes got really small— like, solo at home. Yet, the club provided daily video workouts. Just like in-studio sessions, the coaches explained and demonstrated the workout: a mix of strength, power and endurance training through running, rowing, and weights or bands. You could even get heart-rate data for the class or when you did your own thing (say, a mind-clearing morning run).

OTF may get results based off science and technology, but their response to the COVID crisis also showed a lot of heart, which made us miss the in-person classes even more.

Indoor Cycling JoyRide Cycling + Fitness 25 Old Kings Hwy. N. (Goodwives Shopping Center), Darien, 203-202-9712 | 1200 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-349-5454 | 62 Danbury Rd., Ridgefield, 203-403-6874; joyridestudio.com Kids’ Fitness/ Sports Training Chelsea Piers Connecticut 1 Blachley Rd., Stamford, 203-989-1200; chelseapiersct.com Outdoor Sports Greenwich Community Sailing 203-698-0599; greenwichsailing.com Pilates Club Pilates 70 Main St., New Canaan, 203-405-8050 | 1063 Boston Post Rd., Darien, 203-4394670 | 427 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-990-1011 | 85 Mill Plain Rd., Sportsplex, Fairfield, 203-659-0090; clubpilates.com Yoga Stamford Yoga Center 13 Spring St., 2nd Fl., Stamford, 203-274-5235; stamfordyogacenter.com

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ERRANDS

Car Wash Splash Car Wash 203-324-5400; see all locations at splashcarwashes.com Dog Groomer/Pet Spa All Fur Paws 209 Bruce Park Ave., Greenwich, 203-542-5181; allfurpawsct.com

ORANGETHEORY FITNESS, CONTRIBUTED; HAND AND CELLPHONE ©PROSTOCK-STUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; JOYRIDE BY DAVE DELLINGER: DOG © WWW.SVETOGRAPHY.COM/ADOBESTOCK.COM ; GONZALEZ, CONTRIBUTED

Dry Cleaners Sanda’s Cleaners 59 E. Putnam Ave., Cos Cob, 203-992-1515 | 78 Pine St., New Canaan, 203-966-3962 | 178 Heights Rd., Darien,

Florist Nielsen’s Florist 1405 Post Rd., Darien, 203-655-2541; nielsensflorist.com

Pet Supplies/Pet Clothing Earth Animal 925 Post Rd.,E., Westport, 203-222-7173; earthanimal.com

Garden Center Designs by Lee 129 Interlaken Rd., Stamford, 203-322-2206 and 203-322-4744 designsbylee.com

Shoe Repair Westfair Shoe Repair 1783 Post Rd. E., Westport, 203-259-5587 Storage Facility Westy Self Storage 80 Brownhouse Rd., Stamford, 203-961-8000 | 50 Keeler Ave., Norwalk, 203-899-1234 | 65 Danbury Rd., Wilton, 203-762-7600 | 2070 Kings Hwy., Fairfield, 203-256-2777; westy.com

Livery Service Hoyt Livery, Inc. 21 Cross St., New Canaan, 203-966-5466; hoytlivery.com

JOYRIDE WINNER OF BEST INDOOR CYCLING

C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

Local Hotel Delamar Southport 275 Old Post Rd., Southport, 203-259-2800; delamar.com/southport

203-656-3539 | 160 Rowayton Ave., Norwalk, 203-866-1500; ​ sandascleaners.com

Auto Repair Shop Pray Body Shop 336 Elm St., Stamford, 203-359-3025; praybodyshop.com

GOLD COAST

Rhodie Lorenz, co-owner of JoyRide Cycling + Fitness Studio, and longtime fitness instructor Mo Prester

GOLDEN ADVICE

Watch out for your dog’s paws when summer heats up streets and fields.

ALL FUR PAWS

“JoyRide’s indoor cycling classes offer a fiftyminute calorie-torching, high-intensity workout that combines rhythm riding and athletic drills. Our instructors inspire riders to join the team effort and work harder in and out of the saddle than they could work alone.

The group energy in the darkness, set to amazing playlists, ensures that you will have the best sweat while enjoying the ride.”

“If you can’t hold your hand on tarmac or artificial grass for seven seconds, then it’s too hot for your doggy’s paws— they may get burned.

This ‘Seven Second Rule’ is so important.

Dog’s paws get burned quickly when temperatures are high.”

RHODIE LORENZ

JEIDE GONZALEZ

co-owner

of All Fur Paws

Winner of Dog Groomer/ Pet Spa

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READERS’ PICKS

CARNEGIE PREP WINNER OF BEST COLLEGE PREP COURSES

LYNN CARNEGIE founder and CEO

“Summer, this year in particular, is an ideal time for students to commit to thoroughly preparing for the fall test dates, especially rising seniors whose spring tests were cancelled and rising juniors who have yet to make the SAT vs. ACT decision. Students generally have much more time than during the school year, to both focus on test prep and begin work on their college applications and essays, and, of course, figure out what it is that drives their passion!”

Tailor Ted the Tailor 2 Church St., Greenwich, 203-869-5699

College Prep Courses Carnegie Prep 203-352-3500; carnegieprep.com

Veterinarian Spot On Veterinary Hospital & Hotel 184 Selleck St., Stamford, 203-973-7768; spotonvet.com

Cooking Classes AMG Catering & Events 196 Danbury Rd., Wilton, 203-227-5535; amgcatering.com

TRY IT / TUNE IN Art Classes Silvermine Arts Center 1037 Silvermine Rd., New Canaan, 203-966-9700; silvermineart.org Art Gallery Rene Soto Gallery 1 Wall St, Norwalk, 203-609-5024; renesotogallery.com Children’s Music Lessons + Music Lessons Fairfield |Trumbull School of Music 338 Commerce Dr., Fairfield, 203-690-1888; ftsmusic.org

GOLDEN ADVICE

Can small parties be fun? Of course!

Just get creative with art.

HANDS ON POTTERY Pottery to go (curbside or free delivery) and Zoom birthday parties, Hands On Pottery kept the fun of painting pottery going. Kits include everything you need to help little ones celebrate with friends or just enjoy a rainy day.

Museum Maritime Aquarium 10 North Water St., Norwalk, 203-852-0700; maritimeaquarium.org Museum for Children Stepping Stones Museum for Children 303 West Ave., Norwalk, 203-899-0606; steppingstonesmuseum.org

Language Classes Alliance Française of Greenwich 299 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, 203-629-1340; afgreenwich.org

Nanny/Babysitting Services Nannies As Needed see all locations at nanniesasneeded.com

Live Music Spot + Performing Arts Venue Fairfield Theatre Company 70 Sanford St., Fairfield, 203-259-1036; fairfieldtheatre.org

Performing Arts Norwalk Symphony 125 East Ave., Norwalk, 203-956-6771; norwalksymphony.org Radio Station AM - Local WSHU 1260 wshu.org

Local Cover Band Tangled Vine tangledvine.com

Radio Station FM - Local WEBE 108 webe108.com

Local Rock Band The Straightjackets thestraightjacketsband.com

Radio Station Personality The Anna & Raven Show/Star 99.9 star999.com

Children’s Parties Hands On Pottery 15 Tokeneke Rd., Darien, 203-656-3995 | 1700 Post Rd., Fairfield, 203-319-1273; hopct.com

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PORTRAIT OF LYNN © MEREDITH EVES FLYNN; ALL POTTERY, CONTRIBUTED BY HANDS ON POTTERY

GOLD COAST

M O F F LY M E D I A

EDITORS’ PICKS

GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

FROM THE EDITORS

YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH ON INSTAGRAM @ YALENEWHAVENHEALTH; STAMFORD HEALTH BY RICH FREEDA; NUVANCE HEALTH/NORWALK ON INSTAGRAM @NUVANCEHEALTH; HARTFORD HEALTHCARE/ ST. VINCENT’S MEDICAL CENTER ON INSTAGRAM @ HARTFORD_HEALTHCARE

OUR READERS CAST THEIR VOTES FOR RESTAURANTS, BARS, SHOPS, SALONS, GYMS AND MORE ACROSS FAIRFIELD COUNTY—WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE LOCAL HOSPITALS THAT WERE THE FRONT LINES DURING THIS COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS. HERE’S OUR WAY OF SAYING: YOU’RE THE BEST!

YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH/GREENWICH HOSPITAL

STAMFORD HEALTH

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2

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

VIRTUAL VISITS

When every moment counts, as it does during the COVID-19 crisis, Yale New Haven Health EMS providers were able to get to people, and provide care, quickly.

They include the pediatric and neonatal, SkyHealth and the adult Critical Care teams. The health system, including Greenwich Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital, treated and discharged more than 3,000 COVID-19 patients since the surge hit locally from mid-March through mid-June.

It also set up a dedicated digital space for COVID-related information, including testing, visitor restrictions, prevention methods, support for caregivers, clinical resources and more. In a time like this, information and guidance helped not only patients, but the community at large. When care is critical, they can respond fast. ynhhs.org

On the front line of the COVID-19 crisis, Stamford Health doctors and nurses helped patients battle a new virus; and its scientists prepared nasopharyngeal swabs for a new molecular SARS CoV-2 test, tested COVID-19 samples, and prepared clinical lab testing to help inform diagnosis and treatment decisions. As part of the clinical trial, the hospital was first in the state to treat patients with convalescent plasma. Despite the extraordinary pressure of the health crisis, the hospital still found ways to treat other health conditions—it used telemedicine, “Stamford Health On Call Care,” to take care of common concerns, such as food poisoning and tick bites without a trip to the hospital. Patients can remain at home and still get proper and timely care. stamfordhealth.org

NUVANCE HEALTH/ NORWALK

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4

COMMUNICATION

CONVALESCENT PLASMA DONATIONS

Having treated and released Connecticut’s first COVID-19 patient at Danbury Hospital, Nuvance Health immediately began alerting their communities about safety and prevention via its social media channels. As the pandemic spread and hospitals were running low on essential supplies, Nuvance’s fleet of seven hospitals shifted distribution of personal protective equipment and other critically needed supplies where they needed them most.

Thanks to an efficient supply chain team, they quickly moved to find new ways to get supplies to first responders—fast. Locally, Norwalk Hospital offers drive-through testing, virtual and in-person visits. Thanks to a decrease in infection rates, all Nuvance hospitals have been cleared to resume more procedures, surgeries and routine healthcare. nuvancehealth.org

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HARTFORD HEALTHCARE/ ST. VINCENT’S MEDICAL CENTER

As the world eagerly awaits a vaccine for COVID-19, hospitals are hard at work on a promising therapy that uses blood from recovered coronavirus patients.

St. Vincent’s is one of the area hospitals involved in Convalescent Plasma Therapy. The treatment was authorized for emergency use by the FDA for seriously ill patients. It provides patients antibodies that the immune system uses to fight off the virus.

Though research on the efficacy is ongoing, anecdotal evidence is very encouraging. One plasma donation can treat up to four patients. We are all waiting to see what the fall months bring in terms of a resurgence and this groundbreaking therapy may just allow us to breathe a little easier. stvincents.org

M O F F LY M E D I A

C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

C O P I N G W I T H C O R O N AV I R U S 1

THE NEW NORMAL A FEW BEST OF WINNERS ON ADAPTING TO THE DEMANDS OF THE PANDEMIC by diane sembrot

E

ven as the Best of the Gold Coast CT votes were filling up the editors’ in-boxes—revealing that locals loved certain restaurants, shops and services—some of those cherished businesses were faced with a new reality.

They had to adapt swiftly to a set of rules that seemed to change on a whim, courtesy of a oncein-a-century pandemic. We checked in with a few of our Best Of winners to ask how they pivoted to these strange days.

3

CARNEGIE PREP

We have been offering one-on-one tutoring remotely for years, so we were able to seamlessly pivot all of our services to online learning, including our courses and practice tests. Our tutors, teachers and staff have gone above and beyond to reimagine the collaborative learning environment, maintaining our commitment to individualized feedback.

Students can meet in an interactive virtual classroom, work in small groups, and receive personalized attention with the convenience of being anywhere in the world.

—Lynn Carnegie, founder and CEO, carnegieprep.com

2

WATERS EDGE AT GIOVANNI’S

We have always butchered our own meats on premise.

We believe that hand butchering meats to order creates a superb tasting cut of beef, veal or lamb. When COVID-19 began, we started selling these hand-cut steaks and chops.

This allowed our customers to experience hand-cut meats at home on their grills.

—Stacy Lindsey, art director, watersedgeatgiovannis.com.

CHLOE WINSTON

4

In these last few months, we’ve realized how lucky we are to have worked for many years with both local and remote customers by phone and FaceTime to help them with their lighting design and selections. We didn’t realize at the time we were preparing for the future.

Working in this way is second nature for us. Of course, we much prefer showing off the beauty of all we have to offer in person, but when that is not possible, we handhold our customers virtually.

—Candace Pereira, owner, chloewinstonlighting.com

THE PERFECT PAIR

I was able to keep my store up and running by recently launching a new website where I showcase all of my new items. I am offering a discount off all items and free shipping, and I do free door-to-door delivery to people in lower Fairfield County.

—Carrie Bocian, owner, theperfectpairct.com

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PHOTOGRAPHS: PENCIL ©VITALYZORKIN - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; GRILLED MEATS ©KUCHERAV - STOCK.ADOBE.COM OPPOSITE PAGE; SWEET LISA CAKE FROM THEIR INSTAGRAM FEED; COFFEE STAINS ©BREAKINGTHEWALLS - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

GOLD COAST

M O F F LY M E D I A

C O P I N G W I T H C O R O N AV I R U S

SWEET LISA’S EXQUISITE CAKES 5

We are doing our best to maintain our personalized service during this unusual time in our history.

We are doing more communication via the internet and have adapted our product line into smaller orders for our clients who still realize how important it is to celebrate the special moments in life even during hard times.

—Lisa Maronian, owner, sweetlisas.com

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UPPER DECK FITNESS

As a business that addresses our clients’ unmet needs, the pandemic presented an opportunity to deliver. We realized that it would not be enough to simply replicate the service we provide in an at-home environment. Our clients wanted their sense of community and the interaction that comes along with it, which we’ve successfully been able to deliver through our virtual gym.

— Suzanne Palazzo, owner, upperdeckfitness.com

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JOYRIDE

Three things come to mind. First, offering multiple daily online classes through ZOOM, Forte and Instagram LIVE. Also, ‘Rhodie’s Leaders in JOY’ series on IGTV highlighting local leaders in our community and their tools for creating joy during challenging times. Finally, staying connected through weekly Zoom staff and instructor happy hours.

—Rhodie Lorenz, cofounder joyridestudio.com

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APRICOT LANE

We closed in March and reopened on May 20. We post on Instagram and Facebook every day. We did videos several times a week showing our product. We also sent emails. We offered FaceTime appointments and curbside pickup. For two months we tried to stay in touch with our customers. Since we opened, we are having a good reaction from our customers, which I am grateful for. We require masks, very high levels of cleaning, etc.

—Diane Holtz, owner of the Fairfield location, apricotlaneboutique.com

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SOLEIL TOILE

We have created a safe and clean environment in our stores and are excited to now have an e-commerce site where you can shop from home and even call our associates for advice. Items can be picked up curbside, shipped or delivered locally.

–Stacey Schumer, co-owner, soleiltoile.com

JL ROCKS

With a newly designed website, we boosted online inventory and launched e-gift cards. We also offered curbside pickup, free shipping and concierge drop-off for Fairfield County customers. We worked hard to re-create the customer service we’re known for in a virtual experience. We offered FaceTime consultations and sent frequent correspondence to our email list so that customers knew we were open and finding solutions. We’re keeping the online momentum while reopening brickand-mortar in an omnichannel approach. We’ll soon open a location in Greenwich.”

—Jamie Camche, owner, jlrocks.com JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

TOWN WINNERS

BALLOONS BY ©GOLUBOVY - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Because there’s no place we’d rather live and dine and shop and get our hair done and eat cupcakes, etc.

READERS’ PICKS

FOOD + DRINK RESTAURANTS

American Flipside Burgers & Bar flipsiderestaurant.com

Best Service Flipside Burgers & Bar flipsiderestaurant.com

Asian Fusion Mama Chow mama-chow.com

Creative Menu Brick Walk Tavern brickwalktavern.com

Chinese Ginkgo ginkgoct.com

Hotel Restaurant Artisan artisansouthport.com

French Martel Bistro & Bar martelrestaurant.com

New Restaurant Mama Chow mama-chow.com

Hot Dogs Super Duper Weenie superduperweenie.com

REGIONAL SPECIALTIES

Ice Cream/Gelato Saugatuck Sweets 203-292-8550

Pizza Colony Grill colonygrill.com

Italian Luigi’s Italian Restaurant luigisfairfield.com

COLONY GRILL

Japanese Fin Japanese Restaurant fin-sushi.com

Want everyone to agree on where to eat and what to order? Head to Colony Grill. Order the thin-crust pizza, with its signature hot oil, and pitcher or two of your favorite drinks. Dinner time, family time, fun time—all in one.

Latin American + Mexican + Spanish Tequila Revolucion tequilarevolucionff.com

ALL PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY BRAND; COLONY GRILL BY VENERA ALEXANDROVA

Enjoy the flavor of Hokkien Hae Mee, a Southeas Asian favorite, with a spicy seafood broth and plenty of shrimp, slices of pork, bean sprouts, morning glory, a hard-boiled egg and wheat noodles.

Outdoor Dining Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill geronimobarandgrill.com Special Occasion/Date Night The Chelsea thechelseaff.com

With so many good choices, what should you order?

Greek GRK Grilll grkffld.com Indian Taj Indian Cuisine tajfairfield.com

MAMA CHOW

GOLDEN ADVICE

Mediterranean Layla’s Falafel laylasfalafel.com

Seafood Nordic Fish nordicfishfairfield.com

Thai Whoopi Thai whoopithaicuisine.com

Steak Blackstones Steakhouse blackstonessteakhouse.com

COMFORT FOOD

Sushi Fin Japanese Restaurant fin-sushi.com

Bagels Bagel King theoriginalbagelking.weebly.com

Tapas Pizzeria Molto pizzeriamolto.com

Breakfast Food The Tasty Yolk thetastyyolk.com Frozen Yogurt 16 Handles 16handles.com

CASUAL SPOTS Brunch The Chelsea thechelseaff.com

Hamburgers Flipside Burgers & Bar flipsiderestaurant.com

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“We’re so happy to win Best Brunch again in Fairfield Living magazine.

Brunch has become so popular for us that we offer it on Saturdays now too.

I would recommend a favorite dish, but there are so many good ones I couldn’t really choose one— but, by the way, the Bloody Marys and mimosas are amazing, too.

I lean toward the Cucumber Bloody Mary.”

THE CHELSEA Scott Beck managing partner, SoNo Restaurant Group, The Chelsea in Fairfield and Little Barn in Westport

READERS’ PICKS

Desserts + Gourmet to Go The Pantry thepantry.net

Coffee Shop Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters shearwatercoffeeroasters.com

Margaritas + Singles Scene (Over 35) Tequila Revolucion tequilarevolucionff.com

SHOP + STYLE

Outdoor Bar Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill geronimobarandgrill.com

FASHION

Deli + Lunch Spot Firehouse Deli firehousedelifairfield.com

Pub Little Pub littlepub.com

Accessories + Cocktail Attire + Gala/Black Tie Attire + Jeans + Teen Fashion + Women’s Fashion Apricot Lane Boutique apricotlaneboutique.com

Diner Southport Diner southportdiner.com

Restaurant Bar The Chelsea thechelseaff.com

Children’s Clothes Saltwater saltwaterct.com

Family-Friendly Restaurant Luigi’s Italian Restaurant luigisfairfield.com

Singles Scene (Under 35) 55 Wine Bar & Wood Grille 55winebar.com

Consignment Olive My Stuff olivemystuff.com

Sports Bar/Big Game Night BrickYard Pub thebrickyardpubfairfield.com

Designer Boutique Penfield Collective penfieldcollective.com

Wine List Barcelona Wine Bar barcelonawinebar.com

Eyewear Pearle Vision pearlevision .com

Food Truck The Tasty Yolk thetastyyolk.com Juice Bar + Vegetarian Catch a Healthy Habit catchahealthyhabit.com

MARKETS + MORE Bakery Isabelle et Vincent isabelleetvincent.net Butcher Shop Custom Meats custommeatsct.com Candy Store Saugatuck Sweets 203-292-8550 Caterer Garelick & Herbs garelickandherbs.com Chocolate Shop BE Chocolat bechocolat.com Cup Cakes Alina’s Bakery alinascakes.com

THE PANTRY “The meal was just wonderful!

And now for dessert!” Seems someone knows the secret: The cake came from The Pantry. When you’re craving the comfort of chocolate, consider indulging in this made-from-scratch roll.

Lingerie In the Mood Intimates inthemoodintimates.com

Fish Nordic Fish nordicfishfairfield.com

Swimwear Swim ’n Surf swimnsurf.com

Gourmet Grocery BD Provisions bdprovisions.com

Women’s Shoes The Perfect Pair theperfectpairct.com

Health Food Catch a Healthy Habit catchahealthyhabit.com

JEWELRY

Liquor Store + Wine Shop Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market harryswine.com

BARCELONA WINE BAR From the look of our social media feeds, very few of us would have made it through March until now without a sizeable wine glass filled reliably. Now that we’re in summer and getting out a bit more, we’re planning meet-ups with friends to enjoy plenty of fresh air—and the extensive wine collection at Barcelona.

BAR BOASTS Beer Selection Craft 260 craft260.com Girls’ Night Out AR Workshop arworkshop.com Happy Hour + Martinis Flipside Burgers & Bar flipsiderestaurant.com

Anniversary & Special Occasion + Designer + Fine Jewelry + Local Jewelry Boutique + Men’s Watches Henry C. Reid & Son Jewelers hcreidjewelers.com Estate Jewelry Kasson Jewelers kassonjewelers.com Everyday Jewelry Apricot Lane Boutique apricotlaneboutique.com Women’s Watches JewelRestore jewelrestore.net

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CAKE, BY THE PANTRY; WINE BY THOMAS MCGOVERN FOR BARCELLONA

Café/Bistro Martel Bistro & Bar martelrestaurant.com

READERS’ PICKS

HOME Appliances Marsillio’s marsillios.com Baby Store Carter’s carters.com Bookstore Fairfield University Bookstore bkstr.com/fairfielddowntown store/home

WEDDING BY MELANI LUST PHOTOGRAPHY; BAR METHOD BY THOMAS MCGOVERN; CARRIE BOCIAN BY KYLE NORTON

Department Store + Linens Bed Bath & Beyond bedbathandbeyond.com

SERVICES + TO-DO’S

Wedding Cakes Alina’s Bakery alinascakes.com Wedding Deejay Kunjan Collective kunjancollective.com

PAMPERING Blow Out/Updo + Makeup Application Marsona Horan marsonahoransalon.com

Wedding Floral Design Fresh Flower Bar freshflowerbar.com Wedding Invitations/Stationery Party Party partypartyfairfield.com

Color + Makeup Boutique + Men’s Styling H Salon hsaloncolorcutdesign.com

Wedding Photographer Melani Lust Photography melanilustphotography.com

Home Accessories Boutique The Beehive thebeehivefairfield.com

Day Spa + Facial + Kid’s Haircuts + Waxing + Women’s Hairstyling Hair blog.cthair.com

Outdoor Furniture Outdoor Design & Living outdoordesign.com

Mani/Pedi Grand Design Nail Salon granddesignsalon.com

Storage Westy Self-Storage westy.com

Massage Massage Envy massageenvy.com

Toy Store Giant Steps giantstepstoys.com

Spray Tan Sun Kissed Glow sunkissedmobileglow.com

SPORTS GEAR Golf Equipment Garner Golf 203-319-1200 Sports Gear Store Athletic Shoe Factory theathleticshoefactory.com

WEDDINGS Bridal Gowns A’Dor Couture adorcouture.com Bridesmaid Dress Boutique Apricot Lane apricotlaneboutique.com

MELANI LUST PHOTOGRAPHY

FITNESS

It takes a true romantic like Melani Lust to scout out and capture the special moments, beyond exchanging vows and cutting the cake, that reveal the magic of a wedding day.

Barre The Bar Method barmethod.com

Wedding Planner Ashley Douglas ashleydouglassevents.com Wedding Reception Venue Burr Homestead fairfieldct.org/burrhomestead Wedding Registry Bed Bath & Beyond bedbathandbeyond.com Wedding & Engagement Rings Henry C. Reid hcreidjewelers.com

THE BAR METHOD The Bar Method will have you hold, reach, pulse and tap through a total body workout.

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GOLDEN ADVICE

It’s summer— a great time to get outside and go for a walk or just explore.

Here’s how to do it with style and total comfort.

“Sandals with a thicker sole are very hot for summer. It’s a European look and the extra heigh makes the sandal very comfortable.

Sneakers are by far my best-selling during all times of the year. During the summer, people are looking for clean, white sneakers with something a little special on them, such as glitter, drawings or an applique.”

THE PERFECT PAIR Carrie Bocian owner

READERS’ PICKS

A summer to remember.

“The Fairfield Museum has long been a place that connects people around the complex history of our town and surrounding communities. We believe in the power of history, the arts and humanities to inspire the imagination, stimulate thought and shape a more informed future.

We are thrilled to be open again and welcome all to visit the museum to experience our wonderful exhibitions and join in on all we have to offer. Please visit our website [fairfieldhistory.org] for information and visiting guidelines.”

FAIRFIELD MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER Mike Jehle, executive director

Crossfit Crossfit KMK crossfitkmk.com

Livery Service Serlin International Limousine serlinlimo.com

Language Classes Fairfield Parks and Rec fairfieldct.org

Dance Fitness Double Up Dance Studio doubleupdancestudio.com

Local Hotel Delamar delamar.com/southport

Live Music Spot + Performing Arts Venue Fairfield Theatre Company fairfieldtheatre.org

Fitness Club F45 Training f45training.com

Pet Supplies/Pet Clothing Choice Pet choicepet.com

Gym Orangetheory Fitness orangetheoryfitness.com

Storage Facility Westy Self Storage westy.com

Indoor Cycling Cyclebar cyclebar.com

Veterinarian Fairfield Veterinary Hospital fairfieldvh.com

Kids’ Fitness/Sports Training Boost Sports Performance Academy boostsportsacademy.com

TRY IT / TUNE IN Art Classes + Children’s Parties AR Workshop arworkshop.com

Outdoor Sports Fairfield Marina fairfieldct.org/marina Pilates Black Rock Pilates blackrockpilates.com Yoga Yoga for Everybody yoga4everybody.net

FAIRFIELD THEATRE COMPANY Known for it’s small and huge live shows (here a great flashback photo by David Gray of Keb Mo), Fairfield Theatre Company introduced its Stay Home Livestream Series due to Covid.

Local Cover Band Tangled Vine tangledvine.com

ERRANDS

Local Rock Band The Straightjackets thestraightjacketsband.com

Auto Repair Shop Fairfield Automotive fairfieldauto.net Car Wash Splash Car Wash splashcarwashes.com

FRESH FLOWER BAR

Museum + Museum for Children Fairfield Museum and History Center fairfieldhistory.org

For every day or special occasions, there is nothing like a floral arrangement to make people happy and feel loved. Add color and fragrance to the home, with.

Fresh Flower Bar’s bouquets.

Performing Arts Connecticut Dance School ctdanceschool.org

Florist Fresh Flower Bar freshflowerbar.com

Children’s Music Lessons + Music Lessons Fairfield | Trumbull School of Music ftsmusic.org

Radio Station FM - Local WEBE 108 webe108.com

Garden Center Ganim’s Garden Center & Florist ganimsgardencenter.com

Cooking Classes Cinch Food cinchfood.com

Dog Groomer/Pet Spa Greenfield Hill Groomers 203-256-8922 Dry Cleaners Fabricare Cleaners fabricarecleaners.net

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Radio Station AM - Local WSHU 1260 wshu.org

Radio Station Personality The Anna & Raven Show/Star 99.9 star999.com

MIKE JEHLE BY CAPITOL PHOTO INTERACTIVE; FRESH FLOWER BAR BY KYLE NORTON; FTC BY DAVID GRAY

GOLDEN ADVICE

advertisers index ART & ANTIQUES

Drew Klotz Kinetic Sculpture ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8

AUTOMOTIVE

Land Rover Fairfield ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Cover 4 Splash Car Wash ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Cummings & Lockwood LLC ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 UBS Financial Services Inc./ The Shantz Mantione Group ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9

EVENTS

A-list Awards �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������28, 29

FASHION

Apricot Lane Boutique ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5

FOOD, CATERING & LODGING

B.J Ryan's........................................................................................................... Cover 3 B.J. Ryan's Banc House BBQ & Crab ����������������������������������������������������������Cover 3 B.J. Ryan's Magnolia Room ��������������������������������������������������������������������������Cover 3 Flipside Burgers & Bar ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11 Winvian Farm �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

2013 JAVIER SÁNCHEZ MINGORANCE-STOCK.ADOBE.COM

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Hospital for Special Surgery/ Stamford Health ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Nuvance Health �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Cover 2

JEWELRY

Henry C. Reid ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3

NONPROFIT

The Elephant Sanctuary ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 Kids in Crisis ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������27

PET & PET SUPPLIES

Earth Animal ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15

SPORTS & FITNESS

F45 Training ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15

MISCELLANEOUS

Westy Self Storage ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������27 JULY/AUGUST 2020 FAIRFIELD LIVING

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We welcome wedding announcements together with candid photographs.

Weddings should have a current Fairfield family connection and must be submitted within three months of the wedding day.

Regretfully, we are unable to run every wedding submitted.

Send Information to: weddings@fairfieldlivingmag.com Fairfield Living Magazine 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880

postscript

JULY/AUG 2020 / DONNA MOFFLY

M

It was a great success, except that the hotel charged the whole party to our photographer.

y father used to say, “I can stand anything as long as it’s the best.” And this month we celebrate the Moffly Media’s Best of the Gold Coast where most of us are blessed to live.

You readers picked the winners—voting online for your favorite whatevers in Fairfield County from 185 categories ranging from jewelry stores and yoga teachers to wine shops and wedding registries. Then, normally—let’s forget coronavirus lockdowns for a minute— winners could set up booths at our big event to display their lingerie or fishing trips to the masses.

And, man, were you eating—consider Little Pub’s pulled pork tacos, Marcia Selden’s floating salad and Nikki Glekkas’ champagne popsicles.

Of course, the Lager-lovers didn’t mind waiting in line at the Stella-Artois station. Then there were the freebees—like funky earrings from Helen Ainson, haircuts from Noelle and spray tans from Pink Soda Blow Dry. Think 1,600 people—and at a party that size, stuff happens. One year a wine merchant accidentally took home Saugatuck Sweets’ icecream freezer. Aitoro once left a humungous refrigerator in the ballroom, planning to pick it up in the morning. Except the hotel had a breakfast event, and Westport publisher Gaby Mays had to roust the owner out of bed to come get it. But the Stamford Museum’s goats Hoda and Kathie Lee behaved themselves.

As this goes to press, we’re still figuring out how to celebrate our winners in this summer of challenge; so stay tuned and let’s take a virtual trip to our Best Of launch party at the Hyatt sixteen years ago.

For some reason we’d decided on 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. mid-August. The hottest time of year. People were in Nantucket. Same night fairfieldlivingmag.com

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as St. Catherine’s Fair. Dumb, dumb, dumber.

Nobody would show up, right?

Even so, we shut down our offices for the day and went into battle with a small army of editors, artists and sales reps. Staff photographer Bob Capazzo manned the loading dock, where a vendor spilled a whole vat of gazpacho on his white pants; our diminutive creative director Amy Vischio wrestled a dolly stacked with cases of wine down the hall; and a hot-dog truck backing into the Hyatt patio almost took the awning down.

But the flood gates finally opened. And by 7:30 p.m., when I went to welcome Congressman Chris Shays (Attorney General Dick Blumenthal and TV star Lara Spencer had arrived), I learned we’d already run through the 1,000 yellow wristbands at check-in; so we had to call security to help identify crashers, mostly hotel guests trying to sneak in. By 8:00, as three bands played on, we were up to 1,500 attendees.

By 8:30, I’d kicked off my high heels and was chasing a kid riding through the corridors on a bike he’d lifted from Dave’s Cycle. Hot on my heels were two guys from security—a scene out of the Keystone Cops.

It was a great success, except that the hotel charged the whole party to our photographer.

They had Bob’s credit card on file because he did occasional shoots there. “Gee, Bob, thanks!” we told him. “You’re a real sport!” Eventually things were straightened out, but not before his bank account was locked down for an inconvenient length of time and somebody’s head rolled at the Hyatt.

In any case, as realtor David Ogilvy famously observed: “I’ve never seen more people I didn’t know having the time of their lives.”

We needn’t have worried about anything— except about our waistlines.

VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT

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