sunday
NIGHT. Sleep until
you're hungry, then eat until you're sleepy.
PHOTOGRAPHY OF PETER CHANG BY KYLE NORTON; DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE BY ANDREW SULLIVAN: NAVARATNA BY GARVIN BURKE; CHOPSTICKS © ILYA AKINSHIN - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
last hurrah
Stamford is a melting pot of cultures with a knack for flavors that pack a punch. Before the workweek kicks off, commiserate with friends with Asian comfort food. The recently opened Mecha Noodle Bar (mechanoodlebar.com) offers big, hearty bowls of ramen and pho. Ramen, which is a Japanese dish, and pho, which is a traditional Vietnamese food, hangs on the noodle perfected. Long, slurpy noodles swimming in a hot and aromatic broth are paired with toppings of your preference and spice tolerance. Consider adding togarashi chili oil to your bowl for a kick of heat. Driving up to SoNo for a Mecha fix is a thing of the past now that it’s open on Bedford Street. Also, slurping is 100 percent encouraged. TRY: Kale salad with fresh and crispy kale, miso vinaigrette and avocado, steamed bao with gochujang, pickled daikon-carrots and kewpie, or try Tonkotsu ramen with pork, chasu, spicy sprouts, egg and scallion. GO: Wine Dinner nights, a family-style five-course meal paired with standout wine distributors.
KICK IT UP A NOTCH
Live life with a little spice—or as much as you'd like.
Wh e at M n you ser ved ECH r dish , yo A f aw inish u sho is ay— it r ig uld left it's no ht ove t fo rs. r
WHAT TO DO, SEE AND TRY
BE A SPORT
Catch the Sunday night football game at the home of Stamford’s own sports legend, Bobby Valentine. Bobby V's Restaurant & Sports Bar, a super-sized sports space with thirty-two draft beers, 200+ HDTVs and an indoor golf simulator for a truly dynamic, sports-watching experience. bobbyvsrestaurant.com
ICE SKATE
Starting December 6, you and your family can head to Mill River Park Skating Rink to ice skate across 9,000 square feet of ice at the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center. Admission for children is $8 while adult tickets are $10. (See more on page 30.) millriverpark.org
FOLLOW THE CROWD
You may not be able to catch Santa climbing down your chimney on the night before Christmas, but you can see the jolly man and guest rappelers descend down one of Stamford’s tallest buildings, Heights & Lights comes to Landmark Square on Dec. 8. Following the daredevil event, join Santa and guests at Lantham Park to watch the tree lighting. (See more on page 32.) stamford-downtown.com
EAT LIKE A KID
Ask the majority of customers why they visit Elm Street Diner, and they’ll most likely say something like, “We saw it on Instagram!” With over-the-top decadent, decorated milkshakes and waffles, this mainstay diner is the perfect place to treat little ones before another big week at school. elmstreetdiner.com Peter Chang Famed Chef Peter Chang opened up this new Chinese restaurant in 2018 and locals have raved about its authenticity and creativity ever since. Must-try options are the pork dumplings and, for those who can handle the heat, the Beef with Vermicelli Hot Pot really does the trick. peterchangct.com
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Dinosaur Bar-B-Que brings the heat. With the enormous smokers cooking up your favorite ribs, brisket and pulled pork, you can kick your Southern taste buds into high gear with their wicked hot sauces. For the truly brave, the Devil’s Duel sauce to coat your BBQ chicken wings is killer. dinosaurbarbque.com
Navaratna We couldn’t compile a foodie’s weekend agenda without a vegetarian option for all our herbivores out there. This purely vegetarian restaurant offers authentic dishes and flavors from North and South India, focusing on zesty vegetables, lentils, rice and naan with a spicy edge. navaratnact.com
NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2019 STAMFORD
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CATCH A MOVIE
Go to the movies! Seriously. The Bow Tie Cinemas Majestic 6 movie theater on Summer Street got a makeover, complete with plush leather electric recliner seats, Dolby surround sound and a fully updated snack bar, complete with an “Ultimate” menu: pizza, mac & cheese, Philly cheesesteaks and more. S