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January 26, 2006

Chill out at tearoom in Stratford and warm up your bones

By Stephanie Janucik

When the chill of the January wind creeps into your frame, there’s nothing better than a hot beverage to warm your bones. And what’s better than something flavorful? Coffee seems to have taken over, especially when it comes to socializing, catching a hot local band, or whipping out your laptop, but let’s not forget about tea.

Although tea is native to China, India and Japan, Connecticut can still provide some of its comfort and tastes from around the globe. In Britain, tea is an integral part of everyday life, and here in the States it’s got its own loyal following. And for many, it’s an important socializing event that should take place on a regular basis in the afternoon, even away from home.

I ventured to the White Lilac Tea Room in Stratford for lunch one recent Saturday to meet and catch up with some old friends. The tearoom opened more than three years ago and offers an affordable place for chats over tea or, for the bigger occasions, space for bridal showers and intimate weddings. It’s an almost Victorian-like décor with a fresh atmosphere where — sorry guys — mostly ladies indulge.

Tea may be the foundation for this establishment, but the goodies are pretty high up there as well. My eyes never fail to follow the many silver towers of scones, brownies, fruit bars, and cookies around the room, waiting for the one that will arrive at our table and accent one of the 14 to 15 different Harney & Sons leaf teas (my favorite being Indian Spice) offered during low tea. Afternoon tea features the same but with added delightful finger sandwiches filled with cucumbers and cream cheese, tuna salad and egg salad, among many others.

Not in the mood for sweets? Then try their famous cranberry chicken Waldorf salad (my personal favorite), a delicious soup, or their chicken pot pie. Don’t worry, they’re also vegetarian friendly with an array of dishes made by Russian chef Mary Kravec, whose White Lilac Tea Room was featured as one of the best on Food TV in 2002.

Serving low afternoon teas all day long ($2.25 for a pot of tea), you can enjoy a relaxing visit while trying out the many scrumptious treats offered on the eclectic menu and listening to music from the 1920s through the ’40s. And don’t worry, if tea isn’t your thing, coffee is also on the menu.

Reservations are strongly recommended, so be sure to call ahead and be ready to experience tea time in this elegant atmosphere.

The White Lilac Tea Room, 2410 Main St., Stratford, is open Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 378-7160.

Posted by getout on 8:16 AM

January 19, 2006

Curtain rises on Waterbury's Café Biaggio

By LEE STEELE

It's been years since I've been in Waterbury, and heading there to meet friends for dinner one early Saturday evening, I was expecting what I had experienced there in the past: empty streets. But when I arrived from Bridgeport, the first thing I noticed was all the people strolling around the city green. The sun was setting, and it wasn't even a work day, yet people were pushing strollers and doing their errands downtown. I thought it was nice to see some life in such a place as deserving as their beautiful green, but I didn't give it much thought beyond that.

Then I made a right onto East Main. The matinee of whatever was billed at the newly restored Palace Theater was just getting out, and a previously nondescript, vaguely menacing block of buildings was now buzzing with people. The Palace, built by the same man and in the same era and style as Bridgeport's own Palace and Majestic, was glorious. Through doors thrown open, I could see the seductively gleaming marble inside. It was so beautiful, I have to confess to a little theater envy.

Another four blocks away, on the outskirts of what could now be called a theater district, was my restaurant, Caf Biaggio. Once a seedy-looking nightclub in a sketchy neighborhood, now it is a 1920s art deco gem attended by a perky, well-trained staff smartly attired in ties and starched white shirts. Richly colored walls and soft lights cast a mellow mood. In one corner was a small stage for a band. It all looked promising. But still accustomed to downtown Waterbury's status as no one's first choice for dining — and also because it was only 5:30 in the evening — we thought the person at the door was kidding when she asked if we had a reservation. The Palace was between shows and this was suddenly a very competitive time and place to attempt dinner. I found myself feeling grateful to be allowed at the bar. Both the bar area and the restaurant side filled up quickly with well-dressed customers, some in groups of four or more, making the noise level a little unnerving, although nothing unusual for a restaurant in the throes of a rush hour. Setting aside my Bridgeport pride, I was even happy for Waterbury at this minor symptom of success. I ordered a Johnny Walker Red on the rocks, my normal before-dinner drink. The bartender returned with a huge brandy snifter packed to the rim with rapidly melting ice, the shot of scotch trapped in the lower half of the glass. A pretentious variation on the traditional tumbler with a few cubes, but OK, fine. And it's hard to complain when your lip is numb trying to suck out your drink. (And I will not be one of those people who uses my stir as a straw! I haven't done that since I was sipping fuzzy navels in college.)

Then the dinner menu, chalked onto a conference room blackboard, was rolled in and parked at the end of our booth. There are two or three unwieldy things wheeled around the room, up and down the stairs, with each entre erased as necessary. This particular affectation is charming to most but annoying for me because it limited our people-watching capabilities and stared us down almost the entire meal. I scanned the entre options. Traditional "rustic" Italian fare, nothing under $20, as I remember. One item caught my eye: tilapia Francaise, around $23. Tilapia! A bottom-feeder fish in lemon and wine sauce.

Everyone agreed the food was delicious, including the tilapia. Yes, I splurged. I'm a sucker for anything a la Francaise. Funny, but as I bit into the flaky fish with its bright lemon flavor, the price didn't seem too out of line any longer.

We split appetizers of escargot and some sausage with long hots, each served with crusty Italian bread, made on the premises, I was told. We tore through the first loaf and asked for more, which is something we never have done before. The tortoni for dessert bore no resemblance to the frozen block typically served out.It was an extravagant Faberge egg of a dessert, much too much for most people to devour alone.

The Palace's rebirth has had a definite impact on at least this corner of the city. But on our end of Route 8, if they finally restore Bridgeport's Palace Theater, there should be a law against our downtown restaurants charging more than $16.50 for tilapia Francaise.

Posted by getout on 8:12 AM

January 12, 2006

A good ol' house party is on tap over at Bahiya

By JOY JAMES

Look up the word "mature" in a dictionary and the definition should read: a person whose CD collection includes Tony! Toni! Tone!, Blackstreet and Janet Jackson (the Control album, of course).

If the dictionary is up-to-date, it also may include the directions to Café Bahiya in Stamford.

I must admit that after years of going to clubs and bars, Bahiya was a refreshing, unexpected treat. Most of the nightclubs in this area cater to the 21-and-older crowd, which is fine. There is nothing wrong with young adults getting their groove on at one of the newest and trendiest hotspots in town.

When you go to one of these spots, the DJs may even indulge the partygoers with a few "old school" songs. Sometimes they even play two or three in a row. It's the perfect opportunity to reminiscence about those dance steps from the '80s and early '90s that you have finally mastered.

But Bahiya gives you much more than a quick jaunt down memory lane. It dedicates a good portion of its musical selection to some of the hits that you may have listened to growing up.

The club's atmosphere is just so laid back you can't help but feel comfortable. When you step through the main door, it's like you've walked into a friend's home. It seems like the owners, brothers Kevin, Russell and Rocky Davis, have moved the furniture out of the way so they could have a house party. And that's just what you get — a good ol' house party.

The lower level has the coat check, a pool table and a lounge area with ample comfortable seating and, of course, there's an area to snap a couple of pictures to capture memories of the evening.

Back on the main level, there's the low-lit dance floor (with enough space to do the Running Man — the lighting is low enough so that everyone can not see all of your dance moves) and a raised stage (so that you can continue with your partying by doing the Cabbage Patch).

All around the club are plush seating areas that invite the guests to just sit back and bob their heads to a favorite tune or two.

Café Bahiya has been around for just over a year, but Kevin says that he's pleased with what's been going on so far and only expects good things to follow.

This particular Friday, the evening was hosted by KISS-FM's Lenny Green and DJ Pleasure, who perfected the sounds. Toward the end of the evening, the pair handed out some chocolate treats for the ladies only — keeping in mind that this is an adult crowd.

Bathrooms are located on both floors and, of course, so are bars. And here's an added bonus: this place doubles as a restaurant during the day. It has a full-service kitchen that specializes in southern cuisine.

Although the nightclub caters to the mature, old-school crowd, it charges today's prices to get in and also to enjoy a beverage. So leave the barely legal kids at home and head out for a night to enjoy and remember when you were barely legal yourself. Security is tight, but isn't really needed, since most of the patrons act their age, not their shoe size.

Café Bahiya is located at 320 Greenwich Ave., Stamford. For more information, call 967-3477.

Posted by getout on 8:09 AM