I've been a Trouper for the past four years, ever since moving to Connecticut, and it's truly a…read morespecial place. With gay bars rapidly disappearing across America, Troupe stands out as a vibrant hub in the Fairfield County LGBTQ+ scene. The owners pour their heart and soul into every aspect of the bar including the programming, music, and atmosphere, and it really shows. The bartenders are warm, welcoming, and genuinely seem to love what they do. From drag shows and burlesque performances to seasonal drink specials, themed parties, and go-go shows, there's always something happening. Troupe quickly became my go-to spot after discovering it one week into living in CT and I'm so grateful for its existence. Huge shoutout to Casey and Nicholas for the love and tireless work they put into making Troupe429 what it is today--and of course to Johnny, who mixes the meanest elderflower gin and tonic in town.

My fiancée (soon to be wife) and I absolutely love this bar. We feel not only safe but loved there…read moreas a lesbian couple! We make a point to go to Troupe every time we are in town. We are from Boston. It is basically the LGBTQ+ Cheers! It feels like home but the Queer flair we love. Don't get me started on how amazing every night is whether it is a Drag Show, Lesbian Night or Karaoke! This truly is life!

Overall 4 of 5 but rounding up to 5 :)…read more 3 of us had a late lunch around 2 PM. They are 80% full however gave us a very small table and it felt very Squizzy. We had to ask for a bigger table and was led towards the end. Very interesting menu, we had the pu'er tea, which is not very commonly offered in the Chinese restaurants in the area. Love the teapot presentation and overall the branding effort. We tried to order the soup dumpling but was told something wasn't working properly and it's going to take over an hour so next time. Got wontons in chili oil, love the flavor. The mushu pork, a little bit too sweet for me. And the beef chow fun, just can't go wrong with that, and the szichuan pot with cumin lamp. I think this more authentic Chinese but my husband felt the lamb was too oily. I requested to get the little cute cat cup for my daughter's lemonade order and they said yes, so it was a very cute touch. Very happy with the visit definitely a lot of potential we will be back.

Been wanting to try Lazy Sister and finally got around to it this weekend. It was the perfect day…read morefor outdoor dining which we loved. We started off with the chili oil dumplings which were super flavorful! For entrees we got the Mongolian beef and the shrimp fried rice. Fried rice was my favorite -- didn't need any soy sauce or duck sauce bc it had enough flavor on its own. For drinks I got the lychee drink which was on the sweeter side for my personal taste. Overall, loved my experience and can't wait to go back to try more menu items.

We went on a Sunday and chose the chef's counter in the tamaki-ya room hidden away in the back. We…read morewere fortunate enough to find Chef Taibe behind the counter on his otherwise night-off. I'm no foodie but I am Chinese/Japanese and can appreciate finer things in life when I see it. This place meet and exceeded my expectations. The wonderful speak-easy tamaki-ya room in the back is warmly lit and held at a nice volume, much quieter than the izakaya bar in the front. For small bites we had the Beet n Hijiki salad (highly recommend!), Agedashi tofu, and Torched Maine uni. For hand-rolls I had the Spanish Mackerel, Hokkaido Scallops, Ocean Trout, BBQ Eal & Foie Gras, and Cucumber ume. My wife had the Maine Uni, Hamachi, and Botan Ebi. Everything was good, but there were quite a few that were very good, and there were two that, for me, were the best that I've ever had in recent memory. For the Spanish Mackerel Chef Taibe put an interesting spin on it by topping it off with a traditional Chinese ginger and scallion garnish used in a tender chicken dish. It works, it balances out the briny taste of Spanish Mackerel... which is great... unless you LOVE the briny, savory, mineral, metallic, umami taste of fresh Spanish Mackerel :) The Hokkaido Scallops was, by quite a large margin, the best scallop dish I've ever had. The tender sweetness of the fresh scallop combined with a brown butter kewpie (how American!) and yuzu tobiko sauce swimmingly. Texture, temperature, taste, all perfect. I like eel and I love Unaju. But by far the biggest surprise was the BBQ Eal & Foie Gras (see pic). This dish alone warrants a culinary course. On the face of it, bbq, eel, foie gras all sets you up for something rich, filling, heavy. But when I bit into the unassuming hand roll, it was the lightest bite of Japanese rice/seafood/seaweed/liver/sauce combo I've ever had. Turns out Chef Taibe prepared the sauce from scratch using five+ different spices, and prepared the foie gras au torchon. I could go on, but suffice to say, this was one of the best bites I've ever had. By contrast, I thought I was going to close out with the cucumber ume roll, but compared to the eel and foie gras, the ume actually felt more overpowering. Perhaps if they cut back on the generous amount of ume paste... (Worthy mention: Chef Taibe presents the nori in a separate envelope. This seemingly simple step is crucial to the taste and mouthfeel of the hand roll. It provides a wonderful fresh crisp crunch to every bite and it does indeed make a difference. He mentioned he sources a special nori but I forgot the details, just know that it's really good) My wife loves uni, and I'll let her describe her experience (which she won't) but it was so good she had to order a second one. As if you need more convincing, we had a great experience and I think you will too. Bravo Chef, well done

We absolutely love Bar Bushido. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the intention behind…read moreeverything -- this isn't just a restaurant, it's a full experience. The cocktail program is seriously one of the best in the area. Creative without being gimmicky, balanced, and clearly inspired by Japanese ingredients and technique. Every drink feels thoughtful and well executed -- the kind of place where you actually want to work your way through the menu. The food is where it really shines. The chef-owner's love of Japanese cuisine comes through in every detail. The yakitori program is outstanding and deeply traditional -- using all parts of the chicken the way it's done in Japan. It's respectful, intentional, and absolutely delicious. You don't often see that level of authenticity and execution locally. The bar bites are some of the best around. The fried chicken sando is one of my personal favorites -- perfectly crispy, juicy, balanced, and craveable. And the ramen? No one can hold a candle to it. The broth is deeply flavorful and layered, the noodles are spot on, and every topping feels purposeful. It's the kind of bowl you think about the next day. Perhaps the best kept secret in all of Norwalk is the back room -- the elegant Temaki-Ya. Tucked away behind an unmarked entrance, this intimate hand-roll bar feels almost like discovering a hidden Japanese speakeasy. The atmosphere is quiet and refined, the kind of place that's perfect for a special date night or a memorable evening with friends. The temaki (hand rolls) are beautifully composed, with thoughtful ingredient combinations that balance texture, flavor, and visual appeal. What makes this place special is the dual experience -- lively izakaya vibes in the front, elegant hand-roll bar in the back -- all tied together by serious culinary skill and genuine hospitality. Norwalk is lucky to have this spot.

They have the best wings in Norwalk! I'm always completely satisfied when I order them. Plus,…read morethey're one of the few places around that has good sour beers!! It's always a great vibe there. Never too loud, but full of energy. Food can be a bit slow when they're busy, but it comes out very fresh.

Great beers on tap in addition to canned beers/ciders available. An insane amount of TVs inside to…read morewatch the game. There's a stage I am assuming for live music but the table we were sat at actually were on the stage so no live music this time. We go the black bean burger and chicken caesar wrap. Very tasty, great service, I recommend this spot to meet up with friends in SoNo!

#willflyforfood #ctfood…read more We wandered here for a late night snack. they had a great patio area set up w the world cup playing. we just had apps and enjoyed the vibe. the chili fries were delicious, the cheese sticks had a great pull, im not much of a spring rol person but they had a nice crunch to them. if you want a late night bite w a chill vibe this is the place to be. they also had corn hole if you wanted something a little more interactive.

Great service. My Soup was delicious. The cone beef was cut…read morea little too thick. And needed more Russia dressing. But all in all it was a good stop for a late lunch.

This place is off the beaten path in Norwalk! The beer is phenomenal, and the on site food truck…read moredoes not disappoint. Our second visit here, we stumbled upon it last year. YES, I have been thinking about those onion rings since last time! The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable, and not all breweries do 1/2 pours and these guys do! When you don't want a full sized beer but just a little more ... they got you! They do have some fun T's that you need to check out when you visit as well, 'cause who doesn't want something to remember this visit! You HAVE TO STOP HERE WHEN YOU ARE IN NORWALK!!!!!!

Neither the beer or food will disappoint. Orion is my favorite…read more The service is attentive and friendly. Spacious family/kid friendly taproom with seating indoors and outdoors. The taproom is comfortable and chill and the outdoor space was set thoughtfully as well.

Everything we ordered is out of this world!!!!!!!…read more Love a good mom and pop restaurant. My partner and I ordered a few appetizers and a salad. Holy cow it was all delicious! The meat is seasoned perfectly, no matter what you order. In this case, we ordered the queso fundido, the Philly egg rolls, the steak quesadillas, and the house salad. The guacamole was absolutely delicious. Hats off to the chef. The service is top notch. Everyone was super friendly and attentive. It was a slow night because of the rain, but later on, a few other couples came in as well. As I stated before, it's a little mom and pop restaurant with maybe 10 tables but they have a fully stocked bar. Please check this place out. It will not disappoint you!

This is a dog friendly Mexican restaurant in Norwalk great menu friendly service…read more Very attentive staff beautiful Thursday night after 12 hours of driving

We ordered off the brunch menu and the food was good, drinks were ok. The waitress did not notice…read moreus until 10-15 minutes after we were seated, so it was a bit awkward for us. She also did not check in on us as much as the busser did. What made this place stand out from others was the spacious outdoor seating. This was a great spot to enjoy with my family and two young children.

We met up with friends to catch up and decided to try The Spread because we saw that they had…read moregluten-free options. It is in Norwalk, close to the Riverwalk, and the space had a cool, relaxing feel. Even though it was hot outside, the outdoor seating was not too bad. There was plenty of seating, and since it was not too crowded when we went, we got service quickly. The staff were friendly and helpful. We ordered a variety of items from the menu. The fries were especially good, and the corn off the cob was a standout as well. I had the pan-seared salmon, which was an interesting dish, but good. I would not say they had a huge variety of gluten-free options, but there were enough choices that I did not feel completely limited. Overall, it was a nice spot for a relaxed meal with friends.

I got the nachos and marg pitcher for happy hour with a friend. $27.50 for both! It was delicious…read moreand the staff were all wonderful. I definitely will be coming back!

All around it was an okay experience at Dry Dock. My friend had been here before but said that this…read moretime was not as good as previous. The waitstaff was not very attentive or helpful and ended up arguing with another table over the food order. Additionally, the prices were a little too high for mostly basic bar food. I expect high prices in this area but paying $20 for a burger and fries when the bun is thick and dry does not make me want to come back. Overall just nothing special about this place - but they do have tvs with sports on if that's what you're looking for.

I was meeting up with a few friends I hadn't seen in what felt like forever, so I wanted to find a…read morespot that would make the occasion special. After doing a little research, I came across The Wheel, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. I made a reservation for Sunday brunch. Finding the entrance was a little confusing at first, and parking took a minute to figure out, but I eventually learned you can park for free at the Village next door, which made things much easier. Once I arrived, I was immediately greeted and shown to the outdoor seating area. Walking through the restaurant, I was impressed by how beautiful the property is. It is incredibly spacious, sits right on the water, and even has an additional outdoor area next door where you can relax away from the restaurant. The views alone make this place worth visiting. Our server, Freddy, was fantastic. He was friendly, personable, and knowledgeable. He took the time to explain the menu, answer questions, and offer recommendations, which made the experience even better. Now onto the food. To start, we shared the Breakfast Pizza, topped with smoked bacon, crispy potatoes, roasted garlic, mozzarella, two eggs, and fresh cracked black pepper. It was a fun twist on brunch and had great flavor. We also ordered the Shrimp and Grits, made with cheddar grits, wild caught shrimp, a poached egg, and chimichurri. Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. The Crispy Chicken Sandwich looked outstanding. Made with organic Murray's chicken, hot honey, coleslaw, and dill pickles, it came with fries and disappeared quickly. For my entrée, I ordered the Steak and Eggs, featuring grilled hanger steak, two eggs, breakfast potatoes, and chimichurri. The steak had excellent flavor, although I ordered it medium and it came out closer to well done. It was my only real issue with the meal. We also tried a couple of cocktails. The Orange Crush was refreshing and perfect for brunch, while the bourbon, Aperol, peach, Earl Grey, and lemon cocktail was smooth, balanced, and equally enjoyable. Dessert was the perfect ending. The Take 5 Sundae with peanut butter crunch, pretzels, whipped cream, vanilla bean caramel, chocolate ice cream, and hot fudge was absolutely delicious. We also had the Tres Leches, topped with strawberries and vanilla whipped cream, which was light, moist, and a great way to finish the meal. Overall, everything we ordered was delicious. Aside from the slightly confusing entrance, parking, and my overcooked steak, the entire experience was outstanding. The waterfront setting, excellent service, beautiful atmosphere, and quality food make this one of the best brunch spots in Stamford. I will definitely be back. Next time I already have my eye on the Banana Buttermilk Bread, Village Breakfast, Braised Short Rib Hash, Wheel House Burger, Margherita Pizza, Smoked Salmon Pizza, and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich for myself. For drinks, I want to try the Charred Citrus, One in a Melon, and the Orange Crush. And I definitely need to save room for the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake.

Solid first visit to The Wheel!…read more Portion sizes were excellent for sharing, as we tried a variety of starters, seafood, and sides. Favorite dish selections per voting of the table, were the brussel sprouts (~$20), calamari (~$20), and NY strip (~$50) specifically because of the tallow fried rice that laid underneath the steak! Although we enjoyed the quality and quantity of food, the service was quite slow. Our waitstaff didn't come by very often to take drink orders, refill water glasses, or follow up. It didn't seem too busy that evening, so we were a bit surprised. We stayed in the dining room on this trip, but hope to come back for a nice evening when the outside patio area is available.