Kouzina Greek Tavern & Bar caught us at the perfect time, right in the middle of Restaurant Week,…read moreand the value on display made the whole meal feel like a small heist in the best way. We started with red and white sangria, both generous pours and both dangerously easy to drink, fruity without being cloying, the kind of thing that makes you reconsider your pace for the rest of the meal. On the appetizer side, the keftedes arrived perfectly seasoned and juicy, paired with a cool, garlicky tzatziki that balanced them out nicely. The pita came warm and pillowy, ideal for scooping up the skordalia, which had that rich, punchy garlic and potato thing going that either makes you fall in love or makes you apologize to everyone you talk to for the rest of the night. We chose love. For entrees, the Mediterranean chicken kebab was a clear standout, tender, well charred, and served with rice and broccoli that didn't feel like an afterthought (broccoli sidekicks are usually forgettable, this one wasn't). The wrapped chicken souvlaki classiki, served with fries, was comforting and satisfying, proof that sometimes the simplest option on the menu is doing the most work. Service moved at a great pace throughout, attentive without ever feeling rushed, which is impressive given how busy the room clearly was for Restaurant Week. The ambience had a warm, lived in tavern feel, the kind of spot where you don't mind lingering over that last sip of sangria.

Stopped here as it's a DDD which means Guy Fieri ate here on Food Network. I'm just going to say…read morethat if you're anywhere near here, just go and get the pastitsio. It's one of the best things I have ever eaten!!

Really enjoyed the ambiance at our team's first visit to Cka Ka Qellu. It's a well-hidden gem,…read morefilled with historical artifacts and authentic music/dishes. Definitely appreciate the staff recommendations on portion sizes, plates to share for the table, and wine pairings. We enjoyed a little bit of everything: dips/salads, traditional grilled meats, roasted vegetables. It's hard to imagine not being able to find something for any type of diet/preference. Would come back again for sure, as they have an extensive list of options to try. Great spot within walking distance of downtown Stamford hotels.

Unfortunately received discriminatory treatment due to race. When we came in, all the waiters stood…read morein the back staring. Finally one gave us a look as if to say choose a seat, whatever. Meanwhile some white diners came in, and they hurriedly ushered them smiling to a table. Didn't give us menus (but gave menus to all diners that came in after us) until I flagged someone down for them. I watched them give complimentary bread and sauce to every other table except ours. I had to interrupt one waiter to ask about it and he shrugged me off, not even stopping to look at me, and muttered he'd get it. He got us bread but not the sauce, I had to ask him if it comes with the bread he said no. Later I asked another diner if it was complimentary, he said yes. It's unbelievable, we spent more than 100$ here to be treated like beggars. I would suggest any POC stay away; we were made to feel incredibly unwelcome and uncomfortable. On the other hand, the food was barely mid. The veal was so tough it was like eating rubber. In the end we couldn't finish it because it just wasn't good. I am not even sure if perhaps on purpose they gave us expired food because afterwards my friend and I both got upset stomachs. If you must be in Stamford you should take your business elsewhere, perhaps dont support a racist establishment.

I drive by the place all the time, as it's right down the street from my home and had to try it…read more BEAUTIFUL rustic decor. Exposed wood beams and wood floors. The walls are filled with amazing art to admire while you dine. The restaurant is very clean and it's one of the first things I notice when I sat down. Lots of appetizers/tapas to choose from separated into hot tapas and cold tapas. The Mejillones (mussels) were finger licking good!! We also got the oxtail empanadas. They did not meet my expectation but still good. Lots of paella options to choose from: meat, seafood, classic...etc. We ordered the classic paella and it was delicious!! Full of flavor. One waitress running the show, who I assume to be the owner and she was a pleasure to talk to and quick. There is a lot next door you can park at but it's small. However, the street it's located on has plenty of street parking.

We have been to Paella a few times but before I was a more avid Yelp reviewer. Haven't been back in…read moreawhile and was craving some authentic paella. This restaurant immediately came to my mind and we were off! Happy to report it is still what I remembered it to be- wonderful food, great drinks, relaxing atmosphere, and friendly service. I did not take photos of everything we got for the table. One of my favorite appetizers here is the codfish croquettes and they were melt in your mouth good- highly recommend these! We came for paella and went with the classic version..... it definitely hit the spot. The rice was perfectly cooked and crunchy in the right spots. Seafood was cooked beautifully and the spices with the chorizo made it all a balanced and delicious dish. So happy we were able to come back to Paella and we will be back (hopefully) more regularly!

with a warm and stylish ambience that makes the place feel welcoming and comfortable. The server…read morewas very friendly and helpful with recommendations while ordering. We tried the olives, French onion soup, lamb chops, wagyu beef burger, and halibut. The burger was definitely a highlight -- flavorful and perfectly cooked. The lamb chops were also very good and nicely prepared. The halibut was a little too salty for my taste, and the French onion soup wasn't quite what I expected. But overall, the good food, beautiful interior, and attentive service made it a pleasant dining experience.

The food was sooooooo good! The drinks were great too…read more We had a reservation, got there a little early and were seated right away. The restaurant is dimly lit and cozy. Service was good. After dinner we sat at the bar for a second drink. There was a DJ and a lot of people were dancing. Had a really great time.

Great place!! Will be back. I don't understand why this mostly Spanish restaurant wasn't packed…read more Pretty place with a decent sized parking lot. Large bar area, a larger dining room great for private events (which they do a lot of) per our attentive waiter and a smaller dining area near the front window. My friend and I had 3 of their specialty cocktails while there which we enjoyed very much. We had the octopus with fingerling potatoes which was delicious; the octopus was very tender. We also had the mussels in a white wine broth, it was great. It was a good sized portion for two, but we almost ordered another as it was so delicious. It came with bread to soak up the yummy sauce. My friend had a decaf cappucino and the goat cheese flan since she didn't want anything too sweet. It was also great, the tangy cheese wasn't noticeable in it and kept the flan from being too sweet (personal preference). They had other flans and Dulce de Leche as well.

Decided to come back with a friend a few days after a Yelp event and was just as impressed, if not…read moreeven more. Their standards of high quality food, drinks, and service does not stop at an event. The food was a 10, the service another 10, the atmosphere is high up there, too. Even with an event going on in the main area, I never felt like I was imposing on the other party as the restaurant is spacious and sectioned. Definitely recommend and will be back!! Also, everything is made from scratch including drinks (lemonade, mocktail

Hard to find, no sign outside (only on the front awning), we purposefully went for lunch on a…read moresummer Friday. From the previous reviews, we had anticipated a lively crowd of work-at-home techies taking a long lunch... but when we arrive, the place was empty. Obviously the service was good and the lady answered my vegan wife's many queries. She knows her dishes. Lunchtime prices were reasonable but when we surveyed the dinner menu, we lost our appetite: entrées as high as $40* The food was great! Fresh falafel and pita. Great Baba, hummus and red pepper dip. None too spicy. However... The ambience was not enhanced by the cheesy Pandora channel, with ads, playing on the audio while a travelogue from the Middle East blared on the big screen TV. Remember this place is not a bar. And who is Vera? What's their positioning? Their one-word description as "Mediterranean" is a bit vague. Wish this place well, but the lack of signage, marketing and being on a very competitive street of good restaurants, I hope they make it. We will go back... despite the pricey parking

TLDR: Great vibes. Prices of a fancy restaurant for subpar diner food spruced up by cloth napkins…read moreand a parsley garnish. The ambience and vibe of the restaurant is upscale and located in a frequented busy area. The wait staff are dressed formally and seems like management runs a tight ship for hospitality. We swung by to check it out a few months ago and I'm still bothered by the disappointment so here I am. I ordered the Lamb Shank $39.00 and my friend ordered the New York Steak Aux Poivres $36.00. We also ordered two cocktails. The cocktails were plain - I ordered some sort of pomegranate and liquor mixer and it tasted sour and bitter. There was a notable lack of craftsmanship and sophistication to it. And for the price of $18.00 it was incredibly underwhelming. The other cocktail was no better - sour, bitter, and a hint of peach juice. The Lamb was cooked nicely, but was very bland, it also came with cous cous, and that was even more bland. I couldn't finish my dish, and had to get pizza afterwards because of how disappointing it was. My friends dish was better, but he likened it to something you could get at a mom and pop diner for a fraction of the price. I didn't want to complain or send it back especially because the waitstaff are just really doing their best. So we paid, tipped, thanked them, left, and will not be returning. I hate to be a complete snob - but if a restaurant is going to put in this much effort to aura farm a certain aesthetic, the food should at least compare. It's like they want the concept, but missed the mark by a huge landslide. Each time I go by it's empty. If you're the owner and reading this - don't waste lamb; please season it better. Comment below to let me know when you have done so, and I will try it again. If the seasoning is better I was recant my review. Thank you.

Finding a spot that nails the "high-end" vibe without the suffocating stuffiness of a traditional…read moresteakhouse is rare, but this place manages to pull it off perfectly. The first thing you notice walking in is the atmosphere. It's gorgeous--lots of natural light during the day and soft, moody lighting in the evening that plays off the wood floors and exposed recovered beams. It feels organic and warm, yet the white tablecloths and pressed-leather menus let you know you're in for a serious meal. The service was impressively discreet; they were always there when we needed something but never interrupted the flow of our conversation. They started us off with some incredibly fresh bread, which was a great sign of things to come. For starters, do not skip the Mussels Fra Diabolo. The broth has a perfect hit of garlic and basil, and the crostini is essential for soaking up every drop of that marinara. We also tried the Parmesan Brussel Sprouts--the candied walnuts add a crunch and sweetness that balances the savory sprouts perfectly. For the mains, the Chicken and Wild Mushrooms Pappardelle was a standout. The truffle oil was fragrant without being overpowering, and the presentation tied the whole dish together. I also have to mention the Roasted Chicken. It's rare to find chicken this flavorful and juicy with such a distinct, crispy skin. The combination of spicy sausage and cherry peppers gave it a nice heat, balanced out by the whipped potatoes and spinach. We finished with the coconut and blood orange sorbet, which was the ideal light, refreshing conclusion to the meal. If you're looking for a place where you can actually hear your companions speak while enjoying top-tier presentation and food quality, this is it. A total culinary delight.

I recently discovered Scena and it's a gem!! Fresh salads (love the goat cheese one), eggplant…read moreparm, homemade pastas, great wines, and a very fun drink menu! Delicious Italian food in a relaxed but polished atmosphere, with friendly service. Perf for a date or large group accommodation. Our server surprised us with champagne to go with the homemade chocolate lava cake....so good. I'm glad I know about this restaurant now, and I think they need to get the word out more about their business - they should be busier! Rooting for Scena.

Came back to the strip on a Monday, after leaving my keys behind during the weekend. Tablao was…read morevery lively that night with a great nightlife vibe. My friend works nearby, so she met up with me for some tapas and drinks during happy hour, since my keys were next door. I wasn't hungry, so I just sampled everything she ordered. She had fried calamari which was beautifully presented, the hanger steak with green chimichurri, Eggplant Tablao (fresh mozzarella, fried eggplant, and warm tomato ragu), and the warm goat cheese with marinara sauce and pesto crostini. (Portion was super small) oh yeah, we also had the paellera consisting of chorizo, chicken, pork, clams, mussels, shrimp. The bread with olive oil was a nice simple touch as well. For drinks, we had a margarita and a Manhattan. The Manhattan was amazing...the fresh orange zest really elevated the drink and infused it with a bright citrus aroma right away. Definitely recommend trying it! We had the pleasure of chatting with the owner, Luis. You can tell he truly takes pride in his craft and creating an experience for his guests. He was welcoming and passionate about what he does. I'd definitely return again!

Came back with my boyfriend, we got two rounds of sangria, the cheese croquettes and fried calamari…read moreall in the happy hour. We also got the beet salad, which was not on the happy hour but it was so good. Fast in tentative service too. Really great spot for a date night, and apparently late at night it turns into a party around 11 PM! I love this happy hour, highly recommend Tablao!