New Darien Restaurant: Ten Twenty Post

Over the past month, I got wind of a new resto right on the post road in Darien. It might have been via the New York Times, or another blog, or a newspaper, but the husband actually took the lead to research it a couple of weeks ago and we went. The name is pretty horrible: Ten Twenty Post.
I ate there for the second time last night, and got a real meal and dessert, so now I feel qualified to review it. Summary: it's easy and good, but nice. It's a bistro, so in some ways it's quite casual, but it's upscale, hence the $30 filet mignon and $29 scallops and risotto that we got last night. Service was fair the first time we went, and it was very good last night. There is plenty of seating, so you're almost always guaranteed a spot, even if only at the bar. The place was bustling on both of the snowy evenings we were there.

Our first time there, I got the lobster macaroni and cheese: disappointing! The cheese was not tangy enough and the lobster was dry and chewy. Boo! Save yourself $20 and open a box of Kraft. The husband got the French onion soup- average, but liked his goat cheese crostini house salad.

Our second time there, we brought a friend and had a real dinner complete with expensive entrees, drinks and dessert. (Just finished painting and furnishing baby's room under this friend's direction, so we totally wanted to treat her and us.) None of the apps appealed to us, but the entrees kicked heinie. My companions both got the NY Strip Steak with fries ($27) and I got the scallops with veggie risotto ($29) and we all pretty much ate every bite of our food. My plate was the cleanest because I got the smallest portion, but not being tempted to overeat is fine with me.

Desserts were average. The chocolate molten cake was not molten enough and I would not get it again. The chocolate flavor was cheap and overwhelming. The pecan pie with caramel ice cream was good, but overly sweet, and the pie did not have enough pecans. Ah well. Going to places with bad dessert is one of many ways to watch one's waistline.

We had a blast bickering and talking at our little banquette in the corner, and the staff was great, so I overall give Ten Twenty Post a "Good." Very Good if I wanted to be generous, but a New York Times "Good." The New York Times did review the resto, but I haven't read the review yet. There's also a discussion thread on Chowhound about it that I'll go back and read later as well.

Oooh I just found the link for the NYTimes review, and I zoomed to the bottom to see what Patricia Brooks gave the resto: a "Good." Damn, I am GOOD. VERY GOOD. Click here to read more.

Duo's New Menu, Baby Stamford Talk Update

Yikes! I am sooooo not in Stamford Talk mode. Working full time, seeing doctor twice a week, and then in the evenings trying to get house ready for baby (due in less than 6 weeks) and baby shower (in one week)... needless to say I am not going out much. Most of the shopping I'm doing is in Greenwich, Yonkers and Milford (I hate you, Babies R Us, and giggle in Greenwich, I love you, but I can't afford you). My mind is so distracted by thoughts of this baby that I can barely concentrate on Us Weekly.

There is one thing I did in Stamford recently that I think my brain can handle describing. Last night I wanted sushi, and the husband didn't, so we hit Duo. That resto has sushi and a really delicious beef entree the husband always gets. We got there... and the menu had changed. Not only did they change the beef entree, they added SNAILS to it. So, rather than tenderloin and braised ribs, it's another (still excellent) cut of beef and SNAILS. The husband asked for it without snails, and while the beef was truly freaking fantastic (I had a bite and then felt like ripping his plate away from him), it just wasn't the same as the original Duo-style, beef two ways.

I did not examine the menu too closely, because I was hungry to distraction, but it really has changed. They still have the rolls done two ways. For example, the bayou roll has a) cajun spice crusted albacore tuna with sundried tomato salsa and b) black pepper aioli yuzu crusted white tuna with scallion. They still have some of the same apps, like my favorite tuna pizza that I am going to get as SOON as I am not pregnant any more. (Do not ever eat that in front of me, even if I'm not pregnant, because I might swoop down and attack you- that's how much I love that app.) They have some new apps though, like shrimp shumai, and they now have a normal green salad with avocado and vinaigrette (delicious). By normal, I mean, like, not seaweed, and not with beet foam or fruity dressing.

I did not examine the entree list too carefully, but I think some of them are no longer done two ways, which is odd, since that's what the name Duo relates to. The new menu is not up online yet, but in the email I got from the owner (I'm on Duo's mailing list), he says,

-We added tapas-style small plates that can be shared as appetizers, or as a main meal
-There are now more specialty sushi rolls (18 of them) and more options for sushi platters and more fish for sushi/sashimi lovers
-Plus Brand New Kitchen Entrees. Anan has cooked up lamb shanks with mint glaze, red wine poached scallops, roasted snapper filets with asparagus and shitake mushrooms and many others...

I think their chef is pretty damn fantastic, so I am optimistic about their new menu. However, the husband, not the most adventurous eater, might have a harder time adjusting.

According to the owner's email, Plateau, Duo's sister resto next door, is also getting a new menu. I'm happy about that, because while I like Plateau's Southeast Asian food, the selection is not that tantalizing to me. I always get the mango chicken because everything else I've tried there has never wowed me.

OK, off to birthing class. Click here to read more.

Rumor: Rite Aid on Hope St. Closing?

I myself am a CVS girl, but I did want to let Rite Aid fans know that I heard a reliable rumor that the Hope St. Rite Aid is closing on Jan. 17. That's the one across from my Hope St. NYSC. I went in once to buy wrapping paper. I wonder what will take over that building if it closes...

Hope St. is a surprisingly active area, gossip-wise. Fireside burnt down--arson!--, a suspicious package/jug of pee had to be investigated by cops... I might just try to stick to the Bull's Head/Newfield area. The bagels at Liz Sue in Bull's Head do trump the bagels at Village Bagel on Hope St. Click here to read more.

Annoyance Solved: Or, My NYSC Still Rocks

It was a long week. "I need a $#%&ing endorphin rush," I muttered to myself as I hauled myself up the the steps of my NYSC at 8:15 am today. I changed and came out to the elliptical machines. Horrifyingly, techno music was booming out of the open door of the spin room. "OK, just try to deal," I thought, and turned on my music on the earphones; I couldn't hear a damn bit of the music that had just been plenty loud further away from the spin room.

I went over to the front desk. "I don't mean to be grumpy, but can you do something about that music?" I asked. "I mean, is it hot in there, and that's why the door's open? I can't hear my own music, and I don't really feel like having hearing loss, and I just can't deal with this today. I don't want to walk on the treadmills further away, I want to use the elliptical."
The woman at the front desk said, "Oh, maybe you can try this one right here, it's just like the elliptical."
Me: "I'm pregnant. I don't feel like learning anything new."
"It's really easy on the joints. I'll show you."
She showed me, and I tried it (because this lady is really nice and I like her), then I said, "I don't like it."
"OK I'll be right back." The woman went over to the spin room and came back. "She turned it down. If that's not enough, we'll shut the door."

I went over to the elliptical the farthest away from the room. I could still hear the music when my headphones were on. "Don't be a b!t&h, just deal," I told myself. Rather than trying to listen to my music, which was still pretty drowned out by the techno, I tried listening to ESPN. "Think of the music as motivating," I thought. When I couldn't concentrate on the Pacman Jones shooting segment, and then, an abominable techno version of "Twist and Shout" came on from the spin room, I'd had enough. I don't pay good money, and drive through slush and snow at 8 am, to hear someone else's incredibly bad music. I stomped back to the front desk.

"I don't want those people in there to die of heat exhaustion, but I just can't handle that music."
"No problem," the lady said, and went over and shut the door.

I finished the rest of my 25 minute light cardio workout in peace.
Just another reason why I love my NYSC, the one off exit 6. When that lady is at the front desk, she will take care of your problems. I appreciate that. Click here to read more.

Biggest Loser Season Starts Tonight!

I realize this is not exactly Stamford-related, but this is the main focus of my life this week besides cleaning my house and trying to keep my life together. I'm hoping to get back into the Stamford groove soon, but if you saw the condition of my house, you'd tell me to get off the computer and start cleaning/organizing/jettisoning crap right away.
Tonight at 8pm on NBC is your chance to start watching the Biggest Loser's biggest contestants ever. And don't forget, Innovate Fitness in Stamford has their very own Biggest Loser contest, and one Stamford Talk reader did it and highly recommends it. Getting a comment from a reader/contestant is not QUITE as good as having a Biggest Loser: Stamford Edition, but I'll take it! Ooh actually I just went to the IF website, and they DO have a little video of the contestants!

If I wanted to lose weight, had $1200 bucks available, and wanted a social atmosphere to keep me motivated, I'd totally do the IF program. I'm impressed with anyone who commits to fitness, because it's certainly hard to do that and keep up with a busy life. I don't have kids or a long commute, and it's a struggle for me to keep up with gym and healthy eating. I'm lucky I learned decent habits from living with a personal trainer for 2 years, then a nutritionist for the next 2. I secretly want to be a nutritionist and personal trainer, but I'm certainly not about to go back to school for it, nor do I want to give up Velveeta Shells and Cheese... nor do I really like vigorous weight workouts, because I always end up hurting a knee or shoulder (or, currently, my elbow now clicks and I can't do chest presses or tricep extensions). Yeah, forget that career change.

One caveat about the TV show tonight: TiVo or DVR the show; do not watch it in real time, because they stretch it for two hours. You need to fast forward through the commercials, and maybe sometimes the nutritional tips if you are trying to maximize your time. I'm having at least one friend over tonight- I'm lobbying two more co-workers/friends- and I'll probably force my husband to watch it too.

My husband just informed me we're out of dog food. Yeah, we're falling apart over here. Click here to read more.

Curses Upon Youth Ice Hockey

Oh, the woes of suburbia. I tried to go to my NYSC at Twin Rinks yesterday, and the parking lot was completely full of minivans, SUVs, and family sedans. After a mom almost sideswiped me in her minivan, I decided the parking trauma was not worth it. I was getting hungry, so I didn't think the workout would be that great anyway.

Every time I go to the Twin Rinks NYSC on Hope St., I say a little prayer that none of my future offspring will play ice hockey. I especially said that prayer when I went to the gym at 8am one weekend... and there were parents and kids leaving a hockey game that had already finished. What time could that game have started? SIX THIRTY ON A SUNDAY?!?

I hope my child wants to ride horses. I know that can get expensive, but I like horses a lot, and there are probably less matches I have to show my face at. 'Cause youth sports look really stressful, and God forbid they're good enough to be on a travel team. Then your weekends are shot.
Hmmm... although, riding horses can be dangerous. Maybe some casual rec league basketball. My 5 year old nephew was awfully cute in his rec league debut last month, and basketball does not appear to be year round like soccer.
Or, maybe the kid will be really into spelling, and we can just sit at home and quiz each other. That sounds nice. And the competitions are much less frequent, so we'll have time to relax on the weekends and not be driving all over the tri-state area for matches. Click here to read more.

New Year's Options

I'm sure there are many New Year's options in the FC, but a few have jumped out at me because they were either featured in the newspaper, are gigs by my friends, or... I'm on their mailing list.

1. The Terryl Lee Band, which includes my friend Jeff, is playing at Seaside Tavern at 9pm. Psych OK that gig is actually Jan. 31st, which my addled brain thought translated to New Year's Eve. Sorry. There's a lot going on here in Mississippi. Oh well that's good, means I can go to Jeff's gig in Jan.
2. Fairfield County Happy Hour Club is having a closed party at Monster B's. I'm invited to the FCHHC party because I'm its facebook friend... I'm not sure if they'll have a guest list at the door? I'd email them if you're curious. Their email is not on their new website, but maybe you can email them from their facebook page. I've very much enjoyed the HHC events I've attended.

3. Also, the Advocate informs me that Howard Stern regular "the Rev." Bob Levy will appear with former "Saturday Night Live" regular Colin Quinn at Hibernian Hall on Greyrock Place. See article for details. My internet access is sucking so I am not going to attempt to locate and add other links right now!

4. My friend Beth and a few other musicians are performing at SoNo Caffeine in Norwalk if you're looking for a more mellow vibe. I featured Beth's CD on Stamford Talk last year.

Please comment if you know of any other good options for New Year's in Stamford or nearby! Click here to read more.

Stamford Talk's 2008 in Review

This year didn’t start off well for the city. Marco Paoletta was killed on Vine St. on Jan. 3 and the murder remains unsolved despite there being a photo of the suspect on the surveillance camera at the JCC.

In February, the reality show Kitchen Nightmares filmed at Sabatiello’s, a foundering restaurant on the corner of Bedford and Forest. I signed up to be on the show and it was a hoot.

March was a little dead, but I ate a lot, and reviewed Market, Napa and Co’s $24 burger, and steak options in Stamford (note: Dunn's Loft now closed). March also included posts about immigrants, crazy soccer moms, headless chickens, cheese spills on I-95, robberies at Stamford Mall, "Stuff White People Like," and the TV show Lost. Hmm. I guess a slow news cycle leaves more time for writing fun posts.

In April, star sightings began in earnest: DeNiro, Isla Fisher, and movie sets all over town. Fatigue with the school redistricting mess set in.

Mid-May, I finally spotted stars myself. I got to watch DeNiro on set, then I saw the stars of another movie strolling on Summer St.
Meanwhile, Trump Parc was being constructed on Wash Blvd. Evidently it felt like its spotlight was being stolen by movie stars, because the next day, we had the FIRST of of a series of 4/5 falling debris incidents.

June kicked off a very successful Alive at Five season with a crowded Blues Traveler concert. We had our second Trump incident- more metal stuff falling 20 or so stories onto a vehicle.

In July, we had, unbelievably, another Trump incident. Malloy shut down the site until it put in some better safety measures. I took some photos of the new measures, which worked pretty well for, oh, just over a week.

In August, Trump delivered its fourth and fifth debris incidents in grand fashion. During a heavy storm, my friend’s car got hit by debris and a mail truck got skewered by a piece of lumber. I mean, that's just silly.

In September, we had our second murder. In October, a fancy cupcake store opened. Yes, Stamford is a city of extremes.

In November, the Sabatiello’s episode of Kitchen Nightmares made it to television, and I made the cut. Readers had very strong opinions about the show. Stamford got new blue holiday lights- to mixed reviews- and my husband’s favorite restaurant burned down. It was arson, but it was not me. I have an alibi.

In December, Sabatiello’s bit the dust. Trump almost managed to make it to the end of the year without another incident, but on Dec. 22, a plank of wood fell 15 feet into the street below. Fifteen feet is better than 15 stories, but it still could have hurt someone. I'm sure the people at Trump are not trying to kill us on purpose, but getting bashed in the head by accident would still be pretty UNCOOL. I was pulling for Trump Parc to get itself together, but I guess we've got to keep looking out for ourselves in the new year.

In 2009:
--Will we get a Stamford Dog Park?
--Will we get more movies filmed in town? Or will the bad economy/actor's contract problem ruin one of my biggest sources of frivolous excitement in Stamford?
--Will Trump Parc redeem itself by going incident-free and/or throwing us a big party/open house with free wine?
--Will Barcelona Tapas and Wine Bar open on Summer? Click here to read more.

Wes Craven Movie

A reader emailed to let me know that Wes Craven was filming two weeks ago at Westhill High School, right in the middle of the school day. Movie trucks and trailers were there, and he used the courtyard and pool areas. I'm a little curious how common it is for movies to be filmed in the middle of the school day, but whatever. You've got to have some fun in life. I also wonder if Westhill got paid to be a venue.

A March article for Channel 3 says that Craven was using an old Tolland school building for filming; I bet Westhill's pool and courtyard were 2 more venues that Tolland didn't offer:
The former Tolland High School building may be used in director Wes Craven's horror film, "25/8," to be released in 2009. Craven, known for films like "Scream" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street" told reporters that "25/8" is less gore and more thrill. "The scenes portray the average comings and goings of everyday life in an average high school," the movie's production company said in a letter...

Wikipedia entry about the film:
Production on 25/8 began April 14, 2008. As of April 11, 2008, the movie is being filmed at the old Tolland High School in Tolland, Connecticut. The cast currently includes Max Thieriot, Denzel Whitaker, Shareeka Epps, Emily Meade, Jeff Ward, Nick Lashaway, John Magaro, Zena Grey, Paulina Olszynski, and Raúl Esparza. As of May 2, filming is taking place at the Bulls Bridge section of Kent, Connecticut. Also they are filming on Terrace Place and Carl's Lane in New Milford CT. For a couple days, it was filmed at Arena Gymnastics and the Tully Center in Stamford, CT. Currently filming at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT.

Since there are mostly teen actors in this films, I have no interest in stalking the set. I'm only interested in the big names and/or good-looking actors much closer to my own age.

For a complete run down on the big highs (and current lows) I experienced with Stamford movie sets, see the "Movies Filming in CT" category of posts. Click here to read more.

When Snow Tries to Kill You

I like the fact that the Greenwich Time's editorial today is about shitty drivers. Specifically, the thoughtless ones who don't clear snow off the top of their cars.

I'm going to admit, there were probably times I didn't clean off my car fully. In the South, we rarely had to worry about this, since snow only accumulated a couple of times a year. When I got up here, I don't think I understood right away that the snow can melt a little, freeze, and then form a horrifying sheet of ice that can peel off as you're roaring down 95.
I understand why people don't clean off the top of their cars. After you've dug your car out of two feet of snow, and cleaned off all the windows and lights, sometimes you just need to get going to work. And, if the ice and snow has already frozen, it's really hard to get it off the roof of your car.
So, I'm not saying that all people who leave snow on top of their car are homicidal maniacs, but I've lived here long enough to understand how dangerous that leftover snow can be.

I've had the bliss of a garage for the past 3 years, and that luxury has spoiled me enough so that I can now judge other people who do it. "Ugh! Why didn't that idiot clean off their car!" I say as snow smashes in front of me, or as snowy mist blinds me on 95.
Well, because it's human nature. We're in a rush, we don't think clearly, and we just think the snow will blow off and not cause a problem.

The Greenwich Time ends with the only possible conclusion: we have to watch out for ourselves. We're not going to be able to ticket everyone who leaves snow on their car, so we just have to drive defensively and stay far from vehicles with snow on top.

Remember, though, even a week after a storm, cars might have snow left, and sometimes it's hard to see the snow left on top of tall vehicles like the Pathfinder and the big Lexus SUV. Just a reminder for you in your holiday travels... and a reminder to make sure your car is cleared off. Click here to read more.

Mobile Snowman Shops at Stamford Mall

OK, so the mobile snowman was spotted at the MALL today! How did he get the day off work to go shopping is my question. Thanks to reader RN who sent in this photo! You'll note the snowman is dressed a lot fancier than he was on Friday night, when my friend spotted him nearly nude off exit 9. He must be heading out to a party tonight.

In the interest of public safety, I'm going to assume that the cold weather makes the snowman unmeltable, and that the snowman's driver is a professional snow sculptor who knows how to make unknockdown-able structures. Because if I were say, walking on a sidewalk, and that truck turned the corner and fell on me, I'd be mad. I do not mean to rain on, and melt, that snowman's parade... but I'm into safety, OK? Click here to read more.

Camp Bow-Wow in Stamford for Pet Lodging?

"Hello," says my husband in an extremely formal voice leaving a message for our vet, "we're looking to put our dog into Camp Bow-Wow..." I giggle from my spot on the couch, where I am lying because my entire body hurts today. "...so we need a copy of her vaccinations..." I start to giggle louder, because hearing my husband say the words "Camp Bow-Wow" is suddenly the funniest thing I've ever heard.

By the end of his message, I'm crying, because hearing him throw around terms like "All Day Play Day Care" is just so wrong. Our dog is totally no-nonsense. She does not play, or fetch, or chase, unless it's a small rodent. Her favorite activity is lying on the couch. The last thing she wants to do is play and participate in camp-like activities, but our Bull's Head Pet Hospital lodging is full, so we've got to lodge her elsewhere. This afternoon we have to take her to meet the Camp Bow-Wow people at the Hope St. location, because she has to pass a doggie interview to be there.

Don't get me wrong. The place sounds amazingly attentive. I have a feeling she'll be well taken care of (even if she weren't the most human-like, independent dog on the planet). But hearing my husband read aloud from the website that our dog will be getting:
* All Day Play, Snooze The Night Away®
* Large Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas
* Spacious Cabins with Comfy Cots
* Live Camper Cams
* Bedtime Campfire Tasty Treats
* Certified Camp Counselors®
was too silly-sounding for me to handle. And he was reading it as if it weren't funny; I think that's why it was funny.

Has anyone sent their pet to Camp Bow-Wow? What can you tell me about the Hope St. location? Or, do you recommend any other pet lodging in Stamford? We've done Best Friends in Norwalk and thought it was fine, but we'd like to stay in Stamford if possible.

Update, 5 hours later: The dog totally passed her interview/trial play session, but she spent the entire 2 hours of her trial there standing atop a platform in an attempt to avoid the other dogs. Because pretty much, she doesn't think she's a dog. The staff at Camp Bow-Wow was really nice, and the other dogs seemed quite well-behaved. I did try to explain that our dog would probably be happiest if left for long periods in her cabin, chilling on her comfy cot, but you know, I think this is gonna work out fine. Click here to read more.

Funny Photo of Stamford Snowman

My friend took this photo of a snowman riding in the back of truck at a gas station off exit 9. I do not endorse people or snowmen riding in the backs of open vehicles. If for example, that snowman were to take a tumble, I'd be highly pissed if he fell on my windshield.

"Way to rain on that guy's parade!" said my friend when I told her the snow sculpture didn't look very safe. But you have to be careful driving around with crap on top of your car, whether it's a mattress, a Christmas tree, or a couch, you better make sure that thing's not gonna fall off. I'm assuming that snow man was just there for a very short ride, and that the driver drove very slowly, taking the utmost care of the vehicles around him. Because that's the way most people drive in the snow, even if a few punks do go too fast.

I will admit, it's a very clever way to have fun with the snow. The funnest thing I did with the snow was to take some pics of the dog "playing" in it (my hound does not really play) to email to my nephews in mostly snowless Mississippi. Click here to read more.