JOIN US: GRAND OPENING PARTY FOR OUR MARINA PATIO!
Thursday, May 6th (rain date, Friday, May 7th).
Dancing to The Heartbeat Dance Band » » » from 7 – 10 pm.

Assaggio Ristorante brings contemporary Italian cuisine to Stratford, Connecticut. Owners Waldir Correia and Executive Chef Miguel D’Onofrio are long time friends who seized the opportunity to create a unique Italian trattoria set against a stunning harborside backdrop. Patrons may remember Chef D’Onofrio from such popular Fairfield County dining establishments as Finalmente Trattoria in Westport and Luca’s in Wilton. Chef D’Onofrio’s signature dishes and fresh, simple approach to Italian cuisine is the foundation for Assaggio Ristorante.

The large space, formerly a neighborhood watering hole, has been transformed into a beautiful dining room with plush banquette seating and comfortable wood furnishings. A private dining area boasts high-top tables, and the bar seats up to 35 people – all with a panoramic view of the boats afloat in the Housatonic River Harbor. Mr. Correia, a former Westchester County restaurateur who managed the dining rooms of the popular Eclisse Restaurant and Spiga Ristorante, has taken great care in creating a warm atmosphere, replete with breathtaking artwork of the Tuscan countryside.

The menu is a virtual tour of Italy, touching upon the various land and sea regions. A large antipasti menu runs the gamut from imported meats and cheeses, to vibrantly fresh salads, slow-simmered soups, and a selection of meat and fish carpacci. An array of pasta dishes, including Chef D’onofrio’s Orecchiette Juventine sautéed with prosciutto di Parma, wild mushrooms, fresh cherry tomato, artichoke hearts, black truffle paste, garlic and extra virgin olive oil, finished with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano (“Dishes To Try Before You Die”, Connecticut Magazine, May 2009), leads the way for delicious meat and fish dishes such as Pan Roasted Veal Chop with sautéed shitake mushrooms and a campari demy glaze, and the Filet of Sole topped with Dijon mustard and crab meat, sautéed with shallots, herbs, and white wine and lemon sauce.

The expansive bar, a focal point of the restaurant, offers numerous wines by the glass, a large selection of domestic and imported beer, creative cocktails, martinis, and a fun place to dine and gather with friends. A birds-eye view of the Devon Bridge hovering over the waters of the Housatonic River, adds to ambiance. Warmer months will be spent on the large patio, complete with its own bar and dining for up to 200 people.

Assaggio Ristorante is thrilled to offer food and wine enthusiasts a new and exciting Italian restaurant that comes from the heart of two truly passionate restaurateurs.

Dining Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11:30am - 10pm. Friday and Saturday until 11pm. Bar later.