New Canaan, just 20 minutes south of Fairfield and located between Norwalk and Darien, is one of Connecticut’s best hidden treasures. It is mostly a residential area, except for the quaint “town center” which is home to some amazing restaurants, stores and boutiques.
Even though New Canaan does not have a wild and crazy nightlife, it is a great place to go for dinner or for a casual drink, perhaps before heading over to SoNo for the night. New Canaan is also perfect for a quiet evening either with a significant other or friends because the restaurants and movie theater are within walking distance of one another. In addition, it is superb for a classy night out.
The following are three fabulous places in New Canaan to enjoy a good meal and a quiet drink.
Tequila Mockingbird
6 Forest Street
This Mexican restaurant and bar is likely to be very crowded on a weekend night. There are usually people huddled around the brightly colored bar, sipping on margaritas or Coronas, either hanging out or waiting for a table. This restaurant has a great atmosphere with booths that look like picnic tables, which are adorned with colorful tablecloths. The entire room is captivating with its vivid color scheme.
Tequila Mockingbird’s food is amazing. There is a lot of variety on the menu and the prices vary from moderate to fairly expensive. The meals will definitely cost you more than a meal at Taco Loco in Bridgeport, but the great food paired with the fun atmosphere is worth it.
Gates Restaurant ‘ Bar
10 Forest Street
Situated next to Tequila Mockingbird, Gates is a very trendy place to eat or have a few drinks. It serves mostly American fare and is a favorite of mine and my friends for having the best salads and burgers in Fairfield County. The menu is eclectic and I usually have an extremely difficult time deciding what to order. I have had everything from burgers and salads to salmon for dinner, and I have always been satisfied with each order. The great thing about Gates is the value. The food prices are very reasonable, averaging from about $6.95 to $18.95 per entrée for dinner.
Gates, like Tequila Mockingbird, has a great atmosphere. When you walk in, there is a large gate by the door, which explains its name. In addition, the walls are all brightly painted and covered in fun, trendy artwork. Gates usually draws a diverse crowd that ranges from families to college-age students who are out having a pre-bar drink and a bite to eat.
Sushi 25
25 Elm Street
Sushi 25 is unlike many Japanese restaurants. It has a café type feel with dim lighting and only a few small tables and black cushioned booths. It has a very quiet atmosphere and is a good place to go if you actually want to have a conversation with the people you are with.
The menu has a large range of sushi offerings-from regular sushi or sashimi to hand rolls and specialty rolls. The good thing about Sushi 25 is that you can go with people who are not sushi lovers because non-sushi dishes are also offered, such as chicken teriyaki. I would strongly recommend the miso soup and wasabi roll.
Sushi 25 tries to create more “upscale” Japanese cuisine, and therefore the prices are a little high; meals range in price from $8 for a regular roll to about $13 for a specialty one. However, the service is good, the sushi is great, and the location is perfect, so the higher price is somewhat justified. Be sure to pair this restaurant with a good movie, because the theater is only a few steps up the road.
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