By Donna Christopher
Where Starr and Triangle Streets converge in Danbury is where you’ll find Nick’s Restaurant & Catering, a neighborhood place that’s got me gushing about Italian again.
It is close to the DMV and Comcast so maybe consider lunch next time you’re running a mundane errand.
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Dinnertime too is a pleasing alternative based on a Saturday night meal there with a friend at this conveniently located mainstay with its own free parking and its reputation.
Locals have known about it for decades. Embarrassed, though I worked 9 years on Main Street I’ve never been to Nick’s until a friend invited me to go Saturday.
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We arrived at 6 and after saying hello to one of the owners and watching the place fill up quickly I realized I’ve heard plenty about Nick’s from a co-workers and even had the pizza takeout a few times though never dined in.
I implore others to give it a try.
Servers, ours that night was Tina, and our hostess whose name is also Tina, will make you feel welcome and know many of the regulars by first name. The earthy setting includes new banquette seating with natural wooden tables paired nicely with espresso chairs. The earthy décor has been freshly painted and there’s framed wall art of Italian architecture.
But it’s Nick’s cuisine that will reverberate once you experience it.
If you order the priciest meals on the menu from a host of specials, you will pay around $50 for two like we did.
Families, anyone of course, have more affordable options and pizza and pasta selections are imaginative and plentiful. There is gluten free and whole wheat pasta and gluten pizza dough is available.
Since dining out is a treat, winter restaurant going for me means heat is turned high. I’ve been to trendier settings down county where I’ve eaten in January with my coat on, no exaggerating.
So thankfully, Nick’s spares no expense here, and the climate is cozy and bolstered by the pizza oven, a source too of simmering sauce and garlicky scents that make you hungry.
Nick’s has two main dining rooms, one used for larger parties and catering, though quieter seating would be there when no party’s in the house. Saturday’s event was a private baby gender reveal affair someone said.
Our meals, nicely sized portions of quality Italian-American dishes and the welcoming atmosphere made eating at Nick’s a pleasure.
Here’s why.
Firstly, though I didn’t have wine there are plenty of choices including Josh Cabernet Sauvignon, a California red and Las Rocas Grenache out of Spain among labels to enjoy.
And the tomato sauce, a fiery red, thick and savory marinara, with a hint of sweetness to humor the acidity is outstanding.
A versatile menu includes “ever changing” ingredients that can be adjusted to individual tastes, according to our waitress.
My friend, for instance, avoids gluten so her salmon though stuffed with crabmeat contained no breading our server assured her. She paired the fish served on a variety of vegetables, with gluten free ziti.
My filet of sole could have also been stuffed but I had it plain. Three exceedingly fresh fillets came in the dish that contains a buttery, lemon sauce and sweet potatoes, my side (soup or salad are options) was angel hair.
Early on however, we shared a plate of clams posillipo, a dish that could include mussels, and is cooked in wine sauce then smothered in Nick’s outstanding marinara, fiery red, thick and savory sauce that thankfully was enjoyed again on our macaroni.
Aside from an array of veal, chicken and seafood, and filet mignon and NY steak among specials, dishes titled “a la Nick’s” include chicken breast with
asparagus and sun dried tomatoes, shrimp paired with spinach in a dish containing mozzarella and marinara and the eggplant stuffed with spinach and the cheeses and all seem like wise choices.
Incredibly, we added dessert to our meal and as promised the home made cannolis contained a crisp shell with a hefty filling of stiff, sweet ricotta cream prompting my remark that ‘Why even go to Little Italy (NYC) when this can be had in Danbury.’ Tiramisu and tartufo are among desserts.
Nick’s Restaurant & Catering is at 4 Starr St. in Danbury.
For more information, call 203-748-2400 or visit http://www.nicksdanbury.com/ and get a 10 percent off coupon.
