What is the Most Romantic Restaurant in Stratford?

As the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day, looms Monday, Stratford Patch thought it would ask its readers and folks about town, “Where’s the most romantic restaurant in Stratford?”

Roaming around Stratford Town Hall, we found these opinions. 

Council secretary Cabral said that Knapp’s would be her choice. “It overlooks the water and even in the winter it has a pool with fish. My son recently came home and brought his fiancé to meet us for the first time and Knapp’s is where we took them. The food was good and they don’t rush you, either.” 

Debbie Brunson also had a water theme for her answer. “I like Outriggers because it’s by the water. It’s especially nice in the summer.” 

Diane Romano in the Assessor’s office thought for a minute and then came up with Biagio’s down at Ryder’s Landing. “They have very good gourmet Italian food,” she said. 

Two others at Town Hall named Biagio’s also, including Mike Bonner, citing its excellent Italian cuisine. 

When we asked the question on Facebook, many responded. 

Jacquie Norris commented that Marnick’s is her choice, with a second for Biagio’s, also citing Knapp’s Landing on the water. 

Deborah Mosel Patenaude longed for a restaurant out of the past. Deborah wrote, "Fagan's was the first restaurant my husband took me to and that was over 40 years ago - it was always our special place!!!"

Jim Beard was thinking along the same line as Deborah, as he wrote, "We so miss Fagan's....we still have the menu from Valentine's Day, 1978!!"

In a separate posting, Deborah wrote, "Shell Station in Stratford is cute. But Johnny Ray's in Milford takes the cake!!"

Debra Black also nominate Shell Station. 

Emily Carbone wrote, "I don't think the Shell Station is there anymore... someone new bought it... it has a completely remodeled granite bar and leather seats... they do still offer sushi and a large dinner menu ... but it's not the Shell Station anymore." 

In a second post, Emily said, “A cute, quaint, rustic Italian restaurant located at Ryder's landing ... I think it is called Biagios???  Do go there. The food is amazing and the prices are right... a little more than Danny's drive in and Outriggers but it won't empty your wallet... I hope you like it, I did!!! 

And we’re starting to detect a pattern as Moira Barry wrote: "Yes, Biagio's is a great place!!" 

Meanwhile, Susan Carroll-Dwyer commented, "I might sound weird but my pick is Marnicks!" Marnick’s is located directly on Long Island Sound as part of the Rodeway Inn on Washington Parkway. "Marnicks is on the water - but it's like a diner. Romantic setting, diner food. They sell ice cream and you can stroll along the water." 

Patricia Harrington Fillion wrote, "I had a great time at ‘Outriggers’ during the summer, on the deck, with live entertainment." 

Susan Piscitelli replied, "How about just ‘romantic restaurants’ because I think The Rainbow Garden is a very romantic setting!"  Thank you, Susan, but we’re talking Stratford here! 

Debbie Lyman chimed in with another out-of-town preference, "Well I can't say that Marnicks is a romantic place,” she wrote.  “I believe it's the Texas Roadhouse in West Haven. That has to be my spot – sorry Stratford." 

Ronald Haas, who has obviously made his way around Stratford, had five nominations for the most romantic restaurant in Stratford: Blue Goose, Biagio's Osteria, Blue Point Grill, Knapp's Landing and Stephen's Pub & Grill.­

And in a second post immediately thereafter, Ron added a sixth choice "Rivenova is also romantic.­ Tough to choose just one."­

Stratford resident and Patch advertising representative Kevin Stagg added, "Ron made many good recom­mendations, but I would also add Outriggers and Mira Bella!"

Then there are the apparent wise guys who respond to the question. One could be William Cushman, who wrote, "Danny's hot dog stand." 

But wait, perhaps Will is on to something, as that answer struck a chord with Sandy Maleski in the Stratford Town Clerk’s office. Hearing the “Danny’s” answer, Sandy responded, “My uncle, who is now in his 90s, when he was dating my aunt they used to go to Danny’s drive in. He used to always say, ‘Danny’s drive in is the most romantic place in town’ because that’s where they went” when they first dated, and continued to do so for many years starting in the 1950s. 

Finally, when we asked Stratford Police Chief John J. Buturla, he was just about to give an answer when he thought better of a high town official showing any preference, especially the town’s ‘top cop.’ So after pondering it for just a moment more, the Chief said, “Romance is for the two people to decide, and what is romantic for someone might not be for others.” (Do we hear an nomination for a United States ambassadorship here?) 

So there you go, Stratford Patch readers – from gourmet Italian cuisine to hot dogs – to a few out-of-town choices that were thrown out by the Judges – there were our reader’s choices for Most Romantic Restaurant in Stratford.

Tell us your choice!

And oh yeah, Happy Valentine’s Day!