The first true week of fall called for hearty meals, warm flavors, and a few comforting restaurant stops along the way. From creamy pasta to whiskey tastings and late-night pizza, this week blended cozy home cooking with local Connecticut favorites.
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Monday: Creamy Tortellini Comfort
There’s nothing like starting the week with a rich pasta dish. I made tortellini with pancetta in a cream sauce, a perfect balance of salty, smoky pancetta and velvety sauce. Simple, satisfying, and just what a Monday needs and one of those deceptively simple meals that feels restaurant-worthy when done right.
I started with homemade tortellini from A&S in Fairfield, which is always a win for authentic Italian flavor with fresh, pillowy pasta filled with cheese and just the right texture to hold up in a cream sauce. For the gluten-free version, I picked up a brand from Whole Foods (Taste Republic. I have used this before, and it is really good.). Since both versions cook differently, using two pots is needed and safe. The key is timing with dropping the fresh tortellini in salted boiling water for just 2–3 minutes until they float, while the gluten-free batch needs an extra minute or two depending on thickness.
Meanwhile, the pancetta does the heavy lifting for flavor. Cut into small cubes and rendered slowly in a skillet over medium heat, it transforms into crispy, golden bites that infuse the kitchen with that signature smoky aroma. Once crisp, I remove it it from the fat before adding a splash of cream to deglaze the pan, make sure you scrape up all those savory browned bits. The sauce thickens quickly; I then add back the pancetta and keep it on low. I then split the sauce into two and coat both pots of the tortellini.
The result? A dish that perfectly balances rich and light, buttery cream, salty pancetta, and tender pasta that melts with each bite. It’s simple Italian comfort, The Amore Life style.
A&S Fairfield ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tuesday: Testo’s in Monroe — Lasagna Love
Our old neighbors reached out and wanted to meet us for dinner. Since we are down in Fairfield and they are back up in Newtown we couldn’t resist returning to Testo’s Restaurant & Bar in Monroe, CT. Their lasagna is one of the best around: thick, cheesy layers of pasta, meat, and sauce that taste like home. Testo’s has been a local favorite for decades, known for hearty classics, generous portions, and family-style comfort. I really need to branch out and order more of their dishes as they are all good, but the lasagna keeps pulling me back.
Testo’s Restaurant & Bar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wednesday: Fajita Night
The chicken fajitas were a quick and flavorful midweek win. The kind of meal that brings color, sizzle, and warmth to the kitchen. I started by slicing boneless chicken breasts into thin strips and marinating them in olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, and chili powder for about 30 minutes to soak up that smoky zest. In a hot cast-iron skillet, the chicken seared beautifully, locking in the juices while developing a golden crust. Then came the red and green peppers and onions, sautéed until tender and just starting to caramelize (don’t tell…but I do sprinkle some sugar on the peppers). Everything came together with a quick toss in the pan, the flavors melding perfectly. Served on warm gluten-free tortillas with salsa and a dollop of sour cream, it was a simple, vibrant dish that felt straight out of a Mexican cantina for the cozy, quick, and packed with The Amore Life flair.
Thursday: Tapas & Late-Night Pizza
Dinner at Barcelona Wine Bar in Norwalk is always an experience, one that feels more like an evening in Madrid than a restaurant in Connecticut. We started, as always, with speck and a selection of Spanish cheeses, perfectly paired with a glass (or two) of Spanish wine, a crisp Albariño. Then came the flurry of tapas that make Barcelona such a fun and social dining spot: bacon-wrapped dates that taste like smoky candy, albondigas (spicy meatballs) simmered in rich tomato sauce, empanadas stuffed with spiced beef, and mussels cooked in white wine and garlic that fill the table with that irresistible aroma. Wow.
Each plate arrives at its own pace, encouraging conversation and slow enjoyment, exactly how it should be. It’s hard not to fall in love with the rhythm of it all: a bite here, a sip there, laughter, and another dish appearing just as you finish the last one. And when the night was done, your Colony Grill stop in Norwalk was the perfect encore — that thin-crust, bar-style pizza with just the right crunch, still one of Connecticut’s most iconic bites. A night that blended Spanish energy with local comfort. Pure Amore Life style.
Barcelona Wine Bar in Norwalk ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Colony Grill ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friday: Whiskey & Warm Bites
Friday brought a shift from dinner plates to bourbon barrels as we were invited to an open house at American Metal Customs in Danbury, CT, the legendary custom-bike and hot-rod studio founded by Josh Allison (formerly of Orange County Choppers). The team also founded American Metal Whiskey which underlines the same craftsmanship they pour into bikes and hot-rods. Josh and team debuted a new whiskey last year, called the Disciple, at a similar event last year and it was amazing so we knew this one would be stellar. We toured the facility and drank whiskey, paired with small plates that held their own, and the energy of the shop-turned-event-space made it feel like a curated celebration. Great company, great whiskey, and the perfect start to the weekend.
American Metal Customs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
American Metal Whiskey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ lol
Saturday: Pizza, Friends & Guinness
Saturday gave us the perfect kind of easygoing evening. We kicked things off at Sally’s Apizza in Fairfield with one of their iconic coal-fired pies that are crispy, char-kissed crust and sauce with just the right tang. Locals still rave that it brings a slice of the New Haven pizza legacy to Fairfield. We ran into friends while we were there, which turned what was supposed to be a quick bite into a full-fledged hangout.
From there we drifted over to The Castle in Black Rock which is a cozy Irish pub nestled in the Fairfield-Bridgeport neighborhood. With its laid-back vibe, friendly crowd, and solid drinks lineup, it was an ideal spot to wind down. Their selection of Guinness and the warmth of the place made it feel like we were halfway to Dublin without leaving Fairfield County.
All in all: pizza, friends, a pint, and the kind of Saturday that feels both casual and special.
Sally’s Apizza ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Castle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sunday: Home-Cooked Italian Feast
Sunday was all about classic Italian comfort, the kind of meal that fills the house with warmth and the air with irresistible aromas. I started with chicken cutlets, a family favorite that never fails to please. Each cutlet was pounded thin, then dipped in a simple dredging trio (flour, egg wash, and Alexa gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs) which crisp up beautifully when pan-fried in olive oil. I cooked them until golden brown on each side, finishing them in a warm oven to stay perfectly crunchy while keeping the meat juicy. The result? Tender chicken with that classic Italian crisp that pairs with just about anything.
For the baked ziti, I made both a regular version and a gluten-free one. The secret to pulling that off smoothly is using two separate pots and draining the gluten-free pasta first to avoid cross-contamination. The Rummo gluten-free penne holds up wonderfully; it’s firm, never mushy, and perfect for baking. In a saucepan, I sautéed garlic in olive oil, then added Mutti passata and browned ground beef for depth and richness. A little sea salt, fresh basil, and a pinch of crushed red pepper built the flavor base. Once the sauce was ready, I layered the pasta with sauce and ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and a generous sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano, then baked until bubbling and golden.
On the side, I toasted garlic bread brushed with olive oil and herbs, poured a glass (or two) of Tuscan red wine, and finished the meal with Whole Foods’ gluten-free Dutch apple pie. Wow. Sweet, buttery, and just the right amount of spice. It was one of those Sunday dinners that reminds you why home cooking is so special: simple ingredients, slow moments, and the taste of pure Amore Life.
