Food And Dining Possibilities: We Found ‘Em

By Nancy K. Crevier

Like many businesses, it has been lights out for Newtown eateries since the freak snowstorm of October 29–30 cut power to 97 percent of the town’s CL&P customers. As of midday Tuesday, November 1, many restaurants remained inoperable, leaving the town’s residents — already tired of eating camp-style meals at home or eating cold food inside of cold homes — with even fewer options than after Tropical Storm Irene swept through town in late August. Eating establishments open in the center of Newtown were few and far between, still, on Tuesday, and eating places located in Sand Hill Plaza and the recently opened Plaza South, both on South Main Street, were dark.

However, a number of establishments operating on generators or having never lost power, remain up and running, with more and more added to the list each day as utility companies return power to the area. All eagerly welcome Newtown’s harried residents to come in, sit down, warm up, and enjoy a meal served with good cheer.

In addition to groceries, sandwiches and hot meals can be found at Big Y Supermarket on Queen Street, to be eaten on site or carried away.

Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market on Queen Street reopened for business at 7 am Tuesday, with the in-store cafe open for business, serving breakfast pastries, muffins, bagels, coffee and coffee drinks, as well as items from the deli and grocery store available for purchase.

Stop & Shop had also reopened on Tuesday, on a limited schedule.

Dunkin’ Donuts, within Queen Street Shopping Center (6 Queen Street; telephone 203-270-9288) opened on generator power Tuesday as well, and expects to be open normal hours, serving hot coffee and donuts, of course, as well as the rest of the full menu.

At 66 Church Hill Road, The Blue Colony Diner (203-426-0745) is again serving meals around the clock to hungry travelers and townspeople.

Owner Fila Fonda of Pizza Palace (203-426-6114), at 65 Church Hill Road, was ready to open for business at noon on Tuesday, November 1. A hand lettered sign announced “WE ARE OPEN.”

“We have the generators to run our equipment, and Tambascio’s on Route 302 was kind enough to let us mix up our pizza dough there, and we have our ovens,” said Ms Fonda. Refrigerated and frozen items were being kept at proper temperature in a food service truck parked outside the restaurant’s kitchen door.

“We will be open and serve until nobody needs it,” said Ms Fonda, who pointed out that the restaurant may be offering a limited menu for the time being. Takeout orders are encouraged, as the restaurant is not currently heated.

“But if someone wants to sit down and eat here, we are more than happy to serve them,” she said. “We have lots of hot coffee, and we have working bathrooms, so we are anxious to get going to serve Newtown again.”

At Tambascio’s Italian Grille on Route 302 (203-426-2715), located near the intersection of Hattertown Road, owner John Tambascio shook a crisp pizza off the wooden peel into the hot oven and said, “We have been busy every day. We are open to takeout for lunch and dinner, or dining in the evening, and have and have a full staff, and plenty of food.”

As with several places visited by The Bee on Tuesday, phone service was poor or nonexistent at Tambascio’s , even though the establishment was open for service.

“Come on in,” urged Mr Tambascio. “We’re open.”

Carminuccio’s Pizza (203-364-1133) on South Main Street was one of the few businesses in town unscathed by the storm. Power was never lost at the restaurant, so business there continues as usual, during regular hours.

Newtown Deli & Catering, also on South Main Street (203-364-1218) has also been fully open for business and welcoming customers. On Tuesday its sister location, The Sideline Cafe at Newtown Youth Academy, reopened as well.

For some of Newtown’s restaurants, it was stop and go. Sal e Pep Contemporary Italian Bistro on South Main Street was open until late Tuesday morning, when power was suddenly lost. It was hoped that the power outage was temporary, and customers are encouraged to call the restaurant at 203-426-0085 for updated information.

The Hideaway Cafe, also on South Main Street, opened briefly on Tuesday morning but by noontime had determined that the popular wireless cafe could not operate without full power, Internet access, and heat. Customers are encouraged to call 203-304-9544 midweek for an update on the cafe’s hours.

Papa Al’s Pizza and Pasta (203-426-2323), at 23 Barnabas Road in Hawleyville, experienced only a brief loss of power on Sunday, and was fully operating as of Tuesday, November 1, and looking forward to continuing to serve customers from its full menu.

In front of Sandy Hook Diner (203-270-5509) on Tuesday morning, owners Ellie Lewis and Cliff Rothe pondered whether it would be worthwhile to pick up a load of paper products and water, and attempting to open for business the following morning.

“We did open Sunday morning, using paper plates, water we had brought in, and our gas stoves,” said Ms Lewis, “but there is no heat, so it’s pretty cold. We were mobbed though, on Sunday.” By Thursday morning, the decision was made for them, as lights flicked back on and preparations were begun to greet returning customers.

 Lights twinkled in the Starbucks (203-364-1423) store on Church Hill Road and the aroma of brewing coffee wafted through the air, early Thursday morning. The Open signed glowed again in the window of Bagel Delight (203-426-6838), as well, and in the Queen Street Plaza, My Place Restaurant (203-270-7061) was once again ready to serve customers. It was a sweet morning for Andrea’s Pastry Shop customers, too, who were greeted by the smiling faces of staff and owner Tony Posca on Thursday, and a full case of delectable pastries, hot coffee, and baked goods.

Famished residents could fill up on menu favorites at the Newtown General Store and Delicatessen (203-426-9901) by Thursday, November 3.

Little by little, the center of town returned to life as the long week crept by, and more options for a hot meal became available to those residents still struggling without power.

Further down the road, in the Sand Hill Plaza, the stirrings of life were felt again Thursday, with the reopening of Panera Bread (203-426-3977) for regular hours. Customers had the choice of any of the hot soups, sandwiches, pastries, and breads, as well as hot tea and coffee, and more from the full menu.

Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant (203-744-7700) on Route 6 at the Bethel Four Corners will be open during its regular hours, from 3 to 9 pm, with plenty of hot and spicy food, and full bar service. The storm did not interrupt service to the restaurant.

Also on Route 6, La Fortuna (203-797-0909) has been fully operational through the crisis, and is serving a full menu during its regular hours.

If spicy food is what it takes to get warm again, India Raj (203-261-1898), located in Clock Tower Square on Route 25 in Monroe, has been fortunate to retain power. The full menu is available during regular launch and dinner hours.

As CL&P works to return power to Newtown, utilities may be shut off temporarily at previously opened establishments, and previously closed cafes may reopen. This list should not be considered complete. Information will be updated as it is received by The Newtown Bee. Call ahead when possible... or jump into that warm car and take a ride to find out which restaurants are serving.