Upon entering Sal e Pepe, a smiling hostess waits by the door to greet guests. The restaurant offers a variety of seating; some may choose to sit at the bar just past the entryway, others in the dining areas to the right and left of the entrance.

The room to the right doubles as a private party room and is available for hosting events such as bridal parties, work gatherings, and other special occasions.

The dining area is illuminated by a sea of candles attractively reflecting off the warm Tuscan colors of the walls.

The scene makes for a romantic atmosphere for two or a relaxed setting to catch a meal with friends and colleagues. The background music is soft as to allow for free-flowing conversation. The space also accommodates family dining, so there is room for all - 125 people, to be exact.

In warmer weather, the adjoining outdoor patio area, which seats 32, is an option. Catch a cool breeze as you dine out under the green umbrellas surrounded by beautiful overflowing flower boxes.

The inside décor showcases a different salt and pepper shaker set on each table - a theme following on the name "Sal e Pepe," which translates to "salt and pepper" in Italian. Many shakers have been personally collected by owners Angelo Marini and his wife, Renia, throughout their travels or gifted to them by customers.

Angelo Marini, who opened the restaurant in 2005, describes the atmosphere of Sal e Pepe as "polished casual." It is a "come as you are" environment that welcomes a variety of customers, many of whom are regulars and feel more like friends and family.

Sal e Pepe has so many guests who frequent the restaurant that the owners have a loyalty program with more than 10,000 members who get special discounts on their birthdays and anniversaries, and they receive five percent back for every $200 spent.

Their valued customers helped earn Sal e Pepe Connecticut Magazine's 2017 Readers' Choice Winner for Best Overall Restaurant, Best Italian Restaurant, and Best Desserts in Connecticut.

Mr Marini said, "I think what sets us apart is that everything is made to order. Most of our dishes are sautéed fresh. You know that when you get your meal, it was made just for you. We also go to great lengths to accommodate personal dietary needs."

A Sample Of The Menu

Appetizers: Nine options are available on the dinner menu. One of the most popular items is Maine mussels, which come with a choice of Gorgonzola cream sauce or white wine sauce.

Soup: All soups are made fresh daily. Favorites include the Italian wedding soup and the Tuscan peasant soup; the latter has a chicken base with sweet Italian sausage, pasta, beans, and vegetables.

Salads: Among the variety of salads, a bestseller must be the Caesar salad. It includes Parmesan crackers, instead of croutons, and dressing - all made in-house.

Specials Menu: Many customers solely order off the specials menu because of the constant variety. There are typically six to eight specials, which usually include a stew, a fish, a steak, and a ravioli special.

Lunch Menu: Among the different lunch options is a section titled "Pastabilities," where any of Sal e Pepe's 14 pastas can be matched with any of its 11 sauces. The entrée is served with a soup or salad, all for $14.95.

Entrées: Entrées range in price from $17.95 for baked eggplant Parmigiana to $32.95 for filet mignon. A top seller is the Parmesan tilapia served over a green pea risotto, $24.95.

Pasta: There are 12 different pasta options on the dinner menu, with their Seafood Ravioli being another bestselling dish. Tilapia, salmon, bay scallops, and shrimp are stuffed in fresh pasta pockets.

Desserts: The desserts are made in-house. The Nutella mousse pie is the restaurant's signature dessert. It has an Oreo cookie crust, caramel, Heath Bar Crunch, dark chocolate ganache topping, and of course, a Nutella mousse center. Another dessert highlight is the gluten-free drunken cherry parfait, which has vanilla ice cream along with special Amarena cherries that are soaked in grappa. It also comes with chocolate sauce and fresh whipped cream.

Kid's Menu: All meals are $12.95, which includes a main course, a drink (a choice of soda, milk, or apple juice), and a "messy sundae."

Martinis, Wine, and Beer: The Martini Menu includes Sal e Pepe's very own Basil Martini, which is a combination of Grey Goose vodka, fresh lime juice, fresh basil, and simple syrup. Order from a selection of nearly 50 wines, by the glass or the bottle, as well as from a variety of beers.

Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro, at 97 South Main Street in Newtown, is open Monday through Friday, 11 am to 9 pm; Saturday, 4 to 9 pm; and Sunday, 4 to 8 pm. Takeout, catering, and seating reservations are accepted by calling 203-426-0805. For more information, visit salepeperestaurant.com or facebook.com/salepeperestaurant.

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