Tazza Cucina & Bar owner Rob Furnari is no stranger to Newtown. As a resident for nine years, he has enjoyed a number of restaurants in town, but felt that something was missing.

"I love the area," said Mr Furnari. "I felt Newtown had great restaurants and fun bars, but not the combination of both. So, that was my goal: to keep it upbeat and fun, but serve restaurant quality food."

Before Tazza Cucina & Bar opened in December 2015, its first incarnation, located in Fairfield and called Tazza Osteria & Bar, gained much success.

Having been operating for just a little over two years, Connecticut Magazine named Tazza Osteria & Bar its 2015 Best New Restaurant. It also won Best Appetizers for 2015 and 2016.

Both Tazza locations have the same menu, with the exception of pizzas being offered in the Fairfield restaurant. Mr Furnari describes Tazza's food as "creative Italian" with different twists. A number of dishes, like the broccoli rabe and sausage fajita and Gelato Meatballs, take a classic meal or dessert and make it their own.

Along with originality, what also makes Tazza Cucina & Bar unique are the specials and entertainment offered. On Mondays, bottles of wine are available for half price all day. Wednesday nights are Ladies Night where glasses of wine are just $4 and featured martinis are only $5. Live music is performed every Friday night, and during Sunday Brunch from 12:30 to 3:30 pm musicians play Caribbean steel drums.

Guests can choose from a variety of indoor and outdoor seating. The dining area, which seats 54, showcases a beautiful, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, as well as large black and white photos adorning the walls. The bar, which stretches almost the length of the entire restaurant, was built to be spacious enough for people to comfortably sit and have their meal and a bottle of wine. When weather permits, the patio is available for guests to enjoy the warm weather while sitting under umbrellas.

Also, Tazza Cucina & Bar offers off-premise catering, and trays to be picked up or delivered.

A Sampling from the Menu:

Appetizers: Twenty "Small Plate" options are on the menu and include the broccoli rabe and sausage fajita. A twist on a traditional broccoli rabe and sausage, Tazza's version comes on hot skillet with caramelized onions, hot chili peppers, sweet peppers, grilled sausage, broccoli rabe, served with rosemary and olive oil pita breads.

Salads: One of the most popular salads is the apple and Gorgonzola with baby spinach, lemon-raspberry vinaigrette, crispy prosciutto, apples, and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.

Sandwich: La Spigola is a breaded, pan-fried Mediterranean sea bass with red onion, tomato, avocado, and lemon extra virgin olive oil. Sandwiches are served with a side of french fries or mista salad.

Pasta: Among the different Small Plates options, the standout pasta dish is the ricotta gnocchi. Made on the premises, it is served with a demi-glace mushroom sauce and is topped with shaved Asiago and Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese. Gluten-free pasta is also available.

Seafood: The "Not So Raw Bar" selection allows for purchasing clams, shrimp, and oysters per piece. Unlike a traditional raw bar, everything is cooked.

Entrees: A top selling dish is the grilled salmon, which is served with an apple Gorgonzola risotto and fresh horseradish.

Desserts: Dessert highlights include the Key lime crème brûlée and the gelato meatballs; the latter is new on the menu and offers three different flavors of gelato with pound cake on the outside. It is deep fried then topped with raspberry sauce. All desserts are made in house.

Kids' Meals: Children can choose from any of the available pastas, and the dish will be served in smaller kid- sized portion. Burgers, chicken parmesan, as well as chicken tenders and fries are available, too.

Martinis, Wine, and Beer: Tazza offers a selection of more than 30 wines by the glass, as well as ten beers on tap (five that stay, five that rotate). A popular martini choice is the Tazzmopolitan Martini, similar to a cosmopolitan but uses white cranberry juice. It also includes Absolut Citron Vodka and is garnished with a fresh lime.

Tazza Cucina & Bar, at 266 South Main Street in Newtown, next to Mathnasium, is open seven days a week. Kitchen hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm, and Sunday from noon to 9:30 pm. Bar hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 1:00 am, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am to 2:00 am, and Sunday from noon to midnight. Takeout, catering, and seating reservations are accepted by calling 203-270-3425. For further information, visit tazzacucinabar.com or its Facebook page at facebook.com/tazzanewtown.

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