Rizzuto’s

540 Riverside Avenue, Westport

A spacious, comfortable wood-fired pizza & pasta spot, Rizzuto’s is a welcome alternative to Bertucci’s for the ever-popular Weekend Family Dining Out Night in Westport (WFDONW). Primarily because the din drowns out the shrieking that often accompanies tiny people.

Robin’s note: The large bar area is yet another alternative for those wishing to patronize Rizzuto’s without participating in WFDONW.

Who you’ll see eating here: Families.

Their specialty: Wood-fired pizza and seafood.

What you should eat: Pizzas with a unique list of toppings, from pesto cream sauce and smoked pancetta to caramelized onions and clams… but stick to the basics.

What you may not know but should:
  1. It’s a chain, but a good one, with a raw bar and artisan bread.
  2. Kids love the Worms & Dirt.
http://www.rizzutos.com

Tory Burch

255 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich

Ablaze with lucite, Tory’s fun-house of a store carries her latest collections: what Mary Tyler Moore would wear in the ‘60s if she summered in Capri.

Robin’s note: I love Tory, but this collection? Meh. It seems hard to wear.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women 30+ who love to wear tunics.

Their specialty: Tunics and the Reva flat.

What you should buy: Her blouses are elegant and fit well.

What you may not know but should:
  1. Tory, ever the socialite, outsources her fashion design. And her designs will start skewing younger: her Gossip Girl styles are sweeping away a new generation of fashionistas.
  2. She’s working on a foundation to micro-finance women entrepreneurs in America.
http://www.toryburch.com

Aux Delices

3 West Elm Street, Greenwich

Greenwich is the new Hollywood as net worth takes center stage. And the moneyed minions don’t slum at Starbuck’s.

Robin’s note: Due to the limited, awkward seating get your coffee to go. Except if you’re single. Then you’ll want to stay and peruse the selection of unattached wallet-candy.

Who you’ll see drinking here: Hedge fund folk – such a noble, equitable lot – wait in line for coffee just like people with other jobs.

Their specialty: Expertly prepared take-out.

What you should order: Coffee

What you may not know but should: The head chef, anointed “Rising Star Chef of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation, caters all types of events, from kids’ birthdays to sit-down dinners for 600+.
http://www.auxdelicesfoods.com

Lamakers

147 Elm Street, New Canaan

Primarily a men’s store, Lamakers houses a small collection of neo-conservative-hip labels.

Robin’s note: Nice guys.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women 20-60 who want to look ever-so-slightly hip but not-in-the-slightest-bit flashy.

Their specialty: A camel Tocca sheath dress.

What you should buy:  A camel Tocca sheath dress with chandelier earrings purchased elsewhere.

What you may not know but should:
  1. The husband/wife owners are the store’s only sales associates, so you’ll always receive exceptional help.
  2. They’re expanding their women’s roster of clothing designers to include, among others, Lilly Pulitzer.

Lilly Pulitzer

92 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich

As its name suggests, they sell Lilly. All Lilly. Only Lilly.

Robin’s note: I like Lilly but I wish they’d update: a girl’s wardrobe can channel Palm Beach only so many times.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Girls to women of all ages, though the styles are skewing away from the grande dames of yore.

What’s their specialty: Crazy Lilly prints and bright colors.

What you should buy: Lilly sundresses.

What you may not know but should: Candy bowl by the register.

Reflection

116 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich

Designer jeans and t-shirts with metal studs and sequins.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Teens to 35 year olds who like the tiniest bit of flare/punk.

Their specialty: Sequined tees with metal stud belt.

What you should buy: T-shirts.

What you may not know but should: They’re a one-of-a-kind boutique—they don’t even have a website. Truly an anomaly in these times, so please pay them a visit!