The Sugar Bowl

1033 Boston Post Road, Darien

My husband and I were so excited to discover this wonderful breakfast spot in Darien. Turns out it’s one of the most popular cafés in FC. Who knew? I mean, besides us.

To the handful of you who haven’t been here: the first thing you notice is the Bowl’s festooned with so much holiday gewgaw you may confuse it with a souvenir shop at Mystic Seaport. For each of the past 7 years they’ve decorated for 8 occasions: Memorial Day/July 4, Beach, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s, St. Patrick’s Day, and Mother’s Day/Spring. Halloween is their biggest undertaking, usurping the time and talent of 4 grown men for sixteen hours. Impressive.

The second thing you notice is friendly staff, swift service, and satisfying food. They make wonderful homemade lemon, apricot, or plum cake and animal-shaped pancakes for the kids (the chocolate chip ones of which contain so many chips, it’s like eating a candy bar with a fork.)

Robin’s note: The third thing you notice, or we noticed, is the large glass candy shelf is not enclosed on the sides, affording certain small children easy access to fistfuls of Nerd Ropes and the like.

Who you’ll see eating here: Young families and loyal locals of all ages.

Their specialty: Bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll, eggs benedict without the hollandaise sauce, and “…we make lots of pancakes.”

What you should order: Chocolate chip pancakes and eggs with grilled tomatoes.

What you may not know but should:
  1. The Bowl has been owned by the same family for 52 years, Bob being the latest in a small string of familial proprietors.
  2. The man who bakes the cakes works at the Bowl on weekends. During the week he’s a sommelier at the River Café in Brooklyn.

Dining     Kids in Tow     Darien    

Margarita Man

Margarita Man
Mike Beetem, 860-790-1234

Every year my husband and I celebrate Mexican Independence Day with a large party. Being American, we change their day of freedom to whatever happens to work best for us, typically a Saturday night. So “Cinquo de Mayo” cheekily becomes “Secondo de Mayo” or “Octavo de Mayo” or whenever (and however we feel like translating it.) We think this is cool but it will probably be one of those dorky things that haunt our children far into their adult lives.

So when the stress of planning a party and knowing you’ll someday destroy your children’s social development starts becoming less fun than what you envisioned, it’s time to call… Margarita Man!

Margarita Man, aka Mike Beetem, saved my party and made me so happy I forgot about the other stuff that was bothering me. I simply told him when and where and he delivered a beautiful machine – all gussied up in a grass skirt and silk flowers – the afternoon of my party. He supplied the delicious mix, I supplied the tequila and the triple sec. After giving us a quick tutorial (1. Pour it in, 2. Flip the switch) he told us he’d pick up the machine the next day (which he did, precisely when he said he would).

And the party? WOW. Nothing says “Viva la Independence!” like one too many Margarita Man margaritas!

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Bars + Baristas     Entertainment     Darien     Fairfield     Greenwich     New Canaan     Norwalk     Stamford     Weston     Westport     Wilton    

4 Brothers Pizza

Darien – (203) 662-9373
Westport - (203) 341-0505

Sure, we all adore the “wood-fired broccoli rabe/salumi assortito pie with a hint of pesto cream sauce,” but if you want to fire up the margarita machine and gluttonize until your arteries are begging for mercy and your brain cells are about to top the endangered species list, then this is your pizza.

Robin’s note: Pepperoni. It looks like plain but, ooh baby, it’s not.

Who you’ll see eating here: No one. It’s all about delivery.

Their specialty: Pizza.

What you should order: Pizza and grinders.

What you may not know but should: Check the website for coupons. They never verify them, so you can use them as often as you wish.
http://www.fourbrotherspizza.com

Dining     Darien     Westport    

Fresh Air Fund

http://www.freshairfund.org

Last year my husband and I decided to host a 6 year old boy, Eddie*, from the Fresh Air Fund. For two weeks that summer I became the mother of 4 instead of 3. It was a living hell. Imagine a playdate that lasts 334 1/2 hours too long, riddled with late-night bouts of homesickness.

However, I liked Eddie. So, despite all reasons to the contrary, we invited him back this year. When my husband picked him up in New York, he exclaimed, “I can’t wait to see Miss Robin!” He ran into my arms as though his whole year culminated in being with us once again. This time, we delighted in being together: the arguing mitigated dramatically, as did his homesickness. Eddie swam every day with us, went to the playground, went to parties, played baseball, and was genuinely and visibly thrilled with every thing we accepted as part of our normal summer routine. As difficult as the past visit had been, through it we had learned how to interact and succeed as a “family.”

Toward the end of his visit he popped his head out of the swimming pool and I saw he was drooling. He laughed and wiped his face and exclaimed, “I slobbered on the tire swing yesterday, too! I slobber when I’m having fun.” With that, he popped back into the water. I never thought I’d be so happy to see someone slobbering in my pool. That must be why God created chlorine.

The day before we drove him back to the city, he said, “Miss Robin, wouldn’t it be fun if I could stay here all summer?” Well, maybe. But I can’t wait to see him again next summer.

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SCORE

Counselors to American’s Small Businesses, Fairfield Chapter
http://www.scorenorwalk.org

It was the late ‘90s. Like most young women in the free world, I decided to start a handbag business. Because I had no clue what I was doing, the handbag venture sort of fizzled. (I did get to tour creepy manufacturing facilities in New York and Fall River, though, so that was a plus.)

In retrospect, I did two things correctly with my business: 1. Consulted a retired businessman through SCORE, who gave me very helpful advice, 2. Folded.

Given today’s economy, thousands of people are starting their own small businesses. I advise them to consult SCORE for help. (Not to be confused with Scores. Biiiig difference.)

What they do: “SCORE… was established by Congress in 1964 as a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and formation, growth and success of small business. … SCORE volunteers use their expertise and energies to implement proven business practices in accomplishing your business objectives.” (website) Counselors offer expertise in almost every skill (IT, General Management, Marketing, PR, Strategic & Growth Planning, etc) and in almost every interest area (Photography, Retailing, Traveling, Gardening, etc.).

Who they are: “The Fairfield County Chapter has 50 volunteer professionals with a very broad mix of senior executive and small business experience. These dedicated men and women include both working and retired executives and business owners.” (website)

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Darien Sport Shop

1127 Post Road, Darien
Seemingly conservative yet surprisingly chic, the DSS carries a little something special for every one of its moneyed clientele: from toys to Tahari, nautical wear to “Not Your Daughters” jeans.

Robin’s note: I assumed this would be another sportswear wasteland; I was pleasantly surprised by the sophisticated selection.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Women 30-80 who are active, tasteful, and rich.

Their specialty: Ruffled cardigans from various labels, between $325-400.

What you should buy:  A camel Susan Monaco dress – casual and elegant.

What you may not know but should: The jewelry is lovely—conservatively trendy—and well-priced, starting around $30. http://www.dariensport.com

Fashion     Darien    

Wish List

606 Post Road East, Westport
350 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich
1101 Boston Post Road, Darien

WARNING: Sensory Overload. This store, packed with toys, clothes, candy and every cutesy gewgaw on the planet, left me with a hangover the next day. But as I waded through the morass, I found some great pieces.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Teenagers, women who want to dress like teenagers, and very patient shoppers.

Their specialty: Tight pants, loose tops, and stretchy fabric apparel.

What you should buy: Vince sweaters and white blouses, great affordable tunics and party dresses during in spring/summer.

What you may not know but should: The Greenwich store carries a special line of JL Rock designer jewelry, including gold-plated snake bracelets, chunky gold-plated rings, and signature white gold and diamond earrings. Word is, the Wish List owners and JL Rock are tight, so the prices are better than what you’d find at other stores.
http://www.shopwishlist.com

Fashion     Darien     New Canaan     Westport    

Espresso Neat

20 Grove Street, Darien

Tucked behind – WAY behind – the tiny shopping area that is downtown Darien exists a delightful coffee shop with some of the best coffee I’ve had since Switzerland.

Robin’s note: Try the dainty yet surprisingly tasty ham and swiss sandwich – rivaled only by Bouchon Bakery in NYC.

Who you’ll see eating here: The Beautiful People from Darien, including a very handsome man my mom spotted.

Their specialty: Personal gourmet roast slow-drip coffee.

What you should order: Personal gourmet roast slow-drip coffee with a mini cupcake. And the aforementioned sandwich.

What you probably don’t know but should: They’re not a chain, and you can order your holiday SoNo Bakery pies here!
http://www.espressoneat.com

Bars + Baristas     Darien    

Helen Ainson Shoppe

1078 Boston Post Road, Darien

Miles of rhinestones, satin, jewel tones, and beading festoon the frocks in this small shop, blurring the fine but crucial line between “mother of the bride” and “evening wear”.

Robin’s note: The clothes aren’t my style, but the costume jewelry is fun and a few pieces –- well, one piece -– is great.

Who you’ll see shopping here: Mature women who attend charity balls for $150 a ticket.

Their specialty: Floor-length gowns in shiny materials. 

What you should buy: Fabulous leopard trench coat for $165 - good print, nice cut.

What you may not know but should: This boutique has won prestigious shopping awards, including “Best of the Gold Coast.” So, full disclosure: mine aren’t the reigning antipathies.
http://www.helenainson.com

Fashion     Darien    

Fairfield Community Foundation

http://www.fccfoundation.org

As many of you know, at least those who scroll beyond “Bars” and “Look Good,” this site includes write-ups of local charities and foundations. Why? Three reasons: 1) it’s amazing how many wonderful opportunities exist for giving, 2) it’s alarming how few of the 2,243+ organizations we’re actually aware, and 3) researching them independently is as tedious as cleaning Vaseline off your carpet with toilet paper and baby shampoo.

The FCF understands this and was created to make giving a lot of easier.

What they do: The FCF helps you “select those [organizations] that match your charitable passions and provide well-run programs that achieve results…. [and] help local nonprofits operate at peak efficiency so they get the most good out of every dollar. You can also join other like-minded donors to engage in collective giving.”

Who they are: FCF’s leadership is composed of local community and business leaders.

Where your money goes: To ensure money is used most effectively, grants focus on 6 areas –
  - Education and Youth Development
  - Economic Opportunity (including affordable housing, workforce development, and immigrant success)
  - Health and Human Services
  - Arts and Culture/Arts Education
  - The Environment/Environmental Education
  - Nonprofit Capacity Building

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