On June 2, exactly one month from today, the Westport Youth Film Festival will be held at Bridgeport's Bijou Theater. If you haven't been to Bridgeport lately, here's a great primer on the area by HamletHub Easton editor Adrienne Burke.
By Adrienne Burke
When NYC's Two Boots pizzeria put an outpost in Bridgeport five years ago, having just moved to the area, I asked a local if it might mean Bridgeport was having a renaissance. The jaded reply: "Bridgeport's not up and coming, it up and went." Most others I asked agreed.
Lately, however, attitudes seem to be shifting. Lennie Grimaldi, author of the irreverent and prolific political blog Only in Bridgeport, told me recently that he's optimistic about the city's future. In 30 years covering the Park City, he said he's never seen more things to do and more great places to dine. "If the economy would just improve, Bridgeport could explode," Grimaldi said.
Entrepreneurs with established businesses in New Haven, Norwalk, and Stamford are among those who are betting on that potential. The restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues they've opened in the past few years have already transformed downtown.
The excitement centers largely around "Bijou Square," a 6-block area abutting the City Hall Annex that local developer Phil Kuchma has worked hard to revive. Kuchma's decades-long efforts were hailed in a Los Angeles Times article in February that called him "Bridgeport Believer."
Not a believer? Take a Saturday afternoon drive to the corner of Fairfield Ave. and Broad St., park the car, and stroll around. I couldn't find anyone who could define the exact Bijou Square perimeter, but the action seems to be contained within the square formed by Golden Hill, Main Street, State Street, and Lafayette Boulevard—all within an easy walk of the train station and the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. You might be surprised by what you see.
Here's what you'll find today in and around the bustling Bijou 'hood in the way of food, drink, and entertainment:
Bare Tapas & Vino: Opened in late 2011 by Joe Tiago, owner of nearby Tiago's Bar & Grill, Bare offers a menu of small plates, entrees, pizzas, specialty cocktails, and wines, and a DJ spinning tunes for a young crowd.
Barnum Publick House: Opened in March 2012 by restaurateur Steve Montello, owner of Stamford's Grand and the former Art Bar, and partner Rob Forti, who has created mid-week wine mixers and Saturday wine specials. Forti says Easton's 35-45-year-old demographic is his target audience. Which is why he's a charter HamletHub advertiser!
Bijou Theater: Indie films, Saturday matinees, comedy shows, and a full bar. And host to the world’s biggest pop up film festival that promotes and celebrates short film around the world, this May.
Bijou Square Wine Shop: Established 18 months ago. Wine tastings weekly, and an inventory of fine liquors and beers as well.
Bull's Head Market & Cafe of Norwalk: Coming soon! A 7,000-square-foot urban-style grocery market connecting local growers to Fairfield County customers.
City Lights Gallery: Presenting local, regional, and emerging artists as well as art receptions and a variety of community-based exhibits.
Downtown Cabaret Theater: A Main Stage featuring lots of rock revival shows and a Kids' Stage that presents innovative shows like the current mulit-media musical Allison Wonderland, about the adventures of a teenager who falls into an iPad.
Epernay Bistro & Wine Bar: "Uncommon wines & stimulating cusine" is the slogan, jazz is on every other Thursday, and wine dinners are coming soon.
Joseph's Steakhouse: Perhaps the first to stake out the neighborhood, 15-year Peter Lugar Steakhouse veteran Joseph Kustra opened this spot 12 years ago and says he's been serving USDA prime dry aged beef with a smile ever since.
Melt Market & Cafe: Since March 2012, grilled artisanal cheese sandwiches, flatbreads, raclette, frittatas, fondues, mac-n-cheese ... and artisan breads. From 9:00 am - 7:00 pm.
Metric Bar & Grill: "Dishes infused with Carribean and Asian flavor," and sandwiches, wraps, and burgers.
Tiago's Bar & Grill: Opened in 2010. Open bar and free buffet nights as well as Wing Night, Latin Night, Burger Night, and Industry (music) Night.
Rainy Faye Bookstore: A pioneer of the downtown revival, this cozy bookstore voted Best of Fairfield County for years, came to town in 2003 and moved to Bijou Square two years ago.
Two Boots: Serves up local and national bands, open-mic nights, karaoke, and comedy shows to accompany its Cajun-style pizza.
What have we missed? Have you stumbled upon a Bridgeport spot worth recommending? Do you have a review or advice about any of the spots we listed? Share in the comments, or on Facebook!
