Black Rock Mojito, served on the patio
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Fairfield's Black Rock Tavern hosted a tasting evening to celebrate its opening with Chef Rafael Palomino as Owner/Chef. Along with Chef de Cuisine Felix Perez he served and explained a number of their very interesting and creative new menu items, and provided tasting menu sized portions to sample.
Chef Palomino is well known in the area for his Greenwich Tavern, Pacifico in New Haven and in Center Valley, Pennsylvania and his Sonora Restaurant in Port Chester, NY.
Calling his cooking Nuevo Latino, Chef Palomino draws upon his Colombian heritage and his extensive restaurant experiences to produce some exceptional food at very reasonable prices.
He is also the author of the new cookbook Latin Grill: Sultry and Simple Food for Red-Hot Dinners and Parties and three previous cookbooks.
The Black Rock Tavern on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield, CT is a comfortable and informal family restaurant serving both expected and unique menu items. Some of the expected items for your less adventurous friends include onion soup, crab cakes, calamari, baby back ribs, hamburgers, shrimp scampi, fish 'n' chips, Maine sole and 3 kinds of pizza.
They have an extensive wine list, with most bottles of wine in the $35 or less range as well a few slightly more expensive ones. One wine we were introduced to was a Tamas Estates Double Decker Red Baby 2007 Bordeaus, which is only $32 a bottle and has a big, rich flavor without being fruity.
But, as we learned, there are a number of absolutely delicious and unexpected treats on the menu that merit more of your attention. In looking at the food photographs, remember that the photos are of tasting-sized portions, not of full courses. There are some additional photos below in the slide show section.
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Palomino mixed seafood Ceviche with shrimp and calamari. |
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Palomino's Truffled Mac 'n' Cheese with Shiitake mushrooms and crispy Pancetta. |
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Jackson Hole Ribeye and White Bean Chili, served with cilantro and sour cream. The full portion also comes with corn bread. |
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Lobster and Avocado Quesadilla topped with Chipotle Creme Fraiche Aioli. |
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Ecuadoran Coconut Shrimp with Thai Lemongrass coconut milk sauce. |
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Lobster Ravioli in a Roasted Pepper and Cream Sauce. |
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Kansas Sirloin and Chorizo Sliders with Pomme Frites. |
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Charred Skirt Steak with Chorizo Hash. |
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Sauteed South African Red Snapper, Thai Spices, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and a Saffron Mojito Sauce. |
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Braised Angus Short Ribs with Saffron Mashed Potatoes, Wild Mushroom Ragout and Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce. |
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Vanilla Creme Brulee |
The Black Rock Tavern is open daily for lunch and dinner as well as on Sunday for brunch and dinner at 2320 Black Rock Tpk in Fairfield, CT. (This is the building formerly occupied by Pizzeria Uno.) You are certain to have extraordinary meals: all entrees are priced under $20 and appetizers, soups and sandwiches under $12.
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Comments
Stunning pictures James. The macaroni and cheese and lobster quesadillas look fantastic. I'll have to put this on my "Connecticut Restaurant List" for when I visit home.
Dugg it!
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