When your thoughts turn to Mediterranean Fusion cuisine, your GPS should be aimed directly at the intersection where Ells St. and Bartlett Avenue meet New Canaan Avenue at Basso Café in Norwalk.
Basso Café is one of those places that you go to and it just feels right. It could be because of the Spanish guitar, jazz and world music that is floating melodically from the overhead speakers. Or it could be that your olfactory senses take in the appetizing aromas wafting in from the kitchen. Perhaps it’s the cordial greeting you receive when you first walk in the door.
Whatever the reason, once you’re there, you just get it. The entire ambience prepares you for the meal you are about to receive, whether it’s lunch or dinner. And you may not have known this before, but Basso Café is BYOB, so if a glass of wine or a frosty beer is your desire with you meal, be sure to bring it with you for a corkage fee . . . you have been forewarned.
You open the dinner menu and Chef Renato Donzelli’s appetizer delights, such as Duck Fois Gras with caramelized pineapple or Tuna and Mango Sashimi Salad with soy dressing, sesame seeds and fried wonton chips catch your eye, but you ultimately opt for the authentic Venezuelan corn cake medallions stuffed with homemade avocado chicken salad. You may have never tried Arepas before, but after one taste you are a convert.
When the time comes to order your entrée, you may have a hard time selecting from the range of salads, pastas, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish and vegetarian dishes. You lovingly eye the Mixed Paella for Two with linguiza sausage, mussels, clams, squid, shrimp, chicken and saffron rice. For a moment, you consider the sliced Spiced Pork Tenderloin served over sofrito, and you even take a moment to contemplate the Rigatoni Amatriciana with prosciutto, onions and pecorino. In the end, however, you decide on the crispy skin Duck Breast in a port wine reduction with vegetable terrine and the Tuscan Grilled Chicken Under a Brick, as we did on a recent visit.
Both selections are delightful, but it must be noted that the salt content on the crispy skin of the Duck Breast was a bit overwhelming. However, the duck itself was infused with an overwhelmingly delicious flavor, tenderness and the right amount of chewiness. The Vegetable Terrine that is served with the duck was listed on the menu as being served warm; however, unlike its description, it was actually served slightly cooler than room temperature.
The Tuscan Grilled Chicken Under a Brick, an organic half-chicken served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes, was exceptionally juicy and yielding to a knife and fork.
The desserts at Basso Café are homemade, with the Tres Leche Cake—with three different kinds of milk soaked into a piece sweet vanilla cake and drizzled with caramel sauce—being one to take note of.
Although somewhat moderately priced, you can get away with an entire meal (appetizer, entrée and dessert) for under $40 if you choose wisely. And with the great selections at Basso Café, that should not be too difficult.
Basso Café
124 New Canaan Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
203-354-6566
HOURS:
Sun (Dinner) 5:00p-10:00p
CLOSED MONDAYS
Tues-Sat (Lunch) 11:00a – 2:00p
Tues-Sat (Dinner) 5:30p – 11:00p
For an extended, in-depth review of Basso Cafe, visit Bon Vivant.
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