Review: Sinapi's Pizza & Restaurant

It was a dark and very stormy night when my three girls and I ventured out in search of some hearty Italian fare. We headed for a familiar favorite, Sinapi's Pizza & Restaurant. Although new to this Brookfield location, many hungry shoppers will recognize Sinapi's from its other home near the Danbury Fair Mall. Having enjoyed many meals there, we were pleased to hear from a friend that the family-owned eatery recently opened this second place north of Costco.

On a Sunday night, we were seated right away in the relatively small and comfortable dining room. The space was simply decorated, and the smells from the kitchen promised some good Italian cooking. And we were hungry. The day before, I had told the girls (ages 12, 10 and 8) that I was taking them out for Italian, so we didn't even need to look at the menu. But in case you do, there are pages of possibilities to fit every budget. From subs and classic pastas to veal, chicken and seafood dishes, there are plenty of choices, including a children's menu.

We started off with an order of garlic bread ($4). This bread isn't for wimps—the buttery open-face loaf was loaded with freshly chopped garlic. Next, we settled into our entrées: Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce ($9), Baked Lasagna ($11.25), Fettuccine Alfredo ($11) and Chicken Cutlet Parmigiana ($14.95), the only entrée that came with a salad.

Of course, I had to taste each dish. I enjoyed the chicken the best. It was crispy and tender, with the right amount of sauce and cheese. The ravioli and lasagna were also delicious. The fettuccine fell a little short of my expectations. The pasta was cooked perfectly, but the Alfredo sauce needed a bit more flavor. Portions here are large, but not obscenely huge. We had a couple of leftovers for lunch, which may not have been the case if the bread weren't so good.

One menu item that we could not fit onto our table (or in our stomachs) was the pizza. From the looks of the neighboring table's pie, we'll be returning soon to sample the Chicken Marsala, Lasagna, Barbeque Chicken or Prosciutto pizzas. Sinapi's makes a New York-style crust, which is the only crust that makes the grade with this former New Yorker.

Service is lively and friendly at Sinapi's. The restaurant has a bustling take-out business and was advertising its monthly wine tasting, where the owner picks several fine wines and invites customers to come in and find a new favorite. A recent tasting offered selections from different Italian regions, such as Sicily, Tuscany and Piedmont. And although wine tastings draw an adult crowd, Sinapi's is probably best enjoyed by families or by those who aren't looking for a quiet romantic spot. We will be back to try the pizza. And I probably won't even need to look at the menu.

There's nothing that brings people together like food. Do you have a Brookfield restaurant that you've always wondered about? Or maybe you have a recommendation? Make a comment, and let the conversation begin.