Tomato & Basil Cafe & Pizzeria Opens on Black Rock Turnpike

Looking for something a little more elegant than the typical pizza joint's bustling take-out counter and checkered tablecloths? Head straight for Fairfield's newest Italian restaurant, Tomato & Basil Cafe & Pizzeria. This sun-filled spot opened its doors on June 1 and is already attracting attention with its large menu and sophisticated atmosphere.

Inside, it's all about sleek lines and earth tones with its chocolate-brown leather booths, chairs and dark wood tables. A long bar, which seats 10, is the main focal point and has two televisions (tuned to CNBC and ESPN at lunch) along with an impressive display of wine bottles and liquors. In the back of the restaurant is the heart (or hearth) of the place - an arched brick oven that turns out delicious bread and pizza.

The staff seems genuinely happy to work here, and their friendliness and eagerness to please is comforting without being cloying. Sit down and browse the menu while you nosh on a triangular piece of freshly-baked bread with olive oil.  Pizza is a centerpiece, and you can certainly have it the way you want it here. All of the usual suspects (sausage, mushrooms, black olives) are offered in addition to some more unusual selections (seared steak, goat cheese, buffalo mozzarella.)

Tomato & Basil is far more than just pizza, though. The menu, which is the same at lunch and dinner, starts with appetizers like zucchini sticks and chili cheese fries, and continues to small plates, such as grilled calamari and eggplant rollatini.  Salads are plentiful and filled with everything from Ahi tuna and grilled chicken to pesto shrimp.

Feel like a little bread between those veggies or meat? Opt for one of the delicious sandwiches - shrimp pancetta and chicken avocado are two great choices. Carb lovers will find plenty to satisfy their appetites with 14 different selections. Entrees, though pricier than the rest of the menu, include offerings like balsamic pork chops, New Zealand lamb and scallops saltimbocca.  The children's menu offers standard fare - chicken tenders, pasta, pizza - with drink and ice cream included in the price ($7.50.) Prices for dinner (lunch is cheaper) range from $5 to $9 for appetizers, $7 to $10 for sandwiches, $12 to $17 for pastas, and $19 to $22 for entrees.

Tomato & Basil is still getting its feet wet, but seemed to be pleasing customers - one table even included guests who had dined the day before and returned for more.  The only real sticky point about this place is its tricky entrance. You can't access it directly from Black Rock Turnpike and need to turn at the light and make a left into the parking lot (follow the signs for the Citibank entrance.)

Tomato & Basil Cafe & Pizzeria is located at 1876 Black Rock Turnpike. Telephone: 203-333-3600.  Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., except Friday and Saturday, when it's open until 1 a.m.