New Pizza And Ice Cream Shop Coming To Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Pizza and ice cream lovers rejoice.

Constantino's of Greenwich, a family-owned pizza and ice cream shop, is coming to 699 W. Putnam Ave., the former site of Stateline Deli.

Robyn Bordes and her husband Michael hope to open in early March. There will be room for 12 seats inside, with takeout and delivery options available.

The community can expect to find pizza — regular, gluten-free or cauliflower crust — with all the familiar toppings. Specialty pies like buffalo chicken, veggie, or "grandma style" and a unique four-corner sicilian will be available.

Appetizers include chicken wings, bruschetta, cheesy breadsticks and fried calamari, among others.

Salads, and pasta dishes such as penne vodka, or baked ziti and spaghetti bolognese are on the menu, as are a variety of classic sandwiches like meatball parmesan and an Italian wedge.

Authentic Italian entrees range from chicken francaise and chicken scarpiello to eggplant parmesan.

Ice cream and Italian ice will be available by the scoop, pint or quart, along with ice cream cakes.

For Bordes, a Stamford resident and a public relations executive with years of experience in the restaurant industry, Constantino's of Greenwich is more than just a new venture.

At the heart of the business is family.

Bordes first met her now-husband 22 years ago, but their circumstances weren't right at the time to get in a relationship.

Their paths crossed again about four years ago, and they began to date.

"When we finally started dating, we kind of helped piece both our families back together. In the process of doing so now, our families are incredibly close. Everything for us is all family," Bordes said.

All of the menu items are named after family members, Bordes said. Michael's mother, Carol, recently passed. A number of menu items are named after her because they're things she enjoyed over the last year when Robyn and Michael took care of her.

"It's not just a family restaurant. This is a family restaurant that has heartfelt meaning to us. To bring that into Greenwich is such a beautiful feeling for us as a whole," Bordes said, adding that her brother will help run the business.

Bordes started in the restaurant business as a 13-year-old, serving as a bus-girl for hot dog parties in an arcade.

She later worked at Villagio's in Hartsdale, N.Y. for over 10 years, and eventually bought the business. Sales increased and the menu improved before Bordes sold the restaurant to her business partner in February 2021.

"As soon as I sold it I had seller's remorse," Bordes said. "I said to my husband we needed to find another location to open up something a little more simpler. I wanted it to be kid-friendly. I wanted to incorporate ice cream because pizza and ice cream are comfort foods that everyone loves."

Pizza seemed pandemic-proof, and when the Bordeses noticed Stateline Deli had closed and was available in June 2021, they knew it was the right location.

"I used to drive around the town and surrounding towns when the pandemic first started, and I swear everytime I drove by a location that was closed down because of the pandemic, I got choked up," Bordes said. "I know the blood, sweat and tears that go into starting and running a restaurant. It was important for us when we saw Stateline Deli closed. That location was perfect."

After the couple purchased the property, Michael suggested they name the new restaurant "Constantino's", after Bordes' father, who died when she was just 2-years-old.

The couple is now focusing on getting the space ready for final inspections and a certificate of occupancy.

"The town of Greenwich has been incredible to work with," Bordes said. "My husband and I are so excited.”

Check out the entire Constantino's of Greenwich menu on their website, and follow on social media (Instagram and Facebook) for updates.