New Italian Restaurant To Open In Stamford June 10

STAMFORD, CT — Cugine's Italian, a new Italian restaurant in the Harbor Point section of Stamford, will officially open its doors on Friday.

Located at 121 Towne St., the former site of The Lila rose, Cugine's Italian will take patrons back in time to the era of Frank Sinatra and speakeasies in the dark, moody and warm dining room and bar.

The menu will feature well-plated Italian cuisine and crudos, coupled with refined cocktails and a robust wine list. There will be 15 seats at the bar, and 72 in the dining room.

"We have worked to create a unique atmosphere with a dark green and gold color scheme, crystal antique chandeliers dimmed to create mood lighting, black and white artwork and curated music playlist," said restauranteur John Nealon, in a news release. "This all creates a moody but comfortable backdrop for our classic food and beverage menus."

Rick O'Connor will lead the kitchen as executive chef. He is also a co-owner.

"He’s worked hard to create a fresh and seasonal ingredient driven menu featuring many familiar favorites, but also many new dishes that we know you are going to enjoy!" said Morgan Nealon in a news release. John and Morgan also owned the Lila Rose and Taco Daddy.

"On the beverage side, I leaned into my background to put together a menu of refined yet familiar cocktails that will complement Chef Rick’s dishes," Morgan added.

The food menu includes appetizers like meatballs; steamed clams with Calabrian chili butter; and crostini with whipped ricotta and roasted grapes.

Crudo offerings include tuna foie with shaved frozen foie and torched pickled strawberry; uni with anchovy butter and brioche toast; and bay scallop with ceviche, watermelon and mint.

Shareable vegetable dishes include zucchini (shaved raw and grilled with mint salsa verde); brussels (honey agrodolce, mint); and mixed mushrooms (garlic, thyme).

A wide assortment of housemade pastas include wild boar gnocchi, lumache (bay scallops, zucchini, guanciale); baby octopus puttanesca; ricotta cavatelli pesto; and capellini al limone.

Large plates such as brick chicken (taliata, arugula salad, shaved parm slices, balsamic); grilled langoustines (fennel and citrus salad, gremolata); and petite shoulder tenderloin (potato-fontina croquettes, grilled lettuce, red wine jus, cauliflower puree).

Creative pizzas will also be offered, including clam and zucchini; beef fat with bresaola, arugula and parm slices; and charred chili pineapple with pepperoni and red onions.

Desserts include panna cotta, pistachio cannoli and tiramisu with shaved fresh chocolate.

The cocktail offerings pay homage to classic drink recipes, as well as classic and beloved restaurants, such as The Savoy (with bourbon, amaro, maraschino liquor, orange); Balthazar (gin, Lillet, lemon, honey); and Copacabana (tequila, Campari, lemon, grapefruit soda).

A dedicated martini menu includes Rainbow Room (vodka or gin, sherry, honey, salt); Page Six (pistachio espresso martini); and Jimmy Weston’s (vodka or gin, olive juice, pickled jalapeno, blue cheese).

A full wine list is available as well, offering bottles or wines by the glass.

"Rounding out our management team, Sawyer Machette, who is a familiar face from our team at The Lila Rose and Taco Daddy, will be redirecting his attention to Cugine’s to help oversee front of house and daily operations as managing partner," added Morgan Nealon.

Cugine's Italian will be open Friday through Sunday (Friday 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m.-close).

The restaurant is currently accepting reservations via OpenTable or phone (203-276-9266).

For more information, follow the restaurant’s Instagram channel @cuginesitalian.