Dinner at Boca Oyster Bar at Steelpointe Harbor

Social Media Promotion: Portions Sponsored   

Boca Oyster Bar in Bridgeport CT

Welcome to
Boca Oyster Bar

Located in the Bridgeport’s new Steelpointe Harbor, Boca Oyster Bar is the crowned jewel for this new harbor-side community. With a seafood inspired menu in addition to fab cuts of beef, and equally enticing cocktail offerings, this waterside dining destination is sure to please everyone. 

The "Bigger" Seafood Tower
10 oz Lobster Tail, 6 shrimp
12 Clams and 12 Oysters

Boca’s location in Bridgeport makes this unique restaurant a true standout in Fairfield County’s evolving dining scene.

Boca Ceviche
maine lobster, bay scallops,
gulf shrimp, mango, citrus ponzo

With the Steelpointe Restaurant Group at the helm, Boca offers 13,000 square feet of dining, bar, and patio space. Designed by Emilia Ferri Architecture + Design, a local award-winning licensed architect with a forward thinking design sense, Boca pays homage to its waterside locale and New England sensibility.  

Oysters and Clams from 
The Boca Seafood Tower

The menu features classic New England seafood fare, as seen with such classic favorites as a Seafood Tower with multiple options, Colossal Fried Shrimp with hand cut fried potatoes and cabbage slaw, Jumbo Crab Cake with a citrus crema, and the Boca Lobster Roll with fresh picked Maine lobster, warm sherry, and Old Bay butter sauce on a brioche roll. 

Boca Lobster Roll
fresh picked maine lobster, warm sherry,
old bay butter sauce,
brioche roll, hand cut fried potatoes

Boca Burrata Salad
burrata, seasonal fruit jam, heirloom tomato,
bruschetta, red roasted peppers,
crostini, evoo, balsamic glaze, fresh basil

House specials include; Grilled Octopus with crispy garbanzo, Kalamata olives, sea salt and lemon; Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Tacos with wasabi and mango salsa; New Zealand Lamb Lollipops with chimichurri sauce; Steelpointe Clams Casino Flatbread with fresh shucked little necks, EVOO, herbs, Applewood bacon, and grated parmigiana.

Boca Oyster Bar Calamari
fresh local squid, lightly fried, cherry peppers,
pomodoro / cherry peppers, gorgonzola, balsamic drizzle

Sashimi Tuna Salad
pan-seared sushi grade ahi tuna, mango,
avocado, mixed greens, cilantro ginger vinaigrette

Ahi Tuna Taco
seared sushi grade tuna, yellow corn tortilla,
sesame crusted, wasabi, charred pineapple salsa

Of course, the Cowboy had his landlovin' favorites. How about a 42 oz Cowboy Bone-in Ribeye with choice of sauce; or a Hearty Burger or Sandwich? 

The Cowboy and The Cowboy Cut Ribeye

FYI: The cowboy ribeye was so big I couldn't fit it all in my camera frame below!

42 oz Bone In Cowboy Ribeye

Boca Oyster Bar Burger and Fries
3 blends: chuck, brisket & short rib,
lettuce, tomato, red onion, brioche roll, boca bacon jam

But MY personal favorites were the seafoods! Like the Pan Seared Diver Sea Scallops with Vegetable Lo mein and a Chipotle Crema; and the Maine Lobster Ravioli with shrimp, scallops, peas, and red roasted peppers in a pink cream sauce.

Pan Seared Diver Scallops
Pan seared with a soy ginger glaze
served over vegetable lo mien

Lobster Ravioli
Maine lobster, shrimp, scallops,
peas, red roasted peppers, pink cream sauce

The cocktail menu merges the popular 'craft cocktail' culture with classic tropical frozen drinks, like the popular frosé, craft beer, and an accessible wine list (including Duck Horn for the WIN!). 

Left: The Classic Mojito
Right: Pina Colada

Cocktails at
Boca Oyster Bar
Steelepointe Harbor in Bridgeport CT

Are you like me and can't walk away from the table without a sweet and happy ending? Then Boca has you covered! How about a Tiramasu, or a mile high Cheesecake, or a Brownie Sundae?

Brownie Sundae
Boca Oyster Bar

Cheesecake
Boca Oyster Bar

Boca Oyster Bar is also available for private events. There are multiple dining areas and bar service options can be carved out within the main dining room (200 capacity) and outdoor area (150 capacity).

And how about these amazing views of the harbor at night!

Boca Oyster Bar
Views of the Harbor

Boca is open seven days/night, including a Saturday and Sunday Brunch.

Happy Hour Monday-Friday includes raw bar and drink specials.
To top it off there is live music on the weekends!

Shrimp and Boat Slips await you
at Boca Oyster Bar in Bridgeport CT

Arriving by sea? 
There are designated boat slips are available for patrons. Order up some shrimp when you dock! LOL! 


Arriving by land? 
There's easy access of I-95! I hope I see you there!

Boca Oyster Bar

10 East Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06608
(203) 612-4848
https://www.bocaoysterbar.com/

Disclaimer: We were invited to this menu sampling by Foodie Tribe and members of Boca Oyster's Bar management and marketing team, however, all views and opinions are our own.


© Home Place 2019

Viale Italian Ristorante in Bridgeport CT

Some of the best kept secrets in Connecticut are the amazing restaurants found throughout the state.

And one of the coziest places we've found recently is Viale Ristorante in Bridgeport CT!

Viale  Ristorante in Bridgeport CT

Located on Fairfield Avenune in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, Viale Ristorante has been serving fine Italian food since 2005. Walking in to Viale is like stepping back through time, when dining out felt special, food wasn't overly-complicated or pretentious, and the atmosphere was friendly and fun.

Well...welcome to Viale Ristorante, where music is soft in the background, service is fast - but not rushed, and enjoying great food with good friends is encouraged!

We started with some delicious crusty bread (made on premise) and some great red wine. You know you're at a traditional Italian restaurant when a cruet of fine olive oil, and both parmesan and crushed red pepper are on the table when you arrive!

Appetizers
Luckily, we were with a group of six and decided to share appetizers, so we each selected one apiece and passed our plates around!

We ordered some traditional favorites like the Viale Antipasto, Broccoli Rabe, and the day's special a creamy Burrato; some seafood, Calamari Meditteranean and Garlic Grilled Shrimp; and a simple salad, the Iceburg Wedge, that wasn't simple at all! It was packed with a creamy dressing and bacon pieces!

Viale Antipasto

Broccoli Rabe

This was the first time I've sampled Viale's Burrata Mozzarella and it was wonderful! So creamy good, made from mozzarella and fresh cream and was the perfect consistancy to mix with the red peppers, fresh tomatoes, pesto, and greens served with it.  Did you know that the word "burrata" means "buttered" in Italian.

Burrata Mozzarella

The Mediterranean Calamari was another beautiful dish and we loved the aromatic herbs, olives, and red peppers that flavored the dish.

Mediterranean Calamari

Iceburg Wedge

The shrimp was perfectly prepared and the toasty grilled garlic added a wonderful zest to the dish. And see that beautiful light garlic and herb infused oil? It was mopped clean with some of Viale's baked on premise crusty bread! Mmmmm good!

Garlic Grilled Shrimp

Entrees
We ordered a wide variety of dinners too! Everything from a pasta, to seafood, to pork, chicken, and beef! That's the great thing about going out with a group of people - you get to see, (and if you're really good friends, you get to sample - chuckle-chuckle) a bit of everything and find out what YOU might like to order the NEXT time you return!

Lasagna

Pork Chops Scarpielo

Look at this rich sauce on the Shrimp Fra Diavlo! Did you know that Fra Diavlo translates loosely to "brother of the devil" - referring to the spicy hot fire from the spicy hot sauce! But don't let the definition scare you off, because we felt that this sauce packed more of a "medium" heat than a super hot fire - and was the perfect blend of spicy goodness!

Shrimp Fra Diavlo

Rich decadent Gorgonzola cheese made this chicken dish sing - and the mushrooms added an earthy and grounded flavor.

Chicken Gorgonzola

And I absolutely loved my dinner, a beautiful dish of Zuppa di Pésce. Although the name means "Fish Stew" - it's actually a seafood pasta dish.. This one was delicious! The pasta (linguine) was cooked to a perfect al dente (still firm)  - and it was chock full of sweet mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, and scallops, gently covered with a wonderfully light broth-like and flavorful sauce.

Zuppa di Pésce

And look at this beautiful rib-eye, which was char-grilled beautifully, and cooked to a perfect medium rare.

Ribeye Steak

Desserts
Believe it or not, after all this food we decided we simply had to sample dessert as well, ordering a medley of some of Patricia's made on premise cakes and treats.

Blueberry Creme Roll

Carrot Cake

Tiramasu

While each dessert was incredibly good - I'm still raving over the New York Style Cheesecake which was quite possibly the best I've ever had. In spite of being creamy rich - it was also light. Even after all that food, it hit the sweet spot and felt like the perfect ending to a wonderful night with good friends and great food!

Over dessert we toasted happy birthday to me (YES to me!!!) over some sweet dessert wine and my favorite after dinner drink, an espresso martini, with three beans reflecting health, wealth, and happiness in the coming year.

Dessert Wine and an Espresso Martini

It's no surprise that Viale Ristorante is standing the test of time. After almost ten years you know they're doing something right!  Be sure you visit them soon.

Viale Ristorante Bar and Grill

3171 Fairfield Ave

Bridgeport, CT 06605

Phone:

(203) 610-6193

On the Web: http://www.vialeristorante.com/index.php

Like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viale-Ristorante/274047240426

Follow them on Instagram: http://instagram.com/vialerist

Disclaimer: We were invited to this menu sampling by members of Viale's public relations and management team. However, all opinions are our own.

Bistro B - American Bistro and Wine Bar in Bridgeport CT

Media Promotional Event

Real estate developer Steve Montello, Executive Chef and Owner, Jason Milanese, and Chef de Cuisine, Joseph Italiano, show their commitment to the city of Bridgeport with the opening of the delightful Bistro B, an American Bistro and Wine Bar.

Chef Jason and staff greet us at Bistro B

As part of a recent promotional event, the cowboy and I got to experience the delicious offerings available at this wonderful American Bistro and Wine Bar. And as soon as I walked in, I was "wowed" by the custom towering white cabinetry behind the bar. Clean, sleek, modern, and bright, it added a touch of airiness and organization to the overall bar station.

Tables are thick, upholstery is leather-bound and luxurious, the only drawback to the decor, is the exclusively high top tables throughout the restaurant. While some welcome the bistro / bar feeling this type of seating evokes, I tend to find it not terribly comfortable. While I'm not short in stature by any means, I still feel like I have to climb up to my seat to eat. A minor drawback, but the good thing - even the booths have "feet rests" - so while you are sitting a little high, you do have an area to comfortably rest your feet.

I started with a delicious Lemon Drop Martini, prepared by...are you ready for this? My niece-in-law, once removed. Don't even ask how I've come up with that family-designation, but take if from me, Kim, the bartender, is related to the cowboy, and she and I were both equally thrilled when we discovered the connection.

Kim prepares a perfectly executed Lemon Drop

The Lemon Drop was perfectly prepared; tart and delicious, and the sugared rim was the frosting on the cake, uh, er, cocktail!

We then moved on to some quick appetizers:  Chicken Lollipops, with a house-made barbecue glaze and blue cheese dressing. House Cured Salmon, with star anise pickles, horseradish mustard creme, and brown bread. BLT Sliders, an innovative use of the "B" for bacon, using braised pork belly, Roma tomatoes, and iceburg lettuce, with a maple aioli sauce.

Chicken Lollipops, House Cured Salmon, BLT Sliders

Loved, loved, loved, the pork belly in the BLT slider. It was delicious, and a clever take on the American classic.

We then moved to our table to continue our dining experience.

We started with a lamb's lettuce salad made with crispy fried artichokes, served with a roasted garlic hummus.

Lambs Lettuce and Crispy Fried Artichokes

We then sampled the Potato and Onion Encrusted Halibut, with forest mushroom ragout, and asparagus tips truffle.This was easily the cowboy's favorite of the night, though he was skeptical of the potato and onion mix crust, he devoured it and declared it a winning combo!  And lucky me, because he's neither a mushroom or asparagus lover, I got to have double helpings of those sides, mine and his! Just look at the broth below...and you'll get an inkling of how yummy it was!

Potato and Onion Encrusted Halibut

Next on the menu was Roasted Hangar Steak, served with pommes frittes, roasted pears, and stringed beans. This was easily one of our groups' favorites items of the night. Cooked perfectly to a medium rare, and sliced diagonally, it was truly a flavorful cut.

Roasted Hangar Steak

Next on our tasting was the Pork Schnitzel with cucumber salad mustard honey pan roast. This was one of my favorites of the night, the delicate crust outside was a great contrast to the tender pork cutlet inside. The cucumber salad was a tangy cole-slaw like side, and added a bright flavor profile to the dish.

Pork Schnitzel

Last up for entrees was Chicken Fried Chicken, a crispy Amish Chicken breast, with black pepper gravy, and cinnamon spiced carrots. This was hands down my favorite! I think it was probably the BEST fried chicken I've ever had. Crispy well seasoned crust on the outside, and moist and juicy chicken on the inside
.

Chicken Fried Chicken

A recurring theme for all of the food served was the perfect crusty coating allowing all of the food to stay flavorful. Bistro B scores high on "the sear" and "crust" allowing all of the proteins to retain their natural juices and flavors.

Last, was coffee and dessert, and Bistro B scored high there, too! Miniature French coffee presses were delivered to our tables, along with a butterscotch pudding, flour-less chocolate cake, baked on premise Madelines, and vanilla bean ice cream.

HEAVEN on a plate!

A wonderful happy ending to an equally wonderful meal!

Bistro B - Coffee and Dessert

This will certainly be one of our "must stops" when in the area, and we are already planning a return trip there!

Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and full of recommendations on additional items we should experience on our return trip (the duck confit!).

Bistro B is easily accessible from Connecticut's I-95, and, when we were there on a Tuesday evening, there was plenty of on street parking available.

I hope Bistro B will be a "must stop" for you too!

Open Tuesday-Saturday for dinner only 5-11 pm.

Closed Sunday and Monday

Bistro B - American Bistro and Wine Bar

1006 Broad Street

Bridgeport, CT 06604

203-908-4224

On the Web: http://www.bistrob.net/ 

And just prior to our visit to Bistro B, we stopped into their sister restaurant Barnum Publick House.
Check out our info from Barnum, HERE

Disclaimer: We were invited to this promotional  sampling at Bistro B by members of Bistro B's Management and Marketing Team, however, the views and opinions expressed herein are our own.