We are pleased and honored to have been visited by By FRANK COHEN of The HARTFORD COURANT As he writes about his visit with us in the following article... Affordable With A Creative Menu At Viron Rondo Osteria November 13, 2014 Located just barely within the New Haven County line in Cheshire, in the space that formerly housed Luca Ristorante and Brix Restaurant before that, is eponymous Viron Rondo Osteria. The location may seem remote to some, but its easily accessed from Exit 3 (Highland Avenue) of I-691, making it pretty convenient from New Haven, Waterbury, Hartford or Middletown. And this enticing new restaurant, which opened Sept. 11, is worth the trip. Viron Rondo is owned by husband and wife Viron and Denada Rondo, who founded the Da Capo restaurants in Avon and Litchfield but have ceded them to former partners. Like Da Capo, Viron Rondo shares its affordability and casual atmosphere, but its menu is a bit more creative. In Italy, an osteria is a place serving wine and simple food, so Viron Rondos creative and fairly extensive menu stretches the definition a little. A Greek native, Viron Rondo worked for a number of years at Patsys Pizzeria in New York. His Cheshire pizza chef, Nick Mexhuani, was the pizza chef there until recently. Obviously, Viron Rondos pizza (and they have two wood-burning brick ovens) is New York-style, the dough made fresh daily and cooked over oak and maple between 900 and 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The margherita and the Parma were wonderful. They may not be New Haven-style, but expect Viron Rondos pies to factor into future pizza debates. The presence of talented executive chef Dave Deveaux ensures that Viron Rondo offers far more than just pizza. Viron Rondo pays close attention to sourcing, with free-range chicken, organic salmon, fresh Mozzarella, house made pastas, artisan breads and cheeses, and more. The salads are fresh and appealing. The cacciucco (a Livornese fish stew loaded with colossal prawns, sea scallops, little necks, calamari, mussels and haddock in a spicy tomato broth) is not to be missed. The brick-roasted chicken, grass-fed beef short ribs and choice, center-cut, 14-ounce New York strip also beckon. And theres a long list of Italian classics offered in generous individual or outrageous family-sized portions. Viron Rondo Osteria should be on the list of all budget-conscious gourmands. See you there!
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 03:05:17 +0000
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