COTTO Wine Bar - Old School Italian Fare Wrapped in a Contemporary Design
Published February 1st 2019
Roma Italia is Alive and Well in a Little Corner of Downtown Stamford
February 1, Stamford, CT: Restaurateurs Claudio and Silvy Ridolfi first introduced COTTO Wine Bar to
downtown Stamford in December of 2012. The concept was a simple one, taking its cues from Claudio’s Roma Italia upbringing and work experience, offering rustic trattoria fare including pizza, house made mozzarella and pasta, a large selection of antipasti, and an appealing wine list which focused on a full-bodied selection of regional Italian varietals. Today, COTTO remains dedicated to providing customers with a meaningful dining experience at their intimate restaurant and wine bar.
Claudio’s impressive background took flight in 1994 while managing the trendy Green Club, an American bistro in Ostia Lido, Rome before going on to own and operate Lasergun Pub in Via Giordani, Infernetto, Open Bar Wine Bar and Disco in Ostio Lido, and Trattoria Oggi C’e’, in Casal Palocco.
COTTO is reminiscent of a tucked away café found off the beaten path in Rome. Designed as a tapas style wine bar with communal dining tables, the focal point of this hip urban eatery is the exposed brick wall adorned with vintage photos and magazine covers of Silvy’s mother who was a prominent actress and model in Italy throughout the 1960s-70s.
downtown Stamford in December of 2012. The concept was a simple one, taking its cues from Claudio’s Roma Italia upbringing and work experience, offering rustic trattoria fare including pizza, house made mozzarella and pasta, a large selection of antipasti, and an appealing wine list which focused on a full-bodied selection of regional Italian varietals. Today, COTTO remains dedicated to providing customers with a meaningful dining experience at their intimate restaurant and wine bar.Claudio’s impressive background took flight in 1994 while managing the trendy Green Club, an American bistro in Ostia Lido, Rome before going on to own and operate Lasergun Pub in Via Giordani, Infernetto, Open Bar Wine Bar and Disco in Ostio Lido, and Trattoria Oggi C’e’, in Casal Palocco.
COTTO is reminiscent of a tucked away café found off the beaten path in Rome. Designed as a tapas style wine bar with communal dining tables, the focal point of this hip urban eatery is the exposed brick wall adorned with vintage photos and magazine covers of Silvy’s mother who was a prominent actress and model in Italy throughout the 1960s-70s.
COTTO combines an old school culinary ethos with an impassioned wine identity. The 400 + selection of labels is divided among the main wine producing regions in Italy, as well as from smaller domestic and international producers. The impressive wine program is matched by COTTO's from-scratch menu. Market fresh fish, free-range chicken, grass-fed beef, and fresh pasta fill the menu. An extensive line of imported specialty items from Italy is seen throughout the menu and used in the preparation of many of the dishes. Extra virgin olive oil, truffles in season, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di San Daniele, and even Manilla clams when attainable. Brick-fired Neapolitan pizza includes the Margherita pie made with fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, and fresh basil leaves. Fresh milky mozzarella bar choices include mozzarella di bufala, as well as smoked mozzarella and truffle burrata, which all pair beautifully with mortadella, homemade porchetta, and salame Calabrese. Tapas include; garlic sautéed broccoli rabe with house-made sausage; fried artichoke hearts with lemon aioli; octopus salad with black olives, celery, and cherry tomatoes; four cheese arancini with gorgonzola, mozzarella, parmigiana, and fontina: tuna tartare layered with avocado; lamb sliders with grilled polenta; and grilled potato gnocchi salad with goat cheese, arugula, and grapes. Cotto’s popular house-made pasta dishes are prepared as simply as Tonnarelli Cacio & Pepe style with pecorino, EVOO, and black pepper, or as rich and distinct as the Pappardelle al Chinghiale with wild boar ragout. Organic brick oven chicken, pan seared branzino, and grilled lamb chops round out Cotto’s savory menu.
COTTO embraces today's cocktail culture, infusing an array of culinary driven ingredients into creative, as well as classic top shelf drinks. Fragrant and flavorful cocktails are beautifully illustrated by his Thyme of the Season beverage mixed with thyme-infused gin, pear nutmeg compote, ginger beer, lime juice, and spiced cherry bitters, and the Blackberry Crosta shaken with cognac, Grand Marnier, fresh blackberries, lemon juice, and lavender bitters, all served in a special orange crusted glass.
COTTO is open 7 days, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch
51 Bank Street, Stamford, CT
www.cottowinebar.com
203.914.1400
