Stanziato's — Restaurant in Danbury

If you don't have time for my detailed review, just go there. Go hungry, go thirsty, and go home happy. You can't make a bad decision, just close your eyes point to something on the menu and enjoy.

Now for some detail.....

The restaurant is easy to get to, convenient parking, and as soon as you step inside you are whisked away to Italy with the authentic brick Oven right up front adorning the name Angelina. The first room looks like a well appointed italian pizzeria, but when you step into the second and third room that's when things get interesting. The second room is a great looking bar with high top tables and amazing hard to find rotating beers on tap. The third room is an intimate space with a few tables and pop art portraits of Sophia Lauren next to Biggie smalls and Elvis. A hallway of bright red bricks leads you to the party room which looks like it accommodates 30 or so people and has glass section floors with bottles of wine underneath. If you weren't hungry or thirsty I'd recommend stopping by just to do a walking tour.

But we didn't drive 40 minutes to look at paintings and a brick oven; we came to eat and eat we did. I had a wine flight (they also have beer flights available) and my wife fell in love with the cherry infused bourbon Manhattan. I studied the beer and wine list noting a good mix of easily approachable commercial libations as well as those which are hard to find. The flight is key for that reason and I highly recommend sampling as much of the beer and wine as possible because the restaurant rotates them both frequently so you may be faced with a single opportunity to try a hard to find beer.

Onto the food. There were too many options that all sounded amazing so the two of us had 2 orders of wings, 1 white pizza, 1 red pizza, and the burrata. Every single item was made well and was clearly from scratch with fresh ingredients. One of the staff told us they pretty much only use the freezer for ice cream and the owner sources his ingredients from local farms.

I couldn't tell you who our waiter was because we were attended to by no less than 4 people. You can tell the sense of pride with the entire staff, especially the owner who could be seen Manning the pizza oven, running food, recommending dishes, and making conversation with his regulars. My only regret is that I live 40 minutes away otherwise I too would...

Have you ever heard of someone being completely Dairy free and having a “pizza place” be there favorite restaurant. Every time I have someone from out of town visit I always take them to stanziatos and have to show them what a dining experience is all about! Stanziatos May be known for their pizza but this restaurant has some of the best food I’ve ever had with an array of items on their menu to choose from.

Let’s start with with the ambience. The owner has completely transformed the restaurant into a trendy, high energy vibe with the most amazing colorful art work, the open kitchen and if you get a chance take a walk down into the private party room.... I could Write a novel just about the experience getting to the party room and how unique and detailed it is. The bar area is cozy with a nice L shaped bar and an area you can also sit and eat if you want to get a more upbeat vibe. I love all the touches of red that are in the restaurant too! The service is amazing. The bartenders are not just bartenders. They are mixologists and always are coming up with new drink items and are the only place i know that provide a unique list of spirits instead of just the “basics” ...don’t be alarmed, they are so educated on helping pair you with the brand you will love and trust me you will not be disappointed. The servers are all very good and you can tell have had a lot of training because they are all So consistent. The fooooooood!!!! The best for last? Omg where do I begin.... favorite items ... The winter salad, the piggy piggy pie, the muscles, the burgers, the new French fries... And yes all are dairy free! Of course as I write about their food I am going to have to go in there today and get the items listed above!! Since I can’t do dairy I will also mention that a lot of people who I have come with absolutely love the meatballs and they have this cheese and meat board, the burrata that makes me wish I could have dairy! They have options of red pies and white pies, small dishes, big dishes, salads and soups and of course deserts! They use local farms to get a lot of their ingredients and it definitely doesn’t go unnoticed.

If you haven’t been, it’s a must go... Oh and if you like beer... you will love all the options they have! I love IPAs and they have so many options and support local breweries too! Check them out and you will not be...

Ok, Stanzi officially has my heart in all ways possible but especially their pizza.. I decided to marry it!

:::: awkwardly takes it back :::: :::: I’m already married :::

Ok fine. I can’t marry the pizza but I’m forever in love with it!

It was a Friday night, I’m all here in the mood for pizza but not just any pizza. It has to be wood oven, just how I like it! The wood fire makes the whole difference, and of course, the pizza dough. Ahh.. yes, THIS pizza dough.

Ok so I find this place on yelp all the pizza talk sounds amazing so truthfully, I’m just coming here for the pizza. Low expectation, nothing else. As soon as we pulled up there was hardly any parking (yes, they have a little parking area for customers). When that door opened, I was like ok, I like this, I can definitely do this. As soon as I walked in, I was done! I felt like I was in the city, in a little gem hidden in the city with art, food, drinks, life, energy. Yes, I basically went on a little field trip to the city without having to go all the way there! We had to wait a little to be seated (but that’s what we all like right? A little wait and anticipation. Check!)

Once we’re seated, I’m just enjoying the vibes, the environment, even the way everyone is dressed and how nice all the staff is. Absolute chill vibes, a little bit of Italy and New York, design, art, industrial feels. Ok, so I’m getting carried away with the environment. Let’s cut to the chase, ordering pizza was the hardest part from all the delicious options they had. The pizza names were so much fun: truffle shuffle, fig-get about it, besto pesto pie. Loved them all! We ended up ordering a Bianca and a Rossa: Vodka pizza and a Totes McGoats.

::: pause, breathe in, exhale :::

The pizza was amazing. Personal pie (wish only that they would be a tad bit bigger because the pie leaves you wanting more!). The dough was thin but crispy crust and soft at the same time. The sauce on the red pizza was literally out of this world. The white one with the spinach and goat cheese.. mamma mia!

We also ordered a flight of different beers and to tell you the truth I forgot which one was which but that’s what pictures are for! They were ALL amazing! We will definitely be back for more. PERFECT date night spot I loved the food, vibes and...