Well Fed On the Town

Certain restaurant environments that create an instantly warm and exciting impression with patrons; Prespa, a new continental restaurant in Danbury, Connecticut is one such establishment. Set back from the road, with an exterior facade reminiscent of a commercial office building, Prespa is something of a treasure awaiting its unveiling. The front doors lead to a graceful reception area whereupon William Ramadani, the owner welcomes patrons. He leads us into the interior dining area which glows in the light of the mini halogen lamps hanging from the tall ceiling. Walking upon the painted concrete floor and passing by square wooden tables dressed with white table cloths, I wonder, “Am I really in Danbury?” This restaurant has the feeling of being in Manhattan. It is well designed with tall, steel ceilings, exposed brick and walls painted in a warm, mottled taupe. The decor further includes a glass enclosed wine cellar and soft brown leather banquettes lining three walls. In terms of styling, Prespa has not missed a beat. This is the type of place that Danbury, Connecticut has been missing, where hip and sophisticated locals will undoubtedly be drawn.

Prespa’s menu is vast, offering patrons antipasti and salads, pasta, meat and fish. The menu is further enlarged with a full list of daily specials. It is difficult to make a decision from all of the delicious sounding offerings. Our waitress, full of smiles and charm doesn’t offer much assistance with deciding. I ask her “Is there anything in particular that Prespa’s chef is really good at, sort of a house specialty?” Her response is a simple “everything.” Hmm, I was hoping for more direction.

For the moment I postpone the food decision and decide on a glass of Italian red wine from their list. I figure the alcohol offering will buy me time and perhaps a bit of mental persuasion. I promise our waitress a decision will be reached by the time she returns. Thankfully, it is. My family and I choose to start with the Frittura di Calamari ($8) and we agree to share tastes of four entrees: the Sogliola Siciliana, sautéed polenta crusted filet of sole over roasted vegetables with tomatoes, capers, olive and herb sauce ($19); Camberie Capesante Risotto, shrimp, sea scallops, peas and roasted peppers in saffron risotto ($22); Roast Prime Rib of Beef au Jus with baked potato and mixed vegetables (special $25) and the Ravioli Ai Funghi, wild mushroom pasta pillows with asparagus, roasted peppers, sage, brown butter, Parmesan reggiano ($18). Each entree is preceded by a fresh mixed green salad with an optional covering of gorgonzola cheese.

We enjoy dipping fresh baked bread in olive oil infused with a touch of garlic. It is a subtle and inviting flavor that keeps my palate interested. The very moment I am contemplating ‘to fill up on more bread or not’, the calamari magically appears on the table; perfect timing, though unfortunately, it is not perfect in its preparation. It is presented with two sauces, lemon aioli and marinara. The taste of the lemon aioli seems to fight with the taste of the calamari, though the marinara provides a classic complement. The calamari is tasty and cooked to the proper degree; however it is a touch soggy. Said sogginess really gets in the way.

The slight disappointment of the calamari is made better with each sip of the Italian red wine I have ordered, the Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Avegiano 2003 ($7.50) is a delicious, full bodied wine with a round and smooth finish. It is a fine wine to be able to order by the glass. Prespa’s wine list is a great advantage. I cannot remember another restaurant in Danbury where I have enjoyed a wine as much as I currently am. The list of wines available by the glass is quite generous and while their bottle list is small in comparison to big city restaurants, it is filled with interesting and quality selections.

Our meals arrive at nearly the same moment, with the waitress bringing the first two and then returning a few moments later for the rest. The coordination of this sort of bothers me, since the restaurant gives the impression of a big city establishment, I find myself expecting a higher level of service. It would have been nicer for all the meals came out at the same time, with the assistance of a busboy or another waiter. It is a small note, which I know I shouldn’t hark on, but it strikes me nonetheless.

The prime rib is perfect. It cuts like butter, is moist, juicy and perfectly prepared. A great selection for any steak lover, this prime rib beats out many I have tasted at the best steakhouses in New York City. It is the type of entree that I can imagine becoming a staple for local gentlemen. The accompanying vegetables are perfectly prepared. The Sogliola Siciliana is basically good. It is a solid preparation of filet of sole, though I do wish the polenta crust were thicker and crustier. The lemon herb sauce is light and elegant. The Camberie Capesante Risotto is an excellent dish for the risotto lover. The combined taste of the saffron risotto with seafood elements is delicious. To taste each individually is a tad boring; but together, undoubtedly how the chef intended, is divine. The saffron brings out the flavor of the seafood and vice versa. The flavors of this dish dance eloquently together. The Ravioli Ai Funghi on the other hand leaves something to be desired. Nothing about this dish makes a strong impression, though all the individual components are top quality and properly prepared. The asparagus are fantastic, as are the roasted peppers. The mushroom encased pasta pillows are properly prepared, though a bit bland and the bottom of the dish has a lot of liquid in it, further diluting the flavor. This entree misses the mark, though I begin imagining what can fix it. A taste of black truffle immediately comes to mind.

By this point the restaurant is packed. the decibels have increased to the point that I find myself leaning in a lot to talk, raising my voice and straining a bit to hear bits of our conversations. Additional sound filters in from the bustling bar which lies on the other side of the dining area. The bar is dressed with tall wooden tables and chairs and is accented by a wall full of windows. The ambience is cut short by a high definition television. The bar seems a great place to convene without the need of additional stimulation such as television. The bartenders churn out various Martinis and I notice many of the tables have bottles of wine resting on them.

For dessert we share a slice of Italian Amaretto Almond cheesecake ($6) which is divine. I order a cup of tea and am very disappointed to receive a dish crammed full of low end tea bags. As a tea person I was hopeful the selection would be higher end and in line with the elegant ambiance and wine offerings. I decline the tea and return to savoring each bite of the cheesecake. The taste provides a sweet end to an enjoyable experience of checking out Prespa, the type of restaurant and atmosphere Danbury has been missing all these years.

Where does Prespa fall in Kiki’s Ratings?
Poor…..Fair…..Good…..Great…..Extraordinary