What began as a small family business has now grown to include three very successful restaurants in the Fairfield county area. The Marchetti - Tarantino family, who hail from Gravina in Puglia in southern Italy , started with their first restaurant, Maria's Trattoria in Norwalk , in 1983. The dynasty continued with the much acclaimed Columbus Park Trattoria in Stamford in 1985, and Osteria Applausi in Old Greenwich and Tarantino Restaurant in Westport in 1994.

From the very beginning the ingredients were simple and fresh and that has remained the secret to their enormous success. At every Marchetti-Tarantino family restaurant you will find homemade-handmade pastas, the choicest cuts of meat and the freshest market fish. In addition all of the customers are treated as a true part of the family. Your dining experience will be enhanced by the professional wait staff and talented chefs. With every visit you will be transported to enjoy the delightful tastes of the family's hometown and to the other beautiful regions of Italy . Please come and join in the fine food and wine and a celebration of the culinary delightful tastes of life.

The Restaurant

For the authentic flavors of an Italian kitchen, look no further than Columbus Park Trattoria-one of three Marchetti-Tarantino family owned and operated restaurants in Fairfield County . Located in the heart of downtown Stamford , Columbus Park Trattoria offers an exceptional menu of regional and national Italian dishes; they include signature homemade handmade pastas made on the premises, fresh fish, and meats.

The Marchetti-Tarantino family is from southern Italy in the region of Puglia . They recognize their home town of Gravina in Puglia as the main inspiration for Columbus Park Trattoria and their other two restaurants: Osteria Applausi in Old Greenwich, and Osteria Tarantino in Westport . The family always dreamt of bringing the authentic flavors of their land to Fairfield County . "We want people to feel as if they were in our home and in our country tasting the foods that we grew up on."

Atmosphere

... warm colors and elegant décor makes any dining experience a true delight. Remodeled and decorated in 2000, the dining room is a combination of beautiful mill work, fabrics and art. The dining room seats over 50 people and the bar is fabulous for drinks and a bite to eat.

Supremely professional without formality, the staff at Columbus Park Trattoria is exceptionally knowledgeable about food and wine; they complement every dining experience. One truly feels like they are in the Marchetti-Tarantino home when they dine at Columbus Park. All of the items on the menu are based in the simple tradition of regional and local Italian fare, including handmade durum wheat pastas, fresh produce, and hand-selected meats and fish. In addition to their spectacular menu, Columbus Park Trattoria offers in-season daily specials. Ask your waiter for advice on wines by the glass or one of the superb bottled wines on the wine list to accompany your meal.

The menu begins with antipasti such as calamari fritti, caprino, mozzarella di bufala, or fresh figs with prosciutto. Then it's on to excellent primi piatti of homemade cavatelli or ravioli, culminating in the families' signature dishes of ossobuco or branzino alle erbe. Each day, the chef offers a variety of daily specials that are in-season and the freshest pick of the day.

Columbus Park Trattoria seats over 50. Come and dine at Columbus Park and enjoy the fantastic food and wine. Open for lunch Monday through Friday 12:00pm- 3:00pm , dinner from Monday through Friday 5:00PM-10 PM , and dinner on Saturday 5:00pm-11:00pm .

Columbus Park Trattoria, 205 Main Street , Stamford Connecticut .

Telephone: 203.967.9191