"A New Italian Eatery that Favors Families"
Fairfield Weeky, February 10, 2005
by Jessica Rae Patton

Nancy Cavalli is the archetypal Italian restaurant matron, a boisterous woman
with sparkling eyes, dark, curly hair and an Italian accent who greets all customers as if they were guests in her living room. When I visited Ponte Vecchio (which means "old bridge" and was named for a photograph of a trattoria in Italy that the previous restaurant-tenant left behind), Cavalli brewed me a perfect cappuccino while I learned more about the new restaurant from her daughter and restaurant manager Michela. Truly a family endeavor, Ponte Vecchio was opened by Michela, her parents and uncle, and the family has more than 30 years in the business. (In this vein, families are welcome; Nancy points out the sizeable and extremely reasonable children's menu.) Located in the Brick Walk plaza in downtown Fairfield, the restaurant has two dining rooms that can be separated to accommodate private events. "We have had rehearsal dinners, birthday parties there's a surprise party scheduled for next week," says Michela. There is outdoor seating from April through October, and one dining room features a garage-style door that opens for the comfort of indoor dining with the sunshine and breeze of eating al fresco.

More Reviews....