Cugine’s Italian, a new restaurant in Stamford’s Harbor Point neighborhood, celebrated its grand opening on June 10. The venue, located at 121 Towne Street, is co-owned by restauranteurs John and Morgan Nealon along with Executive Chef Rick O’Connor. Sawyer Machette, who previously managed the team’s other shared venues, The Lila Rose and Taco Daddy, has taken on a new role as Front of House Manager and Managing Partner. The restaurant offers classic Italian fare and upscale craft cocktails, decorated in dark green tones with crystal chandeliers to create an ambiance reminiscent of the era of speakeasys. Its menu is focused on fresh and seasonal ingredients for its starters, pasta dishes and entrees. Cugine’s cocktails pay homage to classic recipes, each named after iconic eateries, including The Savoy, featuring bourbon, amaro, maraschino liquor and orange; Balthazar, a blend of gin, Lillet, lemon and honey; and Copacabana, a cocktail featuring tequila, Campari, lemon and grapefruit soda. Its full martini menu shares inventive selections including the Rainbow Room, vodka or gin, sherry, honey and salt; Page Six, a pistachio espresso martini; and Jimmy Weston’s, vodka or gin, olive juice, pickled jalapeño and blue cheese. A full wine list is also available, offering selections by the bottle or by the glass.
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- The Cugine’s Italian team: Rick O’Connor, Executive Chef and Co-owner; Morgan Nealon, Co-owner; John Nealon, Co-owner; and Sawyer Machette, Front of House Manager and Managing Partner.
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- Morgan Nealon creating the Mama Leone’s cocktail, a blend of vodka, cucumber, lime and basil.
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- The Yankee Clipper: vodka or gin, Italicus Bergamot Liqueur, orange bitters and aromatic bitters.
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- The Savoy cocktail: bourbon, amaro, maraschino liqueur and orange.
Photos by Luli Burke Photography for Cugine’s Italian.
