What a breath of fresh air. As I dined at Le Fat Poodle in Old Greenwich it occurred to me that, with the tiresome explosion of gastropubs and modern american restaurants all around us, this newcomer is a welcome change. It made me feel like I was on a vacation. Where, I couldn’t say - because it is hard to discern one distinct corner of the globe the restaurant may draw its inspiration from. Could I be in Fiji? Or Paris perhaps? But the mussels tasted like Thailand …. so maybe Asia? The menu and decor at this eclectic restaurant pulls inspiration from an unusual blend of cultures of various corners of the world. It was an anomaly. And it was refreshing.

Fact: If I ever see Croque Monsieur on a menu - I NEED to have it! This version was rich and super flavorful - but what really got my attention was an unusually delicate touch of crunch on the outside. That crunch, or the faint hint of it - set it apart from all the the other Croque Monsieurs I have had thus far. I am sure it required some extra dabs of butter - to create the crunch but I honestly don’t care. This I can eat as often it is served to me.

Oh my, the Mussels! The were addictive! Done in Thai style with lemongrass, the broth was bursting with a deep yet harmonious balance of aromatics and flavors. I wanted to slurp up all the broth right then and there - with no consideration for how embarrassing it may be. Instead I decided to opt for a more genteel alternative: I left a couple of mussels in the bowl and asked our server to pack my leftovers. And yes, you guessed it …. I proceeded to slurp up all the broth as soon as I arrived home! Guilty! But so happy!

It was a quick lunch meeting with my foodie pal Sarah, after I had run some errands. And the annoying parking restrictions in the area made me feel rushed during lunch. But I could not resist ordering dessert. The dessert menu was on full display on a chalk board … and it kept staring back at me throughout my meal! Like it was saying, “don’t you dare forget about me”! What was I to do, except give in to temptation? I settled for the the chocolate tart which was super light and airy - almost like whipped cream. It offered the perfect balance of sweetness and deep chocolatey flavor.

The service at Le Fat Poodle was friendly and attentive. The ambiance feels casual yet hip. I loved that I could look into the kitchen while I dined - where all the magic was happening.

The restaurant is housed in an old post office building. It’s architectural grandeur adds to the ambiance of the place - and makes you feel like Le Fat Poodle has been in the neighborhood for generations.

I can’t wait to go back and explore this menu further. I hear the Pu Pu Platter is a must! And when I go back, those mussels WILL be getting ordered again. I can’t wait for you to check it out…. and tell me if you too felt transported to a far away land … a land of delicious food.

Le Fat Poodle, Old Greenwich | http://www.lefatpoodle.com