Four Paws for the Fat Cat Pie Company by Melissa A. Bernstein

Walking into the unassuming doorway of 9-11 Wall Street from the cold day outdoors, I felt myself warm up almost immediately. The décor with its warm wood tones, straight lines, exposed brick walls and lots of light made it feel like I had just stepped into a friend’s kitchen. And in a way I had. The staff and a few regulars were watching a DVD episode of The Family Guy on the large black and white TV over the bar, and when I ordered a coffee I was given a big welcome and several menus (one for food, one for wines, among others).

The food and wine are a big deal at Fat Cat. While there are chocolates and some other dessert offerings at this pie place, when they say Pie, they mean pizza pie. Their pizza-making style is thin-crust, brick oven pizza, with only organic toppings. You have a choice of toppings listed on the menu, as well as several fresh daily offerings.


Massimo, one of the owners, said that the culinary focus of the Fat Cat Pie Company is to offer comfort food that is good for you. No chance of becoming a fat cat yourself! I tried a slice of their spinach pizza, and was really impressed by the robust flavor and delicate, crunchy crust.

They also offer fine fresh meats and cheeses, intended to complement their vast wine selection. The owners of this new establishment (opened in November 2003) also own the venerable Fountainhead Wines on Winfield Avenue in East Norwalk, and their obvious love for, and expertise in, wine is apparent. When I laughed that I knew nothing about wine, Massimo reinforced the idea that you should drink the wine you enjoy, not what others tell you is good. He asked about the flavors I like and the brands I have enjoyed in the past to help me select a new wine I might enjoy.

 
When I asked Massimo about what ideas he had for the Fat Cat, he commented that SoNo (South Norwalk) has become very trendy, and, to some locals, less accessible because of traffic and prices. He said that he wanted his restaurant to be a place where people come to meet new friends, discuss art and current events, and feel connected to their neighbors. To that end, he plans to develop his downstairs area into a meeting place for local organizations (like Domino), or large parties.

The Fat Cat Pie Company is not far from where I live… I can easily see this becoming our answer to the Irish pub or the French bistro. It’s a little of both.

For more information on the Fat Cat Pie Company, call 1-866-FCAT-123. It is located at 9-11 Wall Street, Norwalk, CT 06850.

For The Domino Effect, www.thedominoeffect.org