Mancuso’s Ristorante & Bar

Had lunch there recently one Saturday afternoon. While service was professional, not exactly that friendly. However, service was nothing compared to the food. Wife and I had pasta dishes that quite frankly, were on a par with something you used to eat out of a can as a kid. Horribly flavorless with an extraordinary amount of parmesan that overpowered the sauce.
Skip…numerous better options in Fairfield.

The scenery was very well done in the restaurant as they decorated for Valentine’s Day, however, as soon as we walked in we encountered some issues, first they were confused where they were going to seat is although we made reservations and arrived on time. Also, I don’t know if our waitress was joking around or what but she said we couldn’t get another refill on our sodas unless we ordered dessert, and she seemed to forget about us for a little while. I’ve been to this restaurant before and I enjoyed myself but my recent visit changed my views a bit.

I have say I was disappointed with the food. My fiancé and I had the Cavatelli Al Forno and it lacked flavor. The sauce or should I say broth underneath the breaded pasta smelled weird as did the rest of the dish. Also the food didn’t agree with my stomach. I didn’t want to make a big fuss about it as I am considering giving it a second chance as we saw some other dishes that looked way better at the two tables next to us. The service was very good as was our waiter. Also for the amount it cost it lacked in size which was surprising. The two pasta dishes we saw had larger portions but likely cost the same or well within the ballpark.

A friend suggested that my wife and try Mancuso’s. I was quite impressed by the decorator and ambience. Food was better than expected and service was on point. Went back several times.

I’ve been here twice and had appetizers, pizza and entrees. I’m not exactly sure the names of the dishes I ordered but everything was very good. I had a mussels dish that was amazing with the BEST sauce I’ve ever tasted. I also had some baked clams with cheese on them that were amazing. The pizza was good. My favorite though was my entrée of a bunch of seafood in a white wine sauce with noodles (I forget the actual name). It was outstanding and it tasted even better the next day cold! The service the second time was a bit slow but it was a Saturday night in December so it was pretty crowded.

Food is consistently good. Should offer pizza buns for dinner as they are only offered for lunch

After reading reviews on this site and other sites, I decided that this would be a good place to meet up with my sister-​n-​law and her family. Since they have small children, I wanted to make sure it was «family friendly» and indeed it far exceeded my expectations in this regards.
For all of the adults, they have a nice wine list and the food is amazing from the appetizers to the main entrees. I also loved the fact that we did not feel rushed and was able to stay as long as we wanted. The service was excellent. We will definitely be returning.

We had my Mothers 80^th Birthday here yesterday ⁸⁄₁₅ and everything was wonderful from start to finish. Kris helped me plan everything and she and the other servers were extremely attentive and friendly. The food was absolutely delicious and everyone loved every dish.
I will be back for dinner and I will recommend this restaurant to all my friends.
Thanks so much for making Moms Birthday party so enjoyable.

I’m a big fan, but I can’t give it 5 stars because there are inconsistencies in preparation. I work in a building right next to this restaurant, so we very often order lunch from here for pick-​up. My coworkers and I absolutely love the pizza-​bun sandwiches and the salads. My personal favorite is the grilled eggplant salad and the Italian tuna salad. They are always good, but could be better. It really depends on who makes them for us. For example — I ordered an Italian tuna salad just a few days ago and someone that I work with ordered one about 20 minutes after me. I was already halfway done wtih mine when she came in with her salad, but as soon as we put them next to each other we noticed they were completely different. It’s suppose to come with provolone cheese and olives — hers did, mine did not. Also, whoever made my salad that day only used iceberg lettuce, whereas whoever made my coworker’s salad used fresh mixed greens. Don’t get me wrong, I still ate my salad and enjoyed it (I don’t know what they put in there that makes it so good), but I wish mine had fresh greens too instead of iceberg, and cheese and olives too. It’s all about consistency! The service here is always very nice. We often stop by for drinks after work — the people here are very nice. I just wish they would be more consistent in how they prepare their meals.

The food is awesome, I used to go here all the time when I was attending marinello school of beauty so of course being a student money was tight. The food isn’t only great but also affordable! I would definitely recommend… And the people are so nice and humble even the owner

We ordered the cavatelli al forno, penne alla vodka, and the veal parmigiana. I was expecting food that was at least above average considering the other reviews Mancuso’s received but I was sorely mistaken.
The veal was very low quality and tasted nothing like what one would expect from an Italian restaurant in Fairfield, CT. The red sauce was also terrible, very plain and chunky. The cavatelli al forno was unedible. It was essentially plain pasta with a few pieces of spinach and cherry tomatoes on it, very little flavor. Overall, it was a very negative experience dinner-​wise and I would not consider returning.

I come here probably once a week, whether it’s to pick up takeout or to sit and have dinner. I’ve moved to Norwalk this year and I still come here. It’s not only that the food is great and authentic, but it’s nice that the owner, Sal is here most of the time to talk with guests. Having that kind of rapport makes it an even more comfortable dining experience. The specials are always great but I usually order off the menu and get pesto pasta with chicken. The food is what brings me in but the service and the company is what keeps me here!

Came here for dinner and told them to surprise me with something healthy that I would like. The chef made me a risotto and zucchini dish that was to die for!!! Great job!
Veronica and Aubrey were absolutely amazing with the service. Great service and great food.

After having the worst linguini and clams in Florida, I had to come back to Connecticut and satisfy my desire. I went to Mancuso’s with a friend for lunch and started out with a small pizza and salad as a warm-​up. The attentive waitress also recommended a meatball sampler and we couldn’t refuse. Since we couldn’t decide between the red or the white sauce for the linguine and clam, we got them both! Both were delicious but I personally give the edge to the red. Dessert was accompanied by the new chef, Vincenzo, who came out to see how everything was.
Growing up in an Italian household, I love going to old school restaurants like this where you get the real deal. You can tell how proud Vincenzo was when he told us that they drive all the way to the fish markets in New York to get the fish. I can tell you this that the trip is worth it!

This is my favorite go to restaurant for Italian food in Fairfield. The food is excellent and the service if both fantastic and friendly. Whether I’m having a lovely Valentine’s Day dinner with the wife or having a drink (or 2) at the bar while I wait for my to-​go order, we’re always treated like family. My favorite salad is the Caprese and my favorite dish is the Chicken Scarpariello. As for the Mrs, she’s a little particular with her food choices. Often, I’ll just have her text me what she wants at which point I’ll show my phone to the bartender and ask, «Can you make this?» They alway say yes. I’m a huge fan of Mancuso’s and I’m glad their close by.

Good Italian food in Fairfield.

It’s funny. In this day and age of Internet anonymity, everyone’s a critic. Many of the worst kind. Visiting a restaurant one time and having a bad experience does not an accurate view of an establishment make. (If I was rated on my work performance on one of my «off» days, I might find it tough to keep a job past any probationary period!) So on Unilocal!,I have to weed through the one-​off reviews of someone who maybe visited on one of those bad days. I have to recognize the reviewers who maybe had their ego bruised or their feelings hurt because they weren’t waited on hand and foot. Both of these are easy to spot for me. One star and vitriol.
Then there are those of us who feel that an honest, level-​headed review of the food, ambience and service is the point of Unilocal!A way to separate the establishments that should last from those who shouldn’t.
Mancuso’s has lasted for a reason.
Every time I’ve come, the food is delicious. Specials are varied, well-​thought out and always a wonderful choice. As a matter of fact, I have learned that I can use their specials as a gateway into new favorites that I had never even considered. (Their baked artichoke appetizer does things to my taste buds that I didn’t even know were legal!).
Portions are substantial, the waitstaff is crisp and realistically attentive and the place is quaint and welcoming. I’m not sure what more I could want from an Italian Restaurant.
Sal and Carmen are visible, inviting and proud of their history in Fairfield. It shows in every aspect of Mancuso’s.
Unique but familiar. Highly recommended, worth the trip from all points in Connecticut.
*Five Stars reserved for the finest in the world.

This is a beautifully run family restaurant. Service is well done and you are always greeted with a smile and left happily food. The food is great, I have many favorites from the regular menu and love the choice in weekly specials.

We both had to return our food because it appears the chef does not know how to cook what is on the menu… disappointing. Don’t waste your time going to this place. I have heard other people tell me that but because it happened to me I am now a true believer. Don’t bother going and risking the fact that you may be blamed for the chef’s error.
My colleagues and I order lunch from this place all of the time, but today is our last day ordering because the horrible service we’ve received. The owner blamed us for his chef’s incompetence.
Although, we used to speak highly of this place, along with recommending this place to our clients… NOT ANYTMORE!!! Good Luck to you who do!!!

I really felt they deserved an update:
Everything was very good from A-​Z (again).
Service is professional & courteous & the atmosphere is warm, intimate & comfortable.
We had: fried calamari w a fradiavlo sauce– very nice, Scallops Tuscan– tender sweet scallops, garlic, roasted peppers, olives over lingini– delish, Lasagna w a Bolanese sauce (my nephew devoured every last morsel) — rich & dense, I had the Chicken Florentine– chicken done Franchaise style, lemon, butter, & garlic but topped with sauté spinach & fresh mozzarella over angle hair– just excellent.
Families, friends, & couples alike enjoy this local spot.