Josie & Tony's 20 North Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06854

"One of the best meals we've had in the area. Excellent service, great vibes, loved it so much we're going back next chance we get."

"Food and services are top notch, but is on the pricier side. Would highly recommend the homemade pasta & sausage and the spaghetti & meatballs. Espresso martinis for desert are especially good."

"My husband and I went last night with another couple. It had a nice vibe and great music. The service was very good. We tried the clams casino (terrible) , seafood salad (just ok), and the halibut was fishy and didn't taste like halibut. The Caesar salad was really tasty, but they charged extra for anchovies, which didn't seem necessary. My friend had the eggplant parmigiana which I tasted and didn't love. She also asked for extra marinara sauce as the dish was a little dry. They charged $3 for the extra sauce, again didn't seem necessary. The spiedini was just okay and I've had very good spiedini in the past. I would love to go back but hope they make the needed changes to improve their food, especially the seafood."

"Amazing food."

"When I heard that renowned sommelier and veteran restaurant GM Josh Mesnik was opening his own restaurant, it was a no brainer that I’d be making a stop at his inaugural Norwalk experience, Josie & Tony’s. It is, simply put, one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. How lucky Norwalk is to have this gem and how envious Westchester, Long Island and even NYC will be. Let’s start with the ambience. The spacious restaurant, loaded with elegant hightops, perfectly spaced tables, a long, plush bench seat and the most comfortable chairs ever, is adorned with gorgeous and fun photos of classic icons on a wall of tastefully lit white box trim, setting the mood for a fancy yet super fun evening of dining. From the gorgeous smoky mirror that spans the length of the massive and clever bar to the perfect playlist of tunes in the background, you immediately feel at home and like you’re amongst family. Our server, Kat, was stellar and the meticulously genius bartender, James, served us some of the best cocktails we’ve ever sipped (get the Little Italy). Let’s talk food. Italian joints are a dime a dozen. Many have the same classic fare that’s totally delicious, but they can have a tendency to be uniform and play it safe. Your alla vodka here or your chicken parm there. All great in their own way, but sometimes you just want to have some fun with dishes that range from more obvious classics to just brilliantly inventive. This is that place. Here, you’ll find pasta that is only made in house, and let me tell you something — Every single twirl ‘round the fork and bite is one to savor. We started with the glorious braised artichoke and mouthwatering spiedini (basically veal rollatini stuffed with bacon, provolone and caramelized onion and then breaded and seared). Two things certainly not found on most Italian restaurant menus, but that should be. We immediately knew the stage was set for a very special night to come. Before our next courses came, we were made sure by Kat and Josh himself that all was to our satisfaction (it most certainly was). After the perfect spacing between our appetizers and another cocktail, we were presented with our entrees. Speaking of which, the works of art that were placed before us were something straight out of a culinary dream. I ordered the spiral house-made sausage with fresh linguine, and my partner ordered the beef brasciola served with polenta (essentially succulent Italian short ribs taken to the next level). We also shared the pappardelle (also house-made) which was smothered in a completely unique foie gras ragù and zucchini pancakes. All things I’ve never experienced at an Italian joint. The delicate pastas were “last meal” caliber. The sausage was the best I’ve had in my life and my partner practically licked his plate clean of the brasciola (I had a bite and can attest it was exceptional). In fact, all of the plates were literally licked clean with no shame whatsoever. Josie & Tony’s fun and inviting atmosphere would have wanted it that way. As for dessert? Good luck deciding. But the house-made chocolate-smothered rainbow cookies with raspberry jam was our choice. As delicious as it is Instagrammable, this was a meal to remember. The restaurant was packed on just its third day of operation and the service flowed as smoothly as if it had been operating for years. No doubt due to the symphony of pro staff Mesnik has assembled and conducted. We feel fortunate to have arrived when we did because this place is going to be one tough reservation to land. It’s the kind of restaurant you’re going to brag about to your nearest and dearest because you want to show everyone you have good taste and lead them to the best. The next time you want a taste of how beautiful life can be, no matter how harsh the climate outside, Josie & Tony’s will make you forget all your troubles and take to you there for a few hours. Until the next time at least."