Bridgeport, Conn., was always one of those cities that I zipped through while traveling on I-95 en route from New York City to Boston, or perhaps point further north. It never seemed worth stopping in for a visit; it seemed like a city built too close to the highway and languishing somewhat from economic hard times.
But this past weekend, I paid a visit to Bridgeport as my good pal Marc Lippman (the former chef at Mexico’s famed Las Ventanas al Paraiso resort and current owner of Fairfield, Connecticut’s Fraiche restaurant) has just opened his terrific takeout restaurant, Fraiche Burger, on the city’s Main Street.
Marc’s latest venture takes the relaxed ease of a burger joint and elevates the quality with top-tier ingredients—and at a great price! Think savory salmon burgers, 1/3 pounds of Atlantic salmon atop an eggy bun, a steal at $6.95. Or sample the fantastic Cuban sandwich, piled high with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and tangy pickles ($5.95). And, of course, there’s always the classic Fraiche burger ($5.75), crafted of 100-percent, all-natural Angus beef, which pairs wonderfully with a side of crunchy onion rings or thick-cut fries. The restaurant is fun, colorful, high-energy and perfectly situated to enjoy Bridgeport’s quickly reviving downtown scene.
After lunching, walk from Fraiche to The Barnum Museum, devoted to the life of empresario P.T. Barnum, and explore the colorful life of the legendary circus man. Or catch the ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson, Long Island, and head east to explore the North Fork’s happening winery scene.
Or just stop in at Fraiche Burger and lap up the burger brilliance!
Fraiche Burger, 997 Main Street, Bridgeport, Conn.