I found myself in Westport, Connecticut and wanted to check out Chef Pietro Scotti's hot lunch place, Zest.Chef Pietro Scotti of the famous Da Pietro's opened Zest in 2006 to cater to Westport's casual crowd, or at least the fine dining crowd when they don't feel like getting dressed up.
The first thing I noticed as I stepped down the stairs into their intimate dining room was the fresh, fanciful decor. One wall was entirely covered by a mural of stylized foliage, perhaps inspired by Sir John Tenniel's Alice in Wonderland illustrations. The feel was modern, without the harsh edges of minimalism. The clientele was mostly lunching ladies, and I spotted one very well-behaved child. Yes, there is a kids' menu.
Though Scotti is famous for his Italian background, Zagat lists Zest as "eclectic" fare. This seems fitting, as I had a salad of blackened scallops with mozzerella and cherry tomatoes (it was a special). The blackening was done with confidence, and each scallop was truly delicious. I felt, though, and my lunch companion agreed, that it was a strange way to modify a Caprese salad. Also, the mozzerella was not the best; a bit firm and dry. Could that have been an intentional tack to contrast the scallops? Unlikely, and even so, the salad wasn't quite right.
Still, in a game of Pass or Fail? Zest passed, no question. The dish was strange, but the scallops were great, as was the dressing, and I suppose a strange flavor combination is what you risk when you order a special.
Zest has a full bar with specialty cocktails, and, from what I understand, turns into a very chic evening spot. If you find yourself in Westport, Connecticut, like I did, I do indeed recommend you check it out.
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