Great Food And Service The Heart And Soul Of

My Place Restaurant

Serving great food, with great service at reasonable prices has been the mantra at Newtown’s My Place Restaurant for more than 30 years.

Opened as a luncheonette by Louise Tambascio in 1979, in one of a string of Queen Street Plaza storefronts, it was a popular place for breakfast and lunch. In 1989 her sons John and Mark took an adjacent store to start a New York-style pizzeria in combination with provincial Italian cuisine dinners. Three years later, the wall between the two establishments came down and My Place began serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

When the Big Y came to town in 1998, the Tambascios relocated their operations to the renovated building fronting Queen Street that had long served as Newtown’s post office, before that facility moved to Commerce Road.

“The spring and summer of 2009 heralded still more extensive changes to the interior and exterior of the restaurant, and whether only a recent discovery or a longtime favorite, those changes have been favorably embraced by customers,” said John Tambascio.

“One of the biggest advantages of operating an independent restaurant,” he noted, “is the ability to know our customers and respond to changing demand.”

As customers enter the beautiful foyer, decorated with an original watercolor by Michael Morshuk, they can turn right to access the convenient takeout counter or left to be seated in the main dining rooms. Alternatively, they can go through the doorway on the left to enter the newly renovated 40-seat Tap Room.

Mark Tambascio, a master brewer and a national beer judge, invites customers to pull up a seat at the horseshoe-shaped bar fashioned from natural bamboo wood, and from where the television can be easily viewed or a congenial conversation initiated. With a rotating menu of ten beers on tap and more than 50 varieties by the bottle, beer lovers can enjoy their favorite brew in a casual and friendly environment.

Regulars have branded the 13 new barstools as their own by purchasing a small, oval brass nameplate affixed to the back of a barstool. The Tambascio family, in memory of longtime regulars, the late Gene Donahue and Karl Switzenberg, purchased two of those nameplates. Duets and a table for four make up the remainder of the seating in the Tap Room. With Mark Tambascio’s expertise and connections, My Place regularly offers brews found only in select bars, making it appealing to locals and travelers from across the country.

A new pub menu with delicious homemade German pretzels dipped in beer mustard, pulled pork sandwich or knockwurst on My Place pretzel bread, baked by Spinelli Brothers Bakery in Stamford, or bite-sized sliders and much more are all available during pub hours.

Wine aficionados will appreciate the weekly feature of four wines from the extensive list of wines from around the world, available by the glass or the bottle. A full bar is available, as well.

Diners visiting on Thursday and Saturday nights can enjoy live music or steal the spotlight themselves with karaoke on Sunday nights.

Along with the new Tap Room, My Place has completely renovated the main dining rooms and added a 40-seat patio bordered by a waist-high brick wall along Queen Street.

The cream and black décor creates a warm atmosphere over the newly configured dining area, where diners can choose between table seating and booths.

Arched windows with Italia-style louvers for privacy look into the back room of the restaurant where private parties of up to 45 can be hosted.

The My Place staff is proud to welcome head chef, Newtown resident James Bernier. James is a culinary artist with more than 26 years experience in the food service industry. Having worked under master chef Paul Fleming of P.F. Changs and Flemming’s Fine Steakhouse, James brings an eclectic taste to his cooking style. He will be working with Louise and John to develop a new menu that carries the tradition of fine Italian dishes along with new dishes that showcases contemporary European fare.

“The menu will also reflect the growing trend toward healthier eating,” says John. “And,” he added, “regulars don’t have to worry — mom still makes the meatballs.”

Seven days of the week, customers can feast on My Place breakfast specials as early as 6 am, and as late as 11 am, Monday through Saturday, and noon on Sundays.

Along with the specialty pancakes and French toast, My Place is known for its three-egg, country-style omelettes, Belgian waffles, and eggs Benedict Florentine. Brioni’s coffee gladdens the hearts of early risers, as well as the hearts of the regular group of midmorning coffee drinkers who have been a part of the My Place scene for 30 years.

Lunchtime offers a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers, pasta dishes, and entrée salads, including the new grilled heart of romaine with champagne vinaigrette, sliced almonds, and gorgonzola.

“Served warm, the salad is a standout from usual fare,” says John.

Still immensely popular are the New York-style pizzas, baked directly on the stone. Nearly 300 pizzas go out the door each Friday evening, and approximately 150 to 200 more each Saturday night, including the new Italian Stallion pizza with broccoli rabe, and the Buffalo chicken pizza.

Everything on the menu is available for takeout and My Place delivers daily to all of Newtown.

“From individual diners to business meetings to special gatherings, and of course, families, My Place Pizza and Restaurant is a great place for anyone to enjoy a delicious meal in a welcoming atmosphere,” said John. “We even have a great kid’s menu, equipped with toys and coloring material and a choice of a tossed salad, fruit cup, or applesauce with their entrees.”

My Place has put on a new face, but the heart and soul of the restaurant continues to beat behind the fresh facade.

My Place Restaurant, 8 Queen Street, is open from 6 am to 10 pm, seven days of the week. Breakfast is served until 11 am, Monday through Saturday, until noon on Sunday. Late night pub menu available. Menus and catering information for My Place can be found at www.MyPlacePizza.com. For takeout, call 203-270-7061 or fax order to 203-270-1433. All major credit cards are accepted.

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