Restaurant Review: The Waveny Tavern by PXK – New Canaan’s newest greatest add
The Waveny Tavern by PXK is an exciting new addition to New Canaan’s dining scene. Opened by renowned chef and James Beard Award recipient Peter X. Kelly, alongside seasoned restaurant operator Dan Comporeale, the tavern instantly feels like a destination. Set on Pine Street in the second ring of downtown, it’s a beautifully designed, elevated space with a warm, modern tavern sensibility.
From the moment my girlfriend, Lily, and I stepped inside, we were welcomed with genuine warmth. The dining room is elegant yet comfortable—white linens, polished cutlery, and a refined ambiance that sets the tone for the evening. The menu is filled with sophisticated New American dishes that showcase both creativity and technical finesse.
Before we even received our appetizers, our server, Steven, surprised us with an amuse-bouche: butter-poached Maine lobster in a star anise sauce with a lemon sabayon. It was a stunning bite—luxurious, aromatic, and balanced—an early sign of the kitchen’s passion and precision.
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Our appetizers confirmed it. Lily, a devoted soup enthusiast, ordered the classic onion soup gratinée, while I chose the burrata with prosciutto di Parma. The burrata arrived impossibly creamy, its richness cut by salty prosciutto and the bright tang of balsamic glaze. Lily’s onion soup was textbook perfection: a deeply flavored stock, silken onions, crusty bread, and a beautifully caramelized cap of Gruyère that melded everything together.
Throughout the evening, Steven and the rest of the staff delivered the kind of attentive, seamless service you’d expect at a Michelin-starred restaurant—knowledgeable, present, and never intrusive.
Our entrées arrived promptly after we finished our starters. I chose the Ossabaw pork chop, cooked medium-rare, while Lily ordered the tavern burger. The pork chop was exceptional—tender, juicy, and glistening with flavor. Its accompaniments, gingered sweet potatoes and charred broccolini, were equally impressive. As someone whose family makes showstopping sweet potatoes every Thanksgiving, I never expected to find a version that surpassed them, yet their gingered sweet potatoes were, without question, the best I’ve ever tasted. Lily was equally delighted with her burger, topped with New York cheddar, caramelized onions, and Louise sauce, all nestled in a soft brioche bun.
Dessert brought a delightful dilemma, so naturally, we ordered four: the chocolate dome, classic crème brûlée, “à la minute” napoleon, and strawberries Romanoff. Each one was superb. The chocolate dome—Valrhona dark chocolate paired with a tart raspberry coulis—was a dream, the perfect finale to a wine-forward meal. The crème brûlée offered its familiar pleasure: silky vanilla custard beneath a perfectly crackled sugar crust, complete with visible flecks of real vanilla bean. The napoleon, made to order, was wonderfully bright and citrusy, ideal for lemon lovers. And the strawberries Romanoff—a nostalgic mix of strawberries, whipped cream, sponge cake, and sherry custard—was executed with timeless charm.
Waveny Tavern by PXK is a standout addition to New Canaan: warm, polished, and genuinely guest-focused. With exceptional food, heartfelt hospitality, and a team that clearly loves what they do, it’s the kind of restaurant you look forward to returning to before you’ve even finished your meal.
Don’t miss
• Goose releases ‘Live at Madison Square Garden’
• Little Theatre of Manchester unveils holiday season lineup at Cheney Hall
• Norwalk Symphony to feature holiday favorites, classical arias in December concert
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November events at Fairfield Theatre Company
November at Fairfield Theatre Company is packed with a diverse lineup of events, from live music and tribute shows to film and community gatherings. Highlights include Kelsey Waldon on November 1, Color Me Obsessed: A Film about The Replacements and The Monet plays Jamiroquai on the 2nd, Heather Maloney & Dan Rodriguez on the 4th, Brian Dolzani as the Loner: The Music of Neil Young on the 6th, and the FTC Encore Gala on the 8th. The month also features performances by Zoso, Paul Bogaev, Mike Farris, Tropidelic, Black Flag, Mary Fahl, Shemekia Copeland, Marshall Crenshaw, The Jayhawks, and more, including multi-night appearances from Reid Genauer Soloand festive events like Funksgiving. With something for every taste, November at FTC offers music, film, and seasonal celebrations for the whole community.
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Learn to cook this fall with AMG Catering
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November events at PeoplesBank Arena
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