Terra of Danbury at Hotel Zero Degrees

Terra of Danbury at Hotel Zero Degrees: During one of the many winter storms and ensuing power outages we sought refuge in area hotels and found our way to Hotel Zero Degrees in Danbury, CT. This ultra-swank boutique hotel, that opened in January 2017, with sister facilities in Stamford and Norwalk, is one to put on your list when seeking refuge from the next storm.

It also ranks amongst such elite hotels and inns such as The Ritz Carlton in White Plains and Richard Gere’s Bedford Post Inn to keep in mind for a romantic getaway even when the lights are on at home. We’ll save that for a future article.

For now, we were happy to discover that the hotel’s restaurant, Terra of Danbury, is worth the trip for any foodie looking for hip upscale ambience and good food. The food alone merits mention in any discussion of notable local restaurants. And the dining room’s urban chic design separates it from all but the very best in terms of total experience.

The hotel is tucked away on a woodsy corporate cul-de-sac just a quarter mile south of Trader Joe’s off Exit 2 on Rt. 84. It’s wood frame exterior has the feel of a mountain lodge with just the right amount stone foundation. Inside, the décor in the lobby is decidedly mid-century modern with striking white, black and toffee colored leather chairs, blonde and pecan colored wood and black metal sculptural lighting and frames.

Inside the restaurant, that is open to the main lobby, the same themes are prevalent in the white leather semi-circular banquettes (backed with black fabric and grey and toffee toned stripes), black and grey, multi-hued hexagonal tiles and a black iron sculptural cage descending from the ceiling over the bar. It’s an exciting and sophisticated urban surprise in a rustic wrapper.

Terra of Danbury is a sister restaurant to Terra on Greenwich (Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich, CT) and is one of eight eateries run by the Z Hospitality Group. They include two more on Greenwich Avenue (East End and Mediterraneo) another Mediterraneo in White Plains and Aurora in Rye. Z Hospitality Group’s founder Ramze Zakka has long worked with Executive Chef Albert De Angelisi, who manages chefs de cuisine at all eight restaurants.

When we were there

The restaurant was completely booked from 6-9 but they squeezed us in at 5:45. The hostess told us that more than half of their reservations came from non-hotel guests – so the word is out. And, of course, if you’re staying there, you’re eating there.

The largely traditional Italian menu takes some international turns and some deep dives into Italian dishes you won’t find in your neighborhood trattoria.The antipasti menu features Tuscan Kale and Lentil Soup; Potato gnocchi salad with red grapes and goat cheese and Burrata cheese with butternut squash, balsamic poached pears, walnut and spiced honey. But you can also find Prince Edward Island mussels with red curry cream, fava bean and cilantro.

There’s a Pizze menu with five offerings with plenty of sausage and prosciutto options, a traditional Margherita pizza and a Wild mushroom pie with goat cheese, caramelized onion and black truffle puree.

The entrée menu offers eight pasta dishes from House Made Pappardella with Wild Boar Ragu and Linguini Fini with cockle clams to Butternut squash and celery root ravioli with brown butter and sage and crumbled biscotti. Plus ten more protein dishes including Hidden Fjord Salmon with quinoa, French lentils and porcini mushrooms; Rabbit Loin wrapped in prosciutto with carrot 3 ways and micro turnips, and Pekin Duck Breast with duck sausage and sautéed escarole.

What we liked

We were very impressed with the fish dishes here, specifically the care the kitchen demonstrated in serving moist preparations of flaky fish that can easily be overcooked in the best of restaurants. We liked the Parmesan crusted sole (we love sole in an Italian restaurant) in a flavorful and light white wine with chives and roasted cauliflower – served al dente. Ditto on the Crispy Skinned Bronzino, (skin was indeed crispy) with shaved Brussels sprouts, spatzle and spiced apple puree. As usual, however, the fries with black truffle aioli and the tiramisu won the prize.

(Terra of Danbury, Zero Degrees Hotel, 15 Milestone Rd., Danbury, CT; www.hotelzerodegree.com)

More What To Eat: Notable Noshes Nearby

Check out our What To Eat: Restaurant Guide for the top restaurants in Northern Westchester