Fairfield County Weekly: Dining - Finger Food

Omanel offers lots of good, gushy stuff to pick through — like prawn brains

Omanel Restaurant

1909 Main St., Bridgeport, (203) 335-1676

Get your fingers ready. We're going to be dealing with bones, shells and pits. At Omanel, large prawns are grilled in their shells, heads on, so you can suck out the brains. Quail have to be picked up and dismembered. Even the poached cod will have you pulling bones out of your mouth. It's not too much work, if you're looking for a primal thrill and gutsy garlicky food. And remember, those bones, shells and heads keep flesh moist.

Even the civilized, holding knife and fork in clean hands, can be made happy at this a little 44-seat Portuguese restaurant in Bridgeport. They'll find grilled or sautéed chicken breasts, pork chops and steaks. And paella, shrimp and salmon.

With worn floors, dusky burgundy walls, pine wainscoting, white tablecloths and sturdy wood chairs, Omanel is cozy. It's filled with regulars, many of them speaking in musical Portuguese. There's an old-fashioned, old-world city feel to Omanel. The waiter rushes about the room, greeting customers in Portuguese.

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Fonte: Fairfield County Weekly: Dining - Finger Food