Iconic Norwalk Cafe Receives Top Lighthouse Rating
NORWALK, CT — The minute you enter Partner's Cafe & Pizzeria in East Norwalk, you are immediately surrounded by warmth. There's the white strings of lights that give the dining room a lovely warm glow, the warm food coming out of the kitchen at a rapid pace and of course the warm, friendly and familiar faces occupying the bar or sitting at a table. There's even a fireplace seating area that greets you outside before you even walk in.
On Tuesday, Partner's was filled with even more warm smiles as the restaurant was awarded a Top Lighthouse Rating by the Norwalk Health Department. Mayor Harry Rilling was in attendance and offered some kind words about the Cove Avenue favorite. (To sign up for Norwalk breaking news alerts and more, click here.)
"I'm no stranger to Partner's," Rilling said during the presentation."I liken Partner's to Norwalk's version of Cheers. The ambiance is wonderful, the people that come here are all friendly and cheerful and have a good time...the food is good and inexpensive, and it's just a really fun place to come to, and knowing that they subscribe to the highest standards of food preparation and all the things that represent a good restaurant just makes it all the better."
According to a press release, the Health Department bases Lighthouse Ratings on local food establishments’ inspection records and compliance with public health code guidelines. The Health Department awards Top Lighthouse Ratings to establishments that receive consecutive excellent inspection grades in the previous year.
Partner's was among the 214 restaurants and food establishments that will receive a Top Lighthouse Rating from the Health Department this year. On its past 20 inspections, Partner's received a score of 90 or above.
Owner Debbie Spinola thanked the people who worked for her, who are more like family to her, as well as her customers who have kept Partner's filled with friendly faces for over 35 years.
"I feel very honored," Spinola said. "It's always good when hard work pays off."
According to Spinola, the kitchen at Partner's is stripped down and cleaned every night, and each room at the restaurant is cleaned every day.
"We issue awards to all the restaurants who pass," Rilling said, "but we always like to select the best of the best for a special presentation onsite and give them special recognition, and this year it was Partner's."
If you stop to look among the glistening clean walls and shelves, you might also find hints of just how generational Partner's is.
"I can come here and there will be four generations of people in here," Spinola said. "We're very into the community. If you look on our walls you'll find pictures of every type of team that's played in Norwalk. I have elderly people that come in to look at their black and white picture up on the wall."
When asked what item on the menu he enjoyed the most, Rilling was quick to point to the pasta and the salad pizza, however there is one item that he looks forward to every single visit.
"Whenever I come here with my grandchildren and others, we always rush for the bread before everything else," Rilling said, "because the bread is so fresh and warm and delicious."
Photo credit: RJ Scofield
