Lyfe Cafe Opens In Westport: Breakfast, Lunch & Coffee FTW

Lyfe really is good in Westport right now…

After much anticipation Lyfe Café finally opened its doors and to much fanfare. Offering both grab and go as well as sit down breakfast and lunch options, the newest café to grace Westport’s bustling restaurant scene is the latest collaboration of Gino Riccio and Dimitri Pantzos. The dynamic duo (who also happen to be uncle and nephew) have already seen smashing success with Pizza Lyfe (just up the street), a favorite among locals and non-locals alike. Riccio, a longtime veteran of the restaurant scene, is also the owner of Quattro Pazzi and Organika. 

Dimitri and Gino have spent nearly a year perfecting recipes. Everything at the café is made from scratch, and when you get the opportunity to eat there yourself, you’ll notice the quality immediately. I daresay they have perfected the croissant, with its crisp and flaky exterior, and layers of soft buttery goodness beneath. You’ll have to decide if you’re a traditionalist or wanting to try one of their viral offerings like the Tiramisu or White Chocolate Pistachio which sell out quickly, and after sampling one, I can see why. The sandwich rolls are also made in-house as are the bagels, and as a born and bred New Yorker, they pass my test – and I am very particular. 

Stopping in for a cup of coffee or a latte? All of their coffee drinks are available warm and cold (for all you iced diehards). The coffee is locally sourced from Quartertone in Ridgefield. 

Café Lyfe was created to fill a void, Riccio told me. “Westport needed a place where you can get a really good breakfast sandwich.” But this isn’t your average breakfast sandwich joint and if you’re looking for the same old and all the usual suspects, you’ve come to the wrong place.  You’ll find creative items like the Belly Up, with two eggs over medium, gochujang glazed pork belly, caramelized onions and cheddar cheese, the Oatmeal Brulé with gluten-free rolled oats, orange zest, and almonds topped with berries and 'bruleed’ caramelized sugar. The Loaded Home Fries are topped with shredded pork belly, shredded cheddar, pico de gallo, scallions and chipotle. Even their Eggs Benny has a surprising twist – two crispy hashbrowns replace the traditional English Muffin. (Add some wild Lox for the ultimate treat.) The Vegano, with plant-based egg, plant-based sausage, sriracha mayo, basil aioli on a whole wheat wrap is a perfect choice for your veggie and vegan friends, and the Sunrise Wrap with egg whites, spinach, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, mozz, basil aioli on a whole wheat wrap for those of you who want satisfying and healthy. 

But there’s so much more to Lyfe than breakfast. “We offer restaurant quality food in a small café setting with creative dishes that appeal to those with elevated tastes,” Riccio added, telling me that he wanted to appeal to those who’ve recently moved to the area from new York City.

Looking for a great salad? Look no further. Their numerous salads are a perfect example of this. The Glow Salad is bright in flavor as it is colorful. Nappa cabbage, arugula, carrots, edamame, scallions, cilantro, sesame seeds, topped with a beautifully seared soy yuzu ahi tuna, a miso ginger vinaigrette. The Chicken Cobb has become another fast favorite, with its beautiful hard-boiled egg that sits in the center of a generously-sized bowl with bright and beautiful cherry tomatoes, avocado, grilled chicken, lettuce, blue cheese crumbles and crispy bacon with a tangy vinaigrette. The Mediterranean is made with Sardinian couscous, gluten-free falafels, and chickpeas, olives, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, pickled jalapeno and beet slaw over a whipped feta base with parsley and a lemon, garlic dill dressing. (Outrageous, right?)

Those with heartier appetites would be remiss to try one of their sandwiches. Hot honey and chicken lovers must try their Hot Honey Chicken, a tender piece of chicken has all the crunch sandwiched in between a potato roll, topped with pickles and a pickled jalapeno with cabbage slaw. The Smash Burger, which, if you’re a burger person is not to be missed. Other crowd pleasers include Shaved Steak and Chopped Cheese. 

Please join me in welcoming Lyfe Café to the neighborhood, and tell them we sent you!

Lyfe Café is located at 793 Post Road E in Westport