Harbor Point Restaurant Scene: Big Wins in "Best Of The Gold Coast" Awards, July Openings for Newcomers Boothbay Lobster and Prime

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Harbor Point restaurant and retail scene got a big endorsement with its popular eateries and stores taking home 11 wins in the 2016 "Best of the Gold Coast Awards."  Moffly Media, publisher of Stamford Magazine, honored Fortina, Harlan Social, Dinosaur BarBQue, Sign of the Whale, Crab Shell, World of Beer, Fairway Market, Design Within Reach, Exhale, and Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in a variety of different categories, demonstrating the success of Harbor Point's lively waterfront environment.  This exciting news came alongside of two new restaurant openings at Harbor Point – Prime and Boothbay Lobster – who have now officially opened their doors.

"We're tremendously excited about the food scene at Harbor Point," said Ted Ferrarone, COO of Harbor Point Development.  "Restaurants and retail are among our most important amenities for the project and we're pleased to see their excellence recognized.  And of course there's additional enthusiasm with Prime and Boothbay.  Overall, Harbor Point is aiming to keep its position as the go-to spot in Stamford for food, family fun, waterfront recreation, charitable and cultural events, and nightlife."

The operators of Fortina, a popular Italian kitchen known for its delicious homestyle specialties, are excited about Harbor Point's growing restaurant scene.  "I think Harbor Point is reaching that tipping point where it's a real center of gravity for food lovers," said John Nealon, co-owner of Fortina, which opened at Harbor Point last year.  "Fortina is thriving here, and every night and weekend you can feel the momentum building out here with all the new residents, as well as the events in the public plazas and parks.  It feels like Harbor Point is coming together as a place where people want to congregate, and it's exciting to be here."  The team from Fortina also won Stamford Magazine's "Best Bartender" competition, held on the Harbor Point Boardwalk in June.

2016 "Best of the Gold Coast" award winners located at Harbor Point are:

• Best New Restaurant in Fairfield County – Fortina
• Best American Food, Creative Menu, and Weekend Brunch in Stamford – Harlan Social
• Best Ribs/Barbeque in Fairfield County – Dinosaur BarBQue
• Best Family Friendly Restaurant in Stamford – Dinosaur BarBQue
• Best Singles Scene (Under 35) in Fairfield County – Sign of the Whale
• Best Outdoor Bar in Fairfield County – Crab Shell
• Best Gourmet Grocery and Gourmet to Go Market in Stamford – Fairway Market
• Best Specialty Beer in Fairfield County – World of Beer
• Best of Stamford Winner for Contemporary Furnishings – Design Within Reach
• Best of Stamford Winner for Fitness Studio and Pilates – Exhale Harbor Point
• Best Veterinarian in Stamford – Cornell University Veterinary Specialists

The social scene at the adjacent restaurants is booming as well.  While their spacious roof deck bar makes Sign of the Whale a popular spot for summer evenings, a new chef and updated seafood menu have also made them a go-to spot for lunch, dinner, and now weekend brunch.  The management team at Sign of the Whale noted: "Our business has increased substantially this summer.  Word is getting around and pedestrian traffic has increased dramatically."

Bareburger and World of Beer have expanded their outdoor dining options, and are joined by "wicked fresh Maine seafood" from Boothbay Lobster.  A short water-taxi ride across the channel will bring visitors to local favorites The Crab Shell, and Prime Stamford.  Both Crab Shell and Prime have their own dock slips for visiting boaters, and Harbor Point offers transient slips on both the east and west branches of Stamford Harbor.

The restaurant openings coincide with a broader effort by BLT to activate the 12 acres of public open space in Harbor Point, including Commons Park, Harbor Point Square, and the Harbor Point Boardwalk.  BLT recently engaged Biederman Redevelopment Ventures Corporation (BRV), a world-class firm best known for its successful program to revitalize Bryant Park in New York City, to assist in the development and execution of these plans.  BRV is helping expand and refine Harbor Point's existing slate of public events and recreational offerings in the parks and on the boardwalks with outdoor games, fitness classes, entertainment, and more.

Special events are scheduled throughout the weekdays and almost every weekend during the summer.  Recurring events include outdoor yoga, dance and art lessons, and movies in the park. For the most up-to-date information and a full events calendar please visit:

• http://www.harborpt.com/happening/ or
• https://www.facebook.com/HarborPointStamford/

Summer recreational options at Harbor Point include:  kayak and paddleboard rentals through Young Mariners on the Harbor Point boardwalk; public sails by SoundWaters departing from Anchor Point Marina; and evening "Pub Runs" led by Fleet Feet Sports.  In addition, Fortina, World of Beer, Sign of the Whale and Crab Shell have a full roster of live music throughout the summer.

BLT continues to support a variety of transportation to, from, and within Harbor Point.  The Harbor Point trolley runs to the Stamford Train Station and Downtown Stamford and can be tracked live at www.harborpt.com/harbor-point-trolley/ or via the free smartphone app.  Every event and retail option at Harbor Point is surrounded by complimentary parking, and is accessible by visiting boaters.  Transient slips are available on both the East and West branches of the Harbor (see http://www.harborpt.com/waterfront/ for more information).

About Building and Land Technology (BLT)
Building and Land Technology (BLT) is a privately held real estate private equity, development and property management firm.  Founded in 1982, BLT is vertically integrated and has invested, developed, owned and managed over five million square feet of commercial space and over 10,000 residential units.  BLT is one of the largest office landlords in Connecticut, and its office holdings include the corporate addresses or headquarters for Bridgewater, Gen Re, GE Commercial Finance, Diageo, GE Real Estate, Xerox, GE Energy, AON/Hewitt, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, XL Group, Castleton Commodities International and Structured Portfolio Management.  BLT is the developer of numerous residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects, including Harbor Point, a transformative mixed-use development in Stamford, CT (www.harborpt.com). 

Contact:
Great Ink Communications, Ltd. – 212-741-2977
Eric Waters (Email)
Tom Nolan (Email)

SOURCE Building and Land Technology