We took a break from packing my friend’s home for her move to meet a mutual friend in Shelton for a meal. We were yakking so much that we almost missed that our water hadn’t even taken our drink order.

When he finally did, we quickly also gave our app order. Like many restaurants, the apps were much more interesting and flavorful than their entrees. We were happy with the old-fashioned iceberg wedge salad ($14.95) smothered with blue cheese dressing with crumbled gorgonzola and pancetta; sauteed calamari with white beans, arugula, cherry peppers, roasted tomatoes ($16.95); grilled octopus with shishito peppers, potatoes and a roasted red pepper aioli ($16.95); and the shrimp scampi with arugula, lemon white wine, cherry tomato (3 for $18.95).

When our waiter reappeared, we ordered our entrees; although the apps were plentiful and tasty, we could have stopped there!

The cobb salad with sauteed salmon ($26.95) and the very garlicky spicy garlic shrimp (Six for $29.95) are worth mentioning.

With those, we did sip some of the wines offered ($14).

Matto Wine Bar
Shelton
389 Bridgeport Avenue
Shelton, CT 06824
203-513-8554
Mattowinebar.com