I hadn’t seen my Nashville friends since I visited them pre-pandemic. They met Bryan and me at the train station so that we could start our visit on the walk to Ruby & Bella’s on Greenwich’s main drag.

We stopped yakking only long enough to give our orders at this comfy Greenwich Avenue lunch spot.

My son at the juicy Black Label Burger ($24) made from Pat la Frieda house blend, topped with cheddar and bacon on a smoked onion aioli spread brioche. I ordered the unusual buns filled with crispy cod topped with napa cabbage slaw and scallions in a soft pancake reminiscent of the Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches. The cod — dipped in a Guinness tempura batter before it was fried —  came with salt and vinegar fries.

One friend had the day’s special of a softshell crab sandwich ($27) on lemon-aili spread brioche topped with Boston lettuce, beefsteak tomatoes and fries. Another enjoyed the chopped salad with kale, romaine, carrots, cucumbers, dates, salted roasted cashews and feta cheese with green goddess dressing on the side (available in two sizes, $19/28).

I recommend Ruby & Bella for lunch; service is good so is the food.

Ruby & Bella’s
Greenwich
265 Greenwich Ave
Greenwich, CT 06830
(475) 272-8680
ruby-and-bellas.com