Josie & Tony's

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Classic Throwback with a Modern Twist

Josie & Tony's occupies a singular space in the Fairfield County dining scene — by day an Arthur Avenue-style Italian deli, by night an elevated supper club and private membership club. The concept lives at 20 North Main Street in South Norwalk, in the same space that once housed the revered Pasta Nostra, and it wears that history proudly.

The Story Behind the Room

Owner and operator Joshua Anthony Mesnik built Josie & Tony's on a deeply personal idea: the kind of old-school, red-sauce Italian restaurant where the maître d' knew your name and your drink order before you sat down. Drawing on his own memories of frequenting those places as a kid, and on the theatricality of the Manhattan restaurant scene where he came up in front-of-house, Mesnik describes the dining experience as a theatrical performance — and by all accounts, he puts on a damn good show.

The Kitchen and the Cellar

Executive Chef Marcelo Flores brings 25 years of experience perfecting a modern take on Italian cuisine, much of it spent working under Joe Bruno at Pasta Nostra — the very kitchen he now leads. His menu leans into beloved Italian American classics reinterpreted with precision and personality. Standout dishes mentioned by the team include Pappardelle with Chicken Livers & Foie Gras, Grilled Ribeye Pizzaiola, Veal Milanese, and Josie's Lemon Chicken — each one a bridge between memory and craft.

The beverage program matches that ambition. Sommelier Thomas DeBow, currently pursuing his WSET Level 3 certification, oversees what the team calls one of Connecticut's top wine lists. That claim carries real weight: Wine Spectator awarded Josie & Tony's its Best of Award of Excellence in 2024, recognizing the depth and curation of the cellar. Head bartender Nathan Struharik rounds out the bar with craft cocktails — his Sazerac reportedly worth the trip alone.

The Concept

The dual identity is genuine, not a gimmick. The deli operates Wednesday through Saturday, turning out Italian sandwiches in the tradition of New York's Arthur Avenue markets. Come evening, the room shifts into supper club mode, with a full Italian menu, serious wine service, and a bar that stays open, in the restaurant's own words, "until we've had enough." Walk-ins are welcome, and a private membership tier offers priority reservations for regulars who want the maître d' to know their name — exactly as Mesnik always intended.