Spring Preview: Darien's New Restaurant Lineup

Harper's, 319 Post Road
Opening: Late April

It's 'Ciao Centro,' and 'Hello Harper's,' for Darien, as restaurateur Joseph Sandolo plans to open his new American restaurant and bar at the former Italian restaurant's Post Road location in late April.

The property at 319 Post Road was built by Sandolo's father in the 1970s, and operated as Harper's Restaurant in the 1980s under different tenants. When Centro's lease ended last fall, Sandolo decided to open his own restaurant in its place.

Harper's, circa 2010, will serve up fresh, high quality American food like steaks, salads, and fish, said Sandolo; plus the "best margaritas in town."

Renovations to the inside of the building are well underway. Most of what was Centro's has been gutted, and utilities have been replaced.

"It will be nice, you know, for a relaxed crowd. Somewhere to hang out," said Sandolo.

The Goose, 972 Post Road
Opening: Late April

The property at 972 Post Road served as home to the Black Goose Grille for over ten years and has been vacant since the restaurant closed in April of 2008. It's now set to open as The Goose, an upscale American bistro, under the management of seasoned restaurateur Michael Friedman and Darien resident Michael Gagilardi.

"We should have all our geese in a row by late April," said Friedman.

The Goose circa 2010, so described as an "upscale, casual dining restaurant with great food and a great bar," will be similar to the late Black Goose, said Gagliardi, with a menu that boasts all the classics—steaks, hamburgers and salads—plus a few special items for those looking to splurge.

Where the better part of the restaurant has been gutted and revamped, the same "beautiful bar" remains, he said. Plans for outdoor, heated seating are also underway.

"Darien is going to get their hometown restaurant back," said Friedman.

Planet Pizza, 874 Post Road
Opening: Late April

Where the property at 874 once served as a fitness center, it will soon serve as a pizza place. The site that was Curves has since been renovated into a restaurant. Planet Pizza, an independently owned chain that currently operates in a number of Connecticut and New York locations, will start slicing pies for Darien customers in late April.

Pizza—reportedly of the New York style variety—is Planet's specialty, but the menu features a number of items like pasta, calzones and salads, all of which are available for delivery.

Cava Wine Bar, 1077 Post Road
Opening: May

A family of seasoned restaurateurs is bringing a high-end restaurant and wine bar to the downtown space at 1077 Post Road, formerly occupied by Anne Taylor Loft.

The Siguenzas currently run two similar restaurants, Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant, in New Canaan, and 55 Degrees Wine Bar in Fairfield; and with Planning & Zoning's approval, they're set to add a third.

Hearings for Darien's Cuvee—now Cava—ran for about a month, beginning in late October of last year. Most of the renovation to the first floor space will be interior work, and with the commission's approval, Cava customers will also be able to wine and dine outside.

"What they brought before us was really amazing," said P&Z member M. Reese Hutchison of the plans.

Take a glance at New Canaan's Cava menu and wine list here: Cava Wine Bar

Chipotle, 71 Post Road
Opening: Late May

Moving in to the former IHOP location on the Post Road is another restaurant with international draw: Chipotle Mexican Grille. The restaurant chain will expand to its first oversees location in London right around the same time Darien's location opens its doors for business in late May.

Most of Chipotle's "gourmet burritos and tacos" business will be take-out, but some indoor seating and limited parking will allow for a small sit-down crowd. Initial requests for a drive thru have been nixed; the plans scrutinized by Planning & Zoning in the interest of balancing the desires of both the business owner and the residents whose homes abut the property.