Owners of MIKU SUSHI and HINOKI to Open MOLI Restaurant & Bar MOLI on Greenwich Avenue this Month
Restaurateurs Chef Steven Chen and K Dong will open their third Connecticut restaurant MOLI and first speakeasy-style bar concept Bar MOLI at 253 Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich, Connecticut this month. The restaurant will launch a soft opening on Father’s Day weekend.
MOLI restaurant and bar is set in a historic building, the foundation of the space was initially designed as the Putnam Trust Bank by architect F.A. Wright in 1915. Chen and Dong were drawn to the distinct domes made by the Spanish architect and master tile craftsman Rafael Guastavino. They developed interiors to resemble the Western influence in Shanghai, China during the 1940s.
The restaurant will offer premium handcrafted cocktails alongside elevated lunch and dinner menus featuring contemporary Chinese cuisine. Weekend brunch will be available featuring a traditional dim sum selection in addition to Peking duck. Innovative cocktails are designed by beverage director, Anthony Carrera.
This will be the team’s 5th restaurant brand in the tri-state area, sister restaurants include MIKU Sushi and HINOKI in Greenwich, Connecticut, KUMO Sushi Lounge in Scarsdale, New York, and Blu Sushi Bar at Blu on the Hudson in Weehawken, New Jersey. You can also find MIKU at Mike’s Organic, Tony’s at the J House, and Rowayton Seafood. For more information on the exact soft opening date please subscribe to the restaurant’s email list using this link (www.sevenrooms.com/explore/moli/subscription), visit MOLI online (moligreenwich.com), and follow on Instagram (@moligreenwich).
The Granola Bar is one of my family’s favorite restaurants EVER. We all have our favorite things on the menu and it is a must-visit at least a couple of times a month. But now the Rye location is serving dinner and it is awesome. About a year ago the Rye restaurant had a chic makeover. The result is def a cool cosmopolitan Miami vibe. I just love it. They expanded the menu to include craft cocktails and created a fabulous dinner menu that “may or may not be shared”. Check out the updated menu HERE or better yet, click to make a reservation HERE.
Summer’s Hottest Restaurant Serves Up Epicurean Latin American Fusion Delights with a Side of Fanciful Fun at New York City’s Biggest Outdoor Tropical Paradise Patio
Latin America is associated with warmth, color, movement, and sensuality. For the most voluptuous meal in all of New York City, this summer look no further than Baby Brasa.
The Peruvian restaurant is known best as The Oasis of the Big Apple. The exotic and exquisite culinary experience found here has created a divine lifestyle for patrons to admire. A haven for the hippest of the in-crowd and the most glamourous trendsetters, dedicated loyalists, and newcomers alike flock to the restaurant that serves up incredible dishes at this one-of-a-kind contemporary venue in The Village.
The romantic and lively establishment is a scrumptious setting where unique dishes are discovered. Awaken your senses in the most appealing way with such delights as appetizers of Chicken Empanadas with Flaky crust, manchego cheese, caramelized onions, chimichurri & rocoto aioli; as well as Crispy Rock Shrimp with Sriracha honey glaze, scallions, sesame seeds, served with chipotle mayo.
Signature entrees include Passion Fruit Salmon served with sautéed vegetable pineapple fried rice; Lomo Saltado with marinated grass-fed sirloin steak chunks, red onion, cherry tomatoes, scallions, cilantro & fingerling potatoes served with jasmine rice; and Spaghetti Huancaina in our traditional huancaína sauce made with Peruvian yellow pepper and white cheese with lomo saltado on top.
With an added value, a happy hour Monday to Friday between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm brings further bliss and showcases such notable items as the colorful Pink Flamingo served with Tito’s vodka, frozen Whispering Angel rose, watermelon purée, lime juice; the Coconut Margarita with Casa Amigos tequila, coconut and lime juice; as well as the Watermelon Picante with Habanero infused Cazadores tequila, watermelon juice, lime juice, tajin rim.
The food quality is complemented by the gorgeous venue. Art deco Tropical vibes surround you inside the dining room while the outdoor patio presents one the most fantastic foodie paradises in all of Manhattan. No need to run off to Miami or south of the border. Just step inside the grand gardens of Baby Brasa and be transported away. Over 200 people can be seated at a time to equally experience the electrifying magnitude of exuberance and haute cuisine.
New York entrepreneur Franco Noriega launched the grand culinary adventure of Baby Brasa when he opened doors for the new landmark location. The former model turned international sensation and judge of Mexico’s “MasterChef” has a vast and eclectic background, which includes establishing a renowned chef title with elite training at the International Culinary Center as well as launching a Beach Club in Ipanema Brazil. Baby Brasa Co-Owners Franco Noriega and Milan Kelez (photo credit: Baby Brasa)
His well-known partnership with Milan Kelez at the restaurant has produced an outstanding list of memorable events and special evenings since the restaurant started operations in 2016. To party here is a golden gift granted by these two hospitality masters.
Deeply rooted in the heart of The Village, the pulse of the city beats strong here. The attractive surroundings and superbly delicious dishes are only rivaled by a staff that passionately serves you steaming plates and carefully curated cocktails. To experience the vibe here is to have an affair of all the senses as they get elevated to glorious heights. This is not just another meal. This is a deeply rooted tropical heat wave full of feverish spice that makes you perspire with desire. When here you fully crave amazing food, spectacular drinks and a unique rhythmic vibe that will have your taste buds dancing all night long.
The summer of 2022 will have temperatures soaring as the foodie and nightlife scene of New York City congregates at the beautiful oasis of Baby Brasa.
LOCATION: 173 7th Avenue South, New York, NY 10014
The California-inspired fast-casual rotisserie restaurant by former Sweetgreen and Starbucks’ culinary leader Ben Pote opened in Cos Cob last week.
The concept of this fantastic eatery, both in cuisine and design, is inspired by California with a thoughtfully curated menu that offers something for everyone.
Rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted cauliflower are at the heart of the menu, complemented by entree-style salads, plant-forward sides, and sauces that are made in-house daily, with thoughtful pops of flavor throughout. The chicken, for example, is rubbed with bay leaf, oregano, and fennel pollen, giving it an herbaceous, savory flavor, while the whole-roasted cauliflower is sprinkled with za’atar, a Middle-Eastern herb blend. Wildacre’s salads are hearty enough for lunch and dinner, or to eat alongside a whole roasted chicken or cauliflower. Guests can order a la carte or select a bundled meal, which offers the choice of either a rotisserie chicken or slow-roasted cauliflower main plus two sides and two sauces. Side dishes range from french fries to roasted brussels sprouts, and the majority of the menu is gluten-free. The California influence shows up throughout the menu, which features ingredients like fennel pollen, Meyer lemon, and avocado, and flavors inspired by the Mediterranean, Central American, and Asian cuisines.
Wildacre thoughtfully sources its ingredients. The rotisserie chickens are from Cooks Venture, which raises a slow-growth, heirloom chicken called the Pioneer, taking into account the health of the animal and the health of the environment. Core to their mission is advancing regenerative agriculture, and their chickens are pasture-raised, heirloom birds fed a diet of non-GMO feed. Other menu items will be local and organic when possible.
Like the menu, Wildacre Rotisserie’s design has a California flair. Crisp white paint and contemporary light fixtures give the space a modern vibe, and tiles in varying shades of green represent the different greens one might find walking through the woods. Throughout the restaurant are images of poppies – the state flower of California. These beautiful, delicate flowers turn the Pacific coast orange every summer and are a fixture of the brand design. Seating will be available indoors, where diners can take in the views of Mill Pond.
Pote has over a decade of restaurant industry experience and an extensive background in culinary operations and menu strategy. He has held leadership positions at a number of nationally-renowned food brands, including Director of Development at Souvla in San Francisco, Director of Culinary Innovation at Starbucks, and most recently Director of Culinary Strategy and Culinary Program Manager at Sweetgreen. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008, Pote cooked his way through the kitchens of multi-unit restaurant groups like the Hillstone Restaurant Group (Hillstone, Houston’s) and The Florence Group (led by the Food Network’s Tyler Florence), before graduating from the French Culinary Institute in New York City in 2010.
Pote said, “We’re thrilled to bring a taste of California-inspired cuisine to Cos Cob, and to become part of the vibrant Greenwich food scene. We’re reimagining the traditional rotisserie with thoughtful ingredients and unique flavor profiles to bring you food you can feel good about for any meal of the week.”
Guests will have the option to order and dine in, or order for pickup or delivery. The restaurant is located at 147 E Putnam Avenue and will be open Tues-Sat from 11am-8pm.
The popular Japanese restaurant is offering several new dishes with an “every day brighter” and cheerful twist in partnership with a renowned print designer and lifestyle shop owner. This menu release is the first part of a multi-layered collaboration designed to spark joy. Last month print designer and lifestyle shop owner, Dabney Lee Woglom (dabneylee.com), partnered with K Dong, Co-owner of Miku Sushi to launch a multi-layered collaboration. The first release is an uplifting summer specials menu. The menu features Japanese-inspired dishes, a sushi roll, and a blush-colored guava cocktail emphasized by Woglom’s quintessential preppy and polished style. “When approached by Miku to collaborate I jumped at the opportunity to work with a restaurant that is near and dear to me and my family,” said Woglom. She continued, “Having frequented Miku, sometimes on a weekly basis, I was ecstatic to bring my bright and cheerful brand to a portion of the unique menu”. The collaboration features bright summer colors mixed with vibrant Asian flavors and includes a “Dabney Lee” sushi roll, “Summer Salad” featuring sesame tuna, and “Strawberry Fields” dessert in addition to an “Everyday Brighter” cocktail that can also be made as a mocktail. “We came up with items that give customers the opportunity to enjoy the menu at the restaurant or at home alongside other Miku favorites,” said Dong. He continued, “The goal of the collaboration is to entertain customers with something new and fun”. Miku sushi offers special event and corporate catering options, known for popular at-home pop-up experiences that were developed during the pandemic, customers can call Miku to coordinate special lunches or dinners at the restaurant or at their home, or office, event venue, or country club. Dabney Lee lifestyle shop is located in the heart of Rye, New York, and carries everything from hostess gifts and home decor to women’s apparel and accessories. Visit Miku online (mikugreenwich.com) to see menus, make a reservation, subscribe to the restaurant’s mailing list, and follow on social. @mikugreenwich
Ten years ago, Captain Mike Harden, a Coast Guard Captain and licensed lobster fisherman, introduced Connecticut’s state sandwich, the hot buttered lobster roll, to the coastal community of Norwalk, CT with his LobsterCraft food truck. LobsterCraft was an instant food sensation, amassing a local fan base of hungry consumers looking for their next lobster roll fix. Today, the brand has grown into a thriving brick and mortar Restaurant Group (the first location opened at 107 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT), a fleet of food trucks, and a catering business, with 3 locations in CT, one in Sarasota, FL, and Block Island, RI set to open on June 15.
LobsterCraft’s signature lobster roll, the “Coastal Roll”, which has been featured on Food Network and Flavored Nation as “The Best CT Style Hot Buttered Lobster Roll in the Country”, is how it all began. The recipe remains – the best soft toasted buns filled with the freshest and sweetest claw and knuckle lobster meat bathed in butter. Lobster roll cravings are also satisfied with customer favorites such as the Heat Wave laced with serrano and habanero pepper infused butter, the LBLT filled with lobster, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, and topped with garlic aioli, and the Dirty Maynard, a Maine-style cold lobster salad roll dressed in a seasoned mayonnaise. And no matter the style, the lobster remains front and center. Lobster mania specialties include tacos, sliders, creamy mac-n-cheese, grilled cheese, pot pie, bisque, and scratch-made creamy New England/Newport style clam chowder brimming with locally sourced Copps Island clams from Norm Bloom & Sons in Norwalk, CT.
While the LobsterCraft brand expands upon its concept, its deep roots within the lobster/fishing community remain. Sourcing from local fishermen is a company standard. Captain Mike and his crew continue to make those long hauls up and down the coastline, sourcing the best, sustainable, cold-water lobster possible from Montauk to Maine.
Celebrate LobsterCraft’s 10-Year Anniversary with 10% Off our signature Coastal Roll.
The offer is available Monday, May 30 thru Sunday, June 5. All locations (except Block Island – Opening June 15) 107 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 1814 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 981-a Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 28A South Boulevard of the Presidents, St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL133 Ocean Avenue, Block Island, RI (Opening June 15)
