This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Carpe Diem Owner Seizes Opportunity in New Canaan

The Manhattan restaurant's owner will bring Upper East Side Italian to New Canaan.

Add the name Carpe Diem to the list of restaurants scheduled to open in town this fall.

This entry will be the country cousin to owner Allan Basaran's bistro of the same name on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Why New Canaan?

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

"Because I love New Canaan, that's the reason why I chose to open there. I could have opened another location in Manhattan, but I chose New Canaan," Basaran said.

In addition, he said that he has loyal New Canaan customers at his current location who encouraged him to make the move.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

A resident of North Stamford, Basaran's family has local roots. His wife Emily Coughlin Basaran is a graduate of , and her family has lived in town for more than thirty years.

"Lots of restaurants in New Canaan serve the American type bistro," he explained. His plans for the new establishment, which will take over the space at 26 Locust Avenue recently vacated by Fifty Coins, are to recreate the, "Manhattan type-standards" of his current restaurant.

Following him from New York will be head chef Victor Pastuizaca, who has been with him for fourteen years. Their plan is to offer a menu very similar to that in New York. He promises an excellent wine list as well.

Extensive changes are underway for the restaurant's new space, including a private bar area and a chef's table. They plan to open in early November.

Not only is Basaran's restaurant business expanding, but his family is as well. His wife Emily is expecting their first child this fall.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?