We all know there's not exactly a shortage of great restaurants or great chefs in New Canaan. With diners, delis and plenty of delicacies in the dozens of upscale restaurants that call New Canaan home, there's truly a top chef to please a person of any palate. That being said, here are four chefs who go above and beyond to stand out in our town.
1. Luis Lopez of
You may have tasted his cooking at Sole, where he worked as a chef for eight years, but it didn’t take too long for of his own. His namesake restaurant Chef Luis, which will be expanding into the former space on Elm St. this month, was an instant success when it opened in 2007. Whether it’s his warm and welcoming personality that first drew loyal patrons or his New American cuisine “with a Spanish flair," Luis has done it right from the start. It can’t hurt that he names his dishes after his regular customers either (ie: “The Higgins' Grilled Caesar Salad” or “The Bakers' Calamari”). Not only do people love his food, but hope that one day, just maybe they can be a part of the menu too.
2. Robert Ubaldo of
A newcomer to Forest Street, Chef Robert Ubaldo’s restaurant may have delivered just what New Canaan needed. His creation, The Farmer’s Table, is part restaurant, . Almost all of the ingredients that he uses for the day’s entrees come from his brother John’s farm in Pound Ridge, New York. Using only products that are available that day, including locally grown produce, fresh-baked breads, and organic meats, Ubaldo changes the menu almost daily as he works to make the most mouthwatering meals out of what he’s got. While the restaurant can only seat 12 people at a time, Ubaldo can also prep any of his meats, cheeses, soups and sauces for customers to bring home to their own dinner tables.
3. Dan Kardos of
Since opening in 2008, Harvest Supper has been from the likes of New York Magazine to Zagat and has won critical acclaim including Wine Spectator Magazine’s Award of Excellence. Under the supervision of farm-to-table Executive Chef Dan Kardos, the restaurant has continued to flourish. With fresh and local produce shaping the menu, Kardos doesn’t disappoint with consistently decadent artisanal dishes- all the while working on what was said to have been “one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in Fairfield County” - a traditional Italian restaurant Bar Rosso in Stamford.
4. Kender Urena of
While he may be known for his exquisite French dishes, Bonne Nuit’s Executive Chef Kender Urena began his chef training at his parents' restaurant in Costa Rica before graduating at the top of his class from the French Culinary Institute in New York City. After working at some of New York’s most well-known establishments, Kender thankfully fell in love with New Canaan and decided to put his skills to work. Try one of his signature dishes like pan-seared sea scallops with truffle vinaigrette, haricots verts and chive mashed potatoes. One trip to Bonne Nuit and you will see why the restaurant has won the Wine Specatator’s Award of Excellence two years in a row, and has been voted “Best Bistro” in Fairfield County by the readers of Connecticut Magazine.
