Restaurant Rumors

Hope you're hungry, because there are lots of changes at Main Street restaurants - either because of the economy or in spite of it.

First, a trio of alterations at Metro Square:

•Megawraps has given up on the lunch crowd in favor of a piece of Middletown's growing nightlife. Now called the Shadow Room, there is definitely something fun going on here, with the projection of vintage movies on one wall, and a screened-off bar at the back. They had a soft opening a few weeks ago and their grand opening was on Friday night. They say it gets going after 8 pm or so. (late clarification: they are still open for lunch!)

•Subway moved from the lower part of the square to the old Sangwich storefront, next to Dunkin' Donuts.

•The ice cream shop has switched names. Praeline's is now the Calypso Creamery Cafe, with tropical decor designed -- no doubt -- to put you in mind of slurping something cool and frosty on a hot beach. They are still making ice cream on the premises, and they've added a birthday room for private parties.

Other changes include a new look for the exterior of Amici's -- still in progress -- with new roll-out awnings and a trendy new sign. There's been a change in ownership and name at the former Sweet Smelling Savour Chocolates (the owner is still working on the new name, so stop in and ask him. The Hartford Courant just wrote him up.) It's Only Natural Restaurant has brought Higganum artist Ted Esselstyn back to create more of his inimitable sculpture on their outdoor deck (this deserves its own post, and I'll go take some photos as work progresses).

Up and down the street, almost all the restaurants have their sidewalk tables out, with the award for "best hanging flower baskets" going to Luce's. Even Ford News has joined the party, with the addition of a few two-seaters out front.

And finally...drum roll please....the amazing renovations at Esca continue (corner of Main & Washington). They are (really) planning to open within a few weeks, starting with a few private parties that are scheduled for mid-month and then opening to the public. I'm sure you'll hear me say it again, but I'm so impressed with the level of detail that the Bramato family is putting into their new restaurant (they are also the owners of Cortina Tile). They started with a powerwash of the exterior (all those cars sitting at the light throw off a lot of grime...I should know), added new lighting and signage, and put in storefront windows that will swing open on the Main Street side in nice weather. On the interior, they constructed two levels of mezzanine dining, brought artists in to create a sculpted nook for storing wine, and mounted an enormous marble panel, lit from behind, as art. They are also planning to take advantage of the deep sidewalks on the Washington Street side to create outdoor dining screened by planters. No more cars parking on the sidewalk...I'm glad to hear it!

I don't have a crystal ball about where the economy is going, but here we are, nine months after the crash, and Main Street restaurants are still going strong. There will always be some who moan about the lack of depth in our retail sector, but from my perspective, the first step is to get people coming downtown, and the restaurants are doing a great job with that. Hopefully, our stores will someday figure out how to capitalize on all that evening foot traffic!



Here are some photos of Esca's construction over the past 10 months or so: