Ridgefield, CT October 2023

FOOD + BEVERAGE

THE ONLINE PREMIUM SPIRITS INDUSTRY STARTED IN RIDGEFIELD

OBSERVATIONS OF A LONG TIME RESTAURANT CRITIC

ENTERTAINMENT

HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR ARRIVES IN RIDGEFIELD

The Foodie Issue

Food brings us together in so many ways. This issue highlights some favorite food offerings in Ridgefield and, of course, the artists who create them. Exceptional cooking is an art that we all appreciate. After all, a talented cook can bring out flavors in a dish that take us to faraway places or back in time. We have a delightful mix of dining establishments in Ridgefield and we are pleased to take you inside a few in the most delicious issue of the year!

It is certainly notable that all of our restaurants made it through the pandemic. This is a testament to all of us who live here and value the quaint eateries that feature personal service and fresh, seasonal cuisine. We often know the restaurant owners by name and we revel in the opportunity to support our favorite establishments. That's why it's such a pleasure to feature a few of these delicious eateries in this issue that is dedicated to the foodies among us. We hope that you soak in the sage advice as it pertains to French cooking, savor the wisdom of a local food critic and get a glimpse of some expanded offerings at the exquisite TerraSole Ristorante!

We will also introduce you to two Ridgefield residents who are bringing a new peanut butter brand to market.  Giv Soft Butter is a start-up that is now on local store shelves and online for health conscious consumers. Read more about this new venture on the pages that follow.

Did you know that the premium online spirits market was born in Ridgefield? Two local gentlemen who wanted to send premium liquor across the country to their former college roommate as a gift found it challenging to do so, they then founded what is now one the top selling high end spirits platform in the nation, ReserveBar. ReserveBar is headquartered on our beautiful Main Street. We are excited to introduce you to one of the founders, Lindsay Held.

Finally, Hollywood Glamour arrives in Ridgefield this month with the opening of ACT of Connecticut's Sunset Boulevard. This classic production brings old fashioned Hollywood Glamour to life and we can't wait to see it! We encourage you to make your reservations for dinner and a show for the final weekend in October. What an enticing time period to experience and celebrate!

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Mary Dougherty | mary.dougherty@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Ashley Alt | ashley.alt@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ashley Alt, Jillian Fontana

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

New Light Creative Services, Kate Wark

Photography, Michael Ursone, Hatch 130

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Sara Minor

MARY DOUGHERTY, PUBLISHER @RIDGEFIELDCITYLIFESTYLE

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Where neighbors can see and be seen.

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1: Olga Chin, CEO, Interprice Technologies accepts the first place award at the 2022 Shark Tank. 2: Rudy Marconi, Deborah Rundlett and Alan Bozian at the Meetinghouse for the ground breaking. 3: Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni, Kay Ables, Senator Richard Blumenthal; Sharon Dunphy, Tracy Seem, Rudy Marconi, Stephen Bartkus 4: The groundbreaking of the Martinsen Barn at the Meetinghouse. 5: Stephen Barkus, Executive Director of the Ridgefield Historical Society accepts an American Battlefield Protection Grant. 6: Lindsey Ault-Authier engages the B.I.G. membership at a pod meeting at Terra Sole Ristorante. 7: Celebrating with sushi at Salem Golf Club!

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business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

ACT of Connecticut Announces Special Opening Night Performance

Special Opening Night performance tickets for Sunset Boulevard on October 28 include an exclusive pre-show cocktail reception in the lobby. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and other beverages will be available to opening night guests, beginning at 7pm. There is nothing like the energy and excitement of an ACT of CT Opening Night performance!!! You’ll be amongst the show’s creative team members, press, and other ACT of CT patrons who love being “the first”! actofct.org

Exquisite Event Space Available at Salem Golf Club

Salem Golf Club boasts a beautifully designed banquet facility catered by a highly trained staff of professionals. Whether it's a wedding, anniversary, shower, corporate event, holiday party or any other occasion, their team will ensure a memorable experience. They offer Thanksgiving-to-Go meals and host outstanding holiday parties for the upcoming holiday season too. To take a tour of our facilities, reach out to us at 914-669-5485 or visit our website at  salemgolfclub.org for more information.

Sunset Wine Party Tickets Available for October 20 Event

The spectacular annual wine shopping event will be held this month. Sip, mingle and network at the gorgeous, historic Lounsbury House. It will be a festive evening and a fundraiser that benefits Artful Visual Arts Initiative. Join the MINI of Fairfield Grand Wine Tasting Room featuring over 70 wines that will be curated by Ancona's Wines and Liquors, There will be an abundance of appetizers too.  Wines available for purchase onsite or online! sunsetwineparty.com

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Ridgefield

Easeful Luxury, Italian Style

Local sommelier Jillian Fontana had the pleasure of interviewing Pietro Polini, owner of TerraSole Ristorante, on his expanded Lounge menu. Please read this exquisitely illustrated article for an insider look at the Ridgefield-famous eatery's latest offerings.

Ridgefield’s best kept dining secret is out. TerraSole restaurateur Pietro Polini is on a mission to bring the indulgent tastes of his Italian restaurant to more of us. The new, expanded Lounge Menu is now available in the entire bar and lounge area, where a sleek, modern vibe and a sultry Sofia Loren mural greet you upon entry. The white and cool tones give an air of Miami chic, but the aroma of the wood-burning oven brings you right back home.

The lounge area consists of three seating options: perch yourself atop the glowy underlit bar, cozy-up in cushy white leather chairs at a table, or choose “the porch," a multi-seasonal al fresco dining area perfect for soft breezes and people watching. Blankets are graciously provided for all outdoor dining, ensuring

guests stay warm and comfortable on these upcoming chilly fall nights.

Think of the new lounge menu as an Italian style happy hour: long, lingering and generous. Whether you're gathering with friends or heading out for an impromptu midweek date night, don’t just wait for that "special occasion" to pop in.

To start, the hours: the lounge menu is available every day from 4-8 pm—much longer than a typical “happy hour” that is only two to three hours at best. Bonus: prices are much friendlier at this time, but the best news is that the dishes maintain their quality and portion.

I encourage you to linger like the Italians do: sip a drink or two of a specialty cocktail before ordering food. You’ll slow down and savor in a no-rush setting, as if you're relaxing in a Roman piazza. There are specially priced wines by the glass, and when is the last time you saw a (good) six dollar draft beer?

The menu hosts plentiful options for all palates. While TerraSole is most definitely an Italian restaurant, the sushi bar, crafted

by a Nobu-alum chef, is top-notch and extremely creative. Don’t be surprised to find both Japanese and Italian influences on the Crudo menu; a seamless blending of the two cuisines.

A particularly opulent lounge menu pairing is the Kobe Burger and Caymus. A richly marbled beef burger with fontina cheese, lettuce, tomato and spicy avocado aioli could only be complemented by sea-salt truffle fries. To drink, I recommend a glass of ultra-robust Caymus cabernet sauvignon. What could possibly be more satisfying?

A fan favorite is the Brussels sprout salad, crunchy and decadent with a truffle-parmigiano reggiano vinaigrette and local goat cheese in a puff pastry bowl. This is a salad for a red wine if there ever was one.

The pizza oven gleams behind the bar, glossy black tiles matching the dots of char it produces. Polini explains, “The dough is a blend of semolina and rice flour. It’s lighter than regular pizza, topped with not just bufala mozzarella but the creamy stracciatella." The wood-fired pizza oven pulls double duty, too. On the entrée menu, you'll find many cuts of dry-aged prime beef seared to perfection, plus a juicy-spicy Pork Chop Scarpiello.

Often, guests will come in for the bar’s lounge menu and opt to add in a few other favorites since

the menu is so extensive. A luxurious textural interplay is the “lobster crispy rice” appetizer, featuring batons of deep fried rice topped with chunks of lobster, jalapeño and chili. It must be tasted to be believed.

If weekdays are too hectic with work and kids' activities, you can experience many of the same menu items at brunch. Get your eggs and bacon in pasta form with the Bucatini alla Carbonara Terrasole, incorporating the traditional egg yolk and cured guanciale with pecorino for a silky pasta dish that hits all the spots. For a lighter option from the crudo bar, the Poke Bowl can be made with either wild king salmon or bluefin tuna, served with asparagus and bell peppers over quinoa.

The glass enclosed wine cellar boasts many special bottles, including the heaviest hitters from Napa and Italy. However, a connoisseur’s delight is the by-the-glass selection. You can experience Amarone, Barolo and Brunello (Italy’s most important red wines) without having to purchase the entire bottle. This works out particularly well when your dining companion prefers white.

Do yourself a favor and take advantage of this treasure of a menu. It is an innovative and effortless option that certainly does not lack luxury.

The Art of French Cooking

ARTICLE BY MARY DOUGHERTY AND SARAH STABILE PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEW LIGHT CREATIVE SERVICES

REGIONAL INFLUENCES AND TIMELESS TIPS FROM LOCAL CHEFS

French cooking is an art that many of us strive to improve, especially as we enter the colder months of the year. There are so many possibilities to create and discover new techniques and recipes. Ridgefield is fortunate to have a few extraordinary chefs who create phenomenal French food.

We thought we would talk to a few of them and hear their thoughts on French food and their craft. We also want to know some of their best tips to assure that your homemade French cuisine rivals theirs! Read on to hear more about where these local artists became inspired to create french food and some of the early culinary experiences that shaped them.

THE BENJAMIN

Executive Chef Ben Traver is Ridgefield's latest culinary inspiration behind the American-French inspired restaurant, The Benjamin, taking the place of Bernard's and Sarah's Wine Bar.

One would think The Benjamin is aptly named after Ben himself, but that is not the case. The restaurant is actually, and interestingly, named after Benjamin Franklin. One of the restaurant's partners, Rob Moss, explains the historical nod: “Ben Franklin was not only one of America’s founding fathers; he was also the first ambassador to France. He returned to America with grand tales of refined culture, sophisticated French wine and food. With this restaurant, we’re truly bridging the gap between two cultures.”

Traver grew up in Bethlehem, CT and has fond memories of cooking chicken and dumplings with his mother. After high school, Ben became a line cook at The Pantry/Meraki in Litchfield.

Executive Chef Ben Traver of The Benjamin

The dining space at The Benjamin

A dish from The Benjamin, photo courtesy of Hatch 130

Thereafter, he was hired at Cafe Boulud in New York City where he "climbed the ranks from Commis to Chef de Partie."

Four years later, he moved to The Modern, a two-Michelin star contemporary American restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in the city. The Modern’s kitchen was also structured in the traditional French brigade style where every chef is responsible for his/her own station.

Restaurant partner Dave Studwell, along with Moss, met Traver through a mutual friend.

“Our mutual friend gave him such a strong recommendation that we met and he was hired on the spot,” said Moss. “Ben is calm and meticulous in the kitchen. He pays homage to the craft, tradition and flavors of French and American dishes like Roasted Half Chicken with English peas, wild mushrooms, tasso ham, and fines herbes chicken jus, Pan Seared Scallops served with roasted cauliflower, leek rondelles and brown butter caper sauce. These entrees are juxtaposed on the menu with French classics like Escargot Tartine, Tuna Tartare and Smoked Trout Rillettes”

A’ TABLE WITH SARAH + BERNARD

We spoke with Chef Bernard about his take on French cooking and the shift that he and his wife Sarah have made from operating one of Ridgefield’s most prized restaurants to running their new store that offers premium takeout and catering options.

Bernard grew up in Montauban which is in Southwest France where he was inspired by the local cuisine and his mother’s cooking.  He came to the United States to work for Daniel Boulud at Le Plaza Athena. Sarah started cooking in a French kitchen in New Jersey and then went to France to do a threemonth Stage at a 2 star Michelin restaurant in Vichy. Bernard and Sarah met at Le Cirque in Manhattan where they both worked as chefs.

Wanting to move to the suburbs, they were looking for a restaurant with a house on the property (they had four small children at the time) in a nice community where they could be a part of. When they found The Inn at Ridgefield it was perfect for them. After selling the

restaurant, they wanted to stay in Ridgefield and open their store. Sarah and Bernard love Ridgefield!

Bernard says the important thing with French cooking is “to take the time to go through all the steps necessary to create the flavors and that starts at the beginning.” For example,  “taking the time to make the stock properly

'My creativity is spontaneous, I love to follow the season. I often get inspired when a local forager comes in with mushrooms - I immediately think, what can I do with this.'

- Chef Bernard, A' Table

A dish from The Benjamin

Owners of à Table, Sarah and Bernard

à Table

as it is the base to so many other things.” When asked what his favorite dishes are to create,  Bernard states that ‘his creativity is spontaneous, “I love to follow the season. I often get inspired when a local forager comes in with mushrooms - I immediately think, what can I do with this?”

A few selections at A’ Table that customers especially love are the  Ratatouille, Foie Gras Terrine & Truffle Pomme Dauphine — all things that you don’t really find anywhere else.

BRASSERIE SAINT GERMAIN

We met with Frank Bonnaudet who is the owner and head chef of his chic, new Main Street French eatery, Brasserie Saint Germain, which immediately transports you to the artsy area of Paris the eatery is named after. His passion for French cooking began as a child. He spent a lot of time in

the kitchen with his mother, which is where he learned the foundation of French cooking.  He then attended Culinary School in Brittany, France, a gorgeous coastal spot on France's largest peninsula. It was here that Frank gained great appreciation for creating seafood dishes. The Oyster Bar at Saint Germain is a focal point in the main dining room. Mussels and Oysters are fan-favorites that customers enjoyed at his former Ridgefield eatery, Sucre Sale. It was here that Frank gained great appreciation for seafood as evidenced in his current menu offerings including a generous raw bar with fresh oysters that is a focal point in the main dining area and muscles accompanied by gourmet sauces. Raving fans have celebrated these offerings over the years at his former Ridgefield eatery, Sucre Sale’.

His lead chef chimed in about a few must-try customer favorites that she enjoys creating and that the restaurant is known for, including boeuf bourguignon, salmon in a

Saint Germain chef

Salmon from Saint Germain

Saint Germain restaurant

vanilla sauce, and the infamous Raw Bar that is the only one you will find in town.

Frank is also heavily influenced by his cooking experience at a ski resort in the French Alps where he worked for four years after he graduated culinary school. It was there that he gained appreciation and experience with fondue, raclette, and gratin dishes. Fun fact: Frank joins other local chefs two times a year on a skiing adventure with The Chef's Ski Club. This is not only fun but a way to network and socialize with other talented artists.

Frank, along with his fellow chefs who work alongside him agree that one of the most significant differentiators in quality French cuisine is the time that is put into creating the food. Frank cited “that a beef bourguignon marinates in wine for two days.” The extra time and attention to create this dish and other French favorites is what makes French food so special.

The Chef at Lucs was invited but not available during the time frame that these interviews were conducted.

Octopus at Saint Germain

ARTICLE BY ASHLEY ALT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE WARK

LOCAL RESIDENTS LAUNCH HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER BRAND

foods just add fuel to the fire," Stephanie described of certain things that worsened her son's condition.

"And I started a keto, low-carb diet five years ago which completely changed the way I view health and nutrition," Paul added.

Paul remarked there are a plethora of people who get to middle age and realize their relationship with food changes. After trying a low-carb diet, he lost 40 lbs and was able to maintain a healthy diet easily.

I learned a lot from my conversation with Giv Soft Butter founders Paul Giovanniello and Stephanie Sarup. Like that pineapple contains as much sugar as a candy bar. And that table salt is terrible for you.

Paul and Stephanie met each other randomly in Ridgefield through local sports. Paul ended up coaching Stephanie's son in basketball and football, and the two quickly found out they share similar experiences. In addition to having kids the same age playing the same sports, they discovered, through small talk on the field, that they both studied at Boston College and are very passionate about health.

"There's an instant bond you have being of the same alumni," Stephanie said of their Alma mater. After finding out her son was born with a rare mutation deficiency that shuts off a protein the body would naturally make on its own, Stephanie decided to treat it with diet and exercise, which is where her interest in food came from. "Sugar, carbs, and other inflammatory

"When you're on that kind of a diet, you still get cravings." Paul noted. "But with peanut butter, you only need a little to stave off cravings. Once you're on keto, you also become really sensitive to sugar," a factor that became key in the creation of Giv Soft Butter.

After experimenting with making his own peanut butter (which was a lot of grinding nuts in his kitchen with a food processor), Paul discovered that monk fruit tastes just like sugar, but has zero calories and zero carbs.

During a warm-up at their sons’ basketball practice, a simple "What did you do this weekend?" conversation turned into a push from Stephanie for Paul to sell his homemade peanut butter online. "Within 24 hours, she built a website," Paul said. Once they teamed up, they realized they didn't want to sacrifice taste for health, and found out that unique lane wasn't being filled very well.

"The old saying, 'sugar and butter make everything taste better' is true," Paul laughed. "What

IT'S FILLING. IT'S NUTRIENT DENSE. IT'S LOW-CARB. IT'S DELICIOUS. IT'S GIV SOFT BUTTER.

we needed to do was find that taste back." This is how their tagline, "The taste you grew up with, the nutrition you expect," came about.

In addition to adding monk fruit to their lowcarb nuts, the health-conscious entrepreneurs use sea salt, "a very healthy mineral," into the mix, creating the ultimate sweet and salty peanut butter in a healthy context. No added sugar, two net carbs per serving.

For those uninvested in the inner workings of nut butters, traditional peanut butter is peanut-based, which is a higher carb nut. Pecans, on the other hand, are on the low end of carbs, so Giv combines both peanuts and pecans, allowing their product to maintain that peanut butter taste without the carb overload.

"Our peanut butter is very liquidy," Stephanie states. "You can drink it out of the jar, have a spoonful of it when you're feeling hungry, drizzle it on dessert like ice cream, or spread it on toast, just like any other peanut butter."

Their latest offering is Hazella, a dessert peanut butter, comparable (but not really) to Nutella. "Hazelnuts are very low-carb, so it's the same low-carb effect as our peanut butter," Paul commented of their newest creation. "It’s a health food that tastes like dessert."

Their jars are sold at a handful of local food stores around town, as well as on Amazon.

Perfecting Your Fall Tablescape

ARTICLE BY ASHLEY ALT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL ORSONE

The dining area in your home is a great space to entertain friends and family or just have a cozy and intimate dinner for two. Anna Nowak of Anna Nowak Interiors and Lionspaw & Co. Staging tells us that good lighting is key. As a longtime design consultant, she gave us her recommendations for creating a dining space that is as welcoming as it is luxurious.

"Start by creating an inviting feel with luxurious table clothes, placemats, runners, napkins, votives, gourds, pumpkins, autumn leaves, berries and grapevine garlands," she suggests. "Mix the accents and accessories as your centerpiece to run the length of the table for the decor to flow like a fall harvest. Work with some bold colors for a bit of pop at the table and throughout the room. Flowering cabbage and fall flowers are also lovely mixed in among the tablescape."

She emphasizes that side seating, conversation areas and serving tables are important in eliminating a cramped feel in the dining area, noting that "trend is in and out overnight—but classic, elegant and eclectic will stand the test of time."

As a design consultant, Nowak's passion for helping home owners, realtors, stagers, event planners, and "anyone who appreciates a great eye for visual aesthetics" is shown beautifully through her work.

When staging for events or simply providing tips for couples and families at home, Nowak prefers her tablescapes to tell a story. "Creating a festive table allows me to bring in many different elements of layering textiles, florals, votives, vintage glass, bisque flatware and serving pieces in varied sizes along with ornamental objects that can create a story," she notes.

She explains the importance of "making ample room to elevate the dining space" by adding areas with soft lights and candles, bud vases with sweet, floral accents and a few extra seats for a conversation area. "People are drawn to soft lighting and colorful, well-placed table settings." Nowak states. "Soft background music also creates that special touch."

When setting a beautiful table and prepping a room for a function, Nowak explains there needs to be key elements to make it feel luxurious and fun. First, the tablecloth and linens. "How we layer the look with the right colors, choice of dishes, glasses, flatware & stemware really matter," she notes. For the centerpiece, you want to make sure you're bringing in interesting pieces and varied heights that will add to a more "unusual" table design.

"Break up your dish sets and remember that not everything needs to match in order for it to look super," Nowak says. "Everything around the centerpiece can be moved and placed to create a vignette or story that flows with the rest of the decor."

She encourages not to "over set" a table that is "too tightly set," emphasizing that you need to leave room for elbow space. "While many occasions and gatherings tend to have a more relaxed vibe with table settings that are simple and clean, I still suggest fun, colorful linens to create a happy feeling."

Her final style recommendation is to "bring in a few lovely paintings and artwork of your choice to enhance the look and feeling in the room. And most importantly, have fun when entertaining."

"While many occasions and gatherings tend to have a more relaxed vibe with table settings that are simple and clean, I still suggest fun, colorful linens to create a happy feeling."

Observations of a Longtime Restaurant Critic

ARTICLE BY ASHLEY ALT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HATCH 130 (FOOD PHOTOS ONLY)

Frank Cohen is an award-winning, Connecticut-based restaurant critic and food & wine writer of 26 years. He has written thousands of restaurant reviews for more than two dozen media outlets. Here, he provides us with a background on his time spent as a restaurant critic, and how this rare profession came to fruition.

But first, a note on his thoughts about Ridgefield as a foodie destination. "Ridgefield has had a strong scene for years," Cohen said. "I reviewed many restaurants there over the years, but none especially recently. My favorites in Ridgefield were probably The Elm back in

the day and The Ridgefield Inn/Bernard’s, but I haven’t had an opportunity to try out its latest incarnation yet, although I’ve heard good things."

His mother was an original Fulbright Fellow fluent in seven languages, who honed her cooking skills by staying with a French countess. "I inherited her passion, preparing elaborate breakfasts in bed for my parents when I was just nine years old," Cohen said.

Eventually, restaurant criticism, the intersection of his twin passions of food and writing, beckoned. "I prided myself on honest but constructive criticism, trying not to disparage unduly the hard work of

Cohen, left, with Elise Maclay, the longtime restaurant critic at Connecticut magazine.

others," Cohen remarked. "I never sought out bad restaurants, but occasionally they threw themselves under my wheels."

Among career highlights including winning the SPJ award for best leisure writing in a magazine in 2018, Cohen's top achievement was turning the tables and critiquing the restaurant critics of several major cities for an influential national restaurant industry magazine.

Through his work, he always tried to be inconspicuous, even using various pen names to preserve anonymity (Philip Innes and Spencer Caldwell among them), the first a nod to the palate and discernment of his Filipino wife, a supertaster like himself, who exposed Cohen to a different culture, foods, lifestyle, even ways of thinking.

"As a restaurant critic," Cohen declares, "I feel it’s crucial to remain open to all cultures and constantly seek out new experiences and adventures."

COHEN IS ALSO THE FOUNDER OF CT DISH, AN ONLINE PLATFORM COVERING THE ENTIRE NUTMEG STATE WITH THE MISSION TO UNCOVER THE BEST DISHES IN CONNECTICUT RESTAURANTS.

"As a restaurant critic, I feel it’s crucial to remain open to all cultures and constantly seek out new experiences and adventures. The world of food is almost infinite."

A dish from TerraSole

Dish from Saint Germain

Hollywood Glamour Arrives in Ridgefield

ACT of Connecticut brings the golden era back through its new musical, Sunset Boulevard

ARTICLE BY ASHLEY ALT

The time period from 1920-1960 is widely regarded as Hollywood's Golden Age. Filled with drama, decadence, and fabulousness from top to bottom, this time period stays true to its name. As ACT of Connecticut's producing director Erin Craig puts it, "The Motion Pictures of that time in Hollywood were big spectacles of costume and scenery and dance. It was such a vibrant time of bringing these great Hollywood movies and musicals to the world and they existed in such great capacity.”

The ACT Theater is cordially inviting us to live in that dominant era showcasing elegant outfits and sophisticated parties filled with champagne and big band music through its upcoming musical, Sunset Boulevard.

Sunset Boulevard is an infamous black and white film from the 1950s. Set in Hollywood, the main character, Norma

Desmond, was the most famous silent movie star of her time who went from A-list celebrity to being unhireable, which sets her into a tailspin of depression and schizophrenia.

Artistic director Daniel Levine has dreamed about directing this play for several years. If you're familiar with his work, Levine is able to translate big musicals into unforgettable, theatrical experiences that feel more like films. "This is a story about faded stardom and aging in Hollywood and the human condition that begs the question, 'What will people do for their shot at stardom?'" he said.

“It is catchy beyond belief,” Craig commented. The musical weaves in themes of obsession, romance, and faded glory, showcasing newbies like struggling screenwriters trying to make it in Hollywood as well as the emotion and passion tied to a woman going on this inner

turmoil of a journey during one of the most exciting times in Hollywood.

The show’s setting is split between the Hollywood lot and a mansion that Norma lives in. “We really bring the mansion to life through the scenery,” Craig says. "From costumes and wigs to makeup and design, we are really hitting that Hollywood Studios era."

"I'm certain audiences will come away with this show as another Broadwaycaliber production," Levine promises. "For those seeing this for the first time, I think they are going to be fascinated and blown away by this performance. It's a show that stays with people for a long time because the psychological twists and turns that occur take a minute to process."

The musical is being shown at ACT of Connecticut's Theatre from October 26 to November 19. actofct.org

photo by stevewhite.photography

The Online Premium Spirits Industry Started in Ridgefield

A decade ago,  Lindsay Held and Jeff Carton attempted to send a gift across the country to their former college roommate. After discovering the difficulty of sending premium spirits online, they saw an opening in the market that they quickly capitalized on.  ReserveBar pioneered the premium spirits online space and continues to lead it from its headquarter office right in the heart of our beautiful Main Street.

We sat down with Co-Founder, Lindsay Held to talk about how ReserveBar continues to innovate and lead the online luxury spirits space and how a serendipitous encounter led him home to Ridgefield.

TALK TO US ABOUT RESERVEBAR.  HOW AND WHY DID YOU START THE PLATFORM?

My co-founder and I wanted to send several bottles of premium vodka to a college friend who lived across the country and quickly realized that no website was devoted to doing just that – so we built one instead. ReserveBar has pioneered the online luxury spirits market. Now, heading into our tenth anniversary, it has become the established e-commerce leader in rare, luxury, and ultra-premium spirits for all occasions. We specialize in discovery, customization, and convenient access to the world's finest spirits, champagnes, and wines for

ARTICLE BY MARY DOUGHERTY AND ASHLEY ALT

self-consumption, collecting, innovative gifting, and provisioning an outstanding bar.

In November 2021, ReserveBar acquired Minibar Delivery, an on-demand delivery provider with over two million SKUs. We successfully integrated the Minibar Delivery technology and retailer network in less than a year post-acquisition, allowing ReserveBar to offer customers the choice of on-demand delivery and shipping as the method of fulfillment via ReserveBar.com. Most recently, ReserveBar Holdings Corp. has expanded its portfolio with Get Stocked, which will serve as a content-centric destination dedicated to exploring and purchasing a curated selection of the best craft beer, ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs), and hard seltzers available.

WE READ IN THE WINE ENTHUSIAST THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SOON BE ABLE TO OFFER MESSAGES FROM CELEBRITIES FOR THEIR BRANDS, PLUS ON-DEMAND DELIVERY EXPERIENCES WITHIN ONE HOUR. ARE YOU ABLE TO ELABORATE ON ANY OF THAT?

ReserveBar is a digital marketing partner for spirits brands. We can showcase their products in an on-brand fashion. As a result of our relationship, we have become the industry's launch partner for new brands, new variants, and special limited bottles, and that has also developed into partnerships with "celebrity brands" who rely on our experience in providing consumers a seamless path to purchase. ReserveBar's philosophy has always centered around providing our customers with the best shopping experience in the industry. Launching our new on-demand delivery capabilities last year significantly enhanced our ability to meet the consumer at their point of need with even more efficiency, speed, and convenience. Introducing on-demand delivery gives users a better, more convenient way to shop with a personalized, effortless, and unparalleled customer experience. In addition, ReserveBar offers many exciting new features,

including expanded content and customer reviews, improved merchandising, and video messaging for gift-giving.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO OTHER ENTREPRENEURS LOOKING TO CULTIVATE THEIR OWN VENTURE?

Embarking on the journey of building a business is undoubtedly a challenging endeavor that demands dedication, resilience and a healthy dose of innovation. There are complexities and uncertainties that come with cultivating your venture. Here are the tips that have been helpful for me when I was trying to make my business work, especially during the good times and the bad times. Continuous Learning - Keep learning, and stay up-to-date on what's new in your industry.Stay open to new ideas. Be willing to experiment and adapt.Build a Strong Team: Surround yourself with talented individuals who share your vision. A cohesive team can complement your skills, bring fresh perspectives, and contribute to the growth of your venture. Never try to be the "smartest guy in the room "- I am certainly not. Most importantly, rely on friends and family as your sounding board because starting a business is a lonely endeavor, regardless of what it is. Try to seek advice from people even if they are not part of your business.

CAN YOU TELL US BRIEFLY WHAT YOU DID PRIOR TO RESERVEBAR?

I have been everything from a corporate lawyer and an associate at an investment bank to an ice cream man owning stores in NYC.

FINALLY, WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO RIDGEFIELD?

Ultimately, what led me to Ridgefield was a serendipitous encounter. I happened upon Ridgefield's Main Street during a vibrant town fair, and in a moment reminiscent of The Talking Heads' timeless lyrics, "This must be the place."

“ReserveBar is a digital marketing partner for spirits brands.”

Oct 26 - Nov 19, 2023

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 7TH

Ridgefield Farmer's Market

JESSE LEE COMMONS 207

MAIN STREET, RIDGEFIELD, CT | 10:00 AM

Join us for local vendors, family activities and music on a front lawn of our beautiful historic Main Street. Pick up farm fresh produce, baked goods, and specialty items.

Visit the variety of local vendors that host a curated selection of farm fresh food.

OCTOBER 12TH

Prospector Theatre's Do Good Business Conference

THE PROSPECTOR THEATRE | 9:00 AM

Feb 22 - March 17, 2024

Join this special event at the Prospector Theatre for a full-day, hybrid conference detailing how diversity, inclusion, and accessibility can be good for your business. Come away with strategies to build a more inclusive work culture.

Participants will learn ways to create competitive and inclusive employment environments.

OCTOBER 14TH

Fall in Love with Ridgefield

MAIN STREET, RIDGEFIELD | 10:00 AM

May 23 - June 16, 2024

Join the festivities in the heart of Main Street, Ridgefield for a magical day of family friendly activities. It's an ideal day to peruse our boutique shops, dine at our local restaurants and savor the peak of the autumn season.

Are you looking for help booking your next trip? We can help with that!

OCTOBER 20TH

Sunset Wine Party

THE LOUNSBURY HOUSE | 6:00 PM

Experience a magical evening at this annual wine shopping event hosted at the gorgeous Lounsbury House in Ridgefield.  The event is a fundraiser for ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative. Taste over 70 wines and indulge in delicious appetizers at this fall gathering. Wines will be available for purchase too!

OCTOBER 24TH

Tiger Shark Tank - Season 2

THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE | 5:30 PM

Attend the second Tiger Shark Tank where Ridgefield entrepreneurs and business owners pitch their ideas to a panel of leaders, notable entrepreneurs, private equity investors, and Ridgefield ECDC Commissioners.  Doors open at 5:30pm for pre event networking.

OCTOBER 26TH

ACT of Connecticut Presents Sunset Boulevard

ACT OF CONNECTICUT

38 OLD QUARRY ROAD, RIDGEFIELD CT 06512 | 7:00 PM Sunset Boulevard tells the magnificent tale of Norma Desmond, a faded silent-screen goddess living in her Sunset Boulevard mansion clinging to a fantasy that audiences still long for her, but in reality, hardly remember her. This Tony Award winning masterpiece has been called Andrew Lloyd Webber’s finest scores and weaves a compelling tale of romance, obsession, and faded glory.

Want to be featured?

Trevor & Dana Cox Danbury, CT | 475-215-0092

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Ridgefield