Popular Restaurant Chain Still Slated For Enfield Expansion

ENFIELD, CT — Paper signs advertising the upcoming addition of a popular restaurant chain to the Big Y Plaza have been removed, but the project is still expected to come to fruition sometime in 2020.

In early March, "Coming Soon" notices promoting the Wood-n-Tap Bar & Grill appeared in the window of the former Royal Buffet, which closed in 2011, in the north end of the plaza. Restaurant officials did not have an estimated timeframe for the opening of the site, which would be the 10th in Connecticut.

Recently, the signs have been removed from the windows, prompting speculation as to the fate of the project.

"Enfield isn’t going to happen until after the first of the year and I have no idea at this point what month," said Jennifer Lamantini, director of guest services for the chain. "Just delay after delay so we took the signs down when we knew it wasn’t happening in 2019."

Since opening its original restaurant in Hartford in 2002, Wood-n-Tap has expanded into eight other towns in Hartford and New Haven counties: Farmington, Southington, Rocky Hill, Vernon, Orange, Wallingford, Hamden and Newington. The Farmington location on Route 4 is being moved to the former Apricot's Restaurant across from Farmington High School; that site is expected to be ready in mid-September.

The restaurant serves "American casual" food, with a menu selection that includes steaks, chicken, seafood, pasta, pizza, burgers and sandwiches. The establishments also carry full liquor licenses.

The business is known for its generosity within the communities it serves. According to the company's web site, owners Phil Barnett and Mike Hamlin "have made giving back to the community a priority. Through numerous charity events and fundraisers, they have donated over $250,000 to local non-profit organizations."