Reef Shack Market And Grill Opens In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfielders looking for a quick breakfast bite or a night off from cooking dinner have a new option, after Reef Shack market and grill opened earlier this month.

“It’s been amazing the amount of people that have come in,” co-owner Bridget Lesizza said.

The neighborhood shop and eatery is located in a 1923 building at 257 Reef Road that was home to a 7-Eleven until the store closed in April. The property was reimagined by Lesizza and her husband, Jason Lesizza, to resemble the beach shacks of Cape Cod and Nantucket.

Reef Shack offers options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, many of which feature the signature shaved rib eye. Coffee and espresso drinks are served, accompanied by pastries, breakfast sandwiches, or cupcakes from Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery in Brooklyn. Grilled sandwiches — also available as bowls — are on the menu, along with fresh soups.

Customers looking to feed a group fast can opt for one of the family-size grab-and-go meals, which rotate daily and include rib eye mac and cheese, chicken Marsala and salads for a crowd. Seafood such as fish and chips or clams are served on the weekend.

Many menu items — such as “The G-Ma” or the “Renato Scarpariello” sandwiches — are named after members of the Lesizza family. Reef Shack is a true family affair, with Bridget’s sisters, nieces, nephews and even her 79-year-old mother working together.

“At some point there will always be a member of our extended family there,” Bridget, a Fairfield native, said during a previous interview in August.

Jason has some experience in the food industry, as his father — Renato Scarpariello, the namesake of one of Reef Shack's sandwiches — ran a restaurant in Manhattan. Italian ice sorbet made using Renato’s recipe is sold at the Fairfield business by the scoop, pint or quart.

In addition to prepared food, Reef Shack sells kitchen staples like milk, eggs and bread.

“We’re overwhelmed by the level of support from the community and how everybody’s really embraced our concept,” Bridget said, noting customers have been taking particular advantage of the takeout window, one of many features designed to facilitate social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Other virus-conscious elements of the business include open-air refrigerators with no handles and a patio with an enclosed awning, designed to offer year-round seating while still facilitating airflow. Customers can also choose to receive a text or email when their order is ready if they don't want to wait in-store.

Reef Shack hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, officiated by First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick. Bridget said the business has also been positively received on social media.

“I think everybody’s really excited just for something new,” she said.

Reef Shack is closed Monday, but is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.reefshackffld.com.