The Cottage To Expand, Open New Restaurant Location In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Celebrated chef Brian Lewis announced this week he will expand his popular Westport restaurant, The Cottage, by opening a new location along Greenwich Avenue.

Located at 49 Greenwich Avenue, the 60+ seat restaurant and bar is slated to open later this year.

In a news release, Lewis noted the success of the Westport restaurant and the support it has received during the coronavirus crisis prompted him to expand The Cottage's footprint in Fairfield County. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"We've always looked forward to the day that we can bring The Cottage to a new market after being so blessed with our devoted clientele and hardworking team in Westport," Lewis said in a news release. "As we experienced such continued support during [the coronavirus crisis] and after six successful years in Westport, the time was right to grow and find a sister location to complement the original Cottage."

Greenwich Chamber of Commerce president Marcia O'Kane noted the Greenwich restaurant scene has remained robust during the past year, despite issues caused by the coronavirus, with numerous new eateries having opened in town.

"It is not surprising that The Cottage has chosen Greenwich Avenue for its newest location," O'Kane said to Patch, "given the avenue's reputation, accessibility and prominence as a go-to dining destination."

The new Greenwich restaurant aims to celebrate "exceptional seasonal ingredients sourced from local purveyors and farmers" through Lewis' signature style of American cooking.

While the restaurant will feature several signature Cottage dishes and cocktails, Lewis and the Greenwich location's team will also look to get creative with its food and beverage program.

Cottage favorites set to be featured on the Greenwich menu include Wagyu beef brisket steam buns, duck fried rice, "The Cottage Burger" and a hot fudge and peanut butter sundae. Cottage bar favorites such as The Smokey Peat and The Spicy Pear will also be featured alongside classic and signature cocktails, a full selection of local craft beers and an international wine list of new and old world favorites.

"At our soon-to-be four restaurant locations of Full House Hospitality Group, the team will always be the heartbeat of our restaurants," Lewis said. "I'm pleased to be embarking on this location in a new market with the leadership and talents of both Chef Christian Wilki, who oversees all culinary operations as executive chef, and Ralph Leon, who oversees all front of house operations as our director of beverage and hospitality. We thrive on bringing talented, hardworking and dedicated team members up through the ranks of our restaurants."

The Cottage's Greenwich location will be open Tuesday-Sunday for dinner service, expanding to offer lunch, Sunday brunch and to-go options soon after.

Plans for the Greenwich restaurant's opening were announced as coronavirus vaccinations continue to roll out in town.

During a press update Wednesday afternoon, First Selectman Fred Camillo spoke positively about the outlook for businesses in Greenwich and noted that, while it was still too early to say with certainty, he was "very confident" the warmer weather and increased vaccination rates will have a positive effect on local businesses this year, as long as residents remain cautious.

See also: Camillo Reflects On A Year 'We Will Never Forget' In Greenwich

"They'll say it's better to be safe than sorry," Camillo said. "Just continue to do what you're doing. That's the only way to ensure safety."

Further information about The Cottage can be found at www.thecottagewestport.com.