Now Rustic Grille Patrons Can Order Cocktails

The Rustic Grille at 494 Main Street is well-known for its pancakes, but now the restaurant's patrons can kick back with a cocktail at the end of their day. The Connecticut Liquor Control Commission issued a license allowing it to operate a full service bar on July 16, and the bar has been up and running this week.

"We had a beer and wine license for three years, then expanded the market to a full service bar to provide more options for our customers, who may want a cocktail with their dinner," said Sandy Kantzas, who owns The Rustic Grille with her husband, John.

Kantzas said a license for a full service bar is different than one for a bar/restaurant, where people can sit at the bar and order a drink.

"We're licensed as a full service bar where people order from their table and have us bring it out to them," she said.

The restaurant recently extended its hours from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, but are still open 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sunday and Monday. Now it has two Happy Hours each day Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. then again from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Kantzas said there will be more appetizers to choose from and drink specials during Happy Hour.

"We'll have house recipes, then I'll give them fun names," she said of the selection of cocktails.

On Wednesday, The Rustic Grille's bar was fully stocked with top shelf liquors like Grey Goose and Ketel One vodkas, Seagram's whiskey and even Tito's gluten-free vodka. But the display shelf and the countertop were still being built, according to Kantzas.

Popular with Patrons

Kantzas said women have said things like, "Oh good, I can just come over with the girls and have a drink," and male patrons see the restaurant as a good place to meet after work. Because The Rustic Grille is not a sit-down bar, Kantzas said families will feel more comfortable bringing their children with them, while meeting friends out for a drink.  

Kantzas said, "We're getting really positive feedback from customers."