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DARIEN, Conn. Bodega Taco Bar in Fairfield is looking to expand to Darien. The owners of the Mexican restaurant are seeking approval to open a new location on Post Road.
The restaurant would be opened at 980 Post Road next to Upper Crust Bakery and Café. The site has formerly been the location of dining spots such as Cosi and Café dAzur.
Were really excited about this restaurant. Were hopeful that the third times the charm, said David Genovese of 980 Post Road Associates, LLC, owner of the property.
Cosi was one of the first new businesses that came in during the downtown revitalization a few years ago, Genovese said. Sales started off strong but gradually fell off. The Mediterranean restaurant Café dAzur had high hopes, but Genovese said it didnt resonate with the Darien clientele.
Bodega Taco Bar is owned by Mario Fontana, Michael Young and Luis Chavez. In addition to the Fairfield location, they have owned the Norwalk restaurants Habana, Ocean Drive and Valencia Luncheria.
They have a good mix of culinary skill and financial savvy, Genovese said. One of the things thats nice about this restaurant is that its a reasonably priced dining option.
In addition to a variety of tacos, Bodega Taco Bars menu also includes Mexican sandwiches, slow-roasted pork, pan-roasted chicken, short ribs, steak and Mahi Mahi. All entrees are less than $20, and many items are less than $10.
Bodega received approval Monday night from the Board of Selectmen for a one-year revocable license to have outdoor seating behind the restaurant on town-owned property. The owners are also hoping to have seating in front of the restaurant. Genovese said they plan to have retractable windows so that the whole storefront can be opened to the outside.
Its a bit of an engineering challenge, but thats why the outdoor dining on Post Road is important. We want to create a sense of activity on the street. I think it will be a great complement to the downtown.
The owners will be going to the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night to request indoor seating, a bar and the outdoor seating.
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