Business & Tech

Stamford Man Hopes to Satisfy New Canaan's 'Eclectic' Tastes

New Canaan's newest luncheonette and catering option is officially opened and foodies should rejoice. 

Eclectic, now opened at 31 Vitti Street, opened officially on Tuesday, though 28-year-old Stamford owner and chef Robert Milano said he held a little test run last week to see how New Canaan residents would respond to the new digs. 

"Last week we opened sporadically," Milano said. "We wanted to get our feet a little wet. Restaurants will have a soft opening and invite a bunch of people in. We were more-or-less just sticking our 'Open' sign out front to see what happened."

And Milano said, so far, response has been great. He said he's seen a steady stream of people since the shop has been open and even had foot traffic passing by knocking on the door to inquire about hours when they weren't. 

"People in the neighborhood have been really friendly," he said. 

Eclectic has been a serious dream for Milano for about five years. He said two years ago the idea really started to take shape and he was able to solidify the current location and begin construction on the space. 

Milano has been "cooking forever," but got his start in the industry as a short order cook in high school, paid the bills through college and ended up at some "nice places," before becoming Sous Chef four years ago at Stamford's Royal Green golf club restaurant. 

"It got a facelift about a year ago is the place is just gorgeous," Milano said. "It's been there forever. The food is fantastic. I learned a lot there. A lot of great executive chefs have gone through there."

He has a degree in the anthropology and philosophy of food and restaurant management with certifications in classic French and Northern Italian presentations. 

While still working his way through college about 10 years ago, Milano said he was struck by the idea that he "had a goal. I just didn't know what that goal was." He realized his greatest desire was to eventually expand out on his own. 

"I just had to gain the knowledge wherever I could on how to do that," he said. 

When Milano finally felt confident to venture out on his own, he "fell in love with the building" on Vitti Street, but the building was still being rented an he didn't want to sublease for a year-and-a-half before being able to lock in his own lease. Not settling paid off and the building eventually went up for rent. 

When construction began, Milano said he wasn't sure what kind of storefront he'd be able to have. He originally had plans for the luncheonette, which can also handle catering and corporate events, to be a restaurant, but between the shop, the Zoning Board and the town, they just could find the synergy for that type of establishment.

"We just couldn't work it out," he said. "[Town officials] were trying to work with me, Zoning tried to help, but e came to the conclusion it just wouldn't work. They were a huge help through the whole process, though."

Now, Milano is serving up offerings like signature salads, melts and sandwiches, dinner entrees, desserts and soufflés, all available for eating in at any of the shops handful of small tables or for take-out. Dinners should be called in by 4 p.m. Hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. 

"Just give me a Low Boy [a small fridge] and a burner and I'm happy," he laughed. "I like to cool. If I can continue to do it and subsist on it, I'll be happy."

For a peek at the full menu or to discuss catering, call 203.920.1221 or head to eateclectic.com.


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