Above: Pasta carbonara
THE SINCLAIR, which opened this past summer, champions relaxed New England flare with a Louisiana kick. Customers keep returning to this Brick Walk joint to feast on modern American fare, like shrimp and grits. The restaurant owes its success to its experienced management: Nick Racanelli Jr. is the owner; his father, who is also a partial owner of Molto in Fairfield; and cousin Paul Garbuio. The secret is a talented kitchen turning out well-prepared dishes that are complemented by an impressive wine list and irresistible house cocktails.
Diners are also likely to fall under the spell of the rustic wooden exterior and bar scene set with friend-making high-tops and industrial pendant light fixtures. In all, the design creates a soothing retreat during the chilly season.
Shrimp and grits
The one mystery? The restaurant’s name. Nick Racanelli dishes on the backstory: “Sinclair was the name of a baby elephant that escaped a London circus in 1935. Her trainer finally caught up to her when she lay down in front of a London street car; the trainer pulled out a large red apple that he used to lure Sinclair off the tracks. We thought this was a fun little story and decided to use the image of Sinclair the elephant as our mascot. You can see her on the walls in our bar room.”
Join the fun and good story-telling at The Sinclair. Get an extra dose of cozy at its impressive brunch. Nick and the team seem to relish welcoming guests all bright-eyed and bushy tailed (once the bottomless mimosas kick in). thesinclairct.com
The light-flooded interior of The Sinclair
COOL IDEA
The next time Fairfield gets snow flurries, don’t hunker down at home. Walk over to The Sinclair, which offers half-priced drinks when it snows.
The Sinclair
1229 Post Road, The Brick Walk, Fairfield, CT 06824
203-292-6800
www.thesinclairct.com
All photographs by Katelyn Racanelli.
