Harlan Publick to Open in SONO: From Harlan Social Owners

There is a lot of activity in SONO on the northwest corner of Washington and Water Streets...and this is great news for CTbites readers. Harlan Social’s Managing Partner, Chef Stephen Lewandowski informed CTbites that Harlan Publick, the first sister location to Stamford’s Harlan Social, will open by mid-June. Branded as a less formal sibling, Harlan Publick will feature “global inspired street food” in an atmosphere dedicated to “hanging out, enjoying friends, having a good time and enjoying incredible food.”

Chef Lewandowski described his vision for his new restaurant in an exclusive interview and walk-through with CTbites. Harlan Publick will feature approximately sixty seats in the dining area and another forty-plus in the bar, with the interior space having a “very industrial feel, like a public tap house with lots of exposed wood trusses, three long communal tables, and reclaimed glass panels encasing chicken wire hanging from the ceiling to separate the bar and dining areas.” It will also feature the “Tap Room,” a private room with eighteen seats, three beer taps installed in the wall, and a large screen TV. Reserve the room for a private function or a Sunday sport’s event, choose three beers and pour your own.

Chef Lewandowski is finalizing the menu, and he hinted that it may include some favorites from Harlan Social, including the Harlan Burger. In a slight twist, the menu will avoid the traditional appetizer, entrée, dessert design and feature plate-sharing dishes (not to be confused with family-style dishes). A couple of the dishes Chef Lewandowski is currently fine tuning include a cavatelli with crawfish and spicy sausage, a breaded sweetbreads with sweet and sour sauce, bok choy and peanut whipped potatoes, plus a vegetable inspired burger like none you have ever tasted. Harlan Publick will celebrate the start of the weekends with Friday evening specials…we’re talking $1 oyster nights and wine specials from 3-6 PM.

Since Harlan Publick is a Gastro Pub, what about beer and wine? The menu will feature a large selection of craft beers including thirty-two beer labels in bottles, ten tap choices and a wine list focused on the mid-priced vintages; few wines, if any, will carry a price above $100 a bottle. Fifteen whites and eighteen reds will be offered by the glass, served in traditional stemmed glassware, and priced in the $9-14 range; with Happy Hour appetizer and wine specials on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.

As the weather permits, the glass panels on the front of the restaurant slide open and the food and music expands onto a dedicated patio. Chef Lewandowski explained that the restaurant’s outdoor pavilion will have “a Portofino feel.” Featuring a water fountain, and an angled 20x40 foot covered pergola, the pavilion will combine the great food from the restaurant with a fun and lively atmosphere. Highlights of the pavilion include a bocce ball court, music and, of course, all of the guests can participate in the restaurant’s special Weekend Roast when Harlan Social partners with Saugatuck Craft Butchery to feature various specials, from suckling pigs to thick Porterhouse steaks plus vegetarian menu delights to satisfy all of us.

Harlan Publick will serve lunch and dinner. For added convenience, parking is available in a four-level garage immediately behind the building with access directly into the restaurant.

Stay tuned as CTbites goes Behind the Scenes when Harlan Publick opens in a few weeks.