MANNA TOAST, All Day Café Opening in Westport

Manna Toast, an all-day café will open on Church Lane in Bedford Square in late July. 

Molly Healey, chef and owner, was until recently the owner of The Grateful Food company, a tri-state catering business. A classically trained chef who studied under the likes of Dan Barber, (Blue Hill at Stone Barnes) Molly is thrilled to open her first restaurant in Westport and described it to me as a “dream come true.” 

While this is Molly’s first restaurant (with plans for expansion already in the works) she is no stranger to the local food scene. Many may recognize her from Walrus & Carpenter. It was there she met her husband, Charlie Gilhuly, now operations manager for The Cottage and OKO and her sous chef, Jason Weiner, also formerly of The Schoolhouse in Georgetown and The Blake in New Haven. Molly expresses her gratitude to the Waldman and Bass families who have encouraged her to follow this path and who have partnered up with her.

The Toast concept will feature a vegetarian menu with vegan options. The menu will include toasts, salads, soups and sides with fresh salmon available as an add-on for proteins for those who desire. But don’t expect to find avocado on your toast here, or any tropical fruit for that matter. Healey will be sticking locally grown and sourced whenever possible. She has already secured partnerships with Sport Hill Farm, Two Guys from Woodridge, Wave Hill breads, Arogya Teas and Isla coffee. 

In addition to the café, a professional kitchen, located at 971 Post Road (across from Starbucks) is set to open on May 18th. From there they will run and manage their catering operations, offer cooking classes, and other events. She is committed to educating people on the benefits of plant-based eating. Molly describes Toast as a simple story and a simple concept. The café itself is a blend of California and Boho chic with soft bright colors; a simple and elegant eatery. She wants people to feel comfortable, to be able to sit down, relax and enjoy themselves. Toast will be offering a curated list of wine and beer in addition to a full coffee bar service and locally baked goodies. 

Until the restaurant opens, Manna Toast will be offering Family Meal Kits with delivery that will be prepared using the highest safety standards and meant to inspire collaborative and mindful meals. Their Make your Own Toast Board serves 4. For more visit their website, https://mannatoast.com. Limited daily delivery begins Tuesday, May 26th. Orders need to be placed Place your order between 10am and 1pm, and Mana will deliver your “picnic” by 5:30 the same evening. Each meal includes Sourdough bread that comes ready to be toasted with options such as Burratta, Meatless Meatballs, Hummus and Roasted Squash, as well as choices of soup, salad, tea and sweets.

Like so many other local restaurants, once their commercial kitchen is set up, Manna Toast will deliver 100 meals a week to those on the front lines.