In a sure sign that spring has arrived in earnest in New Canaan, town resident Emad Aziz has opened the Mead Park Lodge for the 2019 season.
The owner of the Apple Cart Food Co., which celebrated its twentieth year in 2018, officially opened his pristine gourmet food counter about 10 days ago.
“We opened earlier than we usually do,” Aziz said Tuesday. “The weather was nice and I wanted to open up and to expedite the summer, to come faster. When I open, psychologically it is here.”
So are a number of new menu items, including a shrimp New Canaan Po’ Boy sandwich and salad, Tuscan Eggplant Sandwich with eggplant, pesto, roasted peppers and avocado, and Falafel Supreme Wrap with falafel with hummus, tahini, roasted peppers, pickled turnips and mixed greens.
Apple Cart also has increased its gluten-free options, Aziz said.
The popular eatery is poised to serve an increasingly broader base of diners this year, with a new rubberized-surface playground to go in soon, new turf-infield little league baseball fields across the parking lot, which are expected to see increased use as well as host regional tournaments and additional sidewalks connecting the neighborhood to Mead Park.
“I’m feeling great, excited, happy, well rested,” Aziz said. “Can’t wait for the summer to get going.”
He thanked town Administrative Officer Tom Stadler, Recreation Director Steve Benko and Public Works Director Tiger Mann for helping him get up and running early this year.
Congratulations on 20 years! Your good quality and friendly service are the building blocks of your success! It’s such a pleasure to go there each Spring and this year will be especially pleasant with all the field improvement. Kids and adults appreciate your business!