Business

Oenoke Ridge Restaurant Aces Re-Inspection by Health Officials, Representative Says

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A representative from a restaurant on Oenoke Ridge said the business last week earned a near-perfect score during a re-inspection by local health officials who had recently flagged an issue with the temperatures of two food items.

During an unannounced Aug. 12 inspection at Roger Sherman Inn, a sanitarian in the New Canaan Health Department found a cheese spread at 69 degrees Fahrenheit, and mozzarella in a salad prep station at 57 degrees, according to the sanitarian’s report. According to a representative from the restaurant, the sanitarian re-inspected the Roger Sherman within two days and the popular eatery earned a score of 98 out of 100. 

Inspectors use a state Department of Public Health standard, citing food service establishments for violations that range in seriousness and carry a corresponding weight from one to four points. A “failed” inspection is triggered either by one or more four-point or “risk factor” violations—as in this case—or a total score of less than 80 points. The Inn scored a total of 85 points on the first inspection.

Biz on Biz

Biz on Biz: Gelatissimo Appreciates Elm Street Books’ ‘One-to-One’ Recommendations

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On a gloomy day this week, I nipped into Gelatissimo to escape the rain. I was there to find out owner Nuccia Mazzonetto’s favorite local product or service as part of NewCanaanite.com’s “Biz on Biz” feature. 

Inside, I found Mazzonetto behind the gelato counter, serving two teenage girls with heaping cups of the frozen treat, while out the back a staff member churned fresh gelato as I watched. When asked what her favorite local product or service was, Mazzonetto struggled to decide. Eventually, she landed on Elm Street Books. “I love the book store,” she said. 

Mazzonetto said her favorite part about shopping at Elm Street Books is the excellent recommendations they give—whether she’s buying a book for herself or as a gift. 

“They help you,” she said. 

“It’s more one-to-one,” she added.

Business

‘Create Something You Truly Believe In’: NCHS Grad Founds Spirits Company

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While visiting his father last year, James Mauk was struck with inspiration for a business of his own. Son of the man who founded popular New Canaan restaurant Tequila Mockingbird, Mauk noticed a sign behind the kitchen sink at his dad’s Pound Ridge, N.Y. home that said ‘The Golden Rule’—a reference to the age-old maxim that you should do unto others as you would have others do unto you. 

Mauk, who graduated from New Canaan High School in 2006—playing lacrosse for the Rams all four years—and then Colorado College, had been feeling disillusioned with the food and beverage industry after working in it for several years in Colorado and California. On seeing the sign, Mauk recalled, he began to wonder what it would mean “if all industries approached business in this way—you did something that you really believed in and thought was the right way to do something.”

From that idea, Mauk’s new venture, Golden Rule Spirits, was born. That was 18 months ago. Since then, Mauk and his business partner—cousin and New Canaan native Hunter Sprole—developed their first product, a canned margarita cocktail based on a recipe developed by his father, Paul Mauk, for Tequila Mockingbird. 

“I didn’t understand why there weren’t options for true cocktails in a can,” Mauk said.

Business

Forest Street Restaurant Aces Re-Inspection by Health Officials

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A restaurant on Forest Street last week earned a perfect score during a re-inspection by local health officials who had recently flagged an issue with a sink. During an unannounced July 18 inspection at Tequila Mockingbird, a sanitarian in the New Canaan Health Department found that there was “no hand washing sink at the bar” after a temporary sink was removed as it didn’t fit due to a new beverage refrigerator,” according to the sanitarian’s report. Inspectors use a state Department of Public Health standard, citing eateries for violations that range in seriousness and corresponding weight from one to four points. A “failed” inspection is triggered either by one or more four-point or “risk factor” violations, or a total score of less than 80 points. Tequila Mockingbird scored a total of 87 points.

Business

Infrared Sauna Wellness Spa ‘calmë’ Opens Friday on Main Street

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One year ago, Meghann Smith recalled, she tried to find an experience that could make her “feel better” in the space of an hour. She tried a variety of exercise classes and other services before discovering infrared saunas. After visiting a sauna, Smith said, she decided that she wanted to create her own luxury spa version. Over the next 12 months, the beauty industry veteran developed the idea for what would become calmë—a new wellness spa offering infrared saunas that soft-opens Friday at 78 Main St., in what emerged as New Canaan’s wellness precinct. 

“We created a brand which is very luxurious,” she said, adding, “I wanted to really create something that everybody can use.” According to Smith, an hour-long session at calmë is more affordable than going to a spa. 

In addition to infrared saunas, calmë will offer acoustic resonance therapy and chromotherapy, Smith said.