An experienced trio that’s already launched successful and acclaimed restaurants in Fairfield, Greenwich and Stamford is planning to open a new Italian spot in the former Barolo space on Main Street.
Barolo closed in December and a new Italian restaurant, Spiga, is scheduled to open this spring following an extensive interior renovation. Credit: Michael Dinan
‘Spiga’—that’s Italian for the stem on a stalk of wheat—will feature fresh-made pastas, an extensive wine bar and wood-burning pizza oven, and is slated to open mid-spring at 136 Main St., according to Dan Camporeale, a Bronx, N.Y. native.
“We will offer a lot of things for everyone, something you can enjoy seven nights a week and not just on special occasions,” Camporeale told NewCanaanite.com.
Camporeale said his partners include members of the Racanelli family, who also own Molto in Fairfield, Lugano in Greenwich and both Zaza (which earned a “Don’t Miss” rating from New Canaanite Patricia Brooks, food critic with the New York Times) and Dolce (excellent) in Stamford. (The Racanellis have owned nearly 20 restaurants over four decades in Westchester, Camporeale said.)
The ownership group holds a café license for Spiga, meaning there’s no separation between the bar and dining room and so patrons will need to be at least 21 to go or else accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The space now is undergoing an extensive interior renovation and “the whole place is going to be wide open,” Camporeale said.
Some of the dividing walls within are coming down and, asked to describe the design and style of the newly renovated space, Camporeale called it “industrial chic.”
Asked for her thoughts on Spiga’s imminent arrival, New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tucker Murphy said: “We are looking forward to Spiga joining the already robust restaurant scene” in New Canaan.
Added the chamber’s Laura Budd, “We’re glad to see the space has been filled by an experienced group of restaurateurs. New Canaan continues to attract great chefs and diners.”
Camporeale said that Spiga will be an “everyday type place” for local diners, adding that he and his fellow owners are eager to get involved locally once the restaurant is up and running.
“I love the small-town feel in New Canaan,” he said. “I love that. You know everyone. You know everyone in town. You know the police department, the fire department, who is doing what. I love it when people are involved in each other’s lives in a positive way. It’s cool.”