Stone River Grille in the Hook

Nestled along the Pootatuck River where former Asian fusion restaurant Chao Chao, and later its successor briefly operated, the Stone River Grille offers a distinctively American alternative. Its menu is filled with seafood offerings as well as fire grilled steaks and burgers while its décor boasts of scenes from Newtown’s past.

“Our food is of an upscale quality but we want the restaurant to be casual,” owner Gary Seri said.

The Stone River Grille, 1 Glen Road, has been opened for only about a month, and so far the feedback has been positive, said Seri, 46, who is himself a Sandy Hook resident.

With a background in the food industry, Seri spent 20 years in the sand and gravel industry before giving that up to return to the restaurant field about five years ago when he opened Panino's in Monroe.

With many Italian and Asian restaurants crowding the Newtown scene, Seri said he saw a need for an American style restaurant in town where families could go for seafood, steaks, burgers and a couple of other specialities they wouldn’t find in menus across town.

While the food says higher-end, the environment is meant to provide for a casual experience and attract families coming from sports practices, Seri said. He also has added decorating touches, such as historical photographs of old Newtown, as a nod to the town’s history.

“One of the things that is important is we’re using this building to showcase the historic nature of Newtown,” Seri said, adding the building, which dates to the 1800s, still retains its oldtime tavern feel. “This is probably one of the nicest buildings in Fairfield County.”

The proximity of the river has made the spot a popular destination, although for the past couple of years, restaurants, such as Chao Chao, struggled to stay in business.

Seri believes his concept of an American eatery is better suited to the building's tavern feel. Eventually, the restaurant will host an outdoor fresh fruit margarita bar on some nights to take advantage of the river. Seri said he also plans to reserve the spacious second floor for private parties and mystery dinner theater.

In terms of the menu, several dishes have proved popular with diners, such as lobster scampi, and appetizers, such as balsamic calamari, stuffed longhorn peppers, wild mushroom sea scallops and barbecued ribs, Seri said.

Additionally, all of the rolls served in the restaurant are made in-house and all of the roasted peppers also are roasted by hand, Seri said.

Building landlord Michael Porco said he believes an American restaurant is a good choice for the location.

“He should do well,” Porco said of Seri and the restaurant, adding its spot in Sandy Hook center will be a benefit. “It’s mesmerizing because a lot of people like the river. They like the whole Sandy Hook experience.”

Porco said that particularly in a tough economy, people are looking to eat closer to home and get more value from their money, which provides an opportunity for local restauranteurs, such as Seri.

“In this environment, with the business climate that is out there, you have to stay focus, you have to watch your expenses,” Porco said. “With the gas situation, people…they’re staying close, they’re trying to make due.