Opening Date Announced For New Italian Restaurant In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Diners in Norwalk will be able to get their first taste of the Italian-style dishes on the menu at Falco, a BJ Ryan's restaurant, this week.

BJ Lawless, restauranteur and owner of The BJ Ryan's Group, confirmed in an email to Patch his fourth Norwalk restaurant recently held its soft opening and will officially open to the public Tuesday.

According to Lawless, the new restaurant will be table reservation-only for the first week or so of operation "so we are able to control the pace."

Bar seats and walk -ins are welcome for cocktails and pizza only during this time, according to the restaurant's website.

Falco is located at 2 Wilton Avenue in a building that previously housed a number of other local eateries, including The Lighthouse and Ash Creek Saloon.

Lawless said Monday construction of the new restaurant is "90 percent done" with just a few things left to do outside the building.

He also noted he and the team at Falco are very excited to finally be opening for customers in Norwalk.

"There has been a great amount of anticipation for this project," Lawless said. "We ask for everyone's patience as we are already full on reservations for the first week. We will be taking reservations a month in advance."

In addition to the original BJ Ryan's bar and restaurant on Main Street, Lawless also owns nearby BBQ restaurant BanC House and East Norwalk pizza restaurant and bar BJ Ryan's East.

Earlier this year, Lawless said the idea to open up a fourth restaurant in town came from a desire to team up with Jared Falco, an acclaimed chef who previously co-founded Bar Rosina's in Greenwich.

Lawless emphasized this week the new restaurant will welcome everyone, including families with children, when it opens its doors to customers.

"We can't wait for everyone to be able to experience Chef Jared's cuisine," Lawless said.

In July, Lawless said the new restaurant will feature Falco's Italian-style cuisine, as well as some BJ Ryan's favorites.

According to Lawless, Falco specializes in homemade pastas and also plans to offer a number of sharing plates at the restaurant.

Overall, the new eatery aims to be a place for everyone with an "old New York Italian restaurant" vibe, Lawless said.

Though Lawless said over the summer he tried to keep some of the historical aspects of the building, which has existed for over 100 years and once housed a hat factory, he also said he planned to revamp the interior and exterior of the building.