The Mariner Tavern Opens its Doors on September 9th

On Wednesday, September 9, The Mariner Tavern officially opens its doors in Ridgefield, ushering in a new chapter for the longtime neighborhood institution formerly known as the Ancient Mariner.

At the helm is Chef/Owner Shannon Sturz, who has transformed the familiar Ridgefield gathering place with a beautifully renovated interior, an elevated yet approachable new menu and a renewed vision for what a neighborhood tavern can be.

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For Sturz, however, taking over The Mariner was never about erasing its past.

The Ancient Mariner has been part of Ridgefield for generations—a place to meet friends at the bar, grab dinner with the family or settle in for a casual night out. Sturz wants to preserve that sense of familiarity and hospitality while giving longtime guests—and a new generation of diners—something new to discover.

At the heart of the transformation is the food.

Sturz describes his cooking as French-American inspired, bringing classic culinary technique to a menu that remains comfortable, recognizable and decidedly unfussy.

Opening menu highlights include Tuna Tartare, Crispy Sushi, Roasted Chicken, Miso-Glazed Cod, Roasted Duck Breast, Lobster Rolls, Fish & Chips, Filet Mignon and Burgers, followed by desserts including Sticky Toffee Pudding and Linden's Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches. An extensive selection of beer and wines, as well as specialty cocktail and mocktail oferrings are featured on the menu.

In other words, this is a restaurant where one guest can order roasted duck breast or filet mignon while another can settle in with a burger, lobster roll or fish and chips—and both experiences belong at the same table.

That balance between elevated and approachable is central to Sturz's vision for The Mariner.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Sturz went on to work in the kitchen at Jean-Georges Vongerichten's acclaimed The Inn at Pound Ridge, where he rose through the ranks to become sous chef.

More recently, Sturz was recruited to serve as Executive Chef at Seamore's in Darien, the Connecticut outpost of the seafood-focused restaurant known for its emphasis on sustainable sourcing.

Now, as both chef and owner of The Mariner Tavern, Sturz is bringing those experiences together in a restaurant of his own.

He remains a hands-on chef, closely involved in sourcing the ingredients that come into his kitchen. Sturz seeks out ingredients from local farms, fish markets and trusted purveyors, including Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, with an emphasis on quality seafood, meats and seasonal produce.

Located at 451 Main Street, The Mariner Tavern is open for dinner from 5 - 9 p.m. Wednesdays - Thursdays; 5 - 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Mariner will open for brunch at

11 a.m. - 3p.m. on Sundays, reopening for dinner from 5 -

9 p.m. Reservations via OpenTable are preferred.