Here's A Sneak Peek At The New Garden Catering Location Slated To Open Soon In Darien

DARIEN, CT — The finish line is in sight for Garden Catering in Darien.

Patch was given a sneak peek this week into the brand's newest location. Crews are continuing to build out the 1,150 square foot space at 320 Heights Road within the new Heights Crossing development.

Garden Catering CEO Frank Carpenteri Jr. and COO Tina Carpenteri — brother and sister — are anticipating to open in early-to-mid-November.

There are already Garden Catering outposts in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Greenwich/Old Greenwich, Mamaroneck, N.Y., New Haven, Norwalk, Port Chester, N.Y., and Stamford. Another location is expected to open in Shelton in the coming weeks.

The business began in the mid-1970s when original owner Lou Iandoli and his business partner opened Garden Poultry in Greenwich. Later in 1978, Garden Catering, as it's known today, opened on Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich.

Iandoli died in 1989, and Garden Catering closed down. But Frank Carpenteri Sr. bought the business and the secret recipes, and re-opened in 1991.

Frank Carpenteri Jr. and Tina Carpenteri now operate the brand.

A Connecticut staple, menu items include the famous hand-cut chicken nuggets made with antibiotic-free chicken, potato cones, French fries, the famous Hotsy breakfast sandwich (voted best breakfast sandwich in the U.S. by Restaurant Hospitality in 2020) and other breakfast sandwiches, chili, mac & cheese bites, corn fritters, and a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads and milkshakes, and more.

Garden Catering also has a branded secret seasoning, which is available for purchase, and offers a variety of dipping sauces such as buffalo style, honey hot, a thai chilli sauce, and honey mustard.

At the Darien location, customers can expect to find the same menu that's given Garden Catering a cult following, while also encountering some newer items, such as tossed nuggets in various sauces, or The OG chicken sandwich - scratch made crispy chicken, green leaf lettuce, pickles, and honey mustard and secret seasoning on a toasted Martin's potato roll.

Some healthier options will also be available, according to Tina, like the blackened chicken sandwich and a blackened chicken cob, which can be available as a wrap or a salad.

Frank said the core of the menu, though, is the hand-cut chicken nuggets.

"No one else does it like we do. As much as we'd like to introduce new menu items... whenever we have a conversation about the menu it has to be anchored by our hand-cut nuggets, because we make the best chicken nuggets you'll ever have. We don't lose sight of that," he said.

Frank noted Darien was the right choice for a new storefront.

The location was originally slated to be part of The Corbin District development, but due to leasing quirks with a nearby business, Garden Catering had to look elsewhere.

David Genovese of Baywater Properties, who led The Corbin District project, introduced the Carpenteris to the Vaccaro family and the developer for Heights Crossing, the V20 Group.

"Our original location is in Old Greenwich, and we see a lot of similarities between the village feel that Old Greenwich presents, and that Darien has. They're really supportive of the businesses and small businesses in town," Frank said, noting the Darien location's proximity to nearby schools, the train station, and The Depot. "We've been blessed to have such a positive response from the town of Darien."

The finished Heights Crossing development includes 28,765 square feet of retail and commercial space, with a Goddard School, two full-service restaurants, two fast casual dining spots, and two convenience-oriented retail storefronts.

It also features 65 luxury rental apartments—31 one-bedroom, 30 two-bedroom, and four three-bedroom units—with 10 designated as affordable housing.

There will be 12 seats inside the Darien storefront, plus additional seats when the weather is warm on a nearby outdoor patio. Garden Catering's business has traditionally been to-go, and popular with delivery.

The restaurant will open with a brand new online ordering platform and loyalty program, giving customers deals and special promotions when ordering online.

"It's similar to a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts where it learns your habits, and it gives you deals based on that. It's intuitive," Tina said. "We think it's going to be a great upgrade from the current program we have now."

Ordering can also be done in person on new kiosks, as well as from the cashier at the counter. Delivery will be available through the traditional third-party apps as well.

Aside from offering delicious food, Garden Catering is routinely involved in philanthropic causes.
The Carpenteris said they plan to get involved in all Darien has to offer,

"We're going to get to know as many of the community organizations. We're going to try and get into schools and make contact with the teachers, the kids, the PTAs, sports events, The Depot," Tina said. "Darien is chock full of community agencies and services, and it's a very welcoming community. There's a lot for us to cover, and we're excited to meet everybody."

For the grand opening date, which has yet to be officially determined, Garden Catering will donate a portion of proceeds to The Community Fund of Darien and its Youth Community Fund.

The Community Fund of Darien raises funds to provide grants, education, and opportunities that improve the lives of area neighbors in Darien, Stamford, and Norwalk.

Garden Catering also offers catering services, and wants to make corporate connections in Darien and provide food for corporate breakfast and lunches, team dinners and birthday parties.

Hours for the Darien location are expected to be 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The hours are subject to change.

To stay tuned for official opening dates, follow Garden Catering on Instagram and check their webpages for the new Darien and Shelton locations.