Q&A With Diane Chester Of Wicked Pissa

, a New England-themed restaurant, will open up in the place of in Gales Ferry on April 14. The new establishment will be managed by Diane Chester and Dave Ferreira, a couple of recent regulars who started going to Legends in October 2011 and made fast friends with the wait staff, the customers and the atmosphere.

“We just fell in love with the people,” she said. “And we just kept coming back.”

Chester said in January they began seriously thinking about managing the bar and made an offer in late February. Patch took a moment to sit down with Diane Chester to find out what’s going to change (a lot!) and what will remain.

What’s a New England-themed restaurant and bar?

Chester said that aside from the décor and paint colors, will offer food and attitude familiar to a New Englander. Chester said customers will be cracking up while reading the sassy and sarcastic descriptions of food on the menu, which will be a standard bar menu with burgers, sandwiches, salads and appetizers.

The “Brady Burger” is named after beloved New England Patriot Tom Brady, of course and the burger, she said, has a super secret blend of spices that make it delicious. And the description for New England clam chowdah may be a little hard to swallow for those who think Manhattan clam chowder deserves a spot on the menu.

Will loyal customers recognize this place as Legends after April 14^th?

Maybe not the building. Chester said they have plans to renovate the space to make more floor space and make some additions to the outside. They will paint a lot and open up the kitchen and bar, she said and add a bunch of high top tables. Chester said that Legends may close sometime before the grand opening of Wicked Pissa but if not, the crew will be renovating the building in the morning hours before Legends opens for lunch.

They have plans to add a canopy and seating to the outside patio and build an area for volleyball and horseshoes before summer. Eventually, she and Ferraira will open have an outside bar.

But everyone’s favorite server and bartender will be the same. Chester said that was one of the things she and Ferreira love about the place is the friendly staff and atmosphere and that feeling will remain a priority under the new name. Chester said she wants new and returning customers to feel at home.

If you've been here before, you’ll walk in and they’ll remember your name and what you drink,” she said. “It definitely has a Cheers feel.”

What about the "rock" in Legends Rock Bar? Will there be entertainment?

Chester said there will be less live music and the bands will be limited and specific but there will be karaoke four times a week.

They have plans to install more interactive games. The volleyball and horseshoes will be outside and inside there will be a Guitar Hero machine, electronic darts, pool and some Wii games that will be projected on a large screen where the music stage is located now.

Their taste in clam chowder may be undisputed but the pair will bring the classic East Coast rivalry to the center stage. Chester is a NY Giants fan and Ferreira is a New England Patriots fan and the big screen TVs may bring out their competitive sides. Chester said they have purchased Direct TV's NFL Sunday Ticket package and the big game will be projected on the large screen that will normally be used for Wii bowling and Mario Cart.

What’s the response from Legend’s customers and the Town of Ledyard?

Chester described the local crowd to be in their 20s to late 40s and “a great crowd, they’re a lot of fun.” She said people she has met at Legends have made significant contributions to the Wicked Pissa menu.

“They’re the one’s who will be eating it,” she said. “They’re very excited about it and it’s mainly about the people who hang out here.”

Chester said the Town of Ledyard has been accommodating and easy to work with and Legend’s current customers are excited for the changes. She said a couple people patrons have volunteered to help with the renovations and so far, she and Ferreira are “having a blast.”

The grand opening of Wicked Pissa is Saturday, April 14. It will be open Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.  After Memorial Day, they will open expand their hours and open at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday.