Award-Winning Downtown Restaurant Closes After 2 Years In Norwalk, Owners "Sad, Relieved'

NORWALK, CT — Taproot, an award-winning Bethel restaurant that relocated to South Norwalk in 2023, permanently closed its doors Saturday after two years in Norwalk and eight years in business, according to the restaurant's owners.

In a lengthy social media post, acclaimed Chef Jeff Taibe and Steph Sweeney, the owners of Taproot and the recently opened Bar Bushido in the city's Wall Street area, said they felt "relief, anger, sorrow, pride, excitement and love" in light of their decision to close.

"In 2017, Steph and I decided to open a small little restaurant in our hometown of Bethel so that we could do what we love," Taibe wrote on social media, "which is to bring our guests exciting new flavors with exceptional service."

Taibe noted the restaurant experienced many typical ups and downs for a small business, as well as adjusting and reinventing during the coronavirus pandemic, which he described as "the worst time I've seen in the restaurant business in 20 plus years."

According to Taibe, the move to Norwalk in 2023 was part of a desire to grow their brand in a bigger market, though he noted they were sad to leave Bethel due to the amazing people they had met and the freedom "to run our business the way we wanted" they enjoyed there.

"We've always approached every day trying to bring the highest quality product to the table while being environmentally friendly, sustainable and collaborative," Taibe said. "We have worked with so many amazing suppliers, farmers, wine reps and just all-around amazing people. When we made the move to Norwalk, we tried to keep that same mindset. Our pride and dignity would never allow us to put profit over quality. We have always strived to give our customers the best we could every day."

According to Taibe, moving to Norwalk also necessitated giving up some creative control to help fund the larger restaurant.

"As much as we still feel we could have made Taproot great in Norwalk, we will not be able to see the full potential," Taibe said.

Taibe highlighted a number of accolades and recognitions Taproot has received over the past eight years and said he and Sweeney were proud of what they created in Bethel and Norwalk.

"Through all the recognition and wonderful customers we met, our biggest honor and joy was working with some of the most dedicated, passionate people that we have ever had the privilege to work with," Taibe said. "We have always tried to treat our employees as family and create an exciting, respectful and inclusive environment for individuals to feel proud to work. To all our staff throughout the years, thank you!"

Taibe noted he and Sweeney were sad to be moving on, but also "relieved that we will not be fighting this unnecessary fight anymore."

Most of all, Taibe said they were excited about what the future holds and highlighted the recent opening of Bar Bushido, a new traditional Japanese izakaya, at 51 Wall Street in Norwalk.

"There are many other ideas and concepts on the horizon," Taibe said, "so keep a look out for what we have in store for the future...Taproot restaurant might be coming to an end, but Taproot Hospitality Group is just beginning. We will continue to share our core beliefs of quality, sustainability, relationships, creativity and love for what we do!"

A request for comment from Taproot was not immediately returned Friday.

Prior to opening Taproot in 2017, Taibe previously served as the executive chef of Kawa Ni in Westport and Oak and Almond in Norwalk.

When Taproot moved to Norwalk in April 2023, the restaurant took over a space on North Main Street previously occupied by Bruxelles Brasserie.

Taproot offered an evolving, seasonal menu constructed for sharing, consisting of both small and large plate items such as burgers, steak frites, duck breast, wings, a lamb patty melt and roasted oysters, as well as inventive drink selections.

Bar Bushido's front kitchen hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., according to their website.

The restaurant's back area is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Taibe's full post announcing Taproot's closure can be read in full on the restaurant's Facebook page.