When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Tommy Barbarie decided there was no time to sit around and wonder what the state of the restaurant industry would become — it was a time to evolve the Barbarie name with a new endeavor.

After inheriting Jim Barbarie’s Restaurant from his father and starting Barbarie’s Black Angus Grill in 2012 with his wife, Karen, who passed away in January of this year, Barbarie has now set his sights on opening Barbarie’s Grill in the Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Avenue.

Barbarie fell in love with the former Brio location, which seats up to 500 patrons and has ample parking, and knew right away it was the right space.

“Wouldn’t you know it, the mall could not have been more willing to work with us, and before I knew it, I owned a new restaurant,” he said of the process.

For Barbarie’s Grill, Barbarie is looking to make a restaurant where people of all ages can enjoy a great dining experience without breaking the bank.

“My concept there is going to be roasted fresh meats — we’re going to roast prime rib, roast turkey, organic chickens, and then we are going to use that meat on salads and homemade bread, and make it a real comfortable place to come and have a great meal, and a very healthy meal,” Barbarie said.

He plans to have the same menu lunch through dinner and place an emphasis on homemade options, including omelets, pizza, and Asian soup.

Since the location will be attached to the mall, Barbarie says another service the restaurant will offer is free gift wrapping for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas presents.

Barbarie’s Grill is currently anticipated to open in late November.

“We’re in it for the long haul, so I’m not in a rush to get open…” Barbarie said. “I want us to open properly and be considerate of everyone’s concerns with COVID.”

Job Fair Coming Soon

Before the restaurant opens, Barbarie will be partnering with List Services Corporation, run by the McCluskey family of Bethel, to host a seven-day job fair to staff Barbarie’s Grill.

“We are going to hire 100 local people that need jobs, in the kitchen and on the floor — that’s how much I believe in Danbury, Connecticut,” Barbarie said.

Over the years it has been a pleasure, he says, to hire so many young people and watch them grow to have great careers.

In addition to continuing that, Barbarie’s Grill will also be providing employees healthcare and a retirement plan.

“What we’ve decided to do with this restaurant is for once and for all put the pride back into being a waiter or waitress or working in the kitchen,” Barbarie emphasized.

Ted Gola, executive chef of Barbarie’s Grill, says the job fair will run Monday, November 2 to Saturday, November 7, from 10 am to 3 pm daily, at Barbarie’s Grill (formerly Brio’s location) in the Danbury Fair Mall. People can stop by for interviews during that time.

To learn more about the upcoming job fair and employment at Barbarie’s Grill, contact Ted Gola at 203-837-6100.