After Philip Maniatty established the successful Northstar restaurant in Pound Ridge, New York — employing the culinary creativity of Chef Franz Fruhmann — the pair are poised to launch Cloud 9 in the former location of Dere Street Steak, adjacent to the flagpole at 33 Main Street.

A grand opening celebration is set for September 27.

As Mr Maniatty explains it, Northstar was a New York Times four-star-rated eatery that drew clientele from across the region and New York City, where followers of Executive Chef Fruhmann first began experiencing his delectable dishes at Raoul’s Le Bistro de Soho and Harry’s at Hanover Square.

“After leaving Northstar, it kind of lined up with some degree of serendipity,” Mr Maniatty related. “Because right around the time I learned Franz was available, our current chef was called back to London on a family matter that had the potential to keep him away for some time. So we immediately invited Franz to join us here in Newtown. This is a huge addition for our restaurant, as he has quite a pedigree as far as his experience is concerned.”

While the menu is still evolving under Mr Maniatty and Mr Fruhmann, the pair promise a sea bass dish that will be “unforgettable,” a “braised short rib that will blow your mind,” and a host of healthy and comforting offerings including a turkey meatloaf that kids of all ages will be begging for — and with an affordability factor that will beckon families to visit often.

“Besides being an amazing chef, Franz is a competitive bodybuilder — so he is all about healthy everything. All of his cooking keeps the concept of healthy in mind,” Mr Maniatty said. “For instance, his soups are rich and creamy but have no cream in them. They are all vegetable. Everything he does is with the mindset of healthy cooking.”

While Cloud 9’s kitchen features a chef who is a body builder, Mr Maniatty is not just a restaurateur. He is also a musician and industry professional who has worked as an engineer for top national talents and who plans to bring some of those musically gifted friends in for regular Saturday night gigs.

“I worked for Steely Dan’s producer Gary Katz, and I hope to bring in some amazing musicians I know, including my friend Dennis Collins, who has sung with Sting, Ray Charles, James Taylor, and Roberta Flack — and he tends to bring along a bunch of his equally famous friends,” Mr Maniatty said.

One of the first things families will appreciate is the inclusion of kids’ meal selections alongside the fresh, locally-sourced selections and specials. And Cloud 9 will also offer a sumptuous Sunday brunch.

“We want to go for a similar vibe as we cultivated in Pound Ridge, a family-friendly, comfortable environment where at any given time you had folks in business suits eating beside people who just came in from the tennis club,” he said.

Cloud 9, a name Mr Maniatty vowed to use for his “next location,” also has a completely re-vamped bar featuring signature cocktails and old favorites, all made with nothing but the freshest squeezed juices and ingredients.

“I believe if you ordered the same drink here previously, you will absolutely taste the difference in every way,” he said. “We’ll hand make so many cutting-edge craft cocktails, we’re confident ours will create quite a sensation.”

While “steak” is not part of the restaurant’s name anymore, it will still play an important role on the menu. Mr Maniatty said Cloud 9 will be serving Pat LaFrida Prime Steaks.

“We tried a number of steaks premium below prime, but they just didn’t cut it. And we’re trying to price it affordably,” he said. Cloud 9 will open serving New York Strip, Filet Mignon, Flat Iron, Rib-eye, and a hand-rubbed Delmonico for two.

Among the grand opening menu selections offered for sampling was a warm and creamy baked panko-encrusted Burrata with oven-roasted figs and garlic crostini ($11); a melt in your mouth duck dumpling with apple rosemary puree and crispy shallots ($11); and pan-seared sea scallops with sauteed grapes, English pea puree, and toasted almonds ($12) — all available on the appetizer menu.

Besides the aforementioned steaks and sea bass, accompanied by a choice of salads, diners can target a main course of Butternut Squash Ravioli in a sage brown butter sauce; the London Fish & Chips; or roasted pork chop with creamed potatoes and seasonal root veggies. For lunch or a quick bite, choose your preference and grab one of Cloud 9’s steak sandwiches or burgers.

Sunday brunch fare features a four-egg omelette with choice of fillings, sweet cinnamon eggy bread, or the Full English Breakfast with bacon, sausage, tomato, mushroom, fried bread, black pudding, and house-made baked beans.

For dessert, finish with the Sticky Toffee Pudding; warm, bourbon-laced pecan pie; or Newtown’s own Ferris Acres Creamery ice cream among the various selections.

Explore the rest of the menu selections, check serving hours seven days a week, and make reservations online at cloud9newtown.com or call 203-304-9356.