The Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury reopened its full-service restaurant, located inside its building at 21 Lake Avenue Extension, last year after undergoing major renovations to the space.

The updates brought a revamped design for the area and a new name for the restaurant, now called 21 Lake Restaurant & Bar after its street address.

The restaurant is not only available to hotel guests, but also to the public looking to dine-in.

Decorated with all Ethan Allen furniture, there is a keen attention to detail throughout the space - from the chairs to the vases selected - making the atmosphere a refined, high-end experience to relax in.

Those looking to catch up with friends and coworkers can unwind in the lounge area that is complete with a bar and high-definition televisions stationed on the walls. Next door is the main dining room where breakfast buffets and dinners are served for a relaxing, sit-down environment. The restaurant also offers the feeling of outdoor dining year-round with its glass-paneled solarium.

21 Lake Restaurant & Bar is run by an exemplary staff, including Executive Chef Claudio Portuense, Sous Chef Wojciech Weglarz, Food & Beverage Manager Joseph Calzada, and Director of Food & Beverage Scott Dovale.

"The menu focuses on being as local and regional as possible with an emphasis on seasonality," Mr Dovale said. "The focus doesn't stop with our food; we carry the same philosophy over to our beverage program. We spend time sourcing our ingredients to not only make a great dish or cocktail, but also to showcase the terrific products this region offers. We want to be an authentic experience - a New England experience."

Sample of the Menu:

Noshes and Shareables: There are more than half a dozen items to choose from, including the New England Cheese Board featuring assorted regionally sourced cheeses from fromageries like Luizzi in New Haven. There are also Soft Warm Pretzels coated in brown butter and sea salt that are served with 21 Lake's house-made cheese sauce.

Salad: In an effort to work closer with local farms, 21 Lake has committed to having 50 percent or more of the salad ingredients be from the region, with an emphasis on Connecticut produce when it is available. The Ethan Allen Cobb uses greens from Lemke Valley Farm in Glastonbury and tomatoes from Karabin Farms in Southington.

Soup: Along with the different seasonal soup offerings, there are staples like the French Onion with melted Gruyere and a house-made crouton, as well as the regional Classic New England Clam Chowder.

Handhelds: The 21 Lake Burger is one of the restaurant's signature offerings. It features certified Angus beef from Trowbridge Farms in New York's Hudson Valley. The Cod Fish and Chips Po' Boy puts a spin on another New England classic dish. It marries crispy cod with a cajun remoulade, has double cut French fries, and is served on a Rockland Bakery baguette, which brings a spicy twist to the dish.

Entrees: Seafood dishes feature fish caught off New England shores. There are also regional classics like Chicken Pot Pie. All entrees are served with a quintessential New England product, B&M Brown Bread.

Beverages: There is a wide selection of wines, with a concentration on American offerings, including wines from Hopkins Vineyard in New Preston and Dr Konstatin Frank's Winery in New York. 21 Lake offers Connecticut beers on tap and a variety of craft cocktails. Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 pm.

Desserts: From the signature Cookies & Cream Dessert, featuring The Farmer's Cow Peanut Butter Ice Cream sandwiched between two house-made chocolate chip cookies to the seasonal Strawberry Lemonade Stand, which layers house-made lemon curd, March Farm's berries, and a minted whipped cream, the culinary team continues its focus on utilizing local ingredients.

Brunch: 21 Lake offers Sunday Brunch with an unlimited salad and raw bar, served with entrees like the "What Came First, The Fried Chicken Or The" Eggs Benedict and the Fluff-n-Nutter French Toast. There is also the Try The Brunch And Punch, unlimited 21 Lake Rum Punch added to the Brunch for $33.

21 Lake Restaurant & Bar in the Ethan Allen Hotel, 21 Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury, next to the Ethan Allen furniture store, is open seven days a week. Breakfast is weekdays from 6:30 to 10 am, Saturday from 7 to 10:30 am, and Sunday from 7 to 10 am; brunch is Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm; and dinner is Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 pm, and Sunday it is served in the lounge. Lounge hours are Sunday through Thursday, 4 pm to 12 am, and Friday through Saturday, 4 pm to 2 am. To make a reservation or inquire about catering options, call the hotel's main number at 203-744-1776. For further information, visit ethanallenhotel.com or facebook.com/theethanallenhotel.

[mappress mapid="1443"]