Since 1974, the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury has been a world-class staple for hospitality and services, taking the lead from the Ethan Allen Furniture Company's aesthetic of livable luxury.

What many people may not be aware of is that the hotel has an award-winning, full-service restaurant located inside the building that is open to the public.

The Ethan Allen Hotel has three dining areas - the lounge, the dining room, and the solarium - all located to the left of the hotel's main entrance. The solarium has comfortable seating, a makeshift bar, and its glass panels give the feeling of outdoor dining. The main dining room is decorated with elegant chandeliers and a sophisticated, but casual style.

Currently, the lounge area is being remodeled from floor to ceiling and will be the perfect destination for a fun, energetic, after work crowd. Its new design will include hardwood flooring to accommodate a larger area for guests to dance and for live entertainment. Happy hour, food specials, and wine/beer tastings are more features to come. The lounge is scheduled to be completed by the end of March.

The dining spaces at the Ethan Allen Hotel are versatile and can accommodate about 150 seats, making it a desirable location for any private party or special occasion. The hotel's restaurant can be reserved for anything from a bar mitzvah to business parties to birthdays to Sunday brunch.

The name "Fairfields Restaurant & Lounge" will also be getting revamped to accompany the new interior transformation. The hotel is looking for the public to submit new names for the restaurant and for the lounge area. The staff encourages guests to write their ideas on a large white board located in the main dining room.

Director of Food and Beverage Jeffery Pellegrino explained, "If anybody has a name, they can write it on the board."

If a person gets both of their submitted names chosen they will receive the contest's $250 grand prize. The new names will be revealed before the official lounge opening and will appear on the Ethan Allen Hotel website.

Not only is the lounge getting a makeover, but so are other areas of the hotel, including the restaurant's kitchen. New equipment will be installed and will allow for more innovation in the menu. During the updates, the kitchen will continue to remain operational.

A Menu in the Making:

Due to construction, Fairfields Restaurant & Lounge at the Ethan Allen Hotel currently does not have a formal menu.

"We are still in the process of developing the menu," said Ethan Allen Hotel's Director of Sales Sue Scott. "But we can speak to what the vision is for it."

The food will be an American bistro style, with the lounge serving up small plates. The restaurant will continue to provide a hot breakfast with new and exciting food options becoming available, like chia seeds for an oatmeal topping.

Chef Claudio Portuense has been working at the Ethan Allen Hotel for more than 20 years and says there will be something for everyone on the menu. The focus is on consistently serving up as much fresh, natural, and local food as possible and going to extra mile to make as much as they can in-house, including handmade pastas.

What will not change is the restaurant and staff's high standards. It is that mindset that has resulted in the hotel's respected reputation. The kitchen staff, including Sous Chef Wojciech Weglarz, is made up of experienced people who want to use their skills to make the best food around.

With that in mind, Fairfields Restaurant & Lounge at the Ethan Allen Hotel goes the extra mile to make sure there are food options for guests with food allergies or preferences. After having catered a completely gluten-free wedding, the hotel now has a gluten-free menu for brides and will include some of those options in the restaurant, as well.

"There is no dietary issue that is off limits, we will work with everybody," said Banquet Manager Joseph Calzada.

Fairfields Restaurant & Lounge at the Ethan Allen Hotel, at 21 Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury, next to the Ethan Allen furniture store, is open seven days a week. Breakfast is Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 am, Saturday from 7 to 10:30 am, and Sunday from 7 to 10 am. Sunday Brunch is from 11 to 3 pm. Dinner is Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 pm; the restaurant is closed on Sunday. When the lounge is completed, it will be opened weekdays from 3:30 to 11 pm, and weekends 3:30 pm to 12 am. To make a reservation or to submit an idea for a new name for the restaurant and lounge call the hotel's main number at 203-744-1776. To see reviews visit weddingwire.com. For more information, visit ethanallenhotel.com or e-mail Ethan Allen Hotel's Director of Sales Sue Scott at sscott@ethanallenhotel.com.

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