Steelpointe expands with boca grille & raw bar
As the greens at H Smith Richardson Golf Course begin to grow lush, awaiting the season’s first-morning tee-off, the new construction on the public golf course’s property prepares to introduce its new restaurant, Boca Grille and Raw Bar, an original concept produced by Steelpointe Restaurant Group.
Photo Cred: MaxEx PR
Spearheaded by Fairfield residents Peter Prizio and Yanni Taxiltaridis, Steelpointe Restaurant Group first made its mark on the local dining scene in 2015 with Crave Restaurant, a neighborhood tavern on Sanford Street which in 2020 went through minor renovations and rebranded as Metro Kitchen and Bar, a more modern and vibrant version of its original incarnation. Metro’s grand opening took place one week before the pandemic shut down the world, making the new restaurant’s entree into the local dining scene a bit challenging, instead trading its normal happy hour crowds and private events for family-style take-out meals and food delivery.
“It wasn’t the introduction we had planned on, “recalls Peter, “We adapted quickly, providing our customers with value-driven take-out meals, and ensuring that our team and our restaurant were operating safely. We are looking forward to the next service capacity phases and the opportunity to operate at full speed.”
Photo Cred: MaxEx PR
Full speed is what Steelpointe Restaurant Group is accustomed to. In May 2019, the team embarked on a massive project in the newly developed Steelpointe Harbor in Bridgeport. Boca Oyster Bar, a 13,000 square foot waterfront restaurant, indoor and outdoor bar, and large patio space, became the anchor restaurant for the neighborhood development. The restaurant’s signature seafood, steak, pasta, and raw bar menu, along with its craft cocktail culture, live music schedule, genuine hospitality, and cool breezes quickly earned Boca “Connecticut’s Best New Restaurant” (CT Magazine) accolade and a reputation for producing off the chart events.
“We opened during peak season for a waterfront restaurant,” says Yanni of the restaurant’s out-of-the-gate crowds that ensued, “It was a wild ride. We worked out the kinks – quickly, but ultimately it was about creating something different that consumers wanted, and the neighborhood needed. Boca filled a tremendous outdoor dining void in the area and added something unique to the Fairfield County dining scene.”
“Boca filled a tremendous outdoor dining void in the area and added something unique to the Fairfield County dining scene.”
Taking its cues from the elevated tavern fare and casual vibe of Metro, combined with Boca’s land and sea menu and energy of an active indoor-outdoor venue, Steelpointe Restaurant Group has created an exciting restaurant, bar, and event destination to complement Fairfield’s beloved H Smith Richardson Golf Course. Boca Grille and Raw Bar is housed in the property’s beautiful new clubhouse structure. A stunning wood-paneled dome skylight, magnificent stone fireplace, and tranquil golf course views share the stage with the restaurant’s New England design aesthetic and eclectic menu.
Customers can look forward to Boca’s popular seafood favorites such as lobster rolls, ahi tuna tacos, market-fresh fish, and raw bar selections, in addition to casual fare that includes wings, nachos, juicy burgers, hearty sandwiches, and fresh salads. The dinner menu features lobster ravioli, rack of lamb, miso-glazed Chilean seabass, and Boca’s signature 50 oz cowboy bone-in ribeye for 2. Craft beer, a curated global wine list, martinis, and creative premium cocktails round out the offerings. Boca Grille and Raw Bar provides the food service for the entire operation throughout the day, from early morning breakfast for golfers and snack bar carts on the golf course to lunch and dinner menus and custom events. The restaurant is family-friendly, offering Saturday and Sunday brunch, in addition to serving as a social respite over cocktails at the bar or on the patio, all overlooking the golf course.
With a shift in the narrative that is this pandemic and an enthusiastic look to the future, Steelpointe Restaurant Group sets its sights on a fresh start for its existing restaurants and the opportunity to create another truly unique restaurant and gathering place in the town they call home. Peter and Yanni’s community and charitable support will now have another location from which to produce their numerous fundraising events, host local city functions, and professional networking events, as well as provide a beautiful backdrop for residents and visitors to enjoy milestone celebrations.
“It’s a new day, “beams Yanni, “The future is looking bright and so is our patio!”