Arthur Michaelsen,
formerly of Ridgefield, is executive chef of his new
family-owned restaurant, 59 BANK in New Milford
featuring innovative American cuisine with global
influences.
Many area diners were disappointed 33 1/3
Restaurant in Copp's Hill Plaza in Ridgefield closed.
The good news is that former partners, executive
chef Arthur Michaelsen and his wife Julia, the chef's
sister, Nancy Burke, and their parents, Jim and
Josephine Connelly, are back in the restaurant business
with a new name, 59 BANK, located on a trendy street in
New Milford across from the Bank Street movie theatre.
Nancy Burke is in charge of catering, and Josephine
Connelly creates lovely floral arrangements.
The new restaurant occupies two floors and two
dining rooms, one sharing space with a large bar on the
first level; and the other, in a spacious setting with
modern furnishings is on the lower level, a great spot
for private functions.
Celebrating 14 years as a professionally trained
chef, Arthur Michaelsen said he and his wife Julia had
previously owned Heibeck's ice cream store in Wilton
where they started a catering company, and he was
executive chef when 33 1/3 first opened. When the
business was successfully launched, he left to open the
Old Stone Farmhouse on the island of St. John, V.I.
Returning to the states, he worked as a private chef in
Greenwich before returning to the family-owned
restaurant in Ridgefield. At 59 BANK, he is assisted by
sous chef Marco Siguenza. Chef Michaelsen is creative,
robust and his menu prices are a very good value.
Small plates, $3.59 to $5.59, are marinated beef
and scallion rolls with a fresh ginger sesame glaze;
Cajun grilled jumbo shrimp with a tomato avocado relish
and mango puree; chili con queso with housemade tortilla
chips; BBQ short ribs with creamy walnut polenta and
crispy spinach; Panko crab cake with tri-color pepper
puree and horseradish cream; and The Napolean, fresh
mozzarella, marinated grilled vegetables, topped with
olive relish and basil pesto vinaigrette. Ideal for
sharing is the Appetizer Tower, assembled with beef and
scallion rolls, calamari, crab cake and BBQ short ribs,
$15.59.
"Greens," $5.59 to $7.59, are the Banker's Cobb,
with avocado, bacon, tomato, egg, red onion and grilled
chicken and crumbled Maytag blue cheese; baby field
greens with pan fried goat cheese; spinach and Caesar
salads; and wood roasted salmon with field greens.
There's a wonderful choice of grilled flat breads
(pizzas), $6.59 to $9.59, including tomato and cheese,
classic pepperoni, sweet Italian sausage, tomato
mozzarella, Caesar salad pizza, shrimp scampi, white
clam, and The Veggie.
"Between the Slices" selections, $5.50 for classic
grilled cheese with bacon and tomato; hot pastrami with
caramelized onion, Gruyere cheese and Thousand Island
dressing for $6.59; and $7.59 for shaved New York
sirloin with roasted mushrooms, frizzled onions, cheddar
cheese and roast garlic mayonnaise. There's also roast
turkey, Cajun grilled chicken, and a Jack Black burger,
chopped sirloin pressed in peppercorn and flamed, with
Monterey Jack and Bermuda onion; a California burger,
Just a burger, and the Dilly Burger topped with
horseradish-dill sour cream.
"Oodles of Noodles," luncheon pastas, $9.59 to
$11.59, are simply marinara, chicken Parmesan and penne,
fettucine Alfredo; baked bowtie al forno, housemade
cheese tortellini Bolognese, and linguine and clams.
Big Plates (entrees), $10.59 to $14.59 for lunch
and $12.59 to $18.59 for dinner, are Mama's meatloaf,
pan-seared pecan crusted Atlantic salmon, chef's risotto
(market Price); baked stuffed chicken breast in a
tomato-pesto cream sauce; prime aged grilled rib eye;
and sauteed calves liver. Additional dinner "big
plates" are grilled jumbo shrimp, grilled paillard of
chicken, and two-potato crusted rack of pork chop. No
entree' is priced higher than $19.59.
Wines, bottled beer, tropical specialty drinks, and
an intriguing martini list offer many Libation choices.
For "Half Pints," children 10 and under, macaroni
and cheese, chic frittes and frittes, simply pasta,
peanut butter and jelly club, mini burger, and mini
cheese pizza are offered at $5.59 each.
A Sunday brunch menu offers a basket of assorted
mini-Danish and muffins, $3.59 for 2 to 4 people; $5.59
for 6 or more. From $6.50 to $9.50, the selection
includes a "You Call it" omelet; Eggs Benedict, Norway,
Montana, Maryland, Litchfield County in addition to
Huevos Rancheros, sandwiches, and seafood, primavera,
and farmer country crepes. There's also an assortment
of French toast, and pancakes.
Signature desserts, $5.59 to $6.59, are The
Painter's Palate, a selection of sorbets with an edible
paint brush; The Drugstore Sundae with the works; fried
banana split, banana and ice cream rolled in sweet
coconut batter, fried and served with toppings. There's
also creme brulee, classic Italian cheesecake, fallen
chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream; and tiramisu
with a sweet seasonal fruit puree.
Also a satisfying ending are coffees of the world,
$6.59, including Italian, bailey's, Caribbean, Mexican,
Jamaican, Keoke, Irish, double nut, and the peppermint
patty, white creme de Cacao with a Rumplemintz floater.
59 BANK is a "find" for those who want
ever-changing regional cuisine at reasonable prices.
Reservations accepted; major credit cards;
handicapped accessible; children accommodated; full
service bar; Happy Hour, 4 to 6; raw bar; innovative
American cuisine with global influences; vegetarians
accommodated; take-out; lunch delivery; nice casual
dress; private functions; off-premise catering; jazz and
blues entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings
starting at 9; street parking, and at the New Milford
railroad Station across the street. |
