Business name: Republic Kitchen + Bar

Address: 262 Main Street (Route 25), Monroe

Owner: Frank Polozani

Business background: Current Bethel resident Frank Polozani said he has been involved in the restaurant and hospitality industry virtually his entire life. As a boy, he would tag along and help out at his dad’s Italian restaurant in Washington Township, New Jersey. “I started washing dishes on weekends when I was 12, and by the time I was 16, I was working there as a line chef.” Mr Polozani moved to Connecticut 14 years ago and continued working in area restaurants, opening his first property in New Canaan. He was also involved with opening Prime Pub locations in Danbury and Bethel.

Business focus: “I wanted to open a family-friendly location that focused on fresh ingredients in a gastro pub environment. The minute I walked into this location, I fell in love with it. Once I took over, I redesigned the entire space and kitchen, which features a specialty broiler and hotel-grade appliances,” Mr Polozani said. “The chef and I come up with ideas that we usually offer as specials. If they become popular with our guests, we may add them to the permanent menu. We also enjoy creating fusion dishes like our Tuna Crudo — with fresh Ahi tuna, a soy wasabi ginger sauce, fresh guacamole, and wonton chips. Our Burrata Burger is a popular dish smothered in roasted red peppers and topped with a slice of deep fried burrata cheese. We do on- and off-premises catering; have multiple spaces for small or large private parties with 100-plus guests; and offer half-price wine by the bottle on Mondays; Happy Hour weekdays 3 to 6 pm, with apps starting at $3; live acoustic music on Wednesday evenings; and occasional late night bands on Saturdays.

Kitchen Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:30 am to 10 pm; Sunday, 11:30 am to 9 pm. *Bar closes nightly by 12 am

Website: republickitchenandbar.com

Social Media: facebook.com/republickitchenMonroe or instagram.com/republic_kitchen_bar_monroe

Phone/Reservations: 203-590-3826