Celebrities flock to Happy Monkey
Scene… Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten opened the doors to his latest venture, Happy Monkey, at 376 Greenwich Ave. on June 24. The restaurant showcases Latin cuisine with a Vongerichten flair and sustainable offerings served in a casual, fun atmosphere. Working alongside Vongerichten is Executive Chef Ron Gallo, who most recently served as executive chef at the Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges in Pound Ridge, N.Y. Gallo was previously chef de cuisine at Vongerichten’s Upper East Side restaurant, JoJo, a position he held for 13 years. Celebrities spotted dining there include Katonah, N.Y., resident and TV personality/entrepreneur Martha Stewart; Greenwich resident and TV star Judge Judy Sheindlin; former NBA star and Greenwich resident Allan Houston and his wife Tamara; 710 WOR radio host Mark Simone aka “Mr. New York;” TV personality and Greenwich resident Lara Spencer; Greenwich resident and ESPN sports anchor Hannah Storm; broadcast journalist and Westport resident Alisyn Camerota; and Gary “Baba Booey” Dell’Abate, executive producer of “The Howard Stern Show.”
Out there… Coffee for Good Café in Greenwich has been voted Best Coffee Shop in Greenwich for 2022 by Moffly Media. The nonprofit coffee shop and eatery located in the 1858 Mead House at the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich provides employment-based training for people with disabilities. It’s open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays thru Saturdays at at 48 Maple Ave. For more info, go to www.coffeeforgood.org.
Scene… Former Major League Baseball player Ron Darling of Rowayton was seen dining at Gabriele’s of Westport at 27 Powers Court on Thursday evening, as was New Canaan resident Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, host of “Mad Dog Sports Radio” on Sirius XM.
Scene… Renowned celebrity chef Todd English, who grew up in Branford, is opening an 80,000square-foot two-story immersive food hall and global art exhibition in the Stamford Town Center. English’s joint venture with entrepreneur Keith Burkard is expected to open in 2024. English and fellow chef Aaron May will be participating at the Hey Stamford! Food Festival on Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 in Stamford’s Mill River Park.
Out there…Westport Country Playhouse at Powers Court is featuring a “Sunday Symposium” on July 10 after the 3 p.m. performance of “Kim’s Convenience,” the play that inspired the popular Netflix comedy series about a Korean family who owns a Toronto convenience store. Ins Choi, who wrote “Kim’s Convenience,” will make a guest appearance and discuss the production and its themes with Playhouse Associate Artistic Director David Kennedy. For more info, visit www.westportplayhouse.or g, or call the box office at
203-227-4177.
Out there… Versailles Farms Farm Stand at 56 Locust St. in Greenwich is now open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Out there… Greenwichbased rhythm and blues band Billy and the Showmen
will be performing an outdoor concert at the Hudson Park Band Shell in New Rochelle, N.Y., from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 6. The concert is free and open to the public.
“True independence and freedom can only exist in
doing what’s right.”
— Brigham Young And that’s all for now. Later…