Coals adds slice to Norwalk life
NORWALK — When Fat Cat Pizza Co. closed after 16 years on Wall Street, it left a pizzashaped hole in the hearts of many in the city.
But the scent of freshbaked pies is filling the building once more. On Feb. 5, Coals Grilled Pizza opened in the storefront once occupied by Fat Cat, making it the first Coals location both in Fairfield County and in Connecticut.
Coals comes to Norwalk with a built-in customer base — many already know of the pizzeria from its locations in Bronxville and Port Chester, N.Y., the latter of which closed late last year. Chef, owner and founder Billy Etzel said he has been flooded by messages on social media for months by people asking when his Norwalk location would open.
“I don’t even understand how people knew,” Etzel said. “There’s a lot of excitement. It certainly seems like people are ready for something here.”
Coal’s offers handstretched grilled pizzas along with appetizers like chicken wings. The restaurant also stocks a lineup of local craft beers.
“The first thing (customers) can expect is great pizza and great
wings,” Etzel said. “Our food is simple, but delicious and we put a lot of effort into it. It’s not an afterthought. It’s really the main focus. We keep a small menu, but we put a lot of effort into everything that’s on that menu.”
Coals’ Norwalk debut was slightly delayed, in part, due to COVID, Etzel said, as opening a restaurant at a time when dining is restricted is no easy feat.
“The closer and closer we got to a vaccine, it seemed OK,” Etzel said. “So we went for it, but we took our time.”
The delay only built anticipation. Coals was met with a good crowd during their first night of opening, Etzel said, despite COVID dining restrictions. The restaurant has enough space to seat a fair amount of customers while maintaining necessary distance. Only dine-in service is available for now, but Etzel said he hopes to expand to take-out eventually. When COVID restrictions are lifted, he also hopes to use the restaurant space for private events.
“All the Coals have the same vibe,” he said. “It’s super casual, fun, absolutely nothing stuffy about it. If you come here and aren’t in the mood to have fun, it’s not the place for you.”
Nancy McGuire, head of the Wall Street Neighborhood Association, said Coals is just the latest in a series of new additions to the area.
“The neighbors and business owners in downtown Norwalk are thrilled that Coals Pizza has opened up in the previous Fat Cat space,” McGuire said. “These experienced restaurant owners bring new excitement along with the recently opened Wall Street Tavern. And with the newly renovated 64 Wall Street retail spaces, the neighborhood is primed for Connecticut’s continuing reduction in COVID restrictions, and looking forward to a spring filled with theater calls, outdoor music, and community events.”
It was the feel of the neighborhood that drew Coals to the area. Etzel first stepped foot in the building that would become Coals Norwalk about 10 years ago when his business partner and Norwalk resident Nick Restaino was showing him around the city.
The two went to Fat Cat Pizza Co., which specialized in thin crust organic pizza and small production wine. At the time, Etzel was struck by the rustic feel of the space with its open rooms and exposed brick walls, along with the feel of Wall Street.
Fat Cat left the Twin City Building last February after the restaurant space in it was sold. Once the spot became available, Etzel jumped on it. After years of looking for a spot in Norwalk, he finally found a business location that sparked his interest.
“There’s something cool and quirky about the neighborhood,” Etzel said. “It’s interesting. It’s on the upswing. I like the look of it.”