Sono Falafel opens in Norwalk

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Sono Falafel, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, opened earlier this month in Norwalk.

Click through to see the restaurants and breweries that opened in southwestern Connecticut in 2017.

Opened February 2017
Bringing The Simple Greek to Connecticut is George Pertesis, along with his parents John and Maria and sister Christina. The idea came to the Pertesis family after seeing an episode of 'The Profit' on CNBC two years ago, with the show chronicling attempts by entrepreneurs to win financial backing from investor Marcus Lemonis. The Simple Greek concept came about from Lemonis’ work to help a Pittsburgh-area pita stand called My Big Fat Greek Gyro, featured on “The Profit.” Read more.

Opened June 2017
The “original” fried ice cream comes in standard flavors, and can be doused in chocolate sauce or topped with gummy worms and other sweets. The “wild” version substitutes fudge or caramel for ice cream. Read more.

Opened June 2017
Serving Mediterranean cuisine with strong classic French undertones. From the escargot and Gambas Al Ajlllo to the Magret Duck Breast and gorgeous Beef Bourgignon, this BYOB venue is not to be missed. Bistro Du Soleil and the Muñoz family truly understand the art of both hospitality and simply delicious food. - CT Bites

Opened June 2017
The truck is equipped with a gas-fired oven that cooks the large or small pizzas, which are propelled through the 750-degree oven on a stone conveyor belt. Single-topped pizzas go for $16.95 and the truck also sells garlic rolls, meatball sliders, salads and stuffed cannoli. Read more.

Opened July 2017
A signature dish, the Copps Island roll, is composed of deep-fried oysters, house-made tartar sauce, little gem lettuce and tomato on a toasted New England hot dog roll. Read more.

Opened July 2017
Creations so far include Research Drive Blonde Ale and O.J. on Parole IPA. Read more.

Opened July 2017
The new Bobby Q’s promises “something soothing” like smokehouse chili priced at $9 a bowl, to “something smoked” like its “3 Kings of ‘Cue” platter serving up St. Louis ribs, pulled pork and brisket for up to six people, at $100. Read more.

Opening August 2017
he restaurant offers 22 flavors of wings, including four varieties of Buffalo sauce. Robert Savin of Savin Foods owns 10 Wings Over franchises including all of the Connecticut locations. "It became like a cult following," Savin said of the franchise. "People love the food we deliver late at night. Someone who works for me said they were in Alaska – we used to give out t-shirts when school started – and she saw someone on the ferry who just graduated from UConn wearing one." Read more.

Opened August 2017
The brewery is the newest venture of the DaSilvas, who co-founded the Southport Brewing Co. more than 20 years ago. The first location in Fairfield paired in-house brews made by Mark DaSilva with pub fare. The company expanded to locations in Stamford, Milford and Branford. The original location closed last year. Only a restaurant with the SBC name remains in Milford. Read more.

Opened September 2017
Chef/Restaurateur Vinicio Llanos of the popular Arezzo Ristorante & Wine Bar located alongside the tranquil Saugatuck River in Westport, CT, introduced his newest CT venture, Le Madri, to the town of Bethel. This family owned and operated restaurant, bar, and event venue features rustic Italian cuisine set in an open and contemporary space with panoramic views of a bustling town. - CT Bites

Bar Zepoli replaced Napa & Co., a longtime local favorite that closed in January after 10 years at Broad and Summer streets. Bar Zepoli offers a variety of Italian fare and features a bar, live jazz and outdoor dining. Read more.

Opened October 2017
At the former site of Strada 18 at 122 Washington Street in South Norwalk, Il Posto opened on Friday, Oct. 20, with a menu focused on traditional northern Italian food. Read more.

Opened October 2017
Nod Hill Brewery has a golden ale and hoppy pale ale ready to go. Other varieties, including an IPA and a darker brew, will be ready for the late October opening, Dave Kaye said. Nod Hill Brewery will have six taps featuring two or three beer varieties that will always be available, in addition to a few seasonal or limited edition brews. Read more.

Opened October 2017

Match Burger Lobster is a casual affair, (and very kid friendly) with both indoor and enclosed outdoor seating. Adult beverages include the “Perfect Match” beer specially made for Match by Aspetuck Brew Lab, wine, cider, and frosé. Make sure you don’t forget dessert. Chef Susanne Berne has created “fill your own” Donut Holes, Oreo Cake, and Key Lime Pie. - CT Bites

Opened October 2017
The Washington D.C.-based eatery replaces Cosi at 129 W. Putnam Ave. It marks Connecticut’s first Cava, but the brand is growing rapidly with 40 restaurants listed on its website and another 20 described as opening soon, including two in Boston. Read more.

Opened October 2017
Redding Beer Co. is not your typical brewery and certainly not your typical bar. The tap room is located on Main Street in Georgetown, not an out-of-the-way industrial park like many breweries. The owners are not using their meeting place to peddle bottles and cans of their products — they don’t even offer their beer that way — though growlers are welcome. Read more.

Opened October 2017
Cocoanuts will be serving up non -dairy, gluten free, vegan desserts to the hungry masses using coconut cream, coconut milk, and other allergen friendly ingredients. Read more.

Jennie Bedusa and Smith Reynolds at their new Spigot Beer in South Norwalk, Conn., which features a daily menu of rarer brews as well as fine cheeses from Murray's in New York City. Read more

The restaurant, which is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., cited Neapolitan influences for what it defined as its "upscale-casual" style and culinary substance.

Opened November 2017
The new Greenwich spot will feature Chef Carlos Baez’ inventive American menu with strong global influences. The menu will look and feel much like that of The Spread in South Norwalk but Chef Baez has a few surprises for his Greenwich guests. Read more.

Opened December 2017
Lorca, located inside Fleisher's Craft Butchery, in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich offers specialty coffee drinks and Spanish-influenced pastries. Read more.

Iron Brewing, Norwalk

Opened December 2017

The brew pub formerly known as Hell or High Water — and before that known as Guvnor’s Brewing — reopened as Iron Brewing, with three partners taking their own crack at creating a microbrewery in South Norwalk where two others have failed. Read more.

Opening 2018
Three years after the Food & Drug Administration eased rules restricting the use of hemp in food products, an entrepreneur and former naval officer is building a distillery in South Norwalk to produce gin and whiskey blends using seeds and flowers from the plant — with a tasting room for visitors.

Opening 2018

The fox logo of Evarito's greets passersby in December 2017 at the corner of Washington Street and North Main Street, in advance of the Mexican restaurant opening in 2018 under the stewardship of SKAL Restaurant Group, which owns Cask Republic around the corner. Read more.

Opening 2018

The new restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a focus on ingredients sourced from local farms and vendors, as well as a beverage selection including coffees and teas from regional providers.

Opens winter 2018
The building is approximately 10,000 square feet, of which 1,010 will be used for the tap house. The remainder of the building will be used for office space, restrooms and manufacturing (brewing). He said the brewery plans to operate seven days a week, but the tap house will be open only afternoons and evenings from Thursday through Sunday. Read more.