About 100 people were at the Copper City Bar and Grill on Main Street Wednesday during a raucous celebration of the new restaurant’s grand opening.
“If that train whistle sounds, everybody’s getting a shot!” yelled owner Thomas Carney, shaking his fist to a round of cheers.
Carney was referring to the Metro-North commuter train that passes by the rear of the restaurant, nestled at 82 – 84 Main St., blowing its whistle as it pulls into the Ansonia train station.
It wasn’t just an exuberant moment for Carney, a Shelton resident — it was a dream come true.
He’s a chef by trade — and a celebrated one at that.
“I’ve been a chef in Westport since the early 90s, opening high-volume restaurants,” he said.
Carney has worked previously at restaurants such as the Spotted Horse Tavern in Westport and the Gray Goose in Southport, according to the New York Times.
But the Copper City Bar and Grill is his baby.
The New York Times described his food in 2012 at the Spotted Horse as “fairly concise” but “a lot more sophisticated and better-prepared than basic pub grub.”
It’s a vibe he seems to want to continue in Ansonia.
“The food is user-friendly. Hamburgers, salads, pasta. It’s high-end tavern food,” Carney said.
Copper City is about 2,000 square feet. There are seats for about 68 people. There are about 10 employees at the moment.
The chef/new restaurant owner seems to be rejuvenated by the fact he’s cooking in the Valley.
“People here appreciate and deserve good food. But they’re not pretentious. Everything here is under $20,” he said.
Click here and here to check out the menu on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
While Carney was happy to open his own place Wednesday, he was also stressed.
In addition to welcoming friends, family and a gaggle of local business owners and officials, Carney was in the thick of it in the kitchen, making sure the food that went out was up to his standards.
The place had a soft opening the night prior. Carney said his new staff wasn’t quite ready for the onslaught Wednesday, so he brought in some people he knew from Fairfield County to help.
His was far from alone.
At one point while chatting with a reporter, Carney’s wife, Anita, approached.
She adjusted the top of his apron, wiping away a few crumbs. Her body language was obvious — loving, supporting, proud.
“She’s from Italy,” Carney said. “I was over there cooking in northern Italy about 20 years ago and I stole her from the Italians,” he joked.
Their two children — son Eric, 17 and daughter Chiara, 19 — are also working at Copper City.
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held just before 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Bill Purcell, the executive director of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, said Carney’s reputation as a chef precedes him. He also credited Carney for naming the restaurant Copper City, an allusion to the factories that once dominated Main Street.
“This is a city that prides itself on entrepreneurship and innovation. You’re keeping that memory and that history alive,” Purcell said.
Click here to visit Copper City’s Facebook page.
Click here to visit Copper City’s website.
The hours (as of the third day in business) are Sunday, 4 p.m. to close, Monday, closed, Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. until close.
