Downtown Ansonia is seeing a mini-restaurant boom. First Crave, then Lanza’s and now — Sunset on 384.
Corrine Cotter-McManus is the owner of Sunset on 384 and Floriana Carbone is the manager.
The two woman recently opened the restaurant at 384 E. Main St., which serves casual American dining.
The restaurant is cozy and quaint with cherry wood work, blue chairs and pictures of fruit on the wall.
However, the restaurant has an additional dining area in the back with a fireplace.
On the second floor, Sunset 384 has a banquet hall in orange and blue chocolate brown that caters special events such as weddings and parties.
Both women have busy lives. Cotter-McManus works as event planner for the City of Derby and as a title manager for an insurance company.
Carbone is raising two children, ages 12 and 15, while managing the new restaurant.
Valley Independent Sentinel: Corrine, you described yourself as a workaholic. Can you handle a restaurant, too?
Cotter-McManus: Absolutely, I am a workaholic. I hold three jobs. I know I can do this because it’s my passion. This is not a job. I look forward to coming here at night.
VIS: Do you ladies have a favorite food?
Carbone: I would have to say traditional pizza. I get that from my grandfather. He owned a restaurant in Bridgeport for 40 years.
VIS: You’re a pizza lover, Floriana? What’s your topping?
Carbone: I am into grilled pizza now. Fresh mozzarella and fresh plum tomatoes.
VIS: Your favorite food, Corrine?
Cotter-McManus: I would have to say baked stuffed shrimp. It’s my absolute favorite.
VIS: What do you think the Valley needs, in terms of restaurants?
Cotter-McManus: The Valley needs a place where people can go and experience fine dining at a very reasonable price. The Valley isn’t a metropolis like New York or Stamford or Bridgeport, so we have to keep our prices reasonable.
Carbone: From what I notice, the Valley needs different types of establishments, like a restaurant, where people can get together and relax.
VIS: What is your vision for Sunset on 384?
Cotter-McManus: I envision it becoming a very popular gathering place for local people to come and be comfortable and have cocktails. We will have entertainment on the weekend. We also want to become the premier catering place in the Valley, because we specialize in catering.
Carbone: I have to agree with Connie. It will be an atmosphere where people can relax. We can serve any aspect of their lives — wedding, party, business meeting, or casual get together.
VIS: So what do you both think of the Valley?
Cotter-McManus: I absolutely love the Valley. I’m passionate about that. The reason is that when something happens good or bad, the Valley people are there for you. I came from a family of fireman, policemen and reporters. There is a lot of pride in the Valley. I seriously wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Carbone: When I first came here it has a sense of its own uniqueness. Everyone I ever met here — having lived my whole life in a city (Bridgeport) and now I work here — I have noticed the people have a genuine interest in you. They are genuine.
VIS: Thanksgiving is coming. Anything going on here?
Cotter-McManus: We are having a huge party.
Carbone: To kick off the holiday.
Cotter-McManus: With music, a raffle, free drawing and giveaways.
VIS: Are you going to have the bird? The turkey?
Carbone: That will be available all week.
VIS: Are you two thinking of holding community events?
Cotter-McManus: Absolutely. On Sunday nights we do a singers night. We support the Umbrella program. If someone bring donations they get a free drink.
VIS: What kind of donations?
Cotter-McManus: Clothes, food, but people can donate money too. We wanted to get involve in some organization. We thought it’s good to help the women’s shelter. Also, we want to offer help to the fire departments if they need help. That goes for all the Valley fire departments. If they need help running a pancake breakfast or if a family is hurt.
VIS: What’s going to keep you ladies busy here especially in this economy?
Cotter-McManus: I think value, good quality and my bubbly personality!
VIS: Isn’t it a tough time to open a restaurant? Why now?
Cotter-McManus: I think it will get better. It’s on an upswing and the people of the Valley will be looking for ways to go — we provide a menu on a budget.
VIS: You keep speaking about affordable prices. Give me some examples of what’s affordable.
Cotter-McManus: Lunch under $10 dollars. Burger, wraps, pasta. An all you can eat pasta for $7.99.
Carbone: My grandmother even comes and makes the sauce for the pasta. It think the pot is even bigger than her. It was my grandfather’s recipe. We also have some dinners under $11.99.
Cotter-McManus: We plan to treat everyone like a guest and not a customer. Oh, I forgot to mention. There is a birthday special. If they show up on their actual birthday with an ID, like a drivers license, the entree is free.
Sunset on 384 is open Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m, on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunset on 384 can be reached at (203) 446‑2324.
