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Located on Main Street in the quaint town of Chester, CT, Grano Arso is a neighborhood eatery, bar and restaurant

Owned and operated by Chef Joel and Lani Gargano. Grano Arso is an Italian restaurant that cooks with a traditional approach using comforting and memorable flavors to warm the hearts of diners. We aim to capture the essence of Italy’s sensibility of cooking by drawing inspiration from the changing seasons and local produce. By foraging connections with our community’s farms, we get to use the best ingredients while taking joy in supporting our local producers. Chef Joel masterfully and proudly collects ingredients to transport guests to Italy with rustic charm, but refined presentation.

Grano Arso has a bar serving craft cocktails, expertly curated wines from around the world and local beers, brewed with integrity. Our specialty cocktail’s change with the seasons- showing inspiration, while our signature and classic cocktails are delightfully balanced and made with precision.

 Join us for dinner, and ask your server about our Chef’s Tasting Menu and Weekday Specials

Phone

(860) 322-3143

Location

6 Main Street
Chester, CT 06412

Hours

T-Th 5:00p–8:30pm

F-Sa- 5:00pm–9:00pm

Su- Closed

M -Closed

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Meet the owners

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CHEF / OWNER / OPERATOR

Chef Joel Gargano, a Connecticut native and son of Italian bakers, began learning the trade in his parents' bakery at a young age with his father. 

It didn’t take long for him to discover the gratification from cooking. As graduate of Johnson and Wales, finishing with a Masters Degree in Culinary Education, the aspiring chef always connected teaching and cooking. While holding positions as an educator, Joel has been cooking professionally for over 20 years. The chef has worked in several top kitchens in New England such as Chez Pascal in Providence, RI, Union League Cafe in New Haven, CT, and Bar Bouchée in Madison, CT. More recently Chef Joel has worked at LINCOLN Ristorante in New York City under Chef Jonathan Benno and spent time at Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern in Simsbury, CT with James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalist Tyler Anderson. Chef Joel also designed and ran a successful food program for a student financial services company based in New Haven, CT. 

A few TV Apperances over the years how given Chef some national recognition. Beat Boby Flay - Chopped - Cutthroat Kitchen - Rocco’s Dinner Party.

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OWNER / OPERATOR / PUBLIC RELATIONS

Raised in New York City, Lani is no stranger to excellence in service and a refined dining experience.  

Her elegant touches to our dining rooms and private event space do not go unnoticed. Attention to detail and graceful approach to your visit to Grano Arso allows diners to feel welcomed and elated. 

A nurse by trade, turned restaurant owner. A skill set that lends itself to hospitality seamlessly. With her husband, Chef Joel, there isn’t one job undoable. Floral decor and design, managing social media - But, you’ll usually see Lani managing the guests’ experience, and sometimes in the kitchen when Grano Arso flips occasionally into a Pop-Up Vietnamese Restaurant.  

 

Valentine’s Day

 
 

February 13th,14th &15th

Valentine’s Day

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your love at Grano Arso - Chef Joel has a 4-course menu with plenty of options.

***Please note - we will be offering this menu for 3 days:

Thursday 2/13 -

Regular Menu & Valentine’s Day Menu

Thursday 2/14 -

Valentine’s Day Menu ONLY

Saturday 2/15 -

Regular Menu & Valentine’s Day Menu

$98 per person - beverage, tax & Gratuity not included


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RESERVATIONS

 

If you would like to speak to our reservationist, please call after 3:30pm Tuesday-Saturday. Messages are checked on days we are open for business.

860.322.3143

GIFT CARDS

Please click the link below to purchase a gift card

Chef Joel’s Cooking Classes

Join Chef Joel Gargano at Grano Arso in Chester, CT to learn how to make delicious recipes, master techniques & grow your skills.

Each class will be in a small setting so you’ll have lots of attention from Chef! He’ll show you the best recipes and methods so you will have success at home.

Most classes are 90 minutes long and demonstration style personally from Chef Joel (unless noted otherwise). You will receive the recipes presented in the class and plenty of Q&A time while you enjoy what Chef is cooking. The recipes taught are not presented as a meal, but for tasting. Beverages may be purchased at additional cost. Classes are small and seated with a close clear view of Chef Joel. If a class you want to attend sells out, please share your interest for another session by emailing joel@granoct.com

Please Note: Classes are NON-REFUNDABLE and can’t be transferred to another class (spots are very limited). Gift Cards are not applicable to classes.