Ridgefield, CT February 2026

Ridgefield moves confidently into the New Year, with market indicators pointing to a vibrant and resilient 2026 Real Estate landscape. High buyer engagement, both from within Fairfield County and discerning out-of-state clients, continues to reflect the enduring allure of Ridgefield’s lifestyle, culture, and sense of community. Home values remain steady, with select properties experiencing thoughtful appreciation as limited inventory enhances demand.

At Karla Murtaugh Homes, we are privileged to represent this extraordinary market and remain steadfast in delivering tailored guidance and exceptional results. Whether you are considering a purchase or preparing to sell, trust our award-winning team to provide a refined, seamless experience in 2026.

Consistently ranked #1 in Ridgefield

Wishing you and your family a Joyful, Healthy and Prosperous 2026.

The Love Local Issue

As February rolls around, I always find myself in a familiar tug-of-war. On one hand, I want to resist the pull of another commercialized holiday.  On the other, I can’t help but savor the sweet moments it brings—an excuse to pause, reflect, and celebrate love in all its forms.

Do we opt for a Valentine’s Day date out or settle in for a cozy night at home? A handwritten card or a heartfelt kind word shared over morning coffee? For me, it’s usually a mix of both. Each of us will find our own ways to mark the occasion, shaped by our unique preferences and traditions. But what unites us all is the opportunity to remind those around us—partners, friends, family, neighbors—just how much they mean to us.

This month’s issue is dedicated to celebrating the very best of what there is to love in our local community. From the people and places that make our days brighter to the businesses that quietly support us year after year, February is the perfect time to shine a light on what’s close to home.

As we navigate the lingering chill of winter and look ahead to the promise of spring’s arrival, let’s take a moment to slow down and come together with the people who matter most. Whether they’re under your roof, down the street, or woven into the fabric of the community you call home, February offers a wonderful reminder to connect, reflect, and share love in meaningful ways.

“Love local” isn’t just about supporting the businesses in your area—it’s about cherishing what’s near to you in every sense. Familiar faces, shared experiences, the small rituals that bring comfort and joy. So grab a cup of coffee at your favorite local café, enjoy a game night by the fire with your family, or pick up a bottle of wine and some cheese for a relaxed movie night in? Sometimes the simplest moments are the ones we treasure most.

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that together, we’re stronger. Every month, the stories shared within these pages prove that again and again—stories of connection, resilience, creativity, and care that define our community.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the life you’re building and the moments you’re creating. Our greatest hope is that this issue inspires you and helps you love where you live just a little more than before.

Here’s to a February filled with love—both local and beyond!

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Bruce Bernstein | bruce.bernstein@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Katie Parry | katie.parry@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Katie Bode | katie.bode@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ed McGrogan, Lorraine Piazza

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jennifer Zarine Photography, Jay Graygor

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

Sarah and Bernard Bouïssou, owners of

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

Thanks to the generosity of the community, SPHERE’s Reach for the Stars Gala became the most successful in the organization’s history, raising a record-breaking $528,000 to support programs for adults with disabilities. The unforgettable evening honoring John and Peggy Loehr featured inspiring performances and highlighted the powerful impact of SPHERE’s mission—made possible by its supporters. 1: Joseph Sorena, Amanda Gabbard, Zachary Sorena, Melena Sorena, and Michael McGuirk 2: Peggy Loehr, Lori Berisford, and John Loehr 3: Amanda Grose-Zahra 4: Peggy and John Loehr, recipients of the Commitment to Service Award. 5: Zachary Sorena with the evening’s auctioneer, Allison Stockel 6: Makeup artist Amanda Gabbard brought the SPHERE performers’ “Lion King”–inspired looks to life 7: SPHERE members performed a selection of songs from “The Lion King”

Snow began to fall just as the 2025 Ridgefield Holiday House Tour got underway. Organized by Tiger Hollow Inc. and the Ridgefield Historical Society, with generous support from presenting sponsor Karla Murtaugh Homes, this biennial event offered a taste of many eras in Ridgefield’s history—from colonial charm to the high style of a Main Street Italianate residence to a former barn. 8: Betsy Reid, Susan Kweskin, and Tatjana Witzmann 9: Christine Johnsmeyer and Linda Berry at The Rectory 10: Melanie Marks leading tour-goers at the Edwin Benedict House 11: The

headquarters 12:

Welcome to Ridgefield, R House! Owners Reggie Krasniqi, his wife Alma, and their family and friends marked the opening of Ridgefield’s newest restaurant with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and a special raffle. R House, a celebration of Italian sophistication and culinary artistry, looks forward to welcoming the community. 15. Annie Fandl, Executive Director, Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce (left) with Ashley Hutchings, Founder of InTown Social 18. R House owner Reggie Krasniqi and his wife Alma 19. The ribbon cutting ceremony for R House

The Ridgefield Spa by Darcey

The Ridgefield Spa by Darcey offers a full menu of services, including customized facials, massage, body treatments, and waxing. Owner Darcey Wulkan has spent the past few years expanding her work beyond the treatment room, creating Decus Beauty—a clean, luxury skincare line used exclusively in treatments and available for purchase in-spa or online. These professional-grade, barrier-supportive products deliver real results. With a focus on restorative care and personalized attention, Darcey honors both science and selfcare. Visit theridgefieldspa.com and follow @theridgefieldspaofficial.

Redding Veterinary Hospital

Redding Veterinary Hospital (RVH) offers comprehensive, compassionate care for small animals, exotics, and pocket pets. This impressive veterinary team—Dr. Angela Muoio, Dr. Philip Bolton, Dr. Susan Block, and their support staff—provides wellness exams, diagnostics, imaging, surgery, house calls, and more with calm, clear communication and genuine kindness. Expertise and empathy come together to support your animals’ health at every stage of life. At RVH, clients and their companions are treated like family. 235 Ethan Allen Highway, call 203-438-3761 or visit reddingvetllc.com to learn more.

R House Italian Steakhouse

New owner Reggie Krasniqi invites Ridgefield to experience R House, where Italian tradition meets Tuscan warmth. Soft lighting, rich wood, and timeless details make guests feel instantly at home. The menu honors Italian classics with prime aged steaks, handmade pastas, seasonal vegetables, and slow-simmered sauces, all complemented by a thoughtfully curated Italian wine list. Beyond the dining room, R House extends its hospitality through event hosting and catering. Visit rhouseridgefield.com and follow @rhouseridgefield. 20 West Lane.

SALEM GOLF CLUB

Where Tradition Meets Hospitality

ARTICLE BY LORRAINE PIAZZA

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SALEM GOLF CLUB

Nestled in Salem, New York, just minutes from the Connecticut border, Salem Golf Club has been a fixture in the community for generations. The original house on the property dates back to 1903, when it served as a dairy farm owned by the Lawrence family.

Over time, the Lawrences transformed the land into a golf course before eventually selling it to four original owners. In 1966, the 18-hole course was developed under the direction of local golf course architect, Edward Ryder. He preserved the natural beauty of the property and helped establish Salem Golf Club as it exists today.

“Salem is a golf club without pretense,” says Harry Smith, a member since 2008. “Even when my game stinks, which is most of the time, I always have a big smile when I roll up the driveway.”

From the moment visitors step onto the property, there’s a palpable sense of old-world elegance mixed with welcoming informality. The course itself features rolling fairways, pristine greens, and scenic vistas that appeal to golfers of every skill level.

But Salem Golf Club has always been about more than the game—it’s about family dinners on the patio at sunset, summer afternoons at the pool, and gatherings that become cherished memories.

In 2016, the club broke ground on one of its most significant additions: a pool house that opened two years later. The project brought new energy to the club, particularly for young families who can now play a round of golf in the morning and relax poolside in the afternoon.

The heated pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Full food and beverage service is available on the pool deck and at the café, which doubles as the course’s halfway house. Members also have year-round access to a fitness center and a golf simulator that can be reserved online.

One of Salem’s most distinctive features is its no-tee-time policy. Members simply show up, check in with the starter at the first tee, and head out. Wait times rarely exceed 20 minutes.

CONTINUED >

“Salem is a golf club without pretense. Even when my game stinks, which is most of the time, I always have a big smile when I roll up the driveway.”

—Harry Smith, Member

Since 2008

“The members appreciate the challenge of the course,” Smith adds. “They also appreciate the welcome and the camaraderie that have long been synonymous with Salem.”

Practice facilities include a driving range, short game area for bunker and chipping work, and a putting green. The course operates eight months a year, from April through November, closing the Sunday after Thanksgiving and reopening in early April, weather permitting.

The clubhouse and dining areas offer members a place to gather for lunch, post-round drinks, or simply to enjoy the atmosphere that has made Salem a cornerstone of the community for decades.

Salem Golf Club is located at 18 Bloomer Road in North Salem. For membership information, call 914-669-5485, or email info@salemgolfclub.org. To learn more visit salemgolfclub.org

Offering courses in:

Parent and Child Classes Age 1-3

Pre-Ballet Classes Age 3 and up

Ballet

Pointe

Contemporary

To register, or for more informationon current classes and our Spring Program, call 203.438.5597 or visit ridgefielddance.org.

Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 440 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut

ARTICLE BY ED MCGROGAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY USA LUGE AND BRETT WEST

THE HOME STRETCH

A WINTER OLYMPIAN’S SPEEDY PURSUIT OF THE PODIUM BEGAN RIGHT IN OUR OWN BACKYARD

Tucker West’s journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics, like the luge tracks he’s slid on since childhood, has been anything but straightforward.

Now 30, Tucker spent his formative years in Ridgefield before relocating to Lake Placid, New York to follow his dream. There are less than a handful of luge tracks in North America at all, with the best arguably on Mount Van Hoevenberg in the Adirondacks.

Another one, incredibly, is on West Mountain Road.

While watching luge on TV during the 2002 Winter Olympics, 6-year-old Tucker and his father, Brett, caught the bug. They immediately immersed themselves in the thrilling and dangerous niche sport, which sees sliders zip down winding courses on sleds at speeds around 90 mph. Races are routinely decided by hundredths of seconds.

To try and replicate what they saw, Tucker slid down hills at home; when those weren’t fast enough, Brett iced them over for less friction and more speed. Still not enough.

At this point, a diehard might have decided to build a giant Lego structure as an homage to luge. Brett took it way further: he built an entire track in his backyard.

“We got pretty fast on that,” Tucker told me years ago in Lake Placid, “like 45 miles per hour at top speed, just on those little flexible plastic sleds.”

No wonder, considering the homemade course is 485 feet long, with a vertical drop of 38 feet.

“There’s no scientific journal that has articles published about luge and equipment,” says 2018 Olympic silver medalist Chris Mazdzer, Tucker’s longtime teammate. (Maybe Brett should

author one.) “And that’s challenging in the sport— especially for Tucker, because he always wants to give 100 percent.”

From West Mountain Road to Western Europe (the unofficial luge capital of the world), Tucker has kept it one hundred. Affable and athletic, he’s represented Team USA at three Olympic Games; when he made the 2014 team at just 18, he was the youngest male competitor in U.S. luge history. He’s won three gold medals on the World Cup circuit; when he conquered the Lake Placid event for the second time, in 2016, he did so by a margin of 0.006 seconds.

Luge races are measured by how you finish, but the start is critical to success. Before gravity helps take you down the serpentine course, it’s up to the racer to forcefully push off the block with both arms, then get settled into the sled. Few do this better than Tucker. He has won USA Luge’s start competition 13 times and has set records around the world for this integral part of the race.

“IF I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT TO THE GAMES, THAT’S AWESOME. HOPEFULLY WE END IT WELL.” —TUCKER WEST

“Going into this year, I really felt he would have broken every start record on every track that he went to,” says Mazdzer.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” says Brett, in a moment of reflection. “It’s just so amazing, the life that he’s had. He exploded on the scene when he was 16, traveling the world in the junior circuit. It’s been a hell of a ride for him, a great experience, and he’s learned a ton of life lessons.”

One of those lessons is disappointment. For all he’s achieved, Tucker has never put it all together at an Olympic Games, where sliders post an aggregate time over four heats. His 22nd-place finish in Sochi (2014) was a highlight simply because it was his Olympic debut. But with higher expectations at PyeongChang (2018) and Beijing (2022), Tucker’s

best showing has been 13th. Go to Tucker’s profile page on TeamUSA.com and you can see the disappointment in his face (interesting photo choice).

After rounding the curve of his 20s, Tucker can see the finish line of his personal luge journey. He’s looking forward to starting a—some might say “real”—career and, as a married man, starting a family. That means this Olympic Games, no matter what happens, will be his last.

“I’m kind of in uncharted territory right now,” says Tucker, who is dealing with a neck injury at an inopportune time. “I’m really trying to take it one race at a time to see what my body will allow me to do. If I am fortunate enough to make it to the Games, that’s awesome. Hopefully we end it well.”

Some veteran Olympians might not be as graceful as Tucker was when adversity strikes. Especially when the sands of his Olympic hourglass are falling like a Lake Placid snowstorm.

“You have to fall in love with a sport that can break your heart,” says Mazdzer, who calls Tucker “the most disciplined, hard-working athlete I ever met in my 30 years at USA Luge.”

Ridgefield will be watching in early February to see if Tucker can end his one-of-a-kind career with a triumph. He has medal aspirations in both singles and the team relay, which includes men’s and women’s singles sliders, plus a doubles team.

The Wests moved from West Mountain Road in 2021, but the fabled track remains standing. On a sign attached to it, the last line reads: “The purpose of the track is to have family fun and to ignite Olympic dreams.”

It cannot be debated that the flame remains lit, not unlike the Olympic torch, for Tucker and all those who will follow in his legendary luge legacy.

Shark Tank TIGER

Ridgefield’s Celebration of Innovation

ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY GRAYGOR

Five years ago, Sean Dowd had a simple idea inspired by the small screen.

As a member of Ridgefield’s Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC), he wondered what might happen if the town hosted its own homespun version of Shark Tank. On the long-running ABC reality show, budding entrepreneurs pitch their businesses in pursuit of funding and mentorship.

In the Ridgefield version, local entrepreneurs could pitch bold ideas to seasoned industry leaders for the chance to win a Chamber of Commerce gift card. And the type of shark had to be changed, naturally. Enter: Tiger Shark Tank.

With more than three decades of experience in investment banking, private equity, and entrepreneurship, Dowd has spent his career evaluating early-stage ventures. Bringing that expertise back to his own community felt like a natural next step.

“Tiger Shark Tank has become much more than a pitch competition— it’s a front door into Ridgefield’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Dowd

says. “What excites me most is helping founders connect with mentors, investors, and real resources in one room, all in a single night.”

Late last fall, the competition returned for its fourth year, packing the Ridgefield Playhouse with a record-breaking audience. Tickets were free and had to be reserved in advance.

CONTINUED >

Prior to the show, a pre-event meet-and-greet connected attendees with state and local organizations that support small businesses, including AdvanceCT, CT Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), CT Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), Ridgefield High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), SCORE Western CT, and Tiger Shark Tank alum JobSnap.

The judging panel included leaders from across entrepreneurship, finance, and industry: Jay Walker, CEO of ApiJect Systems and founder of priceline.com; Chris Bishop, owner of North American Motor Car and co-founder of Blue Buffalo; Suni Harford, former president of Asset Management at UBS; and Frank Micalizzi, regional president at M&T Bank.

“The expertise, enthusiasm, and thoughtful feedback from the judges made the competition truly unforgettable,” says Dowd. “Not only for the competitors, but for the audience as well.”

Each presenter had 10 minutes to pitch their idea. The six participating businesses spanned consumer goods, AI innovation, social impact, and next-generation hospitality—an impressive snapshot of Ridgefield’s talent and ambition. They included:

CIECIE — MIKE MCCARTAN

A hardworking protein drink designed specifically for women. Inspired by his daughters, both Ridgefield High School field hockey players, McCartan formulated CieCie to support the nutritional needs of female athletes and active women. ciecieprotein.com

CLOUDY LANE BAKERY — DANIELLE LEBLANC

Handcrafted “Cloud Bars” that prove indulgence and clean eating can coexist. Made without gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar,

or seed oils, LeBlanc’s treats reflect her passion for health, flavor, and feel-good baking. cloudylane.co

REACHCOPILOT — ARUN THACHI

An AI-powered marketer built for—and inspired by—Main Street. ReachCopilot helps small businesses compete with big brands through accessible tools that simplify and strengthen digital marketing. reachcopilot.com

AQXLE — BHARAD RAMESH

AI agents designed to automate legacy marketing workflows. Already used by brands including Unilever, Lenovo, and iHeart, Aqxle helps companies bring media operations in-house with speed and precision. aqxle.ai

A DRY HEAT — AMELIA FALCO

A mission-driven hospitality company reimagining restaurant careers and business models. Currently in its seed stage, A Dry Heat is building a scalable, community-minded approach to dining and seeking early investors.

LEAD THE CHANGE — MAX NADORASKI, RIDGEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

A fashion-meets-philanthropy brand that donates 20 percent of proceeds to SPHERE, supporting adults with disabilities. Nadoraski’s project has already earned national attention for its heart and impact.

leadthechangeshop.com

TIGER SHARK TANK

“The evening was such a celebration of Ridgefield’s energy, creativity, and community spirit,” Dowd says. “Seeing so many people come together to cheer on local entrepreneurs was very inspiring.”

After the presentations were complete, the judges deliberated and voted on their top three. Mike McCartan’s CieCie took first place.

“We didn’t want to just add more protein—we wanted smarter protein,” McCartan says. “By infusing leucine and glycine, CieCie is designed so every gram delivers more benefit for women. As a father of athletic daughters, that motivation is personal for me—and I’m grateful to Tiger Shark Tank for letting me spotlight CieCie.”

Danielle LeBlanc’s Cloudy Lane Bakery earned the runner-up spot, with Arun Thachi’s ReachCopilot rounding out the top three.

Each winner received a Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce gift card, with the ECDC awarding a total of $5,000.

From the pre-show mixer to the final round of applause, the evening underscored Ridgefield’s growing identity as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Tiger Shark Tank continues to grow as a signature community event,” says Bob Knight, ECDC chairperson. “It brings together business leaders, investors, and dreamers. This competition proves that innovation thrives right here in Ridgefield.”

The fifth annual Tiger Shark Tank is already in the works—and promises to be the biggest yet. More details will be announced this summer.

Tiger Shark Tank extends its gratitude to the official sponsors whose support made the night possible: Fairfield County Bank, Keller Williams, Legacy Media Productions, McCue Studio Productions, M&T Bank, Patina Rentals, Purkiss Capital, Reynolds Rowella, INRidgefield, The Ridgefield Playhouse, and the Ridgefield High School Business Program. Their partnership helped create an evening that highlighted community collaboration at its best.

LOVE POTION #9

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ANNA BARNES

A PINK COCKTAIL PERFECT FOR CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY

WHO NEEDS FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE FLOWERS AND COCKTAILS?

This Valentine's Day, whether you plan to treat a loved one, treat your girlfriends, or treat yourself, I can promise you'll want to serve up this perfectly pink cocktail; one I like to call Love Potion #9. It looks as fabulous as it tastes. You can't beat the bright, fresh grapefruit juice and the bubbles add a lively kiss on top. Each sip is dreamier than the next. Cheers, here's to love!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1.5 oz rosé

• 5 oz fresh grapefruit juice

• 5 oz simple syrup

• 1 egg white

• 3 oz bubbles (champagne or sparkling wine)

THE HOW-TO:

1. Pour the rosé, simple syrup, egg white, and grapefruit juice into an ice-filled shaker.

2. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, until chilled.

3. Pour into a coupe glass using the strainer.

4. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.

5. Garnish with edible flowers and grapefruit peel.

6. Enjoy!

posmantierlaw.com

À TABLE

How Bernard and Sarah Bouïssou Brought 40 Years of French Cooking Home

ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER ZARINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Entering À Table feels like stepping into a small shop in the French countryside. Country-blue trim frames the counters and tables. Shelves are stocked with linens, fleur de sel, and French pantry staples. Coolers brim with house-made sauces, salads, sorbets, and prepared dishes that look—and taste—restaurant-worthy.

“For us, food has always been a way to show love. Cooking for someone is caring for them.”

—Sarah Bouïssou

Opened in 2023, À Table (pronounced ah-tahbluh) distills more than four decades of French cooking by Bernard and Sarah Bouïssou into a curated 900-square-foot prepared-foods shop in The Marketplace at Copps Hill. At the center of the space is a large showcase cooler filled with seasonal vegetables, thoughtfully prepared starches, and a wide-range of proteins. There are more than 60 dishes—and they’re always rotating.

“When we designed the shop, we wanted it to feel welcoming and effortless,” Sarah says. “From walking in the door to sitting down to dinner at home, the whole experience should feel good.”

Vegetables change with the seasons: broccoli rabe with garlic, ratatouille, roasted squash. Starches include wild mushroom risotto, couscous, and French lentil salad—with potatoes appearing

in every elevated form imaginable, from gratin to truffled mash. Proteins vary from duck leg confit to lamb stew, Brazilian coulotte steak to misoglazed salmon.

The freezers are stocked with family-friendly classics and dinner-party favorites alike: lasagna, beef bourguignon, chicken pot pie, appetizers, sauces, even dinner rolls. Each item is clearly labeled with ingredients and reheating instructions, with gluten-free and vegan options noted. Across the shop, a rotisserie turns steadily, filling the space with the aroma of roast chicken (duck and porchetta are also in rotation).

After years of working in fine dining, À Table represents a new rhythm for the Bouïssous—one that still reflects their craft, but on their own terms. That rhythm was shaped long before the shop ever opened.

CONTINUED >

Both Bernard and Sarah found their way to the kitchen early. Bernard grew up in France and decided on his career path at age 11: cooking. He moved to New York City when he was 20 to work for Daniel Boulud, an experience that would shape his technique and philosophy.

Sarah first discovered what would become her life’s passion while waitressing at a French restaurant in New Jersey. So taken was she with the beautiful dishes coming out of the kitchen that she asked the owner if she could begin working there. Soon after, she traveled to France for additional training. When Sarah returned stateside, it was to a position at one of New York’s most celebrated restaurants—Le Cirque.

It was there, in the intense close quarters of Daniel Boulud’s brigade de cuisine , or kitchen brigade, that they met. Sarah was the entremetier, responsible for preparing vegetable dishes and starches for the meat or fish stations. Bernard was the poissonnier, in charge of preparing fish dishes.

Stationed next to each other during the restaurant’s long hours, their camaraderie turned into something more. Shared ambition became love, then partnership.

“Those kitchens were demanding,” Sarah says. “But when you’re building something alongside your person, you understand each other in a deeper way.”

The couple married in 1990 in Bernard’s hometown in southwest France and eventually made their way to Ridgefield with their four young

daughters. Their ambition and partnership turned into something more when they opened Bernard’s in 2000. For 23 years, the restaurant was a beloved local institution, earning critical acclaim and building generations of loyal guests.

Bernard’s was open every day except Mondays. And so Monday night dinners became a sacred family tradition. When the meal was ready, Sarah would call out: “Allez à table! ”—or, “Come to the table!”

“Monday dinners were everything,” Bernard says. “No matter how busy we were, we sat together. That’s where family happens.”

After decades of service, the couple decided to step away before their joy in cooking was lost. When the former Sucré Salé space in The Copps Hill Marketplace became available, the idea for À Table came into focus: a way to keep cooking, keep sharing—without the relentless pace of restaurant life.

“We wanted to make food that fits into real life,” Sarah says. “Food that brings people together. These are recipes we’ve been making for 40 years—now they live at your table.”

With Valentine’s Day approaching, À Table feels particularly fitting. From those early days standing side by side at Le Cirque to the Monday night dinners when Sarah would call her daughters to gather: Allez à table . Now, at their shop bearing that very name, they’re extending the same invitation to Ridgefield.

“For us, food has always been a way to show love,” Sarah says. “Cooking for someone is caring for them.”

So come to the table. Bring your family, your friends, your Valentine. The food is ready, and there’s always room for one more.

À Table is located at 109 Danbury Road in The Marketplace at Copps Hill Commons. Opening hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Online ordering and catering information are available at atableus.com

Follow along on Instagram @atableus

events

FEBRUARY 1ST

A Taste of Ridgefield

Ridgefield Parks & Recreation | 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM

Celebrating 25 years of The Taste of Ridgefield! Presented by the Rotary Club of Ridgefield, this special event gives you the ability to taste the offerings of more than 20 different eating and drinking establishments in the area—all under one roof! There are two sessions: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Advance tickets are $50 at ridgefieldrotary.org or $55 at the door.

FEBRUARY 1ST

Ridgefield Folk Presents: The Lonetown Boys

Ridgefield Library | 2:00 PM

The Lonetown Boys are an acoustic quintet featuring classic country, folk, blues, and Americana music. Their unique combination of upright bass (Pat Lavery), Dobro/Lapsteel (Chris Davis), mandolin/percussion (Dan Bonis), violin and vocals (Dan Tressler) and acoustic guitar/vocals (JD Seem) evoke a poignant and melancholy sound. For this performance, The Lonetown Boys will pay tribute to Hank Williams. Free to attend; advance registration required. Visit ridgefieldlibrary.org.

FEBRUARY 5TH

A.C.T. of CT Presents “Frozen”

A.C.T. of Connecticut | 7:00 PM

Experience the magic as A.C.T. of CT brings Disney’s Frozen to life! Experience the story you love, reimagined with the heart, creativity, and theatrical brilliance that define A.C.T. of CT. With dazzling sets, unforgettable characters, and show-stopping choreography, this is Disney magic at its finest. Join Anna and Elsa on their unforgettable journey, premiering February 5 and running through March 8! Recommended for ages 6+, tickets available at actofct.org

FEBRUARY 11TH

Hearts of Hope Breakfast for The Center for Empowerment and Education

The Candlewood Inn | 7:30 AM

The Hearts of Hope Annual Breakfast allows friends of The Center for Empowerment and Education to unite and honor the work done each year to meet their mission. This annual fundraiser helps raise critical funds to support their confidential, no-cost services. During Hearts of Hope, supporters enjoy a delicious breakfast overlooking Candlewood Lake and hear powerful messages from survivors. For tickets, please visit e.givesmart.com/events/Mn1/.

FEBRUARY 15TH

Tea Party Boycott!

Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center | 2:00 PM

Join us for the kickoff program in the 2026 series, Tavern Culture: One Sip at a Time. KTM&HC Chief Curator Catherine Prescott and Anne Mercer of Victus Coffee will explore American coffee culture: from its revolutionary beginnings to modern-day trends. Attendees will enjoy coffee samplings from Victus Coffee, plus a historically inspired brew or two. $20; $15/members, visit keelertavernmuseum.org for tickets.

FEBRUARY 20TH

Little Lies: Fleetwood Mac Tribute

The Backspace at Nod Hill Brewery | 6:30 PM

Little Lies is New England’s premiere tribute to Fleetwood Mac, a touring act that magically captures their youthful spirit and classic sound. Featuring two female and two male vocalists, along with an ensemble of professional musicians dedicated to the music and spirit of one of the world’s most successful bands, they’ll perform all of your favorites. Sponsored by Mine Hill Distillery. Tickets available at nodhillbrewery.com.