'Cues You Can Use

Some business owners are still feeling the aftershocks of Tropical Storm Irene. Earlier this fall, Tom Sullivan and James Dotson, owners of the Cider House Barbecue and Pub [1] in Waterbury, discovered some of their floors were buckling. They were forced to close their restaurant through November for repairs, which are ongoing.

The Cider House will be open only for private parties until December 27, when it will reopen with a new menu and new collaborator. Jan Chotalal [2] will join Sullivan in the kitchen, bringing along the Mexican and Caribbean fare she served at her 19-year-old restaurant, Marsala Salsa, before it closed on September 1.

“It will be a joint effort between Jan and myself,” Sullivan says. “We’re going to incorporate a lot of her Mexican [food]. Once a week, we’ll do a Caribbean theme on more of a specials basis.”

Before renovations began, Chotalal started introducing burritos, chimichangas and homemade salsa to the menu. They join the pork ribs and brisket that made a name for the Cider House, along with a new focus on vegan fare.

“Jan and I are both doing this vegetarian/vegan diet and we’re going to add more vegan stuff to the menu,” Sullivan says. Look for tofu burritos and seitan barbecue items when the Cider House reopens.