New Italian-Style Eatery Coming To Higganum, Owners Want To ‘Become A Staple Here’

HADDAM, CT — A new restaurant is coming to town this fall, Chenzo’s Italian Kitchen & Bar.

The eatery will be in the former home of Dino’s Pizza Restaurant, which closed in June after nearly three decades because its owners retired.

Restaurateurs and partners Caleb Ellinas and Vincent Balisciano are currently renovating the 968 Killingworth Road space, with a goal of opening for customers in mid-to-late September.

The eatery’s name, “Chenzo’s,” comes from Balisciano’s nickname.

“We want to become a staple here, where we welcome families, couples on date nights and people who want to come in for a glass of wine,” Balisciano said.

Ellinas and Balisciano have been working in the industry for about a decade, since their teens, and they both have restaurant management experience. They have been searching for a place to open their own venture for about two years.

Ellinas’ brother has an existing martial arts studio in the same commercial plaza, so this location seemed like a perfect fit, according to the pair.

“Once we saw the space, we really saw a future here,” Ellinas said. “People are really missing Dino’s, but the community has been very supportive. Everyone has been amazing during this whole process.”

The space is being renovated, with new flooring, paint, bathrooms and a 12-seat, wood-top bar.

“We are updating the space to have a modern, contemporary feel,” Ellinas said.

The menu will feature offerings such as homemade meatballs and Italian nachos, lobster ravioli, penne in vodka sauce, and Tuscan butter shrimp. The restaurant’s primary focus will be on brick-oven pizza with both classic and unique combinations. One of the pizza selections will feature hazelnuts and local honey, for example.

The focus will be on fresh and house-made ingredients, according to the pair. They plan to offer weekly happy hour specials and a half-off wine bottle night.

“It will be contemporary modern Italian food,” Ellinas said. “We will change the menu as we see what the area wants.”

The business is currently seeking applicants for a variety of positions, from bartenders to dishwashers to wait staff. Balisciano said he anticipates they will hire about eight workers.