The chef-owner of Little Riggs, a popular small gastropub in Branford known for its elevated comfort cuisine, announced its permanent closure Oct. 9 with “sadness, humility and deep gratitude.”
On the eatery’s website, under the heading, “A Fond Adieu from Little Riggs,” owner John Kronfield said, “This is a difficult announcement to make, but I want to share it with deep gratitude for everyone who helped make this restaurant possible and gave it meaning.”
Kronfield, who opened Little Riggs in 2023, turning his food truck business, The Chef Truck, into the brick and mortar restaurant at 3 Linden Ave., said the decision was a hard one to make. The space had previously been home to The Friki Tiki, Pasta Cosi and Cranberry’s.
“Owning a small restaurant is a labor of love, but it also brings challenges, sacrifices, and difficult decisions. Ultimately, those realities led me to this closure. I won’t pretend otherwise,” Kronfield said in his announcement.
Kronfield said he was grateful to his customers — “regulars, who became familiar faces and, in many cases, friends” and “those who discovered us by chance and returned by choice” and thanked his staff for their efforts.
“I am deeply grateful for your hard work, patience, care and the countless ways you gave of yourselves to Little Riggs,” he said.
Kronfield, a graduate of the Culinary Institute in America put a gourmet spin on classic comfort food with witty names — some in French — for breakfast, lunch and dinner. His singular approach to the menu began with The Chef Truck and was “built around my belief in simple, straightforward food — food that, I think we can all agree, was never quite as simple or straightforward as it sounded,” he said in the announcement. He could not be reached for comment.
Omelets include Pardon My French Omelet, made with eggs, gruyere cheese, caramelized onion, and pain au levain toast with a side of sausage or bacon. Sandwiches included Bhan Mi-L-T with crispy Thai bacon, romaine lettuce, tomato, pickled cherry peppers, and chipotle aioli in a tomato herb wrap.
“The memories, friendships, and kindness shown to me will remain long after the last plate has been cleared and the lights have been turned off.” Kronfield said in his announcement.
Dining and Cooking