Chef Behind Hapa Food Truck Opening Miro Kitchen In Fairfield

Photo provided by Miro Kitchen

Chris Gonzalez, the chef behind the popular Hapa Food Truck is opening a brick and mortar restaurant in Fairfield, CT. Miro Kitchen is a collaboration between the Hapa Hospitality Group and restaurateur Eugene Kabilnitsky. Located in the former site of Tomato and Basil Cafe and Pizzeria on the Black Rock Turnpike, Miro Kitchen will be serving dinner daily starting on March 19, with plans for the addition of lunch, brunch, takeout, delivery and outdoor dining down the road.

According to the press release the menu will be similar in theme to Hapa Food Truck's menu as it is "inspired by destinations around the Pacific as varied as Hawaii, Korea, Japan, Philippines, and Hong Kong merged with American Classics." This means Pacific style tacos, Asian inspired small plates and family style entrees. So those Korean short rib tacos you love so much from the food truck? Consider those a go. 

Gonzalez was born and raised in the Philippines, and began his culinary career as a busboy for a Greenwich restaurant group. He worked his way up to management and later moved to Hawaii where he learned to cook under an award winning chef. When he returned to Connecticut he spent time in the Washington Prime kitchen while developing the Hapa Food Truck. Gonzalez will be joined in the kitchen at Miro by Howard McCall, formerly of also of Washington Prime, and previously Barcelona Wine Bar. 

To keep up with the launch of the restaurant, you can check out their website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.