Two restaurant changes in downtown Norwich with some familiar faces
Traviezo, a food truck and former Mexican restaurant that for a brief time was located at 631 North Main St., within the next month will fill empty space once occupied by La Stella Pizzeria at 1 Market St.
As of Wednesday, La Stella Pizzeria's owner Justin Burrows said the pizzeria is putting all effort into opening as soon as possible" in its new location at 10 Broadway, the original Otis Library building. Burrows had originally planned to open in the new spot by March 2, the day of the city's St. Patrick's Parade and Festival.
On Tuesday, Burrows had been driving a U-Haul filled with the last of the pizzeria's equipment to his new location. The pizza oven was already behind the counter. Two men had their arms inside it, adjusting an Italian pizza stone. Other workers arranged a glass display case for pizza slices.
When they went outside and to open the door of a U-Haul, a bottle of wine slipped out, but it was caught before it could hit the ground. Burrows and his staff groaned as they saw the inside of the truck was filled to the brim, but soon began to unpack.
Less than a day after Burrows moved out of his old location, Jose Corona, who is now leasing 1 Market St., was able to begin moving in and open his Mexican restaurant.
Corona ran a restaurant named Traviezo at 631 North Main St in 2022 and 2023. Since then, it has become Love Thai by Thai, which is owned by Corona's wife, Sukanya Saisamut, who is the head chef.
Corona continued to operate his food truck, which could frequently be found parked at Long Wharf in New Haven, or across the street from the Naval Submarine Base.
While he did so, Corona looked for a place to reopen another restaurant.
His search ended last month, when while helping at Love Thai by Thai one day, Corona had told a customer about his hope to reopen Traviezo. The customer told him La Stella was moving and put him in touch with Burrows. Corona said he talked to Burrows that night, and then signed a lease with the owner of the space, Aida Management, LLC.
Corona said he was looking for a place bigger than his old restaurant, and 1 Market St. offers that.
Corona said he will begin removing the Italian-themed decor such as a mural of the Florence skyline by adding new paint. He plans to incorporate more red into the interior color palate. Piñatas will adorn the ceiling and there will be a painting of Frida Kahlo above the bar.
Customers will be able to enjoy about 10 varieties of margaritas, which he said were rated highly by his previous customers.
The food at Traviezo will come from his three years of living in California and experiences working in Mexican restaurants. That will include carne asada, Tex-Mex and traditional burritos and tacos, chimichangas, fish tacos, flautas, fajitas, Mexican seviche and mole. A free salsa bar will provide customers with varities ranging from spicy to mild.
Corona said he expects to open Traviezo by April 1.
Traviezo is derived from a Spanish phrase meaning "Naughty Boy," which Corona chose to honor his son's antics.
"He never stops," Corona said. "He always has to do something.
d.drainville@theday.com
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