Q&A
Mike Pietrafeso Chef & Owner of Roost Kitchen + Coffee 236 East Putnam Avenue • 475-303-2100 • heyroost.com
WHEN DID YOU OPEN ROOST FOR BUSINESS? Roost Cos Cob opened in November of 2021. Our first Roost location opened in Darien four years ago and Roost Stamford opened in late 2019. AFTER HAVING SUCCESS WITH ADA’S IN RIVERSIDE, HOW DID YOU SELECT COS COB FOR YOUR NEXT VENUE? The Ada’s kitchen is quite small, and I was looking for another location in Greenwich to increase our kitchen capacity. When this spot became available, it was the perfect combination of a big kitchen with a storefront on the Post Road. I also thought it would be a great addition to the Cos Cob community. I really like the proximity to Cos Cob Elementary School and that particular strip of stores has small businesses that have been there for decades. Years ago, I was a chef in that very kitchen when it was
Mike and Krista Pietrafeso
Plum Pure Foods, so it is serendipitous I’ve found myself back here again. HOW HAS THE COMMUNITY RESPONDED SINCE YOU’VE OPENED? The community has been incredibly supportive. We love getting to know
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ROOST CONCEPT AND HOW IT
new customers and also seeing some of our Ada’s regulars stop by. Our
DIFFERS FROM ADA’S.
neighbors, Randy, Kim and others have helped us spread the word, and
The Roost concept really isn’t very different from Ada’s. It still offers a
the Cos Cob Elementary families and faculty have been wonderful.
scratch-made and seasonally inspired menu made fresh daily from local ingredients—along with a great coffee and tea program. Starting this
NAME YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT RUNNING A BUSINESS IN
spring, Roost Cos Cob will have expanded hours and we’ll be adding new
YOUR HOMETOWN—AND WITH YOUR SPOUSE!
larger plates and bowls to the menu to offer delicious and convenient
My wife has a full-time job at Deloitte—but she helps me immensely!
family dinner options during the week. We hope this will lessen the load
There’s a lot to love about being a small business owner in the town that
of weekly cooking for local families—all with the convenience of ordering
my wife and I grew up in, and that my daughters are now growing up in.
online for a quick and easy pick-up.
• Being able to be present as a dad for my three girls and showing them WHAT ARE SOME POPULAR OFFERINGS ON THE MENU?
that working hard is worth it if you’re able to do something you love. • Being my wife’s favorite place to get her daily smoothie and latte from.
Our well-known favorite is our Roost Egg Sandwich on our homemade
• Feeding local families and sharing my love of food with others—and
English muffins, with a runny egg, bacon, cheese, arugula and bearnaise
making my Italian grandma proud.
sauce. Some of our other favorites include the breakfast burrito, the
• Creating a team of people who have become our family and many of
Kale + Quinoa salad with our famous white balsamic vinaigrette, our
whom have been with us from day one.
a crowd pleaser for both kids and adults. The menu really has something
and Fairfield County where local businesses are integral to town life.
for everyone, from healthy smoothies to more indulgent sandwiches and
• Having an impact on local families and being involved in the community.
always, our homemade chocolate chip cookies to complete the meal.
WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TO SPOTS IN TOWN?
ANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
During the week, I cook a lot at home, but we are a ‘pizza on Friday
Our spring menu updates launched in late March, and I am considering
nights’ kind of family—so we love Arcuri’s, Pizza Post and Grigg Street
adding our homemade ice cream sandwiches to the Roost Cos Cob menu.
Pizza. We’ve been going to Boxcar Cantina with our girls for years now.
You’ll have to stay tuned to see what happens! Be sure to visit heyroost.
For a date night, my wife Krista and I like Hinoki or Miku for sushi.
com and follow us @heyroost for our seasonal menu updates and news.
JULIA D’AGOSTINO
seasonal buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, and our overnight oats are
• Being part of the broader small business community here in Greenwich
36 W E LCO M E TO G R E E N W I C H
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3/17/22 11:37 AM
