Popular High-End, Fast-Casual Restaurant Concept Opens In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — Bedford Street's restaurant scene has a new addition in Uncorked, a high-end yet fast-casual concept that officially opened July 23.

Located at 167 Bedford St. in the former Bari167 space, Uncorked comes from chef/owner Nick Martschenko, founder of SERG Hospitality Group. The group also operates Uncorked locations in New Canaan (2015) and Georgetown (2025), as well as The South End Bar at The Back End (previously South End, 2012), also in New Canaan.

About five years ago, local business owner Ellie Zieminski randomly approached Martschenko asking if he wanted to bring the Uncorked concept to Stamford. She had been a longtime customer of the New Canaan location, and also owns Love Bella, the clothing store located in the High Ridge Shopping Center.

Martschenko had lived in North Stamford, but opening a restaurant there wasn't on his radar yet. But recently, he became aware Bari was closing, and he jumped at the opportunity to partner with Zieminski on the venture.

"I knew the area pretty well, and I thought our concept was slightly different, making it a good addition to the neighborhood," Martschenko told Patch.

The lunch and dinner menu at Uncorked combines items from South End and the other Uncorked locations. Everything is made in-house, from pasta to bread, and even the ketchup and mayo.

Martschenko said diners can expect quality and consistency when they come in.

"My background is very high-end, but this is meant to be more of a neighborhood, come-and-go, casual, fun, loud experience with, I think, food that's maybe a little better than people might expect in a bar sort of vibe," Martschenko noted.

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Highlights include the double double cheeseburger, which features burger sauce, American cheese, ketchup and zucchini pickles. Another favorite is the cheesesteak: sliced ribeye, onions and American cheese. Both come with hand-cut parmesan fries.

The rigatoni bolognese has also been a hit, according to Martschenko.

Smaller plates include lobster lollipops, which come with a chilli-lime butter. The crispy tuna tostada has a tomatillo-avocado salsa with pickled jalapeño, while the hamachi nacho bites are made with yucca chips, citrus and micro cilantro.

There is also a cocktail menu, as well as beer and wine offerings.

A former competitive rugby player in Europe, Martschenko graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1998 and went on to work alongside acclaimed chefs Melissa Kelly and Tom Colicchio, rising to executive sous chef at Gramercy Tavern in New York City, according to a bio posted by the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce.

After executive chef positions, he later oversaw the dining program at Winged Foot Golf Club from 2009 to 2012 before South End opened.

"As a chef, I love to cook, and I like to bring this concept to people," Martschenko said. He has plans to open more restaurants in the future. "I love the art in the [restaurant] design, the buildout, and seeing it all come together."

Martschenko also said he's proud of assembling a staff.

"It's the parent in me, I think," he said of being able to provide for people. There are around 100 employees in Martschenko's restaurants.

The reaction to Uncorked in Stamford has been positive, with crowds seen dining both outside and inside over the last few weeks. There are around 80 seats total.

"I think the neighborhood has been pretty jazzed up about it," Martschenko said. "It's been quite busy so far."

Uncorked Stamford is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

More information on Uncorked restaurants can be found here.