Arezzo Ristorante owner Vinicio Llanos has opened a deli, Saugatuck River Caffe, at 13 Post Road West, around the corner from his restaurant. / Photos by Gretchen Webster

By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — The owner of one of downtown’s favorite restaurants is adding to the menu.

Vinicio Llanos, owner and general manager of Arezzo Ristorante at 5 Riverside Ave., has expanded his business’s bill of fare by opening Saugatuck River Caffe at 13 Post Road West, just around the corner. It opened Sunday in space where Winfield Street Delicatessen previously was located.

The menu features “Anytime Breakfast Sandwiches,” as well as a selection of “brews and blends” of coffee and tea starting at 7 a.m. Varieties of coffee — in Italian, caffe — include latte, cappuccino, espresso, iced coffee and mocha, plus chai, matcha and tea drinks.

The riverside patio is open for diners at both of Llanos’s food establishments.

Distinctive names for the shop’s sandwiches and wraps make it fun to decide what to choose: “The Westport Special,” for instance, includes ham, salami, mortadella, provolone, lettuce-tomato and roasted pepper with oil and vinegar; “The Banker,” features roasted brisket, two eggs, spicy aioli and Swiss cheese, and “Off the bone” has baked ham, fresh mozzarella, tomato, broccoli rabe and Dijon mustard.

Everything served in both of his establishments is made on the premises, Llanos said, and the deli offers a full menu for lunch as well as breakfast. Offerings include hot and cold “Artisan Sandwiches,” Italian paninis, soups, salads and wraps. Also available are “Create your own” cold or hot sandwich and salad options. Everything is available all day.

Fernanda Grocoski, manager of Saugatuck River Caffe, is ready to serve freshly baked goods, as a well a variety of coffees, hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, panini and salads.

“I’m trying some new dishes” in the deli, Llanos added.

One of the highlights for patrons at Arezzo, and now for deli customers too, is seating on the patio overlooking the Saugatuck River. Sunday afternoon, many diners were enjoying the outdoort setting.

Saugatuck River Caffe also offers catering, Llanos said, as well as take-out service and delivery through Uber, Door Dash and Grub Hub. 

Saugatuck River Caffe, 13 Post Road West, is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Contact: 203-557-0202 or saugatuckdelicaffe@gmail.com.

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Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman and has taught journalism at New York and Southern Connecticut State universities.