LuLu”™s Hot Spot is the new hot spot in Black Rock.
Located in one of Bridgeport”™s most eclectic neighborhoods, LuLu”™s opened a few weeks ago and has immediately fit in with the charm and ambience of that enclave by the Long Island Sound.
Josh Reynolds and Rachel Landry Wright opened LuLu”™s Hot Spot on 2926 Fairfield Ave. with an eye toward enhancing an already thriving restaurant and arts and entertainment scene.
“This is my old neighborhood,” explained Reynolds, who now lives in Westport. “We think Black Rock has a lot of potential. The restaurant business has a lot of ebbs and flows, but I think we”™ve gotten off to a good start.”
South Norwalk, another unique Fairfield County neighborhood, is a destination point filled with restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues. Most people going out for an evening in SoNo usually visit the numerous establishments in the village. The co-owners of LuLu”™s believe the same can be true of Black Rock.
“We”™re kind of a linchpin,” said Landry. “Everyone in the neighborhood wants to be doing a good business. We”™re right next door to the Acoustic Café and across the street from The Field, Neutral Ground and the Ash Creek Saloon. And that”™s just a few places around here. The whole neighborhood is exciting.”
There is a definite feeling of welcome when one walks through the doors at 2926 Fairfield Ave. The atmosphere is friendly, the bar is beckoning and the conversation is lively. LuLu”™s is quickly becoming the Cheers of Black Rock.
There are also six wide-screen TVs on which patrons can usually find a favorite sporting event. Entertainment aside, one of the main attractions is the food ”“ and it is reasonably priced.
The menu is varied and Landry describes the cuisine as “eclectic comfort food.”
“The key is we use fresh food,” she explained, pointing out that the LuLu fries are hand cut and never frozen. “For an appetizer people can order an old favorite like chicken wings or nachos, but we also offer a hummus plate with raw vegetables.”
LuLu”™s will also offer a “blue plate special” for lunch weekdays, which will vary each day.
“This is bar food made well,” said Reynolds. “You can relax with a beer and watch a game and enjoy a plate of nachos with chili and cheese. What”™s better than that?”
The burgers have already garnered attention, being named “The Best Burger in Black Rock” by fairfieldafterdark.com.
Another bonus for customers is ample parking. Finding a parking spot on Fairfield Avenue in Black Rock can be as difficult as finding a rational voice in Bridgeport politics. LuLu”™s Hot Spot has a large parking lot directly behind the building, eliminating that concern.
Rob Sullivan is the publisher and executive editor of the Bridgeport Banner daily website ”“ www.bridgeportbanner.typepad.com ”“ and monthly print edition. He is a special correspondent for the Business Journal.
