A new taste in town

Gourmet restaurant opens in Derby

Tanya Skeeter shows off her signature salad. Photo by Patricia Villers

Last Thursday I was lucky enough to attend the grand opening of The Gourmet Cafe in downtown Derby.

Not only were the food samples scrumptious, but I met some interesting folks while I was there.


The beautifully-designed restaurant in the Plaza on the Green on Elizabeth Street opened quietly in May, chef/owner Tanya Skeeter of Bridgeport said.


She started her culinary career as a caterer in Bridgeport, where she has been dubbed "The Salad Lady," she said.

Skeeter's signature salad, The Tree of Life, pictured above, is filled with lots of vegetables as well as cranberries and strawberries. She served it with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
You can order it straight up, or topped with chicken, turkey or shrimp, and crumbled gorgonzola cheese.

An appetizer featuring focaccia squares topped with a fresh tomato slice, mozzarella cheese, basil and drizzled with balsamic vinegar was wonderful.

I also sampled spinach and cheese quiche. I haven't eaten quiche in a long time, but this one had the fluffiest filling I had ever eaten.

The atmosphere is relaxing. Quiet music plays in the background. Two large mirrors create a feeling of depth.
The walls are painted a soft green, which designer Joan Andrews of Bethel said she chose because green is fresh, and it evokes all things natural.

Andrews said she wants people to feel at home in the restaurant, and see it as a place to escape from the daily routine.

Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri, a former restaurant owner, has become a regular customer. He said he sees the cafe as "a new wave" in the restaurant industry.

I wish Skeeter and her staff all the best as they cater to residents of the Valley and beyond.

Mayor Anthony Staffieri, third from right, cuts the ribbon at the grand opening. Photo by Patricia Villers