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Picador Restaurant In New Canaan Introduces New Owners, Chef

NEW CANAAN, Conn. -- The new ownership team of New Canaan's Picador Restaurant introduced its head chef recently. 

New Canaan's Picador Restaurant is under new ownership and the group recently announced its new head chef.

New Canaan's Picador Restaurant is under new ownership and the group recently announced its new head chef.

Photo Credit: Courtesy Picador Restaurant

Prior owner Alan Basaran sold "his popular Spanish style tapas restaurant four months before its one year anniversary to food and beverage veteran Ray Rivera and local Club Sandwich owner, Leo Gaspar," according to a press release. Rivera and Gaspar recently introduced Chef Corey Falcone and plan to expand the Spanish style tapas menu into international fare, according to the release.

Following a positive review in The New York Times, Rivera and Gaspar said they wanted to make an offer on the restaurant and they weren't the only ones, according to the release. 

“There were a few groups interested in purchasing Picador,” said Rivera in the release. “I was talking to the former owner about working for him and running the place, the conversation changed and it became about providing him with an offer to purchase.”

Gaspar and his wife, Jennifer, discussed the partnership and offered to invest into the deal with Rivera.

"They specially selected Falcone as their chef once the deal was accepted," according to the release. "Falcone previously owned two Italian restaurants in Stamford, Connecticut and is no stranger to the County although he learned to cook in fast-paced New York restaurants. He plans on catering to customers and incorporating updates to the menu gradually."

Falcone said his plan is to make the restaurant about pleasing the customer, according to the release.

“If they want to call the restaurant and request a special dish they will get it" Falcone said in the release. “I’m very interested in Spanish cuisine, and I enjoy the challenge of fusing it with Italian style. I prefer small venues that are up close to the customer so New Canaan is the perfect spot.” While the Picador website is under construction, customers are asked to visit the restaurant's Facebook page.

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