Bartaco, OKO and the newly opened Meatball Shop are 3 very different restaurants.
But they share 2 things: popularity and parking.
The Mexican, Japanese and Italian-American spots are packed, for lunch and dinner. The National Hall and nearby parking lots are often full — especially during the day, when spots are reserved for employees of nearby offices.
There’s a parking deck across the street. But for various reasons — some people don’t like driving up the narrow ramp; crossing Wilton Road can be dicey; others may not even know it’s there — that option is underutilized.
The other day, representatives of the 3 restaurants sat together. Instantly, they agreed on a solution: valet parking.
The old Vigilant Firehouse on Wilton Road is now OKO restaurant. The Meatball Shop is behind is on the right; Bartaco is behind on the left. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Working together — and with the blessing of the new owner of the entire complex — they hired We Park, a Wilton-based firm.
Just as quickly, the service began. Valet parking is available 7 days a week, for lunch and dinner.
You don’t have to tell the valet what restaurant you’re going to. In fact, you don’t have to eat at all. The service is there if you just want to stroll along the boardwalk, admiring the river and lights.
A beautiful boardwalk connects OKO, The Meatball Shop and Bartaco. (Photo by Anne Hardy)
“We’re all in this together,” says Brian Lewis, owner of OKO. “We want everyone who comes here to feel our hospitality. We all have the same goals: to take care of our guests. Whatever brings people here is good for all of us.”
He says that — like the other owners — he appreciates (and dines at) the nearby restaurants.
The owners appreciate too the receptiveness of the new National Hall owners. They’ve already repainted the lines in the parking lot, and added directional signs.
Coming soon: More signs for the valet service.
Though probably not in Spanish, Japanese or Italian.
