Casual dining central to South End ambiance

South End, a casual dining restaurant, will open in early to mid-September at 36 Pine St.

Chef Nick Martschenko and General Manager Keith Siskind will bring seasonal comfort food and inspired libations together in an atmosphere befitting of a small town.

"Our goal was to create a setting that had an ease to it," said Martschenko. "The food will match the environment, and likewise, the community it's housed in."

The expansive open space, formerly Pine Social, has undergone a transformation. Earlier room partitions have been removed to make the space open and airy. Rustic hardware elements are set against reclaimed barn wood paneling, and light fixtures are antique in design, while utilizing a more contemporary flare. Beige Italian linen drapes are complimented by contrasting black tufted linen upholstered banquette seating. Oversized color prints of a misty countryside and farm animals are a nod to the chef's sustainable food practices.

South End's food philosophy is uncomplicated and seasonal. Among the selections are porchetta and wild boar sausage; farmstead cheeses such as the Old Chatham camembert and Bayley Hazen blue cheese; sheep's milk ravioli with summer vegetables and parmesan crisps; strawberry spinach salad with candied walnuts and coach farms goat cheese; fried baby artichokes with garlic aioli; roasted Pennsylvania Amish chicken with potato puree, oyster mushrooms and tarragon jus; marinated hamachi with fennel and lemon confit vinaigrette; Maine Diver scallops and cream-less creamed spinach; chef's signature Nonna's Meatballs and grilled flat-iron steak accompanied with sweet pepper chutney.

For desserts, there are chocolate and hazelnut tart, with praline ganache and Earl Gray ice cream. The South End sundae is a combination of pistachio and vanilla ice cream topped with almonds and Luxardo cherries. "Liquid Desserts" run the gamut from Limoncello, to Vin Santo (Italian sweet wine) and a who's who of small-batch bourbons and single malt scotches. Craft beers and wines round out the bar offerings.

The main dining room seats 100 people and the bar/lounge area, 30. There is a private dining room for 20 guests. South End will be open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. The bar opens at 4 p.m.

For information, call 203-966-5200 or visit www.southendnewcanaan.com.