Chef Chris Bruno possesses more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.
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Chris's American Restaurant

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  • Restaurant L’Europe

    by Chris Bruno

    After graduating from Johnson and Wales University with a culinary arts degree in 1987, I worked briefly in Massachusetts and Connecticut before becoming Sous Chef at Restaurant L’Europe in Vista, New York. L’Europe, as the restaurant was known, had the distinction of pioneering Continental European cuisine in the area, and my time there deeply influenced my career as a chef. At L’Europe, I apprenticed with a chef from Austria who had worked in kitchens all over the world and taught me about ingredients that had not yet become popular in the United States. Moreover, I took advantage of the truly incredible opportunity to learn classic French techniques from a French saucier. Eventually, I rose to become the Executive Chef at L’Europe. As one of the leading European restaurants in the region, L’Europe consistently received critical acclaim from some of the most influential publications in the industry, including Zagat Survey and the New York Times. Particularly well known for the impeccable quality of both the food and the service, L’Europe benefited greatly from the skill and hospitality of its owners, Ruhi and Aris Toska. Born in Albania and raised in Paris, the Toskas worked in French restaurants before immigrating to the United States in the late 1960s, continuing their careers at well-regarded restaurants in Manhattan, Connecticut, and Westchester County. In 1988, the Toska brothers renovated the old Hearth restaurant to create a truly European experience in South Salem, New York. At L’Europe, I gained the experience that allowed me to embark on a career as the successful proprietor of Fiddler’s Restaurant, which reopened as Chris’s American Restaurant in 2003 before becoming 189 Sports Cafe. L’Europe has evolved as well; after becoming the Tosca Café in 2007, the restaurant reopened as One Twenty Three Restaurant & Bar in 2010. Although the family-run restaurant’s new menu incorporates excellent contemporary touches, many in the area still have fond memories of L’Europe’s dedication to Old World cuisine.


  • Danbury and Brookfield, Connecticut As a longtime resident of Connecticut, I've built strong ties to the cities of Danbury and Brookfield over the years.
    11 months on Chimp
  • Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation

    A dedicated advocate of ongoing efforts to treat and cure children’s cancer, Chris Bruno is proud to support The Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation. The non-profit organization, founded in honor of young Ryan McElroy’s struggle with cancer, seeks to raise funds in support of community children struggling with the deadly disease. The Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation provides these children and their families with a number of services designed to improve their quality of life during their fight with cancer.

    To help bolster fundraising efforts, The Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation hosts numerous events throughout the year. In October of 2010, The Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation organized a wine, beer, and food festival to generate funding for its cause. For a ticket price of $40 per person, attendees experienced a wide variety of food and drink at the The Grandview in Poughkeepsie, New York. In the past, The Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation organized a Santa Claus visit to the pediatric unit at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Thanks to generous donations from many individuals, The Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation offered a large number of toys and games for children in the hospital’s cancer unit.

    The Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation boasts an executive staff of qualified professionals from a wide array of backgrounds. Executive Director Adrian “Butch” Anderson acts as the sheriff of Dutchess County, New York, heading a staff of 550 law enforcement personnel and serving a community of more than 280,000 people. In addition to his work as a member of the local police force, Adrian Anderson maintains status as a board member of the YMCA of the USA and the honorary chairman of the March of Dimes Foundation. Board Member Marc Bourque, a career football player and coach, currently serves as the recruiting coordinator and academic advisor for the Western Connecticut State University football team. Marc Bourque’s wife and fellow board member, Michelle, currently works as a representative for the Neuromodulation Division of Medtronic, Inc.


  • Family & Children’s Aid As a strong supporter of family and children’s services, I am proud to contribute to Family & Children’s Aid.
    11 months on Chimp
  • Ability Beyond Disability Committed to giving back to his local community, Chris Bruno served on the Advisory Board of the Datahr Rehabilitation Institute, which is now known as Ability Beyond Disability. Since it inception in 1968, Ability Beyond Disability has helped thousands of individuals suffering with physical and mental disabilities develop and celebrate new talents and passions. The [...]
  • Hiking in Connecticut Chris Bruno considers himself lucky to live in Connecticut...
    ~1 year on Chimp
  • Restaurant Atmospheres by Chris Bruno
    One easily overlooked element of a restaurant is its atmosphere. Even if you serve the best food in the city, customers are unlikely to return to your restaurant unless they enjoy its appearance, ambiance, and degree of service. When considering proper atmosphere, it is imperative to determine the clientele that you want to attract. Do you want a dive restaurant popular with alternative crowds or a five-star restaurant where individuals come to celebrate special occasions? Should people be able to walk in wearing their casual, everyday clothing or would you prefer that they change into their finest? Are you seeking a classic aesthetic or do you want a modern, trendy establishment? Once you know the demographic that you want to appeal to, you can begin the decorating, or redecorating, process.

    A primary consideration for atmosphere is your restaurant’s color scheme. A coat of paint can radically change the feeling that a restaurant imparts upon its patrons. Do you want a r...
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