McLadden’s Restaurant Group plans to open Noble & Co. on LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center.

McLadden Restaurant Group will open Noble & Co. in the space next door to McLadden’s which is being vacated by Charles Schwab in mid-June. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

A major transformation will be coming to a LaSalle Road space, as the offices being vacated by Charles Schwab become an elegant “Roaring Twenties-styled” restaurant.

Mike Laddden, owner of McLadden’s and president/CEO of McLadden Restaurant Group, announced Thursday that Noble & Co., a “chef-inspired creative dining” restaurant, will bring old-fashioned speakeasy ambiance to West Hartford Center.

Noble & Co. will be located at 43 LaSalle Rd., right next door to the highly-successful McLadden’s restaurant at 37 LaSalle Rd.

Ladden, who said he has been working on this concept for at least three years, said he envisions Noble & Co. as the “place to be, be seen, socialize, and celebrate” – a destination that will combine sophisticated cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a cosmopolitan menu in a glamorous setting.

“I very strongly feel that West Hartford is a destination town, and there’s no better fit than marrying a destination town with a destination restaurant,” he said. According to Ladden, the speakeasy theme will combine the Roaring Twenties’ focus on creative cocktails with an “edgy modern twist” that includes a chef-inspired menu that changes frequently and has a bit of something for everyone.

“I believe it’s a niche market that West Hartford doesn’t currently have,” said Ladden. There are talented chefs and fabulous restaurants in West Hartford, he said, but nothing like this that emphasizes a “strong cocktail perspective.”  The wine list will be strong as well. It’s a style of restaurant diners might otherwise have to travel to New York City to find, Ladden said.

Noble & Co., despite being elegant, won’t be cost prohibitive, Ladden said. “It will be on par with the rest of West Hartford. Just because it’s nice looking doesn’t mean it will be expensive,” he said.

“We look forward to another great restaurant on LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center,” Director of Community Services Mark McGovern said about the new venture by McLadden Restaurant Group. “The speakeasy theme will add variety to the many dining options in town,” McGovern said.

Ladden said although the concept has been in development for years, he didn’t initially plan to introduce it in West Hartford. However, when he learned last fall that Charles Schwab would be relocating and the space next door to McLadden’s would be available, he moved forward.

“As soon as they’re out we will get going,” Ladden said of the construction schedule. Charles Schwab plans to move to 10 North Main St. on June 11. Build-out is estimated to take about six months, with the goal of opening anytime between November 2016 and February 2017.

Ladden is not ready to reveal his chef or mixologist, but said he already has a talented group, including a beverage director, poised to do the behind-the-scenes work to make the restaurant extraordinary.

“We’re very excited,” said Ladden.

In addition to West Hartford, McLadden’s also has restaurants in Simsbury and Northampton, MA. Ladden said he has been looking at other cities in Connecticut, like New Haven and Stamford, for both the Noble & Co. and the McLadden brand, and will definitely continue to grow.

Noble & Co. already has a website, www.noblewh.com. The introduction reads: “On January 17, 1920, Prohibition became the law of the land and the Speakeasy quickly came to prominence. Prosperity, glamour, fine food & fashion were all the rage in the Roaring Twenties. The 18th Amendment was repealed on December 5, 1933 and now, 85 years later, Noble & Co. arrives in West Hartford Center – the place to be, be seen, socialize & celebrate with chef-inspired cuisine, artisan bartenders & a classic ambiance with a cosmopolitan edge.”

For more information about McLadden Restaurant Group, visit www.mcladdenrestaurantgroup.com.

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