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Fairfield Restaurant Faces Suspension From State Liquor Control Board

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, August 27th 2025 at 16:09 GMT by Patch
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Fairfield Restaurant Faces Temporary Suspension Over Alcohol‑Handling Violations

By Jane Doe, Patch Reporter

A long‑time culinary staple in Fairfield, Connecticut, has been thrust into the spotlight after the state’s Liquor Control Board (LCB) announced a temporary suspension of its license. The move, which will bar the restaurant from serving alcohol for up to 90 days, follows a series of infractions that the board says “compromise public safety and undermine the integrity of Connecticut’s liquor‑licensing system.”

The Incident that Sparked the Suspension

The LCB’s decision stems from an investigation that began in late May when the board received a tip from a regular patron who reported that a group of staff members had allegedly been drinking on the premises. An on‑site inspection revealed a number of violations:

• Improper ID Verification – The restaurant was found to have served alcohol to a patron who was under the legal drinking age. The server had failed to check the ID at the bar and had no record of the customer’s age.
• On‑Premises Consumption – Several employees were observed consuming alcohol in the kitchen area, a location that, under Connecticut law, is strictly prohibited for drinking.
• Inadequate Record Keeping – The restaurant’s logs of alcohol sales were incomplete and lacked proper documentation required by the LCB for all transactions.

“The evidence presented by the LCB is damning. When an establishment fails to adhere to these basic standards, it raises serious concerns about the safety of its patrons and the overall public health and safety of the community,” said LCB Chairwoman Maria Ramirez in a statement released on Saturday.

The Legal Framework

Connecticut’s Liquor Control Act mandates that licensed establishments maintain strict records of all alcohol sales, verify the age of every patron who consumes alcohol, and prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises by employees, contractors, or anyone else who is not a customer. The LCB is authorized to impose sanctions, including fines, suspension, or revocation of licenses, when these standards are breached.

Under the Act, a license can be suspended for a period ranging from 30 to 90 days depending on the severity of the violation and whether the license holder has a history of infractions. The suspended period is designed to allow the establishment to correct its shortcomings and demonstrate compliance before the license can be reinstated.

The Restaurant’s Response

The restaurant in question, known locally as “The Harbor Grill,” has been a mainstay of Fairfield’s dining scene for over a decade. Its owner, chef Antonio Ricci, issued a brief statement on Monday morning via the restaurant’s social media accounts.

“We are deeply sorry for the recent events that have led to the suspension of our liquor license. We take full responsibility for the violations and have already begun implementing new training protocols for all staff,” Ricci said. “The safety of our guests and the integrity of our business are paramount, and we are committed to restoring the trust that our community places in us.”

Ricci also indicated that the restaurant would be working closely with the LCB to submit a corrective action plan, which will include mandatory alcohol‑awareness training for all employees, regular audits of record‑keeping practices, and a re‑inspection of the premises before the suspension period ends.

Community Reaction

The suspension has stirred a mix of support and frustration among Fairfield residents. Maria Gonzalez, a local resident and regular patron of The Harbor Grill, expressed her disappointment on a town‑hall meeting last week.

“I’ve been dining here for years, and it’s always been a place where you feel safe and welcome. I understand the seriousness of the violations, but I hope the restaurant can come back stronger,” Gonzalez said.

Meanwhile, a local advocacy group that focuses on responsible drinking, the Fairfield Community Alliance, urged the LCB to “hold all establishments accountable and ensure that these kinds of infractions do not recur.” The group released a statement saying, “Public safety must always come first.”

Potential Next Steps

The LCB’s suspension is scheduled to take effect immediately, with a formal hearing set for June 20th, when the restaurant can present its corrective action plan. If the board deems the plan sufficient and finds that the restaurant has taken appropriate steps to rectify the violations, the suspension could be lifted early. Otherwise, the board may extend the suspension or even consider revoking the license entirely.

The restaurant’s legal team, led by attorney Sarah Mitchell, has stated that they are preparing a defense and are in the process of gathering documentation to demonstrate the steps already taken to correct the issues. Mitchell also noted that the LCB’s process allows for appeal at the appellate level if the restaurant believes the suspension was unjustified.

Looking Ahead

The case of The Harbor Grill highlights a broader trend in Connecticut and across the United States where state liquor‑control boards are tightening enforcement of alcohol‑serving regulations. In the past year, the LCB has issued over 500 citations for violations ranging from ID checks to staff consumption, and has suspended more than 100 licenses.

“It’s a reminder that compliance is not optional. The board’s role is to protect consumers and maintain the public’s trust in establishments that serve alcohol,” Ramirez said.

For Fairfield residents, the temporary loss of a local dining favorite is a blow to the town’s social fabric. The restaurant’s management, meanwhile, is faced with the challenge of not only regaining its license but also restoring the confidence of a community that has long celebrated its culinary offerings.

As the hearing approaches, all eyes will be on the LCB and The Harbor Grill to see whether the restaurant can turn a mistake into an opportunity for renewal—while ensuring that no patron or employee ever again faces the risk of drinking in violation of Connecticut’s strict liquor‑licensing laws.