By Charles Dubow
The pandemic was a challenge to restaurants across the U.S. Some were forced to close, others had to reduce staff and hours, but to Brook Noel and Andy Stowers, owners of Saltwater Grille in Litchfield, it became an inspiration. In October of 2020 they converted one of their two dining rooms and opened Salt 2.0, exclusively offering healthy takeaway food with an emphasis on seafood and vegan options. The concept has been so successful that not only has Salt 2.0 continued on after indoor dining returned but they have gone on to open up two new outposts in Brookfield and Torrington.
“We saw an opportunity,” says Noel. “I’m a pescatarian, my daughter’s a vegan, and my husband’s a carnivore. We wanted to offer food that was affordable, fresh, and healthy and still have something for everyone.”
And it does. The beauty of Salt 2.0’s menu is in both its salubriousness and its mutability. Want a salad? There are over 50 different ingredients one can choose from ranging from different bases (rice, beans, shaved Brussels sprouts, romaine, etc.) to veggies (artichoke hearts, red beets, jalapeno, etc.) to proteins (chicken, steak, blackened shrimp, etc.) to toppings (peanuts, guacamole, shredded pepper jack, etc.) to dressings (Caribbean-mango, chipotle, fire-roasted salsa, etc.). Additionally, Salt 2.0 offers a nice variety of bowls, soups, wraps, burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. (There are even gluten-free desserts.)
Salt 2.0 has caught the wave at the right moment. Healthy eating has never been more popular. Sales of organic food have doubled over the past decade and saw a spike during Covid when millions of homebound Americans sought out healthier food options. McDonald’s is now offering the McPlant burger and in 2021 award-winning Manhattan restaurant 11 Madison Park switched to a plant-based menu. Salt 2.0 proves that healthy food can be not only good for you but also delicious.
Open Daily 11:30am – 8:00pm. Delivery available through GrubHub and DoorDash.
salt20togo.com
26 Commons Drive, Litchfield
84 Main Street, Torrington
802 Federal Road, Brookfield
Photos by Miki Duisterhof
