When one multi-talented artist decided that he wanted his own place and his own gig, he took matters into his own hands. An actor/comedian/musician with business sense, Peter Vouras had options. While it’s not uncommon for actors to start their own acting companies or acting schools, and while musicians often start their own bands or open their own clubs, Peter Vouras had something else in mind. He opted for The Huntington Street Café, a warm intimate restaurant located in Shelton, Connecticut where the art of food, friendship, and entertainment come together in the most delicious way.

“As an actor, you learn how to wait tables,” said Peter with a laugh.  Actually, this gentleman has more experience with restaurants than he alludes to. He has the restaurant business in his blood.  Considering that both of his grandfathers owned restaurants,  Peter grew up absorbing the business first hand. Still, for a performer with experience ranging from stand-up venues nationwide from New York to Vegas and L.A., and abroad in Europe, and with his acting credits that  include Spider-Man 2 and the Barrow Group’s 2005 Drama Desk-nominated New York production of Pentecost, just owning and operating a restaurant was not the most creative answer for this savvy entrepreneur. So a year and a half ago, he and his wife Salem discovered this charming café in Shelton that exuded warmth and friendship as soon as they entered.

“We really felt good vibes when we entered this place,” said Peter. “Its warmth and charm really drew us to it.” Although atmosphere is not on the menu, it is one of the biggest draws to this facility. People gravitate to the place because of it and because of a few other important factors – like the food.

“I like to think of this place as a gourmet experience at everyday prices,” he explained. One look at the menu is enough to draw in any adventurous diner.

Since taking over the restaurant Peter and his wife Salem, who is also an artist and serves as co-guardian and Creative Director of the café as well as the mama of their one-year old daughter, have transformed the eatery into such an inviting place that artists from everywhere seek it out.  “We did the redecorating. My wife painted records all over the walls and I tweaked some of the names of our sandwiches so that they coordinate with song titles,” Peter said pointing out such specialties such as their unique grilled cheese sandwich titled,  “I Melt With You” and “Don’t You Want Me Baby?” for the pulled pork, melted cheddar, sautéed onions, coleslaw & hickory smoked BBQ sauce sandwich.

Once you have good food, an inviting atmosphere and a couple of artists on the premises, people come. Artists especially like to hang out with other artists and people like to rub elbows with artists. So the Huntington Street Café has quickly gained a reputation as a hot spot. “We extended the hours and we feature a lot of entertainment. For instance on Tuesday nights, we feature jazz jams. On Wednesday nights, we have Blue Grass.”

Actually, it’s not just the art of music that fills the place with sound. On Monday nights throughout the summer, there is a poetry reading series sponsored by the Written Word Bookstore. Friday nights are straight up Rock ‘n’ Roll, while on any given Saturday night, you’re likely to get a generous helping of comedy and belly laughs. There’s a lot going on here, but you’ll want to phone ahead to confirm what’s happening. The Café also has special entertainment nights. A recent Comedy Night sold out. So do call ahead.

One thing that really reflects the professional artists who run the café is the fact that the performers earn a percent of the house on the night they perform. There’s also never a cover charge for music and no events have a cover unless otherwise specified.

Peter Vouras, artist/ comedian/musician has taken all his talents into consideration as he carved out his very own special niche – the Huntington Street Café. Be there