Chef Nick Martschenko Opens Second SE Uncorked in Redding

Right before New Canaan’s SE Uncorked celebrated its 10-year anniversary, chef – owner Nick Martschenko opened a shiny new sequel of his popular gastropub concept at the end of June in the Georgetown section of Redding.

“I knew the area because initially, we looked in Redding for South End, but that idea folded,” Martschenko says. “All these years later, we’re here with Uncorked. Ryan Kundrat helped get me into this place (on Main Street). We wanted it to be this pubby sort of vibe, but you can see it’s a little different in the dining room. It’s still much like the original Uncorked.”

Martschenko pulls a handle to serve one of many wines on tap.

Crispy tuna taco - tomatillo & avocado salsa, pickled jalapeño

One of the numbered cocktails. This one? A rye, maple syrup sweetened old fashioned.

What Martschenko is talking about, in the former home of Redding Beer Company, is the main dining room. Unlike the original Uncorked, where the bar and dining area are one together space, in Georgetown it’s separate, and more intimate. What they’re thinking is that in Georgetown, that’ll work for families looking for a reprieve from the already buzzy bar. And there’s no speakeasy-ish false front door either like there is in New Canaan. 

“We’ll take reservations there (in the dining room) and the bar will be walk-in,” Martschenko says.

Aside from those differences, Uncorked Georgetown is ALMOST like its big sister.

ALMOST.

Hamachi nachos (yucca chips, citrus, micro cilantro), an appetizer that’s certainly staying on the menu forever, no matter where there’s an Uncorked. And in the back, a G-Town exclusive, toasted coconut margarita.

Roasted chicken dumplings (yes, it’s homemade dough) that Martschenko hints have “some pork fat” in them.

Wine on tap is still a thing, as are cocktails (and mocktails) with numbers rather than dreaming up the next overly creative drink name, and you can obviously still shoot back one of the tasty shot specials on their beverage list. New Canaan’s top cocktails have made their way to Georgetown, but this one’s got their own exclusives courtesy of bartender, or bar manager, or bar consultant, Blake Poon, who you may know from great bar programs all over lower Fairfield County, including SoNo1420 where he’s the distillery’s mixologist.

“If we open more of these, he’s my beverage director,” Martschenko says.

Lobster lollipops, charred, and basted with chili-lime butter.

Executing Martschenko’s menu is veteran chef Foster Lukas, whose cred includes Xaviar’s Restaurant Group, Eastend in Greenwich, and most recently, he served as the executive chef of Siena Ristorante.

But being that it’s almost 10 years of the Uncorked brand, changes, or tweaks, rather, are necessary.

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Uncorked’s famous Double Double, that’s certainly more of a fancy Quarter Pounder with Cheese than it is an ode to In-N-Out, has, over the years undergone a change in the way it’s cooked. If you haven’t had one in a bit, it’s taken on a more smash style, hard pressed on the flat top for a crust. It’s still as you remember it, though; juicy, cheesy, a secret umami beef blend (a secret that Martschenko will never share), and decked out with melted down onions, zucchini pickles, and two sauces, both homemade, ketchup and burger sauce.

“The cheesesteak is only a little different,” Martschenko says. “We added a charred, pickled long hot on top. And we have oysters, but salty oysters. I like a good, salty oyster.”

The Hamachi nachos, also still a thing. Take a deep breath. Those aren’t going anywhere.

As for the rest, it’s still early. Expect Georgetown exclusives here and there.

Pounded thin, and fried crispy, pork milanese with rocket greens, and shaved parmesan.

And if there is anything else, Uncorked Georgetown has already hosted live music in their parking lot and then there’s a whole other space between Uncorked and the also new Georgetown Owl Market & Saloon that Martschenko would love to have or even share it with his “great neighbor” for events and pop ups.

As for the chatter about expanding Uncorked beyond New Canaan and Georgetown, Martschenko mentioned that that’s the idea, and even though he’s signed a letter of intent to bring his pub concept down to West Palm Beach, he’s not rushing anything.

7 Main Street, Redding
203.587.1088, .thesouthendgroup.com/uncorked
Instagram @seuncorkedgeorgetown