Our Team
The creative talent behind Zaragoza.
Drew Angelo
Manager Partner
Owner/Operator
Rupert Cardenas
Excutive Chef
William R. Hart Jr.
Business Partner/Owner
Manager Partner
Owner/Operator
Excutive Chef
Business Partner/Owner
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OWNER/OPERATOR
“At Zaragoza, we offer the perfect blend of classic flavors with a modern twist. Our chefs have a unique talent for taking the freshest ingredients and crafting them into truly delightful creations. Our tapas menu is a showcase of the freshest seasonal produce, succulent cured meats, juicy roasted vegetables, flavorful fish dishes, and other exquisite combinations. We are proud to share with you our take on traditional Spanish flavors and styles of cuisine, brought together in unique and artful presentations.”
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Passionate about elegant yet hearty food, mouthwatering flavor, and stunning presentation, Rupert has over a decade of experience as a professional chef.
Most recently he was at The Foundry in Sandy Hook, CT, where he was the head chef from when the restaurant opened in 2012.
He began his culinary career in 2005 at Chris’s American Restaurant in Brookfield, CT where he eventually became head chef. Other chef positions include at Village Social (Mt. Kisco, NY), Bambu (Danbury, CT), and 189 Sports Café (Brookfield, CT).
Rupert moved to the United States from his native Ecuador in 2004 and settled in Danbury, CT where he now lives with his wife Maribel (also on staff at Zaragoza), and their beautiful two year old daughter.
BUSINESS PARTNER / OWNER
Originally from Long Island, NY, William grew up in the Hartford, CT area. After spending time in AZ, NC, and TN, he returned to his childhood home, and now lives in Avon, CT with his wife and three children. William has over 20 years of experience in real estate, property management, and banking. He owns and manages several commercial and residential properties in CT, FL, and TX.
William has been involved in the food service business since his early teens and believes it was these early experiences that drove his passion to one day open his own restaurant. Zaragoza is his first business venture in New Milford. It is also the first time he and his longtime friend and managing partner of Zaragoza, Artie Praino, opened a restaurant together. Both Artie and William are thrilled to be to opening Zaragoza in the charming town of New Milford, which they find to be a wonderful community of businesses and residents.
“Artie and I have a vision that Zaragoza will be a place where everyone wants to go; a place which has an ambiance of warmth and friendship and the service is as excellent as the food. At Zaragoza you will always be greeted with a smile by your server. It will be a place where the bartender calls you by your first name and knows your favorite cocktail and our chef will make you a simple but wonderful creation that tastes as good as it looks.”
“As I reflect on my life it has always been the simple pleasures that give me the most happiness. Spending time with family and friends or that special person in your life is what matters most. If you were to ask me what would be a great dining experience the answer is simple. I would want to be at a beautiful restaurant, enjoying a wide array of tapas, accompanied by a delicious hand crafted cocktail. This is not a dream, this is reality…..this is Zaragoza. Salud!”