Soma Grille
WE ARE CONSTANTLY SCOURING THE FARMINGTON VALLEY FOR THE FRESHEST PRODUCTS TO BRING TO OUR GUESTS
HISTORY
The Amos Eno House, also known as the Simsbury 1820 House, is a historic home at 731 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, Connecticut. Soma Grille is named after Amos Eno: Soma is Amos spelled backwards.PRIOR TO AMOS ENOSThe house was built in 1822 by Elisha Phelps, who was given the land by his father, Noah. Noah Phelps was a graduate of Yale University, a lawyer and a judge. The first floor contains a center hallway with a kitchen, breakfast nook and parlor. The second floor also has a center hall and two rooms on each side. The house is decorated throughout with detailed woodwork and glass that show the wealth of the original occupants. Elisha and his wife had three children: Mary, John, and Lucy. John grew up to be the Governor of Missouri and became a United States Senator. Mary married John Allen, and their son became a representative to the United States Congress.
AMOS ENOS
SUMMER RESIDENCE
Lucy married Amos Richards Eno of Simsbury. They moved to New York City where he and a cousin opened a profitable dry goods business. Amos parlayed his profits into real estate investment in Manhattan, New York. In 1856/59 he built the famous Fifth Avenue Hotel at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street in Manhattan. It was here that he and relatives established the Second National Bank of New York. The Eno family would visit the house in Simsbury every summer. One of their grandchildren was Gifford Pinchot, conservationist and Governor of Pennsylvania, who was born in the house. In 1884 scandal hit the family when one of Amos' sons, John Chester, embezzled millions of dollars from his father's bank and then fled to Canada to avoid prosecution. After settling his son's debts, Amos retreated to the family summer residence. He built additions onto it in order to accommodate visits from his large family, including numerous bedrooms and a new wing. When the expansion was complete, the house had over thirty rooms.Amos' daughter Antoinette Eno Wood who aided her disgraced brother lived in the house caring for her father. After his death she refused to leave the home and paid her brother, Amos a life tenancy to remain there. She refurbished the home and renamed it Eaglewood, a nod to her last name and to the family's patriotism. She also carried out a series of renovations on it, including landscaping by the Frederick Olmsted firm, who designed Central Park in New York. The home became a very important fixture in Simsbury's social atmosphere in the summers. It overflowed with guests to the point that the house would be filled and the guest house would have to be used. She also hosted ice cream socials on the Fourth of July. She also hosted a meeting of the Connecticut Woman's Suffrage League in the home. Present at this meeting was Katharine Houghton Hepburn, mother of actress Katharine Hepburn.
AFTER THE
ENO FAMILY
Upon her death, the house was passed through her brother Amos Frederick's will to his minor nephew, who eventually sold it. It became a restaurant, then was sold to a developer, who built a community on the property. The town of Simsbury purchased the house in 1960 but did little to maintain it except to paint it in 1976 for the bicentennial. In 1985, extensive restoration was done to the inside and out. In 2019, the Soma Grille opened and the restaurant was renovated to include its distinctive large square bar and beautiful dining areas both inside and out.
Our Team
Owner Carlos Rodriguez' passion for the culinary began early on, inspired by his grandmother Rosario "Sayo" and her love for food and family. Born in the tropical island of Puerto Rico, fresh ingredients were always available to create the freshest cuisine and develop creativity. Since then Carlos has been working in restaurants in all positions: from dishwashing, to cooking, to bartending, all the way to ownership. While attending Eastern Connecticut State University, Carlos traveled to Spain, England, Scotland and France where he had the opportunity to experience and learn about other cultures and their culinary expertise.
In 1995 he moved to East Hartford with sister Annette. Max Amore opened that year and it is there where he meet his long time friend Jeff Obert and partner Christopher Riley. In 2000 he worked with Pepe at Costa del Sol Restaurant where he helped develop and manage the Bar. In 2004 he got an offer from Ton Altmann to manage the new Churrascaria Braza under The Hot Tomatos Restaurant Group, where he worked until 2008 as General Manager. That year he decide to try his own luck and bought Pierre's Courtside Café in New Britain CT. In 2010 he joined with Chris Riley and started Capital Catering focusing on managing cafeterias. In 2014 they founded Click2Cater an online food ordering business for caterers. By 2018 Capital Catering had grown to 10 different cafeterias all over the greater Hartford area and a banquet hall.
In 2019 their true passion came true when they opened Soma Grille in Simsbury. They are very excited to have the opportunity to provide the best in ambiance, service and great cuisine at an affordable price to the area patrons.
Currently Carlos resides in South Windsor with his wife Linda, twin girls, Isabella and Julianna, and their dog Wesley.
General Manager Christopher Riley, born and raised in Connecticut, has had a thirty five year career in the Hospitality industry. His first priority has been and will continue to be a passion for the guest experience. The guest experience is paramount to the success of any great restaurant. Chris has the privilege of partnering with Carlos Rodriguez on this venture. His domain expertise lies in event planning, marketing, sales, and management. Chris and Carlos met at Max Amore in Glastonbury and have become lifelong friends as well as partners in their Capital Catering and Click2Cater businesses.
Chris resides in Granby, CT with his wife Teri, daughters Toryn and Meara, and their dogs, Murphy and Ozzie.