Continuing a Culinary Legacy At Lakeville’s The Woodland

Woodland restaurant owner Brandon Scimeca has a long history with the place, associating transitions in his life with eras of operation at this longtime destination in Lakeville, Conn., for diners who are also committed food lovers. “I was a Tuesday night bar regular when Carol Peters owned it, back around 2002,” he said in a recent interview at The Woodland. “From then on, I understood the importance of this place to the community.”

Scimeca became work colleagues and good friends with Carol’s brother, the late Robert Peters, after she fired Robert from the kitchen in the early 2000s and he went out to work at competitors in Lakeville, first The Boathouse and then The Interlaken Inn, where Scimeca was the head chef.

In 2004, Robert bought The Woodland, and Scimeca shared with him the fun parts of the renovation that followed. They found lights, paintings and a tin ceiling for the new wrap-around bar, even discussing the menu. Little did he know he was helping to plan his own future.

After leaving The Interlaken, Scimeca was Director of Education of Plantin’ Seeds in North Canaan, Conn., for a couple of years, then started his own successful catering business, Hunt & Harvest, out of Millbrook, N.Y., catering weddings and other events, especially at Lion Rock Farm in Sharon, Conn.

Six years in, COVID-19 took over society, devastating the catering industry. So he filled in for short staffing at The Woodland two nights a week, then four nights, then became manager, helping Robert with the take-out food and outdoor dining that helped them survive.

He continued to help Robert, through a battle with cancer that led to his death in March  2021.

Then, Scimeca said, “The family came to me and said I was perfect to continue the lineage at The Woodland.

“It’s every chef’s dream to have their own restaurant. It was a comet going by, and I knew I had to jump on or forever regret it.

“It never went on the market.”

He stayed on, keeping the place going, until January 2022, when the sale went through and he became sole owner.

The menu of The Woodland is extensive, Scimeca said, giving him a large sandbox to play in and refine, without taking away what the restaurant is. The Woodland Classics are one side of the menu, including the top offerings of pistachio salmon, wiener schnitzel, steak au poivre and sole meuniere, and another sheet printed out every evening with the daily specials.

“I am into the sense of place and emotion of food,” Scimeca said. “There are things people expect and I want them to have them, while leaving room for growth and innovation. You can eat five different ways here, from sushi to a heavy multi-layered meal. I also believe strongly in freshness and seasonality in cooking.”

Scimeca has lived in East Canaan, Conn., for 15 years, raising his family on Green Quince Farm, where he grows produce that finds its way to the restaurant’s tables.

He is asked regularly about serving lunch, and while he says he will do it eventually, for now he wants to “work out the kinks.” The difficulty with finding additional staffing is also an obstacle.

Taking on the ownership of an iconic restaurant like The Woodland, Scimeca said at first there was just relief from patrons that it wouldn’t close. Then, relief that things wouldn’t change drastically from what they were used to. Then, excitement about fun new items coming out.

“It’s not all about me, but about The Woodland and what it means to the community. I know the soul and potential of this place, and I’m very excited to keep that going.”

Brandon Scimeca enjoyed the view from behind the bar at his restaurant, The Woodland, in Lakeville, Conn. Photo by Janet Manko

Photo by Janet Manko

Seasonal dishes with local produce continue to enhance the specials menu at The Woodland. Photo by Brandon Scimeca

Brandon Scimeca enjoyed the view from behind the bar at his restaurant, The Woodland, in Lakeville, Conn. Photo by Janet Manko

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less