Jordan Ware and Cindi Kozak are the chef-and-general manager team behind Frankie's in Burlington, Vermont, a 70-seat, seafood-forward, farm-to-table restaurant in the former Penny Cluse Café space that has quickly become one of the most talked-about new spots in the country. After years working together at Hen of the Wood—Jordan as executive chef and Cindi as general manager and wine buyer—they struck out on their first solo venture, building a warm, "fine but friendly" dining room that bridges casual and special-occasion hospitality while spotlighting New England farms, fisheries, and producers. Jordan, a Culinary Institute of America graduate originally from Bennington, Vermont, leads an ever-changing, adventurous menu that works directly with local farmers and a small fishmonger to keep the food deeply tied to place, while Cindi, who came to Burlington for Champlain College, curates the wine and cocktail programs with an emphasis on sustainable, personality-driven bottles and classic-but-not-stuffy drinks. Together they see Frankie's as a civic investment in downtown Burlington and a joyful, community-driven "day-to-day place," where the next generation of Vermont hospitality can experiment with new ideas, support producers, and still feel like a neighborhood restaurant.
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