Join us on Opening Night, April 8th, as we celebrate Chef Don Fritz from Café Louise of West Hartford, as well as its founder, Louise Albin.

Founded in 1993, Café Louise has been a cornerstone of the West Hartford culinary scene for over three decades, known for its elegant, contemporary, and eclectic approach to gourmet cuisine. Inspired by time spent in Paris and a lifelong passion for hospitality, each dish reflects a commitment to flavor, beauty, and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Now, Don and Louise bring that same artistry and experience to Gather55 for a truly special collaboration.

Be among the first to experience it.

Meet Chef Don Fritz

Chef Don Fritz developed a passion for food and cooking at his mother’s stove. Between her Italian heritage and her love for Julia Child, she instilled in him a desire to spend his life feeding those he loves.

After decades in the restaurant business, he is thrilled to be working beside Louise Albin at Cafe Louise. Chef Don has owned Pizzeria Sassano, an Italian restaurant in South Glastonbury which featured hand-crafted pizzas and authentic Italian dishes. From there, he opened Catering by Sassano, providing corporate catering services. He also owned Tar River Barbecue, bringing authentic North Carolina barbecue to everywhere from weddings to music festivals. Additionally, he was the Catering/Executive Chef at Central Connecticut State University, overseeing and cooking for up to 400 people at a time!

In his spare time, he loves spending time with family, exploring photography, and going to as my concerts as he possibly can.