Spotlight on The Fat Canary & The Cheese Shop

Thomas Power, Jr. The Fat Canary Executive Chef

At Fat Canary, family (and wine) are everything.  

Part of a multi-faceted operation featuring The Cheese Shop, a palace of briny, fresh and wash rind selections from across the globe and a wine cellar, The Fat Canary was the final piece of the family puzzle.  

Although the Williamsburg bistro opened in 2003, its story begins much earlier. In 1971 Thomas Power and Mary Ellen Power Rogers debuted The Cheese Shop in Warwick, before moving the business to Williamsburg years later.  

Fast forward nearly five decades, and the Powers’ children are continuing the family legacy — find daughters Cathy and Mary Ellen Jr, overseeing The Cheese Shop, and son Thomas Power Jr. helming The Fat Canary kitchen as Executive Chef.  

With decades of global kitchen experience under his chef coat, the Culinary Institute of America graduate presents a menu that ebbs and flows with seasons and showcase a bounty of local purveyors. 

Since its inception, the upscale bistro nestled in Merchant’s Square has received the AAA Four Diamond award every year, and just a few year ago was named one of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Restaurants in the U.S. — there’s a reason. 

For guests seeking a magical night, The Fat Canary is currently open from 5 to 9 p.m. daily (closed Mondays) and is accepting reservations for the dining room at 50% capacity through their website or OpenTable. Diners can also order carryout and outdoor seating is available on the patio. Wine and cheese on the couch more your style? The Cheese shop will curate a personalized cheese plate for and also offers gift boxes.

Thank you to our guest blogger Eileen Mellon