A new Black-owned restaurant in Bridgeport has stirred up some excitement.

Executive chef Damon Sawyer says he got his love for cooking at a young age. He is one of the three owners of Bridgeport's restaurant 29 Markle.

"It's fine dining. I'm an African American, putting out halibut filet with smoke purée," said Sawyer.

They use seasonal local ingredients and always keeps it fresh and creative.

"I don't know any other season kitchens around here or in the community," he said.

Sawyer says they purposefully opened in the slow winter season but that it's been anything but slow. He says people have come near and far to check out the cuisine – most nights the restaurant's 52 seats are filled up.

"We dibble and dabble in culture. Not just African American but as far as Africa. It's steeped in the grain of what we do here," said Sawyer.

Art from Black artists is hung on the walls of the restaurant as well.

"It's very intentional to be excellent at what we do here," said Sawyer. "We lead with love, and we want you to leave with love, and we want you to feel that."