Submitted by ThrowRAShootinfoot t3_116j6cs in newhaven
I have some family coming to visit who’ve never been to New Haven before, and I want to bring them to a nice upscale restaurant for dinner. What are your favorite nice/special occasion restaurants? Preferably walking distance from downtown. Thank you!
EDIT: restaurants that are open Sundays and/or Mondays!
^ This person eats
Imo I just feel like September in Bangkok is not that good?
the food is consistently quite nice. atmosphere is, i think, maybe not "fine dining" exactly.
It's "fine" dining.
hit or miss more often miss
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Union League, Olea are both fine dining.
Definitely Olea
Tavern on State, Fair Haven Oyster Co, Olea, Union League Cafe, Zinc.
Olea, Zinc, or Union League.
Harvest, Hachiroku, and Tavern on State are all good, but I would't consider them "impressive." Haven't tried Fair haven Oyster Co (vegetarian) yet, but I've heard good things.
Zinc
I wished Camacho Garage was better. It’s inconsistent as hell and super expensive. She’ll and Bones too
Ugh I agree. The tacos are good, but that’s it.
Definitely need to go to the Tavern on State!!
Cocktails are great. Food is lacking
I am going to have to respectfully disagree 😅
Same. Go for the food more than for the cocktails, though they are still good, but probably don’t go if you have a vegetarian or vegan in your party. If you don’t, then go.
best beef tartare i’ve ever had
Tavern on State is the best in NHV and one off the best in CT (look up CT Crazie awards) Union League is the most “upscale” and it’s delicious. ZINC and fair haven oyster also superb. Hamilton Park also very good.
TLDR: Union League and Hamilton Park prolly the most upscale/fine dining options. But imo Tavern on State has the best food/cocktail program
Hamilton Park is not as good as it was pre pandemic. The chef left and it's not been the same.
Harvest. Right next to the musuem
Harvest, south bay, are both S tier.
Agree. As is Heirloom.
Union League, Heirloom, Olea, Otaru
If you want something you won't see allot of places lalibela is a great place.
Take them to McDonalds on Whalley across from the mens correctional facility!
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Union League is the only true fine dining location. The service is excellent.
Villa Lulu, Olea, Zinc are very good and fine but not at that standard.
Olea and zinc are very close though, imo.
These questions always produce a few camps. I’m most interested in the Olea/Zinc camp.
I’m a Tavern on State person, and I don’t enjoy Olea or Zinc. They’re posing as nice places but all the dishes I’ve had are unimpressive. I think they cater to people who care more about the ambiance than the food.
True. zinc did get new owners and a new chef. Could be better. They’re running some old dishes but it mostly caters to an older downtown clientele
Olea is too fussy - all those foams and reductions and tiny portions. Meh.
To each their own. My partner and I did their tasting menu a year or so ago and I'm STILL talking about the manchego foam. Granted, I really love manchego and it was paired with a broth that was to die for.
Co sign anyone who said tavern on state
Sunday/Monday, Barcelona is pretty much your only option for that. Most good places in New Haven are closed those days.
Sherkaan has great vibes and is sneaky amazing get the garlic cheese naan
Union League checks all your boxes. Always extraordinary.
Is it just me or is the food at Union League average? I had the sea bass and it didn't taste particularly tender. The desserts I suspect were outsourced.
Went to The Luke last night and it didn’t not disappoint!!!!
The Luke Brasserie is my new fave
Luke, Rockfish, Tavern on State, Fair Haven Oyster, Hachiroku, Olea, Union League.
Nolo for a nicer pizza atmosphere.
Is Union League actually good? I've been there twice for an event and it was surprisingly meh both times.
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If you want old school Italian I’d add Adriana’s to the list.
High George has nice rooftop views of the city for drinks and small bites, only open Friday and Saturday though
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Heirloom is the best restaurant in town.
Bro heirloom is possibly the worst restaurant in town. Everytime I'm there it's full disaster mode
It’s true. It’s the staff. They’re terrible. They act like you’re burdening them by asking them to do their job.
Pre-pandemic they were really good in my experience. Haven’t been back since hut haven’t heard good things post-pandemic either.
They laid off all staff during the pandemic without calling anyone back for over a year. Their executive chef left and they’ve had an identity crisis. He pretty much salvaged the restaurant. When they first opened it was a shitshow too. The only thing keeping it floating is the hotel.
New chef now? I did like it pre pandemic.
Yes. They downsized staff and cut costs a ton.
Yeah. I was a big fan, and my wife and I went in Jan 22 for our anniversary and it was.....not great to say the least. It fell off a ton. We likely won't go back with so many better options.
Yes I’ve been there 2-3 times post pandemic only because someone else suggested it. Not impressed.
Union League definitely. Luke.
Union League
Adding a vote for Olea
Always loved Barcelona. Not sure how it's holding up, haven't been in 10 years. Paella was amazing.
The Luke, Union League or Olea. Cast Iron is a great steakhouse.
Union League, Hachiroku, Olea, Otaru
Zinc
I’ve never liked Olea. I’d go to Union League or Tavern on State. If they’re from someplace landlocked then Shell and Bones.
rebornhero20 t1_j96uvhk wrote
September in Bangkok, Hachiroku, Luke brasserie, Barcelona, cast iron chop house, & tavern on state