Looking for Dinner Venue

Submitted by rravakian01 t3_10jiy6d in newhaven

My husband and I recently moved to the area. His birthday is coming up and I'm looking into restaurants for dinner that night. We're both big foodies and love places that are local/homemade. No chains! Would appreciate all and any recommendations.

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EmuBoth t1_j5knfnj wrote

same owners each have two delicious places 1- tavern (on state) and 2- fair haven oyster and then the owner of september in Bangkok and they also have the Noa downtown,.

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paddyboombotz t1_j5koqr2 wrote

Tavern on state and fair haven oyster company are the only two amazing restaurants in new haven. Everything else is just ok at best.

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Yesouisi01 t1_j5ks8gy wrote

Here’s a few: Sharkaan/ Indian, Shell and bones,
Union league, Pasta cosi/ Branford home made pasta, Olea / Spanish, Harvest

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paddyboombotz t1_j5kt4pz wrote

Replying to cataquacks (#1,454,892)

What do you think compares? Olea and union league are boring old people food with shitty ambience and service. Olea almost killed my friend with a nut allergy on two separate occasions on something easy (romesco sauce). September in Bangkok is super hit or miss with the food, my wife loves that place so we eat there pretty frequently and half the time my food is disgusting. Noa isn’t any better. And the service sucks at both places. Sherkaan is great if you like food served out of hotel pans. Plus none of those places have drinks like tavern on state either.

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roadpupp t1_j5ku08t wrote

Zinc or Union league. Consiglios for Italian. Shell and bones.

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sepia5 t1_j5kwpq9 wrote

Replying to paddyboombotz (#1,454,551)

This is terrible advice. While these two restaurants are great (especially the oyster house), New Haven has a restaurant scene that punches above it's weight. It really depends on your price point and what you like. I just had a birthday meal at Olea that was excellent. Union League is great for French. Zinc might be a good option if you're really focused on local ingredients, especially if you like a bit of an Asian influence. As someone else said, September in Bangkok is excellent for Thai, and the owner just opened a second restaurant downtown called Noa. I hear good things about Tibetan Cafe since they relocated from Middletown, but haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I prefer Adriana's and L'Orcio for Italian. If you like sushi and want a special (but expensive) experience, the tasting menu at Otaru is awesome. I think Lazeez has done a good job of filling the void Thali left when it comes to Indian. We've had a few seafood-heavy meals at South Bay that we've enjoyed recently. I could offer lots of other recs if I knew more about your taste, OP.

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sepia5 t1_j5l08kh wrote

Replying to paddyboombotz (#1,455,398)

If you want a classic, red sauce place with huge portions (read: classic comfort food), Adrianna's is awesome. I think your taste is already on full display with your insane claim that there are only 2 good restaurants in New Haven 🙄

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kn0ck_0ut t1_j5l4kr5 wrote

Zeneli’s if you like homemade pizza and pasta. very small and quaint. one of my favorites for date night

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Resurgemus t1_j5ldvkn wrote

Shell and Bones. Zinc. Don't fall for the decor of Florian's. Garbage. For great affordable Egyptian style food Aladdin's. Though their pizza and American fare is just meh. For fried seafood, try Amatos on whalley ave. Get it to go. For authentic Puerto Rican foods try Buen Gusto or El Coqui on Grand Ave. Make sure to request mojito sauce.

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ctubbs6 t1_j5lftn4 wrote

Consiglios is the best Italian food in New Haven! Very cozy, delicious, and can be as upscale or affordable as you’d like due to their reasonable prices.

I’d also recommend Oak Haven - just tried them for the first time for my husbands birthday, the drinks were fun and food was seriously delicious. South Bay is good and fun as well. I have heard great things about Olea and Tavern on State but haven’t tried them yet.

Anchor Spa is a local black owned and run restaurant and bar downtown which is very small, intimate, and welcoming. The drinks are delicious and unique. I haven’t tried the food yet though but their menu looked great!

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sepia5 t1_j5liw04 wrote

Replying to paddyboombotz (#1,456,367)

LOL, well, I agree that the place is a bit too East Haven Italian for my taste. My god, they have a signed picture of Jon Voight on the wall! I had to put a dog down early in the pandemic, when all the dining restrictions were still in place. I was pretty distraught and just wanted a bunch of comfort food, so I put in a big takeout order at Adriana's. I stopped in to pick it up and not only was no one wearing masks, but a bunch of old Italian dudes were sitting around dining in. So yes, if politics matter when it comes to your dining choices (which I totally get!), don't go there. But, I stand by Adriana's as a vintage red sauce place with solid food, even if I don't care for their politics.

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rachelvmd t1_j5llrxu wrote

Olea: owned by Juan Carlos and Maria who work in the front as well as Manuel the chef. Inspired creative food and drinks. Pristine service.

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aishtr1295 t1_j5lz9xs wrote

Tavern on State is a great choice. I also loved Hachi Roku for Japanese (you can get some of their sushi but it’s more like cooked Japanese tapas) if you want something outside the norm. Sherakaan is great too.

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pittiedaddy t1_j5m1ud1 wrote

Elm City Social, especially for their cocktails

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fingers t1_j5m2rrm wrote

What does he like to eat?

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crymeariver_a t1_j5m8gr2 wrote

I liked September in Bangkok— just tried it last night but I will say their appetizers are much better than the entrees (not to say the entrees are bad just that the appetizers are that good). I really like Il Gabbiano on Long Wharf— been a few times with 4+ each time and all the appetizers/everyone’s entree was yummy

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oliviahope1992 t1_j5mbge8 wrote

New restaurant: the Luke.. already the top hit. It's fucking incredible

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Smokes-lets-go1 t1_j5n1fej wrote

Me and my GF went for valentines back in 2021 to zinc, we still talk about that meal

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brewski t1_j5obmjr wrote

Ibiza Tapas in Hamden is excellent and somewhat unique for this area. Not a lot of traditional Tapas bars around here.

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harveysbc t1_j5osxr9 wrote

The Madison Hotel restaurant is awesome for a special occasion!

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