Great location and atmosphere. The service was good and attentive. The food was just OK and lacked flavor in some dishes, including the short rib Mac and cheese and the calamari. I did enjoy the mussels.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Ember McElveen
Grilled Organic Salmon is The Best!!! Very Rich and full of flavor ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Special
Temperature at table was too cool, legs cold. Last night and my 2 previous visits, dinners to males delivered 3-4 minutes before females, not acceptable, all at once...but never before females. Waiter was not up to speed on Wednesday wine special, even after we asked, we were told “NO”, but after we persisted, corrected himself and said yes. Box of Kleenix should be in bathroom, at least during winter months. End
Zachary Schwartz
Went for brunch: the menu had good variety with a good amount of attractive options (I got the Hanger Steak & Eggs; the steak was cooked to order with a delicious chimichurri), but it's really hard not to feel a little gauged—we were offered a choice of sparkling or still water, assumed the latter to be complimentary (we were not offered tap) and then given 2 refills without being asked or told that the still water was 10 DOLLARS a bottle. It ended up adding 7 bucks to the bill for each person in my party, and it really felt dishonest. If something carries an up-charge, you should have to affirmatively ask for it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
L K
It took awhile to be seated; short staff. I chose a table at the very back assuming it was more private to only be bothered by the waitress putting and grabbing wine glasses assuming it was for a nice display! The cheese platter didn't have to be described what cheeses were on the plate as it was on the menu. It took awhile for our main dishes only to be totally disappointed it was served on the cold side, absolutely no taste - very bland. The shrimp was over cooked. The pastas had no flavor. We told the waitress when asked how was the dish we told her she asked if we wanted anything we told her no because there no point already waited too long. They charged us full price which didn't meet it's expectations and definately not worth paying. We will never come here again. They need to replace the chef(s) who has experience or this business will go down hill. Only wrote this review for the owner to see which could benefit from a customer's standpoint.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Lindsey R.
Didn't even get a hello from the host working the door today. My boyfriend and I were planning on a nice lunch for Valentine's Day and when we entered the door the two host standing there said rudely "we're closed". Confused about that- couldn't even explain to us what was the reason. The man was a complete jerk. The restaurant was empty. It shows you don't care about business.
Lina
Sadly one of my worst food experiences in New Haven. The restaurant was at 70% capacity, plenty of tables open. Cocktails arrived at table when we were almost done with appetizers. My butternut squash soup was overheated and tasted burnt. Same with lava cake, so overheated the cake part was chewy. Speakers on the wall were so loud we could not hear ourselves but I could hear every word from the two tables next to us - they had to yell like we were to hear each other. This is not a farm to table experience, more like fridge to burner to table food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
EricT
We arrived at 7 PM on Saturday. The hostess seated us quickly. Tables for two were very close to other patrons. Restaurant was very loud for being 2/3 full. I ordered my main course of duck breast medium rare and it came out medium well. My wife's salmon was also good just not exceptional. The octopus appetizer was excellent. Tuna tartare as well. Overall we would come back to try some other items. Sancerre and 538 Pinot Noir were good and offered by the glass.
Elizabeth M.
One of my favorite downtown New Haven restaurants! They truly have something for everyone and the atmosphere and architecture is one of a kind. You'll enter either down into the sunken outdoor patio or through the side and down an elevator and are usually greeted right away to be taken to your table. They always have some sort of specials happening and the menu changes for seasonal offerings. Whether you're just casually meeting with friends or family, going on a date, or having a business dinner, this is an awesome spot to have a sit down meal. The menu allows for you to order starters to share, a whole meal, or they also have bar seating if that's more of your vibe for the evening. Their espresso martinis are absolutely amazing as well (I tried a classic with no baileys). Oh and they do have a lunch heavy brunch on weekends as well!
Danielle Martine
The service was so bad. Idk why because there was no one here but this guy acted like we were a total inconvenience until he brought the check would come back for the shrimp and grits but not worth it for the 1 start service.
We dined on a very busy evening and were seated directly opposite the entrance and that allowed for cool air throughout our meal. Our service was semi-friendly (though the manager maintained friendly, watchful eye) and quite slow. The tuna tartar and crispy artichoke appetizers were delicious but the risotto/cheddar tater tots were an undercooked, flavorless miss. The liguine carbonara was very good but the eggplant rigatoni was just alright. The front bar area is noisy, so if you're looking for less neighborly energy, try the dining room.
LeighW
The place is faded; the food was bland and boring (my mahi mahi "fish of the day" tasted like freezer burn); the staff kept bumping into the chair of my 81 year-old lunch companion. I remember when this place was fresh and fun. It isn't any longer- I won't be back.
JuliaP
The setting is very handsome, the service is excellent. A nice choice for a celebratory dinner or a romantic date. The trout and the salmon were a bit overcooked, good but not outstanding. However, we were there on a snowy Sunday evening, so perhaps the A-team was not in the kitchen.
RoryJ
It seems like no one is managing this restaurant. Uncooked food that was not eaten went unmentioned. A waiter stood right in front of our table on his phone for our entire meal and the staff congregates loudly in the dining room while you wait for them. Way too expensive to not be excellent, we were disappointed.
Chandra Roxanne
Where do I begin? I came here for the first time for Happy Hour and as I prepared to sit at the bar, the bartender told me I couldn't sit there and suggested I sit at one of the bar tables which I did. Two other parties entered and sat at the bar tables as well. I asked one of waiters if I could have the HH menu. The party beside me requested the same, but were told they needed to sit at the bar for HH pricing. Interestingly, two separate gentlemen entered shortly thereafter and sat at the bar and were served right away by the bartender--very confusing.While the food and atmosphere were fine, the overall service was appalling. The long length of time to order and receive our food would not have been too bad, if the bartender and waiters were friendly, courteous, attentive, and professional. They were the opposite. Without ensuring everyone's order was placed, the bartender decided to sit at the end of bar to have his meal with another staff member. Simultaneously, he instructed one of the waiters in making drinks who obviously was not a bartender. When a couple new hostesses finally arrived, things began to improve. I overheard one of the parties say to one of the hostesses "Thank God you are here...now you can take care of us." After untangling the mistakes in my check, I did not leave a tip. Perhaps training in customer service is the remedy here?
Great location and atmosphere. The service was good and attentive. The food was just OK and lacked flavor in some dishes, including the short rib Mac and cheese and the calamari. I did enjoy the mussels.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Grilled Organic Salmon is The Best!!! Very Rich and full of flavor ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salmon Special
Temperature at table was too cool, legs cold. Last night and my 2 previous visits, dinners to males delivered 3-4 minutes before females, not acceptable, all at once...but never before females. Waiter was not up to speed on Wednesday wine special, even after we asked, we were told “NO”, but after we persisted, corrected himself and said yes. Box of Kleenix should be in bathroom, at least during winter months. End
Went for brunch: the menu had good variety with a good amount of attractive options (I got the Hanger Steak & Eggs; the steak was cooked to order with a delicious chimichurri), but it's really hard not to feel a little gauged—we were offered a choice of sparkling or still water, assumed the latter to be complimentary (we were not offered tap) and then given 2 refills without being asked or told that the still water was 10 DOLLARS a bottle. It ended up adding 7 bucks to the bill for each person in my party, and it really felt dishonest. If something carries an up-charge, you should have to affirmatively ask for it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
It took awhile to be seated; short staff. I chose a table at the very back assuming it was more private to only be bothered by the waitress putting and grabbing wine glasses assuming it was for a nice display! The cheese platter didn't have to be described what cheeses were on the plate as it was on the menu. It took awhile for our main dishes only to be totally disappointed it was served on the cold side, absolutely no taste - very bland. The shrimp was over cooked. The pastas had no flavor. We told the waitress when asked how was the dish we told her she asked if we wanted anything we told her no because there no point already waited too long. They charged us full price which didn't meet it's expectations and definately not worth paying. We will never come here again. They need to replace the chef(s) who has experience or this business will go down hill. Only wrote this review for the owner to see which could benefit from a customer's standpoint.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Didn't even get a hello from the host working the door today. My boyfriend and I were planning on a nice lunch for Valentine's Day and when we entered the door the two host standing there said rudely "we're closed". Confused about that- couldn't even explain to us what was the reason. The man was a complete jerk. The restaurant was empty. It shows you don't care about business.
Sadly one of my worst food experiences in New Haven. The restaurant was at 70% capacity, plenty of tables open. Cocktails arrived at table when we were almost done with appetizers. My butternut squash soup was overheated and tasted burnt. Same with lava cake, so overheated the cake part was chewy. Speakers on the wall were so loud we could not hear ourselves but I could hear every word from the two tables next to us - they had to yell like we were to hear each other. This is not a farm to table experience, more like fridge to burner to table food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
We arrived at 7 PM on Saturday. The hostess seated us quickly. Tables for two were very close to other patrons. Restaurant was very loud for being 2/3 full. I ordered my main course of duck breast medium rare and it came out medium well. My wife's salmon was also good just not exceptional. The octopus appetizer was excellent. Tuna tartare as well. Overall we would come back to try some other items. Sancerre and 538 Pinot Noir were good and offered by the glass.
One of my favorite downtown New Haven restaurants! They truly have something for everyone and the atmosphere and architecture is one of a kind. You'll enter either down into the sunken outdoor patio or through the side and down an elevator and are usually greeted right away to be taken to your table. They always have some sort of specials happening and the menu changes for seasonal offerings. Whether you're just casually meeting with friends or family, going on a date, or having a business dinner, this is an awesome spot to have a sit down meal. The menu allows for you to order starters to share, a whole meal, or they also have bar seating if that's more of your vibe for the evening. Their espresso martinis are absolutely amazing as well (I tried a classic with no baileys). Oh and they do have a lunch heavy brunch on weekends as well!
The service was so bad. Idk why because there was no one here but this guy acted like we were a total inconvenience until he brought the check would come back for the shrimp and grits but not worth it for the 1 start service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
We dined on a very busy evening and were seated directly opposite the entrance and that allowed for cool air throughout our meal. Our service was semi-friendly (though the manager maintained friendly, watchful eye) and quite slow. The tuna tartar and crispy artichoke appetizers were delicious but the risotto/cheddar tater tots were an undercooked, flavorless miss. The liguine carbonara was very good but the eggplant rigatoni was just alright. The front bar area is noisy, so if you're looking for less neighborly energy, try the dining room.
The place is faded; the food was bland and boring (my mahi mahi "fish of the day" tasted like freezer burn); the staff kept bumping into the chair of my 81 year-old lunch companion. I remember when this place was fresh and fun. It isn't any longer- I won't be back.
The setting is very handsome, the service is excellent. A nice choice for a celebratory dinner or a romantic date. The trout and the salmon were a bit overcooked, good but not outstanding. However, we were there on a snowy Sunday evening, so perhaps the A-team was not in the kitchen.
It seems like no one is managing this restaurant. Uncooked food that was not eaten went unmentioned. A waiter stood right in front of our table on his phone for our entire meal and the staff congregates loudly in the dining room while you wait for them. Way too expensive to not be excellent, we were disappointed.
Where do I begin? I came here for the first time for Happy Hour and as I prepared to sit at the bar, the bartender told me I couldn't sit there and suggested I sit at one of the bar tables which I did. Two other parties entered and sat at the bar tables as well. I asked one of waiters if I could have the HH menu. The party beside me requested the same, but were told they needed to sit at the bar for HH pricing. Interestingly, two separate gentlemen entered shortly thereafter and sat at the bar and were served right away by the bartender--very confusing.While the food and atmosphere were fine, the overall service was appalling. The long length of time to order and receive our food would not have been too bad, if the bartender and waiters were friendly, courteous, attentive, and professional. They were the opposite. Without ensuring everyone's order was placed, the bartender decided to sit at the end of bar to have his meal with another staff member. Simultaneously, he instructed one of the waiters in making drinks who obviously was not a bartender. When a couple new hostesses finally arrived, things began to improve. I overheard one of the parties say to one of the hostesses "Thank God you are here...now you can take care of us." After untangling the mistakes in my check, I did not leave a tip. Perhaps training in customer service is the remedy here?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1