Restaurant ​“Week” Returns

Restaurant week will return to New Haven Sunday for an extended two-week run, featuring an expanded variety of deals at over 50 eateries.

Beginning this Sunday and running through Saturday, April 9, this spring’s 14th iteration of restaurant week will run twice as long as before, thanks to the financial support from Yale University, Yale New Haven Hospital and the City of New Haven.

City officials and restaurant owners gathered for a kick-off press conference outside of Ricky D’s Rib Shack on Winchester Avenue and to outline plans for the city’s 2022 outdoor dining program.

Deals prix-fixe meals starting at $20 per person at restaurants like Claire’s Corner Copia and Barcelona Wine Bar; up to 20 percent discounts like at the Bagelry at Olmo or Ashley’s Ice Cream; and complimentary add-ons with purchase, such as a free mocktail at the café at BLOOM or dessert at Skappo. Unlike in the past, discounts will now apply to breakfast and lunch at participating establishments. 

Read the full list of restaurants and bargain options here.

There will also be parking deals for patrons throughout the event: 

“The Shops at Yale will offer parking deals for will offer free 2‑hour parking with a same-day purchase of $25 or more from participating restaurants at lots located at 255 Crown Street (behind Pacifico and South Bay) and 56 Broadway (across from Apple).

Park New Haven will offer a $5 parking rate during lunch in the Crown Street and Temple Street Garages.”

Mayor Justin Elicker discussed the history of restaurant week in New Haven, the first and longest-running in the state, and attributed the success to city partnerships and the volume of restaurants willing to collaborate.

“Fifty-three eateries and coffee shops located all around the city,” will participate, Elicker said. ​“That’s a huge number. Our team worked very, very hard to get that number up, and that’s a testament to the hard-working crew that we have.”

City Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli spoke to the importance of supporting the restaurant sector as the city approaches a ​“very strong economic recovery,” with unemployment claims lower than pre-pandemic levels.

Before the pandemic, over 16 percent of city-wide jobs were in hospitality, Piscitelli said, adding that the extended restaurant week will help ​“provide the opportunity for everyone to recover together.”

Ricky D. Evans, owner of Ricky D’s Rib Shack, said his restaurant will be offering 10 percent off of both dine-in and take-out orders. He encouraged anybody who likes ​“ribs, beef brisket, barbecue wings, dry rub wings, mac & cheese, pulled pork, baked beans, cornbread,” ​“cookout food,” or a ​“family environment” to come down to his establishment in Science Park. ​“We can’t wait to see you.”

Fussy Coffee owner David Negreiro invited folks to ​“come out and give support” to his cafe as they continue to recover from the economic hardships of the past two years. He recommended their Tokyo Flat White which includes espresso and miso and said to look out for their spring menu, which will feature a cereal milk latte. 

Stacey Porrello, owner of Caffe Bravo, said this is her restaurant’s eighth year participating in Restaurant Week, and that they will offer a ​“hand-picked prix-fixe menu by our chef” and Porrello’s business partner who is from Naples.

“We also have an outdoor patio which is heated and enclosed. That really brings a sense of comfort to our customers right now, with Covid. If you need a recommendation, I recommend our homemade pasta. It’s one of the best in the city,” Porrello said.

Friday also marked the day that the city opened the application portal for outdoor dining, with options for restaurants to use their own spaces, parking lots, or roads like College Street and Orange Street for open-air seating. Piscitelli said that with a new state law passed to extend outdoor dining through April 2023, the administration is confident that the number of businesses taking advantage of this option will out-do last year’s 50.

“We hope that everyone will come to New Haven to support local businesses. Our restaurants are the lifeblood of New Haven, and we’re really proud of the work that we’ve all done to raise them up over the past few years,” said Market New Haven Marketing & Communications Director Bruno A. Baggetta.

“In particular, the early part of 2022 was a really challenging time,” for restaurants around the city, the mayor said. ​“It’s up to us all as a community to help support our restaurants to make sure that they bounce back as our city bounces back.”