Mayor Dives Into Veggie Bowl

Quinoa, brown rice, roasted brussels sprouts, and veggie meatballs were on Mayor Justin Elicker’s agenda Tuesday afternoon, along with a main course of promoting small business in New Haven.

The occasion was the official opening for a ultra-healthful, ultra-tasty fast-casual spot at 260 College St. called B Natural Kitchen & Bar.

Elicker has been a loyal customer for years of the B Natural and Woodland coffee shops run downtown by owner/entrepreneurs Nebyat Shewaye and Gabi Merayo. The couple quietly opened the doors earlier this month for their new venture, which features design-your-own breakfast bowls, Ethiopian-spiced vegetarian and chicken bowls for lunch and dinner, local beer and wine and kombucha late into the night. (Click here for a previous story describing the place and the food.)

Elicker joined (from left, above) city deputy development chief Steve Fontana, Town Green Special Services District’s Win Davis, Yale/Downtown Alder Eli Sabin, Merayo, and Yale Associate-Vice President Lauren Zucker of University Properties (the landlord) for the ceremonial ribbon snip.

“This is just one example of what I see happening in the city of New Haven — growth because of innovation, because of good ideas,” Elicker said during the preliminary formal remarks. ​“We’re at an inflection point in the city, where we’re going to see many of these types of businesses. It’s got to be inclusive … so everyone in New Haven benefits.”

Then Elicker and the rest of the crowd got down to business: lunch.

Shewaye and his staff brought around samples of the entrees …

… and set out cups of one of the day’s signature craft sodas, ginger-melon. (Yum.)

Elicker lined up to place his order, the Vegetarian Bowl. In addition to the quinoa and brown rice and brussels sprouts, it contained … well, see for yourself from the posted menu.

Belee Araya assembled Elicker’s bowl from behind the counter …

… then Elicker fended off repeated efforts to give him a free meal. He insisted on paying on his own dime. Then he reaped the benefits.

Click here for more hours and other information about B Natural Kitchen & Bar.