On a recent visit to New Haven to see an exhibition at the Yale Center for British Art, we hoped to…read morehave dinner at one of our favorite restaurants (Barcelona Wine Bar), but they were fully booked with a Yale event. In a display of restaurant solidarity , they recommended that we try Vinas Wine & Tapas. As it turned out, we have a NEW favorite in New Haven! We arrived a bit early and were cheerfully greeted by Mike G, our server. The atmosphere was welcoming and relatively quiet, since their musical offering does not start as early as our 5:00-7:00 PM time slot on a Tuesday. We had asked for the waiter Christian because he had been mentioned in several of the Yelp reviews, but Mike proved that the service compliments should go to everyone. First, the tapas: We enjoyed all five of the tapas we chose. The "Calamares" were lightly battered and crispy. The Vinas salad was fresh, with tomatoes, cheese, corn, and croutons. The pork belly was delicious and more meaty than expected . The oyster mushrooms were presented with onion crisps. The baked birria empanada was stuffed with brisket style beef. Each of these "courses" was a unique delight to the palate, and for me and my partner, it was completely satisfying. In keeping with the spirit of a "wine bar," Vinas offered a flight of 4 wines in 3 ounce glasses, and after hearing about our food choices and wine preferences, Mike chose the wines for us, giving us a chance to taste some less familiar offerings. We had the Felino Malbec 2024 (Argentina), which became our favorite for its full-bodied and deep flavor. Our second wine was a unique Don Abel (private label) from Wallingford CT, made by one of the relatives of the owner, specially for Vinas. This one reminded us of the local wines one might receive in a B&B in the Loire Valley in France. The final two wines were both from Chile: Reserva Carmenere 2023 and Cabernet Sauvignon Marques de Casa Concha 2022. Both were excellent wines. It was great fun to have Mike choose the wines for us, and we really enjoyed the variety that the flight offerings gave to us. Of course, we had to try a dessert, and Mike recommended the Toffee Cake. We had heard that the owner claimed that some people cried with joy after eating it. Although we restrained ourselves, we had to agree that this was an extraordinary conclusion to a fabulous meal. Overall, this was a great experience for us, and we heartily recommend Vinas Wine Bar and Tapas for a relaxing and welcoming dinner. Some reviews I had read suggested that the portions were too small for the price. I have to disagree. My partner and I love food, and this was plenty. And the price was reasonable. Including tip and tax, we spent about $75 each.

We stopped in for apps on a Saturday afternoon. We ordered a glass of wine, ceviche, and skewers…read more We sat at the bar and the bartender was very friendly, full of energy, and efficient. The ceviche was excellent, everything was cooked throughout by the citrus. The portion size is small for $19 and it could have used a side of bread or tortillas to soak up the delicious citrus based broth. The skewers were also excellent. They were cooked perfectly, super tender, juicy and flavorful. They cooked them with a seasoning and had a delicious chimi on top.

The exceptional service at Gioia is consistent and so enjoyable. We sat at the rooftop bar today…read moreand were served by Freddie and Nate. Both were attentive, friendly and asked for feedback throughout the experience. We then came down for gelato at the window downstairs and again, friendly service. Beyond that, the food was fantastic. Fried artichokes had the perfect crunch and the meatballs were smoky and flavorful. Don't hesitate...go to Gioia!!

Was disappointed - it was a 10 minute wait for a slice so I ordered a scoop of ice cream 15 minutes…read morelater they forgot to put the pizza sliced order in they refunded the price of a slice, but not the ice cream I had while waiting for the pizza slice for which they never put the order in. It would've been a great gesture to offer a refund on the Ice cream as well because I really only got it because I was waiting for the pizza. That said the kid work in the counter was working her ass off but somebody backstage forgot about me and was disappointed to Manager didn't offer more to rectify the situation. - I never give a one star review, but wish I could here

Great service and selection. Make sure to try the ham & egg croissant. Love the customer service…read more Definitely a place to try.

3.5 / 5.0 - I've dined here a couple of times for breakfast / brunch. They have a spacious indoor…read moredining area, as well as some tables outside, for a nice day out. It's counter service and they will call you name out once your food is ready. Especially for the price, the avocado toast has very little avocado on it and the croissant didn't taste very fresh. I'll have to try some other items on the menu.

Our visit to Arwa Yemeni Coffee was a bit of a mixed bag, though there's definitely a lot to like…read more The pastries were a highlight, especially the pistachio "little nests," which were delicate, flavorful, and worth going out of your way for. The Yemeni lattes were also solid, rich and aromatic without being overly sweet. The space itself is beautiful, with a warm and thoughtfully designed interior that makes it a great spot to sit and unwind. It's the kind of café that immediately catches your eye and invites you to stay a while. That said, the service didn't quite match the atmosphere. The staff came across as a bit distant and not particularly welcoming, which took away from the overall experience. A little more warmth would go a long way here. Still, between the pastries and the setting, it's a place with plenty of appeal, even if it doesn't fully come together.

I have been meaning to stop here for quite some time and finally stumbled in on a rainy morning…read more Quiet and unassuming on the block, this lovely locale is a breath of fresh air and full of warmth as soon as you step in. From the extremely clean space, sleek and minimal decor, and honey-like ambient lighting throughout, I just felt like I was developed in golden sunshine when I walked in. I was really impressed by all of the different nooks for seating from booths to two-tops to spaces that look dedicated for those looking to get some solo work done. I can see this being a really great spot for coffee dates, study dates, or even those who need a change of scenery for a remote work. The staff was incredibly welcoming and warm, helping me navigate the various options on the menu and I really appreciated that being it was my first time. Now onto the good stuff! I made my way over to order and was really impressed by the variety of goodies on display in the pastry case. I had yet to eat breakfast so I opted for the spinach tart for something savory, but trust me when I say I'll be back for dessert! For a caffeine boost, I enjoyed trying one of the samples of their traditional coffees (Mofawer) which did not disappoint and ultimately chose the Yemeni latte. I can tell they took their time making it with love, and the cinnamon dusted camel on top, put the biggest smile on my face! I look forward to coming back and trying more and more and more.

Perfect spot for a sweet treat. Large variety of coffee beans, tea and nice selection of cookies…read moreand such. Iced cappuccino was well balanced and delicious!

Willoughby's Coffee & Tea was founded in 1985; they source, roast in small batches, and brew…read morecoffee. There are four locations in CT. This location was on the corner with steep steps; just a note, it's not wheelchair accessible. We were walking by and needed our caffeine fix. A family member also recommended the coffee shop to us, and has been going for years. Inside, there were a few tables to sit at. The customer service was good. I ordered a medium iced latte and it was good. It's a good spot to do some work too on your laptop, if you can find a table. Coffee can be purchased by wholesale too. Overall, a cute coffee shop serving coffee and tea. They're doing something right if they've been around since 1985!