Food was horrible, never again. It was picked up, and…read moreservice mediocre. Ambience very quiet.

This review is not the easiest for me to write. I have been coming to the Little Columbian…read morerestaurant since 2015. I loved this place, their food was fantastic and the quality was super consistent; an excellent spot to get together with friends or a date. So much attention to detail was paid, house made dressing, salsa, all ingredients were super fresh, the meats were always cooked excellently, and the staff was friendly. I hadn't been to the restaurant in a while but at some point in the last few years the Little Columbian restaurant became My little Columbian restaurant. My friends and I went there for dinner at the end of October, there was one couple that was leaving the restaurant but we were the only ones there when we first walked in. The vibe of the restaurant has changed because they changed how they decorated the interior of the restaurant. I prefer their older vibe but no big deal. Our waitress was nice and very attentive all night and the staff in general was quite friendly. Here's my issue, the food quality is not as good as it was in the past. And if they are going to charge along the same lines as what they have, always been on the pricier side, then the quality should still be at the same level. There were a bunch of little things that added up. To start, the salad I ordered didn't have the same quality of greens (I think they used a spring mix in the past), there were some small bits of core in the salad. More to my disappointment the Salad dressing was no longer the house dressing they used to make it was Ken's balsamic dressing, which generally tastes like diabetes syrup. Maybe it was an off night for the salad and I could live with that but the lack of the old house dressing was disappointing. Speaking of cutting corners, the chimichuri used to be super fresh and of good quality ingredients. The chimichuri this time around had a lower quality olive oil and the parsley was dried instead of fresh. My friend ordered some empanadas, which were partially burnt and again the slasa wasn't the same quality as they used to make with the empanadas. For an entree, I ordered Bandeja Columbiana. The chicharon was a bit overdone but ok enough. The chorizo was probably the best part but you have to try to mess up chorizo. The maduro was kind of dry and somewhat bland. The chicken was a touch rubbery and the steak was fine; nothing to write home about. As I had mentioned before the food wasn't terrible, it was fine enough but it was not worth the price it cost. Much worse is the fact that the quality in general just isn't the same as it had been prior, maybe they just had an off night but something tells me this is how it is now. It's too bad this restaurant isn't quite what it was; it used to be one of my favorites.

Has good Alcapurrias, Chicken and good customer service i highly recommend i always go there and I…read morelove it

They r efficient and the food is great. It is also hot when it arrives I recommend el coqui…read morerestaurant for Spanish food

Came in at 3 pm on a holiday Friday and the restaurant was quite crowded. I got in line and quickly…read moreread through the menu and also what was behind the glass counter and opted for the small plate for $11. They had a lunch special for $14 but honestly, it looked like too much food which really bodes well. I got the plate with chicken, opting for the seasoned (?) chicken rather than the fried chicken but both looked great. Got it with the yellow rice and beans (had option for soup or white rice or lentils). There were a few people checking out before me which took a few minutes. Also grabbed one of their corn cheese pastries but there were a lot of options, such as empanadas and more desserts. I opted to take the food to go though there were a few seats and outdoor tables available. Everything tasted great! Corn pastry should be eaten immediately otherwise it gets a bit firm. And the small plate was enough food for me to last two meals. I'm glad I live so close, I plan to try even more of their options!

Always great. Service is good, and the food is awesome. It's family owned and shoukd be even…read morebusier than it is

Food is so tasty! Service is great. The ambience is romantic yet simple. If you're looking for a…read morevery relaxed spot, don't have to go too crazy and spend too much money. This is a perfect place for a date or for a group hang out. Mostly for adults and mature people who want to chill.

Excellent service the place is nice atmosphere. The band of doctors isn't playing here anymore…read more They were part of the reason we would go on weekends. Food is yummy.

Came here on a weekday as a party of 6 and we really enjoyed the variety of flavors and textures…read morethroughout the meal. The following are what we ordered to share for the entire table: Tuna tartar: this was a refreshing start as the yellowfin tuna with tomato, ginger, soy, sesame, and aioli, served with crispy wonton for some much needed crunch. The combination of savory, creamy, and fresh worked really well. Pulpo: the octopus was nicely grilled, with a tender texture and a subtle char, paired with potato foam, sweet piquillo pepper, tomato, capers, and paprika. The flavors were well balanced without feeling overly heavy. Grilled salmon: was cooked perfectly making it tender and moist. It was also paired with sweet potato, carrots, soybeans, poppy seeds, lemon confit vinaigrette, balsamic, and basil. The sweet and tangy elements gave the salmon plenty of flavor while still letting the fish shine. Cornish hen: comforting and hearty, served with potato confit, pickled brown beech mushrooms, tomato confit, and a garlic-lemon sauce. The pickled mushrooms were a particularly nice contrast to the richness of the chicken and potatoes. Duck confit: The flavors were balanced by parsnip purée, green apple, apple paste, fennel, lavender, and citrus gastrique, with brioche adding another layer of texture. However, the meat was a little dry and probably one of our least favorite dish of the night. Cochinillo: the highlight of our meal. It was rich and satisfying dish. The roasted boneless suckling pig was tender with beautifully developed flavor, paired with lemon, thyme, honey-port sauce, Parmesan dauphinoise potatoes, and a light mesclun salad. The acidity from the lemon and salad helped cut through the richness. The skin was also very crispy giving a satisfying crunch. Overall, Olea does a nice job balancing richness with acidity, sweetness with savory flavors, and soft textures with crunch. The dishes feel thoughtfully composed without being overly complicated, and there was something different and interesting about each course. The portions are also very generous. Our server was friendly and attentive. The restaurant was also spacious and comfortable. This was a really enjoyable dinner in New Haven we would definitely return when we are back in town.

Another amazing meal. We have been coming to Olea since it's opening…read more It was and has remained our absolutely favorite restaurant in New Haven! We always celebrate our anniversary and birthdays here. We have always had amazing meals and wonderful service. We prefer the tasting menu which offers smaller portions of multiple dishes allowing us to enjoy the great variety of chef Manuel Romero's wonderful creations. Each time we come the experience is amazing. Over the years we have enjoyed each new dish as it is presented beautifully. Flavors meld creating real enjoyment. There is nowhere I would prefer to dine. Service is attentive without hovering. So glad we discovered this gem all those years ago and so happy to have been able to be there as the menu has continued to be varied and always delicious. Thanks to all of the staff for the wonderful experience over the years

Came back again, the Sweet Sticky plantain is so delicious!!!! The captain America is good as well,…read morereminds me of a potato skin! Also the owner seemed very sweet! Thanks

Empanada's we're very good and very tasty. If you don't have a sharp eye, you will miss this place…read more Tired calling the business during business hours but received a text from store stating that they're having phone issues but was still able to place my order. I call that good customer service. The feeling inside the restaurant was nice and warm and staff was welcoming and nice. I would recommend this place.

I have been here a couple of times the food here is really good. I would recommend this place if…read moreyou want some real Dominican food. Good amount for the plate sizes and prices

From the owner: Best Dominican food in town, stop by and visit us today!…read moreComida Dominicana local, visitanos hoy!

My wife and I were in New Haven for a concert. We had tried the Stamford location previously and…read moreloved it. This location felt larger but was still an intimate setting for a date night. Our waitress Diana was pleasant and professional and made helpful recommendations. My wife enjoyed a wine flight of sparkling wine, Chardonnay, and Malbec. We selected two cheeses and a sausage for a light start. High quality, enjoyed the cheese with the flowers on the rind. I probably should have slowed the pace of ordering but everything was so tempting. Chickpeas, broccoli, spicy meatballs, honey nut squash, and patatas bravas were all awesome! The "half" paella was huge and we probably should have went with a lighter choice, that said it was still excellent and we finished the rice the next day as leftovers. I would have had the olive oil cake because it's outstanding but was too full and went with an excellent double espresso instead. Glad we went to Barcelona Wine Bar!

Came here for the first time for my brother and sister-in-law's rehearsal dinner, and WOW. 10/10…read moreacross the board! Every dish was phenomenal, but the standouts were the mussels (that chorizo-sofrito broth is insane; dip the bread), ham croquetas, meatballs, flank steak, chicken thigh, potatoes with salsa and a garlic aioli( patatas bravas) corn ribs, and crispy broccoli (super spicy). Wash it all down with their sangria; legitimately one of the best in CT.

Delicious! Got a steak and cheese sub and a platter with rice, beans, plantains, and meat, and…read moreeverything was fantastic.

What a great little deli that also has original Spanish dishes. My first meal was just a steak and…read morecheese sub. It was delicious. The bread was nice and soft and he added a few hot peppers that gave it a nice touch. The owner is friendly and does a good job. The place is clean and has off street parking. I can't wait to try his fish stew. He makes it on Sunday.

I ordered takeout from here and I tried the Shrimp Lover Mofongo Bowl, which comes with two types…read moreof shrimp, white rice, yellow rice, and mofongo and it did not disappoint. The mofongo was incredibly soft and flavorful; I honestly couldn't stop eating it. I also tried the birria tacos. The hot sauce was great, but the dipping sauce could use a bit more flavor. That said, I'll definitely be back for the mofongo dishes. It was that memorable I'm still thinking about it!

Tasty lunch to go! My boss ordered for me when he picked up his pulled pork rice bowl (which he…read moreloved!) but since my adobo chicken mofongo took a bit longer, I walked back over to pick it up. The friendly lady there, Rosa, was kind enough to hold for me so my boss could come back and get to work. The mofongo was delicious! This hidden gem might become my go to lunch spot!