Started with the caviar, added the escargot and each had two entrees (mine was salmon and so, so good) and ended with crème brûlée for dessert. If Michelin ever rates CT this will absolutely and deservedly get a star. The service was excellent, the drinks were fabulous (they had champagne waiting for us; it was our anniversary). The space is beautifully appointed and I want to eat there every day. Simply outstanding. read more

Union League - French Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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What a lovely experience! The food here is so good, and the service is even better. Usually sit at the bar since they are full with reservations but the bartender is always so knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend the chicken! (Also check out the patisserie next door owned by them, to die for macarons) read more

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We stopped in for lunch and really enjoyed the restaurant, food and service. We started with the cheese board which came with three different cheeses served with mustard, honey and jam, along with some toast. For or entrees I had the burger which was cooked perfectly ( medium rare), it was served with a side salad. My girlfriend had the lamb bolognese which she really loved. The service at this place was excellent. Or waitress did an excellent job, she was really good and on top of her game. We will definitely go back to have dinner. read more

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Ambiance, service. Pricey but nice for special occasion We had lobster special... delicious! read more

Restaurant cancelled because of renovation work. Very disappointed and want to know why a reservation was taken in the first place under these circumstances. Enjoyed on another occasion, but very poorly handled and not even an apology. read more

Checked out Union League for New Haven Restaurant Week and the food was so good!! This is definitely an upscale spot but people were dressed casual so there's another pressure to reserve this spot for just special occasions. The food was unique and flavorful. My favorite was the lamb rice ragu dish (forgot the name) but you can see from the photos that it was GORGEOUS! read more

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İ like the place like Union League Cafe. White tablecloths, educated staff, nice decorations, unique, different menu,... They open at 5pm. I am glad we made a reservation because the place get crowded in first hour... They bring four piece cheesy little cookie which is pretty tasty and they bring warm and nice bread with butter. There is a plain and sparkly water choices. Bottle or tap also We took Scollop ceviche and duck confit for appetizer. Aaand for the entrees we took -BONE MARROW ENCRUSTED FILET (bone marrow crust, roasted parsnip, crisp potato mille-feuille, bordelaise sauce) -HAY SMOKED DUCK BREAST (tokyo turnip glace, stinging nettles, apricot mustardo) And at the and we share cream brûlée with French press coffee. Overall was pretty good! Thank you! read more

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Private party in the beautiful bar area. Service was very attentive. Drinks creative and bartenders quickly had everyone served. Food was delicious. Always a pleasure when a restaurant is as good as you remembered from the last visit! read more

Union League - French Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Amazing service and food! I came here with a friend to celebrate her graduation, and it was the best decision. We had reservations and were seated immediately upon arrival. There was a lovely congratulations card waiting for her at the table, which I appreciated. We ordered: Duck Confit ($24) Sheep's Milk Ricotta Gnocchi ($18) Plateau Royale ($85) - raw bar menu Lobster & Shrimp Boudin ($45/plate) Soufflé Du Jour ($15) They started us off with complimentary bread and butter, and the butter was incredible--similar to French butter and rich in flavor. Next, we had the Plateau Royale ($85), which included 6 oysters, 6 clams, 4 jumbo shrimp, tuna tartare, and scallop ceviche. The tuna tartare and scallop ceviche were definitely the highlights of this dish--extremely fresh! I loved the extra crisp that came with the tuna tartare and wished there was more. The oysters, clams, and shrimp were good, but nothing particularly memorable. The Duck Confit ($24) was a solid 4/5. The attention to detail was impressive. The potato galette was perfectly crispy, and I loved the crunch as I bit into it. It was also my first time trying duck prosciutto (I didn't even know that existed!), and it was fantastic--properly cured and salted. The duck meat in the center was a bit dry and could use more flavor. The Sheep's Milk Ricotta Gnocchi ($18) was a 5/5. This was my friend's dish, and she loved it! As someone who isn't usually a fan of gnocchi, I have to say this would be the only place I'd order it from. The gnocchi just melts in your mouth, and the pesto was incredible. We both ordered the Lobster & Shrimp Boudin ($45/plate), and it was delicious. At first, the presentation wasn't quite what we expected (it could use some work), but flavor-wise, it was fantastic. You could really taste the lobster and shrimp, and the boudin was moist and full of flavor. Since we ordered so much food, we couldn't finish everything, and took the leftovers to go. I was worried it might dry out when reheated, but surprisingly it was still moist and delicious the next day. For dessert, we shared the Soufflé Du Jour ($15). It was perfectly made, and a great way to end the meal. Overall, I will definitely be coming back. It's a great spot to dress up with family, friends, or a special celebration. Just make sure to reserve ahead since they can book up quickly. read more

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I was just really hoping for more. We wanted to go out on a lunch date on Valentine's Day. There are very very few high end restaurants open for lunch during the week in CT. We found Union League and having wanted to try it - we decided this would be the perfect opportunity. It was OK but nothing to write home about. The dining room is lovely but they could really use a new chandelier in the center dining room. The modern chandelier just messes with the old classic vibe. It was really an eye sore. We started with 6 oysters on the half shell. They were divine - honestly some of the best we've had but all three sauces that were served with them were nearly frozen solid. I ordered French onion soup - it would have been so delicious but there was not a hint of salt which just ruined the dish. I hate restaurants that don't put salt and pepper on the table. If your food was spot on every single time - that's the only time this should be acceptable. By the time our waiter came back - I was halfway done with my food and the salt never made it to the table by the time I was finished. My husband got the burger which he requested as medium but definitely came out rare. Not that big of a deal. I got the rigatoni with spinach and mushroom, and again - it just sort of fell flat. Could have used some garlic and maybe a hint of pancetta to make it more memorable. Our drinks were delicious! I got a Martini Francais and a French 75. My husband got the fig drink and a glass of wine. The dessert menu looked pretty good but we decided to pass. Would I return? I'm just not sure. With Olea and The Luke in the area (and far far superior) - there would have to be something really special to bring me back to Union League. read more

Union League - Rigatoni with spinach and mushrooms - French Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Excellent food and service. A bit pricey. Not sure we will return as there are a number of options on chapel st.

Union League Cafe never disappoints. Our party of 4 was celebrating a significant decade birthday. Our table had a tasteful card in place. Two of us shared oysters and they were delightful. The special soup was wonderful. Our entrees were spot on! My medium rare steak was amazing, two others had fish and raved about it, the fourth had chicken. Service is impeccable. The decor of the ULC was recently redone and is just ideal. Kudos to those who carried it out. This is the one NHV destination that is worth choosing for a special meal, or for a memorable occasion. I am stingy with stars, but the ULC honestly deserved my 5-stars. read more

Service and ambience was amazing here! We made reservations for 4 and were seated promptly. They served 2 bread options to start including a cheesy bite which was delicious. I had the lobster ravioli which was succulent. I could not taste the lobster though. Water kept refilled and servers were attentive. 10/10! read more

Lunch @ Union League, New Haven was great! Host and staff were so friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable, was such a pleasure. Had the salmon, partner had the chicken Milanese, fresh and delicious, strawberry soufflé for desert was fabulous! Highly recommend! read more

I came here with a big group that had a set menu so I can only talk about that. Union League Cafe had been on my list for a while but I'd never had a chance to visit since it's on the fancier end of the price spectrum and vibe. The service was great! Everyone is very attentive and polite. For the food, overall, I thought it was very salty. Not to the point that it was inedible but I was certainly downing a lot of water. Other than the saltiness, the flavours were great. Overall, I'm not sure if I'd go again on my own dime but I'm glad I got to try them. read more

Union League - French Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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We have been to this restaurant many times. We've always have had exquisite dishes from the region we've from. Very authentic and delicious tastes that are so exhilarating in my mouth. The portions are large we always enjoy our leftovers for the next day too!! The service has always been excellent. We like the convenience of free parking. The atmosphere is great especially on weekends with the live piano music. Thank you for another wonderful experience with a very soothing atmosphere. It paired with a good after drink. Excellent!! read more

The restaurant is so classy and chic. I love the decors. Food was incredible. It was mostly French cuisine and everything we ordered was super delicious. Highly recommend the duck breast. Service was okay. We arrived earlier than our reservation time seeing a lot of unclaimed reservations and empty tables. But the hostess asked us if we wanted to sit at the bar. Our waiter was a bit clumsy too. He spilled water on my partner and all over the table. Overall, a good spot for fine dining in New Haven but I don't think I'd come back because of the service. read more

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I went on a Saturday night to celebrate my no tht 86 birthday using a gift card.The experience was 10 out of 10. The staff is attentive,i nformed and appropriately friendly. The meal lasted 2 hours and only ended when I asked for the check. I could easily hear my companion as some Jazz piano and base played in the background.. The food is French. From the Manhattan cocktail to the souffle dessert there were no bad notes. I indulged had escargot. The only issue is the price For such quality it is expensive. Two people cost, $300 including tax and tip. read more

Great food, ambiance and history in the restaurant. Love being able to get quality French cuisine so close to home!

Despite the years, changes in ownership and chefs the ULC remains a staple in the dining scene of New Haven. Basic and classic entrees done well. When visiting New Haven consider stopping in for an enjoyable lunch or dinner in a very old school environment! From my early years in New Haven to the current I've always enjoyed dining at ULC, great service and a quality meal makes for a wonderful experience! read more

I love this restaurant - it's my favorite in New Haven. I have had great meals and service. BUT -- I am afraid it will be not be the same with the new owners. I was there Saturday, Nov. 1 for dinner. The longtime maitre d' was missing. It was full but not jammed. Yet service was very slow. We waited what seemed like 10 minutes before our drink orders were taken, long waits between courses was the norm. I don't know if they were short-staffed but our waiter had at least five tables to serve. Everyone was experiencing long waits between courses, getting the check, etc. The food was good as usual. My friend had a problem - her meat was too rare (it really was and I like rare meat.) Yet no one noticed that she wasn't eating it and came by. Yet that wasn't the biggest disappointment. I tried to contact them via FB -- all I got was an automated message that suggested emailing someone who is no longer there! I called and got a perfunctory "I am so sorry, that isn't our way." response. read more

Food and service were spectacular. I was there about 20 years ago and wanted to try it again. Both experiences were great. read more

The greeting at the front desk, the table for two in the window, the information from our waiter; where have I been all these years in Connecticut without dining here. Don't call the authorities but I am addicted. The pleasure remained throughout the meal. Frigid sparkling water on a hot day started our journey through the menu. Unfortunately we skipped reading the entrées as soon as we found out that duck was on the menu in a new costume and dazzling choreography. We both had the Canard aux Peches with its pearl onions, braised red cabbage, caramelized yellow endives, fresh peaches and carrot crisps. The plating was almost too perfect but I did manage to disarrange everything as I enjoyed all the flavors. We paired this with a perfect Vin Rosé. Almost too full for dessert I ordered the Mignardises and was delighted with each little masterpiece. Staff get ready I will return... read more

Union League - Mignardises... - French Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

This was my second time at Union League Cafe to celebrate my parents' 47th anniversary. We had the loveliest evening! The service is outstanding and the ambience is classy and charming and makes you feel like you're stepping back in time. The cocktail list is so inviting it's hard to choose just one! All of us enjoyed our drinks. For apps we had the foie gras terrine (with duck confit) and steak tartare. Both were tasty. I had the lamb shank special that was just to die for! Everyone else finished every morsel on their plates. We had the soufflé of the day (mixed berry - the only thing I was not impressed by) and the pistachio chioux (unbelievable!!!!). Our server brought out macarons with a "happy anniversary" note for my parents and totally made their night. We love the charm and quality at Union League and cannot wait to return! read more

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Haven't been since when wife died 13 years ago, but went every Friday. Gorgeous place, professional and personal service. Can't comment on food now (don't even know who chef is) but was perfect back then! read more

In a historical building. Excellent food quality and ambiance. All dishes we ordered are great.

Four stars for the ambience and service; the food was just okay. I have been looking forward to dining here given the history and decided to treat my fiancé for his graduation dinner. The dining room is cozy and beautiful. We were seated in the corner and had a great view of the fireplace. We had the tasting menu, which is entirely left up to the chef. Fair warning: be very specific about your dietary restrictions or preferences--we unfortunately ran in some issues. The blackberry sorbet was stellar--fresh and tangy. Also, the portion sizes were quite small. Overall, it was a pleasant dinner. read more

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If you're looking for a romantic date night, with excellent food that you only have seen in magazines, then this is the place for you. This is also the type of place where you don't take out your phone and snap a quick photo either. The restaurant is basically on the campus of Yale, so parking isn't easy, either take an Uber or you might have to park in the parking garage, also you'll need to make a reservation. I ordered the Pan-roasted Long Island duck breast, pearl onions, local peaches, corn croquettes, chanterelle mushrooms, duck jus, it was absolutely delicious! I wish I could have ordered another plate of it! Overall, it was a great experience and a delicious dinner. This isn't the first time I've been there either. read more

What a disappointment. My partner and I go each year to celebrating our anniversary. We ordered the Beef Wellington. We requested medium well which was not cooked as requested. This food has gone totally terrible. I hope they address this. Right now, what I would say is don't waste your money there. read more

Union League Cafe was a miss for me. To start things off, they recently changed their menu, so a couple things I had my heart set on (as shown on their website) weren't available. I know this happens from time to time with restaurants, but disappointing nonetheless. That said, the duck confit salad appetizer was really good. The beef wellington and filet of beef were both adequate, but absolutely not worth the $56 and $65 respective prices. The apple dessert was supposed to be similar to a deconstructed apple pie, but kind of took on the texture of chunky apple sauce. Not bad enough to send back, but definitely a poor choice on my part (unfortunately the pistachio dessert I had my heart set on was taken off the menu). Our nice waiter sensed our disappointment so he gave us a scoop of orange sorbet. It was a kind gesture until we looked at the bill after paying - we were charged for it!!! We didn't tell him. After all it was only $3 on top of an already expensive meal - it felt petty to bring it up. But it's the principle... With other amazing restaurants in the area like The Luke and Olea, we don't see ourselves coming back. read more

Well, it's just sort of a one and done place. A crab ap was ok ish for a high price. The filet was good but for 65 and if you want a veg or anything then another 9. It is not all about money but the tastes are very ok ish. There is really not much ambiance other than the absence of "boom boom boom" annoying loud music in the background. Service is excellent by the way. It's ok to try once but I won't e back for a while. We are spoiled in this part of the land with so much more. read more

Easter lunch with family and friends at Union League Cafe was special because they know how to treat their guests. We had a delightful meal with spot on service that was both omnipresent and discreet a once. Six of us chose from four prix fixe selections and they were delicious. It was a full house, but nothing was delayed or denied, and the ambiance of the main dining room was as pleasant as could be. It felt as though the restaurant was there just for us. It was an excellent experience. Congratulations ULC. I'm sure everyone dining on this lovely Easter afternoon felt the same as my party... great food, great service, great ambiance and superb value. read more

Why has it so long since I dined here? And it IS dining. FIne dining. Not eating. The atmosphere is wonderful and the restaurant is gorgeous. The service is impeccable. The food is transcendent. How can you not love this place? OK, I know why I haven't been in a while. It's just not conveniently located to me. I live 40 min away. Today for lunch, I had the PEI oysters. The cocktail sauce was not only different from, but also better than, any cocktail sauce I've ever eaten. And I've been eating oysters since the 1980s. Wow. I would spread it on bread or dip oysters into it. It's just that fantastic and versatile. I know I'm gushing here, but the sauce deserving. I also had the lobster roll. It was terrific. It's not served in a mayo sauce. So, if mayo's what you prefer, this version is not your jam. I happen like both, so this was right up my ally. Rarely do I have dessert. Today was the exception. I had the pecan tart. It was a shortbread crust with a delicate custard-like filling, a dusting of chocolate, and a few toasted pecans. Marvelous. II have to make a greater effort to visit more often. Maybe my anniversary next month will be right occasion. It's a truly special place -- and that is coming from an unapologetic food snob. read more

Not much I can say about this experience that isn't evident in the photos. This restaurant was everything I'd heard about for years, and more. The hostess and host were friendly and inviting, even the young man taking our coats was kind, gentle, and eager to please. We were sat early and really spent our time enjoying drinks first and then appetizers, then entrees and dessert over a three hour period. It's possible our waiter wasn't thrilled with this, and he sometimes seemed to be in a bad mood. We chalked that up to his being French and "passionate" about his Profession--perhaps taking himself too serious. All the dishes were meticulously cooked and presented. The mussels were perfectly steamed, buttery, lemony, herbaceous and most importantly--clean. Generous amounts of crispy fresh bread accompanied the dish and plenty to go around for everyone to taste the sauce. The Icelandic Cod dish was a seared filet on a bed of leeks, artichokes barigoule, chickpea crisps, and a sumptuous mousseline, clams, watercress sauce and an outrageous caviar crème. One of the dishes was on the specials menu and may not be there, when you visit. The Chicken and Morels Vol Au Vent was a tender roasted chicken breast with a delicious seared tarragon boudin blanc, Oregon morels, asparagus, in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with a puff pastry--a triumph! The ravioli was incredibly decadent and difficult to eat slowly--a medley of alpine French cheese ravioli, parsnip purée, Swiss chard, seacoast farm mushroom, topped with freshly shaved black winter truffle in a creamy potato emulsion. This is a top ten dinning experience and highly recommended for a special dinner. While our server could have been more personal, and not messed up so many times, at least he apologized. The difference between a server with a bad attitude, and a server who is too hard on themselves, is, at least part of the service can be attributed to over-achieving, versus someone who doesn't care at all. So, we forgave this server and hope he lightens up a little. The food was just too good to let that taint our experience. But an adjustment may need to be made there. ***Be aware that this restaurant charges a 4% "Kitchen Appreciation Fee" on food only, which reward the kitchen staff for their hard work, creating an incentivized work environment that ultimately encourages creativity, loyalty and a better experience for all of us diners. If you're going out to a restaurant if this caliber, you just can't count dollars. You have to accept that you will pay handsomely for this level of quality. read more

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Upscale restaurant serving up French food & a creative cocktail list in a historic building The highlight of the place is the service, as the waitstaff really make you feel comfortable In addition to their creative cocktail list, they also have a nice selection of wines & ciders as we The meal starts off with 2 types of bread. The first bread is really little bite-sized bread balls, but the other bread is a more traditional bread and butter. Both are very fresh and delicious When I came for dinner I ordered the steak and a passionfruit drink -The drink was very tasty and it even had a chunk of passionfruit on the side. I liked it so much I got 2 -The steak was seasoned and cooked perfectly, and it came with sides of potatoes, salad, and asparagus. All of them were very tasty as well 7.5 read more

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OUR Special occasion restaurant ... wonderful fresh French food... staff is secretly fun! Great experience!

Food was excellent. We went there for our 30th wedding anniversary and everything was delicious.

First time visiting the Union League and must say- we will be back. We visited France last year and craved the meals we had in Paris. Union league brought us right back to our vacation! We enjoyed everything about our night out. Starting with the arrival, excellent staff who first took our coats and then seated us right away. The ambiance was perfect, intimate, and cozy. I started with House Smoked salmon and it was delicious, my husband had the Foie Gras and he raved about it. I had Lamb chops they were tender and cooked perfectly not overdone at all I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms but these were fabulous! read more

One of my favorite restaurants growing up in New Haven. They serve classic French food but with some modern options. Always delicious. The ambience is elegant and cozy. The staff is welcoming and professional. read more

It's hard for me to believe I have never reviewed ULC since it has been our special occasion restaurant for some time. Our anniversary is Valentine's Day - the means, in most restaurants, crowds, noise, and a not great experience. ULC is the consumate Valentine's experience. It starts with us being wished a happy anniversary as our coats are taken. Then to our table and an amuse bouche and complementary glass of sparkling rose. We then moved on to our 3 course dinner - foie gras (the one just ok dish) and scallops (excellent!,) then lobster and lamb - each delectable. Desert was a pistachio chocolate tart for my husband and the coeur for me. Excellent service, excellent food, special occasion ambiance. We love the ULC. read more

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