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.

This is a very delayed review as I visited over the summer. Our party of 4 visited on an early…read moreSaturday evening and was able to be seated right away. The vibe is very much dark and moody. They were setting up for what looked like a guest DJ of sorts? Once the DJ started their music, it was VERY loud which was a little disappointing. We didn't try any of the food. We did try some of the cocktails though and they were all great. Also tried the paper bag beer because we couldn't resist the mystery. The beers were 16oz cans of craft beers. not bad! Overall, really liked the place!

Very moody, vibey lounge, restaurant, and bar in downtown New Haven. Stopped in before a late…read moredinner nearby on a Wednesday night around 6. There are couches in corners, tables, and bar seating. Only the bar tender seemed to be serving so service was very slow. I liked the aesthetic and Dj Kamakaze provided tunes or else I'd give a lower rating. Would return for an evening outing, good place to get lost.

Oysters, sabayon, caviar, chives - heavenly. NYE 2025…read more Please keep on your menu (or at Fair Haven Oyster)!

I really don't want to write this review. I've been here twice in the last 4 months. I'm allergic…read moreto seafood and fish and it seems as if so many entrees, including a steak dish, contain seafood. Overall, the food was fine, a bit pretentious but fine. The dining room was so loud esp when the bartenders were shaking drinks as if they were starring with Tom Hanks in "cocktail" We had the pea salad which was very fibrous and chewy (a 10 second Blanche wouldn't hurt) and the burger was tasty but served with frozen French fries, and way too much of them. Considering the style of menu, frozen fries don't belong on the menu. The fish was overcooked and dry. Overall, it's an inconsistent experience. Dinner for 3 was $200 with 1 shared app, 2 burgers and the fish course plus 3 drinks.

This is a really charming place with good service and tasty food, offering a wide selection of…read morewines and beverages. We stopped in for a quick bite and a drink. We started with the house chips--they were so good! Just the right amount. I ordered the scallops, and the sauce was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy (low). The halibut was also cooked perfectly and was quite enjoyable. We finished with coffee and crème brûlée, which was so good we couldn't resist and finished it all! We will definitely be back.

This place is a cute little spot in town, and they were kind enough to make space for our party of…read moreseven outside, which I appreciated. The menu had a nice variety, but overall, I wasn't very impressed. It seemed like our large group may have put some stress on the kitchen. One friend ordered wine that didn't smell or taste fresh -- the staff did open a new bottle and replace it, which was handled well. However, our meals took over 30 minutes to arrive, and when they did, they were warm at best. I ordered the steak frites with a side of spinach. The steak was undercooked, the fries seemed like leftovers, and the spinach was drenched in oil to the point that I couldn't eat it. Overall, it's an okay spot, but the experience felt off. Maybe it was just an off night for them.

For starters, the food was delicious and well priced. My partner got the meat plate (chicken, pork,…read moresteak, and sausage) and I got the watercress salad, beats, spiced meatballs, and bacon wrapped dates. We tried tastes of each other's food and loved every bite! Our server, Donna, was a delight. She answered questions, was friendly and accommodating, yet never hovered. She made us feel comfortable in a new place. The overall restaurant was stylish, yet warm and inviting. The music was fun and lively, without being "too much." I couldn't recommend Barcelona more! We had a great time and left feeling very happy.

My fiancé and I just came here to celebrate our anniversary after having been to Spain this past…read moreAugust! We would say this place is very comparable to the food we had there. Overall, it was a great experience! Service, food, and drinks are tasty. They have plenty of seating, including bar seating. For tapas we got: patatas bravas, jamon & manchego croquetas, spanish omelette, and lamb shakshuka. They typically recommend getting 3-4 tapas each, this amount was perfect for us in addition to a half paella dish! My personal favorite tapa was the spanish omelette. It was sooo good, especially with the sour cream. The other tapas were delicious as well. My only note is that the lamb shakshuka was toooo salty. We decided to get the paella salvage and it was pretty darn good! Definitely comparable to Spain. I would consider this place a date night spot given the price point, but overall, a great place!

Can't stop thinking about this place, the food!! Best pasta I've ever had. Very authentic and warm…read morefamily running the place. Live in NJ but want to make trip to go back

A delicious spot in downtown New Haven for yummy Italian food! We stopped in for dinner and got the…read morevegetable coquettes, Gorgonzola figs, lemon pasta, shrimp pasta, and a pasta with tomato and egg plant sauce. The figs are a must! The pasta is cooked to perfection! My favorite was the lemon pasta--decadent and refreshing. We ended the night with biscotti & a ricotta gelato. The service is warm and fast.Can't wait to be back!

Yummy restaurant with a great patio. They have heat lamps outside, but it is so hot in the summer…read morethat we did not want to use them. The patio area is very pretty and set off the street so that you don't have people bugging you while you eat The brussels sprout salad was amazing as people say. Lots of truffle goodness and the risotto cake. The mushroom pappardelle was good, I got it without the chicken. The bread and butter here is also very delicious. And I enjoyed a mocktail on a hot day. The coconut Mojito tasted like the real thing. Definitely a great little escape the hectic of New Haven!

I hadn't been to Harvest Wine Bar & Restaurant in New Haven in quite a while, so it was nice…read morestopping back in before seeing a play at Yale Repertory Theatre. We went around 7 PM and were seated immediately without reservations, which was a pleasant surprise for a Friday evening. It wasn't quite warm enough for the patio, but the inside still had a cozy atmosphere that worked perfectly for a pre-theater bite. My cousin ordered the crab cake, and I went with the Brussels sprouts and risotto Parmesan tater tots. We were really just looking for a few appetizers before the show, but everything hit the spot. The Brussels sprouts were flavorful and paired with thick savory slices of bacon, while the risotto Parmesan tater tots were crispy, cheesy, and hard to stop eating with the dipping sauce. Service was friendly, food came out quickly, and overall it was a relaxed and enjoyable experience before heading over to Yale Rep. Definitely reminded me why Harvest has been a longtime New Haven favorite.

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.

Came here on a Saturday at 12:45 PM. The place was quite empty, and it took a few seconds for…read moresomeone to greet us, but we were then seated immediately. They have an outdoor, indoor, and bar seating area all of which are nice. There was music playing quite loudly but without asking the worker immediately turned it down. We were quickly offered drinks, and given a slice of warm bread which was great. Once ordering our meals, we were asked if we wanted some of the items served later but we opted for all together. The food then quickly came out. And I would say everything was delicious! I really enjoyed the bisque, linguine, and the bruschetta as stand outs. Will be back!