Other noteworthy restaurants have come and gone, but Union League Café continues to enchant New Haven.
I bring you photos from three recent visits to Union League, which reveal why the restaurant retains its popularity.
The main dining room is certainly one of the Elm City’s more comfortable.
And the service is certainly among the very best.
So start with some nice puffy cheesy gougères,
good bread
and butter.
If you’re fortunate, a nice amuse bouche might even come your way.
The next step is to select a nice wine.
Oysters are a great place to start a meal.
Or one of these pretty soups.
Or an asparagus
or baby spinach salad.
Other great ideas for starters might include a meat terrine,
octopus,
duck confit
or scallops,
the latter two which I couldn’t resist repeating.
Entrées also are as delicious as they are attractive. This, I believe, was halibut,
this was quail,
this was rabbit,
this was lamb loin
and this (twice) was lobster.
And this was a side of amazingly light gnocchi.
Desserts are quite extraordinary.
If you’re lucky, finish with some mignardises.
But the most important tip I can give is to make sure you have brought an enjoyable dining companion, in one case my friend Amy Kim,
in the other my stunning wife.
Union League Café, 1032 Chapel Street, New Haven, 203-562-4299, www.unionleaguecafe.com