Tag Archives: New Haven Restaurants

Box 63 and Design 101

Zach Bell, Yale University

As a newcomer to the New Haven Restaurant scene, Box 63 has a long struggle ahead. Conveniently located at the corner of Park and Elm, Box 63 is across the street from Davenport and Pierson, and within walking distance of off-campus housing on Lynwood, Edgewood and Dwight. Box 63 has a potential audience, but questions remain about its ability to retain a crowd of regulars.

According to their website, Box 63’s “…focus was to create a welcoming hangout that blends iconic American comfort food, healthy portions and unique cocktails, in a classic rock in roll environment.”  Box 63 calls itself not merely a bar and grill, but an “American Bar and Grill,” where we are supposed to relax and put our elbows on the table. They want to create a culture of warmth, a place where a regular or a stranger can sit down and everyone knows their name. That kind of atmosphere takes time to develop, requiring a combination of good product, good service and an air of familiarity. Box 63 has quality service, no question there. Yet, for the other two criteria Box 63 tried to go too far too fast, obsessing over its design concept, instead of letting its culture grow organically.

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Going Mobile on York St. (Part 1): Ay! Arepa

Zach Bell, Yale University

This year, food carts and trucks have been cropping up all along York Street. From the Ay! Arepa truck at York and Elm, to a halal cart at York and Chapel, students now have more options to grab food on the go instead of shuffling in line at Durfee’s. In this series, I’ll try each of the mobile food stations parked on York. This week, I tried Ay! Arepa.

Ay! Arepa made the news in September after chef Ernesto Garcia, former chef at Ay! Salsa, left his stationary kitchen to open his own mobile business. Leaving Ay! Salsa (owned by his brother Franco Gonzalez), Ernesto brought much of the menu with him, offering a very similar variety of arepas and burritos.

 

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Chicken Parmesan and the Town-Gown Divide

Zach Bell, Yale University

At Yale, restaurants don’t receive much attention. Sure, a new place will get a write-up in the Yale Daily News and a mention on a blog or two, but the audience is small. Yale Dining functions off of the feature that if a student lives on campus, they have to be on some form of dining plan, and these plans range between three options, unlimited meals, 21 meals a week and 14 meals a week. With such limited options (and limited access to kitchens in housing), there is an incentive to eat in the dining halls (of which there are many) pretty much all the time.

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Adventurous Eating and Thrill

Zach Bell, Yale University

From the thrill of the first pitch, to a royal flush, to that first instant of free fall, humans revel in the thrill of competition. We love the adrenaline high, that state of fluctuating power borne of our courage and prowess. Most associate thrill-seekers with extreme sports or danger, but with the growing industry of food tourism, some now get their adrenaline hits from food.

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Oaxaca Kitchen: Still Waiting for Some Heat

Zach B., Yale University

In a college town, restaurants have to find a niche market. An establishment often has to choose between quick, low price meals for the college student on a budget, and more expensive long service meals for a special night out or for professors and residents of the surrounding area. Oaxaca Kitchen, a new restaurant near Yale, tries to capture both demographics, with relatively pricier options and an extensive bar facing off against casual Mexican fare. As a result, the food fails to find its voice.

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Sampling “Salad” Sandwiches at J&B Deli

Zach B., Yale University

Growing up Jewish, deli food was a staple in my house. From pastrami to tuna salad, cold cuts and various “salad” sandwiches always found their way into my lunch bag. Coming to New Haven, I found that this city does not have nearly as rich of a deli heritage as say New York, but I have found a place where I can get my fix.

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Bangkok Gardens: Typical Thai

Zach B., Yale University

Looking for Thai food in New Haven, a student will find many options that are all very similar to each other. So a trip to Bangkok Gardens, a small restaurant on York and Chapel, seems random and out of the way. In fact, the only attraction I originally feel towards Bangkok Gardens is its glass walled dining room. At lunchtime, sunlight streams through the glass and lights up a room that would be ordinarily be dour and sparsely decorated, but the sparkling natural light awakens the space, and I immediately feel at home. (Pictures after the jump)

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