Barcelona Wine Bar for New Haven Restaurant Week Fall 2013

It's a favorite time of year for many. The fall leaves are beautiful, the weather is crispy cool and clear, and, although it's sad that the days are shorter because of daylight savings time; darkness at 5:00pm for some reason stimulates my appetite.

And it couldn't have happened at a better time - it coincides with New Haven's Fall Restaurant Week, running 11-3-13 through 11-8-13.You can see a list of participating restaurants HERE.

This week is incredibly busy for me, but my niece Nicole was in town this weekend, and we managed to sneak some time for ourselves and make our way to downtown New Haven and visit a new dining experience for both of us, Barcelona Wine Bar on Temple Street!

Mural in Barcelona's Dining Room

I'll admit. I was a little leery when we first got there at around 5:30pm on Sunday evening.  There were some emergency vehicles who had closed off Temple Street,  parking was difficult, and the restaurant itself is not very well marked. I knew it was next to the Omni Hotel, but there didn't seem to be a sign anywhere. And, the door to the restaurant is almost hidden. In spite of ourselves, we found it!

The hidden doorway!

The restaurant was pretty busy and despite having made reservations, we had to sit at a small two-top squeezed between two four-tops. I'm all about sitting and eating in comfort...so I felt a little claustrophobic sandwiched between two larger tables. We contemplated leaving the dining room and moving to the bar but eventually decided to stay where we were.

 It didn't help that I also didn't understand how Barcelona was offering their version of restaurant week, our waiter Ryan mentioned something about pick two here, or four here, or only one here. I was a bit confused, but after I had a few minutes to look over the menu, and he returned with my cocktail, a Lemon Something prepared by one of Barcelona's amazing bartenders, I had a better understanding of the menu, and Ryan was able to better explain how I could order Barcelona's version of the Prix Fixe Meal. And of course, it also helped that the Lemon Something, prepared with my new favorite, Licor 43, was amazing. I'm afraid I don't know what else was in it, but it was delightful, a lemony version of an orange creamcicle. So. Good.

Lemon Something at Barcelona Wine Bar New Haven
Made with Licor 43

Nicole decided not to go with the restaurant week offerings and ordered the Crispy Calamari and for an entree the  Ribeye a la Plancha. I was a thoughtful dining companion and didn't ask Nicole if I could take pictures of her ribeye. See. I'm not such a bad aunt after all!

I ordered three items off the Tapas section as my Prix Fixe Restaurant Week offering, and saved my fourth selection for dessert.

 Crispy Calamari and Pear Salad as "appetizers"

(L) Crispy Calamari with Smoked Pepper Aioli
(R) Pear Salad with Aragula, Chopped Pistachios and Valdeon Cheese

Both were absolutely delicious. The calamari was perfectly cooked, well-portioned, and the smoked Pepper Aioli for dipping was out of this world. The pear salad was delicious. The fresh fruit combined with the nuts and cheese. Heaven!

...Grilled Lamb Chops for my "entree"

Grilled Lamp Chops with Arugula and Romesco

Life. Changing. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and well rested. The salty grilled outer coating, the medium rare meat on the inside, all combined with the peppery arugula, and the tangy Romesco sauce was an amazing flavor combination. The Romesco was the perfect blend of bitxo peppers, roasted nuts and garlic, fused together with a light oil. Mucho Bueno!

And for "dessert" - Tres Leches, while Nicole sipped on her sherry that accompanied her ribeye. Don't you just love a restaurant that pairs a sherry with a meal!

Tres Leches and Amontillado, Medium, Pedro Romero Sherry

The Tres Leches was amazing. Sweet, eggy sponge cake saturated with even sweeter condensed milk. So rich and creamy sweet that you don't think you can stand it. BUT YOU DO!!! Each bite was so good!

Nicole had never tasted sherry before, and she ended up loving the combination of the nutty richness and the light citrus flavors. Her words - "it's like cracking open a walnut and drinking it!"

Each course that was served got better and better, and in spite of my original crankiness, we ended up loving the casual intimacy of dining of Barcelona Wine Bar and we can't wait to go back again!  Service was great with only a slight wait for our check, which allowed us time to chat after dinner and catch up with one another. Food was terrific and neither of us could stop talking about how delicious everything we ordered was!

Don't hesitate to visit Barcelona Wine Bar - just look for the hidden door on Temple Street!

Barcelona Wine Bar

155 Temple St.

 In the Omni New Haven Hotel

 New Haven, CT 06510

 Tel: 203.848.3000

On the Web: http://barcelonawinebar.com/newhaven.htm

Like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barcelonaNH

Follow them on twitter: https://twitter.com/BarcelonaWineBa

Have you been to any of the Barcelona Wine Bars in Washington DC,  Atlanta GA, Brookline MA, New Haven, West Hartford, Fairfield, Greenwich, Stamford or  SouthNorwalk CT locations?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

New Haven Restaurant Week 2013 November 3th - November 8th

It's here!

One of Connecticut's most anticipated restaurant weeks!

Restaurant Week -- New Haven

Here's a list of participating restaurants. 

Many are offering Prix Fixe Dinner for $32.00

And some have  Prix Fix Lunch for $18.00

Please call or check their website for exact details

Please call for information and reservations.

116 Crown 116 Crown Street New Haven      203-777-3116

Adriana's Restaurant and Wine Bar  771 Grand Avenue New Haven     203-865-6474

Anna Liffey's 17 Whitney Avenue New Haven      203-773-1776

Barcelona Wine Bar  155 Temple St. in the Omni Hotel New Haven      203-848-3000

Basta Trattoria – RW Menu – 1006 Chapel Street New Haven  203-772-1715

Bentara Restaurant  - RW Menu – 76 Orange Street New Haven       203-562-2511

Briq  – RW Menu –  266 College Street New Haven       203-891-7155

Carmen Anthony Steakhouse of New Haven     660 State Street New Haven   203-773-1444

Caseus Fromagerie Bistro 93 Whitney Avenue New Haven      203-624-3373

Christopher Martins Restaurant      860 State Street New Haven      203-776-8835

Geronimo  271 Crown Street New Haven        203-777-7700

Goodfellas Restaurant    702 State Street New Haven 203-785-8722

Heirloom at Yale Dining   in the The Study at Yale hotel on Chapel Street New Haven 203-503-3919

Ibiza Restaurant   39 High Street New Haven  203-865-1933

Istanbul Cafe     245 Crown Street New Haven      203-787-3881

John Davenport's Restaurant in the Omni on 155 Temple Street New Haven 203-974-6858

L'Orcio     806 State Street  New Haven  203-777-6670

Miya's Sushi 68 Howe Street New Haven 203-777-9760

Oaxaca Kitchen 238 College Street New Haven 203-859-5774

Pacifico       220 College Street New Haven        203-772-4002

ROÌA  261 College Street New Haven       203-200-7045

Soul de Cuba     283 Crown Street New Haven      203-498-2822

Temple Grill     152 Temple Street  New Haven  203-773-1111

Thali New Haven 4 Orange Street New Haven 203-777-1177

The Cask Republic  179 Crown Street New Haven  475-238-8335

Tre Scalini Ristorante 100 Wooster Street New Haven  203-777-3373

Union League Cafe  1032 Chapel Street New Haven 203-562-4299

Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar    259 Orange Street New Haven 203-859-5342

Zaroka Bar & Restaurant 148 York Street New Haven  203-776-8644

Zinc Restaurant American  964 Chapel Street New Haven     203-624-0507

Where are YOU planning on going?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

New Haven Restaurant Week 2013 - Christopher Martins

This time of year there is sooo much going on...and I am sooo behind on posts!

During the week of April 21st through April 26th New Haven CT held their Annual Restaurant Week.

#NewHavenRestaurantWeek

Because of all that was going on that week, I was only able to sample the wonderfulness of one restaurant, the oh so delicious Christopher Martins.

Christopher Martins in New Haven - New Haven Restaurant Week 2013

This was actually the first time that I've been to Christopher Martins, which is odd because it's been there on State Street New Haven for over twenty years. AND I've heard great things about it, namely, that their menu changes with the seasons due to the availability of local products and changing tastes in the spring, summer, fall, and winter seasons.

For restaurant week Christopher Martins had a separate lunch and dinner menu.  Lunch prixe fixe three course meals were $18.00 and dinner prixe fixe four course meal offerings were $32.00.

Two of my colleagues from work wanted to go, so we headed over for lunch on a Tuesday. We were lucky enough to find a parking space right in front, parking isn't really wonderful in New Haven, but Christopher Martins offers valet parking in the evenings, on Tuesdays through Sunday.  A great bonus BUT please be sure to call before you leave to be sure that a valet is actually available - I've heard that a valet is not always there. (Hmmm...that's NOT a good thing)

Although we neglected to make reservations, which meant we would need to eat in the pub, lucky for us, just as we walked in they had a cancellation, so we had a beautiful big window-side table in the dining room.  We were seated quickly, and a warm basket of fresh baked bread and olive oil for dipping was served as we perused the menu.

Does the mis-matched salt and pepper shakers bother you?

Allie and I decided to go with the Restaurant Week luncheon specials.

For our appetizers:

Allie ordered the BBQ Duck Confit Spring Rolls 

BBQ Duck Confit Spring Rolls - Christopher Martins New Haven Restaurant Week

Peking Duck slow cooked in an Asian inspired BBQ served with Szechuan Cole Slaw and reported that it was wonderful, with just the right amount of warm heat.

I ordered the Butternut Squash Ravioli 

Butternut Squash Ravioli - Christopher Martins New Haven Restaurant Week 2013

With candied Pecans in a Fresh Sage Cream with Shaved Parmesan, which needless to say was absolutely to die for.  The sauce was creamy good and flavorful, and the addition of the candied pecans complemented the squash as a subtly sweet nutty addition.

For our lunch

Allie ordered Chicken Saltimbocca

Chicken Saltimbocca - Christopher Martins New Haven Restaurant Week 2013

Chicken Breast layered with Prosciutto di Parma, Fresh Sage and Cato Corner Farm’s Vivace Bambino Cheese, over sautéed Baby Spinach with Mashed Potatoes. Allie reported that the chicken was delicious, but that she didn't care for the mashed potatoes.

I ordered the Chipotle Honey Grilled Salmon

Chipolte Honey Grilled Salmon - Christopher Martins New Haven Restaurant Week 2013

A great combination of Spicy Sweetness tops a grilled Atlantic Salmon Filet with Saffron infused Rice & Beans and Baby Spring Vegetables. It was oh, so, good! The salmon was perfectly cooked and not too sweet due to the spices used in the sides. Perfect.

Patty, who ordered off the menu, decided on a salad, which I can't seem to find on the menu online. It included mixed field greens, pine nuts, dried cranberries, and grilled polenta, as Patty is a vegetarian.

For dessert, included as our lunch prixe fixe, 

Allie ordered the Tira Misu

Lady Fingers soaked in Espresso and Kahlua and slathered with a cool Mascarpone Sabayon

Tira Misu - Christopher Martins New Haven Restaurant Week 2013

I ordered the White Chocolate Mousse, 

A Silky White Chocolate Mousse Topped With Chocolate Ganache…Award Winning

White Chocolate Mousse with Chocolate Ganache - Christopher Martins New Haven Restaurant Week

This was incredibly good, and I am such a fan of anything white chocolate. This dessert certainly didn't disappoint. As full as I was after three courses, I scraped the large glass bowl clean! YUM

If you have a chance to visit Christopher Martins, I would heartily recommend them.  The interior is on the small side, so make sure you have a reservation, and remember there is valet parking Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

Christopher Martins

860 State Street

New Haven, CT 06511 

203.776.8835

www.christophermartins.com

"Like" them on facebook HERE

Note: Their website is a little bit clunky to use. Or maybe it's just me. :-)

On our way back through New Haven we passed the beautiful tulip display in the street meridian's courtesy of the 

City of New Haven and New Haven Parks & Works

Have you visited Christopher Martins?

Did you attend New Haven Restaurant Week?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!