I'd been to Union League Cafe once before, at a wedding rehearsal dinner--I liked it tremendously but only remembered a blur of celebration and champagne. (That's a reason to go back, right there.)

It took me years to return, but return I did last week, and I'm delighted to say I still like it tremendously.

It's in a beautiful Beaux Arts building, located at the fomer site of Roger Sherman's home (for history buffs, he was New Haven's first mayor, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution). And the service is beautiful, too--warm and attentive, and yet friendly and not overly formal. It's a hard balance to get right, but they're good at it--it's a perfectly welcoming space. They will take care of you and you'll know it when you walk in.

Order some champagne. And oysters, if you like them. (I do.) And then you can have your choice of some excellent (mostly French-inspired) cuisine. I can recommend the vichyssoise if they have it, and also the asparagus salad (if you're there in springtime). If you like steak, the beef filet is six ounces worth of deliciousness. If you'd prefer a vegetarian option, their risotto is quite nice. (I didn't sample their salmon but it looked delicious--I will have to give that a try next time.) Of course you'll find seasonal variations--that's the type of restaurant this is. Go with it. Also, save room for dessert--this is a place for treating yourself. You won't go wrong with the feuilletine, which consists of layers of bittersweet chocolate mousse, crunchy hazelnut and almond biscuit, cocoa tuile, and hazelnut praliné. I have also heard good things about the crème brûlée, although I cannot speak to personal experience. (I hereby volunteer to go back and do some more resesearch.)

In short, it's a lovely special-occasion destination and if you have any reason to visit Yale, do put a meal at Union League Cafe on your itinerary.

ADDRESS:

1032 CHAPEL ST

NEW HAVEN, CT 06510

PHONE: 203-562-4299

DINING ROOM HOURS:

Dinner: 

TUESDAY – SATURDAY 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM

*Last Reservation time 8:30 PM

Lunch: 

FRIDAY-SATURDAY 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY

WEBSITE: https://unionleaguecafe.com/

IMAGES: facebook.com/UnionLeagueCafe