New Haven’s Tasty (and Inexpensive) Finds
Whether you’re on a business trip or a weekend getaway, New Haven has a variety of foods to keep you full on your journey. Aside from being the home of prestigious Yale University and one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the country, New Haven, Connecticut is also home to some mouthwatering restaurants. Whether it’s sushi you’re after or a juicy hamburger you’re craving, a good beer to hit the spot or a fruity martini to top off a night out with friends, New Haven has a place for you.
Another bonus to eating and drinking in New Haven is that you don’t have to afford Yale’s tuition to enjoy your dinning experience, as most of my finds are more than reasonably priced!
Bulldog Burrito
Bulldog Burrito is a local Mexican hot spot located directly across from the Yale bookstore. The cornered restaurant is cozy and delicious. The menu features an array of fresh ingredients with dishes ranging from burritos to taco salads (and all come with complimentary chips and homemade salsa). The pricing and hours of operation are also convenient, with the average bulldog meal ranging around 7 bucks. Bulldog is open until 1am Monday through Thursday, 2 a.m. on Friday and 10 p.m. on Sunday, making it the perfect place for a late night healthy meal! 320 Elm Street, New Haven, CT
Nikkita
Nikkita is a dimly lit, eclectic restaurant and bar. I say eclectic because the menu offers a variety of foods ranging from sushi and lobster ravioli to chicken parmigiana and a cranberry and Gorgonzola salad, and the drink menu is to die for.
The atmosphere of Nikkita is a little upscale, but don’t be fooled, the prices are beyond reasonable, with the average meal ranging around $8-$12. Dinners are also accompanied by a large breadbasket and the most delicious eggplant and/or bean dip to top it off. Aside from the prices being right, Nikkita offers 2 for 1 martinis on Mondays straight off of a menu featuring more than 40 flavors to choose from and 2 for 1 mixed drinks every Tuesday. 200 Crown St, New Haven, CT
Mamoun’s
If you’re running around the city looking for a quick bite to eat at a great price, you should visit Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant. Mamoun’s has a large vegetarian menu but traditional meat and chicken dishes are available as well. The dishes are cheap and the food is delicious. The hummus plate is great as an appetizer but if you’re a fan of the chickpea mixture, it is large enough for a meal in itself. Mamoun’s is relatively small inside, so if you’re with a big party it might be best to order your meals to go. 85 Howe St, New Haven, CT
Bar
Bar is a simple name for a place filled with such variety. While Bar is, well, a bar, it is also one of the city’s best pizza places. Disguised behind a large wooden door is a restaurant, bar and club offering free live music on Sundays, $2 well drinks and beer on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and $2 drinks on Fridays. Bar offers mashed potato pizza, and while mashed potatoes may seem a little out of place on a pizza, the combination of foods is delicious. The inside of Bar looks almost like a warehouse, with unfinished ceilings, open brick walls, and huge windows (that remain open in the summer) lining the front of the building. Each room of Bar offers a different vibe and has something for just about everyone. The front room is divided into a seating area for those there to eat and a bar, known as the BruRoom, behind the BruRoom is the nightclub area of the establishment. Bar also features a wide variety of home brewed beers, and each season comes out with new brewed flavors, which are definitely worth dishing out a few dollars on to taste. 254 Crown St, New Haven, CT
Louis Lunch
When visiting New Haven it would be a crime not to stop for a bite to eat at Louis Lunch on Crown St. The world famous burger joint boasts it is the home of America’s first hamburger. And, it’s not called Louis Lunch for nothing. The restaurant is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m., and on Thursday through Saturday from 12 noon till 2 a.m. The atmosphere at Louis Lunch is fast paced and tightly spaced, so if you’re looking for a more intimate setting to eat your burgers, make sure you ask for your food “to go.” You should know the burgers you find at Louis aren’t your average burgers. They are served on toasted bread and if it’s ketchup and mustard you like, sorry Louis Lunch doesn’t believe in condiments (other than lettuce, onions and tomatoes that is). So if you’re feeling brave, I suggest sneaking in packets of your favorite toppings, just don’t let the staff see you! 263 Crown St, New Haven, CT
Blue Pearl
If you’re looking for a restaurant infused with creativity, Blue Pearl is the place for you. Aside from menu items featuring lobster macaroni and cheese and the whiskey rib eye, the Blue Pearl offers savory, sweet, and even surf and turf fondue. The list of cheese dipping sauces and chocolates are endless and taste as delicious as they sound. And, after you’re done eating all this, there is even a dessert menu if you can handle it! 130 Court St, New Haven, CT
So, enjoy your bites and fare in New Haven — there is something for everyone!
Going Green
If you’re anything like me, all this talk about the danger that the environment is in has made you want to start making a difference. Of course, you’ve saved the plastic bags from the grocery store to reuse, or have recycled the plastic cool whip containers because they are great for leftovers; but, over the years the bags have accumulated and taken over your kitchen closet and every time you open the cabinet, a new container comes tumbling out.
Well, us environmentally conscious gals are now in luck. Because of technological and environmental advances, there are simple, clutter free ways to save the planet and a little cash as well:
The Cars
If you are looking to invest in a new car, why not invest in the environment at the same time? Many big name car companies have come out with Hybrid cars. These automobiles have a gas engine accompanied by an electric motor, which aids in acceleration and automatically recharges when you drive. This dual engine allows drivers to get the best gas mileage out of their cars and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide, said to be one of the largest contributors to global warming, and pollutants released into the air by driving. While these cars are a bit more pricey than the average (around $3,000 plus more), the government has introduced a new environmental tax credit to anyone who purchases a Hybrid. These tax credits range from $1000 to $3000, and all depend on when you buy the car (the earlier in the year the better!).
Also, because Hybrids are so fuel efficient, you’ll be spending less time and money at the pumps, which means that you’ll have a little more money to put toward that ever growing credit card bill (or if you’re feeling really spontaneous, treat yourself to an extra night out). To check out what Hybrid car is the best fit for you go to eartheasy.com.
If you’re not in the market for a new car here are a couple easy things you can do to help reduce driving pollutants: take public transportation as often as possible, car pool to work, or take advantage of the weather by walking or riding your bike to nearby stores.
The Temperature
Turning down the thermostat a couple of degrees in the winter and up a couple degrees in the summer cuts down on the amount of energy you use, and will also cut down your utility bill. Ceiling fans are also beneficial because they help circulate warm and cool air throughout the house, so you don’t have to turn your thermostat up or down as often.
At Work
There are some simple things to do around the office to make your time at work more energy efficient and environmentally safe. First of all, take yourself off mailing lists that send snail mail. This type of junk mail results in the killing of about 63 million trees per year, and half of this mail isn’t even opened. Instead, opt for online catalogs that can be sent to you through your email (and are usually accompanied with coupons, which is a free bonus!). Also, when leaving work (or the house) turn your computer off completely because even when it’s on standby it is still using up energy.
The Light Bulb
According to Energy Star, “If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star [light bulb], we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.” So with that said, go out and replace at least one light bulb in your house with a compact florescent bulb! While CFLs are a little more expensive than regular light bulbs, at around $3 a bulb, they last for about 10,000 hours, use 70 percent less energy and, in about five months, will have paid for themselves in lower electric bills.
Since it’s so easy to change a light bulb, you may even want to purchase light emitting diodes, or LEDs. LEDs are rather new to the market place, and cost more than CFLs but are reported to decrease energy consumption by 80 to 90 percent, and to last an average of 100,000 hours. If your light bulbs are relatively new and don’t need replacing, you can always open the shades and take advantage of the sun for the cheapest and easiest way to conserve energy.
Shopping
Instead of adding to that collection of plastic shopping bags you have in your kitchen closet, buy a canvas tote bag. If you know you are going on a shopping spree, or even running a quick errand, grab the tote bag before you leave the house to put your purchases in. Some stores have even jumped on the tote bandwagon, by either selling or providing reusable shopping bags to their customers.
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