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January 28, 2020

Seasoned city restaurateurs launch new B Natural eatery 

PHOTO | New Haven BIZ
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

A new downtown restaurant offers up a slew of healthy food choices along with the fun of building your own unique meal.

Two long-time downtown restaurant owners, Nebyat Shewaye and Gabi Merayo, recently expanded by opening up B Natural Kitchen at the Shops at Yale, at 260 College St. 

The couple’s latest business venture features build-your-own bowls. Hungry patrons can start with a list of choices for a base, such as rice and quinoa, farro with herbs, farm greens or ancient grains. Next, they can pick a list of sides, which range from roasted beets to grilled apples or mac and cheese. For the third step, customers pick from a list of premium ingredients, with chicken, salmon, vegan scramble, hard-boiled eggs and avocado among the choices.

The end result? A bowl of food unique to each customer. 

The restaurant began serving hungry diners a couple of weeks ago. On Tuesday, Yale University Properties, the business’ landlord, hosted a formal grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.

“This is a new concept for us,” Shewaye said. “We have all-natural selections, cooked right in front of you, and then put together in front of you.”

The restaurant has an open-layout design. Shewaye said customers can come in and get their lunch or dinner food bowls prepared quickly, within three to four minutes of arriving at the counter. 

“This is our second week, and the response has been great so far,” Shewaye said. 

“Operating in downtown New Haven for the past 16 years has been rewarding for us,” Shewaye said. “Keeping our menu unique, fresh and to the highest standards has been the key to our success.”

Daily food offerings can vary based on local availability. The restaurant also offers an array of drinks, including freshly squeezed juices, kombucha, craft soda and sparkling lemonade and iced tea. The staff adds the bubbles to drinks right on site.

Shewaye and Merayo, who live in Hamden with their three children, have been operating downtown restaurants with a “fresh and healthy” focus since 2004. 

They also own the B Natural Cafe, which is in Sherman’s Alley next to Union League Café on Chapel Street. That restaurant offers a range of choices, such as wraps, paninis and sandwiches.

Mayor Justin Elicker, who was among the dignitaries who attended Tuesday’s ceremony, said he has been a customer at their establishments for a long time.

“This is just one example of what I see happening around New Haven,” Elicker said. “It is a small city with so much going on. By using creative ideas, we continue to make our community thrive.”

Lauren Zucker, Yale’s associate vice president for New Haven affairs and University Properties, said the couple has been Yale’s tenant for years.

“We love seeing our tenants grow and expand,” Zucker said. “They bring wonderful food to our community — food that is not only delicious, but healthy and affordable. We wish you many years of success in this new location.”

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
 

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