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October 23, 2020

Three eateries open amid Westville renaissance 

PHOTOS | Michelle Tuccitto Sullo A customer looks over pastries inside the new Pistachio Café in the Westville neighborhood of New Haven.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

One new Elm City restaurant features Mexican fare, a second is back following a devastating fire and a third offers coffee and pastries.

What do they have in common? They all recently opened in the Westville section of New Haven. While the area has experienced multiple commercial vacancies in recent years, officials say the neighborhood is seeing a resurgence. 

On Thursday afternoon, Mayor Justin Elicker, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and city officials led a tour and series of ribbon cuttings at the new establishments.

“We are in the midst of a very long pandemic,” Elicker said. “It’s always nice to celebrate that things are still happening in New Haven. We’re grateful you have decided to press that ‘Go’ button even during this difficult time.”

Bysiewicz noted how many restaurants around the country have shuttered because of the pandemic. 

“New Haven is known for its vibrant restaurant scene,” Bysiewicz said. “It is adding jobs and making this great neighborhood better.”

The entourage first stopped at 36 Fountain St., home to the new Camacho Garage, which opened in late September and features Mexican street food. The building had been home to a bank, then sat vacant before being completely remodelled. 

Robert Bolduc, a co-owner, said, “It’s a crazy time to be opening, but we are excited for the future.” 

Arturo Franco-Camacho, chef and co-owner, added, “Dreams can only happen if you are committed to getting things done.”

“This is one of the times we all need each other the most, and we hope you come and visit us,” he said.

Arturo Franco-Camacho, a co-owner of the new Camacho Garage, addresses the tour crowd at Thursday’s event.

About a block away is the new Delaney’s Restaurant & Tap Room, at 883 Whalley Ave. The old Delaney’s was across the street at 882 Whalley before it burned down six years ago. 

Mike Shanahan and Peter Gremse are co-owners of the revived restaurant. Gremse owned the original Delaney’s, while Shanahan worked for him as a bartender. 

Gremse moved to California in the years after the fire, but decided to return after Shanahan asked if he wanted to be partners in bringing the restaurant back. While they originally planned to open in March, this was delayed due to the pandemic. According to Gremse, they may be in a different building now, but they have the same menu offerings and even some of the same employees.

Shanahan said the new restaurant aims to have a “Cheers” atmosphere, where “everybody knows your name.” It serves fare like potato skins, wings, salads, wraps and burgers.

Peter Gremse and Mike Shanahan, co-owners of Delaney’s Restaurant & Tap Room.

Lizzy Donius, executive director of the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance, told the partners at the event, “We have missed you guys and are so thrilled this is happening.” 

“At one time, we had more than 11 empty storefronts, and now we have one - it is a resurgence in Westville,” Donius said.

Officials also celebrated the opening of nearby Pistachio Café, a venture by artist and architect Mohamad Hafez, at 911 Whalley Ave.

The location had been a pharmacy at one time, but has been renovated. Now, customers can come for coffee and sample sweet treats and baked goodies like baklava. It opened about five weeks ago.

“I’m a recovering corporate architect,” Hafez said. “I opened Pistachio because I have a sweet tooth problem and I love coffee. We are in a divided time. I felt we need a place where people feel welcome.”

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