The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
New Au Chalet restaurant brings a taste of the Alps to Whitney Avenue
NEW HAVEN >> Adil Chokairy didn’t have to travel far for his latest culinary venture. All he needed was a tricyle.
A Parisian expat turned New Haven resident, Chokairy has opened his latest business, Au Chalet, next door to his first storefront on Whitney Avenue, Crepes Choupette. His new restaurant will introduce the city to a unique form of Swiss-inspired dining called raclette. Raclette is the name of the cheese used and the technique behind its serving: The halfwheel of cheese is heated to a bubbling point, before its oozed down onto other foods.
The new storefront is a culmination of an entrepreneurial spirit that begun on three wheels.
“Three years ago, I started with a tricyle, making crepes, in the campus of Yale,” Chokairy said. “Yale University believed in my idea.”
Chokairy celebrated the grand opening of Au Chalet Wednesday, along with Mayor Toni Harp and Lauren Zucker of Yale University Properties, which owns the building housing the new restaurant. The restaurant is the latest addition to the trendy Whitney-Audubon Retail and Arts District.
“It couldn’t be done without efforts from the city of New Haven and the spirit of Yale University and promoting small businesses,” Chokairy said. “It should be a model for a lot of cities in America, or even just in Connecticut: Believing in a guy that is making crepes out of a little tricyle and thinking, ‘Well, let’s give him an opportunity to make a business. It’s really, really wonderful.”
Zucker is the associate vice president for New Haven affairs and university properties at Yale. On Wednesday, she recalled the 2015 opening of Crepes Choupette.
“At the time, Adil had been operating a crepe cart, and his business was expanding, so he wanted to venture into his first storefront,” Zucker said. “Two years later, we are delighted to be here again.”
Chokairy’s businesses are the mark of a “success story,” Zucker said, who has used his creativity and personal touches to bring a “slice of Europe right here in Whitney Avenue.” Zucker said she knows Chokairy will operate Au Chalet with the same personal touch he’s operated Crepes Choupette.
“Yale University is committed to working with local tenants such as Adil,” Zucker said. “Attracting new businesses and growing existing ones is one of the most important ways we do this. Through Yale’s community investment program, the university has contributed to the vibrancy of downtown and as a result, it’s one of the city’s top taxpayers.”
Harp sampled some raclette following the grand opening ceremony, enjoying the cheese plate inside Au Chalet’s warm wood-covered interior. Harp has joined several grand openings the past few weeks that offer a glimpse at the diversity of food choices in the city. She recently welcomed an authentic Chinese restaurant, and previously celebrated openings for a Japanese and Peruvian food restaurant.
New Haven diners have proven palates for cheese. Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro is located just up the street on Whitney Avenue and Caseus’ popular and mobile Cheese Truck serves up gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches to a loyal following.
“Once again, New Haven’s legacy grows as well, as a destination for foodies,” Harp said. “All of us who enjoy good food are the beneficiaries.”
Harp said she “genuinely appreciates the commitment” Chokairy has made in investing in the city. Harp went on to recognize all small business owners throughout the city.
“I admire the hard work of each and every small business owner that they put into every new venture,” Harp said.
Au Chalet is located at 24 Whitney Ave. and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.