New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Riverfest features new seafood restaurant
Fair Haven Oyster Co. set to open in June
NEW HAVEN — A new seafood restaurant is coming to town, and will make its mini-debut at Saturday's 10th Quinnipiac Riverfest.
Emily Mingrone and Shane McGowan, whose Tavern on State will celebrate its third anniversary this month, will open the Fair Haven Oyster Co. at the Quinnipiac River Marina later this month.
Mingrone calls the new restaurant an “elevated lobster shack,” because it will be a cut above the seafood places that dot the Shoreline.
They'll offer “classic New England seafood with my twist,” Mingrone said. “We will have a lot of the New England staples but done as perfectly as we can,” including stuffed clams, lobster rolls, several varieties of local oysters, as well as some from farther away, such as Kumamotos from Washington state.
Everything will be “just like really fresh and simple and delicious,” she said, and, like Tavern, “seasonally focused.”
McGowan said they've gotten a great response from people anticipating the opening. “We're a little nervous how busy it'll be once we open the door,” he said. “It's almost like the feel of Tavern, but on the water,” he said. Both are small, intimate places.
At Riverfest, Fair Haven Oyster will offer oysters and mini-lobster rolls. Mingrone and McGowan also own Provisions on
State, and head butcher Zach Pierce will be grilling sausages and “house-ground burgers,” Mingrone said. Their new butcher van, which will be going to farmers markets this summer, also will make its debut.
The restaurant has the look of a boat, with porthole windows, slotted benches and other touches. A deck overlooks the Quinnipiac River so diners can watch the boats float by.
McGowan will be behind the bar, which they had to build because the previous restaurant, Streets Boathouse Smokehouse, didn't have one. He said he'll be focusing on “a lot more gin cocktails because gin for me is the best pairing for seafood.”
He said he'll also include sherry, fortified wine and “super-herbal vermouths” in making classic cocktails with a lighter touch.
“We're just really excited to be part of the community, like we are in East Rock,” said Lauren McElligott, general manager for both restaurants. “So the community over the past three years, they've really accepted and supported us. And we're grateful for them. And I think that the same thing may happen here with the Fair Haven community, which I think will be nice.”
McElligott said the menus at both restaurants will range from basic items to more exotic fare. “We don't want anyone to feel like they can't come to Tavern or to Fair Haven Oyster Co.,” she said. “We don't want to be too out there. There is always something for everyone.”
All of Riverfest, which is free except for the food and drink, will happen at the marina, said Lee Cruz of the Chatham Square Neighborhood Association, the presenting sponsor. “We're also expecting a number of local artists and artisans,” he said. “We've got about 12 of those so there should be a good variety.”
Armada Brewing will be selling its beer, Core Beverage Group will have adult drink samples, and there will be performances from Good Night Blue Moon, Music Haven, Bregamos Community Theater and tai chi and youth boxing demonstrations. GreenWave, which farms seaweed, will be on hand, too.
“We encourage people to bike or paddle to Riverfest,” Cruz said. The city is providing free use of canoes and there is a link to access points at quinnipiacriverfest.com.
Riverfest will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the marina, 307 Front St.