new haven - recent trip

if you are interested, i spent two days in new haven last week. here are the meal highlights:

ibiza - 39 high street. a very good restaurant with a lot of character and an inventive, spanish menu. thursday night at 8:00 and the place was 60% full. i sat at the bar and enjoyed two dark portuguese beers and a dish of pulpo - steamed octopus in a potato foamy emulsion, smoked spanish paprika, and spanish extra virgin olive oil. this dish blew me away, it was so good. i was also treated to a complimentary tasting appetizer (a small cheese croquette and a shrimp cake), a piece of crusty bread with a dish of olive oil, and a complimentary tasting desert (chocolate tart). the rest of the menu looks great, too. the service was very good. i will go back.

louis' lunch - 261-263 crown. tiny (seating for 10 max) little dinette. self proclaimed inventor of the hamburger. always a line. several new haven policemen/women stopped in for carry-out (they have to know what is good in town). had an original "cheese works" - hamburger with cheese, tomato, & onion, cooked medium rare, served on toast. cooked in original verticle broilers. smaller than a quarter pounder, but ten times the flavor. $5. it was delicious. just don't ask for ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce, etc. they don't have it and you may get a funny look or a blank stare.