New Haven Thursday Lunch

[acervoni]

I'm meeting a friend in New Haven for lunch and we want something affordable but on the quiet side. Have ruled out Claire's and Louie's because of the chaos. Any rec's? Would prefer something other than Asian or Indian but will settle for that if it is our only option. Thanks!

[DonShirer]

Michael's Downtown on Court Street recently opened and already have garnered some good reviews. If it is as good as his Wallingford trattoria, it's certainly worth a try. Their discount introductory lunch offer just expired March 30, unfortunately.

I tried La Cascada Columbian on Grand Avenue for lunch a few months ago. Affordable South American cuisine and it was almost empty.

Also was at Soul de Cuba for lunch last fall. Authentic food and it too was not heavily patronized.

[linguist]

DonShirer: have you been to Michael's Downtown? I go past it most mornings and evenings on the way from/to the train, and I've been wondering. The previous occupant of this space (the Blue Pearl) was rather uneven, some good things and some awful, always looked like it was a front for something else.
For lunch in New Haven, though, the choices are huge. An interesting new possibility is the little Cuban place (and rum bar!) on Orange Street. But can the OP give a few mre parameters?

[DonShirer]

Not been to M.Downtown yet, but I used to live in Wallingford and really enjoyed his trattoria there.

You must mean Zafra at 239 Orange St. I've seen mixed reviews of it on other sites. I'm more into food than rum, so they are not on my must try list yet. They are having a 3-course prix fixe dinner offering during NH restaurant week, Apr 15-20.

[mmalmad]

If you can get to Westville, you can consider Bella's or Lena's, if you want drinks there is also Delaney's