Who Knew Blog

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3 Romantic New Haven Hotels for a Valentine’s Day Getaway

Scrambling for Valentine’s Day plans? Consider a romantic staycation right here in the Elm City. Romance is alive in downtown, from the lively bars serving up innovative cocktails, to our nationally recognized restaurants saving you tables by candlelight. This year, plan the perfect evening for your valentine and remove the hassle of the commute home. End your evening with a relaxing stay at any of our beloved local hotels, starting with these three hot spots.  The Study at Yale Omni New Haven at Yale Hotel Marcel

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All Things ah-BEETZ with New Haven’s Pizza Expert, Colin Caplan

Did you know? One of your neighbors is a certified apizza historian, and he’s sharing the secret sauce. Colin Caplan, owner of Taste of New Haven, has written six books on New Haven history and produced an entire apizza documentary called Pizza, a love story. His latest book, Pizza in New Haven, traces the history of our city’s most distinctive dish, which in recent months has been featured in The New York Times and The New Yorker.  As Caplan puts it, “Pizza in New Haven is the culmination of over 140 years of Italian cultural and culinary influence in this... View Article

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6 New Restaurants to Check Out in New Haven This Year, According to Connecticut Insider

In December 2023, New Haven’s culinary scene was put in the spotlight by Connecticut Insider in a story highlighting more than 40 notable restaurants that opened across the state throughout the year. This will be no surprise to our local foodies, but we’re pleased to share that New Haven was all over that list. Dining is a cornerstone of New Haven culture, and as much as we love our reputable historic haunts, we love to see a brand new restaurant open its doors and welcome in neighbors for delicious eats. If you’re looking for a new favorite meal or just... View Article

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How to Celebrate Lunar New Year in New Haven

The year of the dragon is upon us; welcome to 2024. Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the new year, celebrated primarily in Asian communities across China, South Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. Fireworks displays, street parades, and energetic representations of culture traditionally mark the celebration. This year’s holiday, which falls on Saturday, February 10th, will usher in the year of the dragon. On February 24th, visitors and locals will gather for Connecticut’s largest annual Lunar New Year celebration in New Haven. Hosted by Yale-China, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between the United States and China... View Article

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5 Unique First Date Spots in New Haven

An ideal Valentine’s Day begins with a January first date. As we roll into the romance season, many locals are fulfilling their “get back out there” resolution with date nights in downtown. There is no perfect formula for a first date, but there is one surefire way to kill one – forget to make a plan. This month, we’re helping you get back out there with five first date ideas in downtown that aren’t grabbing a dinner and drinks. You don’t have to thank us always remember your romance was established downtown. Root for the Bulldogs at a Yale Basketball... View Article

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Cosmopolitan Calls New Haven “The Cultural Hotspot You Didn’t Know You Needed”

In the fall of 2023, a journalist from Cosmopolitan Magazine visited downtown New Haven on a mission to explore the best of our city. During her time in Elm City, she experienced everything our community offers, from delicious eats to lively cultural events, culminating in a feature story about New Haven. The soundbite review of our beloved city is as follows: “The food and cocktails? Top tier. The museums? Immaculate. The people? Gorge and diverse. Now go pack your bags!” Written for Cosmopolitan’s travel section, Cosmo Trips, the story features insights from Adriane Jefferson, the Director of Cultural Affairs for... View Article

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2024 is The Year of the New Haven Apizza

There’s a pie in the sky and it was coal fired in New Haven. In the early days of the new year, we’ve seen a rising interest in the art of the “Ah-beetz,” New Haven’s distinctive style of pizza. Our neighboring New York City has spent millennia wearing the pizza crown, but one thing is clear – there is only one place to find authentic New Haven style pizza.  In November of 2023, legacy publication The New Yorker published a feature story titled, “The Lasting Pleasures of New Haven Pizza.” The journalist, a New Haven native, traced the history of... View Article

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3 Delicious Plant-Based Meals To Try in New Haven

In this day and age, you either have a vegan friend or you are someone’s vegan friend. Plant-based foods are predicted to have a major moment in 2024, and thanks to innovative brands creating mock meats and dairy products out of nuts, veggies, and seeds, our collective march toward health has never been more comfortable. Despite our reputation as the pizza capital of the country, New Haven is home to a creative (and delicious) plant-based culinary culture. If you want to dip your toe into the plant-based pool, here are three dishes you must try in downtown.  The Fire Island... View Article

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Dry January in #NHV

Whether your 2024 motto is “New Year, New Me,” you’re looking for a monthly refresh, or are simply interested in attending more alcohol-free activities this year, downtown New Haven is the perfect destination to support your New years’ resolutions. From attending museums to going shopping, there are many ways to stay “dry” in New Haven this January. Make the new year one of abundance and stroll through the downtown streets to find a shopper’s dream. Chapel Street, the epicenter for all high-end boutiques, is home to Idiom, known for its hand-crafted jewelry and bags. If you are looking to add... View Article

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New Haven Sweeps Connecticut Magazine’s Top Restaurants for 2024

“Soups on” in the Elm City this year, and the word is spreading quickly. This month, 65 New Haven restaurants were highlighted in a story from Connecticut Magazine, rounding up the state’s best restaurants for 2024. The new ranking serves as a definitive nationwide dining guide for foodies, breaking down the state’s culinary scene by excellence and food genre. The restaurants were chosen by Connecticut Magazine’s panel of professional foodies because, after all, who knows Connecticut dining better than a Connecticut native?  To see which restaurants were spotlighted for the new year, head over to Connecticut Magazine to read the... View Article