When my friends invited me to dinner at a place I’d never heard of, I had no idea I was about to walk into a New Haven gem. We stepped through the black framed door into a main room unlike anything I had experienced before in this town. I had stepped off the streets of New Haven into what felt like a cozy West Village bar, complete with dim lighting, quiet conversations, and a delicious smell.
Our table was positioned on a small indoor balcony overlooking the bar. As we took our seats on rustic dark wooden benches, we marveled at the place we had just discovered. Gorgeous minimalist art hung on the walls and a tasteful chandelier hung above the bar. It’s safe to say that this place differs from Yale crowd favorites like Barcelona and South Bay due to its calming ambiance and smaller venue, which create a sense of comfort as opposed to electricity.
We ordered many dishes to share, which was definitely the move. Hachiroku’s menu is perfect for sharing small plates—their delicious fish dishes, cooked vegetables, and tofu will please everyone at the table. Important note: even though Hachiroku is a Japanese restaurant, it is not a sushi spot. The menu does have some sashimi but its other dishes are more compelling. The stars for us were the miso cod which practically melted in our mouths, and the sweet potato dumplings, which were the perfect mix of sweet and crunchy. The one thing I would skip on the menu is the yellowtail sashimi, which is a little too thickly cut for raw fish. On the other hand, although the multicolored seaweed salad might give the impression that it came straight out of an exotic fish tank, it was actually quite yummy.
The yuzu sake cocktail is a must according to my friends: a sweet, slightly bubbly, refreshing, and strong drink. This is an off-the-menu item—ask your waiter and they’ll know.
Overall, my visit to Hachiroku left me pleasantly surprised and excited to continue exploring New Haven’s restaurant scene. This is the kind of place that would be perfect for a date, a dinner with your parents when they come to visit, or just a wholesome night with your friends as you spend hours sipping on yuzu sake cocktails. I will definitely be coming back and I hope to see a few of you there next time!
