Fair Haven Oyster Company — Restaurant in New Haven

This one's on me. I feel bad writing a relatively negative review given that it was my decision to try another of Emily Mingrone's restaurants when I was so unimpressed with her much vaunted Tavern on State. Chef-owner Mingrone and I have never met, but after my second attempt, it's clear to me that my vibe and the chef's vibe simply don't mesh...and that's ok. First, to start with the positives. I loved the oyster selection that was both broad without being silly. We got a dozen oysters and each was distinct to be memorable but also arranged well and tasted fresh. The feel of Fair Haven Oyster Co. is also wonderfully modern while also a bit of nostalgic kitschy. As someone who grew up in and around harbor yards, walking into what looks like a marina dive bar to the beautiful tiny restaurant was a real treat.

Now on to the negatives. There is some fundamental disagreement between this restaurant group's palate and mine. The dishes as a rule are overwhelming flavor forward. Sometimes this works well as in the case of the beets that were well seasoned and creatively dressed with a soy-based finish. Most of the times, this leads to just too much of a palate party that a) destroys any natural flavor in the item (branzini, squash, duck), and b) almost numbs your tongue to any further stimulation thereafter. In the worst case scenarios (the maple chess pie), it leads to something that is simply inedible and tastes like it was baked with the wrong size measuring cup of salt.

Food is foremost, but where I struggled the most was with the extra touches. Our server was present, professional, and friendly but seemed to have equally off base recommendations as befitted my complaints about the food above. Based on our experience at Tavern on State being too flavor forward, we specifically asked for the mildest fish preparation and were recommended the branzini which was served in what essentially tasted like a more chef-inspired pool of tabasco sauce. This same serve also recommended the chess pie which as noted above we took one bit of and left. Perhaps I'm asking too much, but when half a branzini is left uneaten and 3/4 of dessert were ignored, you would think there woudl be a bit more pushing as to what went wrong and how they could make it up (didn't happen).

The final point is how Mingrone's restaurants handle table reservations. I realize these are small restaurants but this practice is abhorrent. Using Resy, first, you're getting texts all times of the day and night for days leading up to your reservation. Yes, yes, I get it. When I booked, I committed to paying for a no-show reservation. I don't need reminders and reconfirmations of that (it's just obnoxious). If I don't show up, charge me as you said you were going to and get on with it (just to be clear, I showed up...and on a related matter don't think I've ever completely no showed a reservation in my life). Next, as you're walking into these restaurants, you get a text warning you that you only have 90 minutes to eat and then get out. Well... they mean it. The couple next to me were ordering drinks and additional small plates when their 90 minutes ended. Not only did the server still take the drink orders, but when they came back around to deliver the drink, they were told they needed to leave their table as their 90 minutes were up...this is absurd in Fair Haven, CT. Also, fair warning to all, both Fair Haven Oyster Co and Tavern on State meals we've had (normal meals, ordered all of the menu) were typically 2-3x longer wait times for orders to come out than I'm used to in peer restaurants. So after seeing the table next to me excused, I'm literally looking at my watch every 10 minutes as I anticipate that our mains would be served after the 90 minute mark and we would be eating them in the parking lot.

I'm sorry to be so negative, but this restaurant group is overhyped. If you're stuck in New Haven and need something new, it's not horrible, but there are others out there (The Luke, Zinc) that serve up comprable quality food without the...

When my friend and I wanted to go for oysters about a month ago Fair Haven Oyster was a no brainer. We had both been several times and the oysters and food are on point. This night we ordered 2 of the 5 or 6 oysters they had that evening. We usually see our favorites then place another order. This night they were all lackluster and I couldn't really taste a difference between types and the shells looked the same. I mentioned it to the waiter and he said he would speak to the manger. Meanwhile we had ordered other food that was good but also not as good as I had come to expect. Perhaps mid week they don't have the same turnover of oysters. The manager then came over and told me that she tried the oysters and they were great. Not sure how she tasted the oysters I had eaten but ok. When I told her that I had never experienced different varieties of oysters all tasting the same especially at fho she told me that she didnt recognize me and that she is really good with faces. Felt clearly fantastic to be told that you are not memorable when you repeatedly give the two restaurants business. She was combative for no real reason as we were not really making an issue of it. She offered us a dessert while letting us know that she didn't really feel she had to but basically was doing us a huge favor. I cancelled my next reservation on the way out. She told me she felt bad and honestly she should have. Ive never written a bad review before but not only did I get bad oysters but I got a giant sized attitude. I have debated about writing this review because I don't like to hurt peoples businesses and because I see when people do they are met with an attitude but honestly when you treat customers so poorly sooner or later someone is going to call...

Truly one of the best dining experiences I have had in quite some time. Beautifully rustic cozy in door seating, including a nice bar and stunning deck seating over looking the river. Our intention was not to get ribs, but when we were seated we were told there was only one order left if we were interested which of course made us interested so we had them and I am so glad we did. They were tender, and juicy and sticky, everything you would want in a rib. We also ordered a few appetizers and the items were coursed out nicely by our server. The roasted little neck clams, a small app for sure, were perfection, they were tender and the flavoring was present but not overpowering the clam. Have never had clam toast and was curious to try. It was a large piece of very toasty, crusty bread covered with chopped up clams and garlic. Very garlic forward but absolutely not too much garlic, loved this dish also. The burrata, which I get at many restaurants, was again one of the best I have had. The cheese was not icy cold (which is my preference) and the vinegared strawberries cut the richness of the cheese perfectly. The toast it was served with was the thinness of a potato chip with a great flavor. For dessert we had the donuts, again loved. As you are eating them you expect the caramel to be sweet but since it is made with tahini it was not sweet at all and was a great counterpoint to the donut, I didn’t taste a lot of the sesame but what I had added nice texture. I cannot wait to return to this restaurant to try more items...