A New Menu Sampling at 116 Crown (New Haven)

When the owner of a restaurant invites you in to sample the new seasonal menu, who could resist? I know I couldn’t.

Not only was I able to try the food, but also their new libations. 116 Crown (the address and eponymous restaurant in New Haven) is fast becoming known for their cocktails. Owner John Ginnetti formerly the bartender at Bar (245 Crown, New Haven), which is where he met Danielle, who’s now his partner — both in business and life. Together they operate one of the hottest places in town to grab a bite.

Our sampling began with a martini made with TRU vodka. Danielle explained how she and John had connected with the California-based couple, who makes the vodka from organic wheat. For each bottle of TRU sold, the owners plant a tree in “tropical zones (where they are cut down in the greatest numbers) to pass on a better planet to the next generation.”  But for 116 Crown, Danielle tells me that they plant a tree for every TRU cocktail sold.

The also tried an Eli Sunday (Knob Creek bourbon, Marolo Chamomile Grappa & salt, $12), Lemonatha (Ouzo 12, fennel, mint, lemon juice, simple syrup $8), my personal favorite the Ginger Caipirovska (TRU organic vodka, Stone’s Original Green Ginger Wine, lime, soda $10), and Red Hot Chocolate (Germain-Robin brandy, Campari, chocolate drops, milk $14), which went down as smoothly as a hot chocolate on a cold night.

Sidebar: John will be conducting a master class on :The Art of the Cocktail: From Classic to Contemporary on June 16, 2009 at 5 PM as one of the restaurant tours I lead during the International Festival of Arts and Ideas ($20). Since you’ll be enjoying his creations, you must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets go on sale April 7.

Back to the tasting.

We tasted their tempura  ($7.50) of lightly battered broccoli served with a sweet soy sauce; the Crispy Rissoto Fritters ($9), rice balls filled with onion, tomato, basil and mozzarella; and a Spinach & Grilled Fennel Salad ($11) with red peppers, goat cheese and caramelized walnuts in a balsamic vinaigrette.

And, the food kept coming.

It was a toss up as to which pizzette was the most delicious: The Southern ($10)  with tomato sauce, basil, garlic and manchego — or the Norther ($14) a pesto filled crust topped with Speck — or smoked prosciutto — wilted arugula, caramelized onion and parmesan?

(I actually returned to 116 Crown a couple nights later for a Northern pizzette!)

The sliders are not to be missed. They offer Tiptych ($21)  which contains one of each offered: a Pineland Farms natural beef burger topped with smoked cheddar; a grilled shrimp with pesto and crispy shallot rings; and a burger topped with Applewood smoked bacon, maple smoked cheddar, roasted tomato and a garlic aioli.

And, although it’s hard to imagine — we (two of us) were also able to down a delicious warm apple and cherry galette ($10) from the selection of sweets.

Next time you’re in New Haven, head to 116 Crown, order one of John’s new vodka-based cocktails and plant a tree.