NewHavenBIZ

16 n e w h a v e n B I Z | M a y 2 0 2 2 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m Changing Tastes Restaurants adapt to evolving palates and growing downtowns By Liese Klein C rave, Ansonia's popular fusion restaurant at 102 Main St., stayed open and busy during the pandemic by expanding its takeout business and banking on the popularity of its paella, empanadas and other Latin- inflected fare. But with restrictions and lockdowns waning, owner Libby Meissner made a bold move earlier this year: Changing her restaurant's concept, name, menu and decor. She said she made the switch to reflect both evolving tastes and an evolving Naugatuck Valley. "When Crave opened up 15 years ago, we were the only Latin restaurant in the Valley," Meissner said. "Now, there's a lot of Latin restaurants in the Valley. I just don't like to be one of many." e new restaurant is called Uptown Bar and Eatery, reflecting both its urban vibe, the neighborhood's moniker and the former designation of Ansonia as "Uptown Derby." Warm colors and Latin decor have been replaced with black walls hung with stylized paintings and a lit neon sign reading "I licked it, so it's mine." Uptown's menu includes both Latin fusion favorites like tres leches cake and a host of new Asian-inspired items like BangBang shrimp, chicken tikka masala and ramen noodles. More traditional eaters can choose between a range of meats and sides as part of the menu's "butcher board" selection. e eclectic menu is even home to poutine, a French-Canadian combo of french fries, cheese curds and gravy. Meissner said she loves Latin fusion cuisine, but adds, "It's run its course and it's time to move on and do something different. … Food-wise, I like to go to a restaurant that has a lot to offer all different palates." Change in the Valley Crave's transformation echoes the ongoing transformation of Ansonia, whose old-school Main Street was long-packed with vacancies. When Crave opened in 2007, it was the only restaurant on that stretch of Main and one of only a handful in the entire city. Now, just a bit uptown on Main, Bangkok Room offers ai food, Copper City Bar & Grill serves up pub grub and Massimino's Pizzeria dishes Libby Meissner at her revamped restaurant, Uptown Bar and Eatery, on Main Street in Ansonia. (Photo below) Uptown's tres leches cake. PHOTO | LIESE KLEIN

• Cover