{"id":410642,"date":"2025-11-28T13:31:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T13:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/410642\/"},"modified":"2025-11-28T13:31:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T13:31:30","slug":"restaurant-in-historic-ct-building-sees-magnificent-renovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/410642\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurant in historic CT building sees ‘magnificent’ renovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s an historic Connecticut restaurant now fast-becoming known as the Le Bernardin<\/a> of the city, referencing New York City\u2019s acclaimed, three Michelin-starred French restaurant.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the Union League restaurant<\/a> in New Haven and it\u2019s being restored.<\/p>\n

As for the building, a historical landmark was once home to United States founding father Roger Sherman<\/a>, who was also the first mayor of New Haven,<\/a> is on its way to becoming a masterpiece.<\/p>\n

Together, with a new owner and lots of changes that have been in the midst for more than a year they are serving elevated cuisine in a remodeled dining room with Mahogany arches, new wood floors, stained glass windows restored by artisans and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Union League restoration is a powerful win for New Haven, and this first phase preserves
the building\u2019s iconic character while elevating it as Connecticut\u2019s premier destination for French
cuisine,\u201d said Connecticut Restaurant Association president and CEO Scott Dolch.<\/p>\n

Even though serving food never halted during the first phase of restoration, a public celebration was held recently. Now Phase 2 is underway.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnion League is a long-time landmark in the New Haven community and an important restaurant to my family, not only because of its carefully curated dining experience, but also because of its historical significance as the former home of New Haven\u2019s first mayor, Roger Sherman,\u201d U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said at the recent unveiling.<\/p>\n

\"UnionUnion League restaurant is fast-becoming known as the Le Bernardin of New Haven, referencing New York City’s acclaimed, three Michelin-starred French restaurant. (Courtesy)<\/p>\n

\u201cI am thrilled that the restaurant\u2019s legacy continues as it enters this next chapter and I wish Alexander Clark, his staff, and all involved the best of luck \u2013 I have seen the results of this magnificent renovation firsthand.\u201d<\/p>\n

The building was purchased by tech entrepreneur and arts and culture philanthropist Alexander Clark from Yale University in 2023. Sherman is the only American to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.<\/a><\/p>\n

Clark, who hails from Mississippi and started a tech company at age 12, became at freshman at Yale University<\/a> in 2000 and fell in love with the city and its food scene. He never left.<\/p>\n

He visited Union League for the fist time with his parents in 2000.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always had a fascination with hospitality and food, \u201d Clark said. \u201cI\u2019m a foodie.\u201d<\/p>\n

For decades he ate at the city\u2019s restaurants regularly and got to know their kitchens, staff and culture through the Epicurean Society<\/a> and his own frequent visits. At some point he visited Union League four times a week.<\/p>\n

Then during the pandemic when restaurants everywhere struggled, he started thinking about buying the Zinc restaurant and Union League Cafe as struggles increased.<\/p>\n

He envisioned a restored Union League with elevated cuisine as exquisite as Le Bernardin.<\/p>\n

Through networking, Clark found the perfect person to lead the project: David Mancini, who had prestigious credentials out of New York City, including 16 years as a managing at Le Bernardin<\/a> itself.<\/p>\n

Mancini and his wife had just retired to Madison and were going into the city on weekends for entertainment.<\/p>\n

Clark said he purchased Zinc because, \u201cI care deeply about it,\u201d and he wanted to see it thrive.<\/p>\n

Then he had opportunity to buy Union League and to his surprise, Yale departed from the norm and sold him the building.<\/p>\n