2 New Restaurant Openings In New Haven Part Of Yale U. Properties

NEW HAVEN, CT — Two new restaurants on Whitney Avenue in New Haven are being heralded as part of Yale University Properties.

SaladCraft Co., which opened in the Whitney-Audubon District in late August, is a fast-casual style restaurant where customers create their own salads choosing from "dozens of vegetables, fruits and proteins such as fried or grilled chicken, shrimp and tofu," according to officials.

The restaurant was created by existing Yale University Properties tenant, TNB Restaurant Group, owners of Pokémoto Hawaiian Poké on both Chapel and Audubon streets. SaladCraft also serves 14 hand-crafted dressings with more than 40 fresh toppings.

The second spot, L’épicerie Choupette, was opened in September by Adil Chokairy, owner of Crêpes Choupette. It is a French market that serves a casual French menu, such as "fondue and raclette, and French brands of jam, biscuits, honey, tapenade, flour, olive oil and more." Crêpes Choupette serves the same products as L’épicerie Choupette.

The TNB Restaurant Group said, "We chose the Whitney-Audubon district to open our restaurant because it has proven to be a popular fast-casual dining destination and chose to lease a property from Yale University Properties because they have been supportive of our goals with our existing restaurants. Our first Pokémoto Hawaiian Poké restaurant was opened on Audubon Street in 2017 and has since grown to twelve locations in four states."

SaladCraft Co., located at 46 Whitney Ave. in New Haven, is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11:00am-9:00pm. Customers can order online or in person. The menu is available at SaladCraftCo.com.

"L’épicerie Choupette is an extension to the Choupette adventure, offering a small French market in town to complete the Choupette concept," said owner Chokairy, who is also a New Haven resident.

L’épicerie Choupette is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday-Friday, 11:30am-8:00pm and Saturday, 8:00am-2:00pm, 24 Whitney Ave., New Haven.

Added Lauren Zucker, Yale University Associate Vice President for New Haven Affairs and University Properties, "We are excited when our existing tenants expand their local businesses and bring new offerings to the Yale University Properties portfolio and downtown New Haven. Yale University’s community investment program supports independently-owned businesses, bringing jobs to New Haven residents and expanding the city’s tax base."