A new Italian-style restaurant, market and gelateria called “Gioia” will open Oct. 19 at 150 Wooster St. in New Haven.
The site was the longtime home of the landmark Tony & Lucille’s Little Italy, which closed after more than five decades when the owners decided to retire.
The 5,000-square-foot Gioia, or “joy” in Italian, is a new concept from New Haven restaurateurs Tim Cabral and Avi Szapiro and partners Anthony and Gerard Bianco. While they announced their plans for the site previously, they made their opening date official this week.
“We are ready to welcome the community to our fun and casual space, whether it’s dining in our restaurant, grabbing a prepared meal or provisions from our market or enjoying a sweet treat from the gelateria window,” Cabral said.
The menu features Italian classics like grilled chicken picatta and whole stuffed fish, salads and appetizers. It will serve square pizza, nicknamed “Wooster Squares,” a nod to the Wooster Square neighborhood.
For dessert, guests can pick from offerings such as tiramisu, panna cotta, housemade gelato, coffee options and more.
The restaurant has been completely remodeled, with a design aimed at giving a home kitchen-style atmosphere.
“Our open kitchen will invite guests to feel like they are part of the magic, feeling more like they are dining in the comforts of an Italian home than in a restaurant,” Szapiro said.
The market will offer Italian products such as house made pasta, sauces to cook at home, and prepared grab-and-go items. It will be available in the evening for special events, offering a private dining area with a communal table.
Later this fall, a 1,900-square-foot rooftop, the first in the historic Wooster Street neighborhood, will open and offer a completely different menu from the restaurant downstairs.
For more information, visit the restaurant’s website at gioianewhaven.com.
