A New Haven husband and wife are inviting folks to step right up to their new business which offers “carnival eats and festival treats” all year ‘round.
Fest Faves, located at 15 Whitney Ave., officially opened its big top doors on Monday, Oct. 31, Halloween day, which city officials said was a fitting way to celebrate the day and the latest business to join New Haven’s growing, eclectic culinary scene.
Mayor Justin Elicker said he’s excited the new food spot is located “dangerously close” to City Hall with so many tempting treats on the menu.
“By far this is the creepiest and spookiest and probably the sweetest ribbon-cutting we’ve done yet,” Elicker said during Monday’s grand opening. “This is an opportunity for people to come and enjoy these incredible treats. We’re just so grateful you bet on New Haven.”
Elicker joined Fest Faves’ owners Vicki Streeto and Eric Balcerzak, along with several other city officials to welcome the carnival-themed eatery, which features the kind of tasty treats you’d find at a circus, festival or fair, like fried dough, funnel cakes, cotton candy, chocolates and more.
Streeto hails from a long line of New Haven-based Italian-American chefs. She grew up learning from her father who cooked at the New Haven Lawn Club and Ristorante Faustini and her uncle who was one of the original bakers at the iconic New Haven staple, Libby’s Italian Pastry Shop. Streeto’s husband and business partner, Balcerzak, boasts a background in business and the couple worked during the pandemic to open a one-of-a-kind festival-themed food spot in the Elm City.
Deputy Economic Development Administrator Carlos Eyzaguirre was wowed by the eccentric carnival-like interior, which features red and white striped walls, a bold black and white checkered floor, popcorn machines, circus clowns, sales counter disguised as a ticket booth and neon ‘freakshow’ mirror, providing a perfect photo-op for customers.
“The décor is great, and you couldn’t ask for more perfect food, especially on Halloween,” Eyzaguirre said. “The concept is the first of its kind, certainly in the region, and we really see a lot of potential for this to become a franchise someday.”
Streeto said she and her husband were inspired by their love of the popular ‘Big E’ exposition held annually over the Connecticut border in Massachusetts and known for its eclectic and decadent fair foods from deep fried Oreos and cheesecake to bacon cheeseburgers topped with a glazed donut bun. She said the place offers an “over the top” experience for all who enter the big top atmosphere.
“Once we discovered the Big E, it became a little obsession for us,” Streeto said. “After the pandemic we decided it was a great time to get this food and this concept out to everybody who really just needs to feel like a kid again- with that smell of popcorn and that sound of the carousel playing in the background.”
Balcerzak credited New Haven-based Richard Turlington Architects for bringing the couple’s fun and festive concept to life.
“It’s an all-year fair here, so skip the line, come in and get some good treats and enjoy,” Balcerzak said.
Some of the items featured on Fest Faves’ menu created in the venue’s kitchen run the gamut from stuffed fried dough and jumbo corn dogs to a maple bacon donut cheeseburger and chicken and waffles.
For more information visit festfavesct.com.
