Bespoke

This was a great fine dining experience in New Haven. A little California near Yale.
It’s been closed since but is apparently alive in a nearby burb.

So sad this place is closing down! This place is kinda special to me and I wanted to go back there later this year but I guess Moroccan food is just SO much more popular these days [not…wtf new haven. you’re killing me]
From what I remember, the service was wonderful and the food, though a tad bit salty, was enjoyable. The thing I loved most was the setup and décor of the restaurant. Haven’t been to a restaurant in LA set up like Bespoke.
SO SAD I didn’t get to try their bison wellington with fois gras mousse or their butternut squash gnocchi. SAD PANDAAAA.

Bespoke is definitely hit and miss. I’ve had great meals here, and I’ve had terrible meals here. At this pricepoint, they should be reliably amazing – and they’re not.
That said, the atmosphere is pretty unique. I love the bar, the live music, and more than anything I love the rooftop patio. It’s the perfect place for a cocktail and a date.

Possibly the best cocktails in New Haven along with truly delectable treats. I frequented this place often in my college days and never left unsatisfied. Their changing seasonal menu (drinks and food) always had the best ingredients. Nothing was more comforting for a slightly fancier night than your normal bar.
The first thing that caught my eye every time I’d pass by was the décor. This is a super classy place. What kept me returning was the professional and accommodating service, along with their awesome drinks. I never skip this place whenever I visit New Haven.

This is a very attractive restaurant, with a nice menu and good food, BUT tonight our service was truly laughable at how bad it was. Super slow, never asked us for a drink order, food served warmish. Truly an amateurish effort.
It was a shame. The six of us having dinner are all friends, so we could laugh it off, but it definitely impacted the feeling of the evening.

The best spot in town Wednesdays and Saturdays.
In my previous review, I gave it a four because their main chef, Yusef, left and went to New York. The food went down hill for a little while, then the owner had an epiphany and made one of the best menus in New Haven. Bison meat wrapped in phyllo dough with deconstructed brussel sprouts, pomegranate jus and dried porcini mushrooms hold a touch of a pastry chef – the owner’s trade. Honestly, amazing. The food now matches the drinks.
They have PHENOMENAL bartenders that simply DO NOT EXIST anywhere else in New Haven. You want a Sazerac? Got it. Vespers? There. A MEAN St. Germain cocktail? Ready. The bartender reads your mind. This place definitely has itself pegged to be an excellent venue for parties, though they could bring back their culinary genius by hiring another chef. The bartender, Chandler, by far is one of the best in New Haven.
btw, the ambiance is gorgeous, elegant, and edgy.

How to feel as though you’ve left New Haven without trekking over to Metro North? Bespoke, it is!
The patio wins hands-​down as the best feature. Frankly, I’m not sure if I’ll dine here during the winter months. It’s spacious and contemporary — though the chairs annoy me to no end. Why — _​why_​?! — would anyone place heavy, cumbersome furniture upon carpeting. Moving from the table is a five-​minute feat. Still, it’s lovely… a Moroccan-​inspired oasis which allows for ample fantasy engagement.
The food is fine — though «spendy», as the Unilocal folks call it. I’ve sampled most of the small plates (the smoked bluefish and stuffed crepes are standouts). I also enjoy the duck-​fat fries because… they’re fries… fried in duck fat. I’m sure I’ll return time-​and-​again, if only for a New Haven stay-​cation.

I have no idea what happened to this place. I went to Bespoke on the 27^th and expected quite a bit having worked at the restaurant years ago. The discipline and correspondingly service used to be the best in the city, with the closest comparable restaurant being Kudeta. Therefore Bespoke was my first choice of the evening for celebrating my graduation. I made the reservations for four and was prepared to show my family just how wonderful New Haven dining, service, and atmosphere can be.
Well, the rooftop patio was jammed packed for one. I don’t mind sitting close to people, but when my butt fundamentally crosses over their table while I move from my seat to grab a smoke, there is a problem with being overly-​intimate. Secondly, the menu did not correspond AT ALL to the same one posted on the website. My mother loves lamb, and I was placating her with the lamb shank listed online. Alas when we got there the dish was pulled much to mine and her disappointment.
Sadly, that was just the beginning. My waiter who never introduced himself (for good reason) took a little bit over 10 minutes to come to the table with a traditional Dineresque «Are you guys ready?» line. I was simply flabbergasted. If not for the attentive bartender who made us some wonderful Martinis I would have walked out right there and then. A decision I now regret not having gone through with.
We never got the bread, we never got the pita chips until having all but begged for them. The appetizers were very tasty but the sausage was something I could get from a roach-​coach. The worst thing however was the dinner. First and foremost… our entrées came out while we were still working on the salads. Now, I may be used to this sort of treatment at Outback Steakhouse, but not at a restaurant that was at one time considered one of the best in New Haven.
By that time I was fed up and ushered my family through the rest of my meal while terribly ashamed of having put them through that experience. I regret to say it, but I am never coming back for anything other than a few cocktails which the bartenders make amazingly well. Far as my graduation dinner? It was an utter disappointment.

I ate here last night and I have to say my meal was fantastic. To start, the atmosphere is beautiful, which only enhances the experience. We ordered the cod fish tots, which were so good I smuggled one out for my cat at home. They bring you this bread that is accompanied with this hummus that was wonderful. It had clove and nutmeg– very good. For my entrée I got the salmon and sampled the chicken from someone else’s plate at my table. Plus desert and a bottle of wine it was an all around good meal.
My only issue was there was a party at the table next to us that were very loud. Although, I don’t know if that is something that could be prevented.

The food’s good, but for the price you’re paying. the service is terrible. The servers that I’ve encountered there have a holier than thou attitude, which I can’t figure out. Stop shooting people dirty looks and lose the tude, it’s not a good look. The drinks are way too expensive for the size/​amount of alcohol that you get, but they are tasty.
Overall, I wouldn’t mind spending the money to come here if they didn’t have a bunch of douchebags working there. Like I said, I like the food, drinks, and atmosphere — but I can get all of that elsewhere at ten other restaurants in New Haven and receive better service.

This place is a new personal favorite. The food is excellent, the waitstaff is busy, but very friendly and accommodating.
The ambiance is like nothing you’ll ever forget. There are four floors for dining and drinking.
The bottom floor can be accessed by walking down candlelit stairs, candles built into the wall create a romantic flickering ovate shape. There are several tables lining one wall, with benches and chairs for seating. Live music fills the downstairs with life, and amorous lighting makes this the perfect place to share some cocktails.
The main floor consists of the bar as well as a dining area, separated by the unique bathrooms, complete with a sink with turning faucet and trough. The bar’s wall is lined with lit walls, which elegantly reflect the once naturally-​dug cockroach holes, radiating a unique splatter of sparkling light. Dark stone bar counters with seating on either side are always occupied by martini glasses or a few glasses of unique wines. With a very educated bar staff, one can always count on trying a new drink or wine that would have otherwise been neglected. The back dining room is lit primarily by candle, it is dark and personal. In the far back section is a long table that can seat 10, set aside from the main dining room and separated by a wall of wine bottles.
On the second floor, it is a bit more lit than the main floor. If I were to theme this part of the restaurant, I would call this the «wood-​themed» room. Mirrors and dark wood surround patrons.
The most popular seating section of the restaurant is the roof top seating. Set above New Haven chaos, seating on the roof eludes a tropical getaway. Flourished with flowers and large plants, this dining area also doubles as an outdoor roof bar. Gorgeous.
Try the pork belly, it melts in your mouth. Also, oysters are delicious and hangar steak is their most popular dish. Ask what the wine of the month is, they are happy to share their wine knowledge with you!

A breath of fresh air in a state that is far too satisfied with «Cheesecake Factories.»
New fusion style menu. Nice atmosphere. Eat on the roof if you can.

The problem with everything being relative is that it means a place like this with honestly excellent food doesn’t get it’s fifth star because the prices suggest you’re going to be treated like royalty and the service winds up completely sucking. It was an excellent prix fixe menu. I got the salt cod fritters and the salmon and I was impressed, especially considering how many times I’ve been told this place is overrated. But all of that doesn’t matter, because even if I had the option? I would not go back.
Our waitress refused to give us a cocktail menu. She then proceeded to completely forget what we had ordered, and then demanded we repeat it. When I asked for iced tea after the appetizers came out I was told they had none, so I asked for a cup of tea and a cup of ice to make it myself. Okay, no problem. She asks what kind of tea I want, and tells me they have a great selection of black teas. Okay, excellent. I’ll take a Darjeeling then. Twenty minutes later she returns to tell us that the kitchen has lost our ticket, and she doesn’t remember our entrees, so we could please tell her again so that we could be served on time? She then tells me my tea is steeping.
Fine whatever. That’s not bad. I can deal with that. But then she comes back with a pot of hot water and a tea bag. The tea was steeping you said, dear waitress? Me thinks the lady is telling big fat lies! And, it was not a darjeeling tea bag, it was an orange ceylon. At this point I don’t want to even ask for more water for fear that she’ll come back with a watermelon instead ten years later.
So the entrees come out and they’re lovely. I go a long way towards being mollified. At this point the hijinks are just kind of silly. Only then, after waiting forever for our desserts, and for our errant waitress to come back so she can run our credit card, she comes back without a receipt to sign. What?
No, no. Seriously, what? Well fine, comp my meal, waitress. I have to say, Bespoke is really lucky we’re honest. At that point we were fed up. We flagged down another server and he told us that our waitress had completely failed to print the bill out. Jesus Christ. I sincerely hope she was taking codeine for some reason, because that level of stupid is in a whole ‘nother galaxy.

One of the best restaurants in New Haven. But expensive.
The trip began with confusion because I initially wanted to go to Sabor. NEWSFLASH. There is no Sabor. There is no Roomba. There is only Bespoke now.
I was impressed by everything I ate there. Everything looked, as well as tasted fantastic. The bread/​hummus was delicious (we got 4 orders!). The jumbo fried shrimp was fantastic (we got 2 orders). Also, the pork small plates dish was delicious. The duck con fit also, a great experience.
The main dishes — I went for a special Monkfish on a potato pancake combined with crab cake and shrimp. This was delicious, but the flavors were a little subtle for my tastes — especially after all of the great not-​so-​subtle tastes of all the appaetizers.
The angus steak filet though was cooked perfectly with potato gratin with truffle oil… a little light on the truffle oil though.
We had the 2UP wine from australia which tasted great.
Their wine list is not extensive, but their suggestions are very good.
The dessert was the only negative issue — we all got the molten chocolate cake and, although well presented, the cakes were all dry.
I would recommend getting something else.
But for New Haven (if you’re splurging), there’s no better option.

The 3 stars are for the atmosphere and service. Both are excellent. However, the taste of the food felt short.
We had a big party with 9 people, ordered a variety of dishes, fish, shrimp, meats, appetizers and entrees. All the dishes came in beautiful amazing presentation, but none truly wowed us in taste. I personally had a combo ceviche special as app, one ceviche was mixed scallop and shrimp, the other was squid. Both needed more salt, more lime and more kick.
Also ordered the entrée special, monkfish wrapped in serrano ham, served with a seafood potato cake. The fish itself was well cooked, but altogether, there was no real reason why the fish was paired with the potato cake, no contrast in taste, texture or smell. Look good all stacked up though.
I think I will only go back for apps and drinks, they have a spacious bar and a fun atmosphere.

I went here tonight for my anniversary and WOW the food was amazing! Best steak I have ever had, hands down! I was going to order the hanger steak but the waiter named off the specials and one of the choices was a flap steak (i think that is what it was called) and it just amazed me! The meat seriously just melted in your mouth. The presentation was gorgeous too. The steak was placed upon aug rauten taters that were tasty as well.
We had reservations here for 7:30 but didn’t actually get in there until after 8 because parking was a nightmare. Ugh, seriously plan on spending at least 20 min. to find a spot in New Haven. Anywho we were seated immediately and the ambiance was romantic and really helped to set a relaxed mood. However, I would have liked it to be just a tad bit brighter in there. I started off with sparkling water and a tangerine margarita which was fantastic and strong.
I would have liked the bread and garbonzo bean dip delivered before the meal but hey small mistake. The dip was sooooo good! It had cilantro and garlic and just was really great. My man got the duck and that was really good too. The portions were plentiful and I have to say I ate every bite!
I know a lot of people are complaining about price but it is a fine dining restaurant and that is what you go to fine dining for. You pay for the food, service and atmosphere so yes this place is a bit pricey. Between the two of us we spent $ 100 including tip. Not too bad considering. Anyway I would say this is a nice place to go on a date or celebrate a special occasion. The food is definitely worth going back again and again.

So. Bespoke. I can’t honestly review you since I’ve only had desserts and drinks here… but I’ll try. The bar is gorgeous (the whole downstairs is gorgeous!) and I like how the end of it is double sided so you can face whomever you are with and have an actual conversation. The bartenders have all been really nice when we have been there too. I’ve tried a bunch of their drinks and I have to say, I’ve always been satisfied. The most recent dessert I had there was the upside down apple tart – soooo good. I can’t even describe it but it was super tasty. Warm and cold all at the same time.
The bartenders have always been really nice. Contrary to what the other reviews say, Sabor and Bespoke like to keep their menus seperate – the waiters really don’t like if you order off of the Sabor menu whilst sitting in Bespoke. They will do it… but not happily.
The bathrooms are pretty cool, but to someone who has never been someplace trendy may seem strange.
All in all, a nice place – when I actually decide I’m interested in the menu enough to eat dinner there I’ll update this review!

Really? I’m giving Bespoke its first 5-​star review? I mean I’ll take the honor, but garsh this is a harsh crowd. It’s not the absolute best restaurant I’ve ever eaten at, but I’ll round up the 4.5 for one of the best in New Haven.
I’ve been to Bespoke a handful of times, though mostly for drinks/​desserts. The prices are a little precious all around, but the quality doesn’t disappoint. House-​infused vodkas and creative mixes of flavor make for an impressive fun-​to-​read cocktail menu, and all the drinks I’ve tried have been well-​executed. Desserts are consistently excellent too, making Bespoke something of a godsend for girls bitching about boys. The bar area is swank with low sexy lighting and high chairs, and on nice nights you can take advantage of the outdoor seating. Bespoke is deceptively spacious, with many separate rooms on at least three floors, but they all feel lushly tasteful. We once lucked out with a private room decked out with cushiony seating and charming rustic stone walls. I plan to luck out to this effect again. The dining areas (I’m not actually sure where the «main» dining area is. Or Sabor. I’d love to see a map of this place one day) are equally charming.
The food is great — take advantage of the See, Sip, Savor promotion. You don’t actually have to hit up a theater. Just a pre-6:00 or post-9:00 reservation will get you a 3-​course meal for $ 29, and I just noticed that you don’t even have to follow the time restrictions if you sit at the bar. I booked a 9:00 with a friend and the meal was wonderful. Our waiter warned us that the portions would be smaller than if we ordered from the menu, but with two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts between us, we got a lovely variety and didn’t miss the extra volume. I definitely appreciated the abundance of options that came with the truncated menu — there were four choices for each course. We didn’t feel like we missed out at all.
The meal started with some really tasty bread and a creamy, zesty hummus that came out plated and pretty. I love a restaurant that puts a little thought into their bread basket, and this got me pumped for the rest of the meal. For our appetizers, we ordered the Thai style duck confit and one of the two ceviches of the night, with squid and a touch of coconut milk. The ceviche was the better of the two. The duck was good, but kind of a throwaway. They were, as Zoe P. points out, essentially egg rolls, and the mango ragout in the description was almost absent. The ceviche, though, was superb. I’d never had a ceviche with coconut milk before, and I was missing out. Our mains were hangar steak with asparagus, potatoes au gratin, and choron sauce, and Scottish salmon with roasted fingerling potatoes, asparagus, and burgundy reduction. Both were solid dishes, not super innovative, but flavorful and perfectly cooked with sauces you would contemplate drinking from a glass. Desserts were a green tea flan, with yuzu-​raspberry sorbet and elderflower-​lemongrass angel food cake, and chocolate banana semifreddo with house-​made caramel gelato. Yes, I googled the menu. Not because either dessert was short of memorable, but because come on, there are like 40 syllables in there and just typing this review is giving me food coma. The green tea flan was the lesser dessert, and I’d even venture to say it disappointed, given the promising list of ingredients, but we did finish the thing. The semifreddo, which didn’t sound terribly exciting, did wild things to my taste buds. I was impressed. I’ve also tried the crème brûlée, sorbets, and a bomb banana tres leches. As mentioned above, Bespoke is worth a visit just for the desserts.
Service is consistently good with servers who are eager to explain the comparative virtues of menu items. Pace is leisurely but not irritating.
So essentially, Bespoke is great. For a nice dinner out in New Haven, I’d rank it right below Ibiza but above Union League. Don’t let the 3-​star rating deter you. You will enjoy yourself.