Pacifico Restaurant Continues to Deliver on their Brand of Hospitality, Latin Inspired Cuisine, and those Popular Mojitos!

Published November 14th 2020

New Haven Restaurant Group Looks to Better Days Ahead

New Restaurant to Open in Winter 2021
 
November 9, 2020, New Haven, CT:  Taking swift action during the onset of the COVID pandemic, restaurateur Moe Gad put a plan in place to ensure that his popular Pacifico Restaurant in Downtown New Haven would be able to continue to provide employment for his staff and enjoyment to the community. A local favorite since opening its doors in 2004, the large bi-level corner restaurant and gathering place located at 220 College Street, morphed into a safe space outdoor oasis, complete with tented and extended sidewalk table seating for over 100 people. Today, unsure of what more challenges lie ahead for the restaurant industry, Gad, and his partner Executive Chef Rafael Palomino (the duo also owns Sonora Restaurant in Port Chester, NY), continue to set their sights on the future and work within the confines of state mandates, including the latest roll back to phase 2.
 
“We are no stranger to rolling with the punches, “says Gad, a 40-year hospitality veteran, of he and Palomino’s experience within an always challenging and volatile industry. “We are fortunate to be able to take advantage of our immediate and surrounding spaces and work with the City of New Haven to create a whole new dining experience for our guests that offers a respite from the craziness and a safe space to enjoy a meal and a well-deserved cocktail.”
 
  
 
Pacifico, one of the few “old-timers” in a city that enjoys a robust and always evolving dining scene, has earned a reputation as a consistent and lively restaurant and bar that pulls no punches. Its Latin inspired menu stays true to its concept, offering such signature dishes as the hearty Palomino Paella brimming with shrimp, clams, mussels, sea scallops and chorizo with saffron rice; a tender grilled skirt steak chimichurri with stir-fried rice with sweet plantains, and a show-stopping crispy fried whole branzino with an arugula quinoa salad. More favorites include; crispy oysters over plantain mash topped with a saffron-mojito sauce; Pacifico Guacamole with house-made tortilla chips; fresh salmon tartar with capers, onions, Dijon mustard, plantain chips, avocado, and cilantro jalapeno aioli; and Baja fish tacos topped with lime-red cabbage slaw and aji amarillo sauce.
 
Pacifico’s vibrant and socially fueled restaurant and bar spaces are punctuated by its open kitchen and the aroma and energy that travels throughout the restaurant. A creative cocktail culture is in keeping with Pacifico’s exuberant personality. Cocktail highlights include: the Mojito, a concoction of quality rum, mint, fresh lime, and sugar, with such seasonal flavors as mango, pineapple, coconut, passion fruit, strawberry and guava, and blackberry; the Paper Plane shaken with Bombay gin, blood orange liquor, Aperol, lime juice, and rhubarb bitters; and the Oaxacan Old Fashioned comprised of Luna Azul Reposado tequila, Peloton mezcal, agave, and xocolate mole bitters. Fresh sangrias, craft beer, and a curated wine list round out the extensive beverage program.
    
 
Gad and Chef Palomino are in the final renovation stages of their newest venture, Villa Lulu, an old school Italian eatery concept located next door to Pacifico in the former Samurai Japanese Restaurant at 230 College Street. Villa Lulu will embrace the comfort of regional Italian cuisine set in a modern café style environment. A winter 2021 opening is planned.
 
Pacifico Restaurant
220 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510
203.772.4002
www.pacificonewhaven.com