Siena Ristorante Group Adds Downtown New Haven to their Location Portfolio

 

Beloved Italian Restaurant Opens at The Blake Hotel in New Haven, CT
 

August 15, 2023, New Haven, Connecticut:  Siena Ristorante Italiano, a new restaurant, rooftop bar, and caterer from the celebrated Siena Ristorante Group with locations in Stamford and Norwalk, CT, introduced their brand of seasonally inspired Italian cuisine and genuine hospitality to the city of New Haven on Tuesday, August 15.  Located at The Blake Hotel (9 High Street in New Haven), Siena Ristorante Italiano is a spirited restaurant and gathering place poised to raise the bar within New Haven’s flourishing dining scene.

Siena’s vibrant and modern design aesthetic is wrapped in dark wood accents, plush banquette seating, cascading plants, a marble bar top, and contemporary lighting fixtures. The restaurant embraces over 2500 square feet of indoor and outdoor bar and dining space, in addition to The Blake Hotel’s stunning 1100 square foot rooftop bar and event space, The George. This unique gathering space has a fully retractable glass roof and transforms itself according to the season, adding another unique layer to Siena’s food and beverage offerings.
 

  

Siena Ristorante Italiano was founded in Stamford in 1997 by Pasquale Conte, who was joined shortly thereafter by his partner Pietro Polini. Celebrating the rich heritage of Tuscany and Italian food and wine, Siena quickly solidified itself as a premiere dining destination in Fairfield County.  In 2021, Siena expanded its operations by partnering with Chef Foster Lukas and Beverage Expert Jonathan Rodriguez in its new Norwalk location at Hotel Zero Degrees. Within this new contemporary restaurant design, the duo refreshed the food and beverage program, adding a more current food and beverage ethos, which included an eclectic wine collection, craft cocktails, and a fresh approach to Siena’s classic Italian fare.
 

    

The menu is executed by Chef Foster Lukas whose kitchen cred includes Westchester County’s popular Xaviar's Restaurant Group and Castle Hotel & Spa, in addition to Eastend Restaurant in Greenwich, CT. Menu highlights begin with cold antipasti, salads, and crostini such as marinated olives & roasted almonds, watermelon salad with buffalo mozzarella, basil, vincotto, hazelnuts, and fennel pollen, and whipped truffle ricotta atop grilled bread. A Fritti Misti of lightly fried calamari, zucchini, eggplant, and hot peppers served with spicy aioli and marinara is a true showstopper, as is the restaurant’s grilled Mediterranean octopus. Pasta dishes include crab bucatini with dried grape tomatoes, white wine, and lemon breadcrumbs, and a slow-simmered pork and beef Bolognese over egg pappardelle. The grilled fillet of branzino served with saffron rice, sugar snap peas, and salsa verde, and Siena’s wood-fired half chicken kissed with a marsala mushroom glaze are just a taste of what’s in store from Chef Lukas’ kitchen and his talented team. And because there’s always room for dessert, hazelnut & chocolate mousse and olive oil cake will end any meal on a high note.
 
https://sienanewhaven.com/
 
Siena will be open at The Blake for lunch and dinner Tuesday- Thursday from 12pm to 9pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 12pm to 10pm. High George will be open Tuesday-Thursday from 3pm – 9:00pm, Fridays & Saturdays from 3pm to 10pm. Valet parking is available at The Blake Hotel. Complimentary parking is available through the Park New Haven program at the Crown Street Garage (213 Crown Street) daily after 4:00pm. The space, which connects to one of The Blake Hotel’s private meeting rooms, is also available for private parties and functions. For more information, visit theblakenewhaven.com or the restaurant’s social media channels: Facebook and Instagram (@highgeorgenh).