NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct.01, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Union League Cafe, the award-winning French-inspired brasserie that's become a staple of the New Haven food scene, is celebrating 25 years in business this month. To kick-off the month-long anniversary celebration, the restaurant is hosting an exclusive champagne reception today in partnership with The Shops At Yale and Yale University Properties.
At the festivities on October 1st, Union League will welcome esteemed guests including New Haven Mayor, Toni Harp, Greater New Haven Chamber President, Garrett Sheehan, Yale University Associate Vice President for New Haven Affairs and University Properties, Lauren Zucker, local merchants, suppliers, and friends.
To celebrate the milestone, during the month of October, Union League Cafe is offering a special Prix Fixe menu featuring some of its most popular items from the year of its opening in 1993. Patrons can choose one of 3 appetizers, 3 entrees and 2 desserts for $59 per person. In addition, they have committed two special menu items as a fundraiser, giving 25% of sales from its iconic Duck Leg Confit appetizer and new Lemon Balm Cooler cocktail to New Haven Farms, a community-based urban farming non-profit organization.
"We are so grateful for the loyalty of our customers who inspire us every day, the talent and skill of our team who have been the cornerstone of our legacy and long-lasting success, and the support of the Yale University community over the last 25 years", said Jean Pierre Vuillermet, Chef/Owner of Union League Cafe. "New Haven's food scene has evolved and diversified so much since we opened in 1993—it's been exciting to see and be a part of it. The greater New Haven area and The Shops at Yale have proven to be a great place to build our business."
The secret to Union League Cafe's successful run is two-fold. First, the restaurant provides the area with a true French brasserie experience: a lively but unpressured setting, extremely professional service, and a menu inspired by highest quality fresh ingredients. Second, Union League Cafe's team, which has been led by Vuillermet's long-time friend and colleague, Jean Michel Gammariello as General Manager, pours training and passion into every meal service.
"Our cuisine and service is a product of passion and exacting standards," said Chef Vuillermet, "and it guides our team every day."
Over its long tenure, Union League Cafe has consistently earned top awards from area publications. In Connecticut Magazine's Readers Choice Awards, Union League Cafe has won an unprecedented 114 Best Restaurants awards, making both owners proud of their team and hard work over the last quarter-century.
Jean Pierre Vuillermet and his wife, Robin McKenzie Vuillermet, opened Union League Cafe on October 6th, 1993. Vuillermet is a third-generation chef originally from Aix Les Bains, located at the foot of the French Alps. He apprenticed in both France and Switzerland before landing at Michelin two-star Le Chapon Fin in Lyons. After two years of military service, he went to Paris to work at Michelin two-star Le Pré Catalan. He worked for Gaston LeNôtre, owner of Le Pré Catalan, for the next six years, both in Paris and at the Hôtel Byblos in St. Tropez. In 1982, Vuillermet moved to Houston to open the LeNôtre Baking Center. In 1987, he was asked by renowned Connecticut restauranteur Jo McKenzie to relocate to New Haven as a chef of her new restaurant, Robert Henry's. After Mrs. McKenzie decided to retire, Jean Pierre and Robin (McKenzie's daughter) opened Union League Café.
To book a private event, (203) 772-2053; for reservations visit https://unionleaguecafe.com/.
About Union League Cafe
Union League Cafe is an award-winning French-inspired brasserie offering a lively but unpressured atmosphere in its historic building at 1032 Chapel Street, New Haven CT. Combining Old World charm with a relaxed ambiance, it is sought out not only for its superb cuisine and acclaimed wine list, but also for its professional staff and service. Union League Cafe also offers private space to cater personal and corporate events, weddings and receptions from the most intimate gathering to parties of up to 175 attendees. Its sister restaurant, Bar Bouchee, is a small, authentic French bistro and bar located at 8 Scotland Ave, Madison CT.
About New Haven Farms
New Haven Farms was founded in 2012 by the leadership and staff of the Fair Haven Community Health Center, Chabaso Bakery, and with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers from the community as a response to the intersecting crises of diabetes, obesity, environmental degradation, and poverty in and around New Haven, CT. New Haven Farms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes health and community development through transforming underutilized urban spaces into small organic farms in New Haven's under-resourced neighborhoods. These organic farms also contribute to the New Haven, CT's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program providing members with fresh vegetables.
The Shops at Yale & Yale University Properties
The Shops at Yale is made up of the Chapel Street Historic and Broadway Districts in New Haven and it includes a mix of retailers and restaurants, such as Apple, J.Crew, GANT, Derek Simpson Goldsmith, Union League Café, Midpoint Istanbul Restaurant, Shake Shack, and Yurway Boutique. Yale University Properties manages Yale University's commercial properties, including retail stores, office spaces, and residential units in New Haven. Enabled by Yale's community investment program, University Properties is committed to enhancing the quality of life in New Haven through the development of high quality retail and office environments and the revitalization of surrounding neighborhoods. As a result of University Properties' community investment program, Yale University is one of the largest taxpayers in the city of New Haven. Learn more at TheShopsatYale.com and ONHSA.Yale.edu.
SOURCE Union League Cafe
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