Paul Bass Photo
Quinoa, brown rice, roasted brussels sprouts, and veggie meatballs were on Mayor Justin Elicker’s agenda Tuesday afternoon, along with a main course of promoting small business in New Haven.
The occasion was the official opening for a ultra-healthful, ultra-tasty fast-casual spot at 260 College St. called B Natural Kitchen & Bar.
Elicker has been a loyal customer for years of the B Natural and Woodland coffee shops run downtown by owner/entrepreneurs Nebyat Shewaye and Gabi Merayo. The couple quietly opened the doors earlier this month for their new venture, which features design-your-own breakfast bowls, Ethiopian-spiced vegetarian and chicken bowls for lunch and dinner, local beer and wine and kombucha late into the night. (Click here for a previous story describing the place and the food.)
Elicker joined (from left, above) city deputy development chief Steve Fontana, Town Green Special Services District’s Win Davis, Yale/Downtown Alder Eli Sabin, Merayo, and Yale Associate-Vice President Lauren Zucker of University Properties (the landlord) for the ceremonial ribbon snip.
“This is just one example of what I see happening in the city of New Haven — growth because of innovation, because of good ideas,” Elicker said during the preliminary formal remarks. “We’re at an inflection point in the city, where we’re going to see many of these types of businesses. It’s got to be inclusive … so everyone in New Haven benefits.”
Then Elicker and the rest of the crowd got down to business: lunch.
Shewaye and his staff brought around samples of the entrees …
… and set out cups of one of the day’s signature craft sodas, ginger-melon. (Yum.)
Elicker lined up to place his order, the Vegetarian Bowl. In addition to the quinoa and brown rice and brussels sprouts, it contained … well, see for yourself from the posted menu.
Belee Araya assembled Elicker’s bowl from behind the counter …
… then Elicker fended off repeated efforts to give him a free meal. He insisted on paying on his own dime. Then he reaped the benefits.
Click here for more hours and other information about B Natural Kitchen & Bar.