Claire's Corner Copia

Claire's Corner Copia is a vegetarian restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut.^[1] It is located at 1000 Chapel Street near the campus of Yale University and the New Haven Green. It is owned by chef Claire Criscuolo and her husband Frank Criscuolo.^[2] The couple used Claire Criscuolo's engagement ring as collateral for the loan they needed to open the restaurant.^[3]

When the restaurant was founded in 1975, it was not vegetarian. Chef Criscuolo told the Yale Daily News that she removed meat form the menu in a "radical move" that "forces people to eat more fruits and vegetables."^[4] A former nurse, Criscuolo prides herself on offering healthy food.^[5] The restaurant has an extensive vegan menu.^[6]

Lonely Planet calls Claire's "fresh, organic" food "the best" in town.^[7]

Chef Criscuolo has written several popular vegetarian cookbooks:

• Claire's Classic American Vegetarian Cooking
• Claire's Italian feast: 165 vegetarian recipes from Nonna's kitchen
• Claire's Corner Copia Cookbook: 225 Homestyle Vegetarian Recipes

Owners Frank and Claire Criscuolo also write a food column for the New Haven Register.

References

1. ^ "Claire's Corner Copia Cookbook". Vegetarian Times Magazine: p. 112. October 1995. 
2. ^ Bassaro, Jonnie (14 April 2010). "An Earth Day dinner in 6 elegant courses". Danbury News Times. http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/An-Earth-Day-dinner-in-6-elegant-courses-447988.php. 
3. ^ "A Haven for the Hungry". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 2 October 1995. 
4. ^ Gordley, Catherine (19 November 2004). "10 Questions for Claire Criscuolo". Yale Daily News. http://www.yaledailynews.com/magazine/short-feature/2004/11/17/10-questions-for-claire-criscuolo/. 
5. ^ "A dash of nutmeg: delicious dishes spill out of Claire's Corner Copia". Hartford Courant. 8 March 1995. 
6. ^ "Yale Restaurant Caters to Teen Vegans". Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel. 18 January 1996. 
7. ^ Lonely Planet USA (2010 ed.). p. 281. 

Coordinates: 41°18′29.1″N 72°55′44.19″W / 41.308083°N 72.9289417°W / 41.308083; -72.9289417