EAST HAVEN — East Haven’s culinary scene is about to become more organic.
Papa’s Wings & Seafood, which opened at 420 Main St. in June 2020 before closing for two months beginning in December 2020 and then reopening in February 2021, has closed for good. Papa’s owner James Green told the Register following the restaurant’s reopening in 2021 that business at that location was “decent” for the chicken wing, fried seafood and barbecue restaurant. The storefront’s windows are currently papered over however, and there are already plans in the works for a new restaurant at that site. Over the last few days, the lease at that location was taken over by business partners seeking a healthy concept.
Proprietor Jose Bernard said plans to open a new restaurant are moving ahead, with the expectation for a finalized the menu this week and a menu tasting. Renovation work is expected to begin soon, and the location will reopen as a restaurant serving healthful, organic food. Bernard said customers can expect that any meat will be grass-fed with no antibiotics and that vegetables will be fresh with no pesticides. Bernard did not have a specific date for the opening but anticipates it will be in the coming weeks.
Michelle Benivegna, the town’s economic development director, said there is a desire in the town for healthy food.
“I think it brings a new concept to the town, and I think a healthy-choice focused restaurant is something that everyone can benefit from,” she said. “I think our community is going to embrace it, and I think it’s something new for the Main Street area.”
Benivegna said she sees potential for such a restaurant to attract consumers looking for food that is healthy or vegan in nature into the town. She said that although salads are offered at restaurants along the street, there is no other restaurant that place an emphasis on salads and juices in a way that prioritizes healthy eating.
A call to Green was unsuccessful Monday.