After the lock-down in March, every blogger event I'd had on my calendar was cancelled, and truthfully, I didn't think there would even be new restaurants and businesses opening this year. But no matter what we face, we forge on; while many businesses in my area were shuttered, new ones still opened.
When I received the email inviting me to attend a real, in-person, opening of a new restaurant last month, I didn't hesitate to send my R.S.V.P., especially considering the executive chef Arturo Franco-Camacho is behind many of my favorite restaurants (past and present), I knew an evening at Camacho Garage was not to be missed.
The space in the Westville neighborhood of New Haven has the industrial feel of a vintage garage, with several all glass garage doors that open to the outdoor seating area, allowing for lots of air flow and indoor seating that is effectively outdoor seating for as long as the weather will hold out. In addition to the huge horseshoe bar inside (patrons are currently separated by plexiglass partitions) there is an additional bar outside. The bar menu features the Geronimo Margarita and the Roomba Mojito, nods to Chef's past restaurants, both of which are delicious. While I never visited Roomba before they closed in 2007, I can say I truly miss Tacuba Taco Bar (which was inspired by Roomba) and Camacho Garage seems to embody the feeling and Mexican street food of Tacuba.
While I only sampled a small portion of the menu, everything was delicious - guacamole and tacos of course, but I truly enjoyed the dishes I'd never experienced before; a ceviche comprised of mushrooms, cactus, and onion; a Molcajete bubbling with molten queso, mushrooms and poblanos; and the most delightfully flavorful dessert of a Maria cookie topped with a caramelized sweet plantain and cajeta.
Even while I was still missing the social aspect of past events, it was still a lovely evening to be out seeing some familiar faces from a six foot distance and sampling amazing food.
Take any opportunity to enjoy dinner at the open and airy Camacho Garage while the weather is still favorable, and maybe try to get a patio table close to a heater if you love impractical footwear as much as I do.
