Gioia's “Joy-ah for the Holidays! A Winter Wonderland”

Gioia, bringing the vision of a fun and delicious Italian restaurant, market, gelateria, and rooftop space to life on Wooster Street in New Haven, is debuting “Joy-ah for the Holidays! A Winter Wonderland.”  The rooftop space, which is heated and enclosed for the cooler weather, has been transformed into a winter wonderland through December 22.  The space features holiday decorations everywhere the eye can spy, including holiday lights, wreaths, Christmas trees, ornaments, inflatables, garland and more, creating a playful and festive space to celebrate the holiday season.

A special pop-up food and beverage menu includes White Christmas Mojito, Mule Ride, Peppermintini and Santa’s Cookie Old Fashioned cocktails, and Fish and Chips, Ossobuco Milanese and Mac and Cheese, among other items.  

This holiday celebration also incorporates the season of giving.  In November, Woodbridge Animal Control will receive $5 for every Bumbu Rum cocktail sold, and the restaurant is collecting food and toy donations for the shelter.  In December, Yale Children’s Hospital will receive $5 for every McQueen and Violent Fog Gin Cocktail sold, as well as collecting toy donations from December 5-22 for the hospital.  A family cookie decorating event on December 8, and family gingerbread house event on December 15 (details TBA) will raise further funds.

“Joy-ah for the Holidays! A Winter Wonderland” is open Thursday from 4-9 pm, Friday from 4-10 pm, Saturday from 12 pm-10 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm-8 pm. Tables and bar seating are available on a walk-in basis only. A dedicated parking lot and street parking in the neighborhood is available for easy access.  For additional information, visit gioianewhaven.com.

About Gioia
Gioia – meaning ‘joy’ in Italian – brings the vision of a fun and delicious Italian restaurant, market, gelateria, and rooftop space to life. Founded by beloved New Haven restaurateurs Tim Cabral and Avi Szapiro, along with partners Anthony and Gerard Bianco (A&G Contracting), Gioia features a seasonally inspired menu of delicious interpretations of Italian classics. Using a wood-fired grill and rotisserie, the menu includes homemade pastas and pizzas, house-made gelato, and vegetarian/vegan offerings, coupled with a robust beverage program with a nod to Italy. Contributing to the DNA of “Little Italy” with Italian provisions, grab-and-go meals, and artisanal serving ware, the market serves the neighborhood and beyond. The gelateria window invites residents and diners to enjoy house-made gelato and slices of the unique “Wooster Squares” pizza. The rooftop, which is covered and can be fully heated and enclosed to open for three seasons, extends the fun and energetic atmosphere of the restaurant, offering a unique and seasonal food and beverage menu. Located at 150 Wooster Street, Gioia has received accolades from Food & Wine, Yankee Magazine, and Hearst, among others. For more information, visit gioianewhaven.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@gioianhv).