Experience Italian Fine Dining at L'Orcio

L’Orcio is an upscale dining establishment located in New Haven, CT. We serve authentic and savory Italian cuisine. Our contemporary fine dining restaurant features wonderful menus of dishes that use fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients.

Located in a refurbished historical home, our restaurant offers three unique spaces for contemporary fine dining. Whether you’re having a cocktail at the beautiful bar, an intimate Italian dinner in the elegant dining room, or appetizers with your friends in our outdoor dining area, all of your senses are sure to be pleased. The relaxing and elegant ambiance with a European flair that we offer is the perfect backdrop for a romantic meal or a great bottle of wine.

As a family-owned-and-operated restaurant, L’Orcio has a lot to offer. Best of all, we have the eye for detail that adds to the overall dining experience. Come in for an Italian dinner, a drink, or just to say “Ciao.”

History

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The husband-and-wife team Francesco d’Amuri and Alison De Renzi moved from Florence, Italy to New Haven, CT in 2002 to open L’Orcio Restaurant. After spending years eating their way through the Italian countryside, the idea for L’Orcio came up one day over a particularly delicious dish of wild boar ragù in one of their favorite spots. The idea was a simple one: they wanted to share the culinary wealth of the many regions of Italy in one restaurant. They decided to stick with classic Italian food, the kind you would expect when visiting a small local eatery in a small charming town where no one speaks English.

After scouting locations, the couple chose a property at 806 State Street in New Haven, CT. It was a historical building called Thomas Kelly House, which was built in 1889. The property is one of few Queen Anne Victorian style residences in the area. To them, it was the perfect location to share their Italian food because of the unique space that offered warmth and comfort that other commercial spaces simply couldn't provide.

The couple then set their sights on a name for their new restaurant. Chef d’Amuri chose the name L’Orcio (lorcho’) because he felt that it embodied the concept of their new restaurant. An Orcio is a terracotta urn with a large opening used by Etruscans to store food, including olive oil. It is a modern-day artifact that has maintained its original form and function. It is still used by Tuscans today. It is earthy, rustic, and functional.

After extensive renovations to the building, L’Orcio opened on February 11, 2003, serving an array of traditional seasonal dishes from the different regions of Italy. L’Orcio soon became a local favorite, receiving awards and recognition for its culinary delights. The owners feel truly lucky to have such wonderful and receptive customers.

Alison and Francesco continue to travel and research in Italy to improve their dishes.

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