Provisions On State Opens From Chef Emily Mingrone: New Haven's First Nose To Tail Butchery

“If you don't like outstanding music, fresh chef cultivated sandwiches, farm and forest hand-picked produce, local artisanal product, NYC vibes, an incredibly friendly staff, and whole animal butchery then DEFINITELY do not go to Chef Emily Mingrone and Shane McGowan’s new Provisions On State,” says Chef Jes Bengston.

Emily and Shane, owners of the award-winning “restaurant of the year” Tavern on State, in New Haven, decided to expand the brand and recently opened this sister spot just down the street from the restaurant, bringing an old school nose to tail butchery and a small grocery store to the East Rock neighborhood. In fact they are New Haven’s ONLY Nose to tail butchery. As I took the two steps down into the store front ( like so New York I was like omg) I was immediately over taken with a vibe and energy that can only be created by this tag team duo who met by working together in a local restaurant in 2018, opened a restaurant in 2019, and now this. The store is so small I could lay eyes on all 4 walls at the same time but it took me 3 circles to absorb all the curated culinary greatness going on in here. 

First my blood was pumping with just darn good music (my opinion… it’s key to every successful establishment), you can't help but have your eyes drawn to the large butchers showcase with a beautifully displayed, wide variety, of responsibly sourced meats. Below the store front window is a small section with hand package produce, which will change daily says Mingrone. It was a perfect shop for my small household of two who tends to buy only enough for one dinner at a time. I was able to pick up one clove of garlic, a small bag of brussels, a sweet potato, paired with bone in pork chops that melted off the bone, and created an excellent dinner for two.

A thoughtful detail was the badass hand selected book display with some of the best culinary reads on the market, partnered with some cool Provision swag. There is also a small cheese fridge with Connecticut's best featured cheeses (Arethusa Dairy Farm and Catos Corner), next to shelves of pickles, mustards, jams, and an assortment of chef curated condiments (if you have never had Kewpie mayo then you need to be checked). Parched? Check out the beverage cooler where you’ll never see a large corporation soda pop but you will find a selection of rad kombuchas, locally made sodas and coffee drinks. 

The most disappointing moment of my life was passing up on the "sando of the week" some kind of insane version of a sloppy joe and settled for an ridiculously good bagel instead. The menu board reads of only little alphabet letters attached to a blank white wall ( like oh my god again…so NYC guys). 

All of these things surrounded by a beautifully renovated interior filled with super rad branding are a nod to Shane and Emily’s personality. Provisions On State’s two butchers, Zach Pierce and Jared Finkel are longtime friends of Shane and Emily’s, and are bringing a lot to the table, no pun intended. Mingrone says " Zach is a New Haven local and a perfect fit, he’s an excellent butcher and sausage maker with a wealth of knowledge and a great attitude."

Provision on State is founded in sustainable ethos, high quality house butchered animals, responsibly sourced, and a promise to sell only the highest quality ingredients. If you’re on State Street, check out the outstanding meats and produce, or grab a daily sandwich special, as this old school butcher and grocery store is the little engine that TOTALLY could... and will.

Provisions On State New Haven’s ONLY Nose to tail butchery.