...And Churning

With a $1 million investment, Carl Carbone aims to revive the history of an old New Haven firehouse, and maybe spark a firefighter-themed restaurant franchise.

Carbone (pictured), a Hartford restaurateur, appeared before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) on Tuesday night looking for a special zoning exception for a full liquor license at his new restaurant planned for the corner of Elm and Park streets. The building at 338 Elm was a firehouse years ago, before being converted into a restaurant space called Fitzwilly’s in the 1980s. Most recently, the spot was occupied by Cosi pizzeria and sandwich shop, which closed in 2008.

Carbone said his new restaurant will be called Box 22 American Diner, after the one remaining fire call box in New Haven, in the basement of City Hall.

After Carbone convinced the board Tuesday that his restaurant should be allowed to stay open late on weekends, the BZA gave him the green light to proceed. He said he hopes to open in March. He said he plans to spend about a $1 million dollars on a gut rehab of the space. That money comes from private venture fund, he said.

Before the BZA meeting on Tuesday, Carbone shared the details of his vision over nachos at Bulldog Burrito, across Park Street from his new restaurant location.

He said he plans to serve “American comfort foods with a culinary twist.” That means, for example, macaroni and cheese using a custom blend of fancy cheeses like fontina and gruyere. You might even have it with lobster or scallops, he said.

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