Claire’s Cornercopia

What a fantastic spot right in the middle of downtown New Haven. They are called the CORNERcopia, because the shop is at the corner of college and chapel streets, a very busy New Haven intersection, they also have a copious amount of options on their menu. They have been open since 1975, and their website proudly states, “No minimum on credit cards. No maximum on love.”

They have a great bakery selection all year round. Their chocolate chip cookies are fantastic. My wife and I used to get one to share, but now we both get our own to avoid sore cookie feelings. Claire’s is a spot that has really great food in addition to baked goods. They have lots gluten free, kosher, and vegan options for those in the market for such items.

Expert tip: They have the best huevos rancheros that I have ever had.

My most recent trip to Claire’s was motivated by a blog post I came across in search of the best Connecticut bakeries. This post described a thumbprint cookie at Claire's that was out of this world. I found myself serving jury duty at the New Haven courthouse early in the winter of 2017 and when given an hour for lunch, it was a no brainer to walk across the green for a great thumbprint cookie. It was a pleasant walk but upon arrival I was disappointed in finding out that the thumbprint cookie was a thing of the past. I was surprised and happy to see a sunbutter cookie behind the glass that exceeded my expectations. Check out a pairing we did with this cookie and beer from Counterweight.  I picked up a sunbutter cookie and an old school chocolate chip. Sunbutter is a peanut butter substitute made from sunflower seeds. I did not know this when I bought the cookie but subsequent googling enlightened me.

The chocolate chip was as good as I remember it. Their center is soft and buttery with crisp crunchy edges, and the chocolate is small chunks, almost shavings. The sunbutter cookie looked like a peanut butter cookie with granulated sugar over the top and a very chunky looking dough, like multiple ‘drops’ went into this drop cookie. It tasted almost like a peanut butter cookie, but lighter and at the same time much more crunchy. This is a cookie begging to be dunked in a pint. Considering my responsibility after lunch I chose to abstain from the midday beer, but next time the sunbutter won’t be so lucky.

If you haven’t been to Claire’s, treat yourself. Go for lunch or dinner, and don’t skip dessert.