New Haven’s State Street welcomed a new culinary destination in October when Camila Pistone opened Mila Café at 524 State Street, the former site of Annie’s Kitchen. The Argentine‑owned coffee shop serves freshly baked pastries, specialty coffee and a handful of sweet treats that reflect Pistone’s heritage.
Family‑style hospitality and Argentine tradition
Pistone, 31, spent more than a decade working in hospitality in Argentina before moving to New Haven last year. She spent a year developing the menu, insisting on making every pastry on site to guarantee quality. Her signature items include the dulce de leche‑filled “Mila Clouds” and buttery “Medialuna” croissants, a local twist on the classic French croissant that takes two days to perfect and is brushed with a sweet syrup for a glossy finish.
“I always loved baking as my way to show love,” Pistone said. “Combining hospitality and bakery was my dream, and this coffee shop lets me share a piece of Argentina with New Haven.”
Community response and early success
The café has quickly attracted members of the local Argentine community and curious New Haven residents. Martin and Marina Cohen, Connecticut residents for ten years, discovered Mila Café through a Facebook post and drove from New Britain to visit. “We are Argentinians, so each time we see a restaurant, we come over and support it,” said Martin Cohen.
Local chemist Antonella, who works in Mystic, also found the shop via a Facebook group for Argentinians in Connecticut. “We’re very happy they opened today so we could try the food,” she said, noting that she had previously ordered pastries to take home but this was her first sit‑down visit.
Expanding hours and seasonal treats
Originally open only on weekdays, Pistone added a Saturday opening for Halloween, debuting a novelty “Monster Cookie” – a green pistachio cookie with white chocolate chips and candy eyes. The positive response encouraged her to keep the weekend hours on a trial basis.
In addition to daily service, the café has received several large catering orders for local events, indicating growing demand beyond walk‑in customers.
Challenges and outlook
Despite early success, Pistone acknowledges the difficulties of launching a new business during flu season, which has created staffing challenges. She remains optimistic, noting that the State Street area is “coming to life again.”
Looking ahead, Pistone plans to introduce seasonal menu items while keeping the core offering small to maintain quality. “I love to have different products all the time, but I also want to guarantee each item’s excellence,” she explained.
Local employment and cultural exchange
The café employs a barista, a cook and two kitchen staff, providing jobs for residents and offering a place where staff can learn about Argentine culture. Barista Marcelline Smith said, “It’s really cool that we make all the pastries on site. I enjoy seeing people get exposure to Argentine culture, and Camila has even been teaching me some Spanish.”
With its blend of authentic flavors, community support and a commitment to quality, Mila Café is poised to become a staple of New Haven’s vibrant State Street corridor.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
