From Claire's corner to yours

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In 1975, when downtown New Haven wasn't exactly known for its food, Claire Criscuolo established Claire's Corner Copia—a vegetarian beachhead at the corner of Chapel and College streets that has since served generations of town and gown with meat-free comfort food and indulgent desserts. With the years have come triumphs (like the opening of an organic restaurant, Basta, next door) and sorrows: Criscuolo's husband and business partner, Frank, died this past December. She calls him "the love of my life" in the cookbook she published in January, Welcome to Claire's. Her first in over a decade, the book celebrates their more-than-35-year partnership in food. And yes, it has the recipe for Claire's famous Lithuanian coffee cake.