“WHO” is ROLi?

Group of restaurant staff and chefs posing for a photo in a restaurant with hanging glasses overhead.

ROLi is the debut concept from two passionate Europeans (and New Haven locals!) Angela Grogan and Chef Roland Olah, blending the rustic soul of traditional European cooking with modern creativity and a dash of New Haven spirit. Originally from Ireland and Hungary, they bring a real authenticity to ROLi's European vibe.

““Our vision for ROLi was a more fluid, modern European approach that embraces traditions with respect but also flexibility and curiosity. Nothing on the menu is a filler, each piece has a story.””

— Angela & Roland

“ I cook what my heart tells me to—that’s the philosophy behind every dish on my menu. I want our guests to taste a dish, or smell an aroma, that stirs a good memory or emotion, bringing them back to a person, place, or moment in time.”
- Chef Roland Olah -

Fried oysters served on a scalloped ceramic plate with microgreens on top, placed on a wooden table, with a glass of water nearby.

A toasted meringue dessert with browned peaks on a white surface.

A beetroot salad with mixed greens, nuts, and berries on a scalloped white plate.

On ROLi’s menu you can find honest unpretentious from-scratch dishes presented in a way that is creative and exquisitely playful. Shaped by Chef Roland Olah’s French culinary training, Hungarian roots and inspired by the many unique cultures and flavors found on the European continent.

A black and white illustration of the tail of the dog POLi leaving the screen

A black and white illustration of the mascot POLi dachshund dog appearing on the screen

Chef Roland Olah

“I believe in simple foods prepared the right way. You don’t need hundreds of ingredients—just a few, treated with care and respect, to create something unforgettable. When ingredients are honored and prepared correctly, their natural flavors shine. This is what I wish for our guests to feel in every dish we serve.”

ROLi is the penultimate goal of Chef Roland Olah. It stems from a deep desire to create a culinary experience that fuses his classical training in French cuisine, Hungarian roots, his esoteric sensory talents and decades of expertise creating thoughtful, from-scratch dishes that celebrate depth, balance, memory and emotion.

Before leaving Hungary to pursue a dream to work with Daniel Boulud in NYC he was recognized as one of the Top 10 Chefs in his country. His friends thought he was mad to leave, but he had a vision, and a list of goals to achieve so he set off on his mission and has not looked back (and yes, he did get to work with Daniel! )

Olah has built a loyal following, and received widespread recognition for his culinary excellence in Fairfield County. He has earned a high reputation for his food and his unwavering dedication to doing things the right way.

See our menus

ANGELA GROGAN

“It’s important to me to truly get to know our guests and make sure they feel at home at ROLi. I want it to be the kind of place you’re excited to come back to—again and again. To make that happen, I’m building a team that feels like family—people who feel valued and who are genuinely passionate about delivering an exceptional hospitality experience.”

Co-owner of ROLi, Angela has spent her career creating experiences that feel intentional, welcoming, and full of heart. She’s the kind of person who notices the little things – how the lighting & music changes the mood of a room, how a warm greeting & a smile can instantly make you feel at home. Growing up with Irish parents, hospitality is ingrained into her blood. Her heritage had a strong emphasis on family, a deep sense of community, and a unique blend of resilience, humor, and staying down to earth.

At ROLi, she’s building a space rooted in community, where the food is honest, the energy is vibrant, and every detail is handled with respect & care.

Would you like to join the team? Send your cv and details to:

angela@rolinewhaven.com

Our guests can expect a high-end casual vibe: a warm inviting ambiance, semi-open kitchen with a six-seat Chef’s Counter, intimate tables, a lively bar, and a vintage-meets-bohemian interior.

A place where we hope you will feel at home, and want to return to again and again.

Currently ROLi offers a full dinner menu seven nights a week, Monday thru Friday from 5pm and Saturday & Sunday 4pm onward, and Brunch on Sundays.

Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome—especially at the bar!

RESERVE A TABLE

Three dogs, a brown Dachshund on the left, a gray and black wirehaired Dachshund in the middle, and a speckled brown and white Dachshund on the right, standing together on a plain dark background.

AND WHO ARE THESE PUPs?

You might have noticed that there are quite a few sausage dogs floating around our website…well these three spirited mini dachshunds are an important part of the ROLi story and have been honored with the defining logo.

They’re very busy living their best lives—but will happily entertain press requests, as long as there are plenty of treats and no other pups are trying to steal their spotlight. Diva behavior? Absolutely. Deserved? Totally.

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