In an exciting development for the local film community, a segment of the video series “Real Moms Having Dinner” was filmed in New Haven on February 10, 2026. The production utilized locations in the Fair Haven Heights neighborhood, including the historic Mary B. Moody House and a local Thai restaurant, September in Bangkok.
Production crews, complete with trucks and filming equipment, were spotted setting up outside these venues last week. The filming was permitted under the auspices of the Department of Arts, Culture, & Tourism (DACT), which regulates many visual media projects in the area. The permit, dated February 6, 2026, outlined plans for filming at 154 E Grand Ave. and provided details about the crew’s operations.
The mansion, recognized for its Gothic Victorian architecture and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, hosted key scenes featuring a “Mom & kids playdate.” Alternatively, the restaurant served as the backdrop for a scene depicting “real moms having dinner.” A total of 60 crew members, along with 12 cast members, were approved to participate in the shoot, which also involved the use of 25 cars, six trucks, and two motorhomes.
Local resident and associate director for the Urban Resources Initiative, Chris Ozyck, shared photographs of the filming permit with the Independent. He noted that the film crew appeared to be friendly and professional. Freelance photographer Kate Eisemann, associated with the project, declined to comment due to a non-disclosure agreement.
The excitement of the production extended to the restaurant staff. Nan Thomas, a manager at September in Bangkok, confirmed that the establishment was closed for the entire day of filming. “It was kind of exciting,” she remarked. The crew began setting up around noon and finished by 22:30. While the restaurant’s cuisine was not featured on camera—Thomas mentioned that the crew opted for pizza—some crew members dined there the night before the shoot.
The choice of September in Bangkok as a filming location stemmed from a crew member’s fond memories of the restaurant. Thomas noted that the crew appreciated the restaurant’s beautiful interior, adding to its appeal as a filming site.
New Haven has previously attracted filmmakers for various projects. In March 2023, a Christmas film was shot on Chapel Street in Wooster Square. Following that, the horror-thriller “Twisted” utilized the same area in 2024, illustrating the city’s growing reputation as a desirable filming location.
As productions like “Real Moms Having Dinner” take place, they not only highlight local businesses but also contribute to the vibrant cultural fabric of New Haven. The anticipation surrounding such projects continues to engage residents and build excitement within the community.
