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Friday

Sep032010

Red Lulu Opens in South Norwalk

September 3, 2010 |

South Norwalk can add another notch to it’s ample dining belt with newcomer Red Lulu. A sister restaurant to the vibrant scene that is Lolita Cocina in Byram, Red Lulu opened last night with an over-the-top party introducing this “Mexican speakeasy with a luxe twist” to the well-dressed masses.

The menu strikes some very familiar notes to Lolita’s inspired Mexican: bbq ribs with a coffee, chocolate and orange glaze; flautas; blackened grouper tacos; and carnitas to name just a few eye-catching bites.

Staying true to its SoNo address, the bar and lounge are front and center, housing impressive collection of tequilas

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Thursday

Sep022010

Advertisement: Sweet Rexie's Candy & Ice Cream

Stephanie Webster |

September 2, 2010 |

I don't know about you but when I need that bulk bin candy fix, there is only one place to go…Sweet Rexie’s. Voted Best Candy Store in Fairfield County for 2010, this kid-friendly haven will satisfy any sweet tooth, but did you know that Sweet Rexie's is actually much more than just a candy store?

Sweet Rexie's serves up great events, including kids birthdays, cooking classes and Hershey's Premium ice cream, just right for an after school treat. With 16 great flavors the likes of "Cookies vs. Peanut Butter," "Playdough," and "Cotton Candy," every child (or adult) will walk away a happy camper.

Need a gift? Sweet Rexie's has a unique selection of toys, apparel, and baby gifts. Plus, if you don't have time to get to the store, Sweet Rexie's offers local delivery & nationwide shipping.

Special Offer for CT Bites Readers - $50 off a birthday party if booked by Sept 30, 2010.

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Thursday

Sep022010

Burger Stock '10: FREE Burgers & Beer @ Burger Bar

Stephanie Webster |

September 2, 2010 |

“Go Big or Go Home!” is Owner/Chef Nick Bilello’s motto. And Nick is going big this year with his 4th Annual BURGER STOCK Party in celebration of Burger Bar & Bistro’s 4 years of success in South Norwalk, CT, Thursday, September 9, 2010, starting at 6:30 PM.

“Burger Stock has evolved over the years,” beams Nick, “it’s my way of saying Thank You to my customers and friends…and it causes a really big scene in SoNo!”

Nick’s pulling out all the stops with his comfort food menu and the beer’s on him! Live music from the popular band Fake ID will be jammin’ all night long, as well as plenty of Burger Bar & Bistro’s signature game playing, contests, and give-aways.

Burger Bar & Bistro 58 North Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06854 203.853.2037

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Wednesday

Sep012010

Rosh Hashanah Recipes from Tabouli Grill

Stephanie Webster |

September 1, 2010 |

The Jewish holidays are around the corner, and with the kids just barely back to school, it seemed as though we could all use a little assist with the Rosh Hashanah menu this year. Next week? Really?

Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill in Stamford has come to the rescue with three great recipes to fill out your holiday table. Here's what's on the menu: Cumin Roasted Cauliflower with Yellow Raisins and Toasted Pine Nuts, Bubbe’s Brisket, and Kasha Varnishke. If you really just don't feel like cooking, Tabouli Grill is also happy to do the work for you as you can see in their Rosh Hashanah Package below.

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Middle Eastern,

Tuesday

Aug312010

Bernard's: Tapas, Paella & Wine Dinner

Stephanie Webster |

August 31, 2010 |

Don't miss the unique opportunity to try out one of CT's top restaurants, Bernard's in Ridgefield, at their end of summer "Tapas, Paella & Wine Dinner." Inspired by a recent trip to Barcelona, Bernard and his wife Sarah (of Sarah's Wine Bar at the same location) are teaming up with local wine merchant Cellar XV to offer up this very special evening. The event will feature sangria, Spanish wines, and tapas galore served (if weather permits) in their beautiful garden. If you haven't eaten at Bernard's, this is a great way to sample this very special restaurant.

Sunday, September 12th at 6:00 – In the Garden

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Tuesday

Aug312010

Wine Tasting & Live African Music for a Good Cause

August 31, 2010 |

We interrupt these regular food-centric posts to bring you news of a wine-filled cultural event in support of a very good cause. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield will host a wine tasting for the charity Turning Wine Into Water this Thursday at 6:30 pm at the Museum.

The eighteen wines available to taste include Diemersdal Wine Estate Reserve Chardonnay, Grangehurst Vineyards Pinotage, Penner Ash Pinot Noir, La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi, Blackburn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, and Edge Cabernet Sauvignon donated by Nicholas Roberts Group.

Hors d’oeuvres provided by Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro will include pancetta, olive & caramelized onion focaccia, ceviche tacos with roasted cherry pepper mango salsa, and parmesan tuilles with grilled tenderloin.

All proceeds from the door as well as 10% of all sales generated from the evening will benefit Turning Wine Into Water

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Monday

Aug302010

An Evening @ New Haven's Food & Wine Festival

August 30, 2010 |

The New Haven Food & Wine Festival showcased many of New Haven’s best restaurants and Connecticut’s finest chefs on August 25. Jacques Pepin worked the crowd and signature dishes such as Union League Cafe’s beef cheeks and Ibiza’s ceviche drew crowds to the huge white tent at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale.

Some of the best bites from the evening included 116 Crown’s sandwich of house-made pate and taleggio; the chilled and spicy mussels from Bespoke; a S’mores creme brulee from Fosters; braised provencal beef cheeks from Union League Cafe; and chilled corn and cilantro soup with blue crab from Zinc.

See you there next year!

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Sunday

Aug292010

Lake Zoar Drive-In: Burgers & Dogs With a View

j food |

August 29, 2010 |

Photos: c/o Michael Stern, Roadfood.comThe Lake Zoar Drive-In is located on Route 34 in Monroe (many Navigation systems do not recognize the website town of Stevenson) slightly less than 7 miles east of I-84. This stand-alone burger and dog shack has occupied this same stretch of beach overlooking Lake Zoar for over 20 years and the current owners have been grilling burgers and dogs for over 17 years; they must be doing something right. That something is a burger with plenty of toppings, some of the best French Fries in Connecticut plus a soda...all for under $10.

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Sunday

Aug292010

What's New @ The Westport Farmers Market

August 29, 2010 |

Lisa Storch and Glen Colello, chef/owners of Catch a Healthy Habit Cafe in Fairfield, will present samples of their fare at the Westport Farmers’ Market on September 2. If you are interested in learning more about organic, vegan, raw or gluten free preparations you don’t want to miss tasting their offerings.

Boston Lettuce Salad will be presented in bite size wraps to hungry shoppers. They source crisp, freshly picked lettuce from Two Guys From Woodbridge and combine with raw, finely grated, fuchsia beets from Riverbank or Fort Hill Farms. A sweet and simple dressing of honey (Red Bee Apiary) with mustard and herbs, moisten this salad. Candied pecans and nut “cheese,” made with a base of ground cashew nuts, rounds out the filling of these crunchy and delicious wraps.

For those seeking a densely nutritious liquid punch, taste the Green-Ya-Colada. The blenders will be whirling as deep green,local and organic spinach is combined with banana, orange, pineapple juices and coconut oil.

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Saturday

Aug282010

Souterrain Date Has Been Announced!- (SOLD OUT)

Stephanie Webster |

August 28, 2010 |

LeFarm has just announced their 2nd Souterrain (underground dining) event!

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010 Rain or Shine. Time: 3:30pm

Location: 31 miles NW from LeFarm (256 Post Road East, Westport)

Reservations are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Email ffoodllc@optonline.net and request a credit card authorization form.

You will be notified via email that your reservation has been accepted or that they are already full in which case they add you to a wait list.

The exact location of the event will be emailed to you on October 2, 2010. If you will not have email access that day, please let them know so they can call you.

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Friday

Aug272010

Get Cooking With Aux Delices

August 27, 2010 |

Summer Comfort Food was the theme of the class I recently attended at Aux Delices’ Cooking School in their commissary kitchen in Stamford. As we are smack in the middle of this steaming season, I was happy to be invited to relax, observe and learn something new about how to prepare summer dishes, utilizing the season’s bounty. Aux Delices has retail store locations, all with seating, in Darien, Riverside and Greenwich. The shops offer owner/Chef Debra Ponzek’s culinary creations of prepared foods and a unique collection of specialty food items. Their name translates as “all the delicious food in life,” and considering their choices of scrumptious take out items, private and corporate catering offerings, and classes at their cooking school, the name is certainly apt.

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Cooking Classes,

Wednesday

Aug252010

Espresso NEAT Celebrates 1st B-day with FREE Ice Cream

Stephanie Webster |

August 25, 2010 |

Epressso NEAT is celebrating their 1st year in Darien on Tuesday, August 31st. This time last year NEAT opened its doors and they've pulled over 35,000 shots of espresso since then. (Many were for me.)

In honor of the 1st birthday they are planning to scoop up FREE Van Leeuwen’s ice cream all day. If you are unfamiliar with Van Leeuwen's artisan ice cream, take some time to acquaint yourself with this Brooklyn based creamery. Their product is 18% butterfat, custard based, made from the milk of local cows and just plain fantastic. Plus, it is tough to source in CT.

Bring the kids, grab some dessert, and go soak up the late summer sun in espresso NEAT's courtyard. I'll see you there. Espresso NEAT is located at 20 Grove Street in Darien.

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Tuesday

Aug242010

Last Chance For That New England Crab Boil

August 24, 2010 |

Photo of kids: c/o Mike Von Wahlde, mvwstudio.comRecently, a CTbites reader, Mike Von Wahlde, commented on our Beach Picnic Shoutout, posting this hilarious and informative rant/recipe extolling the pros and cons of the Classic New England Crab Boil. It was too good not to repost, and with the summer winding down, why not celebrate our last days of outdoor cooking with this quintessential culinary experience?

Nothing says “I live in the North East” like mollusks and crustaceans swimming in a boiling pot in the yard or on the beach. The classic New England boil is the best thing going for large group gatherings if your picnic area allows for propane. You say "Of course, they're great, but..."

But what? Why you gotta be so afraid of everything? Let's look at the pros and cons.

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Tuesday

Aug242010

2 Hours @ The Craft Beer & Chili Challenge

Stephanie Webster |

August 24, 2010 |

Last Sunday thousands of beer and chili loving CT residents descended upon Mohegan Sun for the Craft Beer and Chili Challenge. Thirteen restaurants traveled from across the state to throw down their winning recipe for the great American classic. There was enough heat to keep you warm through winter and the sweet smell of cumin wafted all the way up to the slot machines. And what to wash down this fiery feast? Certainly water was not the proper pairing. 40 breweries with over 100 beers were present to quench our thirst, some local, some National, but all pouring. Here are some of the highlights:

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Monday

Aug232010

Great Deals @ Westport Restaurant Week

Stephanie Webster |

August 23, 2010 |

Celebrate Westport's thriving food scene and get some great deals on dining at Westport Restaurant Week. From Sunday, August 29 through Saturday, September 4th participating restaurants (including Da Pietro's Manolo, and Thali) will offer a special prix fixe lunch and dinner menu. With prices this reasonable, eating out could easily become a daily habit (and that's just fine with me).

$10.10 or $15.10 – Lunch for One OR $20.10 – Lunch for Two

$20.10 or $30.10 – Dinner for One

Note: The number of courses and inclusion of beverages may vary. (excludes tax and gratuity)

“Thali is really looking forward to introducing our restaurant to more people, “says Chef/Owner Prasad Chirnomula,” We’ve put together a very special menu for Restaurant Week.”

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