Weekly Nibble: Mark Bittman, Oktoberfest Parties, Chowdafest & More Upcoming Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 03, 2014 Westport Restaurant Week returns October 5 – 19! Many of Westport’s beloved restaurants offer prix fixe menus for lunch and/ or dinner. Napa & Co invites you to take a “trek through South Africa” on Monday, October 6. They will give you tastes from producers like Hamilton Russel, Boekenhoutskloof, Stark Conde, Spice Route, Southern Right and Kanonkop paired with 3 small plates. $55pp (plus tax and gratuity). Sugar & Olives will teach you to make HORS D'OEUVRES IN A PINCH on Wednesday, October 7. The menu includes rosemary flatbread, quinoa and black bean galettes, polenta "fries," and beef sliders. $80pp, 7-9pm. On Wednesday October 8, The Spread in Norwalk will hold an Oktoberfest celebration. Chef Carlos will prepare a 5-course meal that transcends the usual brast and wurst... And it even includes beer pairings! $55 per person, reservation required. Author and New York Times columnist Mark Bittman will have a conversation with the Director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project on October 8, 2014 from 6 to 7 pm. The talk will take place at Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona, 1 Prospect Street in New Haven. The talk is being hosted in conjunction with the release of his new book, How to Cook Everything Fast: A Better Way to Cook Great Food, Bittman is speaking at Yale and will be on-hand following the talk to sign books. Parallel Post of Trumbull will hold its fourth and final dinner their “Farm-To-Trumbull” dining series on Wednesday October 8th at 7p.m. 30 guests will enjoy seasonal dishes with James Beard-nominated Chef Dean James Max, Executive Chef Chris Molyneux, and Chef de Cuisine Ali Goss of Parallel Post. The vening includes a signature cocktail, small bites and then a family-style dinner served with wine pairings. $75 per person, tax and gratuity not included. Shake Shack’s 9th Annual Shacktoberfest is on tap from Friday, October 3rd through Sunday, October 12th. Try special-edition biers, bratwursts, burgers, and frozen custard treats at both Westport & New Haven locations. You can also purchase a commemorative Shake Shack Bier Stein for $10.00 filled to the brim with your choice of Brooklyn Brewery’s brisk, malty Oktoberfest beer, or their very own ShackMeister Ale. The hefty glass stein is yours to keep and just $7.00 to refill throughout Shacktoberfest. /home/2014/9/29/shake-shacks-shacktoberfest-menu-on-tap-october-3-12-westpor.html Saturday October 11, Darien Social hosts an Oktoberfest party. It features outdoor draft lines, German food, drink specials, a live oompa band from 4-8pm, and music by the Fry Daddys at 9pm. http://www.dariensocialct.com/ Also on Saturday, the 2nd Annual “Brew at the Zoo” comes to the Beardsley Zoo. The night includes food, craft beers, live music, and a silent auction. $40 per person. To purchase, contact Emily Bobowick at (203) 394-6569, email ebobowick@beardsleyzoo.org., or purchase online at https://beardsleyzoo.doubleknot.com/Registration/RegisterAll.aspx The 2014 Chowdafest takes place on Sunday October 12! Chowdafest is a culinary competition pitting award winning chefs & restaurants against each other where YOU are the judge! This year promises to be bigger than better than ever- it has moved outdoors to Norwalk, CT at Calf Pasture Beach. The event is $10 for adults ($15 at the door), $5 for kids 6-12, and kids 5 and under are FREE. VIP tickets are also available. Rain or shine. /home/2014/9/12/2014s-chowdafest-is-october-12th-36-restaurants-battle-you-v.html Fairfield Restaurant week arrives Sunday October 12. Participating restaurant will feature prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. Lunches will be $10 or $15 and dinners will be $20 or $30, depending on the location. As a special promotion, a passport book will be available. Passports bearing stamps from two or more restaurants are eligible for a drawing to be held at the conclusion of Restaurant Week. http://www.connecticutrestaurantweek.com/restaurant-weeks-ct/fairfield-restaurant-week/ Looking ahead… In celebration of Darien Cheese & Fine Food’s 47th year as one of the country’s original and oldest cheese shops, proprietors Ken and Tory Skovron will host an Alpine Cheese Tasting & Fall Celebration on Saturday, October 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To complement the specially selected one-of-a-kind cheeses, the proprietors have carefully chosen a full range of delicious charcuterie including wursts, smoked and cured mountain hams, and sausages. The shop will also have all the appropriate condiments including cherished family favorite recipes of sauerkraut and cabbage to complement the meats. Seasonal beverages will also be served. https://www.facebook.com/DarienCheeseFineFoods.
