Bourdain Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Bourdain ticket giveaway.  Thoughtful and excellent dining suggestions were made by all, but alas, there can only be one winner.

Drumroll please....Congratulations to Jessie Burns from Norwalk, CT who has won 2 tickets to see Anthony Bourdain at the Stamford Center for the Arts on February 12 at 8 pm. She suggested Nicholas Roberts and Valencia Luncheria, both very popular choices for Bourdain in this giveaway, and two of our favorites. 

For anyone attending the event or just in the neighborhood, CTbites will have a meet-up beforehand @ FEZ at 6:30. RSVP & details: Facebook.com/CTbites 

Marcus Dairy Closes This Sunday

It's the end of an era. 

The Marcus Dairy Bar in Danbury will close its doors after sixty years in business this Sunday, February 6. The iconic diner and popular meeting spot for hundreds of motorcycles will be razed to make way for a shopping mall. 

The experience of the decades-old orange vinyl seats and wood paneling paired well with what can only be deemed as standard diner fare with the exception of the stand-out "Roadfood" turkey sandwiches and milkshakes. Marcus Dairy drew a steady stream of regulars for their old-fashioned dairy bar, counter service and convenient location under I-84 adjacent to the Danbury Fair Mall and the Danbury Airport who will all certainly feel the loss of this irreplaceable Danbury landmark. 

Reheated: Valentine's Day, Food-centric Benefits & CSA's

Valentine’s Day is looming! CTbites brings you the Top Ten Chocolate Shops and our Top Ten Spots for Valentine's Dinners. Check out the closest shops and make your reservations. 

Spring 2011 CSA’s are open for registration. Spots go quickly, visit the Fairfield Green Food Guide for a list of farms closest to Fairfield.

109 Cheese & Wine in Ridgefield is opening up their wine shop this Saturday, Feb. 4 and will be offering hard-to-find wines and artisan wines. Info: 109Cheeseandwine.com.

This weekend, don’t miss the third annual Chowdafest on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 11 am to 4 pm at Westport's Bedford Middle School. More than 20 different chowders, soups and bisques will be available for sampling with proceeds benefiting the Connecticut Food Bank.

Just over the border, the Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lover's 'Tasting' Evening will benefit The Shelter for the Homeless onThursday, Feb 10, 6 pm at the Stamford Hilton, featuring 70 vendors, many of them local, serving decadent chocolates and confections and specialty beverages.

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Friday Froth: Super Bowl Gold

Diane de Poitiers, a mistress of French King Henry II in the first half of the 16th century, subscribed to the idea that gold was imbued with magical youth-preserving powers by the Sun’s energy, so she drank it in elixirs made by the King’s apothecaries. John Barry, the man who composed scores and themes for a dozen films in the James Bond franchise, died this week at 77. One of his most recognizable themes has Shirley Bassey booming out the word “gold” eight times in the last nine lines of the song in her unmistakable foghorn of a voice. In the film, Goldfinger famously tells 007 “No, Mr. Bond – I expect you to die,” which is exactly what happened to Mdme. de Poitiers when the gold in her body reached Bond-villain levels. We’ll hope to avoid that fate this week as we toss back a little gold to honor Mr. Barry.

Super Bowl Sunday, that highest of February holidays (What? OW! Stop it.) introduces the yawning mouth of the Boring Beer Pitfall into our collective path.

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Salmon Fish Tacos via Chef Nicole

Growing up in California, fish taco’s were very common.  When we moved to the East Coast, they were almost impossible to find.  I’ve been making this dish for years and everyone loves it!  These Salmon Fish Tacos are a little bit o'sunshine with the crunchy purple cabbage and blood orange slaw.

I still remember the first time I had ever seen a blood orange, my husband and I were in Venice and we wandered past a fruit stand selling Sanguines- blood oranges.  We peeled one and the ruby colored flesh immediately took us by surprise.  The flavor is similar to an orange, but a little sweeter and a little tarter.

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Martha Stewart @ Stamford's Fairway Market

If you would like to get a book signed at the event, pre-registration is necessary. Go to  martha@fairwaymarket.com and send in your name to pre-register. 

Fairfield County's Top 10 Spots for Valentine's Dinner

Looking for that perfect restaurant to woo your significant other this Valentine's Day? Try one of these great romantic spots in Fairfield County, CT. 

Schoolhouse - Wilton This quaint renovated schoolhouse is the quintessential special occasion spot (if you can get a reservation). Local ingredients and nuanced flavors highlight this menu.  

Paci - Southport Nestled in the Southport train station, Paci's unique interior combines a renovated freight depot with urban modern chic. This Southport favorite has been serving some of the best Italian fare in FC since 1996. 

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Ask Conrad: More Ideas For Your Super Bowl Party

The best way to ensure a successful Super Bowl party—and I say this with the most wholesome attitude in the world—is to pack as much vice into it as you can. First, offer your guests plenty of opportunities for gluttony. (Here is a suggestionfor a delicious, non-heart-healthy game-day menu. Suggested portion sizes: extra large.)  And have more alcohol on hand, and in all its glorious variety, than may be strictly necessary. A  Super Bowl party is one of those times when some wives let their husbands slip the leash. You never know when one of the men will find himself on a binge.

But nothing adds interest to watching football quite so much as gambling.

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Top Ten Chocolate Shops & Chocolatiers

You don't really think we believe that box of chocolates you're buying your sweetheart is bound for anyplace other than your own stomach, do you? Let's face it. Valentines Day is really just another excuse to feed your sweet tooth. So with that out of the way, we're stepping in to give you a list of places in your neighborhood to satisfy that craving and maybe score a few points with your honey. A word to the wise: when buying chocolate, you'll want to stop in the week of to strike the best balance between freshness and selection.

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Souterrain #3: Underground Dining @ Lillian August

Bill Taibe and the leFarm team hosted their 3rd Souterrain (underground dining experience) at Lillian August in Norwalk this past Sunday. Check out the photo gallery for all the tasty details. You'll find the full menu here as well. 

Who doesn't like dining and shopping for living room furniture at the same time?