Stamford's Tappo Restaurant via Slice

If you haven't checked out Stamford newcomer Tappo yet, you should.  Although I've reveled in their tuna entree and sipped a few delicious negronis at their bar, it's their pizza that keeps me coming back. The cozy spot and its warm Italian welcome inspired me to review Tappo's pizza for my first contribution on Slice, America's favorite pizza blog in case you didn't know.

"A modern yet cozy Italian trattoria, Tappo's approach is regional Italian cuisine, with about a third of the menu given up to Neapolitan pizza worship. If the menu at Tappo was suddenly culled to that one page, a beacon of 14 pizza offerings, we wouldn't mind too much. It's not that the rest of the menu doesn't deserve its own nod—in fact, it does. But the pies at Tappo are good enough to make us believe this corner of Connecticut is serious about staking a claim to excellent Neapolitan-style pizza."

You can catch my full review of Tappo's pizza, in all its cheesy carb glory over on Slice.

Brendan's At The Elms: Farm to Table in Ridgefield

“Sustainability,” “Farm to Table,” “Locavore.” These all describe a culinary trend toward using locally raised ingredients. This philosophy has created a groundswell of top-tier restaurants in Fairfield County including Napa &Co., LeFarm, Harvest Supper, The Schoolhouse at Cannondale, Nicholas Roberts, and The Boathouse. But Brendan Walsh, owner-chef of Brendan’s at the Elms in Ridgefield, has been creating some of the best locally sourced “farm to table” food in Fairfield County for over ten years.

Click to read more ...

Thanksgiving Shout Out: Best Dish? Worst Dish?

Thanksgiving has come and gone and while I'm thankful for many things, one in particular stands out. No, not cruelty free fois gras. I'm grateful that my husband did not burn down the house while deep frying the Thanksgiving turkey.  

Our meal is pictured above, but suffice to say, as with any menu there were highlights and lowlights. Depending on how far you push the Thanksgiving envelope, you are destined to have keepers as well as dishes you'd prefer to never taste again. 

What was your favorite Thanksgiving dish? (if you have a link, feel free to include it)

What was the worst dish in your Thanksgiving lineup? (no link necessary)

1 lucky person on this comment thread will get an early holiday gift and WIN a CTbites mug!! 

Eggnog Lollipops?

Last year, we told you about Suckerborne Suckers, lolli's that aint just for kids. In fact, with boozy flavors like "Dark and Stormy" and "Lemon Vodka MeanyTini,"  you might want to keep these stored in a high place. 

Finally, a sophisticated and spectacular lollipop designed for adult palettes. Using nothing but sugar, a stick, and some outrageously decadent yet all natural ingredients, Darien resident Megan Ferrell has entered the candy market with chic and style.

Yes, lollis with a decidedly adult twist can be found right here in Fairfield County, and just in time for the holiday season, their EGGNOG lollipops are back!

Click to read more ...

The Day After Thanksgiving: Turkey Pot Pie

It's the morning after. You swore the night prior that you would never look at turkey again, much less eat it. Alas, you walk downstairs, open the fridge and there it is staring you in the face. Not wanting to waste this tasty bird, one has to get creative....but not another sandwich...Turkey Pot Pie. 

Click to read more ...

Napa's Chestnut Corn Bread & Foie Gras Stuffing

Napa & Co. wraps-up our Thanksgiving Day Virtual Potluck Dinner with a decadent take on stuffing...Chestnut Corn Bread & Fois Gras Stuffing to be exact.

A hearty thank you to all the chefs, bloggers and readers who took the time to share one of their favorite recipes on on of our favorite holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Click to read more ...

Hartford's ON20

Sometimes, it's better to let the photos the talking. Nick Caito captured our meal from a recent and decadent evening out with CTbites readers and food bloggers at Hartford's ON20, and fellow blogger Leeanne recapped our decadent evening on her blog Fun With Carbs. Enjoy!

Reheated: BSF Opens & Giving Thanks [Turkey edition]

Reheated is a twice-weekly round-up of bite-sized food news in Connecticut and beyond. 

In Connecticut...

UPDATED: BSF (that's Burgers Shakes & Fries for you burger newbies) opens in Darien the week after Thanksgiving!

A Holiday Stroll in New Canaan on December 3 from 6 to 9 pm.

Looking for last minute Thanksgiving dinner reservations or caterers? Check out our "A Thanksgiving Day Guide to Take-Out or Eat-In Feasts."

Wine, wine everywhere and not a drop to drink with Turkey. Check out our "Thanksgiving Day Wine & Pairing Guide."

Click to read more ...

Scratch Baking Debuts in Milford

Chances are pretty good that if you’ve ever lusted after a baked good in Fairfield County, Lesli Flick of Milford's newest bakery Scratch Baking may have literally had her hands on it. Scratch is a beacon of baked goods, opening in a cozy space adjacent to the Milford train station just this past weekend with seasoned pastry chef Lesli Flick at its helm.

Flick has been moving steadily north since attending culinary school in Manhattan, beginning her baking trajectory on the upper east side and then (thankfully for us) moving to Connecticut. 

Click to read more ...

Reader Recipe: The Yummiest Cranberry Sauce Ever

Thank you to Gayatri Batra for her recipe submission for "The Yummiest Cranberry Sauce Ever."

My five year old son, Jai owns this sauce! When he was in pre-school, he learnt how to make it with his teacher Ms Michelle Fulton for a class Thanksgiving Feast. He could not get over how easy it was to make and how good it tasted. He was completely bowled over when he was complimented on his culinary skills! That sealed his ownership on this sauce and has converted him into a cranberry lover. 

Click to read more ...