Stamford Museum's Flights of Fancy Wine Tasting

Photos top from left: Sweet On You, Susan Kane Catering, TAWA; middle: TAWA, Frank & Julio, Susan Kane Catering; bottom: Frank & Julio, Susan Kane Catering, Sweet On YouOn Friday June 4th, Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s will hold their 13th Annual Flights of Fancy Wine Tasting to raise money for their wonderful community resource. The event will feature an evening of fine wines, exquisite food from 11 different local caterers, and a combination of tremendous live and silent auction item. Former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy will host the evening’s live auction.

The 13th annual wine tasting will be held in the Museum’s Bendel Mansion. Check out the fabulous array of participating local caterers and fine restaurants. These include: A Dash of Salt of Norwalk, Butterfield 8, David’s Soundview Catering, Frank & Julio Complete Event Planning, and Fratelli Market of Stamford, Illy Coffee, Michael Joseph’s Fine Foods of Darien, and Napa & Co. of Stamford, Rosie of New Canaan, Shelly’s On The River, Susan Kane Catering, Sweet on You, and Tawa Indian Cuisine, all of Stamford.

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A Moveable Feast: Skinny Pines Brick Oven Pizza Truck

The green Dodge pick-up truck slowly backed into my narrow, curved driveway with the 6 x 13 foot trailer leading.  A dome shaped, brick pizza oven was mounted on the open trailer by some ingenious contraption that prevents it from being jostled and toppling off in a crumbled mess of mortar.  Jeff Borofsky, chef/owner of SKINNY PINES, a portable wood fired oven catering company,  was bringing the party to my home. A group of lucky CTbites contributors and other Fairfield County food producers were due to arrive in 90 minutes.  I was beginning to wonder if the party would be ready for these friends with their discerning palates and voracious appetites. 

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Westport Farmers Market: Guest Chef Lineup

You've waited all Winter. You've been patient. You've eaten produce flown in from countries far away, and had daydreams involving fresh blueberries. But now, your wait is over. It's time to rejoice with fresh local farm fare. The Farmers Markets are back in session!

Throughout the season, we will bring you coverage from Farmers Markets around Fairfield County, but we wanted to make you aware of an exciting culinary opportunity that can only be found at The Westport Farmers Market this Summer. Under the new leadership of "market master" Lori Cochran Dougall, this year's great roundup of 30 farms and vendors will be accompanied by a weekly "Guest Chef," and wait till you see the lineup. Mark your calendars people. I don't know about you, but some of my favorite chefs in Fairfield County are on this list. Don't miss your chance to meet and greet the people who make your mouth water. 

The Westport Farmers Market will be held every Thursday from 10-2 at the Imperial Avenue Parking Lot adjacent to the Women’s Club through mid November. For more information about opening dates and vendors at the Farmers Markets near you, check out The Fairfield Green Food Guide. 

Read on for the complete Guest Chef Program Schedule:

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In Search of "Chinese Mirch:" Good Chinese in FC

"Chinese Mirch"? You mean the month before Chinese April?  Oh, you mean Mirch as in "merchant?" Not that either, eh? Maybe as in, "not mirch, what's new with you?" - close but no cigar, I guess. But it turns out that there's quite a bit that's new with this trendy Chinese/Indian hybrid currently in full swing on Stamford's bustling Atlantic Street. "Chinese Mirch," founded by third generation restaurateur Vik Lulla, is a labor of love for Mr Lulla and his wife Sienam. The couple opened the first "Chinese Mirch" in NYC in 2003 to great critical acclaim. Now, the couple owns two "Chinese Mirch" restaurants in Manhattan, this new Stamford location with another opening in Farmington this Summer, and one in Cambridge, MA coming soon. But what's this Mirch business all about?  As someone who HATES not knowing the true meaning of things, I just HAD to find out.

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Daily Fare: Down To Earth Gourmet To-Go

Being greeted with a cup of locally roasted coffee and the promise of a healthy prepared meal each day may be the only foolproof way to overcome the indignity that is a Metro North train commute. Located inside the Bethel train station, Daily Fare offers a nourishing and caffeinated segue into the freneticism of a work day and the welcome flexibility of a healthy prepared take-home meal for lunch or dinner.

This coffee shop-meets-gourmet-to-go is not just for commuters. For many of us faced with the daily demands and dwindling hours of busy schedules, Daily Fare affords us hungry and time-crunched souls the luxury of well balanced meals instead of shopping, cooking and preparing a meal. For many of us who like to cook, it can be a much-needed respite. For others who can't cook or don't want to, it's like having your own personal chef without having to foot the bill.

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Whole Foods Market Opens in Darien

On Monday night, I joined the 1,900 person throng that descended on the new Whole Foods store in Darien for a "Sneak Peak Party."  My two boys and I were treated to dozens of tastings, all from local vendors, that spanned the perimeter of the store, from appetizers to desserts. 

First up was raw oysters, handed over by Captain Northrop, a local aquaculture farmer who informed us that the shellfish were pulled from the water in Westport just an hour-and-a-half ago. They were large, fresh and worthy of any reputable raw bar. Other raw offerings at the store include clams and other oysters, plus tuna, salmon, eel and shrimp sashimi.

We sampled sashimi tuna steak, served Tataki syle with Whole Food's wasabi aioli

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Taqueria La Michoacana: Bridgeport's Top Taco?

Cinco de Mayo found my girls and I hankering for some Mexicano authenico.  While we couldn’t afford a flight south for the day, Taqueria La Michoacana was absolutamente the next best thing to being there.

Tucked away between a package store and a used car lot on Main Street in Bridgeport, Taqueria La Michoacana touts itself as “The Only 100% Mexican Taqueria.”  We walk into the spotless, 30-seat storefront and are immediately greeted by the sweet smell of garlic and the owner, Sergio.  While he refers to his wife, Rosa, in the kitchen, we don’t get to meet her until we insist on complimenting the chef on our way out.  Roles are clearly defined here, Sergio is front of the house, Rosa is the chef.

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Chef Talk: Tuna Marinato From Morello Bistro

Photo Credit: Thomas McGovernThe beautiful dish comes from the Marches region of Italy and is typically prepared with salt cod. Executive Chef Townsend Wentz of Morello Bistro in Greenwich uses tuna, which has a richness and fattyness that is cut by the spicy tomato.  The tuna itself is marinated in rosemary and orange zest, which is mirrored in the rest of the dish.

If you are wondering where to purchase your sushi grade tuna, check out our Sushi Party Primer. If you have a favorite local seafood resource, share it with the group and post a comment below.

Tuna Marinato

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The Boathouse: Sustainably Sublime

I have never been comfortable playing the “best you ever (fill in the blank)” game.  I don’t like having to limit to just one the wonderful movies I’ve seen, books I’ve read or meals I’ve eaten. Haven’t we all enjoyed memorable meals – whether for the food, the company or the setting? Last week, I had lunch at The Boathouse in Westport and found myself making room on my short list for another “best meal ever” because of the food, the company and the setting.

John Holzwarth, formerly the Executive Chef of the Dressing Room, has opened The Boathouse Restaurant in The Saugatuck Rowing Club and on a recent, sunny afternoon he prepared lunch

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CTbites Wins Best of Fairfield County Readers' Poll 2010

Thank you to all of our readers, friends, and foodies who voted for CTbites to win Fairfield Weekly's Best of Fairfield County Readers' Poll 2010 for best "Local Blog." We appreciate your support, your contributions, and your comments. Keep them coming. 

If there is anything we can do to make this a more savory place for you, please let us know.  

Go check out the complete list of winners on the newsstands this week!