Sun Winefest Recap: One Woman's Search for the Best Bottles

It was the calm before the storm.

As I strolled into the SunWineFest before the doors opened to the public, the ballroom appeared almost peaceful.  Exhibitors casually erected their stands and freely moved about the space.  Within an hour, that all changed.  People stood packed shoulder to shoulder and attempted to elbow their way through the throng for tastes of wine.  The crowd surged with energy, and my heart raced with excitement.

For some, the Mohegan SunWineFest is one giant party: an excuse to get buzzed with friends, blow off steam, and sample as many wines as physically possible.  For others, the event is a valuable opportunity to find exceptional bottles. 

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Bistro Latino: Chef Rafael Palomino Comes to Old Greenwich

Acclaimed chef, author and restaurateur Rafael Palomino recently opened Bistro Latino in the space first occupied by Boxing Cat Café and then Greenwich Tavern in Old Greenwich.  The vast dining room has been done over in dark wood flooring which is flanked by racked walls that flaunt an extensive portfolio of international wines. 

Palomino won his food-star stripes when he opened Sonora in Manhattan almost two decades ago, introducing Manhattan to Nuevo Latino cuisine, and earning raves from the city’s food critics. Sonora's wild success inspired Rafael to bring his unique cooking style to satellite restaurants in New Haven, Tuckahoe, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Sonora now lives in Port Chester.

Despite its name, Greenwich's Bistro Latino is not really Nuevo Latino since the dishes are more of Spain than Latin and South America.  Rafael has created a menu that features European tapas and paella -- which he anoints with flavors from his Columbian and Queens roots. "Spanish bathed in Picante Style," is how the restaurant describes it.  As a result, Bistro Latino is really more about invention than tradition.  

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GIVEAWAY! Win Tickets to See Food Network Star Robert Irvine @ Ridgefield Playhouse

GIVEAWAY: WIN 2 pairs of tickets to "Chef Robert Irvine LIVE" @ The Ridgefield Playhouse!

HOW TO WIN: CTbites will randomly select 2 winners who comment on ANY article between Nov 7-Nov 22nd. You must be a registered user of the site, and include your email address to be considered.

On Sunday, December 2nd @8PM celebrity chef and Food Network's "Dinner Impossible" star Robert Irvine will appear at The Ridgefield Playhouse for an interactive cooking demonstration, "Chef Robert Irvine LIVE!"

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