THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE: Gabriele's Italian Steakhouse, Greenwich.

Though CTBites traditionally reviews the food created by gifted chefs in the Back of the House, we thought a story about the talent at the Front might be in order.  So who better to feature than Tony Capasso, the celebrated maître d of Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse in Greenwich and unquestionably the biggest personality on the Connecticut restaurant scene? Actually, Copasso may be more MC than Maitre ‘d.

"My mother tells me that when I was five, I was already meeting, greeting and introducing people to each other in my apartment house," he told us. "I've always been a people person. President of my high school. Captain of the football team, I like people, they like me, and that's what this job is all about."

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CTbites' Canned Film Festival: Food Movie Favorites

The Awards Season is in full swing!  The Golden Globes, Sundance Film Festival are already old news…the Grammy’s just scored record ratings and now the anticipation builds for the “motherlode” of all awards… The 85^th Academy Awards for Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences (also known as the Oscar’s ) airing on Sunday 2/24 on ABC.  And what better way to spend a winter evening than with Dinner and a Movie!

But, what if you don’t feel like braving the weather, the crowds or JUST can’t stand the smell of popcorn? How about staying in and watching a movie and ordering in or making dinner? Therefore, I offer you the CTbites,  “CANNED FILM FESTIVAL" with tasty recomendations for food focused movies in 4 categories: Food Flick Classics, Watch With Your Kids, Food Education, and Flicks For Wine Lovers. 

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Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for the Connecticut Foodie

As is always the case, one holiday ends and another is launched into our consciousness almost instantly. Those crumbs from the pumpkin pies are just being swept away, but The Holiday Season is officially here and Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa shopping has begun. What to get? Where to get it? It’s the annual quest. We’d like to make things a wee bit easier for you, as we’ve found some great items for the food lovers on your list. Buy one, buy several! Either way, you will seen as one of those “good gift givers”!

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CTbites TV:Chef Bernard Bouissou Demo's Baby Pumpkin Holiday Recipe

Chef Bernard Bouissou of Bernard's in Ridgefield is somewhat of a Fairfield County legend amongst both chefs and diners alike. Talented chefs including Arik Bensimon and Bill Taibe have gained valuable skills in his contemporary French kitchen, and when it comes to entertaining, no one has a larger repertoire of beautiful holiday recipes.

Recently, Chef Bouissou stepped into CTbites' test kitchen to demonstrate his recipe for Baby Pumpkins filled with Pumpkin Mousseline, Sautéed Shrimp & Wild Mushrooms. These are stunning on a Thanksgiving table and simple to make. Watch the video for great tips while you try out this recipe at home (Recipe Below). 

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Guide to Catering Thanksgiving in Fairfield County

Thanksgiving is the most anticipated and sometimes the most daunting meal of the year. But, in the end, it is all about food, friends and family. Depending on the number of guests in your party, there are several options for celebrating the holiday that don't involve slaving away in the kitchen for days.  Here are a few resources for those who would prefer to get a little assistance. (Readers: If you know of other Thanksgiving catering resources, please add them.)

Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro will be open until noon on Thanksgiving day for pick up only.  Our Thanksgiving Menu is available on our Web Site. All apps, soups & sides are fully cooked and have full reheat instructions.  The turkeys are dressed, trussed and ready to roast with complete roasting instructions.

Rosie in New Canaan can handle all your Thanksgiving needs. A full menu of classic sides such as Rosie’s homemade herb gravy, haricots verts with shitakes, & celery root apple fennel soup. All orders must be picked up between 1-6 PM Wedesday, November 21st. Call (203) 966-8998. 

Le Farm/ The Whelk will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will be offering Trout Dip and Chicken Liver Pate with bacon jam for purchase prior to the big day. Call to order: (203) 557-3701

BONDA: Many of you may be have fond memories of, Abbondanza Specialty Food - the gourmet prepared foods store and catering company Bonda owned in Westport for nearly 10 years.

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The Pantry in Fairfield: Market & Catering for Food-Lovers (sponsored post)

You won't believe what's in our PANTRY! Located at 1580 Post Road in Fairfield, Ct, The Pantry is much more than a food shop - it is Mecca for foodies as well as a one-stop-shop for busy consumers. Established in 2003 through the collaborative effort of chefs & food lovers, The Pantry has blossomed into a bustling marketplace stocked with an array of products and services for today's savvy clientele.  What have they got? Top quality butchered meats & seafood (delivered daily from various New York markets), award winning desserts and pastries (the bakery has received "Best Desserts in Fairfield County" from Fairfield Weekly for 9 consecutive years), restaurant quality prepared foods & catering services, a full deli and salad bar, groceries, produce and floral & customized gift baskets. Whether you are looking for a freshly tossed salad,  pan seared salmon with citrus, basil & olive oil or a chocolate chip cookie - The Pantry is the place to shop. This Pantry is stocked!!

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Cinch Gourmet Meal Market & Cooking Classes

Years ago, around the time The Brady Bunch was infiltrating almost every T.V. set in America, it was unlikely that your mom would have picked up dinner in lieu of cooking a homemade meal.  While it’s true that familiar words in your household at the time may have included Wendy’s, Burger King and Arby’s, you weren’t pulling up to the drive-in window to order healthy, gourmet food.  At home it may have been a casserole or a roast while mom always remained neatly coifed, and eating meals at the table as a family were normal.  

Fast - forward 40 years and life is a lot different. In our fast paced world today we often find ourselves in a pinch, pressed for enough time to prepare a well-balanced meal for our disappearing family dinners due to time constraints.  Enter Cinch, Fairfield’s newest “Gourmet Food Market.”  A market where you shop for high quality meals that you just heat and serve in your own home.  “Eat your heart out Carol Brady, let me tell you a little bit about the life of a 21^st century family on the go.” 

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Holiday Open House @ The Schoolhouse at Cannondale

This just in from The Schoolhouse:

It's that time of year again! Head on over to a Holiday Open House here at the Schoolhouse at Cannondale Restaurant. Get inspiration for your upcoming holiday and dinner parties with a few signature ideas of Chef LaBant's. The Schoolhouse will be featuring several workshop stations starring some of their favorite Hor D'oeuvres, Desserts & Pies (also available for pre-order), a Prosecco and Italian Soda Bar, and a Floral Arrangements & Decorations workshop.

The Open House will go from 7 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday, November 20th. Take home an original recipe book by Schoolhouse's own, included in the cost. Tickets are $65.00 per person. To reserve tickets, please contact: openhouse2012@schoolhouseatcannondale.com with your name, number of reservations, and a telephone number should we need to contact youdirectly. We will confirm your tickets via email.

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Video: Matt Storch Demos Pea Carbonara w/ Poached Egg

When eggs and bacon come together with pasta, it's all good. When Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant demos said dish, it's even better. This is exactly what went down during a recent video shoot, where Storch did a trial run for his entree selection at the CT Chefs' dinner at the James Beard House. Storch's carbonara has a seasonal twist that sets it apart from the classic dish. Instead of mixing the eggs into the pasta, he uses fresh peas and pea shoots to create a puree that serves as the sauce, while gently resting a poached egg atop before serving. This is a great entree to make at home. Watch and learn...

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Sticky Balsamic Ribs via The Parsley Thief

Looking for a great recipe for your Memorial Day BBQ?  No joke, these are the best ribs ever! After asking my husband what he thought of them, he swallowed his bite & replied, "This may be the best thing I've had in my entire life". But, this is coming from a man who loves him some ribs...anyway, anyhow.

Like all good ribs, these require time, but very little effort. Once they are done marinating & slow cooking in the oven, the grilling part takes about 5 minutes. The perfect thing when you are having company & don't want to be in the kitchen when your guests are there.

This recipe will be a summer regular for us.

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