Cult Classic, Colony Pizza, Comes to Fairfield

Connecticut pizza fans are not much different than baseball fans. Each are rabidly and often irrationally supportive of their team or in this case, their pizzerias. And just as that imaginary line splitting Connecticut into Yankees and Red Sox territory exists, so does the invisible border separating followers of Stamford's seventy-five year-old institution, Colony Grill, from those forming lines at Pepe's and Sally's on New Haven's Wooster Street. 

Depending on your team, one thing is certain. We in Connecticut take our pizza very seriously. The pizza rivalry is heating up in Connecticut with Colony Grill's expansion onto Fairfield's Post Road. Opening this past Memorial Day weekend, Colony Grill in Fairfield has already cultivated a near-instant following drawn to its thin crust hot oil pies and booming bar scene. 

Die-hard fans of Stamford's Colony Grill will not be dissapointed in its Fairfield incarnation.  The nearly-identical menu is matched by an identically delicious pizza, minus the decades of pizzeria patina, a combination of occasionally surly service and constant throng of people and take-out orders we've come to appreciate (read: tolerate) in Stamford.    

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Beach Street Sandwiches: Celebrity Chef on Wheels

On June 19th, BEACH STREET SANDWICHES, the Shoreline’s first gourmet sandwiches truck, operated by Chef Gregory McCarty, ex- Nobu and Jean Georges Chef, opens for business during Madison CT's Flea Market on the Green. 

Beach Street Sandwiches is Chef Gregory McCarty’s latest project, a shop on wheels serving sandwiches, because everything is better on bread." The chef is best known for his menu development and execution at Nobu 57 and Jean Georges Vongerichten’s Bahamian outpost, Dune. 

For the next month, Beach Street Sandwiches will be running truck-less, setting up a table at various shoreline events, the first of which is June 19 ’s Madison Lions Club Flea Market, taking place from 9am-3pm on the Madison Green.

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Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar: Hip Mexican Hangout

Lolita Cocina is not just a restaurant, it's a scene. From the endless rows of tequila lining the bar to its hopelessly sexy digs, it's hard not to feel as if you've stumbled upon a modern Mexican speakeasy complete with a mouth-watering menu. One doesn't dine at Lolita as much as escape and feel as if they've discovered a slightly hipper version of oneself. 

Located on Mill Street in Byram, Lolita Cocina's personality reflects its zip code, an up-and-coming neighborhood sandwiched between Port Chester, known for an abundance of south of the border restaurants, and the posh town of Greenwich located literally at the southern tip of Fairfield County. 

The hipster Mexican vibe begins as soon as you cross the threshold into a roughly elegant space punctuated with striking red glass Murano chandeliers and swaths of brick and black leather banquettes.  Dim lighting, fun music and the din of the near-nightly crowds that flock to Lolita fill the space to complete its inimitable scene. But don't let the carefully cultivated cool throw you, this place can throw down some serious food. 

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Jfood & Roadfood on 25 Yrs of Westfair Fish & Chips

Photo Credit: Michael Stern, Roadfood.com

Is there anything better than fried seafood by the beach on a warm Summer day? I think not. Neither do jfood of Chowhound.com and Michael Stern of Roadfood.com. These are two serious foodies who are more than happy to drive that extra mile to satisfy their fried seafood craving at Westfair Fish & Chips. I'll let them tell you why....

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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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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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The Olive Market: Georgetown's Eclectic Treasure

Upon entering The Olive Market in Redding, you can’t help but be surprised by the unique setting.  Envision Pottery Barn mixed in with a little Williams Sonoma, add a dash of Murray’s Cheese Shop…well, you get the picture.  The Olive Market's menu, under Chef Fernando, displays a similarly intriguing fusion of foods with influences from Uruguay, Portugal, Italy, and Spain. Here you will find everything from empanadas, tapas and fondue, to paninis and pizzas. They also sell cheeses and olives by the pound and have a very browse-worthy home goods store attached to the café. The store stays open until the restaurant closes so there’s plenty of time to check out the goods while waiting for your food to arrive.  

Dining tables are nestled amongst shelves lined with a beautiful array of gourmet food items like olive oils, flavored salts, fondue pots, and cooking tools. I even found O & Co. White Truffle Oil which I thought I could only purchase in Grand Central.  Terrazzo tiles, dark blue ceilings and vibrantly colored paintings add to the eclectic, warm atmosphere. 

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CTbites Lunch Event @ Nicholas Roberts

As promised, our next CTbites / Suzysaid lunch event has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 4th @ Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro. Many of us in the CTbites community have been long time fans of Rob Troilo's sublime cuisine, and now he will serve up a meal especially for our readers. You know it's going to be good.

For anyone who has dined with Rob before, you know the space is small, so call now to make your reservations at (203) 229-0035. Check out the delicious $15 prix fixe menu below...

Choice of entree:

Seared Tuna Nicoise Style - with black olive tapenade, green beans, anchovies and a dijon vinaigrette

Caesar Salad with Organic Chicken - brioche croutons and parmesan crisp

Spring Vegetable Risotto with fresh favas, english peas, asparagus and mascarpone

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Beyond Breakfast @ Rosie in New Canaan

By Saturday morning I can't bear the thought of cooking another breakfast for my children. These are the mornings I lean heavily on the culinary skills of my husband, or abandon the house to allow a paid cook handle the whims and desires of my family of five. Sure, there are many local diners around town, but I'm always on the lookout for something more…well, more unique. Rosie in New Canaan is just this type of place. 

Caterers Rosie and George Nammack are the brains and cooks behind "Rosie," offering eat-in, take-out, and catering services. Walking into their almost unmarked glass-store front on Elm Street, I am reminded of some of my favorite coffee houses in Seattle serving that perfect combination of well prepared comforting fare and plush pillows.

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Learn While You Lunch @ Sport Hill Farm: Season 2

Whether you were lucky enough to have experienced last year's Meet Me At The Farm lunch event at Patti Popp's Sport Hill Farm, or if you got shut out of this series, now is your chance to sign up! Educator and cooking coach, Amie Guyette Hall, (as well as certified holistic health counselor), has returned to walk small groups of guests though a lively lunch discussion centered around incorporating beneficial ingredients into your mealtime repertoire. But this is no lecture. This is learning through eating, and Annie demonstrates these valuable cooking technique while preparing a fresh seasonal lunch based on recipes you can take home with you. Of course, your kitchen may not be as idyllic as Sport Hill Farm's rustic outdoor open dining space, but the recipes were just as creative and flavorful at home. 

Sitting beside the rows of Sport Hill Farm's latest crops, Amie also gave us guidance on how to cook the locally harvested produce you run into at your Farmers Market or receive in your CSA (Community Supported Agriculture, or farm shares). This is a unique Fairfield County happening you won't want to miss. Read our review from last season to get the full scoop on this lunch series. RSVP is required. Email Patti @ farmgal596@yahoo.com

"Meet Me At The Farm" Dates

Tues May 18th, Tues June 15th, Tues Sept 21, Tues Oct 19th