Nola Oyster Bar Brings Seafood to South Norwalk

Several weeks ago CTbites first announced the opening of Nola Oyster Bar in South Norwalk, described as a seafood restaurant with dishes from Maine to New Orleans. After my initial visit, it is apparent that much of the food is influenced by the great flavors and traditions of New Orleans, but the creative interpretations are singularly of Chef Dan Kardos.

Exposed brick walls, wood and tin columns, and wrought iron rails dominate the interior with white “antique” chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to create a very New Orleans visual. The front area includes a large, arced granite-topped bar that seats 10, plus a large reclaimed “Bankers’ Table” that seats an additional eight guests overlooking the floor to ceiling windows. The center section of the restaurant overlooks the kitchen, plus the rear room is available for regular dining or a private event.  

Nola Oyster Bar is a place for fun, drinks and great food.

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The Next Wave in Mobile Food: A Floating Oyster Bar

This is a story about a boat, and oysters, and a new concept in dining...a moveable feast if you will. Once neglected, America's oldest oyster boat is taking on a new role as a floating oyster bar, and it's coming to a location near you. But to make this new culinary concept a reality, this boat needs your help. Here's the whole story....

Two years ago, a typical photo assignment changed the course of photographer Jean Paul Vellotti's life. You might say that was the day he became an accidental oysterman.

When tasked with capturing a local captain for a Whole Foods Market advertising campaign, he visited the East Norwalk-based Norm Bloom & Son oyster firm. There, he climbed aboard a derelict oyster boat to get a better perspective of his subject who was standing on the bow of the immaculately kept Catherine M. Wedmore.

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Nola Oyster Bar Opens in SONO

With very little fanfare, Nola Oyster Bar will open its doors this weekend in SONO in the space formerly occupied by Wasabi Chi on the corner of Main and Washington. As CTbites announced a few weeks ago the menu will primarily focus on seafood from Maine to New Orleans.

The previous open interior has been completely redesigned into three dining areas. The bar area features both a long bar with numerous stools for cocktails and dinner, while the two dining areas occupy the remaining space. The rear dining area is convertible for use as a private dining area.

Chef Dan Kardos is overseeing the kitchen and a sneak peak at his opening menu confirms the seafood focus with variety of options. Included are traditional raw bar selections of oysters and clams plus several crudos. “Small Plates” offer several varieties of cooked seafood including braised mussels, an oyster pan roast and several renditions of oysters. The entrées maintain the seafood focus with poached lobster, shrimp and grits, and other grilled and roasted seafood, but expands into a few non-seafood selections that include hanger steak, fried chicken, a combination bacon-cheeseburger. CTbites was told that the menu will expand rapidly over the first few weeks.

Stay tuned as CTbites revisits Nola Oyster Bar in a few weeks for an in depth review.

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Southport Brewing Co. Expands into SONO with “NOLA”

What is all that activity on the corner of Washington and Main Streets in SONO? CTbites has discovered that SBC Restaurant and Brewery will open its fifth location in the space formerly occupied by Wasabi Chi. Currently name NOLA, SBC's Bill Dasilva told CTbites that the new restaurant will be an Oyster bar with “twists on traditional seafood from New Orleans to Maine” in “a very casual, comfortable and cool” atmosphere. The opening is targeted for February 2013. 

Overseeing the kitchen will be long time favorite to many in Fairfield County, Executive Chef Dan Kardos. Chef Kardos began his culinary career with SBC while a teenager and worked in several Fairfield County restaurants over the last few years including Napa & Co., Harvest Supper, @Bar Rosso, and most recently with Chef Bill Taibe at The Whelk.

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Pagano's Seafood in Norwalk: Restaurant & Insiders Shop Here

When a recipe called for whole uncleaned squid, I knew that the ingredient would be difficult to find.  However, I did not expect it to be impossible.  After 4 grocery stores, 4 markets, 6 restaurants, multiple phone calls and exactly 0 success, I began to think otherwise. Fortunately, a friend with ties to the food industry gave me a little tip as I was about to surrender: Pagano’s Seafood in Norwalk.  Sure enough, they had plenty of whole squid for purchase.  I started on my recipe within the hour.

It turns out that Pagano’s is greatly respected in both the restaurant community.  They provide fish to some of the area’s most popular dining destinations including The Homestead Inn, Quattro Pazi, Napa and Company, Barcelona, Match, The Spotted Horse, and Bartaco.  They even serve restaurants and markets in Massachusetts and New York.  When I asked Allen Pagano, a founder and owner, why Pagano’s was so sought after, he chuckled and responded simply, “Because we’re the best.”

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Eat Local Fish Now

Like many others, fishermen in the Northeast are feeling the effects of the hurricane and struggling to get back on their feet. Many chefs have made a commitment to help New England fishermen by serving local seafood. As Jared Auerbach, Massachusetts fisherman and dock owner explains, "The East Coast got hit really hard this week and there are a lot of people who are hurting. Instead of using imported fish, lets all put our money where it's needed most." It's always a good time to eat and buy local New England fish, but now, even more so. Ask your fish purveyor what's local and fresh, and as diners ask your server where your fish was caught. 

The Dressing Room restaurant was one of the first to respond when Sea to Table, (an organization that partners with local fishermen from small-scale sustainable wild fisheries), asked for support. Chef Jon Vaast decided to menu hake from the Gulf of Maine, baked with a sunchoke puree, swiss chard, brown butter, and a red wine reduction. Chef Bill Taibe continues to do the same at The Whelk where he has been committed to sourcing local fish since they opened their doors. 

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The Whelk: Bill Taibe's Inspired Seafood in Westport

The last year has given Westport three high-profile (if completely divergent) openings. Danny Meyer's Shake Shack opened its first venture into Connecticut and shook-up the Westport fast food scene and Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich opened a second Tarry Lodge in Saugatuck, bringing a different twist to traditional Italian restaurants. Finally, Chef Bill Taibe, the James Beard nominee and Owner / Chef of LeFarm opened The Whelk, his second Westport restaurant, on the Saugatuck River, just a short stroll from Tarry Lodge.

The Whelk, named after a sea snail similar to a conch, is primarily focused on seafood and addresses an oddly unexploited niche, a high-end seafood restaurant on Connecticut’s Gold Coast.  For that reason alone, I was especially interested in The Whelk, and thus began my exploration, with multiple visits to this award winning kitchen.

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IKEA Swedish Summer Crayfish Party, August 17

Celebrate Summer with IKEA Swedish Crayfish Party, for Only $9.99, Kids 12 and Under Eat for Only $2.49

It’s the time of the year again for enjoying time with family and friends under the setting sun, amidst mild summer weather. IKEA, the Life Improvement Store, invites customer  to enjoy the IKEA Crayfish Party—a late summer smorgasbord that will be hosted in the restaurant IKEA New Haven on Friday, August 17. For only $9.99 per person or $2.49 for kids 12 and under, guests can enjoy a Swedish summer meal of crayfish, cheese pie, cucumber salad, and more.

Crayfish parties date back to the 1800s when lakes in Sweden were full of crayfish. In order to protect crayfish populations, the fishing season was limited to August and September, which is why—today—Swedish crayfish parties are still traditionally held in August.

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The Sheffield Island Clambake & Boatride

Every summer, from June through September, The Norwalk Seaport Association provides an escape from the rush of city life and the exhaustion of a grueling workday. They transport you to the shores of idyllic Sheffield Island, a sanctuary on the sea, truly taking you back to the way summer should be.

The Sheffield Island Clambake got it’s start a little over 10 years ago and has become a much anticipated summer tradition for many families.  The Norwalk Seaport Association is a non-profit organization that has owned, restored, and maintained the Sheffield Island Lighthouse since 1986.  Sheffield Island opens its dock to visitors May through September, inviting them to tour the 142 year old light house, have a picnic, or look for shells along the beach.  

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Foodie Road Trip: Three Days in Cape Cod

Cape Cod is the perfect summer road trip destination for busy people.  About a three-hour drive from Fairfield, Connecticut, the towns of Woods Hole and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, hold good news for food lovers.  On a recent three-day getaway, my husband and I sought casual-but-good waterfront places where shorts fit the dress code. We discovered inspired and classic renditions of New England fare.

Woods Hole is where the ferry leaves for Martha’s Vineyard, but it’s a destination in itself. The quaint gray-shingled town rests on a spit of land, where on a recent idyllic summer day, sunlight sparkled on the water, and breezes blew stress away.  Ah, vacation.

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