Day Trip: Head Up to Klocke Estate in Hudson for Brandy, Vermouth, Craft Cocktails, + Seasonal, Local Fare Ingredients Interview Restaurant Road Trip Road Trip Distillery Hudson Valley Hudson Vermouth Brandy Cocktails New York Andrew Dominick November 25, 2025 Early in 2025, I started doing a ton of research on vermouth for an article in The Valley Table. You can read it HERE, but if you choose not to, no worries, it was general; what vermouth is, the guidelines for classifying vermouth in Europe versus the U.S., and who’s making it in the Hudson Valley. But if you do read it, there’s a cool, funny Winston Churchill bit in there. Just saying! One of the places that helped significantly with my vermouth knowledge was Klocke Estate in the Hudson-Claverack area where they make their own wine for vermouth, from their own grapes, that’s fortified with their own apple brandy, that’s made from apples grown on the grounds. The botanicals? Also grown right at Klocke Estate, well…with the exception of cinnamon. Read More
Chef Andrew Mercado's Butternut Squash Dashi Broth Soup Recipe Recipe Features Recipe Soups CTbites Team October 22, 2024 A few years back, guests were delighted to find themselves dining under the stars in Terrain’s outdoor garden, at a pop-up dinner hosted by Andrew Mercado of FED Hospitality Group and Chef Jes Bengston. One of the lineup’s starters was this wonderful soup, inspired by campfire cooking and the fall season. The beauty of this soup, is that it is vegan, and built upon a Dashi broth base. In Mercado’s words, it is “vegan, creamy, flavorful, soul-warming, subtly spiced, coconut-infused, simple and perfect for fall weather.” We couldn’t agree more. Read More
2024 Connecticut Lobster Roll Guide: 80+ Seafood Shacks, Roadside Stands + Restaurants for Meaty, Buttery Lobster Rolls Features Restaurant Road Trip Seasonal Guide Homepage Lobster Lobster Roll Seafood Serena Norr August 06, 2024
Tree House Brewing Co. Bought a Farm in Woodstock: Go...Drink Some Cider Features Brewery Ingredients Road Trip Seasonal Craft Beer Beer Cider Cidery Woodstock Tree House Brewing Company Homepage Andrew Dominick June 21, 2024 Ahh! Remember the good old days when standing in long lines at breweries was something people actually did?Me too. And thinking back on it now, and despite making snobby craft beer small talk, that legitimately sucked. What were we thinking? I’ve even heard tales about people sleeping on the street overnight just to get stouts at Other Half. Perhaps the undisputed king of waiting in a beer line took place in the first half of the 2010s when Tree House Brewing Company moved to Monson, Massachusetts in 2013 and you hoped with all you had in your soul that you could get a growler fill or even a couple cans of Julius, Haze, or Green. IYKYK.Hell, let’s take it even further to the days of making your non-beer drinking friend, mother, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, and possibly someone you didn’t even really like that much to go up with you, stand in line behind you, and you could potentially double your allotted Tree House haul. Read More
A CINCO DE MAYO Agave Spirits Primer & Recipes via CT Bartender Khalid Williams Features Recipe Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Recipe Cocktails Recipe Khalid Williams April 28, 2024 My favorite tequilas that are values:(I love George Clooney and all, but you can do much better than Migos.)Cimaroon-this, by far is the most value driven example of pure agave flavor.It may be a bit too funky for some, but it is super authentic and full of spice, lime, and herbaceous notes.Casa Noble Reposado- Aged for one day less than an Anejo, this is attainable luxury in a bottle. They check all the boxes for production, sustainability and investment in the drinking public with good information about how to truly appreciate the spirit. Vanilla, white pepper and bright orange dominate. Gran Centenario Anejo- oak aging takes away agave flavor, and skill is required to add the notes of candied apple, chocolate and cinnamon while preserving the soul of an agave. This is great for a bourbon lover, and a spoonful on top of your margarita is instant elegance. Read More
Border Crossing for Barbecue: Br’ers BBQ in Bedford Hills Features Ingredients Interview Road Trip Restaurant barbecue BBQ Bedford Bedford Hills Westchester Homepage Andrew Dominick March 29, 2024 Barbecue is one of those things that people will travel for. Just over the Connecticut line, specifically in Bedford Hills, is a small, mostly takeout BBQ “shack” in a residential neighborhood, that’s actually not too far of a drive for folks in Stamford, Greenwich, Ridgefield, New Canaan, and their surrounding areas. Read More
Holiday Cocktail Recipes from Bartender Khalid Williams Features Recipe Cocktails Holiday Recipe Khalid Williams November 22, 2023 Two people walk into my bar. They both want to make amazing drinks for that holiday dinner. One of them is a bartender that studies the craft on a regular basis. The other person doesn’t know much besides a few drinks they they enjoy and have never made drinks themselves. Does one deserve to have a better time than the other simply because they do this all the time? I say no. We all deserve to have a good time and enjoy our adult beverages or mocktails. IF YOU HAVE SKILLS WITH CRAFT COCKTAILS: Read the room, and read beyond the room. Holiday gatherings aren’t the time for us to prove why it was smart for us to drop out of college by pulling out the molecular mixology kits or playing with dry ice. The holiday gathering is about a laid back good time, or at least pretending that cooking for 17 hours is a relaxing activity. In any case, the beverage should contain flavors that anyone can understand, pronounce and enjoy without much research . Use familiar spirits -bourbon and rum are seasonally fun. Vodka is a safe bet. Gin seems adventurous and may get a side eye, but in a sour style fruity cocktail, your guests WILL enjoy it. Sell them on the yummy ingredients. Just One Thing-One ingredient can make multiple spirits shine and turn your 3-4 bottles into a complete menu. Read More
Roadtrip: Augustine’s Salumeria Dazzles with Seasonal, Modern Italian in Mamaroneck Features Road Trip Restaurant Homepage Mamaroneck Westchester New York Hudson Valley Italian Chef Chef Talk Andrew Dominick January 12, 2023 If you listen to Marc Taxiera talk about his style at his newly opened Mamaroneck restaurant, Augustine’s Salumeria, he speaks about it passionately.“It’s born in Italian cooking, but I’m using ingredients from the market, things that turn us on,” he says. “My food was always about taking ingredients that we can get and showcasing them in the best way. Most Italian tends to be heavy on the sauce, fried calamari, chicken parm, but we’re taking the seasons and playing with it, doing it a little differently.” Read More
Caramelized Figs and Burrata Recipe from Chef Luke Venner Features Recipe Recipe CTbites Team September 14, 2022 Sometimes simplicity is best when it comes to cuisine. If you’ve ever eaten in Tuscany, you know this well. Great ingredients, prepared beautifully, and you’ve got yourself something delicious. Chef Luke Venner of Elm in New Canaan can execute the most elaborate dishes you’ve ever seen with layers of flavors and nuance, but he knows when to let the ingredients speak for themselves. We suggest sourcing your Mozzarella and herbs fresh from your local Farmers Market or cheesemonger. This simple dish is simply perfect. Enjoy his recipe for Caramelized Figs and Burrata. Read More
2022 Guide to Pick-Your-Own Connecticut Apples Ingredients Recipe CT Farms Local Farm Pick Your Own Homepage Anna Bendiksen August 25, 2022 At this time of year, when Connecticut’s leaves start to change colors, eventually rivaling those of a Turkish carpet, there are few pleasures keener than to drive along the back roads of our state to an apple orchard. To choose local fruit, often varieties that are otherwise hard to find, for oneself is a seasonal occasion worth seeking out, worth savoring, worth creating a special picnic for (think rustic breads, local cheeses, and local hard cider if the orchard allows it). If you’re lucky, all of this is set off by sweetly chilly temperatures and a sky of platinum blue---in which case, congratulations. You have officially reached peak autumn. Our guide to some of Connecticut’s best pick-your-own-apple experiences is here. Readers are encouraged to add their own. Note that this past spring, in the short period during which apple trees are pollinated, weather conditions were very unfavorable; a lighter-than-usual crop has resulted, so bring your flexibility along. As with all such outings, a little thinking ahead goes a long way. Be sure to call ahead for availability, wear sturdy shoes, and choose a good time for your visit. Weekdays are better for a quiet group or one that can’t deal with crowds; weekends will thrill the extroverts. Read More
Call, Respond, Then Run to RSVP for Beautiful French in West Cornwall Features Restaurant Seasonal Road Trip Homepage French Chef's Tasting Tasting Menu Tasting Cornwall West Cornwall Litchfield Andrew Dominick August 19, 2022 Several months ago, I’m certain my reaction to my dear friend, Katy, mentioning RSVP was something like, “Yeah. That means respond.” If we’re being technical, it’s actually “répondez s'il vous plait” or translated from French to English, “respond, if you please.”Until Katy finished her thought by telling me that RSVP a French restaurant in Litchfield County that she heard about from one of her friends who’s a bartender. “He raves about it,” she said.As is always the case, time passed. We kind of forgot about RSVP and barely looked into it for weeks, even months. Only occasionally we’d briefly bring it up, referring it as “THAT French place in Cornwall.” Read More
Local Vegan Chef, Christian Tracey, Launches Plant-Based Video Recipe Series Features Recipe Video Recipe Vegan Plant Based CTbites Team April 26, 2022 Christian (Chrissy) Tracey is a local Vegan Content Contributor, Video Host at Bon Appétit Magazine, and Head Chef at Chrissy’s. She lives in New Fairfield CT.As a Vegan chef, Chef Christian Tracey knows a thing or two about the beauty of plants. She has recently launched a video series called “Plant Curious”, a plant-based series showcasing the food and cultures she loves. Tracey will be exploring cooking, baking, foraging, and a bit of her Jamaican culture. She strives to inspire her viewers to get excited about adding plants to their lifestyle---whether that be through diet and meal planning, or simply getting outside.In this video, she features Ackee, the national fruit of Jamaica. The dish, Ackee & Saltfish, is an ode to her childhood and her Jamaican heritage. It's a traditional meal consumed on a regular basis in many Jamaican households, and is savory and vegetable forward. Read More
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Salsa Macha with Figs Recipe (Westport Farmers' Mkt) Recipe Recipe Sandwich CTbites Team April 07, 2022 There is nothing more comforting than a crispy and gooey grilled cheese sandwich. You can make this even more interesting with the addition of some salsa macha with figs to complement all the cheesy goodness with some spicy and smoky flavor. I like to use a combination of cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina and Provolone.The secret to the crispy bread is using a great sourdough bread like the Wild Yeast sourdough bread from Wave Hill breads, and then add some mayonnaise to crisp up the bread on the griddle. —Lorenza Arnal of Alma Mexican Foods in conjunction with The Westport Farmers’ MarketEnjoy this recipe for Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Salsa Macha with Figs. Read More
The Granola Bar in Rye Launches After Hours Upscale Bar Menu Features Interview Road Trip Restaurant The Granola Bar Rye Westchester cocktails bar food burgers Homepage Bar Andrew Dominick March 23, 2022 Riddle me this. The Granola Bar begins each morning frothing lattes, stacking egg sandwiches, and spreading avocado on sourdough. If they switch it up after hours by dimming the lights, mixing cocktails, popping corks, and serving up dry-aged smash burgers, caviar topped hash browns, and trout roe deviled eggs, what’s it called then?The Bar.Sorry that wasn’t as clever as a puzzle presented by a certain Batman villain.But nevertheless, what’s happening at The Granola Bar’s Rye location is something worth spilling. And it all goes down in a setting that’s fit for Gotham City. All the marble, mirrors, palms and live garden walls make it feel like a cross between Manhattan chic and Miami Beach. It’s fit for date night, girl’s night (or guy’s night!), and a quick after work drink. Psst! The Bar opens at 5. Just an FYI for those who need a fast post-work fix. Read More
Road Trip: Crotty's Cheesesteaks: A Taste of Philly in New Rochelle Features Interview Restaurant Road Trip cheesesteaks New Rochelle Westchester Hudson Valley Fast Casual Homepage Andrew Dominick February 07, 2022 Imagine NOT having to drive over 100 miles for a cheesesteak.No, I don’t mean just any cheesesteak. I’m talking about thin-sliced, practically shaved steak, drippy golden yellow Cheez Whiz, translucent onions, and a hoagie roll that strikes that balance of soft and chewy.Your neighborhood pizza joint that claims to have a “Philly” doesn’t count. It’s fine if you made the mistake and ordered that dry, sorry excuse for a cheesesteak once, just don’t let it happen again.You no longer have to settle for less. Crotty’s Cheesesteaks—located directly across from Hugenot Park and a hop, skip, and a jump from Iona College—is here to save you from all the bad cheesesteaks that exist in the general area and beyond. Read More
Stewed Clams with Fregola Recipe from Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State Features Recipe Recipe Seafood Holiday CTbites Team December 22, 2021 We continue our holiday recipe tour with Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State. She shares a Christmas holiday classic that is near and dear to her, but truly can be made any time of the year littlenecks are available. Enjoy Chef Mingrone’s recipe for Stewed Clams with Fregola. If you make this at home, send us a photo! Read More
VOV Italian Egg Liqueur Recipe from Chef Silvia Baldini Recipe Features Recipe Cocktails Holiday CTbites Team December 22, 2021 The italian version of eggnog liqueur is known as VOV, from the Venetian-dialect vovi, meaning “eggs”. This energy and boozy bomb will heat you up and invigorate you. VOV was invented in 1845 by Gian Battista Pezziol, a confectioner of Padua specialized in the production of nougat, which required just the egg whites. Pezziol decided to use the remaining egg yolks with marsala wine, alcohol and sugar, to make a kind of zabajone liqueur and energy drink tonic. Drinks made with eggs have long been considered rejuvenating: many ancient recipes speak of their special power to ‘wake up’ love, revive the sick, and generally boost energy. Ideally you should sip it on the rocks, by a fireplace, after a day on the slopes. But it’s great anytime at room temperature, as a garnish for ice cream, or for dipping dry biscuits whenever you need a pick me up. You can take your VOV to the next level and transform it in to a "Bombardino" the original Après-Ski cocktail of the any Italian mountains holiday. Just add a splash of brandy, a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder. Read More
Gingerbread & EGGNOG Tres Leches Recipe from Chef Carlos Perez Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Dessert CTbites Team December 21, 2021 Given the current state of the world, many of us may be spending some quality time in the kitchen this holiday season. In the next few days CTbites will be providing some inspiration for the home cook. Our first holiday recipe comes from Chef Carlos Perez of @The Corner and ATC South Street in Litchfield. Enjoy this recipe for Gingerbread & EGGNOG Tres Leches. Send us a photo of your finished recipe and we will feature on CTbites. Read More
Chef Matt Storch's Recipe for "Day After Turkey & Waffles" Features Recipe Recipe Thanksgiving Breakfast CTbites Team November 26, 2021 What’s for day-after-Thanksgiving breakfast? Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant & Match Burger Lobster has a great idea for all those leftovers. Bust out the waffle maker, that last slice of pecan pie people were simply too full to consume last night, and some tasty turkey bits for breakie.Enjoy Chef Storch’s Day After Thanksgiving Turkey & Waffles. You’re welcome. Read More
Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins by Whitney Flood of Nine Main Café in New Preston Recipe Features Recipe Baked Goods Muffin Gluten-Free CTbites Team October 20, 2021 Well it’s that time of year. What to do with all those pumpkin innards after your spawn (or you) have scooped and carved? Obviously, you eat it. Here’s one great idea from Chef Whitney Flood of Nine Main Café in New Preston & Farmers and Cooks, who has created a wonderful Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffin recipe for all of you gluten intolerant folks out there. Read More
