Ahh, grilling season is finally upon us, and what better way to ring in the warm weather than to take a look at the best butcher shops and meat markets in your area? Whether you are searching for the basics, like beef, pork, or poultry or are in desperate need of more exotic meats, such as alligator, frog legs, or wild boar, Connecticut has a number of places that can fulfill all of your butcher and meat desires. From nose-to-tail shops to small, family-owned markets that offer delicious, quality meats, this list has it all…and then some. Goodbye winter coats and dreary soups, hello flip-flops and beautifully cut and marinated steaks!
What happens when a chef, a butcher and a fisherman walk into a bar? Stay tuned and I’ll tell you…
If you’ve noticed some activity behind the brown paper covering the windows of what was once Westport’s Saugatuck Craft Butchery, it’s not just wishful thinking. Big things are happening behind that masked facade …big things that involve a culinary power team including Chef Matt Storch and Susan McConnell (Match Burger Lobster, Match) in partnership with Jimmy Bloom of Copps Island Oysters, and butcher, Paul Nessal, whom you will recognize if you spent any time at the nose to tail butchery, Saugatuck Craft, back in the day. After 5 years of discussion, this group is finally getting ready to open the doors to Saugatuck Provisions, a new concept offering customers a curated selection of the very best ingredients from the land, sea and grocery, enabling guests to create beautiful restaurant quality meals at home.
Saugatuck Provisions is conveniently located next to Match Burger Lobster in Westport, and will be ready for customers in early November, with Thanksgiving pre-ordering already live here.
Avon Prime Meats, located in Avon, CT, was voted “Best Local Food Market,” an honor awarded for excellence as a butcher, but also due to their loyal following and footprint in the local community. In addition to having a reputation for top notch meats, they also serve as a specialty grocer, deli and caterer, but as of this week, things are heating up at Avon Prime Meats. Two smokers have been added to the kitchen, and their chefs have been honing the craft of smoking their prime cuts to get ready for the big launch of Avon Prime Smoked Meats. Why are we excited? Here’s what’s coming off those smokers hot and ready Sun-Wed: brisket, pastrami, baby back ribs, pulled pork, heritage slab bacon, and Old Spot pork are on the menu - and their deli customers are going wild. Not only can guests score these smoked meats by the pound (with some tasty BBQ sides), but the deli situation has done some leveling up with the addition of these house smoked sandwich meats.
“If you don't like outstanding music, fresh chef cultivated sandwiches, farm and forest hand-picked produce, local artisanal product, NYC vibes, an incredibly friendly staff, and whole animal butchery then DEFINITELY do not go to Chef Emily Mingrone and Shane McGowan’s new Provisions On State,” says Chef Jes Bengston.
Emily and Shane, owners of the award-winning “restaurant of the year” Tavern on State, in New Haven, decided to expand the brand and recently opened this sister spot just down the street from the restaurant, bringing an old school nose to tail butchery and a small grocery store to the East Rock neighborhood. As I took the two steps down into the store front ( like so New York I was like omg) I was immediately over taken with a vibe and energy that can only be created by this tag team duo who met by working together in a local restaurant in 2018, opened a restaurant in 2019, and now this. The store is so small I could lay eyes on all 4 walls at the same time but it took me 3 circles to absorb all the curated culinary greatness going on in here.
Attention Connecticut foodies and “home cooks” with a secret summer recipe to share: Your time has come, and the local, food-focused radio program you have been hungering for has arrived!
Seasoned will feature guests who will discuss everything from how food is grown, harvested and prepared across Connecticut, to how we use food to celebrate and connect in our communities.
Since we all have a little more “down time”, we thought it might be nice to have a listen to a short conversation recapping the “It’s A Woman’s World” event that feels like it occurred a life time ago. This “Morning After” podcast features Chef Jes Bengston (Culinary Director for Amis & Terrain), myself, Stephanie Webster (Editor for CTbites) and our host with the most, Marysol Castro.If you couldn’t score tickets to the March 2nd event, have a Listen here. If you were in the room, maybe we have things to say about you. Enjoy!
This week on The CTbites Hot Dish Podcast , we chat with Chef Plum, host of the successful podcast “Live With Chef Plum,” as well as “Edible On The Road” (streaming on Amazon), and finally…the TV series, “Random Acts of Cooking.” What’s on the podcast menu? We discuss the role of food as a connector, the importance of philanthropy, and…well…we laugh a lot. Join the conversation. Listen here.
This week on The CTbites Hot Dish Podcast , we chat with Chef Billy Grant, whom we lovingly refer to as one of “The Founding Fathers” of CT’s Fine Dining Scene. Chef Grant is the owner of Restaurant Bricco, celebrating over 20 years in business, and Bricco Trattoria. What’s on the podcast menu? We discuss the METS, cooking for family, the importance of giving back to his community, and what it takes to do what this guy does. Listen here.
Who doesn’t love meatballs??! This week on The CTbites Hot Dish Podcast , we chat with The guys from The Meatball Shop, CEO, Adam Rosenbam, and Executive Chef, Daniel Sharp. The Meatball Shop opened its doors in Westport just weeks ago, their 7th location, and it’s been ball frenzy ever since. What’s on the podcast menu? We discuss what makes a good meatball, the importance of sustainability, and the exciting new menu additions that are only available for all of you lucky CT residents. Listen here.
This week on The CTbites Hot Dish Podcast , we chat withTop Chef’s Chris Scott, who recently opened Birdman Juke Joint in the Black Rock, Bridgeport. Scott talks about his long road to TV's Top Chef, the importance of family and community, and the "Birdman," the inspiration for his new authentic Southern restaurant. You won’t wanna miss this episode. Listen here.
How do you listen to CTbites Hot Dish?
CTbites Hot Dish is a bi-weekly podcast. To listen, use PODCAST App (or any podcast player).
This week on The CTbites Hot Dish Podcast , we chat with Peaches Southern Pub & Juke Joint’s owner Greer "Peaches" Fredericks, and man does she have some stories! Greer talks about making the perfect fried chicken, life lessons and touring with the ...um...Rolling Stones. You won’t wanna miss this episode. Listen here.
Beb! It’s the CTbites’ Hot Dish Podcast Episode you’ve all been waiting for. This week we sit down with Next Food Network Star, Chef Christian Petroni…oh yeah…he also owns Fortina Pizza (all 5 locations). Petroni gabs about his summers in Italy, growing up in the Bronx, how he “learned” to cook, and the epic importance of cheesy garlic bread. Join us chez Webster, and have a listen here.
Two of CT's leading chefs, and long time colleagues, Bill Taibe & Dan Kardos, discuss what it takes to stay at the top of their game. Host Marysol Castro explores what it takes to maintain their sanity, life in the kitchen, how social media has changed the restaurant business, and what they want their guests to know when they dine at their restaurants. Listen here!
This week on the CTbites Hot Dish Podcast we sit down with Chef Matt Storch, owner of Match, Match Burger Lobster & Match Taco. We discuss the restaurant biz, cooking for Julia Child, the importance of travel, the origins of the famous "Match Burger," favorite restaurants (you'll wanna write these down), and his 45 course dinner at El Bulli. Listen here!
Who do you picture when you hear the word "butcher?" For many, a grizzled older man with strong biceps comes to mind. Butchery is undeniably male-dominated, with only 27% women, only slightly higher than the 25% of women farmers and ranchers. But times are changing, and the rise of craft butchery has meant more opportunities for women. For International Women's Day (Mar. 8), Fleisher’s Craft Butchery (locations in Westport, Greenwich & Brooklyn) interviewed some of the many women in the Fleishers family.
CTbites’ NEW Podcast Episode is here! Roadtrip to Highland Brass Co. for a spirited conversation with mixologists Craig Ventrice & Dimitrios Zahariadis. We do some day drinking and explore heady topics including: the question of bartender vs. mixologist, dealing with assholes, favorite watering holes, dive bars...and we learn how to make the perfect sazerac cocktail. Join us, and have a listen here.
Here’s a little boozy teaser for our next CTbites Hot Dish Podcast episode featuring mixologists Craig Ventrice & Dimitrios Elias Zahariadis. Learn How To Make A Sazerac Cocktail as we do some “Day Drinking with Mixologists.” LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST EPISODE HERE: https://simplecast.com/s/54ee8396
CTbites Hot Dish Podcast is back with Episode 2: CTbites Family Edition #1. Break bread (no...literally) with the CTbites team Chez Webster. Join Stephanie Webster, Andrew Dominick, Kristin L. Wolfe and our host, Marysol Castro, for a lively conversation about CT restaurant openings, favorite meals, the issue of "reviewer vs. critic”…all while we polish off a bottle of bourbon.
How do you listen to CTbites Hot Dish?
CTbites Hot Dish is a bi-weekly podcast. To listen, use PODCAST App (or any podcast player).
It’s official. CTbites is launching our first original podcast, “CTbites Hot Dish.” Obviously, we all love to get the inside scoop on all things culinary. CTbites Hot Dish takes you behind the scenes with CT chefs, farmers, bartenders and local food activists. Our host, Marysol Castro, broadcast journalist, NY Mets PA announcer and all around ball buster, will serve up a saucy look into the CT food scene. She will be joined by a rotating cast of CTbites crew including myself in our CTbites Family episodes, where we will shoot the sh#t on the latest CT food news. This is gonna be fun people. (And yeah…it’s explicit.)
This week, we sit down with Chef Tyler Anderson, Top Chef, Punk rock singer, baseball player, and owner of Millwright’s, Porron & Piña, and The Cook & The Bear (+ a new spot coming soon…you’ll need to listen to find out more). LISTEN HERE.Many thanks to our launch sponsor, Norwalk Now, where Norwalk businesses come together to bring you their city in real time.
