If you’ve followed the evolution of Two Roads Brewing Company, it’s quite something. Since the main brewery opened in 2012, one thing they kept doing is continuing to evolve. Not including a laundry list of beer releases, Two Roads went onto open a second facility next to their Hop Yard six years ago that you now know as Area Two Experimental Brewing. Following Area Two and all their fun, funky small batch drops, and in no particular order, Two Roads got into making canned cocktails, non-alcoholic beer, distilling (we’ll have a few teasers on that), and they even purchased the former PizzaCo across the street and turned it into Two Roads Food Hall & Bar and next door, Two Roads Tee Box, a golf simulator, making it a full-blown “campus.”
After hearing so many good things about X Ramen from my friends, I was looking forward to trying it out myself.
The New York inspired Chicken, Ramen and Boba eatery is the concept of two brothers who grew up locally in Fairfield County, in the restaurant biz. The restaurant is located in the former Wafu space. It’s spacious interior is bright and airy and offers plenty of comfortable seating. The vibe inside is youthful and whimsical, with brightly colored anime posters and TVs lining the walls. In the center of the room, overhead, a lovely display of Japanese umbrellas and lanterns hangs overhead.
X Ramen’s fairly extensive menu is as fun as the decor. The offerings feature various Asian favorites from Ramen to Udon, assorted appetizers from bao buns to fried chicken, dim sum and a creative boba menu offering classic teas, fruit, tease, and fancy “signature” teas and slushies. The dishes are straightforward, simple and uncomplicated, perfectly suited for both the novice as well as the seasoned ‘slurper.’
Lazy Sister opens in SoNo. The newest restaurant owned by New Yorker Maxwell Weiss (by way of Greenwich, CT) opened quietly a couple of weeks ago in the space that was formerly Enchanted Szechuan. It was kismet - Weiss had learned that the owners were looking to sell, retire and move back to China and he was looking to open a Chinese restaurant in the area. “I’m totally obsessed with Chinese food and have been for about three years now,” he told me. Lazy Sister has its own take on the cuisine, offering a mix of Shanghainese, Cantonese, Szechuan and traditional American Chinese. But let’s backtrack a bit.
Driving on Connecticut State Route 67 towards Roxbury, you’ll notice a handful of historic buildings that date back to the 1800s. What used to be a train station, cigar factory, lumber shed, general store, and a post office is now a distillery. And unless you’re up in that area, Mine Hill Distillery may have popped up on your radar in this very moment as you’re reading this.
(Have a) Nice Day! Young Zhao and Wanting Zhang, owners of Junzi Kitchen, recently opened Nice Day in the heart of New Haven.
We met the two young owners at their newest restaurant a few days prior to their grand opening. Nice Day’s Elm Street location marks a bit of a sentimental reunion for the Chinese duo who first met as undergrads in the classrooms behind Yale University’s Neo-Gothic stone walls. Their first Chinese concept, Junzi Kitchen which they opened in 2011, sits just across the street.
The model for Nice Day is rather unique. Each Nice Day restaurant replaces a Chinese restaurant that has shuttered. Their goal is to save the traditional Chinese takeout while offering a fresh take on Chinese American Classics with their modern aesthetic, fresh ingredients, and menu which draws influences from the varied cuisines from throughout China. without altering the concept of traditional American Chinese food. In doing so, Young and Wanting have found a delicious recipe for success.
Connecticut has seen a bewildering explosion of craft breweries in our state since the early 2010s, but distilling? Not so much. We do have some very worthwhile options in the state, from Litchfield and the Hartford region, through the Rt. 8 corridor, and Fairfield County. The newest borrows the state’s name, alongside a few familiar faces in the industry.
In March of 2020 [ominous music plays] we brought you the birth announcement of our then-newest Connecticut distillery, Continuum, on the upper outskirts of Waterbury. What was old is now new again, and the cycle continues with Connecticut Distilling.
“We have new spirits, new recipes, new products like bourbon barrel aged maple syrup, new hours for the tasting room; it’s a brand new distillery,” said Stelios Stavrianos, who has partnered with well-known bartender and beverage industry founder, Dimitrios Zahariadis, otherwise known as the Cocktail Chemist, to create Connecticut Distilling.
Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao has been selected as Michelin-recommended Shanghainese food for 9 consecutive years since 2007 and has been featured on various media and websites such as New York Magazine, Eater, Gothamist, Grub Street, Serious Eats and many more as “The City’s Best Soup Dumplings”.
And the best news…they confirmed with CTbites that they are opening in Stamford at the Stamford Town Center’s Restaurant Plaza on Level 4.
Xiao Long Bao (also known as Soup Dumpling) originated from Nan Xiang County of Shanghai, China. “Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao” opened its door at the heart of Asian cuisine, Flushing, New York in 2006 and quickly gained popularity among food lovers in New York over the past 16 years. Nan Xiang is a favorite for both the local Chinese population, craving authentic Northern Chinese food, Jiangsu & Zhejiang cuisine, as well as lovers of excellent Chinese fare.
Being from Connecticut means that you’re in the lucky position of having access to some of the best indulgences available- legendary lobster, outstanding oysters, Industry leading IPAS, and…wonderful bourbon whiskey?
Oh yes. Thanks to some amazing CT producers, you have the pride of Kentucky Spirits at your fingertips, and this primer is all you need to enjoy the derby in style and spirit.
A solid Kentucky Derby experience MUST contain the following (for those who choose to indulge in alcohol, of course):
Over the top hat
Good bourbon
Mint julep cocktail
The Mint Julep is mandatory. After this one, you’ll never have to be told again and will request them yourself. This is a drink that I suggest everyone know how to prepare themselves.
First things first, let’s understand what bourbon whiskey is.
At one end of a non-descript strip mall in Orange is a new restaurant called Ji Be Chuan — You could call it a noodle joint or a soup joint, but that’s not an altogether accurate description. Although its roots stem from China, Ji Be Chuan isn’t exactly a Chinese restaurant either. A Chinese franchise which was founded in Shuzhou, China has over 400 locations in China with a growing international presence. There are 50 restaurants in the US including one in New York City, and one here in Orange, Connecticut.
This franchise is unique in that about 50% of the menu features original Ji Be Chuan recipes, but franchisees are allowed to supplement with their own recipes and dishes. For this reason, the Orange location features a unique blend of Asian influences and flavors from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and, of course, China. This “flexible franchise,” as owner Jin Lin refers to it, allowed him to incorporate pho and ramen with the traditional Chinese dishes. There is something for everyone, and something familiar to everyone.
An all-new Dim Sum brunch launches on Sunday, February 11th with food and drink specials honoring Lunar New Year traditions. The celebratory launch event will also include a Lion Dance performance and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
Traditionally, the Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration and concludes with a lantern festival marking the end of the celebrations. To honor their native traditions, award-winning restaurateurs K Dong and Chef Steven Chen will celebrate at their newest restaurant MŌLÌ (moligreenwich.com) with the launch of a new dim sum brunch menu and a live Lion Dance performance on Sunday, February 11th at 1:00 p.m. The team partnered with Fashion Designer and Philanthropist, Andy Yu to elevate the celebration and infuse a whimsical dish to the new Sunday brunch menu.
There’s Chinese food and then there’s authentic Chinese food. Old Street Hot Pot in Milford offers diners an incredible Chinese experience – from authentic Dim Sum to original hot pot.
Don’t let the American strip mall exterior fool you (but do take note of the fabulous H Mart at the end of the block!) Once you walk through the doors you’ll forget where you are. You’ll be transported into a large space that combines traditional and contemporary elements with a large modern wooden architectural feature that stands within the existing building. Painted murals peer down from the ceiling through the wooden structure. The ambiance is created by a mix of wooden accents, vintage Chinese artwork, and soft lighting. Tables are arranged to accommodate both small and large groups, with cozy booths lining the walls. The space is designed to evoke a sense of cultural authenticity while maintaining a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for guests. A private dining room featuring an enormous round hot pot table that seats 16, making it the perfect entertaining space. The restaurant’s total seating capacity is 135.
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Yuki’s Kitchen, a charming Korean, Japanese and Chinese culinary haven that left me utterly impressed and thoroughly satisfied. From the moment I stepped in to this primarily take-out spot, the quaint friendly ambiance and attentive service set the stage for a memorable gastronomic experience. Ken and Yuki Piao, a husband and wife team, have been in the Fairfield/Westport area for more than +10 years and decided in November of 2022 to open a lovely tiny haven of authentically excellent Asian food. We also had the pleasure of enjoying some special dishes prepared by Yuki’s mother visiting from Korea for 2 months.
Crafted by a bartender with the industry in mind, Cylinder is what the Vodka Renaissance is all about- honestly produced spirits making thoughtfully crafted cocktails.
NEWS FLASH-We are in the midst of a vodka renaissance. Ironically, the most popular and highly consumed spirit in America has been ignored and sometimes dissed by bartenders. Ask a bartender what they're favorite vodka flavor is, and in past years you would get a wry smile and a one word response: "Gin."A New Day
Our cocktail revolution has now shined its creative light on vodka. Straight, non flavored spirit that's defined as "odorless, colorless and tasteless" has always been anything but, and skilled mixologists are using it as a canvas to allow complex flavor combinations shine. This is huge-it provides an entry point for all drinkers to get into thoughtfully produced cocktails and gives bartenders more freedom to get wonderfully weird.
It’s summertime, which means that for many of us, it’s time to mix together a refreshing cocktail for the next barbecue, pool party, or trip out on the boat. But as we all know, as tasty as cocktails are, they can be a hassle to put together. By the time you get your base alcohol, your mixer, and any other ingredients assembled, half of the afternoon has already passed.
If you don’t know about Chef Jin yet, you owe it to your taste buds to step into one of his now numerous restaurants across Connecticut. Perhaps you are familiar with Tomo 68 in Naugatuck or Natural Kitchen in Milford – and most recently, Ramen & Bao in Oxford. Those are all thanks to Chef Jin, and now you can check out Ji Bei Chuan in Orange, which has its official grand opening on May 9th.
Ji Bei Chuan is a widely popular dining establishment in China, with over 400 locations overseas. Here in the United States, there are only 40, with this Orange location the first in the state. As you step inside, your eyes are immediately drawn to its noodle bar: a beautiful dark-stained natural wood countertop where guests can dive head-first into one of the many noodle or soup dishes on the menu.
The 2023 Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, January 22nd and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 5th. Chinese New Year marks the transition between zodiac signs: 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Here are a few spots to celebrate here in CT.
Chef Alan Lee, owner of Uncle Seven in SoNo, is no stranger to the Connecticut food scene. He and his family have owned the highly successful Ching’s Table in New Canaan for over thirty years. So what was next for Chef Lee? A new venture, a modern twist on traditional Chinese cuisine in the SoNo Collection Mall. This new spot is called Uncle Seven, and you’ll be happy we told you so.
Uncle Seven was an immediate hit when it first opened its doors in early 2020, with Chef Lee recalling that the restaurant was “very busy for the first few months” before March of 2020 arrived. The restaurant has just reopened post pandemic, and we think it should be on your list of dining spots to check out this holiday season. Why, you ask? In addition to a truly delicious authentic Chinese menu, we’ve got two words for you: PEKING DUCK.
On September 19th Bartenders from across the state of Connecticut are invited to show off their creativity, craft and passion by participating in SoNo 1420’s BLAZE BARTENDER COMPETITION.
“We are looking for our next Great BLAZE WHISKY cocktail and would love to see you showcase your skills with our Cinnamon Flavored Whisky that has won Double Gold and Best in Class Finalist 2022 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.”
BARTENDERS: Register here at BLAZEWHISKY.COM/COMPETITON by 9/12 to receive a complimentary 200 ml flask of Blaze along with other BLAZE Swag.
GUESTS: Swing by any of the locations below and cheer your favorite bartender on, and sample some great new cocktails.
The competition will take place on September 19th from 6-9 pm at the following locations:
At the beach, at a picnic, on a boat, maybe a pool floaty shaped like a flamingo, in your backyard, or hell, even just sprawling on your favorite chaise. What do all these places have in common? They are spots where it would be a great opportunity to crack open a can of something refreshing and well, lightly, fabulously spiked or mixed. Yep, cocktails or spiked seltzers in a convenient can! Ready that index finger and pop into fizzy, fabulous libations made with fresh juices and your favorite alcoholic beverages. Take the party outside this season, pop those tops and keep it easy and fun.
