John & Morgan Nealon To Open New Restaurant, Crust Issues, in Norwalk CT Restaurant Opening Norwalk Pizza Comfort Food Cocktails Italian Lunch Kid Friendly Homepage Stephanie Webster September 11, 2023 Restaurateur husband and wife super-team, John & Morgan Nealon, are back at it again! Enquiring minds wondered what was next for this duo, and now the wait is over. John & Morgan have just signed the lease on the old Davinci’s Pizza in Norwalk at 60 Connecticut Avenue. Get ready for CRUST ISSUES, a casual neighborhood joint, opening in early Fall. As the name might suggest, there will be pizza, but as per usual with these two, it won’t fit into a classic pizza-style. More on that if you keep reading… and wait till you hear what else is on the menu. Crust Issues is housed in the bones of an old school pizza spot, with tiled floors and big pizza ovens in the open kitchen, and the Nealon will be leaning in to this relaxed vibe. Guests will order at the counter, grab one of the 40 seats, and enjoy a cocktail (John’s got some fun new tricks up his sleeve in the cocktails department…obvi), and you’ll likely get a Nealon bringing some tasty elevated comfort food to your table. Read More
Latin American BBQ Joint Lechon Smokehouse Opens In Former Bobby Q’s Spot in Norwalk Features Interview Restaurant Latin American BBQ Openings Norwalk Homepage Andrew Dominick August 08, 2023 There’s a new resident at The Waypointe and they’re likely the only ones allowed to smoke indoors.But this “new neighbor” doesn’t occupy an apartment, they took over the Merwin Street space that was created for Bobby Q’s Cue & Co. that was vacant since 2021 after owner Bob LeRose sadly passed away. Read More
Sweet Ashley’s Ice Cream in Norwalk Gets New Owners & Reboot Ice Cream Restaurant Norwalk Ice Cream Opening Dessert Kid Friendly Ella Alpert July 25, 2023 Sweet Ashley’s, the adored Norwalk ice cream spot, which has been around for 30 years has reopened this spring in time for a delicious summer! Frank Lanzo (Former owner of Nordic Fish in Fairfield) and his wife Judie, longtime Norwalk residents, decided to take over the business. As ice cream lovers with culinary experience, it seemed like a no brainer. “I’ve got a culinary background, I cooked my whole life, I went to culinary school in the eighties… now I heard this was for sale and what a great thing to keep going,” Frank Lanzo said. “I’ve been in Norwalk now for twenty two years, I live very close, who doesn’t love ice cream? Read More
Taco Guy Food Truck Opens Restaurant in Norwalk Features Interview Ingredients Restaurant tacos Norwalk Openings Interview Homepage Mexican Andrew Dominick July 20, 2023 Soul.That’s the word Adrian Hurtado uses when he describes the food he serves at his newly opened restaurant in Norwalk that’s an extension of his food truck, Taco Guy.“I have chicken tinga on the menu because it runs in my family, going back to my great-great grandparents,” he says. “When you’re eating here, you’re getting my culture, my family tradition, and a piece of what’s in my soul.”But for Hurtado, who grew up in the hospitality industry learning the ropes at the popular Super Taqueria Las Salsas in Bridgeport that’s owned by his father, he chose to not be a taquero as an adult.Instead, he started making pizzas at Bar Sugo in Norwalk before hopping behind the bar as a bar back. Read More
Greer Fredericks Returns to Norwalk with Greer Southern Table Features Interview Restaurant Homepage Norwalk Southern Food Openings Restaurants Interview Andrew Dominick July 18, 2023 You’ve just sat down at the newly opened Greer Southern Table in Norwalk. You either order a refreshing, fruity, ice cold cocktail, or you’re like me and despite it being 90 degrees, you still order an old fashioned. You scan the menu. You probably ponder over a few tasty dishes to share with your dining companions. Read More
Mr. Hibachi Mobile Hibachi Catering Rolls into Connecticut (sponsored post) Features Restaurant Caterer Mobile Caterer Catering Japanese Hibachi Entertaining CTbites Team June 02, 2023 Your search for the perfect party has finally arrived. Connecticut now has a mobile Hibachi caterer who is ready to roll into your house and create the ultimate custom Hibachi party…just for you.If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of “Hibachi “it’s a type of cuisine that was first introduced to Japan, a meal typically including meat, vegetables and seafood, cooked over very hot metal plates. The word “hibachi” comes from Japanese meaning "fire bowl."Just like your favorite local Hibachi spot, Mr Hibachi pulls out all the stops for a hands on, interactive culinary experience. Guests (including kids) can take over the grill, score a cooking lesson, and learn some serious spatula skills. And then, of course, there is the time honored game of chefs throwing food into guest's mouths, and a REALLY fun twist, the Mr Hibachi SAKE GUN!! (a crowd favorite) Diners can “shoot” Sake at each other….or just enjoy some for themselves. Good times all around. Read More
Chef Jeff Taibe Moves Taproot from Bethel to South Norwalk Features Interview Restaurant Taproot Jeff Taibe Norwalk Opening Interview Homepage Andrew Dominick May 17, 2023 South Norwalk, not counting its mainstay restaurants, tends to be a revolving door. One business goes out, some months pass, and another concept magically appears in its place.For Bruxelles Brasserie, known for its French – Belgian fare, this all happened a bit differently.Wait. Did I say Bruxelles? I surely meant Taproot. Or maybe I meant both… Read More
Elm Street Diner Opening New Location in Norwalk via Hey Stamford! Restaurant Elm Street Diner Openings Norwalk Stamford Diner Hey Stamford! March 28, 2023 Elm Street Diner, the Instagram-friendly, local restaurant is expanding to a second location.The family-friendly diner, known for their famous milkshakes, homemade donuts, waffle towers, and more is opening a new outpost located at The Waypointe (515 West Avenue) in Norwalk, CT. Read More
SoNo Wood Fired Opens in South Norwalk: Neapolitan Pizza + Italian Soul Food Features Interview Restaurant Norwalk South Norwalk Pizza Neapolitan pizza Homepage Italian Openings Andrew Dominick March 12, 2023 Thin crust. Roman style. Pan pizza. Bar pies. Artisan. Grilled. Foldable New York slices.Norwalk has all of that. And you can insert your own quip about there being “too much Italian” if you want.What Norwalk has been missing in its dining history is a true wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria.Check that. “Had been missing.”Newly opened on N Main Street is SoNo Wood Fired, where owner and pizzaiolo Besnar Kaba ferments, forms, stretches, and tops each pie, then slides each one using a long peel into his 800° Forza Forni Pavesi.Kaba is meticulous about it, though. He will only cook three or so doughs at a time, turning them feverishly for 90 seconds to two minutes, to achieve that perfect leopard spotted char that’s indicative of a proper Neapolitan pie. Read More
At Home Raclette Primer from Fairfield/Greenwich Cheese Company Features Catering Cheese Dining At Home Play With Your Food Entertaining CTbites Team January 27, 2023 Raclette is a dish indigenous to parts of Switzerland. The raclette cheese round is heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, then scraped onto diners' plates. We went to the cheese experts tat Fairfield/Greenwich Cheese Company to learn more about making Raclette at home, and the different varieties of cheese used to make this ultimate comfort food dish, just right for winter.Raclette comes from the French word racler, which means "to scrape." It's a cheese traditionally eaten in the Swiss and French Alps. Cow herders used to take the cheese with them when they moved cows from the valley pastures up into the mountains. In the evenings around the fire, they would place the cheese next to the fire and, when it had melted, scrape it on top of the bread. Today we have easy to use machines to do the melting, but the results are just as delicious.These are our favorite raclettes: Read More
Alma Bistro Cocina Latina Opens in Norwalk With Delicious Nuevo-Latino Soul Food Restaurant Latin American Latin Fusion Norwalk South Norwalk Openings Happy Hour Homepage Jessica Ryan January 14, 2023 Alma Cocina brings soul to Norwalk’s Wall Street area. I recently had the opportunity to visit the newly opened Alma Bistro. Just a couple of weeks old, this Latin-fusion eatery features delicious Nuevo-Latino soul food with an upscale twist and promises to be the darling of the Norwalk restaurant scene.Alma Bistro Cocina Latina was founded by Alma Miranda, Ulises Jiminez, Don Rene and Norberto Lucero out of a deep love for food that is authentically Latino. We have some real star power here. Read More
Preview: Greer Fredericks is Coming Back to Norwalk to Open "Greer Southern Table" Interview Restaurant Norwalk Southern Food Southern Openings Greer Fredericks Andrew Dominick January 11, 2023 At the tail end of December, I woke up to a text message from Greer Fredericks saying she’s coming back to Norwalk to open a southern themed restaurant. That style of cuisine in a sit-down restaurant setting is something I’ve thought this area has had a need for ever since Fredericks closed Peaches Southern Pub & Juke Joint some years ago when she moved to New York City and opened an offshoot of Peaches in Manhattan. Read More
2022 CT Catering Guide: 18 Caterers For Your Next Event Features Catering Caterers Catering Guide Holiday Entertaining Meal Delivery Guide Homepage Highlight April Guilbault November 05, 2022 You’re probably still recovering from the seasonal avalanche of candy corn, but the “other” holidays are now peeking around the corner-and it’s always better to be ready for them when they jump out at you. Whether for cozy and familial Thanksgiving gatherings, spirited and sparkly holiday parties, a Let’s-Get-2023-Right New Year’s celebration or any of your special events and holidays next year, these caterers will help you feast and fete with panache. Best part about this listing is that many of these caterers work throughout the entire state of Connecticut and even the tri-state area. Go forth and celebrate! Here are 18 Connecticut Caterers who will make your next event a stress-free delicious success! Read More
It's Not Too Late to Visit The Last Taco Stand at Norwalk Cove Marina Features Interview Seasonal Tacos Food Truck Homepage Seasonal Norwalk Andrew Dominick September 17, 2022 The thing about most food trucks in our area is that they’re seasonal. Once the weather gets frosty, they hibernate until the flowers begin to bloom again. But still, it’s better to have found quality eats late in the season than not at all.I first heard about The Last Taco Stand (and we LOVE the name) in a couple of Norwalk local Facebook groups, then when I posted a quick Instagram story that I was planning to check them and their picturesque tacos out, that’s when my friend, Dominique said it was a good idea. Dom’s one of the folks I trust when it comes to food and drink, so when she told me that Neil, The Last Taco Stand’s owner, is “the best” and to make sure I get the sweet potato taco and “any of his hot sauces,” I knew I had to follow her instructions. Read More
Hidden Gem: Mi Tierra in Norwalk Restaurant Latin American Norwalk Takeout Spanish Puerto Rican Delicious Dives Take Out Andrew Dominick September 04, 2022 Occasionally, food writing doesn’t go as planned. And with lots of restaurants taking summer breaks, it’s easy for us to screw up a random visit, like a recent one at Dante’s Pizza in New Canaan.Steph and I both pulled into their parking lot, then we grabbed a seat at a picnic table on their patio only to notice a note on the door saying, “We’re on vacation until September 13.”Summer bummer.This sucked for two reasons: we desperately wanted pizza and from a writing standpoint we needed content! Read More
The Whale Tea: Go For The Brown Sugar Boba & Asian Baked Good Coming Soon Restaurant Norwalk Fairfield Stamford Boba Tea Tea Asian Desserts Dessert Kid Friendly Camille Vynerib August 16, 2022 Originating in Nanjing China, The Whale Tea has over 300 stores around the world due to their success and popularity. In only a couple of years, the store expanded to a variety of locations including Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, London, and the United States. May Lin, in an interview, explained that she brought the franchise to the US and has already opened nearly 15 shops. In Connecticut alone, 10 locations are up and running.Lin explained that her and countless customers' favorite drink is the Brown Sugar Boba. Although the drink originated in the United States, and not in China, its look and flavor are bold enough to turn heads. The boba is cooked with the brown sugar in the shop, so when you receive your drink it’s hot. The boba, Lin explains, is “soft and tasty,” similar to the original boba from Taiwan. Fortunately, the store, if you aren't a brown sugar enthusiast, has countless additional options to choose from. Whale Crystal is the most popular special, but every drink has a unique and creative aesthetic that makes your drink delicious (and perfect for an Instagram post). Read More
Barcelona Wine Bar Launches Happy Hour Menu...And We Are Down Features Restaurant Barcelona Wine Bar Norwalk Homepage Wine Cocktails Happy Hour Snacks Spanish Tapas Andrew Dominick July 30, 2022 We here at CTbites don’t normally focus on chain restaurants, both national and micro, but if there’s one that gets a pass it’s Barcelona Wine Bar. After all, Barcelona originated in South Norwalk way back in 1996 before expanding to other cities in Connecticut, then ultimately to Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia, and a handful of other states.My home base Barcelona is in Norwalk at the Waypointe. I know, I know, we all have our favorite location down in Fairfield County—or beyond if you’re in the New Haven or West Hartford area—mine happens to be Norwalk because it’s not only a newish one, but also because it’s a two mile drive away.One day when I had a serious craving for chicken pimientos, I clicked on Barcelona’s menu and noticed a “Happy Hour” tab. Hey, listen, I love a good happy hour, so you’ve got my attention. Read More
Fan Favorite, Haven Hot Chicken Is Opening in Norwalk Restaurant open Norwalk Fried Chicken Fried Chicken Sandwich Fast Casual CTbites Team July 28, 2022 Haven Hot Chicken, which brings Nashville Hot Chicken and “Not Chicken” to the area as one of the first fully dedicated Nashville Hot Chicken concepts in New England, today announced that it will be opening its third location in Norwalk, Connecticut. Located at 596 Westport Avenue, the 2500 square foot location will feature the brand’s signature menu of crispy, crunchy, juicy, spicy, delicious chicken and vegetarian options ranging from Country (not spicy) to Haven (extremely spicy), along with their beloved fries, sides and seasonal limited-time offerings. The group recently opened its Orange location in June 2022, and its first, flagship location in the heart of New Haven in October 2020. Read More
It's a Woman's World: Caitlin McGowan of The Art Space Café Features Interview Interview It's A Woman's World Norwalk The Norwalk Art Space Chef Talk Chef Homepage Andrew Dominick May 24, 2022 If you’ve walked through the doors at The Norwalk Art Space, chances are you’ve had a bite or a caffeinated pick-me-up at the Art Space Cafe.Under the direction of chef/restaurateur Bill Taibe, the food at the cafe is nothing short of spectacular. The sandwiches aren’t only stacked and satisfying, they’re photogenic, too. And the fresh baked biscuits and other random weekly specials are made with love and care. To boot, there’s plenty more in terms of eggy options, salads, soups, and stunning coffee creations.But executing all of the goodness you’ve had (or will have) at The Art Space Cafe is head chef Caitlin McGowan. For McGowan, food holds a special place in her heart as it’s deeply rooted in old school traditions and closely related to the bond she has with her family.I don’t want to give away too much, as I’d prefer you read the answers to a few of the subjects we talked about, including her upbringing, culture, her culinary journey up to this point, and homemade jam. Read More
B.J. Ryan’s East Takes Over Norwalk's Legendary Partner’s Cafe & Pizzeria Features Interview Restaurant Norwalk Homepage Bar Pizza Pub Openings Andrew Dominick March 18, 2022 When you hear that a legendary hometown restaurant is ending its run after almost 40 years, a flood of memories tend to hit you. Suddenly, I was a kid again, sitting on a barstool next to my father. He’d chug away at a Heineken while I sipped on bubbly cola straight from the soda gun. Thin-ish, crispy crust bar pizzas—likely extra cheese, pepperoni, or both—were involved, too.Even as an adult, I’d occasionally grab a couple pies from Partner’s Cafe & Pizzeria to-go. Every time I drove by, I’d think about pizza, soda, my dad, and feeling pretty damn cool sitting at the bar.Thankfully, for me, and I’m sure for a hell of a lot of Norwalkers, Partner’s gets to live on thanks to B.J. Lawless and Keith Torpey, under a new name, but with intentions to preserve the bar’s neighborhood “where everybody knows your name” charm. Read More
