NYC Road Trip: Breakfast at Tiffany’s Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud Restaurant Road Trip Breakfast Sandwich TEA New York City Lunch Celebrity Chef ellen bowen July 11, 2023 May and June in New York City are a special time. The long winter and the soggy April showers give way to sunny days and warmer temps. New York City is a walking city, and on a perfect Spring day, I donned my pearls and a “little black dress” and headed into the city for a visit to the newly reopened Tiffany & Co on Fifth Ave. to check out the Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud for my version of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Read More
Destination: TWA Hotel and Paris Café by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at JFK airport Restaurant Features Travel Road Trip Hotel JFK Airport Breakfast Lunch ellen bowen April 19, 2023 Looking for a unique staycation or an overnight in NYC before an early morning or late night flight? Then the iconic Eero Saarinen designed TWA terminal and TWA Hotel at John F Kennedy Airport offers visitors a trip (before the trip) down memory lane back to the 1960’s, to when the TWA flight center first opened in 1962. TWA filed final bankruptcy and the TWA terminal closed in 2001. The building remained empty until Morse Developers along with MCR Hospitality purchased the building and added 500 rooms in two hotel towers and reopened as the TWA Hotel in 2019. An overnight stay includes access to the rooftop infinity heated pool and Après Ski styled Pool Bar and Café. Plush robes are in every room and the pool is open year round untill10:30 pm and is a fun experience overlooking the runways as you sit in the “poolcuzzi” sipping a cocktail and watching the planes take off or land. Read More
England Cheese Journey: Explore Dairy Royalty with CT's Fairfield Cheese Co Features Road Trip England Travel Cheese Cheese Shop Homepage Tenaya Darlington February 03, 2022 Imagine waking up in a 16th century English country house where designer cows graze just off the ballroom. You’re in Somerset, the seat of England’s best Cheddars, and you’re staying in a beautifully restored bedroom -- one of 25, no less -- in the opulent manor belonging to the Montgomerys, one of the best Cheddar-making families.Cheese royalty? Maybe you didn’t know such a world existed. But the royal family does. They’ve served award-winning Montgomery’s Cheddar for years. Now, thanks to a luxury food-tour company called Cheese Journeys, you can travel to the Montgomery estate (a.k.a. North Cadbury Court) and learn to make Cheddar with the head of the family, plus feast on the best British cheeses, wines, ciders, and whiskies from October 2-9, 2022.That’s where you’ll find Laura Downey, owner of Fairfield Cheese Co.“No one curates a trip like Cheese Journeys,” Downey says. “It’s a great way to combine a vacation with our passion for cheese and good food.” Read More
The Hopkins Inn: Contemporary Austrian Cuisine in an Idyllic Setting Restaurant Outdoor Dining Warren Road Trip Openings German Austrian Frank Cohen June 28, 2020 Do you fancy a pleasant drive through some of Connecticut’s prettiest countryside to visit a classic, 19th-century, New England country inn on whose terrace or porch you can revel in an idyllic lake view and delicious European cuisine? Then the Hopkins Inn overlooking Lake Waramaug in the Litchfield Hills is definitely for you.The Hopkins Inn has been in operation since 1847. Franz and Beth Schober have owned and operated the inn for over 40 years, while their son, Toby Fossland, who grew up at the inn, has worked alongside them since 1991. The inn is normally open year-round, its restaurant from late March through January 1. The Hopkins Inn is not affiliated, but appears to enjoy neighborly relations, with Hopkins Vineyard located across the road, the two attractions undoubtedly complementing each other. Read More
And The Winner of The Taco Daddy Cocktail Naming Contest Is... Features Contest Giveaway Stephanie Webster February 22, 2020 The Taco Daddy team has crowned a winner for their Cocktail Naming Contest. It was tough. There were some solid names from people all over CT, but we are pleased to announce that...The winner of the Taco Daddy Cocktail Naming Contest with her winning name "Let The Beet Drop" is Nicole Thornton. Congrats Nicole!A huge thank you to all those who participated, and we will be back soon with another Cocktail Naming Contest soon Read More
Taco Daddy Cocktail Naming Contest: WIN FREE DINNER FOR 2 @ Taco Daddy! Features Contest Cocktails Giveaway Stephanie Webster January 19, 2020 Game on! We're back with another cocktail naming contest. WIN FREE DINNER FOR TWO AT the uber-fun taco mecca, TACO DADDY in Stamford. Here's How...Review the ingredients list below.Get creative! Enter YOUR original Cocktail Name in the comments section under this post. If your Cocktail name is selected, it will be featured on their cocktail menu & you will receive a FREE DINNER FOR 2 at Taco Daddy. Read More
GIVEAWAY: WIN Lidia Bastianich's Autographed Book, "My American Dream" Features Contest Giveaway CTbites Team December 19, 2019 Happy Holiday! CTbites is GIVING AWAY a signed copy of Lidia Bastianich’s new book, “My American Dream” for one lucky boy or girl who has been good in 2019. TO ENTER: Comment below and tell us why YOU NEED THIS BOOK. Winners must be CTbites newsletter subscribers. You can subscribe here. CTbites was recently invited to a special media tour of the This Old House. The incredible Lidia Bastianich was in attendance on behalf of Clarke Kitchen Appliances in Norwalk (where she films her show, Lidia’s Kitchen)…the company who outfitted the Idea House’s kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf Appliances.That day, Lidia was kind enough to sign a copy of her book for one of our readers. May the biggest Bastianich fan win. Good luck! Read More
Fun Foodie Road Trip: 2019 Newport Mansions Wine + Food Festival Features Events Road Trip Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 02, 2019 At CTBites, we bring you the latest news from Connecticut’s vibrant food scene. The state has a host of must-visit restaurants, farms, and food-inspired events. At the same time, there are wonderful things happening just over our border. Every September, Rhode Island celebrates the last days of summer with the Newport Mansions Wine + Food Festival. Read More
And The Winner of the Bar Sugo Cocktail Naming Contest Is... Features News Giveaway Stephanie Webster April 02, 2019 Congratulations to Jen Kozak who came up with the winning name for the Bar Sugo Cocktail Naming Contest: Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica. This hilarious reference to “The Office” can now be found at Bar Sugo in Norwalk, alongside some damn fine Italian food. Stay tuned for our next cocktails naming contest… Read More
Cocktail Naming Contest! Name This Bar Sugo Cocktail & WIN $100 Gift Card Features Cocktails Contest Giveaway Stephanie Webster March 07, 2019 WIN a $100 gift card for Bar Sugo!! Here's how...It's time for another cocktail throw down! Bar Sugo’s Mixologist Seth Hiravi has decided to trust the fate of their new signature cocktail to the naming skills of our CTbites readers. If your cocktail name is selected, you will win a $100 gift card for Bar Sugo (cocktails included). Here are the ingredients for the cocktail in need of a name: Read More
Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand: Killer Dogs At This 90 Yr Old Roadside Dive Restaurant Cheshire Hot Dogs Delicious Dives Kid Friendly Road Trip Burgers Comfort Food Homepage Andrew Dominick December 04, 2018 Lately, I’ve heard a lot about Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand, a roadside dive that’s been open for 90 years and counting. Blackie’s came up in casual conversation twice; the founder of this site, Stephanie Webster, heard about it from a friend, then a friend of mine mentioned it. Shortly thereafter, Visit Connecticut posted a list of “8 Classic Summer Drive-Ins” with Blackie’s being one of the featured haunts. Well, now I had to check it out. That’s no coincidence, that’s a sign! Read More
WIN 20 Person Chipotle Catering Event FREE! (sponsored post) Features Giveaway CTbites Team November 14, 2018 Wanna throw a holiday party, but short on cash? Enter to WIN a 20 Person Chipotle Catering Event… FREE! To Enter: 1. Comment below w/ your email 2. You must be a CTbites newsletter subscriber. Subscribe here.Take all the guesswork out of your next holiday party. Chipotle provides everything you need for a full catering spread for six to 200 people. Why is this so incredibly great? Read on… Read More
WIN 2 TICKETS TO GREENWICH WINE + FOOD'S Master Chef Dinner ($650 value) Features Giveaway Stephanie Webster September 08, 2018 WIN 2 TICKETS TO GREENWICH WINE + FOOD'S Opening Night Master Chef Wine Dinner (worth $650!) honoring famed restauranteur Alex Guarnaschelli with special guests Scott Conant & Adam Richman, Friday 9/21/18 7:00PM – 10:30PM. TO ENTER: 1) Subscribe to the CTbites Newsletter 2) Enter your full name and email address below Read More
Cocktail Naming Contest: WIN FREE Dinner at The Spread & Launch CTbites' NEW Podcast! Features Cocktails Podcast Giveaway Bar Stephanie Webster April 28, 2018 Game on! We're back with another cocktail naming contest. WIN a FREE Dinner for 2 @ The Spread. Here's How...CTbites and Ken Tuccio are launching a brand new PODCAST on May 17th, and The Spread is launching patio season. In honor of this big night, The Spread has asked CTbites readers to come up with a name for their new summer sipper to be served at this event. The cocktails ingredients are below. If your Cocktail name is selected, it will be featured at our Podcast Launch party May 17th & you will receive a FREE DINNER FOR TWO @ The Spread. Here are the ingredients:Post your submission below (include email). May the best namer win!! Good luck. Read More
Giveaway! WIN FREE TIX to East Coast Brew Festival June 16th Features Events Giveaway Stephanie Webster March 28, 2018 GoodWorks Entertainment presents their second annual craft beer festival. From the same people that brought you Flavour Beer Festival, get ready for EAST COAST BREW FESTIVAL. ECBF will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 2 PM until 5 PM at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company (70 Sanford Street in Fairfield, Connecticut).CTbites is GIVING AWAY 2 FREE TICKETS to East Coast Brew Festival. To win, tell us WHY YOU NEED TO GO in the comments section below, and make sure you are a CTbites Newsletter Subscriber! Read More
WIN FREE TIX to Ruth Reichl & Sam Kass at Westport Public Library + Q&A With Moshe (Creator of FLEX Experiences) Features Events Giveaway Fairfield County Foodie March 10, 2018 Wanna WIN FREE TIX to meet culinary luminaries Ruth Reichl & Sam Kass at The Westport Public Library? We are giving away 1 ticket to enjoy celebrity lunch with Sam Kass, former Obama White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition ($150) and 2 tickets ($75) to hear a Q&A with gourmet guru Ruth Reichl. The former editor of Gourmet Magazine and best selling foodie author. TO WIN: Comment below and tell us why you need to attend these events.Find out more about the creator of Westport Library;'s new FLEX experiences in the Q&A With Moshe Aeylon below.. Read More
Giveaway!! WIN FREE Tickets to Whiskey Social on March 24th Features Giveaway Events Stephanie Webster February 12, 2018 GoodWorks Entertainment presents their third tasting event: WHISKEY SOCIAL. WHISKEY SOCIAL will take place on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 3 PM until 6 PM at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company (70 Sanford Street in Fairfield, Connecticut). CTbites is GIVING AWAY 2 FREE TICKETS to Whiskey Social. To win, tell us why you NEED to go in the comments section below, and make sure you are a CTbites Newsletter Subscriber! Socialites will be able to relish in the exclusivity of sampling from an internationally curated selection of 150+ types of whisky, rye, scotch, bourbon, aged rum, and mezcal. Ordinary New Haven’s mixologist, Tim Cabral, will be in the room crafting samplers of his distinguished cocktails. With the purchase of a ticket, socialites will be invited to savor an array of delicious local fare including a mac and cheese bar, meat and cheese station and dessert bar by Garelick and Herbs of Southport as well as famed pulled pork sliders by Custom Meats of Fairfield. The tunes of a live band will carry throughout the social while couches provide lounge and whiskey barrels scatter the floor for the perfect festive setting. Read More
The Engine Room In Mystic: Food and Atmosphere Worth The Drive Restaurant Mystic Comfort Food Hot Dogs Lunch Brunch Road Trip American Bar Cocktails Homepage Burgers CTbites Team January 21, 2018 One of my favorite new-ish restaurants to pop up in the culinary hot spot of Mystic, Connecticut is the hip Engine Room. This outstanding restaurant highlights fresh, unique food served in a welcoming, very Instagrammable atmosphere. Let’s talk through their scrumptious menu while settling into their comfortable seats and remarking on their friendly staff.Whether you think brunch is overrated or not, you should find your way to the Engine Room for a leisurely Sunday brunch with friends. Set inside an open wood and brick interior, with metal chairs and shiny black leather booth seating, you’ll feel comfortable enough to linger over your meal, and unlike many crowded establishments, you won’t feel rushed by the staff. Back to the menu, which has something for traditional sweet breakfast lovers and those who aren’t really into breakfast foods (oh, the horror!). Read More
Traveling to Miami? Check Out Our Miami Restaurant Guide c/o MIABites Features Miami Road Trip ellen bowen December 20, 2017 The Holiday season is upon us and everyone is always asking us, "Where should I eat in Miami?" Here are some of MIAbites Contributors Best Bites for "am to pm" dining in and around Miami and Miami Beach. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended and should be made in advance if possible.All of the Miami Beach hotels have top restaurants and prices to match. Jose Andres The Bazaar and Katsuya at the SLS South Beach, Scarpetta, StripSteak and PIzza Burger by Michael Mina and Hakkasan at The Fontainebleau , The Dutch and Mr. Chow at The W South Beach, Pao by Paul Qui and Los Fuegos at Faena and Jean Georges, The Matador Room at the EDITION, the newly relocated NOBU in the Nobu Hotel Eden Roc, are all popular and top picks where chances are you will have a delicious albeit expensive meal. So by request, the MIAbites contributors put our heads together to flesh out the restaurant scene and to compile our suggestions for dining while in Miami. Read More
WIN FREE Tickets to Alton Brown Live Eat Your Science at Palace Theater Features Giveaway Events Stephanie Webster October 02, 2017 We are very pleased to be able to offer our CTBites readers three pairs of FREE TICKETS to Alton Brown Live Eat Your Science at Palace Theater on October 29th. TO WIN a pair of tickets, Tell us why YOU NEED TO SEE THIS SHOW in the comments section below. You also must be a CTBITES NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBER to enter giveaway. (Subscribe here)Alton Brown is the creator and host of the Food Network television show Good Eats (14 seasons), host of the mini-series Feasting on Asphalt and Feasting on Waves, and host and main commentator on Iron Chef America, Cutthroat Kitchen and Camp Cutthroat. Brown is a best-selling author of several books on food and cooking. “Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science” (www.altonbrownlive.com), the follow-up to the smash “Edible Inevitable” tour, hits the road again. Fans can expect all-new everything including songs, multimedia presentations, talk-show antics, and bigger and better potentially dangerous food demonstrations. Read More
