Best Bowls in CT: Acai, Poke, Middle Eastern, Korean, BBQ & More! Restaurant Features Bowls Acai Bowl Korean BBQ Best of CT Highlight Healthy Eats Vegetarian Middle Eastern Build Your Own Bowl Greek Homepage April Guilbault August 18, 2023 Whether it’s the dog days of summer or life just has you too busy to be bothered with cooking, some of the simplest, and often the most delicious meals, come in bowls. Chock full of healthy and delicious ingredients like grains, veggies, meats and fish or brimming with fresh fruits and icy smoothy-ness, bowls in all shapes and sizes make eating fun. They are convenient, interesting and delicious-what a trifecta! Here are some of our favorite bowls in Connecticut. Go build one for yourself! Read More
Esh Modern Mediterranean Restaurant Opens in Fairfield from NYC's Taboon Team Restaurant Opening Fairfield Middle Eastern Mediterranean Moroccan Israeli Stephanie Webster June 20, 2023
NYC's Fast Casual NAYA Middle Eastern Counter & Grill Brings Middle Eastern Cuisine to Darien Restaurant Darien Fast Casual Opening Middle Eastern CTbites Team June 12, 2023 In just a few short weeks, the Fairfield County dining scene will welcome NAYA Middle Eastern Counter & Grill opens its doors on June 23rd in Darien, CT. Originating from the heart of New York City, NAYA has gained widespread acclaim for its Middle Eastern flavors. Renowned for drawing long lines during the bustling lunch hour in NYC, NAYA is now set to captivate the vibrant community of Darien, nestled within the lively Darien Commons at 146 Heights Road, Darien, CT 06820. With a commitment to delivering an unparalleled fast casual dining experience, perfected in the Big Apple, NAYA is poised to serve the Fairfield County community. Read More
The Blondinit: Israeli Restaurant Coming To Westport Features Openings Westport Mediterranean Israeli Middle Eastern Dan Woog May 09, 2023 If you want authentic Israeli food, go to Israel.Or Brooklyn.Soon though, dishes like shakshuka (poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce with vegetables and spices) and deep-fried matzo stuffed with cheese will be available in Westport.On, ironically, Church Lane, in Westport.The Blondinit will fill the space vacated this winter by Manna Toast. It’s the first restaurant venture for Solomon and Inda Sade, who own several other businesses already. Her background is in retail and fashion.But this is their passion project. They love food and entertaining. And they’re putting their money where their, um, mouths are: They’re funding it themselves.While not Israeli, the Sades have strong ties there. Solomon’s parents were born in Israel. His father had 10 siblings, his mother, 8.Growing up on Long Island, his family visited there every summer. More recently, he and his wife honeymooned in Israel.When COVID struck, they and their 1-year-old left New York for their second home in the Poconos. But after 6 months of boredom — “the event of the day was standing outside Walmart with rubber gloves,” Solomon recalls — they moved to suburban New Jersey.The Blondinit’s meats, pitas, pickled goods and beers will all be “authentic” from Brooklyn.It will be delivered fresh daily. The Sades will not use freezers or microwaves. All leftover food will be donated to pantries and food rescue organizations.Read the complete article on Dan Woog’s 06880. Read More
Pistachio Cafe Opens Second Location in New Haven with Syrian Specialties Features Restaurant New Haven Café Breakfast Lunch Brunch Openings Coffee Shop Middle Eastern Dessert Stephanie Webster January 18, 2023 Some of you may be lucky enough to live near the popular Middle Eastern Pistachio Cafe in the Westville neighborhood of New Haven, but diners in downtown New Haven can finally experience the immense pleasure of settling into one of Pistachio’s signature Turkish Coffees or Pistachio Lattes. Last week, Pistachio Cafe opened a 2nd location at 1245 Chapel Street. Syrian artist, architect and owner, Mohamad Hafez, opened the original Pistachio location in 2020 with the goal of “giving guests the experience of hosting them in my domicile without taking them back to Syria.” In fact, the beautifully ornate and sumptuous interior has layer upon layer of detailing and decor straight from his childhood. . Every inch of this cafe is designed with objects of interest, and the stunning surroundings match the character of this Middle Eastern fan favorite. Read More
Nutcracker Egyptian Bakery & Candy Shop in Fairfield Restaurant Features Bakery Fairfield Candy Shop Egyptian Middle Eastern Baked Goods Imported Oliver Clachko July 19, 2022 In July of 2021, Khaled H. Khaled opened Nutcracker Egyptian Bakery & Candy Shop in Fairfield with his wife and three children. The Egyptian bakery quickly found an ample following, says Khaled. “All different sorts of people come in. Some people for the candy, some for the baklava, and [many still] for other things.” The family-run shop’s offerings consist of a variety of Middle-Eastern baked goods, as well as a selection of treats from Egypt’s most beloved brands. Khaled learned how to bake early while working at his family’s confectionery in Cairo. After moving to Fairfield in 2012, he continued to hone his craft while experimenting with possible improvements. Accordingly, Nutcracker offers many different delicacies with an enormous variety of flavors. Read More
Layla’s Falafel Introduces 'Layla’s Create Your Own' Bowls Restaurant fairf Stamford Westport Middle Eastern Healthy Eats Lunch Take Out Meals To Go Jessica Ryan June 19, 2022 It’s hard to fathom there might be someone in Fairfield County not yet familiar with Layla’s Falafel. With locations in Stamford, Westport, and Fairfield, Layla’s is bustling with activity – and with good reason, their food is delicious. Layla’s offers something for everyone, satisfying a variety of palates and diet preferences, with options for vegans and vegetarians as well as those with celiac/gluten issues. This Middle Eastern fare is wonderful, fresh, and not to mention healthy.And with that we are happy to share the great news that Layla’s Custom Bowls have been added to the menu. They’re healthy, incredibly satisfying and delicious. And just like the other menu options the bowls can be made vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Read More
Urban Greek Kitchen: Delicious Fast Casual Greek With A Twist Restaurant Shelton Greek Mediterranean Grocery Store Special Dietary Needs Gluten-Free Lunch Take Out To-Go Openings Healthy Eats Homepage Jessica Ryan May 14, 2022 In a bleak midwinter, in the midst of a great Pandemic, Sophia Diakoloukas left a successful marketing career to open her restaurant, Urban Greek Kitchen. This fast-casual eatery serves up modern Greek food with a flair. “It’s Greek with a twist” she describes. “I use traditional family recipes and adapt them to satisfy the way we eat today.” Inspired by the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean, Urban Greek focuses on healthy, fresh vibrant ingredients that are satisfying and delicious. Having grown up in the restaurant business, here in Connecticut, Sophia is no stranger to the inner workings of this complicated, fast-paced industry. It’s immediately apparent that she runs a pristinely organized and tight ship. Most of her staff has been with her since the doors opened…and so have her loyal customers. Read More
RAWA: Middle Eastern Fusion in New Haven Restaurant New Haven Middle Eastern Mediterranean Kid Friendly James Gribbon March 11, 2022 Several years ago, hungry and lost on a ski trip in the hinterlands of northern Vermont, I convinced the crew to stop at the first sign that said "brew" on it, which is how we all discovered (and loved) Trout River Brewing, then up in Lyndonville. Another time, half the Earth's orbit away on a sweltering evening before a show at the Bowery Ballroom, a little A-shaped chalkboard got us to check our stride with the words "Cheap Drinks," and an arrow pointing down stairs revealed by open steel doors in the sidewalk. The cellar bar was a riot of antique lamps, taxidermy, and, well, us after several of the promised drinks - some of which they even asked us to pay for.The point is: places found when I've been lost or without particular plans have been some of the bookmarked highlights of my adult life, and RAWA in New Haven is one. Read More
Arugula Bistro in West Hartford Celebrates 25 Years with A New Look Restaurant Hartford County West Hartford Mediterranean Middle Eastern Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe August 15, 2021 Have you strolled down Farmington Avenue lately? West Hartford is BAAAACK! And, Arugula Bistro is now all dressed up and ready to party. The colorful block mural and beautiful lavender plants along the front of the restaurant are just two visual signs that Arugula is awaiting your arrival. Back open this summer after some much needed reno, your spirit and belly will be delighted by the changes. Like many restaurants, some time closed during the pandemic was spent fixing to-do list projects. What went from much needed new flooring to some equipment and furniture overhauls, became the redo Chef Christiane Gehami and Chef Michael Kask had always wanted it to be. The pair have run Arugula together for twenty-five years and they’ve worked hard to evolve; behind them, in long-time starring roles on the team are also Steve Reynolds and Shari Warbelow. Read More
Bab al Salam Offers Authentic & Excellent Syrian Fare Restaurant Middle Eastern Mediterranean Lunch Orange Homepage Frank Cohen September 16, 2018 Middle Eastern restaurants, long a welcome presence in Connecticut, lately seem to be multiplying. One of the most intriguing is Bab al Salam, which is located in an Orange plaza owned by the New Haven Islamic Center, which also hosts the Orange Farmers’ Market, a Muslim clothing store, a Middle Eastern market with halal butcher, and meeting spaces for events. Bab al Salam opened in the middle of January. Owners Adnan Akil, a restaurant builder, and Suloman Chater, a restaurateur, both of whom have lived in the U.S. for decades, sought to replicate the food one might find in metropolises like Aleppo or Damascus in their homeland. They seem to have found a grateful audience in Orange. Read More
Lebanese Market & Cuisine in Bethel: A One-of-a-Kind Find Restaurant Bethel Middle Eastern Lunch Comfort Food Delicious Dives Connecticut Magazine January 24, 2018 Connecticut Magazine shares a unique Middle Eastern find in Bethel, Lebanese Market & Cuisine. Restaurants have so overused the word “fresh” when describing their ingredients that it has been stripped of most of its meaning. But when chef Hassan Bou Hodiv of Lebanese Cuisine in Bethel says he only uses “fresh” ingredients, he means it. Like, really means it.The shelf life on the restaurant’s tabbouleh: 30 minutes.“After a half-hour, it’s not good for a customer,” he says.This is hard to believe, but take a bite of this tabbouleh filled with bright green parsley and mint, accented by finely chopped onions and tomato coated in olive oil and lemon juice, taste the way the flavor of each ingredient pops, crisp and clean, and your doubts will evaporate.The tabbouleh is the best I’ve had and the other Middle Eastern cuisine offered at the restaurant — including addictive falafel sandwiches and shawarma — is as good as, and arguably better than, any you can get in New York City. Though it has little online presence, an unassuming location on Stony Hill Road in Bethel, and a name that lacks flair, Lebanese Cuisine is an elite restaurant.It was opened five years ago by Sam Baddour. A few years ago, Baddour brought Hodiv onboard as chef and partner and says he told him, “It’s your restaurant. Do whatever you want.”Hodiv transformed the spot, drawing on the culinary traditions taught to him as a child in Lebanon. “My grandmother, always she cooked. I helped her,” he says. He moved to the U.S. in 2004, and prior to his work at Lebanese Cuisine he ran Falafel House in West Haven. Read More
Delicious Persian & Iranian Cuisine At Green Leaf Catering Truck Restaurant Persian Food Truck Southington Middle Eastern Catering Lunch To-Go Ramin Ganeshram November 19, 2017 I first had the saffron ice cream called bastani akbar mashti in 1978 in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. I was in Iran with my mother, the last trip I would make to her native country, mere months before the Revolution that began what has become forty years of acrimony between our two nations.But on that day, the Bazaar was packed with shoppers seeking out everything from daily staples to luxury goods. Everywhere I looked there was a riot of color, fabric and food. The smells of roasting kebabs filled the air mingling with the scent of tea brewed with cardamom.The ice cream, delicately yellow and aromatic with saffron and rosewater was punctuated with the occasional crunch of pistachios—a prized Iranian export—and bits of frozen cream. Even though I’ve had versions of it since, none have ever been as good—either too light on the saffron, too sweet, or omitting the frozen cream nuggets.That all changed when I visited Green Leaf Catering Truck, the mobile restaurant of Dariush Rose and his son Samuel. Read More
Layla's Falafel Opening in Westport October 30th Restaurant Middle Eastern Mediterranean Westport Take Out To-Go Lunch Delicious Dives Openings Stephanie Webster October 27, 2017 We have waited patiently, and the time has come. We reported back in April that the family run Layla's Falafel, cooking up some of the best take out Middle Eastern food in CT, was scheduled to open in Westport. The time is NOW. This Monday, October 30th, Layla's will open its doors at 1537 Post Road East. Read More
The Hummus & Pita Co Opening Fast Casual Mediterranean In Danbury Restaurant Mediterranean Middle Eastern Lunch Danbury Take Out To-Go Stephanie Webster October 24, 2017 The Hummus & Pita Co., known for its homemade, fresh and healthy Mediterranean cuisine, has signed a new franchisee, Rishi Parikh, to open a location in Danbury, Connecticut. The newest store will be located at 15 Federal Road in Brookfield. The rapidly growing Mediterranean fast-casual concept brings guilt-free, homemade cuisine to the masses in a comfortable and inviting environment. All menu items are made from scratch on the premises and use only the freshest ingredients to create high-quality, flavor-focused eats. The concept stands out with its freshly baked pita and laffa breads, vegetarian dishes and meats cooked in a traditional taboon oven. Read More
The Simple Greek: Healthy Fast Casual Greek Opens in Norwalk Restaurant Norwalk Greek To-Go Lunch Take Out Homepage ellen bowen September 17, 2017 Healthy, Fast Casual dining spots in CT seem to be few and far between. The struggle is real finding a quick spot for lunch or dinner. The Simple Greek, an authentic Greek food fast casual chain created by CNBC’s “The Profit”, Marcus Lemonis, that originated in Pittsburgh, has quickly grown to 13 locations including two in CT.The Simple Greek, in the Staples Shopping Center in Norwalk, is individually owned by John and Maria Pertesis, and their son, George, a recent graduate from Fairfield U. It is important to note, that this location is not your typical “chain” owned by an absentee owner who only looks at this as an investment, but a true Greek family affair. Maria, John and George are in the kitchen all day every day, focusing on making the authentic recipes and maintaining the quality of the offerings. John and Maria have plenty of local food experience, retiring after owning a number of diners in Fairfield County, and looked at The Simple Greek model as a way to pass on their love of Greek food dining to their son and to be part of the millennial movement looking for fast, healthy “grab and go” dining. Read More
Layla's Falafel Opening in Westport w/ Delicious Authentic Middle Eastern Fare Restaurant Middle Eastern Stamford Westport Fairfield Catering Delicious Dives Lunch Homepage Stephanie Webster April 12, 2017 Layla's Falafel, with their delicious and authentic Middle Eastern menu, is opening in Westport in late April. Offering a full menu of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, Layla’s (named for its owner) serves up well-priced, flavorful and fresh fare. Ideal for takeout, a quick lunch or a pre-movie pit-stop, it’s a solid alternative to your standard takeout repertoire. Previously only found on Black Rock Tpke, their new location will be across from Stop N Shop at 1537 Post Road East in Westport. Read More
The Halal Guys Opens in New Haven on The Green Restaurant Food Truck Greek New Haven Lunch CTbites Team October 14, 2016 The iconic New York City food cart turned brick-and-mortar restaurant is open for business at 906 Chapel Street, New Haven The Halal Guys, which originally started as a hot dog cart in 1990, gained worldwide recognition for its twist on traditional Middle Eastern cuisine. Known for its secret white sauce and lip-tingling, explosive hot sauce, The Halal Guys has become a staple of New York City street fare. Those with big appetites can plan on hearty portions of chicken and gyro over rice with salad, consistent with those served in New York City. All ingredients are delivered and prepared fresh daily. In addition to the world-famous platters, the New Haven location will be dishing up sandwiches, hummus, fries, and, for desert, baklava. Drawing from the success of the original, the founders of The Halal Guys decided to open “brick and mortar” restaurants around the nation. The Chapel Street restaurant is the first in Connecticut. At least one other is in the preliminary planning stage for an undetermined location in the Stamford area. Read More
Getting to Know FRESKOS Modern Greek Food in Hamden Restaurant Greek Hamden Mediterranean Amy Kundrat May 26, 2016 During my first job out of college, I frequented a diner for what became a weekly Greek salad lunch ritual. That may have been over ten years ago, but it inspired a life-long love affair with the dish. So when a friend suggested trying out newly opened FRESKOS in Hamden, I jumped at the chance to try their greek salad and was happily met with a heaping bowl filled with romaine lettuce and topped with chopped cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, stuffed grape leaves, and a big block of feta. Served with warm pita, and greek dressing, I have finally found my local antidote to that Greek salad craving. FRESKOS is a modern Greek fast casual restaurant, that leans towards light and fresh Greek dishes such as souvlaki and gyro sandwiches which are served with warm pita, red onion, tomato, tzaziki, and dill. In addition to sandwiches, FRESKOS focuses on seasonal salads and soups, such as the avgolemono soup, a traditional Greek soup with a chicken broth base filled with lemon, egg and rice. A FRESKOS original is a Greek Pita Pizza, which struck me as an apt Greek interpretation to its pizza-loving location just a stone's throw from New Haven. Read More
The Fez in Stamford Re-Opens w/ Expanded Bar, Menu & Music Space Restaurant Live Music Middle Eastern Stamford Bar Emma Jane-Doody Stetson September 24, 2015 New York chic meets laid back cool at The Fez, a Middle Eastern eatery located in Stamford. The restaurant, located on Summer Street, is unobtrusive from the outside. The inside, however, is alive! Wine flows and aromatic Mediterranean cuisine comes out of the kitchen. Patrons flock to hear live music and conversation echoes throughout the intimate space. On June 1, 2015, the Fez shut its doors to undergo a renovation. After a few busy months, they are proud to announce their grand reopening. Lunch and dinner service has resumed, as well as live music. The same team behind the original Fez will see it into its new age. Greenwich native Eric Monte, who has a self-professed “love of food and wine,” partnered with Jay Patel, who comes from a family of restaurateurs. Chef Shelby prepares the delicious cuisine. Originally Monte had hired a French chef, but Chef Shelby and his Indian background wound up being the perfect match for the restaurant. Fred Laist manages the business aspect. He has a rich history in corporate catering and Monte calls him “brilliant in food service.” Read More
