Filtering by Tag: Pasta,Hot Dogs

Fatto A Mano All Day Cafe & Market Opens TODAY in Westport

Restaurant Westport Opening Pasta Coffee Cooking Classes Bakery Homepage

Sam Schwab

Westport, get excited. The highly-anticipated opening of Fatto a Mano is happening this Wednesday, February 12. If you’re not familiar with Fatto a Mano already, we’re guessing the name rings a bell. The Italian bakery moved to Westport about two years ago and sells at the weekly Westport Farmers Market and directly out of their kitchen space located at 971 Post Road East (next to Pop Up Bagels). 

The new storefront has been a long time coming for founder Pierluigi Mazzella, who originally started Fatto a Mano out of his home kitchen under the Connecticut cottage food operation license back in 2022. Since then, Mazzella has quickly made a name for himself and his artisanal bakery; Mazzella was named the 2022 Baker of the Year by the Connecticut Restaurant Association, his Panettone was featured on Martha Stewart’s Roku channel series, and Forbes even dubbed him the “Prince of Panettone.” 

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Hidden Gem: Charcoal Chef in Woodbury - A Throwback to Simpler Times

Restaurant Woodbury Comfort Food Hot Dogs Diner Sandwiches Delicious Dives Burgers

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

One of my favorite shows growing up was The Twilight Zone. Most episodes included Rod Serling’s famous, “Imagine, if you will…” and his describing a “fifth dimension” between reality and imagination. I sometimes think of those days, a simpler time when life moved more slowly, where information was absorbed from the three-dimensional surroundings versus the two-dimensional computer screen, where families viewed eating out as a bonus, not as a plan B because everyone was too tired to cook and when every meal was not measured by its TikTok and Instagram potential. Sometimes a restaurant is a place to bring family, outside the Internet measurements, outside the stars, likes and looks, and just serve simple fare at reasonable prices.

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Constantino’s Pasta Bowls Opens In Greenwich With Pasta Bread Bowls!

Restaurant Greenwich Pasta Italian Lunch Italian Sandwich Opening Openings Homepage

Hannah Goodman

Last month, Greenwich welcomed to the area Constantino’s Pasta Bowls, a family-owned and operated fast-casual restaurant with a unique take on Italian cuisine. Robyn Bordes and her husband, Michael, are also the owners of the beloved Constantino’s Pizza and Ice Cream on Putnam Ave and Love You a Latte (located right next to Constantino’s Pasta Bowls). 

Robyn Bordes has worked in the food industry since she was 13 years old, starting as a waitress and eventually working her way up to restaurant business owner. She purchased the popular Villaggio’s Italiano Restaurant in Hartsdale and owned it for several years until she decided to sell it in 2020. In 2022, Bordes and her husband brought their expertise to Greenwich and opened Constantino’s Pizza and Ice Cream, which had previously been the location of Stateline Deli. Now, just two years later, the couple decided to expand their empire by bringing a new style of Italian food to the Greenwich community. 

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Joanne’s Table: A Neighborhood Italian Gem in Fairfield CT

Restaurant Fairfield Italian Opening Pasta

Jessica Ryan

Tucked away in a small residential neighborhood just off of Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield is a small and unassuming restaurant. Some may recognize this as the former home of Liana’s Trattoria which closed its doors during the pandemic. Just over a year ago, Joanne Monroe took over the empty space and brought life back inside the four walls. Joanne, no stranger to the hospitality industry, was with Liana for nearly 15 years. No one knew the restaurant as well as she did, except perhaps Chef James Agoglia, who worked with Liana for about 5 years and returns to the helm of the kitchen with all of his unbridled talent and creativity. These two are a talented duo. The new restaurant plays homage to the former while moving forward to create new traditions. 

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Trattoria 'A Vucchella: Hidden Italian Gem in Downtown Bridgeport

Features Interview Restaurant Italian Bridgeport Homepage Interview Hidden Gem Pasta

Andrew Dominick

Trattoria A’Vucchella is the epitome of a hidden gem. Open for a tick over a decade, directly across the street from The Bijou Theater in Downtown Bridgeport, it might be one of the city’s best kept secrets if you’re not a local, and if you didn’t somehow discover it naturally.

“It’s a tough location, but we have a loyal following,” says co-owner Pasquale De Martino. “They all found us organically, and once they find us, they come back and from all over. I love the community here.”

Martino—who opened the restaurant back in 2014 with Jennifer Galletti and Thomas Bepko—was formerly the owner of a limoncello factory for 10 years in his birthplace of Sorrento, Italy before selling it and eventually getting into the villa renting business in Italy with Galletti.

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Guide To Our Favorite Hot Dogs In Connecticut

Features Restaurant Hot Dogs Delicious Dives Highlight Homepage

Hannah Goodman

This daily heat and humidity can only mean one thing: it’s summertime in Connecticut. It’s also hot dog time in Connecticut! Meat-grilling season is here and Independence Day is right around the corner and with that brings the pressure of entertaining friends and family, lighting off “legal” fireworks, and curating an outdoor feast. But what if you didn’t have to worry about any of those things and instead decided to celebrate the season and holiday somewhere else, say, a local CT eatery that offers delicious hot dogs and other festive culinary options? As someone who grew up working at a hot dog stand, I know what makes a true dog standout from all the rest. Sometimes it’s about the basics, like mustard and kraut, and for others it’s about the chili, cheese, and other specialty toppings that cover the dog. No matter what you have in store for the summer and for the Fourth of July, the hot dog stands, restaurants, and drive-ins on this list will surely make you want to say “screw our plans, let’s keep it simple and leave the food to those that know it best.” And to that we say, “we’ve got you covered!” Goodbye, summer stress. Hello, mouth-watering hot dogs. 

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Josie & Tony’s Opens Arthur Avenue Style Deli in South Norwalk

Restaurant Ingredients Deli Italian Deli South Norwalk Norwalk Lunch To-Go Sandwiches Pasta

CTbites Team

Josie & Tony’s located at 20 North Main Street in South Norwalk, Connecticut, opened its gourmet Italian deli last month. The deli offers hot and cold sandwiches made on local breads from Wave Hill, alongside homemade mozzarella, fresh pasta, cured meats, rainbow cookie desserts, specialty sodas, coffee, and other Arthur Ave-inspired delicacies and products.

Owner and sommelier, Joshua Mesnik, opened the restaurant at Josie & Tony's in December with 50 founding members – being the first membership hospitality concept of its kind in Fairfield County. Read more here.

“The deli will be something the whole community can enjoy and we look forward to expanding our services to include catering and boat provisioning this summer,” Mesnik explained. It will also be the face of the Josie & Tony’s Pasta Club, a subscription-based service offering fresh pasta and sauce to cook at home. At the moment, hot sandwiches include chicken parmigiana, Italian dip, meatball parmigiana, sausage & peppers, and roasted vegetables; cold sandwiches include Italian combo, spicy soppressata, Caprese, and Italian tuna salad. Deli hours are 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 

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SoulFully Vegan in Berlin: PB&J Burger, Vegan Chili Fries & More!

Restaurant Vegan Vegetarian Berlin Food Truck Healthy Eats Burgers Hot Dogs Homepage

April Guilbault

You’re vegan. Or you’re not. You’re trying to eat healthier, or well, maybe you’re not, but however you slice it, you’re missing or craving a good burger. So how about a burger that has no meat, but has peanut butter, jelly, and jalapenos?…stick with us here…

SoulFully Vegan in Berlin, is pretty much smack in the middle of CT, with Rt.9, I-91, I-691, and the Berlin Turnpike running through it. Long story short, you can reach Berlin easily as you find yourself criss-crossing the state. Berlin now also has the distinction of being the site of the vegan brick and mortar eatery that will have you rethinking your next fast food craving.

Allison and Calvin Vaughan are the dynamic duo behind SoulFully Vegan. Their new eating adventure began not that long ago in 2019 when a call to action was needed after an eye-opening health diagnosis for Calvin. What followed for this couple was a slew of analysis of their current eating situation, followed by investigation and education on how to eat healthier, and an impactful viewing of the documentary “What the Health?” (currently on Netflix). They knew they wanted and needed to eat healthier but finding food that satisfied their cravings was a search that was coming up empty.

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La Colombina Burger Opens in Norwalk with Colombian Style Stacked Burgers, Loaded Hot Dogs + More

Restaurant Colombian Norwalk Burgers Hot Dogs Openings Homepage

Andrew Dominick

When Antojos closed at the tail end of 2023, it left a void in Norwalk as it pertains to Colombian fast food. Yeah, you know what I’m talking about; those humongous hamburgers, those loaded hot dogs, and massive orders of fries topped with every ingredient imaginable. Seemingly appearing out of thin air to answer those prayers was La Colombina Burger, that unbeknownst to me (and I’m sure a bunch of you) opened last July very under the radar, in a little strip of stores, in a parking lot I hadn’t pulled into since Tony’s Pet Shop was there all those years ago. The Tony’s shout is for the Norwalk heads. IYKYK.

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The Luke Brasserie Opens in Downtown New Haven with Beautiful Fine Dining

Restaurant Opening Mediterranean American Bar New Haven Seafood Pasta Homepage

Chloe Zale

Walking into The Luke Brasserie in downtown New Haven, it’s apparent that this isn’t your average restaurant. The soaring space exudes grandeur, boasting ornate coffered ceilings, mosaic tile floors, and a wraparound mezzanine flanked by double-height Ionic columns. Impeccably prepared Mediterranean fare is served in oversized carved crystal bowls and wide-rimmed fluted plates. Deep red leather banquettes beckon, warmed by chandeliers and flickering candles.

“I fell in love with the space when I first saw it over a decade ago, and I wanted to do it justice,” says Executive Chef Vincent Chirico, a New York City culinary veteran with three previous restaurants under his belt. Like many of us, Chirico left the city during the height of Covid and was househunting in Connecticut when he happened to reconnect with the owner of the historic Taft Building in New Haven, who was a patron of his Upper West Side restaurant Vai. Years after encountering the space the first time, Chirico found himself weighing the opportunity to open a restaurant there. The timing felt like fate, and thus The Luke was born. 

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Josie and Tony’s Italian Deli & Supper Club Opens in South Norwalk

Restaurant Italian South Norwalk SONO Opening Homepage Supper Club Deli Italian Deli Pasta

Lloyd Allen

Actors take classes. Actors wait tables. Actors go to casting calls. Actors land roles.

Joshua Anthony Mesnik studied musical theatre at NYU, did all of the above, landing roles off-Broadway, but while he pursued his acting career it became apparent his main stage was not on Broadway. His shows were wowing New York audiences, but the scripts he memorized were on menus and wine lists. There were scenes to define, refine and flesh out.

He opened at ABC Carpet, had successful runs at Sushi Samba and Cafe Luxembourg, discovered the sexy, seductive storytelling aspects inside a bottle of wine from his role at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill.

A one Virginia Philip, Master Sommelier at The Breakers mentored him, he then upped the ante directing the wine scene at The Standard High Line Hotel. There’s a lot more, but long story short, he’s going it alone.

Well, not completely. A few of his big fans are involved and invested, not to mention the other 50 devotees of fine food who ponied up a few G’s to cover the yearly membership fee for his soon to be opened dinner club. But no matter all of this, Josie & Tony’s, yes, named after his grandparents, strives to be a show stopping, luxurious dining experience for all.

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Il Pastaficio in Westport: Artisanal Pasta Market Launches Dine In Restaurant...And It's Outstanding

Restaurant Westport Greenwich fresh pasta Pasta Italian Specialty Market Lunch Opening Homepage

Jessica Ryan

In 2018 I headed to Cos Cob to meet Frederico Perandin and his wife Anissa Nouhi at the location of their brand new restaurant, Il Pastificio, adored by all in the Greenwich area. 

Born and raised in Padova, Italy, the founder of a successful Italian advertising agency, Federico Perandin moved to Greenwich in 2016 where he immediately fell in love with the town, the scenery and the lively international community.

In 2022 Perandin and Nouhi found a second home for Il Pastificio in Westport. Initially it was to serve as a market of sorts with its take out menu, but that changed when, after closing for a month over the summer for some light construction, a new sit-down eatery was born. The new restaurant is best described as rustic chic. Its elevated casual atmosphere offers guests a comfortable setting dressed in pale yellows and woods in which they can linger comfortably over Frederico’s authentic recipes, steeped in tradition alongside a healthy serving of Prosecco and conversation.

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Craven Dawgs & Ting Reemerges in Norwalk w/ Jamaican Inspired Hot Dogs + Burgers

Features Interview Jamaican Hot Dogs Burgers Food Truck Norwalk Homepage Interview

Andrew Dominick

Swing by the Norwalk Town Green on any given day, and you’ll see at least one food truck parked out there. If you meandered over there this summer, you may have noticed a silver trailer that’s about as big as your smallest clothes closet. It’s also where you’ll find Darlene and John Banks slinging Jamaican…hot dogs and burgers?!

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Gioia Italian Restaurant, Market, & Gelateria Opens In New Haven October 19th

Restaurant New Haven Opening Pizza Wood Fired Steak Cocktails Gelato Specialty Market Pasta Homepage

James Gribbon

Gioia, the new wood-fired Italian dining/cocktail/gelato/rooftop bar on Wooster Street from partners Tim Cabral (Ordinary) and Avi Szapiro (Roìa), is set to open in October, but we’ve already visited the spot to give you a first look.

You’ll see the space, get a glimpse of the enticing menu, and read our exclusive interview with the partners about the concept’s creation in their own words. Read on!

Avi describes how the two met one night in 2011 when he was eating at Caseus: the seed event which would lead to the creation of Gioia.

“I thought nobody knew me or what I was doing, and Tim comes up to me and says ‘I heard you’re opening a restaurant, what’s the concept?’”

That turned out to be Roìa, which opened within two weeks of Tim’s Ordinary (“We literally shared a back door between the restaurants, we’d steal stuff from each other all the time.”), and the two became great friends, to the point they started brainstorming ideas just so they could work together. 

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Chef Emily Mingrone Launches The Pearl At Fair Haven Oyster Co. Food Truck September 1st

Restaurant Food Truck Hot Dogs Lobster Roll Comfort Food To-Go Ice Cream Canned Cocktails CT Beer New Haven Fair Haven Opening

Stephanie Webster

This just in. Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State, Provisions on State, and her most recent addition, Fair Haven Oyster Co, is off on another exciting culinary adventure. After winning “CT’s Restaurant Of The Year” in 2022, Mingrone is expanding her New Haven footprint and launching a NEW FOOD TRUCK, this weekend, Friday, September 1st. The truck’s name is “The Pearl At Fair Haven Oyster Co.” and you can find it just next to her restaurant, Fair Haven Oyster Co., in the marina picnic area. The Pearl will be open Fridays-Sundays, noon to 7pm in the season, and depending on demand, Mingrone may keep the party going all year long. 

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Gabagool Wine Bar Opens in Fairfield: Turning Lemons into Limoncello

Restaurant Italian Lunch Fairfield Openings Pasta

Jessica Ryan

Gabagool Wine Bar is the newest incarnation of the former Fairfield favorite, Toto Restaurant, which shut its doors suddenly and unexpectedly about a year and a half ago. I worried that, tragically, this too had succumbed to the pandemic, but alas – and thankfully, such was not the case. 

The restaurant that occupied the main level in the red building on Reef Road sat vacant and dark for over a year. This was all due to massive flood caused by a ruptured pipe. With water everywhere, the restaurant’s interior needed to be completely gutted and rebuilt. Thankfully for us restauranteur and owner Antonio Ninivaggi does as only Antonio does… He turned his lemons into limoncello, and thus Gabagool Wine Bar was born.

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Vespino Pizza + Restaurant Opens in Fairfield

Restaurant Italian Opening Pasta Pizza Lunch Prix Fixe Kid Friendly Fairfield Homepage

Jessica Ryan

Nestled in a quiet corner of a shopping plaza located right off of the hustle and bustle of Fairfield’s Black Rock Turnpike is Vespino Pizza + Restaurant. Located in the space that was formerly Stefano’s, Vespino fills a void in the area’s restaurant scene. Best described as elevated casual in a stylishly modern setting, Vespino is an ideal choice for a quick neighborhood lunch, casual dinner with friends and family, or an after work cocktail. Vespino has already established a loyal clientele and has earned praises for their pizza, pasta, appetizers and main dishes. Sister restaurant to longtime local favorite Quattro Pazzi Café, Organika and the newer kid on the block, Pizza Lyfe in Westport, we came in with high expectations, eager to try a few dishes ourselves.

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Fryborg Food Truck Opens Restaurant in Trumbull

Features Interview Restaurant Trumbull Homepage Openings French Fries Burgers Hot Dogs Sandwiches Interview

Andrew Dominick

“A lot of the food we serve is inspired by being a kid,” says Fryborg owner Jonathan Gibbons. “In Milford, an older guy in his 80s comes in regularly and he remarked that my food is like when he was a kid. That made me feel really good. The food, the video game table, the bubble hockey, it’s all about nostalgia.”

For many, me included, “nostalgia” is the right work to describe Fryborg.

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Press Burger Opens in Wilton With Tasty "Feel Good" Burgers & Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Restaurant Burgers Hot Dogs Fast Casual Wilton Fried Chicken Fried Chicken Sandwich Opening Comfort Food Kid Friendly Lunch

Ella Alpert

The beloved New Canaan burger joint, Press Burger, has opened its second location in Wilton with even more delicious and creative eats. Co-owners Seth Leifer and John Gallagher set out to continue Press Burger’s mission as a delicious and fresh form of fast food, while expanding beyond its classic burgers and fries with new sauces, fried chicken sandwiches, the carrot dog (you’d be surprised how good it tastes), and more. As Leifer puts it, Press Burger is the Cava, Sweetgreen, or Chipotle of the burger world, a type of “cleaner, finer, fast casual.”

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Rive Bistro in Westport Celebrates 10 Years With Chef Roland Olah At The Helm

Restaurant Westport French Water View Waterfront Pasta Seafood Cocktails Chef Alert Homepage

Jessica Ryan

There’s a lot to celebrate at Rive Bistro in Westport. Owner Eric Sierra is thrilled to be celebrating the restaurant’s 10th  Anniversary.  In addition to this great achievement, Sierra who is stepping away from the kitchen recently brought Chef Roland Olah on to take the helm. After having won a green card in the lottery, Olah left his homeland of Hungary in 2009, along with his position of Executive Chef at the renown Café Erté, to take a chance and pursue a dream in the states. Knowing that he could always return home, he and his wife along with their then young daughter began anew in New York City under the tutelage of Chef Daniel Boulud. Olah would then move to Connecticut to plant some roots. He served as Executive Chef at Martel in Fairfield as well as the now shuttered and well received Brasserie Bruxelles in SONO.

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