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 August 29, 2023 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. Read More
Fryborg Food Truck Opens Restaurant in Trumbull Features Interview Restaurant Trumbull Homepage Openings French Fries Burgers Hot Dogs Sandwiches Interview Andrew Dominick July 13, 2023 “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. Read More
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
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 July 08, 2023 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.” Read More
Gooseboro Drive-In; 60 Years of Hot Dogs, Burgers and Ice Cream in Bantam Restaurant Hot Dogs Delicious Dives Comfort Food Bantam Litchfield Kid Friendly Homepage jeffrey schlesinger May 29, 2023 Hot dogs have been around in various shapes and sizes for centuries, some say dating back to 700 BC; today they are a staple at Fourth of July and church BBQs and grabbing a red hot at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium was always my go-to food. Natural casing, foot-long, knockwurst, beef, pork, chicken, veggie, tofu, cheese conies, they have been a part of the American culinary scene since forever. There is something special about the salty-spicy combo, the ease of eating, the number of toppings that make them even better…sometimes they are the canvas, sometimes they are the art.Finding a great and fun hot dog in CT has been an adventure, so when I read that Gooseboro Drive-In in Bantam was awarded the best hot dog at the Litchfield Fair, it definitely hit my radar. 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
Dogtown: West Coast Meets East Coast Fast Casual Dogs, Burgers, + More from Son of Former Swanky Franks Owner Features Interview Restaurant Milford Burgers Hot Dogs Fast Casual Homepage Andrew Dominick January 16, 2022 If you’re a hot dog connoisseur in Fairfield County, you surely remember the legendary roadside eats at Swanky Franks. It’s safe to say that a lot of us still miss the ripper style dogs, THAT CHILI, and the fresh cut skin-on fries that were served to you in a plentiful heap.Things like that have a way of coming back. Well, almost.For Bobby Manere Jr. there is a full circle kind of feeling at Dogtown, located in a half commercial, half residential area off of a busy main road in Milford.If Manere’s last name sounds familiar, it should. His father, Robert Manere Sr., was the fourth owner of Swanky Franks from the late 1980s until the later 2000s. He might be the Swanky Franks head hot dog honcho that a younger generation remembers the most. Read More
Hook’d on the Sound: Comfort Food & More at Westport's Compo Beach Restaurant Beach Eats Comfort Food Lobster Roll Burgers Hot Dogs Sandwich Smoothies Westport Openings Kid Friendly CTbites Team June 30, 2021 Picture this: you're at the beach tanning when all of a sudden you hear that dreaded sound of your stomach rumbling. But you aren’t in the mood for the classic hot dog or chicken tenders that are usually served at a beach. You want something a little more gourmet, like a lobster roll or a farm-fresh salad. Have no fear! Hook’d on the Sound can provide you just that and is located only a few feet away from your towel. Read More
Frankies Hot Dogs: Best Hot Dog in Connecticut? Restaurant Hot Dogs Delicious Dives Comfort Food jeffrey schlesinger October 13, 2020 Is there anyone who doesn’t like a good hot dog?Steaming hot, wrapped in a bun, the hot dog, frankfurter, red hot, tube steak, wiener, frank, weenie, dirty water dog, dachshund, all relate to spiced pork or beef stuffed inside a casing, then fried, grilled, smoked, boiled, steamed, and placed in a long roll, topped with numerous toppings and devoured. They are so popular that Spotify offers over 300 songs about hot dogs, from Elvis to Zeppelin, Joey Chestnut is a household name for eating 75 hot dogs in 10 minutes, and outrageous antics of flamboyant athletes are called “hot-dogging.” 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
Heibeck's Stand Opens For Season With Crave-Worthy Homemade Ice Cream, Loaded Dogs, Tacos and more Features ice cream Tacos Lobster Hot Dogs Burgers Homepage Andrew Dominick May 09, 2020 The homemade ice cream, butter lathered lobster rolls, and topping loaded hot dogs at Heibeck’s Stand all made their season debut a few weeks late, but the popular Route 7 roadside gem is back in action.The delay in their opening is due to the obvious COVID-19 climate. Like many restaurants, Heibeck’s took the extra time to work out how to open as a takeout-only model with online or call ahead ordering and to put even more sanitation measures in place. “We definitely took a step back in our opening to make sure we were ready,” says manager Rachel Williams. “We love our customers, and our main concern was to make sure they’re safe and comfortable.”Williams also mentioned that Heibeck’s took additional time to properly mark where walk-up traffic should flow and social distancing markers once in line at the windows to help ensure customer safety. Entrance, for now, is through the parking lot in back, then let the arrows and signs guide you from there.To Heibeck’s regulars, noticeably absent will be their charming, pet friendly, BYOB dining patio that is usually decked out with tables, chairs, flowers, greenery, and string lights. Where folks would normally go to kick back and devour a cup of Deep Purple Cow or Trash Can ice cream, is now mostly empty. “It was sad not putting out the furniture and plants,” says co-owner Barbara Heibeck, who owns the stand with her son, Skylar Smith. “It felt different.” 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
Fryday Every Day? Fryborg Truck Opens Restaurant in Milford Restaurant Comfort Food Milford Food Truck Burgers Hot Dogs Openings Homepage Andrew Dominick January 27, 2019 When food trucks in Connecticut started to become more prevalent, there was one I remembered well. The name “Fryborg” definitely stood out, and the fact that they specialized in hand-cut fries didn’t suck either. I first stumbled upon Fryborg around the time Two Roads Brewing Company opened in Stratford, so that “stumble” was a real one after multiple pints in the brewery’s upstairs tasting room. It was then that Fryborg’s bacon, egg, and cheese fries and their marinara-laden pizza fries perfectly complimented my buzz. If I had to render a guess, I’m not in the minority on similar experiences. 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
8 Classic CT Drive-Ins To Visit Before Summer's End via CT Visit Restaurant Outdoor Dining Delicious Dives Diner Comfort Food Hot Dogs Burgers Lunch CTbites Team September 04, 2018 One of the best parts about being on the road in the summer in Connecticut is stopping at a drive-in for a quick but tasty meal. The state has many such spots, but here are 8 of the most tried and true.Sea Swirl, Mystic: It's easy to spot Sea Swirl as the former Carvel location, but the focus now is on fried seafood, especially clams, scallops, and oysters. The Sycamore, Bethel: Known for its steak burgers and homemade root beer, as well as its carhops and 1950's ambiance. Be sure to check out their web site for cruise nights and and other special events. Harry's Place, Colchester: Looking for a real juicy burger? Harry's shapes its patties into a ball, puts them on a grill, and then gradually flattens them with a spatula. The results have brought customers back every summer for decades. Read More
The Colombian Hot Dog Truck: Ultimate Comfort Food Restaurant Food Truck Burgers Columbian Comfort Food Hot Dogs Bridgeport Delicious Dives Homepage Andrew Dominick September 02, 2018 I can admit when I have a problem. Connecticut has several great food trucks, and I social media stalk a bunch of them. The addiction is obviously the food, then there’s this game of being able to track down the truck or trucks in question. Will I be free? Where will the truck be? What time? And for how long will they be there? One that I played cat and mouse with recently was The Colombian Hot Dog, a mobile trailer that specializes in Colombian fast food. They were put on my radar by a local photographer friend who spent some time shooting The Colombian Hot Dog crew in action one summer night. He suggested I check them out, but it took a while since the truck is only parked in Norwalk one night per week. Read More
Weenie Lynn's Hot Dog Food Truck: Killer Dogs & Sandwiches Restaurant Food Truck Hot Dogs Danbury Comfort Food American Take Out To-Go Kid Friendly Catering Homepage Stephanie Webster July 14, 2018 After seven years in business, it feels like it's about time to celebrate one of the old school CT food trucks, Weenie Lynn's. Weenie's is a family-owned & operated hot dog and specialty sandwich truck that has been serving the local food scene since spring of 2011. The truck is based in Danbury CT, but they are more than happy to bring their delicious dogs (and five kids) all over the tri state area...and they do. Weenie's serve two sizes of 100% All-Beef Hot Dogs (over 20 toppings & condiments), as well as Bratwurst, Kielbasa, and fresh-cut (never frozen) french fries, They also feature an ever growing menu of delicious sandwiches, many of them riffs off the classic grilled cheese. Read More
Heibeck’s in Wilton: American Roadside Fare Since 1931 Restaurant Wilton Take Out ice cream Burgers Hot Dogs Tacos Comfort Food American Lunch Kid Friendly homepage Homepage Brett Levy July 08, 2018 Escape to a different era where comfort food is locally sourced, you are served with compassion and a smile on a garden patio, and you can experience a country feel that makes our fast-paced world slow down just a bit. This cute date (BYO), family fun and good vibe spot is something special to CT that you simply shouldn’t miss.Heibeck’s in Wilton opened in 1931 and has been family run for four generations. Back then, George Heibeck and Katherine Dhly Heibeck stayed up all night to hand churn over 100 of their original ice cream flavors to perfection, and then served the creamy goodness to their loyal customers daily. Though their ice cream is no longer produced on premises, the family prides itself upon the use of local food sources. Read More
Shake Shack Opening In West Hartford April 27 Restaurant West Hartford Hartford Hartford County Burgers Comfort Food Kid Friendly Hot Dogs ice cream Stephanie Webster April 19, 2018 Shack®is thrilled to announce it will open its doors on Friday, April 27that 11AM. The West Hartford Shack will be located at Corbin's Corner, 1445 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT. This marks Shake Shack’s fourth Connecticut Shack, with existing locations in Darien, New Haven and Westport.In addition to the Shack classics, the West Hartford Shack will be spinning up a selection of custom frozen custard concretes: Shack Attack (chocolate custard, fudge sauce, chocolate truffle cookie dough, Mast Brothers Shake Shack dark chocolate chunks, topped with chocolate sprinkles), Cookie Butter Blender (vanilla custard, cookie butter, chocolate toffee and chocolate sprinkles)and Pie Oh My (vanilla custard and slice of Four & Twenty Blackbirds seasonal pie). Read More
