Founded in 1719, well before the Revolutionary War, Litchfield is an idyllic town in the pastoral hills of northwest Connecticut that is richly steeped in history.
In recent years, given its proximity to both NYC and Boston—each just over a two-hour drive away—Litchfield has become a popular destination for urban dwellers to unwind in the quiet of the countryside.
Catering for this clientele is a growing list of outstanding eateries, including the well-established Arethusa group, chef David DiStassi’s outstanding Italian restaurant Materia Ristorante, plus Ore Hill, Community Table and more culinary gems nearby…not to mention the Litchfield Distillery.
It is also increasingly a destination for boutique hotels and inns. There’s the Mayflower Inn (part of the prestigious Auberge Resorts Collection) and newly opened The Abner in downtown Litchfield. But the one that’s caught my eye is Lost Fox Inn, which opened in June 2024.
It’s been a year since Max Hospitality officially took over the bar at Hartford’s Goodwin Hotel, but after a two-month renovation period in the fall, Bar Max now boasts a fresh look with a brand-new menu.
The Hartford-based restaurant group, with multiple eateries throughout Hartford County and western Massachusetts, expanded its territory in the capital city by partnering with the Goodwin Hotel in early 2024. Restaurateur Tyler Anderson, who had previously operated Terreno Restaurant and Bar Piña in the space, closed his concepts there as he moved on to new projects, including a culinary director role at Ore Hill & Swyft in Kent.
It was a natural fit, as the boutique hotel is right next door to its flagship Max Downtown, said Steven Abrams, Max Hospitality’s vice president, who is a partner in Max Downtown and the group’s other city restaurant, Max’s Trumbull Kitchen. But the owners decided not to launch another restaurant out of the Terreno space.
The first time I read about Dîner en Blanc, I was floored, mystified, envious even. Wait, what is this and where has it been all my life? Everyone dresses in white, carries all their accoutrement like tables, chairs, and picnic baskets yet they don’t know where they are dining? Let me in. It took a few years of watching from the sidelines before I threw myself into the mix, which was after the pandemic; now I’m hooked.
Dîner en Blanc is coming to New Haven this Fall, on September 14th, 2024.
Le Diner en Blanc is so much more than an event! It’s a unique cultural movement that empowers friends of friends to gather and celebrate their shared passions for life, food, fashion, and community, year after year, with a pinch of mystery and large serving of spontaneity.
CTbites is excited to be the Media Sponsor for an incredible dining event going down on June 22nd, DINNER ON MARKLE, “Cultivating Seeds of Community.”BUY TICKETS HERE
29 Markle Court, awarded “Best New Restaurant” at the 2023 “Crazies Awards” is taking the “Outstanding In The Field” concept and bringing that long communal table dining experience to the streets of downtown Bridgeport. This is going to be an unforgettable event you will not want to miss.
The community dinner, "Dinner on Markle," will be held Saturday June 22nd, 3-8PM and the experience will span the entirely of Markle Ct in front of the restaurant. Chef Damon Daye and Wesley Arbuthnot have created an evening filled with local artists, creative drinks, live music and a four-course dinner al fresco that will focus on the bounty the season has to offer from our local CT farms.
The evening will be set under the stars, surrounded by an exhibit of incredible community art brought to you by Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.
“Cultivating Seeds of Community” will elevate local creativity, community, and art. A portion of the proceeds will benefit “The Green Village Initiative” and “The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.”
The Delamar Hotels have added yet another offering to their ever-growing list of experiences. They recently launched their Afternoon Tea program which can be enjoyed at all of their locations.
We recently paid a visit to Artisan in Southport to get the tea on this new offering. Guests can enjoy this Afternoon Tea every Wednesday from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. For $50+ per person you will enjoy a variety of signature sandwiches, pastries and desserts as well as a selection of green, herbal or black tea served in your own individual teapot.
While driving (read, stuck in traffic) along I-95 in New Haven, right by the IKEA, how many of you have noticed the rectangular cubed shaped building with the small windows and the void almost in the middle? You’ve clearly seen it countless times. But if you’re like me, you probably always wondered “what the heck is it?”
Designed by modernist architect, Marcel Breuer, the building in question which began construction in 1968 and was completed in 1970, was the home of the Armstrong Rubber Company first, then Pirelli Tire in the late 80s into the late 90s. After Pirelli vacated, the space sat vacant for a long time. IKEA purchased it in 2003—and removed a piece of it— and owned it until 2019 when it was purchased by the development firm, Becker + Becker, who would develop it into a net zero energy hotel, that right now, is operated by Hilton Hotels’ Tapestry brand. But within this hotel, there is a restaurant. And that restaurant has to operate like its hotel does, completely sustainable. And at this restaurant, that’s named BLDG, they needed a chef at the helm who believes in all of this through and through.
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.
Warmer weather is right around the corner, and you may find yourself along the Connecticut shoreline this spring or summer looking for a romantic dinner or a fun night out with friends. With seaside communities ramping up for the busy season ahead, we were invited to check out the re-christening of The Crow’s Nest, the bar and lounge area found within The Wharf Restaurant at Madison Beach Hotel.
The restaurant and bar have been mainstays at the hotel since the building was rebuilt in 2012, and new this season is the re-imagined lounge area dubbed The Crow’s Nest. We were able to get a sneak peek at the beautiful space ahead of its opening to the general public, and we can safely say that this will once again be a popular summer destination for both overnight guests and those passing through town for the day.
Van Leeuwenice cream is opening in Greenwich Oct. 1st—Greenwich Wine + Food launches their schedule of weeklong festivities and participants that will comprise its 10-year anniversary celebration October 3-14th—On Sunday, 10/2, 4 - 7pm Barcelona Wine Bar Fairfield is throwing a 13th Annual Asado on the Patio party to pair autumn barbecue flavors and dishes with wines in a communal social-hour soiree—Wakeman Town Center is celebrating fall with an intimate chef's dinner on the Farm c/o Marcia Selden Catering on 10.6.22—bartaco has brought back its iconic #bartacosecret brisket taco to kick off the fall season++
Just how many creative things have you accomplished or experienced this year? So you’ve become a wizard of Zoom, turned your living room into Studio 54, or maybe you’ve even become TikTok famous for your golden sourdough while being an accountant in your pajamas.
Good for you.
You have likely NOT, however, headed out your front door to the gorgeous doors of The Goodwin Hotel in Hartford to luxuriate in an evening of mystery over a dinner created by the talented, beloved Connecticut chef Tyler Anderson. Along with TheaterWorks and weHartford, you can now, in a VERY safe, nearly contactless manner, enjoy a 2-3 hour night out. Take a deep dive into clues and mystery in your own room, and marvel in a scrumptious three-course meal. All paying homage to Hartford, Wall Street financier J.P. Morgan, and the late 19th century as it comes back to life today.
weHartford, in partnership with Chef Tyler Anderson and the Goodwin Hotel, is pleased to announce a unique and COVID-safe dining experience beginning January 8th, 2021, running Thursday through Sunday dinner seatings through the winter.
Room Service at the Goodwin: Yes-or-No Morgan, is the first event of its kind. Select hotel rooms at The Goodwin have been transformed into private dining spaces for up to four people. Each party will enjoy a theatrical, interactive three-course dinner experience, curated by Chef Tyler Anderson, with clues, hints, and performances that unveil details and secrets about the life of the historic American businessman JP Morgan, a Hartford local and frequent visitor to The Goodwin Hotel.
Tony Capasso has developed quite the reputation earning himself quite the following. After spending nearly 20 years at Valbella! and Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse, the veteran Maître d’ now has a steak place of his own at the JHouse, a boutique hotel in Greenwich. Tony is warm, affable and charming. He has a special way with his customers as he circles around to each table offering quick yet challenging trivia questions for all to answer. His eyes twinkle. His smile is infectious.
One of our favorite chefs and a passionate supporter of the local CT food community, Jes Bengston, of Terrain Garden Café, will be cooking The James Beard House on August 6th. Nestled in the beachside town of Westport, Terrain is a luxury garden center that celebrates nature and all its bounty—including on the menu of its charming cafe. Join Jes Bengston, as she returns to the Beard House with her plant-based, homegrown harvest for a summer exploration of the best from southern Connecticut’s land and sea, paired with superb Napa-style wines from local Jonathan Edwards Winery. Ticket info here.
Did you ever hear the one about the food truck chef and the restaurant chef at a local brewery?
Wait, that’s a real thing. There’s no punchline.
What I’m talking about here is the first ever Beers & Bites event that was held on April 5, 2018 at Half Full Brewery in Stamford. Beers & Bites is a collaboration between CTbites, Half Full Brewery, local food trucks and chefs.
The idea behind Beers & Bites is to team a food truck chef and a restaurant chef to collaborate on a menu that gets paired with Half Full’s thirst-quenching brews. Think of it as a beer dinner where you won’t leave feeling overstuffed; it’s just enough food and drink. For $50 you get four-courses, four beers (refills were common so it’s a little more than four), a commemorative Beers & Bites snifter glass, and a damn good time in a non-pretentious, not overcrowded taproom.
Washington Prime’s Georgetown location has announced a Tuesday night dinner special. The prime rib roast 2-course dinner includes your choice of salad, a 16 oz. prime rib, and a side of mashed potatoes.
On Wednesday March 29, AMG Catering will offer a “Spring Chicken Class.” Learn to prepare healthy and exciting chicken dishes using seasonal spring ingredients. It costs $90 per person and goes from 7-9pm.
New Haven’s Shell & Bones Oyster Bar has an all new brunch cocktail menu. Four new cocktails will be offered alongside their “Breakfast Bloody Mary.” There will also be three non-alcoholic drinks. Join them for brunch Friday-Sunday after 11am.
CTbites Invites and Westport's own "celebrity chef" Pietro Scotti celebrate the final weeks of white truffle season with a special four course prix fix dinner for ONE NIGHT ONLY on THURSDAY DECEMBER 10 at 7:00 pm., specially priced at $150 pp. Purchase your tickets Here....
If you have never tasted this delicacy, this is your chance to savor the unique and special funghi foraged in the hills of Alba, Italy at a very special price.
Join Chef Pietro in his intimate and award winning restaurant, Da Pietro's, for four courses that include:
The third annual C.O.O.K. series presented by Gateway Community College Foundation features chef-led culinary evenings at Gateway's campus in New Haven. Upcoming events include Neil "Singing Chef" Fuentes on June 3, 2015 and Abby Dodge on November 4, 2015. Tickets for the Neil Fuentes dinner are $65 per person.
Tickets include:
6 p.m. Pre-event reception with wine, beer soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres in Gateway’s New Alliance Foundation Art Gallery
A cookbook, memoir or recipe booklet
A chance opportunity to meet the author/chef
A 6:45 p.m. 3 course meal prepared by the featured chef and Gateway Community College Culinary
Several years ago I sampled Chef Pat Pascarella’s Pasta Bolognese and it was one of the best Bolognese I had ever tasted. Since that time, Pascarella opened Bar Sugo on Wall Street in Norwalk and I have enjoyed many of Chef Pat’s creations. He recently introduced his full-table Pasta Tasting menu and invited CTbites to sample the five courses…from a straightforward tomato and basil to a complex lobster, morel and truffle. The incredible Bolognese that Chef Pat served me several years ago was a prelude to the fantastic five courses that I enjoyed with wine pairings from Sommelier Megan Pacarella.
Hand-crafted cocktails will be paired with a four course tasting menu alongside guest speaker and distiller Michael Sharry. Bailey's chief mixologist, Bryan Walsh, has compiled an impressive lineup of cocktails paired with Executive Chef Forrest Pasternack's locally-minded menu. Price is $75 per person plus gratuity.
News from Campagna Restaurant at the Bedford Post Inn...it is partnering with the Altamarea Group and Michelin-starred Chef Michael White. Joining Chef White at Campagna are Executive Chef PJ Calapa, the former chef of Ai Fiori and Costata and Chef di Cuisine Devin Bozkaya, whose experience includes the outstanding Inn at Little Washington in Virginia.
The upscale sister to The Barn, the menu will focus on Chef White’s world renowned Italian cuisine with a few American twists to adhere to the surroundings of the 19th Century Bedford Post Inn. The menu features incredible options including pork shoulder ravioli with cacio e pepe; risotto with Barolo, short rib, and bone marrow; pan seared halibut with sunchokes, caponata, artichokes and salsa verde and a filet of beef with bone marrow crust, pomme puree and porcini sugo.
