Filtering by Tag: Smoothies,Middle Eastern

BarVera Modern Mediterranean Restaurant Opens in Stamford

Restaurant Stamford Opening Mediterranean Homepage Middle Eastern

Jessica Ryan

Newly opened in the heart of Stamford’s Bedford Street, BarVera, brings us an authentic taste of the Mediterranean that might just be unmatched in the area. Celebrity chef, Chef Charbel Hayek, created the concept of this coastal Mediterranean culinary journey. Known for his West Coast restaurants Ladyhawk in West Hollywood and Laya in Los Angeles, the Lebanese chef won Bravo’s Top Chef Middle East and North Africa, and has authored the cookbook Lemon & Garlic: Middle Eastern Cuisine (2023). 


Viral Smoothie Alert: Green & Tonic X Fitness Icon Anna Kaiser sponsored post

Features Healthy Eats Health & Wellness Smoothies

CTbites Team

This just in from Green & Tonic…

Green & Tonic has announced a collaboration with fitness icon and celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser. The founder of Anna Kaiser Studios who’s known for her revolutionary dance-inspired fitness method, Anna is deepening her Fairfield County roots with the launch of the Anna Kaiser Blue Moves Smoothie—available beginning January 15 at all Green & Tonic locations.

The first 100 customers to purchase the smoothie will get a free week of access to Space With Anna Kaiser, a new app featuring workouts, guided stretches, podcast episodes, and healthy recipes. Green & Tonic will also launch a giveaway where one lucky winner will get a year of access to the Space With Anna Kaiser app and a month of G&T workout meal boxes. Follow G&T on Instagram for updates and more at @greenandtonic


Kabab & Hummus House Opens in Southport with Focus on Egyptian and Moroccan Fare

Restaurant Middle Eastern Mediterranean Westport Opening Homepage

Hannah Goodman

As a resident of Westport and a lover of Mediterranean cuisine, I often notice the lack of such restaurants available in Fairfield County. Fortunately for you (and me), a great new spot just opened up, serving mainly Middle Eastern food, with a focus on Egyptian and Moroccan fare. Fairfield County, meet your new tasty resident: Kabab and Hummus House!

Yasser Khedewe opened Kabab & Hummus House in December of last year. With its prime location on Post Road in Southport, Yasser is excited about all of the food lovers he’ll meet, especially those that are new to this type of cuisine. 

Yasser Khedewe’s occupation was originally that of a computer scientist, though he always had a deep passion for food and cooking. While he is originally from Egypt, Khedewe spent a favorable amount of time working and living in Dubai, which is primarily when his food journey began, as he loved cooking for his friends as a way to share his culture. He eventually moved to the United States in 2015 and then to Connecticut in 2016, where he gained culinary experience by working in restaurants and kitchens. 


Sofra Turkish Grill: Delicious Authentic Turkish Cuisine in Waterbury

Restaurant Turkish Waterbury Turkey Meats Middle Eastern Homepage

Jessica Ryan

Executive Chef Eren Polat and his wife Nigjar invite you to their newest restaurant, Sofra Turkish Grill a cozy neighborhood restaurant in Waterbury, Connecticut. The restaurant, which opened in late July 2023, has been drawing healthy crowds from Cheshire to Fairfield. No stranger to the restaurant world, Chef has over 25 years of experience in prominent restaurants in Turkey and Greece before opening his own Eren’s Grill in Fairfield. He opened Sofra to be closer to home and his family.

Chef hails from Adana, Turkey’s fourth largest city, located in the south where the Seyhan River meets the Mediterranean. One of the oldest cities in the world, it’s a major agricultural area and known for its distinctive cuisine, specifically the “Adana Kebabi,” a unique dish comprised of hand-minced meat prepared with a special knife called a Satir that closely resembles a machete. Authenticity is paramount as Chef remains true to his roots using the skills and techniques so prevalent in his country. So determined is he to do this, that many ingredients are imported directly from Turkey, some from Adana specifically. 


Zesto Market & Juicery in Newtown: Vegan, Organic, Locally Sourced & Delicious

Ingredients Interview Restaurant Vegan Newtown Smoothies Healthy Eats healthy Health & Wellness

April Guilbault

We’ve all walked into rooms that hum with energy. That special kind of vibrancy you can feel in the air, or in the spirit that pours from the people in your midst. In my recent travels, this inspiring energy was felt within the space that is Zesto Market & Juicery in Newtown.

Zesto Market & Juicery is, with its colorful logo and window art, a small establishment that one could easily pass in their daily rounds as it sits on a fairly busy street. I, myself, whizzed by it on my first trip there. However, one should take note of this establishment because it is dishing out huge helpings of good vibes in the form of healthful food and wellness knowledge. Great vibes, actually. These folks are buzzing with enthusiasm about eating clean, nourishing food and they are excited to share it with the community.


45 Spots for Healthy Eating in Connecticut: Restaurants, Juice Bars, Meal Delivery & Wellness

Features Restaurant Healthy Eats healthy Juice Bar Organic Acai Bowl Smoothies Vegan Vegetarian Special Dietary Needs Homepage

Hannah Goodman

Well, well, well, if it isn’t 2024, the dreaded new year. From the Halloween candy and Thanksgiving pies, to the Christmas cookies and unlimited New Year’s bubbly, I think it’s safe to say we are ready to start anew (I will also be buying a new scale because mine is clearly broken). Now it’s time for us to follow through with those dreaded resolutions. Whether you want to eat better, drink less alcohol, consume more sustainable foods, or treat the mind and spirit, this should be your go-to list. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of committing to goals that are almost impossible to stick with. However, with this caliber of options listed below, there is no goal that cannot be accomplished, and that is coming from me, a true pessimist. Let’s march into February excited about how far we have come with our resolutions, because being healthy does not mean forfeiting fun and creativity. C’mon now, say it with me! 

Here are 45 spots for HEALTHY EATING and wellness in Connecticut.


Green & Tonic Announces Opening in Darien CT January 2nd

Restaurant Features Opening Darien Plant Based Health & Wellness Healthy Eats Smoothies Acai Bowl Sandwich Lunch Breakfast

CTbites Team

Green & Tonic is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their brand-new location in Darien! 

The plant-based  fast casual concept can't wait for you to step foot into their new fresh, vibrant space in the Corbin District and experience all the goodness they have to offer.

Grand opening day is on Tuesday January 2nd 2024. The excitement includes:

Free small lattes, free cold pressed juices and BOGO sales (on select juices) special giveaway entry w/ purchase to an epic prize (free year of G&T coffee!) and Free Kaia Yoga Class Passes for everyone who stops by on this special day ($20 value!)

Can't make it to opening day. No worries! Open 7 days a week: Dine in, Pick Up or Delivery is always available. Green & Tonic is a plant-based eatery serving delicious, good-for-you food and drinks! Think salads, warm bowls, seasonal soups, breakfast sandwiches, cold-pressed juices, smoothies & açaí bowls. They've recreated popular coffee chain drinks like the cookie butter latte and peppermint mocha latte to be made with no added sugar and no additives. 


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

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!


NYC's Fast Casual NAYA Middle Eastern Counter & Grill Brings Middle Eastern Cuisine to Darien

Restaurant Darien Fast Casual Opening Middle Eastern

CTbites Team

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.


The Blondinit: Israeli Restaurant Coming To Westport

Features Openings Westport Mediterranean Israeli Middle Eastern

Dan Woog

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.


Guide To Juice Bars in Connecticut (2023 Edition)

Features Restaurant Guide Best of CT Roundup Juice Cleanse Juicing Healthy Eats Health & Wellness Smoothies Acai Bowl Homepage Highlight

April Guilbault

Would the New Year transition be complete without some kind of purging and rearranging (um, no)? After the cookies and cocktails of the holiday season, vibrant fruit and vegetable juices and some super-duper, feel good cleanses might just be the reset that your bod is craving. Just think of it like a Home Edit for your, well, ultimate *home*. Feel free to label and color coordinate all you please. 

Enjoy our ultimate Guide to Juice Bars in Connecticut.


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

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.


Nutcracker Egyptian Bakery & Candy Shop in Fairfield

Restaurant Features Bakery Fairfield Candy Shop Egyptian Middle Eastern Baked Goods Imported

Oliver Clachko

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.


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

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.


RAWA: Middle Eastern Fusion in New Haven

Restaurant New Haven Middle Eastern Mediterranean Kid Friendly

James Gribbon

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.


CT Guide To 35+ Spots for Healthy Eats & Wellness: Markets, Apothecaries, Nutritionists, Spice Shops, Juice, Teas and More

Features Restaurant Ingredients Healthy Eats Juice Bar Specialty Market Spices Tea Acai Bowl Smoothies Health & Wellness Roundup Homepage Highlight

April Guilbault

We are officially into winter and, in addition to the regular flus and colds, all that other “stuff” is still swirling around. Behold, a listing of establishments where you can grab healthy eats, products, and even some classes that will boost your immunity and overall health in an attempt to steel you against whatever might endeavor to chase you. From the humble elderberry and cup of tea to stores that stock all manner of healthy living goods and purveyors specializing in quality goods for your wellness, we want to help you stack the deck in your favor this season.

Here are 35+ Spots for Healthy Eats & Wellness: Markets, Apothecaries, Nutritionists, Spice Shops, Juice, Teas and 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

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.


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

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.