Filtering by Tag: Hartford,Milford

Old Street Hot Pot Opens in Milford With Dim Sum All Day & Hot Pot

Restaurant Hot Pot Chinese Chinese New Year Dim Sum Milford Asian Homepage

Jessica Ryan October 03, 2023

There’s Chinese food and then there’s authentic Chinese food. Old Street Hot Pot in Milford offers diners an incredible Chinese experience – from authentic Dim Sum to original hot pot.

Don’t let the American strip mall exterior fool you (but do take note of the fabulous H Mart at the end of the block!) Once you walk through the doors you’ll forget where you are. You’ll be transported into a large space that combines traditional and contemporary elements with a large modern wooden architectural feature that stands within the existing building. Painted murals peer down from the ceiling through the wooden structure. The ambiance is created by a mix of wooden accents, vintage Chinese artwork, and soft lighting. Tables are arranged to accommodate both small and large groups, with cozy booths lining the walls. The space is designed to evoke a sense of cultural authenticity while maintaining a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for guests. A private dining room featuring an enormous round hot pot table that seats 16, making it the perfect entertaining space. The restaurant’s total seating capacity is 135.

Parkville Market: Exciting New Vendor Lineup Including Taiwan Night Market, Taste of Portugal and KOJI2GO

Features Restaurant Food Hall Parkville Market Food Court Portuguese Japanese Taiwanese Hartford County Hartford Opening

Ella Alpert July 14, 2023

Parkville Market, a hub of international cuisine, has graced Hartford with four new vendors. Taiwan Night Market, the Taste of Portugal and KOJI2GO have opened, and we hear that Flor do Mar has launched since we visited with a completely gluten free menu, each adding new, exciting, flavorful dishes to an already highly tasty market.

Parkville opened during the height of the pandemic in May of 2020, starting with only five vendors, all take-out. Now, three years later, the market is vibrant.

“Now being at 21 vendors we’ve really rounded out the different, uniqueness to the food that we offer,” Matt Sousa, Vice President of Operations at Parkville said. “If we’re lacking something then we go out and try to find whatever it is.”

Don Rene Taqueria: Tasty Mexican + Fusion Tacos and More in Milford

Interview Features Restaurant tacos Milford Fast Casual Homepage Interview

Andrew Dominick June 13, 2023

At the beginning of 2023, CTbites covered a new Latin American restaurant in Norwalk called Alma Bistro, owned by Alma Miranda and Ulises Jimenez. It was at Alma Bistro where my memory was jogged when Miranda mentioned that Jimenez, who wasn’t present on the day of our visit, is also the owner and head chef at Don Rene Taqueria in Milford.

Don Rene had been on my Windows Notepad program that serves a double purpose as a calendar where I keep a running list of places I’m interested in covering. I know, I’m so organized.

Three months after that article went live, I found myself kicking it with Jimenez at his super busy taqueria where Mexican tacos and apps are the canvas, but it’s also where Jimenez flexes his creative chops and blends in flavors from other cultures.

Jimenez, who’s from Mexico originally, opened Don Rene in 2021 in the growing Milford Downtown that already includes a Colony Grill location, Scratch Baking, Archie Moore’s, and the outstanding Strega.

Yard Goats Introduce Exciting New Menu for 2023 Season

Features Hartford County Hartford Baseball Yard Goats

Ronni Newton April 06, 2023

The article below is re-posted from we.ha.com.

The Hartford Yard Goats baseball season begins Thursday, April 6, 2023, with the first pitch against the Bowie Baysox scheduled for 7:10 p.m., but all who partake in the experience at Dunkin’ Park – as the stadium has been recently renamed – know that watching the game is just one element of the overall experience.

For West Hartford residents and others from throughout the area who enjoy the Yard Goats, a night at the Dunk includes a chance to sample some unique and perhaps not-all-that-healthy food items. And while this year’s menu of offerings is a bit less “extreme” than it has been in other years, there are many delicious must-try items.

“It’s definitely one of the more exciting years for food here at Dunkin’ Park,”

said Yard Goats President Tim Restall, who has a food and beverage background and looks forward to the annual reveal of the menu created by chef Joe Bartlett and his team.

“We’ve kind of drawn away from the crazy, crazy foods,” Bartlett said a sneak peek showcase event for reporters Monday. “We wanted to draw back to the ‘classic ballpark.'”

Read the complete article here on we.ha.com.

Chef Tyler Anderson & Hands On Hartford Open Gather55, a Pay-What-You-Can Fine Dining Restaurant

Features Hartford County Hartford Unique Dining Experiences Prix Fixe Celebrity Chef Non For Profit Homepage

Stephanie Webster December 03, 2022

Chef Tyler Anderson and Hands On Hartford have launched a remarkable new restaurant concept just in time to dine out and give back this holiday season. Gather55 restaurant opened this Fall in Hartford with a monthly rotation of guest chefs who will serve up a “by-reservation-only” $42 prix fixe menu. Chef Tyler Anderson, who is handling the Chef programming kicked things off, followed by Chef Billy Grant of Restaurant Bricco in December, and then Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State in January. Each evening, approximately 20% of the tables are reserved for diners who can’t pay the full price. The goal is to create a place where everyone can celebrate and enjoy a delicious meal in a comfortable and caring environment.

Cora Cora Authentic Peruvian Puts CT in National Spotlight with James Beard Nominations

Restaurant Features West Hartford Hartford Peruvian Lunch Cocktails Homepage

Christopher Hodson March 29, 2022

Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, Cora Cora Peruvian Restaurant and the Ludena family that own it, are finally getting the recognition they deserve. All of their hard work and dedication to serving traditional, authentic Peruvian food handed down through family recipes has helped not only them, but Connecticut also, gain recognition on the national food scene with not one, but two nominations by the James Beard Foundation. First for Outstanding Restaurant, and second for Best Chef: Northeast.

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.

The Rockin Chicken in Hartford—So Much More Than Chicken

Restaurant Hartford County Hartford Rotisserie Chicken Peruvian Comfort Food Lunch Chinese Homepage

Frank Cohen June 13, 2021

You might hear the name The Rockin Chicken (TRC) and think it’s yet another really good chicken-themed joint, like West Hartford’s Chicken Citizen & Donuts, Wethersfield’s El Pollo Guapo, Newington’s Rooster Co. or the Elm City’s Hot Haven Chicken. But you’ll see it’s actually so much more. Since TRC opened in June, 2016 on Franklin Avenue in Hartford, it has been my go-to for Peruvian food, long one of my favorite cuisines.

TRC is owned by Dr. Miguel A. Colán and his wife, Kate. The genial couple doesn’t just own the business but the building as well. For Miguel, a Hartford chiropractor, it was an almost-weekly family tradition growing up in Lima to visit pollerias a la brasa, popular local restaurants specializing in charcoal rotisserie chicken. TRC grew out of his desire to recreate that dining experience for Hartford-area restaurant-goers.

Le Banh Patisserie: Stunning French Pastry That Delights ALL The Senses

Restaurant Pastries Baked Goods Pastry Pastry Chef Kid Friendly Dessert Bakery Hartford County Hartford Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe October 20, 2020

2020 has at least made carbs, especially of the bready sort, sexy again. So, for this, I am thankful. Many have proven that by turning their kitchens into mini-bakeries this year. My cousin in PA, a lawyer by day, has posted about 100 pics of golden crusted sourdough; my neighbor, a sound engineer for Broadway--sadly all too quiet-- has added to my...eh hem...curves, with his newfound bagel prowess. I keep thinking I should buy stock in King Arthur Flour, then I forget amidst my food coma. Anyway, yay us for taking such a horrible time and at least turning a piece of it into something productive and tasty.

BUT, none of us have anything on Chef Kim Huang Wood and the real masterpieces coming out of Le Banh Patisserie kitchen. Just one afternoon with her, watching as she orchestrates her kitchen and the magic that comes out of it, I understand the difference between our hobbies and those who emit greatness. But that greatness, those masterpieces, have come from devotion, and true hard work.

2020 Hartford Rib Off: A“Week of BBQ” Inspired Dishes and Drinks For Charity

Features Events Hartford County Hartford West Hartford

Stephanie Webster October 06, 2020

From October 19-25, 2020, you can enjoy a “Week of BBQ” Inspired Dishes and Drinks at Participating Hartford Area Restaurants….all for a good cause!

The Hartford Rib Off, Hartford’s largest charity BBQ event of the year, is revamping to a new format for 2020, to raise funds for the community while also supporting the hard-hit hospitality industry. COVID-19 has put a hold on large-scale public gatherings in 2020, leaving many non-profit events, like the Hartford Rib Off, without a means to raise funds. To adhere to safety protocols, this year’s Hartford Rib Off will take on a new format, where for one week, BBQ enthusiasts can enjoy BBQ inspired dishes and drinks at their favorite Hartford area restaurants, for one full week.

Parkville Market Opens in Hartford! CT's First Food Hall, Featuring Local Flavors

Restaurant Features Food Hall Openings Take Out To-Go Indian Brazilian Peruvian Pizza Seafood Puerto Rican American Hartford County Hartford

Kristin L. Wolfe June 24, 2020

Tyler Anderson Opens Terreno at The Goodwin Hotel in Hartford

Restaurant Openings Mediterranean Italian hartfo Hartford Celebrity Chef Homepage

Catherine Ribeiro February 23, 2020

In full disclosure, I have worked with Chef Tyler Anderson. If you have worked in the restaurant industry in Connecticut you probably have too, in one way or another. If you have eaten in Connecticut, the same can still be said: you have worked to get a reservation at his Millwright’s, worked to pick out the perfect slice at his Square Peg and you have worked to get the best seat in the house at Anderson’s High George. But now, Tyler is bringing us all back to his most familiar ground, aptly titled Terreno - his latest venture, boasting Cal-Italian fare, in the space that formerly housed Restaurant Porrón.

Food & Wine Picks "Story & Soil" in Hartford as One of The Best Coffee Shops in America: 2019

Restaurant Coffee Hartford Hartford County Homepage

CTbites Team December 10, 2019

Food & Wine writer, David Landsel, has spent 2 years traveling the United States, studying the American coffee culture. His list of nearly 100 of the most essential cafes, coffee shops, and espresso bars in the United States, includes one very special spot in the Nutmeg state, Story and Soil, located in Hartford CT. Congrats on making the cut, and check out the full article in Food & Wine.

Hartford Baking Announces NEW Location In Glastonbury!

Restaurant Bakery Local Artisan Bread Openings Glastonbury Hartford Dessert Lunch Coffee

CTbites Team September 11, 2019

Hartford Baking Company announces a new location in Glastonbury! It's expansion time! Hartford Baking Company is delighted to announce that they will be adding a third retail location in January of 2020. The new cafe will be located at 400 Hebron Ave. in Glastonbury, CT, and will have the same vibe, menu, and bread selection of the two current West Hartford locations.

Hartford Flavor Company: Uniquely Delicious Botanical Liqueurs

Features Ingredients Liqueur Cocktails Ingredients Hartford Specialty Market

Kristin L. Wolfe April 17, 2019

It’s herbal, it’s floral, it’s natural, Oh MY. It’s botanical liqueur.

Walking into Hartford Flavor Company is like walking into a place where all’s right with the world: it’s owned and operated by a smart woman, everything is natural, and it is as beautiful as a field of flowers should be.

Or, it’s like a laboratory-meets day spa-meets fully-stocked bar. Take your pick.

Anyway, I think you are getting my point. It is downright lovely and essential and all you think while touring around and talking to owner Lelaneia Dubay is, where have you been all my life?

BLT Bridgestreet Libations & Temptations: NOT a Sandwich Joint

Restaurant New Hartford Hartford Burgers Sandwich Lunch Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe March 31, 2019

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday B L TTTT, Happy Birthday to You. Guess who’s been on the block for a year already?

Ok, close your eyes. When I say Willy Wonka, what do you see? I see Gene Wilder’s crazy hair and wild eyes, amidst the bright colors of the funky psychedelic clothes of the 60s and 70s. Well, beyond that, Willy Wonka represents a fantasy where all your favorite things appear right before your eyes and everything flavorful is heightened to the nth degree. Am I right? Well, this is a little of what is in store for you at Chef Jim Casey’s haven, BLT (Bridgestreet, Libations & Temptations). It’s a mouthful of a name, but this place is worth your time, money, and palate. The casual brick exterior and extra low key vibe inside is a facade for the eating extravaganza you encounter on your plate.

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.

Zaragoza Tapas Bar: Excellent Tapas & Award Winning Cocktails in New Milford

Restaurant Milford Tapas Lunch Spanish Mediterranean Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe December 09, 2018

Zaragoza’s tapas bar opened in New Milford in April 2016. The CTBites crew covered them a few months before their official opening and shared owner Artie Praino’s anticipation of a long-time dream come true after years in the deli business. Now, two and a half years later, they are a much beloved, popular spot for delicious, creative plates and cocktails.

Fully informed by several Zaragoza regulars that I was sure to be delighted, my belly gurgled for a new tapas experience. I’ve had the pleasure of going to Spain a few times, so, admittedly, morsels from those adventures like ceviche, calamari, and chorizo propelled me to the restaurant with little hesitation. I was eager to taste what their twist on the classics would be.

Banh Meee Brings Vietnamese Delights to Hartford’s Flourishing Capitol Avenue

Restaurant Asian To-Go Take Out Hartford Vietnamese Noodles

Connecticut Magazine August 28, 2018

Author Michael Lee-Murphy from Connecticut Magazine shares a great Vietnamese find in Hartford, Banh Meee.

Dung “G” Tran says, “Three years ago, I didn’t know how to cook.” Really? His menu at the new Banh Meee Vietnamese restaurant on Capitol Avenue in Hartford sure doesn’t taste like it.

Tran says he taught himself how to cook by watching YouTube tutorials and adding his own modern spin on traditional Vietnamese cooking. After operating for a few months as a food truck, Tran moved into the space made available by GoldBurgers’ closing of its Hartford location late last year.

Born to Vietnamese parents in San Bernardino, California, Tran says his parents sent him and his siblings to New England as youngsters to, as he puts it, avoid the gang violence of the area. Tran worked in insurance in Windsor for several years before launching himself into the food business.

80+ Food Trucks in New Haven, Hartford, & Beyond: 2018

Restaurant Food Truck Catering Entertaining New Haven Hartford Glastonbury Meriden To-Go Best of CT homepage Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 03, 2018

Recently, we told you about over 50 food trucks traveling the streets of Fairfield County. Mobile eats are taking over the state though, with trucks and carts serving New Haven, Hartford, and beyond! Here are over 80 trucks serving everything from Mexican to Vietnamese to BBQ!

Skyscraper Sandwiches, Glastonbury: Skyscraper Sandwich Truck serves massive sandwiches stacked high like skyscrapers! It's no wonder they earned top honors from the CTNOW Best of Hartford Readers Poll in 2018.
Mamoun’s Falafel Cart, New Haven:Mamoun's Falafel got its start in Greenwich Village in New York City. Now, its cart serves Middletown and the surrounding areas. Find their latest stops on their facebook page.
Mercado, Glastonbury: A Span-ish inspired truck featuring local ingredients and full service catering, Mercado is owned by Roy and Heather, a husband a wife team, who set out to make their hobby a reality.
Ricky D’s Rib Shack, New Haven: Ribs! Pulled pork! Brisket! Ricky D's will bring their smoker and BBQ on the road and roll up to your next event.
Tacos Los Michoacanos, New Haven: Tacos Los Michoacanos is a fleet of Food Trucks that are based out of New Haven offering Mexican fare.
Thai Taste, New Haven: Thai Taste Food Truck opened in January 2018! Find them on York Street in New Haven.
Pork Friends and Company, Meriden: Pork Friends and Company is Latin fusion at its tastiest! Their background is Spanish, but they draw influence from around the globe.
Cado’s Egg Truck, Trumbull: Cados egg truck serves up a unique spin on breakfast in Trumbull.