Hidden in plain sight in Monroe in a non-descript complex featuring small suburban business is a little gem called Posh Tea Room. While the building’s façade might be non-descript, once inside you enter a world of calm, with lavender walls, white table cloths topped with silver and China, delicate steaming pots of tea, where a pianist sits at a baby grand sending notes of jazz and classical music swirling into the air, setting the tone for what promises to be a relaxing afternoon. In an instant the worries and stresses from the world outside begin to melt away.
Posh Tea is the result of Laurie Giles Shipp’s life-long dream. Lori who grew up locally in Trumbull, in a neighborhood filled with families of British engineers, was completely taken when the family next door invited her and her mother to tea one afternoon. At the tender age of six, this would leave a lifelong impression. She was completely taken with the formality, elegance and the ritual of this afternoon affair.
For many of us, it’s hard to keep up with the constant change of fads and trends, but I think all of us can get on board with this one: mobile cocktail bars! While you’ve probably seen a few here and there over the years, Connecticut has really ramped up their traveling bar game and there are plenty to choose from. Plus, most travel throughout the state, so you don’t have to worry about lack of accessibility. They come in all different shapes and sizes, offer various alcoholic beverages (many include NA drinks and food too), and they service any event you might be hosting. From intimate groups to large gatherings, these mobile trucks (and their bartenders) are excited to cater a birthday bash, corporate lunch, fundraiser, or your next (and hopefully last?) wedding. While many crazes come and go, I sure hope this one is here to stay, because who doesn’t like a good boozy party with no need for a DD?
Spring is here, which means bringing lunch and dinner outside and enjoying the warmer weather. What better way to enjoy your next meal than at one of Connecticut’s many food trucks? Many of these businesses travel around their local regions and state-wide, bringing tasty food to your neighborhood. Or, you can have the food truck come directly to you and cater your next event, whether it’s a wedding, birthday bash, or corporate event.
Because the food trucks in Connecticut cater to such a wide variety of palates, we’ve broken this guide down by type of cuisine. Scroll to the food you’re craving and see which trucks suit your taste buds!
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO VIEW FOOD TRUCKS ORGANIZED BY CUISINE TYPE.
Warm weather is back, which means it’s officially food truck season! Food trucks have enjoyed a growing trend in recent years that allows fully mobile, restaurant-quality food to come right to your doorstep in the form of private events. Or, simply stop by your local farmers market or street fair to find them lined up, ready to serve! No matter what kind of cuisine you enjoy, there is probably a food truck out there in Connecticut that has exactly what you’re craving.
Since Food Trucks are mobile and can pop up in different towns around Connecticut, this guide is separated into food categories such as pizza, tacos, ice cream, seafood, etc. Simply scroll down to whatever you’re in the mood for and discover some of the great food trucks the state has to offer.
Keep your eyes peeled for a separate Cocktails & Beer Food Truck guide coming soon!
We are all rolling, rolling, rolling into the summer months-Yay! Between parties, vacations, and just plain ol’ exploring, the warm and sunny months have us on the move. And what better info to have in your back pocket than plans for where to eat-trucks offering food of all kinds, whether you’re stopping mid-trip or renting for your next party! We have broken down this behemoth of a list by categories so you can high-tail it to the foods that interest you: Pizza, Tacos/Mexican, BBQ, Ethnic, Lobster & Seafood, All-American, Plant-Based/Alternative Diet, Ice Cream & Sweets, Cocktails & Beer and Coffee & Tea. Happy summer, everyone, roll on!
More barbecue is a good thing, and if you're not on board with this basic fact, then you can just get out of my face. It was with this cardinal rule of life firmly in mind that I hit the road in search of a new truck on the Connecticut food scene - a truck selling barbecue and barbecue accoutrements. The fact that this particular Friday found the DrewbaQ food truck at Veracious Brewing Company in Monroe was a purely unrelated coincidence, to be sure. It would be a grave disservice to you, our beloved CTBites readership, if I did not take full advantage of this entirely unforeseen circumstance so, in humble service to your unending curiosity re: all things food and beverage, I had several beers with my BBQ. So that I might report on pairings, you see.
And now a word from our 10 years old food critic....
Hey kids, guess what? Want to win a free Mac Daddy’s T-Shirt? Mac Daddy’s will give the first 10 kids to correctly guess the amount of macaroni boxes used to fill the pan on the wall (described below) a free t-shirt Contest ends on November 20th. Mention CTbites to enter.
What do you think of when you think of macaroni and cheese? A small box of Kraft mac and cheese? Well… now I think of Macdaddy’s Macaroni and Cheese Bar, an amazing macaroni and cheese restaurant with at least 20 different kinds of macaroni. I had thought that Macdaddy’s was going to be bigger than it was (they can seat about 25 people) but that didn’t mean it wasn’t good. Macdaddy’s is a quick service restaurant (which means that you order at a counter and they bring the food to your table).
Utter the word “tavern” and the mind conjures images of dimly-lit rooms, Hungry-Man portions of protein and white starches, with deep fried renditions of both. Upsell this concept to northern Fairfield County in the hands of two seasoned restaurateurs and you get Tavern in Monroe.
Located on a busy stretch of Rt. 25 just between Newtown and Trumbull, Tavern is already attracting a steady crowd in just under two months of operation. The after-work crowd is drawn to its handsome whiskey barrel studded bar and families clamber to fill the outdoor patio and comfortable vibe with family-friendly menu.
Photos: c/o Michael Stern, Roadfood.comThe Lake Zoar Drive-In is located on Route 34 in Monroe (many Navigation systems do not recognize the website town of Stevenson) slightly less than 7 miles east of I-84. This stand-alone burger and dog shack has occupied this same stretch of beach overlooking Lake Zoar for over 20 years and the current owners have been grilling burgers and dogs for over 17 years; they must be doing something right. That something is a burger with plenty of toppings, some of the best French Fries in Connecticut plus a soda...all for under $10.
Chef Jason Hall spends each Tuesday driving from farm to farm in and around Northern Fairfield County looking for the bounty that will fill his menu at Stepney Kitchen. Located strategically at the intersection of Rt. 59 and Rt. 25 in Monroe, CT, Stepney Kitchen is in the epicenter of what may be some of Fairfield County's most bucolic and farm-dense townships. The neighboring towns of Easton, Newtown, Oxford and Shelton enjoy a deep agricultural heritage that is being honored today by dedicated farmers and chefs such as Jason Hall at Stepney Kitchen.
On a recent evening, the kitchen was bursting with rhubarb as it enjoys its seasonal peak, arugula, ripe and delicious strawberries and piles of garlic scapes. In fact, after my meal Chef Hall sent me packing with my very own bag of garlic scapes. "Right now we are getting lots of beautiful late spring items like sugar snap peas, really nice lettuces, baby vegetables like turnips, squash blossoms and we are running through the end of a very prolific strawberry season- the strawberry gazpacho w/ fennel and grilled shrimp has been a staple item for the last couple of weeks," said Chef Hall.