This just in from Chef Bill Taibe and Massimo Tullio, the team behind Kawa Ni, The Whelk & Don Memo.
After 12 incredible years of partnership, Bill Taibe and Massimo Tullio are announcing a new chapter in their professional lives as they transition to pursue independent goals. The duo, known for their exceptional contributions to the culinary landscape, will part ways amicably and continue their legacies with individual ventures.
Effective immediately, Bill Taibe will take over the ownership and operations of Kawa Ni Westport and Kawa Ni Denver. At the same time, Massimo Tullio will assume ownership of The Whelk and Don Memo, both located in Westport, CT.
Walrus Alley owner Joe Farrell has made the move to exclude all seed oils from his menus and, he’s getting quite the education. Only a week into the experiment he’s learning on the run. The popular Southern food & burger go to in Westport is now cooking with grass fed beef tallow and avocado oil. Yep! And Joe’s committed to staying the course despite the learning curve. Sure, he’s always done that popular fried chicken in tallow, used duck fat too. But it’s the fries they’re fighting with. And he and the crew are fighting a worthy fight.
Walrus Alley uses a special potato for their fries and that’s just the beginning. “Cooking with Tallow & avocado oil is a new experience. We’re starting from scratch,” Joe revealed. “And we are doing this while we are open!”
Oyster Club in Mystic, its alter ego concept, Treehouse, and their sister cocktail and bites bar, The Port of Call, aren’t only popular in Connecticut, but they’ve received some serious national coverage, including a 2023 James Beard nomination for chef Renee Touponce.
Part of the restaurant group’s stellar squad is pastry chef Jessica Spivey, who just received a nod of her own as she was nominated for Best Pastry Chef by the Connecticut Restaurant Association for its annual CRAzies Awards.
Milestone Restaurant, the very popular Redding, CT eatery and live music destination has just anounced the opening of its second location in downtown Mystic, Connecticut. With the continued success of the Redding location, which opened its doors in 2018, Milestone is ready to bring its unique blend of classic bites and cocktails with live music experiences to the vibrant heart of Mystic….also their insanely delicious Burger Menu!
Their expansion to downtown Mystic is an exciting addition to the already bustling Water Street, which has become a hub of activity in previous years. Peter Fine, a former hospitality-focused real estate executive, and his wife Andi opened Milestone in 2018 to create a space with a laid-back vibe and a wide array of scratch-made classic comfort food and craft cocktails. The vision for Milestone is to become an authentic neighborhood gathering spot for family and friends, whether it be dinner for two or larger groups. Milestone is a versatile space that seamlessly integrates an inviting heated outdoor deck and a cozy but uniquely vibrant interior. Their mission is to foster a sense of warmth and camaraderie, encouraging communal experiences where laughter and conversation flow freely, making it a place that feels like a home away from home.
When CTbites last covered Milestone for their 2019 opening, we gave you an introduction to the Redding restaurant’s owners, Peter and Andi Fine, plus a rundown of their wood-fired pizzas and their “comfort food with a twist” approach.
In the comments on that very article, “Jake” hit us with this statement:
Seasoned and beloved restaurateurs ,Sarah and Bernard Bouïssou, have some exciting news. The following announcement can be found on the website for their NEW restaurant.
After selling their beloved restaurant of 23 years, Bernard’s and Sarah’s Wine Bar, Sarah and Bernard Bouïssou are pleased to announce their next chapter: a gourmet prepared food storefront. Look forward to your favorite dishes from Bernard’s & Sarah’s Wine Bar artfully prepared to heat up in the comfort of your home. The storefront will also include new menu items, a rotisserie, pâtisserie, and much more.
À Table (pronounced “Ah TAH-bluh”) is a French phrase that translates to "at the table" in English. In French culture, gathering around the table to share a meal with family and friends is a cherished tradition. It represents more than just satisfying hunger; it's a time for bonding, socializing, and celebrating life's simple pleasures. The phrase À Table encapsulates the idea that food brings people together, fosters connections, and creates lasting memories. It emphasizes the importance of taking time to enjoy a meal and the company of loved ones. At its core, À Table represents the joy and warmth of sharing good food and good company.
Follow the new endeavor here or on Instagram @atableus.
James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalist nominees for the 2023 James Beard Awards today in a press release. Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, March 29, and winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
We are thrilled to report that two Connecticut chefs and Peruvian restaurant, Cora Cora, have been nominated for James Beard Foundation awards, one of the highest honors in the culinary industry.
Renee Touponce of Oyster Club and the Port of Call in Mystic as well as Christian Hunter of Community Table in Washington were nominated as semifinalists for the Best Chef Northeast award. Cora Cora, located in West Hartford was nominated as a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category.
Chef Bill Taibe’s popular Mexican spot, Don Memo, is now serving BRUNCH!! Brunch is served Friday, Saturday beginning at noon & Sunday 11:30am-3pm.—Nit Noi has launched a Cooking Class series where you can learn how to make their fantastic dumplings, organic bone broths ++ More info here.— Join SWYFT in Kent on Sunday, January 15th for Tiki Night! 🏝️ Beach-worthy dinner specials, cocktails, and tropical mocktails (hello #dryjanuary ) from 5 to 8 🥥 We're serving up great food, atmosphere, and community all winter long at Swyft.—Lani’s next Vietnamese Pop Up at Grano Arso is celebrating the Lunar New Year. She’ll be featuring special dishes eaten only on Lunar New Year.. happening on 1/16.. doors open at 5pm. Bar seats available just give us a call! Come celebrate with us! Book on Open Table.—On February 1st, 6 PM – 9 PM don’t miss the Igor's Dream Preview & Dessert Pairing Night at Area 2 Experimental Brewing.
That’s the motto of Tony Pham, owner of Mecha Noodle Bar. It also happens to be the guiding principle of Eat Justice, an initiative created by Pham alongside co-founder Richard Reyes. The project involves a network of Connecticut businesses who turn portions of revenue into monthly donations to local and international nonprofit organizations. “But it’s more than just a check,” Pham tells me. “We’re trying to create a movement.”
The Eat Justice model is fairly simple: businesses designate a selection of goods to serve as their Eat Justice ‘fundraisers.’ They then raise the price of these goods by just fifty cents, and, for each one purchased, they reserve that extra fifty cents for a monthly donation. For example, at Mecha Noodle Bar, each purchase of a ramen dish increases the restaurant’s Eat Justice funds by fifty cents. While customers barely notice the fifty cent price difference, by the end of the month, Mecha regularly raises nearly $20,000 for charity. Pham points out that, by baking the donation into the price of a menu item, Eat Justice avoids the awkwardness and ineffectiveness of directly asking consumers to donate towards a cause.
Following the announcement this past summer that the popular French restaurant L'escale would close its doors on November 30th, 2022, after 20 years in business, L'escale restaurant and Greenwich Hospitality Group, owners of Delamar hotels, announced today that it will remain open. Greenwich Hospitality Group will operate the restaurant at the Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel under a new licensing agreement. Executive Chef Frederic Kieffer, General Manager David Fletcher, and members of the staff will stay in place
After 22 years of wowing Tri-State area restaurant goers, Bernard and Sarah Bouissou are closing the doors of the beloved Bernard’s to undertake their next culinary endeavor. Since opening in March of 2000, the elegant French restaurant and wine bar quickly won the heart of Ridgefield, CT, stood the test of time, and became a truly iconic dining scene. Their legacy will continue in the Ridgefield area through the esteemed Sarah Bouissou Catering and a new prepared food storefront that brings Bernard’s fabulous food to your family’s table.
Meeting as chefs under Daniel Boulud at Le Cirque in the 1980’s, the gourmet power couple led accomplished careers in New York City. Following their dream to raise a family in the country, they settled down in Ridgefield at 20 West Lane. For more than two decades, Bernard and Sarah raised their four daughters there, while gracefully operating the restaurant and catering business. As one can imagine, dedicating all of your nights, weekends, and holidays to your business is no easy task.
They did not want to pass the torch to just anyone, they wanted to make sure the next owners would persevere as a pillar in the community. They found those ideal new owners in local restaurateurs Dave Studwell and Rob Moss of Washington Prime; and B.J. Lawless, of BJ Ryan’s Restaurant Group, all in Norwalk, CT.
Each year, the CT Restaurant Association recognizes the exceptional ability and talent of Connecticut’s restaurant community in the prestigious CRAZIES awards. We are excited to showcase the nominees for 2022’s CRAZIES AWARDS “BEST CHEF OF THE YEAR” in this 5 part series. All the candidates worked incredibly hard to receive this nomination, and while many of you may know some of them, you probably don’t know all of them. We sat down with each of these talented chefs to learn a little bit more about what makes them do what they do. This week, we feature Chef David Standridge of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic CT.
On Saturday, October 22, 2022, Chef Michel Nischan will "reawaken" his restaurant The Dressing Room and partner with Madison Beach Hotel's culinary team to present dinner and stories with an exclusive five course event featuring dinner, wine pairings, and storytelling.—National Taco Day was October 4th, and bartaco has decided to bring back its popular, limited edition #bartacosecret roasted brussels sprouts taco in celebration of everyone’s favorite holiday.—Buy one ticket and eat in 30 different restaurants on Wednesday, October 12th 5:30 - 8:30 for a Signature New London Event- Food Stroll!—New Haven Restaurant Week presented by Citizens returns October 16 – October 29, 2022, with dining experiences and all-new exclusive offerings at 23 restaurants throughout the Elm City.—Harry's Wine School presents: Wines of Italy with Michelle DeWyngaert Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 7:00 - 9:00 pm.+
Labor Day might be over, but grilling is still very much in the daily DNA over at Bank & Bridge. Their signature “Get’Cha Face Dirty” burgers created by Chef Josh Ulmer who has trained in places like Madison Square Garden and Nolo in New Haven, are worth the mess they make. Seriously, you need a napkin for every bite, but it’s a noble mess if ever there was one! These beefy mounds are no joke.
Bank & Bridge celebrated one year on the map in June and (in my book) have added to the magical scene that has recently made Mystic a culinary darling. Maybe it is something in the water, but this small but mighty seaport just knows food. And, although many may land in the pub for their tremendous line up of brews, nurtured by Head Brewer Jason Riggs, there is hardly a better match (even coming from a self-professed “beer sipper”) than a good juicy burger and brew.
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++
AMG Catering has just released their Fall Cooking Class schedule. You will eat what you make, so bring your appetite!—Make the most of the rest of the sunny season + get those good vibes going with @bartacolife's summer bucket list—On Aug 26 Aquila’s Nest Vineyard is hosting a Pig Roast Dine in White Chef Dinner in the Vines. $150pp Details here.—Have you heard? The folks from Grano Arso just opened Gargano Pasta & Italian Market in Saybrook, an Italian marketplace & cafe featuring house -made pasta & artisanal products. Food to go and dine in options available—El Pollo Guapo, a fast-casual rotisserie chicken restaurant with three Hartford County locations, will move its original Wethersfield restaurant to a new storefront to 1044 Main Street in Newington in early September—Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic now has a pop-up cafe called Scrimshaw Coffee offering espresso and light lunch fare in the heart of Historic Downtown Mystic, CT.
Make the most of the rest of the sunny season + get those good vibes going with @bartacolife's summer bucket list—Aux Delices Foods has 2 more weeks of kids cooking camp this month—
For centuries, the seafaring industry was dominated by men, and the presence of women on board was considered bad luck. In Mystic, CT, a town with a storied maritime history, The Port of Call, a new nautical-themed cocktail lounge, is giving a nod to the area’s seafaring traditions while also looking to the future. That future includes three Queer women who are “steering the ship” at The Port of Call: executive chef Renée Touponce, beverage director Jade Ayala, and general manager Nancy Hankins.
To celebrate a new era of inclusivity and gender diversity in a fun and welcoming environment, the trio has announced Sea Queens, a summer-long bi-weekly dinner and drag show that will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Starting Sunday, May 29th, and kicking off Pride Month, guests can book a seating at 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., where they’ll enjoy a choice of two dishes from the inventive menu along with a cocktail, as well as an incredible drag show by some of the best Queens in the region. Then, at 10:30 p.m., the fun will continue with a disco after-party at Dive, the lower-level casual bar.
The Hempening is going down at SONO 1420 on Sunday, April 24 from 1-6pm at 19 Day Street, South Norwalk. Delicious craft cocktails + tacos Live music, art and pottery!—Also starting 4/24 Two Roads Brewery is now hosting a weekly mouthwatering pop-up brunch in the Area Two Tasting Room and Rooftop Patio Featuring Daybreaker Craft Cocktail favorites.—Gastro Park in West Hartford is celebrating Spring on Sunday (4/24) with their friends from Kent Falls Brewing Co. with a SPRING BOTTLE RELEASE + FOOD PAIRING EVENT.—Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill is hosting a Paint and Sip Night on Tuesday, April 26—Barcelona Wine Bar, Stamford (222 Summer Street, Stamford) hosts The Pig & The Paella on Thursday, April 28, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM.++
How does Mystic do it? In such a small area, there’s a steady stream of creativity and passion, delectable food, and now, with The Port of Call, there’s a reason it has become my home away from home.
Dripping with history, the new two-in-one stop, is a complete experience. With a friendly Welcome from manager Nancy Hankins, your eyes, mind, and belly (not necessarily in that order), will be lit up and spun into a whir of pleasure when learning about the location’s past, the collaborations forged, not to mention the top notch drink and food offerings. Notice, I said drink then food….
The “Million Miles” Bar is front and center as you walk through the stately, yet otherwise, unassuming exterior. That’s because the drinks, or shall I say beverage program, is the first star on stage. Although we often enter a restaurant hungry, we are being not-so gently, happily hypnotized first by the drinks that will then be paired by knock-out plates honoring global ports. We’ve been conditioned to think about the food before deciding what drink to pair with it; The Port of Call is asking us to think in reverse: “Wet” your palates first, sailors. Helmed by Jade Ayala (who also rocks the booze next door at Oyster Club) and Sebastian Guerrero (of NYC’s Dante and Mother of Pearl), your drink will come with a “generous pour,” as my feller put it, and a side tale about the area’s notorious seafaring past.
