Gruel Britannia Opens 2nd Spot in Westport With Events + Pop Ups Coming Soon Features Interview Restaurant British Cuisine British Westport Interview Gruel Britannia Karen Hubrich Opening Homepage Prime Rib Andrew Dominick April 08, 2026 Karen Hubrich isn’t shy about telling anyone she’s a late bloomer. After a long career cooking in country clubs and as a private chef for Michael Bolton, she emerged on the Connecticut food scene in 2019 when she opened her Fairfield flagship, Gruel Britannia. Now a young 69-years-old, she’s opted for a second helping of Gruel, not too far away from the original, in Westport’s Coleytown neighborhood that debuted last July. Read More
South End in New Canaan Returns as South End Bar Features Ingredients Interview Restaurant New Canaan South End New Canaan New American Opening Interview Andrew Dominick March 31, 2026 One of the spots that’s synonymous with New Canaan’s dining scene from 2012 well into 2023 was South End. “Was?” Hmm…How about “is?” And that’s because South End is back, in a smaller space, down the same alleyway as Uncorked, in what was the Mexican-inspired The Back End, as South End Bar. If you’re one of the many who remembers South End, and all it’s modern tavern fare fondly, you’re not alone. Chef-owner Nick Martschenko does, too. Read More
Hotaru Opens in Southport Featuring an Affordable, Intimate Omakase Experience Features Interview Ingredients Restaurant Omakase Sushi Japanese Opening Interview Southport Homepage Andrew Dominick March 24, 2026 3363 Post Road in Southport is no longer the home of the $5 footlong, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a deal to be had. In the bones of a former Subway franchise, right next to Dunkin’, is Hotaru, a predominantly Japanese restaurant where the star of their show is a very affordable omakase experience. Hotaru opened very quietly to friends, family, and random curious customer walk-ins on March 16 with an abbreviated menu that’ll soon expand. The team behind Hotaru is Yingying Yan, who owns Gingko Sichuan Cuisine in Fairfield, her chef at Ginkgo, Jerry, and Ken Piao, the owner of Yuki Kitchen in Westport. Read More
The Bedford by Martha Stewart Opens at Foxwoods Casino March 14 Restaurant Features Celebrity Chef Martha Stewart Foxwoods Opening CTbites Team March 11, 2026 The Bedford by Martha Stewart at Foxwoods Casino will officially open to the public on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The Bedford is Martha Stewart’s second restaurant and her first restaurant on the East Coast, bringing her celebrated style and hospitality to Foxwoods. Located within the Grand Pequot Tower, The Bedford is inspired by Martha’s historic 1925 farmhouse in Bedford, New York, offering a warm, residential-inspired setting that reflects her personal style and passion for entertaining, paired with a menu of her most beloved dishes and seasonal favorites. Guests can expect signature menu items from the flagship Bedford at Paris Las Vegas, including the famed bread basket, Big Martha’s Pierogies, and Honey Mustard Salmon, alongside new dishes created exclusively for the Foxwoods location such as Martha’s Giant Turkey Meatball, Pasta Limone, and Crispy Chicken Milanese. The restaurant will also feature a robust breakfast offering, including highlights like Breakfast Biscuits, Eggs Benedict, Grand Marnier French Toast, Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes, Donn’s Waffles with Pequot Maple Syrup, and Martha’s Fresh Pressed Green Juice. Signature cocktails—including the Martha-tini and frozen pomegranate Martha-rita—are crafted with freshly squeezed juices and premium spirits, reflecting Martha’s commitment to quality ingredients. The culinary program will emphasize locally sourced ingredients, celebrating Martha Stewart’s dedication to quality and sustainability while delivering a memorable dining experience for guests. Read More
Coracora Peruvian Cuisine Opens Flagship Location in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square Restaurant West Hartford Blue Back Square Hartford County Peruvian Opening Lunch Homepage Leeanne Griffin February 22, 2026 Back in 2011, Hector Ludena and Luisa Jimenez took a chance and opened their first restaurant in West Hartford’s Shield Street Plaza, naming it for the Peruvian city they hailed from. Coracora took over a former McDonald’s building, its kitchen turning out pollo a la brasa and lomo saltado instead of Chicken McNuggets and Quarter Pounders. It became another local international favorite in the plaza that’s also home to Pho Boston, Shu and the A Dong Asian supermarket. The staff even ended up using the former fast-food drive-through window during the pandemic to offer minimal contact takeout. Then in 2022, things shifted in a way the Ludena family still says is surreal and hard to grasp. Coracora was named as a nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurant award, and Macarena Ludena, Hector and Luisa’s daughter, was a semifinalist in the Best Chef: Northeast award category. Suddenly, the local spot was on a national stage. Read More
Hidden Gem: Dama Rose Middle Eastern Cuisine Opens in West Haven Restaurant West Haven New Haven Middle Eastern Opening Lunch Homepage Jessica Ryan February 07, 2026 It’s often the “off the culinary grid” spots that are true hidden gems. We have found one for you. Let me introduce you to Dama Rose, which opened just about a year and a half ago in a small strip of shops right on the Post Road in West Haven. It might not have the fanciest address but it doesn’t (and shouldn’t) matter, as most gourmands and critics will concur.Chef Malaz Hayak opened Dama Rose in September 2024. The restaurant industry runs deep in veins – His father owned and ran a successful restaurant in Damascus which remains in the family today. Nearly 20 years ago Hayak left Syria for the States where he joined his brother who then owned Rabia’s, a popular restaurant in Boston’s historic North End. Chef is a formally trained Cordon Bleu Chef and received his training in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There he was exposed to many award-winning restaurants, and landed an externship at the notable Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel where he trained directly under Executive Chef David Daniel. Read More
The Haven Opens in Norwalk Featuring a Speakeasy, Rooftop, Cafe, and Event Space Features Interview Restaurant Speakeasy Cocktails Pizza Late Night Norwalk Interview Rooftop Opening Andrew Dominick February 06, 2026 The restaurant space on the corner of Washington and N Main has seen its share of flips. Evarito’s had an over five-year run, then it was The Pompano for a blink. Drive or walk by it now and you’ll notice the dining room is empty-ish, but more like a clearing, and that the lights are on. And the lettering on the glass door reads, “The Haven.” Behind all of those previous concepts, and behind The Haven, is Christian Burns, who you’re familiar with as the brains behind The Ginger Man and The Cask Republic locations. With The Haven, Burns and his landlords, Joe and Aldo Criscuolo, are teaming up on all four aspects of what this is and what it’s going to be when it’s whole. Read More
Cowboy Butter in New Milford: Hindsight BBQ's Sister Restaurant, a "Boujee" BBQ Joint + Steakhouse Features Ingredients Interview Restaurant BBQ New Milford Opening Interview Steak Homepage Andrew Dominick January 27, 2026 When CTbites last covered Hindsight BBQ in 2021, its founder, Jeff Schmidt was quoted as saying, “When you get obsessed with something, and when you get bit by the BBQ bug, once you go down that rabbit hole, you can only go further.” In 2025, his “further” ended up being Cowboy Butter, best described as “a New England live fire cookery and boujee BBQ bistro,” in New Milford’s quaint downtown area. Read More
Fire & Spice Opens in Bridgeport With A+ Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken & More Ingredients Interview Restaurant Peruvian Indian Bridgeport Interview Fast Casual Opening Andrew Dominick January 13, 2026 A former Jamaican restaurant on Bridgeport’s Boston Avenue doesn’t only have two new tenants, it’s cooking up different culture’s cuisines, too. At Fire & Spice, the concept is Peruvian, with some Indian and Pakistani, and good ol’ American burgers, cheesesteaks, and fried chicken. Behind Fire & Spice is the team of Shiraz Choudhary and his chef, Emilio Malpartida, and if you’ve been to either of the Swift Fresh Market locations, two in Fairfield and one in Norwalk, you’re at least a little familiar with who they are. Read More
Craft Beer + Music: Twelvenote Brew Co. Opens in Black Rock Brewery Interview Features Brewery Twelvenote Brew Co Black Rock Bridgeport Music Craft Beer Beer Opening Interview Brewer Homepage Andrew Dominick January 08, 2026 Brian Pietrzak has had some “pinch me” moments lately. As the brewer and co-owner of Twelvenote Brew Co. in the former Aspetuck Brew Lab space in Black Rock, he’ll tell you candidly that it’s all a bit surreal. “I wake up sometimes at 3 a.m. and I can’t believe I own a fuckin’ brewery, like, I can’t believe this is my job now,” he says. Originally from Erie, PA, Pietrzak’s brewing story started as you might expect it to, with a home brewing kit he received as a gift from his brother-in-law, who’s his now partner at Twelvenote. Read More
Joylark Plant Kitchen & Bar Opens in Fairfield Restaurant Vegan Plant Based Vegetarian Opening Fairfield Breakfast Lunch Jessica Ryan December 30, 2025 Located at 260 Post Road Joylark Plant Kitchen & Bar is a stunning, modern, elegant casual eatery. Designed by locally-based Thiel Architecture + Design, the 2,500-square-foot spaces features a dining room that very comfortably seats 50, as well as a bar and casual café. During the warmer months the outdoor patio accommodates 30 more guests. The colorful multi-layered interior, dressed in sages, purples, plums and eggplant with bold whimsical wall papers, reflects the layer of color and flavor in each dish. The vision behind Joylark is Chef Jenna McPartland, a trained plant-based chef. Read More
Chef Peter X. Kelly Takes Over The Waveny Tavern in New Canaan Restaurant New Canaan Opening Celebrity Chef Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 23, 2025 "It’s about great food, a vibrant atmosphere, and a level of hospitality that makes you want to return before you’ve even left.” - Chef Peter KellyThe Waveny Tavern by PXK is the newest restaurant to take over the space in the Pine Street mini-mall in New Canaan. The location previously housed one of my longtime favorites, South End, and when it first reopened as The Waveny Tavern, my early visits left me feeling it hadn’t quite hit its stride.That changed when Chef Peter X. Kelly arrived earlier this year. Widely regarded as one of Westchester County’s top restaurateurs, Kelly opened his first restaurant, Xaviers, when he was just 23 years old. Since his young entrance into the culinary world, he has opened additional restaurants, including a second Xavier's, Freelance Café, Restaurant X, Bully Boy Bar and X20. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including Westchester Magazine’s Best Chef in 2003 and the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northeast in 2010. His move into Fairfield County is a welcome addition to the local dining scene. Read More
tacobarn Opens in Newtown From Restaurateur David Boyajian Features Interview Restaurant Tacos Newtown Sandy Hook Cocktails Tequila Interview Opening Homepage Andrew Dominick December 17, 2025 “I don’t know what got me looking, but I saw this building roughly 27 months ago for the first time, and I just fell in love with it.” Once filled with random storage, a barn on Glen Road in Sandy Hook has new life as a taqueria thanks to Newtown local and restaurateur David Boyajian. At the appropriately named tacobarn, Boyajian isn’t calling it traditional Mexican and he’s not even remotely pretending it’s that. And this particular nontraditional taco space is something he’s quite familiar with from his past as bartaco’s director of operations and part of that microchain’s expansion. Read More
Chef Ian Vest Opens Modern Italian Restaurant, Talia, in Port Chester Features Ingredients Interview Restaurant Modern Italian Ian Vest Port Chester Opening Homepage Interview Pasta Pizza Greenwich Andrew Dominick November 19, 2025 One could argue, that before Greenwich Avenue’s current restaurant boom, one of the hottest spots on the block from 2015 until it closed in 2020 was Back 40 Kitchen. Now, just a touch over the Byram neighborhood’s border in Port Chester, frequenters of Back 40 will see a familiar face in Ian Vest at his newly opened Talia. Vest, originally a St. Louis native, who got his start in the industry at 13 years old and never left it, has seen his fair share of stints working at delis, burrito places, and “everywhere you can imagine.” But hard work pays off, as it landed him an executive chef position at The Crossing, a French-Italian fine dining restaurant in Clayton, Missouri, then, to The Culinary Institute of America. Read More
Specialty Coffee Shop, Carpe Diem Cafe, Opens in Norwalk Ingredients Interview Restaurant Carpe Diem Norwalk Coffee Coffee Shop Norwalk Pastry Opening Interview Andrew Dominick November 17, 2025 Norwalk’s growing coffee shop scene just got one new addition. Carpe Diem Cafe’s goal? Specialty, higher end, baked goods made in-house, coffee shop parties, adult beverages, and a few Dominican dishes amongst the pastry and breakfasty offerings. Owner Elvis Fernandez is setting out to be different from the rest of the coffee shops in the area and is relying on his entrepreneurial spirit and some industry experience to make that happen with Carpe Diem. Read More
Malby Bakery Opens in New Haven with Creative Pastries & Elevated Classics Features Restaurant Bakery New Haven Opening Baked Goods Bread Shop Bread Aaron Gruen November 03, 2025 Malby, a new bakery in New Haven is churning out superlative sourdough alongside croissants, cookies, and Latin American baked goods.Owned by married couple Malby Rojas and Karla Tejada Arias, Malby opened in late May and is steadily expanding its offerings. “Every day, we add a little more bread, a little more pastry,” Rojas says. The neighborhood is already well-acquainted with Rojas’ bread, as she has been baking and delivering loaves from the basement of their home. Now, at her brick-and-mortar location, Rojas sells pastries, breads, and beverages inspired by the couple’s Latin heritage. Read More
Dos Hermanos Guatemalan Bakery & Cafe Opens in Bridgeport Features Ingredients Interview Restaurant Guatemalan Bakery Latin American Black Rock Bridgeport Opening Homepage Interview Andrew Dominick October 24, 2025 If you notice a bunch of people in Bridgeport’s Black Rock neighborhood entering a tiny storefront on Brewster Street, follow them, and the smell of fresh baked bread, inside. Welcome to Dos Hermanos Bakery & Cafe, owned by two brothers (hence the name), Giovanni and Nelson Castellon, who had a goal of opening a place of their own for a while to show the community an accurate representation of Guatemalan food. Read More
Little Lotus Omakase Opens in New Haven Restaurant Omakase Sushi Sushi Bar Japanese Opening New Haven Homepage Noah Schwartz October 15, 2025 There’s a new hot spot in New Haven, but you might drive past it without blinking.This small, waterside gem is located within the Pequonnock Yacht Club in the tranquil City Point neighborhood of New Haven. It’s housed in the building that was formerly City Point Kitchen, just in front of Shell & Bones, and is the pride and joy of restaurateur couple Larry Wang and Bilian “Nia” Chen.Despite having what may be the most progressive omakase menu in the state, Little Lotus is deeply rooted in history. So, if you enjoy things delicacies like sea urchin, O-toro, A5 Japanese wagyu beef, foie gras…and blow torches… keep on reading. Read More
LobsterCraft Food Truck X SONO 1420 Weekend Tasting Room Fireside Collab Features Norwalk Distillery Lobster Lobster Roll Opening Food Truck CTbites Team October 13, 2025 SoNo 1420, America’s Maritime Distillery in South Norwalk, CT, recently introduced its new food service partner, Norwalk’s popular LobsterCraft food truck. The partnership between SoNo 1420’s Double Gold Award-Winning whiskeys and spirits and LobsterCraft’s #1 voted lobster roll, make for a great new weekend visit in the Norwalk food scene. This collab takes place amongst outdoor firepits, SONO 1420’s outstanding cocktails c/o mixologist Blake Poon, every Thursday-Saturday 5-9PM, with live music every Friday! Read More
Delamar Hotels Opens American-Mediterranean Restaurant, Dandelion, in Westport Features Ingredients Interview Restaurant Mediterranean Opening Interview Westport Dandelion Westport Delamar Hotels Homepage Andrew Dominick October 03, 2025 Just a mere mile and change from the Delamar Southport and Artisan, founder Charles Mallory’s Greenwich Hospitality Group has opened a new luxury hotel with a restaurant, Dandelion, that’s been booked solid for weeks right out of the gate. “We took ownership of it 2-3 years ago,” says Delamar’s corporate director of restaurants, Hicham Amaaou. “I’ve been working with Frederic Keifer (Delamar’s corporate chef/partner) since Artisan Southport in 2012, then West Hartford, and we created La Plage together from scratch. But this is two separate entities and the food is very opposite.” Read More
