ÔToulouse: Beautiful French Cuisine In Branford Restaurant Branford French Seasonal Opening Fine Dining Homepage Jessica Ryan August 21, 2023 What if I told you that there’s a French restaurant in Connecticut that’s exceptional but you likely haven’t heard of it? You won’t find it in Litchfield, Hartford or Fairfield Counties. You will find it in a coastal town in New Haven County. It’s not the Union League Café in New Haven nor is it Bar Bouchée in Madison. The two restaurants have something in common though, and that is Chef Christophe Santos who opened ÔToulouse with his wife Rachelle in Branford last October. Chef Christophe grew up in a family where food was the essence of life and many of his fondest memories came from family gatherings surrounded by food and love. By the tender age of 16 he had already started cooking at various local restaurants near his hometown of Villemur sur Tarn which is near Toulouse. Chef then headed off to work with celebrated Michelin-starred chefs including Jacques Chibois, Alain Ducasse and Johan Leclerre so that he could perfect his culinary skills. Read More
Guide to Connecticut Lobster, Clambakes and Seafood Shacks (2023 Edition) Restaurant Features Lobster Roll Lobster Lobster Bake Clambake Seafood seafood boil Catering Guide Catering Highlight Homepage Carly Terzigni June 16, 2023 Summer in Connecticut can look like a lot of different things: hometown parades, trips to the beach, and of course, lobster rolls. Seafood is a quintessential part of dining in New England, so much so that there are heated debates over how to properly prepare a lobster roll, with hot meat with melted butter being the traditional Connecticut style and cold meat with mayonnaise originating out of Maine. It is no surprise, then, that there is a plethora of lobster shacks around the state, with most of them concentrated along the shoreline.These ‘lobster shacks’ or ‘clam shacks’ have everything that you could want in a great seafood dinner without any added frills. If you are looking for more of a restaurant vibe, there are many seafood-centric businesses in the state that serve great lobster rolls. Another New England tradition that pops up each summer is the clambake. These events are usually centered around some sort of special occasion and involve steaming a medley of ingredients like clams, crab, scallops, lobster, and mussels together. There are several businesses in Connecticut that will help cater your next clambake, which are included in this guide as well. Read More
40+ Spots for Pumpkin Inspired Menu Specials, Beer, Ice Cream, Pasta, Baked Goods & Oh So Much More Features Roundup Pumpkin Season Seasonal Fall Treats ct beer Homepage April Guilbault October 08, 2022 Pumpkin, pumpkin everywhere. Isn’t autumn divine?! And how crazy that we all get so excited about, well, a gourd. Life is funny but it’s that time of year to embrace the crazy and roll with the pumpkins. From fancy-schmancy drinks to sumptuous desserts, handmade raviolis, cakes and sweets, pumpkin has hit everything that stands still. Get on the haywagon, it’s a good one!Here are 30+ spots to savor pumpkin season in EVERY WAY possible. Read More
It's Not Too Late to Visit The Last Taco Stand at Norwalk Cove Marina Features Interview Seasonal Tacos Food Truck Homepage Seasonal Norwalk Andrew Dominick September 17, 2022 The thing about most food trucks in our area is that they’re seasonal. Once the weather gets frosty, they hibernate until the flowers begin to bloom again. But still, it’s better to have found quality eats late in the season than not at all.I first heard about The Last Taco Stand (and we LOVE the name) in a couple of Norwalk local Facebook groups, then when I posted a quick Instagram story that I was planning to check them and their picturesque tacos out, that’s when my friend, Dominique said it was a good idea. Dom’s one of the folks I trust when it comes to food and drink, so when she told me that Neil, The Last Taco Stand’s owner, is “the best” and to make sure I get the sweet potato taco and “any of his hot sauces,” I knew I had to follow her instructions. Read More
Shuck Yeah! Chef Emily Mingrone Strikes Again-Fair Haven Oyster Company is Now Open Restaurant Openings Seafood New Haven Oyster Bar Lobster Lobster Roll Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe July 17, 2022 Well, Connecticut. Your gal Emily Mingrone did it again. The one so rightly deemed our latest Chef of the Year has now brought you seaside with Fair Haven Oyster Company along the Quinnipiac River. She gives us cozy date nights with Tavern on State; she brings us into the kitchen with Provisions on State, and is now taking us to the water.Barely two weeks old, her latest venture with business partner and libation genius Shane McGowan is satisfying CT gourmands just in time for summer and for that much-longed-for taste of fresh seafood and just-plucked-from-the-garden veggies.Many might be surprised to know, but the idea for Fair Haven was brewing well before her award-winning spot Tavern on State came to be. “I’ve been in Connecticut my whole life,” says Mingrone, “so summer lobster rolls, steamers and oysters are something I look forward to every year. [Even though] seafood spots dot the shoreline, there’s really nowhere in New Haven like Fair Haven. With its small, “stop in and enjoy” atmosphere, there’s nothing grandiose or overwhelming about the location or the menu (let alone dear Chef Mingrone, tbh) “I always had this idea in the back of my mind, to create an elevated New England seafood experience.” Read More
The Bloom Family Opens Copps Island Oyster Shack at Brown’s Marina in Stratford Features Interview Restaurant Seasonal Openings Food Truck Homepage Seasonal Seafood burgers Copps Island Oysters Stratford Andrew Dominick July 13, 2022 If you’ve been by Brown’s Marina lately to cast your line in the water or to take a sunset stroll, you may have noticed a super-sized food truck parked just to the left and construction on what’s soon to be a retail store.These upgrades are courtesy of the Bloom Family, a name synonymous with oysters, specifically Copps Island Oysters. According to food consultant Matt Storch—who you should know from his acclaimed Match Restaurant in South Norwalk—the Blooms purchased Brown’s Marina a few years ago from its original owners. “They spruced it up and made it a working oyster and clam dock and are in the process of turning the building into a Copps Island retail store (similar to the one in Norwalk),” he says. “They wanted to activate the beautiful space on the water because there could be more waterside dining here with exceptional, but simple food.” Read More
40+ Places in Connecticut for Lobster, Clambakes, + Seafood Shacks (2022 Guide) Features Seasonal Restaurant Seafood seafood boil Lobster Lobster Roll Clambake Homepage Guide Dining Guide Highlight April Guilbault June 30, 2022 One fish, two fish, red fish…lobster. And seafood in all its forms. Oh yeah, baby! Get the bibs, the frosty beers and get crackin’, shuckin’ and lovin’. Nothing signals the start of summer quite like eating by the water while the sunshine sparkles on the waves. Picture, if you will, your teeth sinking into a lobster roll dripping with drawn butter, or wistfully dragging fresh steamers through (more) butter or popping hot-out-the-fryer clam strips and fritters into your mouth. Whether dining on land or by sea, seafood rules the roost this season. These simple summer pleasures make time stand still for a few blissful moments. Summer is here, and food is easy.Enjoy our guide to over 40 summertime—or anytime—spots to get buttery lobster, chow down at a clambake, and sit and eat at a seafood shack! Read More
LobsterCraft Opens in Greenwich With A Serious Lobster Roll Menu Restaurant Greenwich Openings Lobster Lobster Roll Sandwich Seafood Lunch Jessica Ryan August 17, 2021 Quietly, three months ago, Captain William Michael Harden aka “Captain Mike” opened his second Lobster Craft location in the heart of Greenwich on Greenwich Avenue.We sat down to chat with him about the Greenwich location, new menu items, new restaurants down the pipeline and the challenges of opening a restaurant during a pandemic.Like most restaurants, staffing has been an issue and he’s operating with a skeleton crew but he’s very proud of his young workers, their work ethic and dedication. With over a decade of success with the original Fairfield location as well as the Lobster Truck, the recipes have been perfected and feeding the masses is the easy part. (The hard part, for us, was deciding which roll to get! Scroll down and you’ll see what I mean!) Read More
Guide to Connecticut Lobster, Clambakes and Seafood Shacks: 2021 Edition Restaurant Features Best of CT Seafood seafood boil Lobster Lobster Roll Lobster Bake Clambake Dining Guide homepage Homepage April Guilbault July 11, 2021 It is doubtful that, when mentioning summer eats, lobster anything wouldn’t be in the Top 3 list of foods that folks love, drive miles for, yearn for during the winter months and spiritedly debate (hot? cold? with mayo? just butter?). Well, summer is here, time to strap on that bib, lick those buttery fingers and well, get crackin’. From piled-high lobster rolls and creamy bisques, to hot fried clams and fluffy fritters, seafood rules the roost when temps rise and those ocean breezes soothe the soul. Whether you are searching for a lunch by the water or hosting a party for friends (weee! finally!), these venues will add some buttery fun to your summer days. Bon appetit! Here, let me tie that bib for you…. Read More
The Food Crate Delivers Ultimate New England Seafood Experience To Your Doorstep (sponsored post) Features Ingredients Home Delivery Seafood Delivery Service Lobster Lobster Roll Lobster Bake Catering CTbites Team May 05, 2021 Is there anything more perfect than hosting a dinner party for 6-8 people, where the meal is delivered to your doorstep, arrives in a single pre-made pot, and you don’t have to do ANY of the work? I think not. It is for this reason that I sing ALL the praises for THE FOOD CRATE’s customizable ATLANTIC STEAMPOT. This quintessential New England seafood experience comes ready to cook in its own container, complete with Snow Crab, Peeled White Shrimp, Atlantic Clams, Mussels, Smoked Sausage (optional), Potatoes and Corn….and the best part is…everything has been done for you. This dinner party in a box arrives perfectly layered. No muss. No fuss, All you need to do is pour wine or beer and cook as per the directions on the label. Bonus: Want more yum? Add up to 2.5LBS of mixed King Crab, Lobster, Shrimp and more Snow Crab a la carte and invite a few more guests.BONUS!! CTbites Readers Get 10% OFF with Code FC10 Read More
Elm Restaurant in New Canaan: Exploring Chef Luke Venner's Excellent Seasonal American Menu Restaurant American Lobster Burgers Seasonal New Canaan Lunch Breakfast Homepage Andrew Dominick July 19, 2020 Before Luke Venner debuted as Elm’s executive chef and partner, the New Canaan restaurant already had a following amongst townies, and there’s more than a good chance you heard Elm get name dropped as one of Fairfield County’s overall best. Five years later, it’s safe to say that Venner isn’t only hitting his stride, but he’s also having fun developing Elm’s dishes from what they once were. Once thought of as being, dare I say, “fancy,” Elm, under Venner, is approachable.The “seasonal New American” theme still exists, and it’s still a tough table to snag on a peak dine out day. The differences at Elm are now presented in the form of comfort. Sure, there are menu holdovers like tuna (or steak) tartare but if you’ve taken a half decade break from eating here, you won’t recognize it for what it once was. Read More
Guide To Connecticut's Favorite Food Trucks: 2020 Edition Features Restaurant Food Truck Best of CT Catering Entertaining Pizza Mexican Cocktails Seafood Lobster Tacos Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 07, 2020 When it comes to food trucks, Connecticut is on a roll! New outstanding mobile eateries are constantly popping up, offering a variety of cuisines and unique experiences. Here is our guide to Connecticut’s best food trucks- and it’s bigger and better than ever! Read More
Takeout Chronicles: Mr. Frosty and David’s Soundview Catering Features Restaurant Take Out To-Go Home Delivery ice cream Dessert Caterers Lobster Lobster Roll Norwalk April Guilbault June 23, 2020 This review is going to go in reverse because the first thing my family ordered for take-out in the early weeks of quarantine was…ice cream. We fancy ourselves pretty healthy eaters in this house, so our intense want of ice cream one evening will get chalked up to the need for some unabashed comfort food in the face of world events. Mr. Frosty’s Ice Cream in Norwalk is an institution. It (ice)screams summer and salty air evenings, sweatshirts, sandy hair, and flip-flops. However, their newly minted pickup kits will keep you entertained while we wait for any semblance of summer to return. We ordered the “Survival Kit.” Our next take-out order involved another hungering for summer. A summer in our house is not complete without a lobster roll and we knew where to get a good one: David’s Soundview Catering in Stamford. Read More
Lobster Cakes Recipe from Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill Recipe Lobster Recipe Seafood CTbites Team June 12, 2020 June 15th is NATIONAL LOBSTER DAY! Yup…It’s a thing. To celebrate, we asked Chef Arturo-Franco Camacho of Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill in New Haven to send over one his favorite lobster-y recipes. Whip up some of these Lobster Cakes and celebrate the revered Day of Lobster. Enjoy! Read More
Joey’s by the Shore featuring Elvira Mae’s Coffee Bar Opens in Westport Restaurant Westport Openings Seafood Beach Eats Lobster Roll Lobster Comfort Food Sandwich Lunch Breakfast Burgers Maddie Phelps May 22, 2020 You loved the taste of seaside classics at Joey’s by the Shore and fan-favorite dishes featured at Elvira’s. Now, as of May 3, you can enjoy these two iconic spots all at once, as they combine to form “Joey’s by the Shore featuring Elvira Mae’s Coffee Bar.”How did Westport get so lucky as to have these beloved beach eateries merge into one delicious location? When Joey’s by the Shore faced closure last year, owner Joey Romeo and Betsy Kravitz of Elvira Mae’s discussed the potential of revamping this locally adored destination. From there, things took off. Today, under this 50/50 partnership, they serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and feature an ice cream window and a full coffee bar. Read More
Heibeck's Stand Opens For Season With Crave-Worthy Homemade Ice Cream, Loaded Dogs, Tacos and more Features ice cream Tacos Lobster Hot Dogs Burgers Homepage Andrew Dominick May 09, 2020 The homemade ice cream, butter lathered lobster rolls, and topping loaded hot dogs at Heibeck’s Stand all made their season debut a few weeks late, but the popular Route 7 roadside gem is back in action.The delay in their opening is due to the obvious COVID-19 climate. Like many restaurants, Heibeck’s took the extra time to work out how to open as a takeout-only model with online or call ahead ordering and to put even more sanitation measures in place. “We definitely took a step back in our opening to make sure we were ready,” says manager Rachel Williams. “We love our customers, and our main concern was to make sure they’re safe and comfortable.”Williams also mentioned that Heibeck’s took additional time to properly mark where walk-up traffic should flow and social distancing markers once in line at the windows to help ensure customer safety. Entrance, for now, is through the parking lot in back, then let the arrows and signs guide you from there.To Heibeck’s regulars, noticeably absent will be their charming, pet friendly, BYOB dining patio that is usually decked out with tables, chairs, flowers, greenery, and string lights. Where folks would normally go to kick back and devour a cup of Deep Purple Cow or Trash Can ice cream, is now mostly empty. “It was sad not putting out the furniture and plants,” says co-owner Barbara Heibeck, who owns the stand with her son, Skylar Smith. “It felt different.” Read More
Nordic Fish Opens in Fairfield: The Freshest of Fish, Poke Bar, Sushi Donuts & Prepared Food! Restaurant Ingredients Openings Specialty Market Fish Fish Market Fairfield Seasonal Sushi Poke Catering Clambake Lobster Bake April Guilbault January 15, 2020 I have two words for you: Sushi Cake. And two more words for you: Sushi Donut. Hold on, two more: Sushi Burrito. Wait! Three more words! (so many words).Knowledge. Sustainability. Heritage.How on earth do all of these, plus a fresh Nordic wind, connect? They intersect on the Post Road in Fairfield at the Nordic Fish market. Read More
Recap: SAVOR Lobster Competition At Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk Features Events Lobster SONO Kristin L. Wolfe September 28, 2019 My arm had to be twisted to join a panel for judging Lobster Bites at last weekend’s (September 22) first SAVOR LOBSTER event at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. I would be walking around a gorgeous museum filled with things that take me back to the ooos and ahhs of childhood; drinking creative tasty libations; having some of the most delicious bites of Lobster EVA; and judging said bites with slick fellow writer and official realfooddude Andrew Dominick, and the endlessly talented Chef Matt Storch of Match (duh), which just rocked out for its 20th anniversary. You can see how this would be a struggle for a newly single gal on a Sunday afternoon. NOT. Read More
Guide To CT Lobster and Clambake Caterers For Your Next Party Restaurant Lobster Lobster Bake Seafood Catering Entertaining Best of CT Homepage April Guilbault July 26, 2019 Crack ‘em, steam ‘em, grill ‘em, looooove ‘em. Lobster, lobster, oh sweet lovely lobster, you make our hearts swoon. Summer is here, the living is easy and to make it even easier, why not throw a good ol’ New England Lobster Bake catered to your venue of choice? You’ll feel like you are oceanside (minus the Great Whites trolling the shores) no matter where you decide to hold your bash. Draw that buttah and color yourself happy! We’ve compiled a whole boatful of vendors that will cater to every whim you might have in order to create a memorable and gloriously fun time. We may even need a bigger boat, the list is so long (ok, who got the reference?). Two big claws up to great companies that are attentive to their customers’ needs and desires and strive to make every Lobster and Clambake a delicious event. Having just used up all the lobster-talk I have up my sleeve, please read on and enjoy… Read More
Chef Dan Kardos Launches Flaco Taco Truck...$4 Menu (+ Lobster Roll) Restaurant Food Truck Mexican Tacos Lobster Openings Homepage Stephanie Webster April 07, 2019 Chef Dan Kardos (Liberty Rock Tavern, Oar & Oak) is rolling out something new for CT taco (and lobster) lovers. Kardos has bought himself another truck, and this time we’re talking tacos. Flaco Taco is the name, and Kardos is in the process of getting it ready for the summer season. The truck will be serving up $4 tacos and some tasty sides…but wait, there’s more…there will also be an epically delicious $24 Lobster roll (ya know…just ‘cuz). Let’s talk about them tacos. CTbites have seen a preliminary menu, and Kardos admits things may change by June, but here is the basic situation. Tacos range from Crispy Fish with spicy slaw and lime, to Southern Fried Chicken with buttermilk ranch, and Braised Beef Shank with spicy tahini. Yes please. Sides will likely include classics such as street corn, Guac’ and his famous watermelon and cucumber salad (think Liberty Rock Truck). Read More
