Filtering by Tag: Fundraiser,South Norwalk

Himalaya SoNo Nepalese Cuisine Opens in South Norwalk

Restaurant Opening South Norwalk SONO Norwalk Nepalese Asian Food Homepage

Jessica Ryan

Wednesday marked the grand opening of Himalaya SoNo an altogether unique experience that brings diners the authentic flavors and culture of  the Himalayan region – Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Northern India. On Monday, before the restaurant formally opened its doors to the public, we were invited in to meet Nwang Sherpa. Sherpa, as his friends call him, a first generation immigrant from Nepal, came to the States 20 years ago to attend college in Pennsylvania. From there his career path would take him to the financial and real estate sectors before moving over to the food and beverage industry. Fast forward many years to today, and the young visionary’s brand, now highly esteemed, has earned a stellar reputation and numerous awards, including Zagat’s Best and Restaurant Guru achievements for its Westchester County locations which include Scarsdale and Yorktown. Sherpa is proud to employ people from the Himalayan region, allowing them to live and work in the US and pursue their own dreams. He is also on the leadership team for NSSP, The Network of Sherpa Students and Professionals, an organization based in Westchester County, which provides support for Sherpa students, graduates, and professionals through social, professional, educational, and cultural activities.

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Josie & Tony's Italian Deli & Supper Club Launches Lunch in Norwalk

Restaurant Lunch Norwalk South Norwalk Italian Deli Italian

Jessica Ryan

Last week I had the opportunity to check out Josie & Tony's newly launched lunch menu. The restaurant which opened just over a year ago for dinner, offered a lunchtime deli service featuring hot and cold Arthur Avenue-style sandwiches made on local Wave Hill bread, homemade mozzarella, fresh pastas, cured meats, assorted desserts and beverages. The lunch menu features all of the previously available sandwiches and most of the dinner menu dishes at an approachable price point. 

There’s a special je ne sais quoi about Josie & Tony’s, named after owner Joshua Mesnik’s grandparents, with its old school vibe that offers a touch of formality without any pretention. The white table clothes, the framed Hershfield artwork, the black and white photos and whimsical Hershfield-like cartoons of friends, family and patrons grace the elegant walls that perfectly fit the “dinner club” aesthetic. This isn’t just a restaurant, but a beautifully executed dining experience.

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Chef Jeff Taibe Opens Bar Bushido Izakaya & Temaki Bar in Norwalk

Restaurant Norwalk South Norwalk Opening Japanese Izakaya Sushi Sushi Bar CT Chef Homepage

Sam Schwab

After months of not-so-patiently waiting, the day is almost here. Tomorrow, Jeff Taibe and Steph Sweeney, co-owners of Taproot, are officially opening the doors to their new restaurant Bar Bushido, a traditional Japanese izakaya. While the restaurant is new, the idea isn’t; Taibe actually has been working on the concept for Bar Bushido for over five years. The name originates from Taproot’s former pop-up series, called “Bushido,” that took place prior to COVID. Taibe introduced the one-Sunday-per-month experience as a way to fuel his passion for Japanese cooking, something he missed dearly from his days at Kawa Ni in Westport. Bar Bushido has been years in the making, but it wasn’t until the 51 Wall Street space opened up, that it became a reality. 

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NYC's Renown Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque Opening in Norwalk

Restaurant Norwalk open BBQ Comfort Food South Norwalk

CTbites Team

Breaking BBQ news from Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque. We’ll bring you more on this exciting opening very soon!

Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque (Mighty Quinn’s), the acclaimed NYC-born restaurant known for its all-natural slow-cooked meats, announced today the grand opening of its new location at The Waypointe in Norwalk (11 Merwin Street). The opening will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Greater Norwalk Chamber and Mayor Harry Rilling on December 18 at 3 p.m., ahead of the grand opening on December 20. As part of the opening celebration, Mighty Quinn’s will donate 10% of all grand opening sales to Norwalk based charity Filling in the Blanks, which works to fight childhood hunger. 

For those unfamiliar with Mighty Quinn’s, it was the first authentic barbeque experience in a fast-casual setting after co-founder, Pitmaster, and CT resident, Hugh Mangum smoked brisket and pulled pork out of a mobile smoker hitched to his pickup truck in Williamsburg (Brooklyn). The brand’s process begins with the best, all-natural meats and poultry, seasoned with perfect spice blends and then smoked with wood for many hours until the perfect harmony of smoke, flavor and time emerges.

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Lazy Sister Chinese Opens in South Norwalk

Restaurant Opening Norwalk South Norwalk SONO Chinese Asian Homepage

Jessica Ryan

Lazy Sister opens in SoNo. The newest restaurant owned by New Yorker Maxwell Weiss (by way of Greenwich, CT) opened quietly a couple of weeks ago in the space that was formerly Enchanted Szechuan. It was kismet - Weiss had learned that the owners were looking to sell, retire and move back to China and he was looking to open a Chinese restaurant in the area. “I’m totally obsessed with Chinese food and have been for about three years now,” he told me. Lazy Sister has its own take on the cuisine, offering a mix of Shanghainese, Cantonese, Szechuan and traditional American Chinese.  But let’s backtrack a bit.

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Harvesting Hope Sept 19: CT’s Celebrity Chefs Combat Hunger

Features Fundraiser Events

CTbites Team

Bridgeport Rescue Mission Presents: Harvesting Hope featuring CT’s Celebrity Chefs Combating Hunger!

Join Bridgeport Rescue Mission for an unforgettable evening of exquisite cuisine and community spirit at Harvesting Hope, a special event dedicated to fighting hunger in Fairfield County. This year, they are thrilled to feature the culinary creations of renowned chef Michel Nischan, alongside other local celebrity chefs, in a night of delicious food tasting and philanthropy.

DATE
September 19, 2024
6:00 PM

CHEF LINEUP

Bill Taibe — Don Memo, The Whelk, Kawa Ni
Arturo Franco-Camacho — Camacho Garage, Shell and Bones
Tyler Anderson — Millwright
Matt Storch — Match Burger Lobster
Renee Touponce — Oyster Club, The Port of Call
Eamonn Keyes — The Chelsea
Roshara Sanders — 29 Markle CT.
Damon Sawyer — 29 Markle CT.

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Local Celebrity Chefs Make Wishes Come True For Kids

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CTbites Team

Five chefs will cook with wish kids in the kitchens at Aitoro Appliance at Taste of Wishes event to benefit Make-A-Wish® Connecticut

Taste of Wishes, Make-A-Wish Connecticut’s s annual event, celebrates scrumptious dishes and magical wishes. This incredible evening - on Thursday, September 26 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Aitoro Appliance at 401 Westport Avenue in Norwalk - will feature local celebrity chefs cooking alongside Connecticut wish kids to raise funds to make life-changing wishes come true. 

An evening of fabulous food and drink, attendees will get a taste of each chef’s specialties and a of sense of the many wishes that Make-A-Wish Connecticut has granted.

Celebrity Chef Lineup

  • Jes Bengtson is the Executive Chef at Terrain Garden Café in Westport.

  • Dan Kardos, born and raised in Stratford, is the Chef/Owner of Café Melba.

  • Anthony Kostelis, Chef of the Whelk restaurant in Westport.

  • Robin Selden is the Managing Partner & Executive Chef of Marcia Selden Catering and Naked Fig Catering.  

  • Matt Storch, a Chopped winner, is the Chef/Owner of Match in Norwalk and Match Burger Lobster in Westport.  

  • Adam Goldberg – PopUp Bagels

  • John Nealon- Crust issues

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Josie & Tony’s in Norwalk Opens Arthur Avenue Inspired Deli Counter: No Membership Required

Features Ingredients Restaurant Deli Sandwich Sandwiches Norwalk South Norwalk Homepage Interview

Andrew Dominick

Joshua Mesnick is well aware that his restaurant, Josie & Tony’s Italian Deli & Supper Club, is polarizing.

He dared to be different and opened a fine dining membership-based restaurant in South Norwalk, catering to paid club members first, and the general public second. Scoff it you want, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in. It’s not impossible, and if it’s not for you, Mesnick will be the first to tell you, that that’s totally fine. “I’ve always done through this project what I’m passionate about,” he says. “Membership has been sold out. We have plenty of great regulars that aren’t members. There have been doubters all along and that’s OK!”

Supper club aside, let’s talk about that other part of the name…Italian Deli.

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Josie & Tony’s Opens Arthur Avenue Style Deli in South Norwalk

Restaurant Ingredients Deli Italian Deli South Norwalk Norwalk Lunch To-Go Sandwiches Pasta

CTbites Team

Josie & Tony’s located at 20 North Main Street in South Norwalk, Connecticut, opened its gourmet Italian deli last month. The deli offers hot and cold sandwiches made on local breads from Wave Hill, alongside homemade mozzarella, fresh pasta, cured meats, rainbow cookie desserts, specialty sodas, coffee, and other Arthur Ave-inspired delicacies and products.

Owner and sommelier, Joshua Mesnik, opened the restaurant at Josie & Tony's in December with 50 founding members – being the first membership hospitality concept of its kind in Fairfield County. Read more here.

“The deli will be something the whole community can enjoy and we look forward to expanding our services to include catering and boat provisioning this summer,” Mesnik explained. It will also be the face of the Josie & Tony’s Pasta Club, a subscription-based service offering fresh pasta and sauce to cook at home. At the moment, hot sandwiches include chicken parmigiana, Italian dip, meatball parmigiana, sausage & peppers, and roasted vegetables; cold sandwiches include Italian combo, spicy soppressata, Caprese, and Italian tuna salad. Deli hours are 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 

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Chef Luke Venner of Elm Restaurant Reps CT in No Kid Hungry Chefs Cycle

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CTbites Team

As the battle against childhood hunger continues, culinary professionals from across the nation are gearing up for the annual Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry event, set to take place in Santa Rosa from May 6 to May 9. This three-day, 300-mile cycling endurance ride is not just a test of physical endurance but a testament to the collective commitment of chefs, hospitality professionals, and food enthusiasts to eradicate childhood hunger in America. Over 100 renowned chefs and passionate supporters will pedal through the picturesque landscapes in support of No Kid Hungry’s mission.

Among the notable participants is Chef Luke Venner of Elm Restaurant in New Canaan. 2024 marks Luke’s third year riding He is the sole rider from CT, but also one of the event's top fundraisers and recruiters.

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Don't Miss "A Taste of Westport"-A Culinary Celebration To Benefit Adults with Developmental Disabilities (Sponsored Post)

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CTbites Team

CLASP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing homes, support, and services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is delighted to announce the return of its flagship fundraising event, Taste of Westport. This year’s culinary extravaganza will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, from 6 to 9:30pm at the iconic Inn at Longshore, located at 260 Compo Rd. S., Westport, CT.

Now in its 18th year, Taste of Westport is renowned for bringing together the finest purveyors of food and drink in the area, and this year is no exception. As attendees “Escape to Saint-Tropez,” they will have the chance to indulge in a diverse array of culinary delights, wines, and spirits from over two dozen local establishments. Those embracing the evening’s theme by wearing white will take home a special gift.  Live music will be provided by The Bar Car Band, a favorite fixture on the Fairfield County music scene.

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Josie and Tony’s Italian Deli & Supper Club Opens in South Norwalk

Restaurant Italian South Norwalk SONO Opening Homepage Supper Club Deli Italian Deli Pasta

Lloyd Allen

Actors take classes. Actors wait tables. Actors go to casting calls. Actors land roles.

Joshua Anthony Mesnik studied musical theatre at NYU, did all of the above, landing roles off-Broadway, but while he pursued his acting career it became apparent his main stage was not on Broadway. His shows were wowing New York audiences, but the scripts he memorized were on menus and wine lists. There were scenes to define, refine and flesh out.

He opened at ABC Carpet, had successful runs at Sushi Samba and Cafe Luxembourg, discovered the sexy, seductive storytelling aspects inside a bottle of wine from his role at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill.

A one Virginia Philip, Master Sommelier at The Breakers mentored him, he then upped the ante directing the wine scene at The Standard High Line Hotel. There’s a lot more, but long story short, he’s going it alone.

Well, not completely. A few of his big fans are involved and invested, not to mention the other 50 devotees of fine food who ponied up a few G’s to cover the yearly membership fee for his soon to be opened dinner club. But no matter all of this, Josie & Tony’s, yes, named after his grandparents, strives to be a show stopping, luxurious dining experience for all.

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Josie & Tony’s Italian Deli and Supper Club Opening in Pasta Nostra Spot In South Norwalk

Features Restaurant Opening South Norwalk Norwalk ita Deli Sandwiche pasta

CTbites Team

Have you been wondering what will be going into the old Pasta Nostra space in South Norwalk? Josie & Tony’s Italian Deli and Supper Club have just announced that they will be opening in this iconic spot this December as a private members club, fine dining restaurant, and gourmet Italian deli. This “supper club” concept is the first-of-its-kind for Fairfield County, and will cater primarily to its members with a limited number of reservations available to the public seven days in advance. Walk-in patrons will be accommodated at the 14-seat full-service bar. 

The deli, however, will be open to the public and will feature premium Italian sandwiches, prepared foods and other to-go items. It will also be the face of the Josie & Tony’s Pasta Club, a subscription-based service offering fresh pasta and sauce to cook at home. The deli is slated to open in early 2024. 

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Eat Tacos, Save The Tatas at Taco Loco: 5% Of ALL Sales Donated to Breast Cancer Research

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CTbites Team

EAT TACOS, SAVE THE TATAS!! The team behind Taco Loco and the Loco Catering Group is bringing back their Tacos for Tatas campaign. Tacos for Tatas is a month long fundraiser during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month where Taco Loco will donate 5% of sales to the Susan G. Komen foundation. 

The Taco Loco Party Trucks are not your average food truck. They are first class mobile catering kitchens serving authentic street tacos and margaritas for private parties and corporate events. They do everything from employee appreciation days, school events, holiday parties, birthdays, weddings, and block parties.

The fundraiser expands beyond food truck parties catered in the month of October catering drop off orders and any future scheduled events where the deposits are paid in October will count towards their fundraiser donation

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CT Chef & TV Personality, Silvia Baldini, To Release Cookbook Sept 18th (For A Great Cause)

Features Author Cookbooks Book Fundraiser

CTbites Team

Chef and TV personality Silvia Baldini is publishing an upcoming book in September titled: Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Cookbook: Stirring the Pot, The History Press, an imprint of Arcadia on September 18th, 2023. 

Compiling recipes, advise and stories from 61 of the most influential and accomplished women in the food and wine world, Baldini share their remarkable stories and their personal recipes for everything from simple weekday meals to spectacular party dishes.

Proceeds from sales benefit Les Dames d’Escoffier New York’s Scholarship Fund.

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SAVE THE DATE for The Glass House Summer Party June 10th with Elm Restaurant

Events Features Events Fundraiser

CTbites Team

The Glass House presents its annual Summer Party on June 10th from 12-4pm.

The Glass House by Philip Johnson located in New Canaan, CT, is a world-renowned architecturally significant property and historic home.

This fundraising event features art, dance, design, fashion, food, music, activations, and silent auction by ARTSY. The event celebrates 16 years as a historic site and museum and will benefit the preservation of the campus and collections.

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No Kid Hungry "Chef Cycle:" Q&A with Chef Luke Venner of Elm Restaurant

Features Chef Talk Q & A Fundraiser

CTbites Team

Chefs Cycle is a fundraising endurance event featuring award-winning chefs and members of the culinary community-fighting childhood hunger outside the kitchen. Since 2015, the culinary talents who take part in Chefs Cycle raise critical funds, which No Kid Hungry uses to help communities across the country feed kids. Chef Luke Venner of Elm Restaurant in New Canaan, CT, is preparing for his 2nd year in the Chefs Cycle event. We sat down with him to discuss the importance of this fundraiser and the hopefully inspire other chefs to join him in 2024!

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Fight Childhood Hunger May 7th at Sunset Wine Party Event for Filling In The Blanks

Features Fundraiser Wine Events

CTbites Team

On May 7th, come sip, explore, shop and socialize at an exclusive, local event to benefit Filling In the Blanks. Sunset Wine Party is hosting this inaugural New Canaan event: a festive, upscale wine tasting evening at the Country Club of New Canaan on May 7th, 2023. All net proceeds benefit Filling in the Blanks, a celebrated local non-profit which supports area children experiencing hunger by providing them with meals on the weekends.

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SoNo Wood Fired Opens in South Norwalk: Neapolitan Pizza + Italian Soul Food

Features Interview Restaurant Norwalk South Norwalk Pizza Neapolitan pizza Homepage Italian Openings

Andrew Dominick

Thin crust. Roman style. Pan pizza. Bar pies. Artisan. Grilled. Foldable New York slices.

Norwalk has all of that. And you can insert your own quip about there being “too much Italian” if you want.

What Norwalk has been missing in its dining history is a true wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria.

Check that. “Had been missing.”

Newly opened on N Main Street is SoNo Wood Fired, where owner and pizzaiolo Besnar Kaba ferments, forms, stretches, and tops each pie, then slides each one using a long peel into his 800° Forza Forni Pavesi.

Kaba is meticulous about it, though. He will only cook three or so doughs at a time, turning them feverishly for 90 seconds to two minutes, to achieve that perfect leopard spotted char that’s indicative of a proper Neapolitan pie.

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