Filtering by Tag: Wine Dinners,Tasting Menu

Two Roads Brewing Company Launches Dinner Pairing Series- A New Brewery Experience

Events Features Brewery Ingredients Interview Tasting Menu Brewery Two Roads Brewing Company Craft Beer Spirits Distillery Interview Homepage beer Stratford

Andrew Dominick March 20, 2025

If you’ve followed the evolution of Two Roads Brewing Company, it’s quite something. Since the main brewery opened in 2012, one thing they kept doing is continuing to evolve. Not including a laundry list of beer releases, Two Roads went onto open a second facility next to their Hop Yard six years ago that you now know as Area Two Experimental Brewing. Following Area Two and all their fun, funky small batch drops, and in no particular order, Two Roads got into making canned cocktails, non-alcoholic beer, distilling (we’ll have a few teasers on that), and they even purchased the former PizzaCo across the street and turned it into Two Roads Food Hall & Bar and next door, Two Roads Tee Box, a golf simulator, making it a full-blown “campus.”

Mariposa Taqueria in Danbury Debuts Latin Dinner Series

Ingredients Interview Restaurant Mariposa Taqueria Latin American Danbury Tasting Menu Tasting

Andrew Dominick February 10, 2025

When brothers Sam and Javier Reyes took over the reigns of Mezon Tapas Bar from their older brothers Richard and Juan, and flipped the concept over to Mariposa Taqueria in 2020, focusing on tacos and Latin American street food, they had big plans on the horizon. Sam, who’s coming off a 2023 Bartender of the Year win at the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s CRAZIES Awards, took that award and the recognition it brought to launch a series of cocktail competitions to highlight area bartenders so they can show off their full display of skills to local cocktail lovers.

The Foundry Opens in Hartford January 16 with Sweeping Views & Exciting Chef Team

Features Restaurant Opening Hartford Fine Dining Date Night Bar Menu Tasting Menu

Leeanne Griffin December 20, 2024

Hartford’s best restaurant view returns next month, as The Foundry opens on the 20th floor of the Hartford Steam Boiler building January 16.

The former ON20 Restaurant, known for its soaring views of the Connecticut River and other area landmarks, has been fully renovated and reimagined, with even more stunning panoramic vistas of the capital city. The industrial-chic interior has an expansive bar, an open kitchen with gleaming stainless-steel appliances, private dining spaces and jaw-dropping glimpses of the sky from nearly every vantage point.

ON20, a celebrated white tablecloth establishment for many years, closed during the uncertainty of the pandemic in 2020, but two years ago, Hartford Steam Boiler’s leadership began reaching out to key people to start conversations about reopening the restaurant.

Strega Opens In New Haven With Tasting Menu & Outstanding Wine List

Restaurant New Haven Opening Italian Fine Dining Tasting Menu Wine Dinners Wine Bar

James Gribbon December 08, 2024

“Yale asked me if I was interested in the space, and I took it as a challenge. A small space, few tables, no pizza – I was able to focus on fine dining.” I’m in New Haven, talking with chef Danilo Mongillo about Strega, his second restaurant of the same name, but with a very different concept.

“You have excellent food here – French, Spanish, American – and I took bringing this level of Italian to downtown, not in competition, but just to bring more good food here. That was the challenge.”

The first time I ate at Strega was the location in Milford (both restaurants are just off the corners of their respective city greens) and I’d returned many times for his creations which were just a little different – the way a sentence is altered when the pen is in a different hand – and made with exceptional ingredients. I ask if the new Strega is based on anything regionally Italian, and he shakes the question off, moving in another direction.

“Fine dining is about the technique. It’s about the balance of the flavors – something sweet, something sour – and the balance with the wine. The balance of the bite.”

Crush Wine Bar Opens in West Hartford Center From Union Kitchen Team

Restaurant West Hartford Hartford County Opening Wine Bar Wine Dinners Wine & Spirits Tapas Homepage

Leeanne Griffin November 19, 2024

The team behind West Hartford’s newest wine bar wants its guests to know that it’s far more than just wine – though its list is more than 400 bottles strong.

Crush Wine Bar, which opened in the town center on Oct. 30, offers a full menu of thoughtful small plates alongside its extensive wine selection. Operations manager and beverage director Vish Badami said he thinks the food has been a bit of a surprise for guests in the first few weeks.

“People (expect) it's going to be cheese and charcuterie, and that's kind of the impression they have,” he said. “And then I think a lot of people are very pleasantly surprised with the quality of food, the thought process behind the food, the options, the freshness of the dishes.”

Crush Wine Bar is a sister restaurant to Union Kitchen, its LaSalle Road neighbor, which has evolved in recent years from a casual comfort-food spot to a more upscale experience with tasting menus. Both are owned by Bean Restaurant Group, which also owns and operates several other eateries in western Massachusetts, including The Student Prince in Springfield, the White Hut burger spots in Holyoke and West Springfield and the German-themed Wurst Haus in Northampton.

Fun, Affordable, Delicious: Crust Issues in Norwalk Debuts Saturday Tastings

Restaurant Pizza Norwalk Tasting Tasting Menu

Andrew Dominick November 05, 2024

Almost a year ago, I covered Crust Issues, brought to you by longtime restaurant guy, John Nealon. I’ve since gotten addicted to several of his pizzeria’s signature grub, namely the outside the box, but creative rectangular, crispy, cheesy, garlic buttery pizzas and the pounded out crunchy coated cutlets—especially the spicy chicken scarp.

It doesn’t help (or maybe it does) that it’s a flat one-mile drive away to get my fix.

Nealon has some cool ideas for the evolution of Crust Issues, one that I’ve consistently bothered and pressured him about (I’ll keep it a secret unless it actually happens), and he’s recently mentioned installing a bar for future cocktail program.

But there’s a weekly tasting he’s been doing every Saturday from 7:30 – 9 p.m. that’s a super casual, fun, tasty, incredibly reasonably priced (it’s $40 per person including beer, wine, soda, or water), and you’ll leave happy, fat, and ready for bed.

The Loop by Hachiroku Opens Wine Bar with Ungrafted Selections

Restaurant Wine Bar Wine Dinners CT Wine Japanese Market Japanese Izakaya New Haven open Homepage

Stephanie Webster October 30, 2024

The uber-talented team that brought us Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar, Hachiroku Handroll Bar, and most recently The Loop by Hachiroku, (Japanese marketplace), has done it again. The Wine Bar at The Loop opened a few weeks ago, and it is already drawing wine enthusiasts from all over the state of CT, seeking both their unique wine portfolio and outstanding Izakaya Japanese cuisine.

The Wine Bar at The Loop is a collaboration between Hachiroku’s Yuta Kamori and Ungrafted Selections’ Jason Black and Adam Bitker, purveyors of conscientiously farmed, handcrafted wines from small, independent growers. The partnership is magical with each brand delivering a “best in class” offering backed with deep knowledge and a desire for excellence, but with none of the fussiness that sometimes happens in the wine world. The Wine Bar is laid back, smart, sublime with that slight edginess we’ve come to expect from Hachiroku. It’s a vibe and we are here for it.

43 LaSalle Road Tasting Menu Debuts in West Hartford From New Team at Union Kitchen

Features Restaurant Tasting Menu Tasting Wine West Hartford Openings Homepage

Christopher Hodson January 28, 2023

Fine dining isn’t dead, despite what René Redzepi might say or think, as he gets ready to shutter the doors of what’s been considered one of the best restaurants in the entire world for nearly twenty years. West Hartford has been missing this ‘option’ in dining for a very long time, up until now. Located at 43 Lasalle Road amid restaurant row, are two gentleman working incredibly hard to bring back the ‘tasting menu’ and the full experience that goes along with it, if you choose. You should choose. Head Chef Tim East brings with him a very diverse background in food as he’s worked at several high profile restaurants around the state with some very notable chefs including Todd English and Bobby Flay. He is no stranger to West Hartford either, as he oversaw the much loved Besito in Blueback square that closed over a rental agreement dispute. Most recently however, he took on a leadership role at the storied Cavey’s in Manchester where he developed a love of French cuisine along with many of its techniques. Tim carries all of this experience and knowledge along with his passion, to a restaurant that is focused on its changing the narrative from what it was before he arrived, to what it is capable of under his leadership, a true destination restaurant amongst the West Hartford food scene.

Former Nosh Hound Food Truck Owner Maycie Ralbovsky Joins Broken Symmetry as Executive Chef

Brewery Features Interview Restaurant Brewery Chef Talk Tasting Tasting Menu Tacos Mexican Craft Beer beer Homepage Broken Symmetry Bethel

Andrew Dominick November 18, 2022

Ask any Fairfield County food truck fanatic what their favorite one was over the past handful of years and they’re likely to mention Nosh Hound if they know what they’re talking about.

The stacked sandwiches, the tacos, the burgers, and the bowls, and yes, even the “F” word…FUSION. It all really worked for Nosh Hound. I, for one, sought out Sam and Maycie Ralbovsky’s truck at every Mill River Park event. My final Nosh Hound memory was at Half Full’s Oktoberfest in Downtown Stamford when I obliterated a pork schnitzel sandwich.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for October 2022

Features Events News Events Wine Dinners Restaurant Week

Stephanie Webster October 06, 2022

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.+

Call, Respond, Then Run to RSVP for Beautiful French in West Cornwall

Features Restaurant Seasonal Road Trip Homepage French Chef's Tasting Tasting Menu Tasting Cornwall West Cornwall Litchfield

Andrew Dominick August 19, 2022

Several months ago, I’m certain my reaction to my dear friend, Katy, mentioning RSVP was something like, “Yeah. That means respond.” If we’re being technical, it’s actually “répondez s'il vous plait” or translated from French to English, “respond, if you please.”

Until Katy finished her thought by telling me that RSVP a French restaurant in Litchfield County that she heard about from one of her friends who’s a bartender. “He raves about it,” she said.

As is always the case, time passed. We kind of forgot about RSVP and barely looked into it for weeks, even months. Only occasionally we’d briefly bring it up, referring it as “THAT French place in Cornwall.”

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For January 21-February 2nd

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Stephanie Webster January 20, 2022

Join Grass & Bones in Mystic on January 28th for a Dry Aged & Natural Wine Dinner. A six course dinner cooked by Chef James Wayman and his team—Oyster Club in Mystic is having a Happy Hour glow up! Every day, 4-5pm—Artisan is adding an extra incentive to start out 2022 on the right foot, with their NEW "5-6-7 Happy Hour" 3:30-6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the Tavern—Clean Juice Simsbury opens Jan 22nd with USDA-certified organic juices—Join Wakeman Town Farm for a workshop about how to make your own Fire Cider, an old-school elixir that is having a moment—Ambler Farm is offering a fun Valentine's Tea for Two + Cookie Decorating Kit. Grab your Valentine's Party For Two Kit here.

Barcelona Wine Bar Hosts "Women In Wine" Events Across CT

Features WIne Wine Dinners

Stephanie Webster March 09, 2020

Barcelona Wine Bar is celebrating National Women’s Month with a wine focused series titled, “Women in Wine.” This uncorked event will feature 30 different wines from female wine-makers across Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Uruguay all paired with a chef-prepared culinary experience. They will host these events at all of their locations across CT. It is worth noting that these wines by women are always available at Barcelona but they wanted to take a moment to celebrate some badass women in the wine biz.

Tickets to each event are $55 and are available for purchase via Eventbrite (links below):

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For February 23 to March 1

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 19, 2020

Wednesday February 26 marks the final installation of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale’s Plant-based dinner series. The 4 course menu costs $48 and is a tasty way to “veg” out. Make your reservation online.

CT Eats Week lasts from February 24-March 1. CT EATS WEEK is the ONLY statewide restaurant week in Connecticut. Restaurants from communities all across the state will participate during this week long celebration. Over 150 restaurants are participating, including Brick + Wood (Fairfield), Engine Room (Mystic), Cactus Rose (Wilton), GZen (Branford), and more.

On Monday February 24, learn all about “Becoming a Sustainable Bartender.” Gyph, the world’s first molecular whiskey, and Highland Imports, are teaming up for this workshop, which sill take place at Hub & Spoke.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for January 26 - February 2

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 23, 2020

The 6th Annual Great Mac And Chili Challenge takes place indoors at the new SoNo Collection in Norwalk CT on Sunday January 26th from 11am – 3pm.

On Monday January 27, Mezon Tapas Bar & Restaurant invites you to a Wine Dinner featuring JM Fonseca Wines. $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity) includes a 5 course meal and wine pairings.

Mondays are Wine Down Mondays at Artisan Restaurant! Get half off wines $100 or less.

Square Peg Pizza, The Mystic Cheese Company, and Black Hog Brewing Co. are all teaming up on Monday January 27. The delicious, fun event will take place at Square Peg Pizzeria in Glastonbury. There will be free prize giveaways, pairings, education, and great local CT food and drink.

Nibble: CT Food Events For November 10-17

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 08, 2019

On Tuesday November 12, Lidia Bastianich comes to Tarry Lodge in Westport. She’s celebrating the release of her new cookbook, Felidia: Recipes from My Flagship Restaurant. Guests will get a signed copy of her book as well as a four course dinner with optional wine pairings. There are two seatings, 5-7pm and 7:30-9:30pm. Tickets start at $135, inclusive of tax and gratuity.

The story of the legendary Vegetarian spot, Bloodroot is coming to life on the big screen! The movie will be shown on Monday November 11th at 6:50pm at the Cinepolic Chelsea Theater in New York City as part of the Doc NYC Festival. Selma and Noel will be in attendance, along with the filmmakers for a Q&A after the showing.

CT Cider Week is coming! On Wednesday November 13, Mystic Cheese Company invites you to a cheese and cider pairing class- and it’s all gluten free. It runs from 6-8pm and costs $45 per person.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For Week of October 20-27

Features Events Events News Pop-Up Dinner Wine Dinners Festival

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 19, 2019

Get egg-cited… the Tasty Yolk storefront opens for business on Tuesday October 22! Check them out at 2992 Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport.

From Wednesday October 23 through Friday October 25, Norwalk Now presents CRUSH: A Celebration of Beer, Wine, and Spirits. Norwalk restaurants and businesses are opening their doors for demonstrations, tastings, seminars, and other events inspired by these tasty adult beverages.

Wednesday October 23 marks Brasitas’s first Wine Dinner of the season. The five course meal will compliment wines from Napa Valley. Tickets are $75 per person and space is limited.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For September 22-29

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson September 20, 2019

You still have time to partake in “Taste of the Suburbs” presented by CTNow. Through September 29, participating restaurants will offer special multi-course, price-fixed tasting menus. Visit hotspots like Millwrights, Bistro on Main, Carbone’s, and more.

Every Wednesday from Sept 25 through November 13 a new chef will bring their culinary POV to Amis Trattoria in Westport in their new Guest Chef Pop-Up, where chefs create a menu of specials that fuses their style with the Italian flair of Amis. On September 25, they welcome Robin Selden of Naked Fig Catering.

Enjoy a Spanish Evening of Cheese and Wine at the Farmington Polo Grounds on Wednesday September 25. Start the evening with a prosecco toast under the tent watching the polo game. Then, a professional cheesemonger will guide you through a selection of artisanal Spanish cheeses and pairings of locally made jams, pickles charcuterie... and of course, wine!

The Westport Farmer’s Market’s Fork It Over Party in the Parking Lot goes down on Thursday September 26. Partake in dinner, drinks, and music in a picturesque setting… and all to support the market. This year, witness the Chef-at-the-Market finale!

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For September 8-15

Features Events News Festival Wine Dinners

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson September 04, 2019

Join Chef Geoff Lazlo for a Greenhouse Garden Dinner at the Greenwich Botanical Gardens on September 12 from 6-9pm. Dinner will include a specialty cocktail, passed hors d’oeuvres and a three-course meal inspired by the seasonal vegetables and herbs grown in the GBC teaching vegetable garden. Lazlo will lead a discussion about the menu and environmentally friendly cuisine.

Celebrity Chef Tyler Anderson will host the second annual Eat.Drink.Give fundraiser benefitting Foodshare at Millwright's Restaurant and Tavern on Monday, September 9 at 6:30pm. Eat. Drink. Give will feature a multi-course dinner with wine pairings prepared by local award-winning chefs Tyler Anderson & Niles Talbot of Millwright's Restaurant in Simsbury, Prasad Chirnomula of Chef Prasad Indian Kitchen in New Canaan, Jeff Lizotte of Present Company in Tariffville, Billy Grant of Restaurant Bricco in West Hartford, and Pastry Chef Kristin Eddy of Millwright's in Simsbury. There will also be a silent auction. Tickets are $125 per person.

The Hadley + Occum, 2019 Farm Dinner Event series continues on Friday September 13 with the Chefs from Treva. The DORO Restaurant Group has teamed up with Sub Edge Farm for an RSA (similar to a CSA but geared towards restaurants) and chefs will highlight the local bounty at this beautiful meal on the farm. Tickets are $99 per person.

Suffering from empty nest syndrome? Roger Sherman Inn wants to celebrate the launch of our children on September 13 from 6-8pm. Tickets will be available for $50 per person at the front desk.

CTBites’s own editor Stephanie Webster is Dancing with the Stars… AGAIN! On Saturday September 14, she’s kicking up her heels in Greenwich on behalf of Abilis, Inc., a wonderful non-profit that supports kids & adults with special needs. Make a donation or cheer her on at the event.

High George, New Haven’s newest rooftop bar located at The Blake Hotel, has launched a new Happy Hour just in time for guests to enjoy the fall foliage. From 4-6pm, partake in $1 oysters, $6 wines, $8 mojitos, $4 beers, and an $8 rotating punch cocktail.

It’s Sunday Funday El Segundo! For $10, get a bracelet for $5 drinks specials all day long. For an additional $5, enjoy a signature breakfast burrito, normally on the brunch menu for $10. You can come and go as you please.

Nibble: CT Food Events For Nov 11-18: Champagne, Bourbon & Wine Dinners, Cooking Classes, Beer Events & Food Trucks

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 09, 2018

On Tuesday November 13, Washington Prime SoNo will have a Macallan Scotch Dinner featuring the 12 Year Sherry, the 12 Year Double Cask, the 15 Year Triple Cask, and Edition #4. Upgrade to the 1824 ticket for a rare chance to have a glass of the 1824 Series Single Malt Reflexion. Price is $250 per person for this option. $140 pp.

Olea’s annual champagne dinner will take place on November 12. Laval wines will be accompanied by Champagnes produced by another premier grower/producer, Benoit Marguet of Champagne Marguet Pere & Fils in Ambonnay, France. This 4-course dinner is $200 pp, all inclusive. RSVP by calling Olea at 203.780.8925, or sending an email to info@oleanewhaven.com

On Monday November 12, Tim’s Kitchen at Wakeman Town Farm will teach you how to make “Holiday Hors D’oeuvres.” Chef Gene Habansky will guide you through making delicious appetizers from 7-9pm. It costs $65 per person. Join them again on November 15 to learn how to make vegetarian and gluten free Thanksgiving sides.