Filtering by Tag: Father's Day,Turkish

Sofra Turkish Grill: Delicious Authentic Turkish Cuisine in Waterbury

Restaurant Turkish Waterbury Turkey Meats Middle Eastern Homepage

Jessica Ryan

Executive Chef Eren Polat and his wife Nigjar invite you to their newest restaurant, Sofra Turkish Grill a cozy neighborhood restaurant in Waterbury, Connecticut. The restaurant, which opened in late July 2023, has been drawing healthy crowds from Cheshire to Fairfield. No stranger to the restaurant world, Chef has over 25 years of experience in prominent restaurants in Turkey and Greece before opening his own Eren’s Grill in Fairfield. He opened Sofra to be closer to home and his family.

Chef hails from Adana, Turkey’s fourth largest city, located in the south where the Seyhan River meets the Mediterranean. One of the oldest cities in the world, it’s a major agricultural area and known for its distinctive cuisine, specifically the “Adana Kebabi,” a unique dish comprised of hand-minced meat prepared with a special knife called a Satir that closely resembles a machete. Authenticity is paramount as Chef remains true to his roots using the skills and techniques so prevalent in his country. So determined is he to do this, that many ingredients are imported directly from Turkey, some from Adana specifically. 


15 Spots to Celebrate Father's Day in CT (2024 Edition)

Features Father's Day

Hannah Goodman

This Father’s Day is about to be one filled with love, celebration, and of course, great food! It might be time to buy Dad a bigger belt because all throughout Connecticut you’ll find great holiday brunch, dinner, and cocktail specials that are sure to make all the dads in your life beam with pride. Whether they are looking forward to just kicking back and relaxing with a glass (or two) of award-winning whiskey with no-hassle takeout that is pre-ordered and chef-curated or dressing up and hitting the town for a three- or four-course meal, this guide has it all. Make this Father’s Day a delicious one and dads and father-figures alike will be full ‘til next year! 


Celebrate Father's Day in CT: Local Foodie Gifts, Spirits, & Dining Guide

Features Father's Day Events Holiday Homepage

Carly Terzigni

Summer is upon us, the grills are firing up, and temperatures are climbing. That can only mean one thing – it’s almost time for Father’s Day! With the holiday right around the corner, you might be in the midst of finalizing your weekend plans. If those plans include treating Dad to a nice day out, why not take him to some of the best restaurants Connecticut has to offer? From steakhouses to vineyards, there is a foodie spot in the state for every Dad to enjoy this weekend. Staying in and having Dad come over for some barbecue? A few businesses listed in this guide also offer take-home options that make great gift ideas. 

Make sure to book those reservations if you have not done so already. Happy Father’s Day to all you Dads out there!


20 Spots to Celebrate Father's Day in CT (2022 Edition)

Features Holiday Father's Day

April Guilbault

He’s cheered, he’s listened. He has tied laces, schlepped sports equipment like a sherpa traversing the highest peaks, dried tears, cooked meals, braided hair, taught you how to dance (or not), helped guide you on the finer points of catapult construction for your physics class, riddled you with Dad jokes until you just couldn’t listen to one more, moved you into dorms, schooled you on dating and not making a fool of yourself in front of the world, helped you move into your first apartment, even wore a tutu.

Raise a glass, give a hug, this fellow deserves it.


Celebrate Dad! Father's Day Specials Across Connecticut: (2020 Edition)

Features Father's Day

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

It’s hard to believe it’s June- and Father’s Day is right around the corner! Although restaurants have been given the green-light to resume indoor dining on June 17th, many of Connecticut’s eateries and caterers are still offering delicious takeout, curbside, and delivery options for Dad. Here is a guide to some of the Father’s Day specials that you can find across the state.


30+ CT Restaurants, Farm Dinners & Special Events for Father's Day 2019

Features Father's Day Special Occasion Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Last month we celebrated Mom... now it's time to celebrate Dad!  Connecticut restaurants, breweries, wineries, and caterers are getting creative with special ways to honor fathers.  From al fresco feasts to beer dinners to vineyard festivals to BBQ, here is a list of over 30 places with celebrations on Father's Day and Father's Day weekend.  Be sure to make your reservations now.  Seats fill up quickly!

Goshen Stampede, Goshen: Just in time for Father’s Day, the 14th Annual Goshen Stampede takes place from June 14th - 16th at The Goshen Fair Grounds.  There will be live music, demolition derbies, truck pulls, rodeos, barrel racing, music, rides, food, and more.

Bear’s Smokehouse @ Alvarium, New Britain: Alvarium and Bear's Smokehouse are teaming up for Father’s Day.  Bear's Smokehouse will serve up the best authentic Kansas City Barbeque on the patio while Alvarium pours brews to go with the meal. 

Untiled Bistro @ Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford: On, Sunday, June 16 treat Dad with a special Jazz Brunch.  There are two seatings available: 10:30am & 12:30pm.  In addition to live music by Sarah Rose Nunes and Joe Carter, tickets include a buffet, museum admission, and one complimentary bloody mary or mimosa. 

Match & Match Burger Lobster, Norwalk & Westport: Match and Match Burger Lobster will be open on Sunday 6/16 and serving their regular menus.


Eren’s Grill: Regional Turkish Cuisine in Fairfield CT

Delicious Dives Fairfield Middle Eastern Turkish Lunch Kid Friendly

Elizabeth Keyser

The first thing I noticed when I walked into Eren’s Grill was the neatness and precision of the refrigerator case.  Platters of perfectly aligned kebabs await the grill. Bowls of bright-red-hued eggplant-tomato salad and  pale, fluffy humus.  Glistening rows of dark-green stuffed grape leaves.  Then Eren, a young man wearing chef’s white’s embellished with the Turkish flag, stepped out from the open kitchen and proudly started telling me about his fresh and homemade food.

Fairfield’s new and only Turkish restaurant is a small joint in a strip mall. With just a few tables, it does a lot of take-out and catering. Whether eat-in or take-out, it’s a welcome addition to the Tunxis Hill section of Fairfield, a neighborhood that could use more good food. And the food here is good: fresh and full of flavor.  Ottoman cuisine has a long and noble history, and Eren – who was head chef of the Athens’ Tike, an international group of Turkish restaurants in places like London, Cyprus and Kiev -- for 8 years -- is proud to put his signature on it. “I want to play a little,” he says.


Bereket Turkish Restaurant "2" Opens in Bridgeport

Restaurant Bridgeport Delicious Dives Middle Eastern Turkish

Stephanie Webster

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Last spring we told you about Bereket, an tiny authentic Turkish eatery tucked behind a gas station in Bridgeport.  This fortuitous find primarily offered takeout, but if you were lucky enough to get one of the 3 small tables, you were served food worthy of an Ottoman emperor. While we loved hiding out behind the Citgo station, we were pleased to hear that owner Selahattin Cinar had moved his very reasonably priced menu and talented cooks to a much larger space in Blackrock (the old Helados Vazquez). With an upgraded interior worthy of the excellent fare, Selahattin can now focus on the customer experience...and a more gracious host you've never seen. Warm up your car for a quick departure to Bridgeport. 


Bereket Turkish Restaurant: Istanbul in Bridgeport

Restaurant Bridgeport Delicious Dives Turkish Vegetarian

Stephanie Webster

It's been 24 hours since I left Bereket, a tiny hole in the wall Turkish restaurant located behind a Citgo station on Bridgeport's Main Street. As I write this I wonder, is it too soon to go back? 

Bereket has been dubbed by people in the know as Fairfield County's best kept secret, and I finally understand what all the fuss is about. Mind you, this place is not fussy. Hidden beside of the gas station's mini mart, Bereket's small dining space has only 3 tables and boxes of Turkish beverages and pantry staples lining the walls. But what this single room Turkish delight lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in the quality, freshness, and flavor of the food. 

Owner Selahattin Cinar has been in business for 6 years, and chats with customers while holding court in the kitchen preparing a steady stream of take-out orders. He greeted us warmly as we walked in, and we were relieved to find that he spoke enough English to answer questions and help us navigate their extensive menu. When we asked what was good, we were led to a display case filled with cold mezes (appetizers) and kebabs awaiting the heat, and simply told, it's all good. And it was.