Red Mango, a Dallas based company offering 100% all-natural frozen yogurt will open its first Connecticut location in New Canaan at 125 Elm St.
Red Mango has a "real" yogurt taste more akin to Pinkberryvs. the more sugary versions found in many fro-yo venues these days. According to the Red Mango website, its frozen yogurt contains live and active cultures with no preservatives, artificial coloring, or preservatives. Its gluten-free yogurt uses only natual sweeteners and will offer an alternative to other frozen yogurts in the area that use high fructose corn syrup in their products. The standard flavors include the original Sweet and Tangy, a Pomegranate by POM, Madagascar Vanilla plus with an ever-changing special flavor, currently Cinnamon Apple Orchard at other locations.
A flurry of activity surrounds New Canaan’s Elm Streetas Chef/Owner Brian Lewis’ much anticipated elm restaurant is set to open in New Canaan in January 2012.
Elm will be a Modern American restaurant, “rooted in tradition and inspired by the seasons” featuring a 60 seat elegant dining room and 25 seats in the warm, casual bar area. A highlight of elm will be The Chef’s Kitchen Table, with seating for twelve as well as a separate Chef’s Tasting Bar with four seats, which will be etched into a semi-private nook overlooking the heart of Brian’s kitchen. Together, the food, wine, hand-crafted cocktails and exceptional service will embody both luxury and comfort; a destination perfect for everyday or your favorite occasion, filled with high energy, world class food and small town charm.
The hamburger scene in East Norwalk is experiencing a minor food fight. A few weeks ago Anthony Luciani, owner of Beach Burger was informed that his operating permit did not allow for interior seating. Once informed, Luciani immediately removed the stools and commenced the process of applying for the permit that would allow seated dining within the restaurant.
I visited Beach Burger and discussed the situation and the status with Luciani. He informed me that he is conscientiously working with the appropriate departments within Norwalk to obtain the “Full Service” restaurant permit that will allow the interior seating to return. While the permitting is being resolved, Luciani assured me that Beach Burger remains open for business serving some of the best hamburgers and shakes in the area.
Back by popular demand, the Thanksgiving inspired 2011 Station Eats Special Burger and Shake is a throwback to the 2010 offerings with its Turkey Burger plus the well-received Pumpkin shake. Station Eats will offer both of these treats in both October and November.
The 2011 Thanksgiving Turkey Burger contains a free range turkey patty, plus thick sliced bacon, cranberry aioli, a slice of sage, lettuce and tomato. The 2010 Thanksgiving turkey burger was not to my liking but Station Eats changed its purveyors and the current turkey burger itself is juicy with loads of flavor. I think it is a welcome change and I like this year’s edition. I continue to be a big fan of the Station Eats bacon and its addition to the turkey burger is delicious, plus I appreciate the crispy Romaine lettuce and plum tomatoes.
New Canaan continues to expand its reputation as a restaurant destination with the scheduled opening of L’Andana next month in the space formerly occupied by 50 Coins on Locust Ave. The Northern Italian inspired restaurant represents the newest addition to owner Allan Basaran’s list of culinary accomplishments, which currently includes Carpe Diem in New York City. Prior to opening Carpe Diem, Basaran was a Director at Le Caprice Restaurant at the Pierre Hotel, the Maitre d" at the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel and the Italian eatery Nello’s.
Significant renovations are currently in process and L’Andana will include a private dining room, a separate bar and chef’s table to complement the Northern Italian menu.
Earlier this summer CTBites published my list of Ten Recommended Hamburgers from Greenwich to Westport. Subsequent to the article I received numerous suggestions, both here and through my e-mail. I want to thank all of the passionate hamburger lovers for some great options for me to try and I made every attempt to visit as many as I could.
With summer now officially behind us, I wanted to report back and add three destinations to my list of Recommended Hamburgers from Greenwich to Westport.
Brian Herlihy and Gina Douvas followed their passion for cooking by opening Kouzina, a Greek/Mediterranean restaurant in New Canaan featuring the best of their family recipes. This husband and wife team were raised in households where large family meals were a regular event (Gina in Astoria, Queens and Brian in Katonah), and each developed a love for cooking at an early age. After numerous trips to Greece with Gina, Brian fell in love with the cuisine and their vision took shape. After Brian retired from the Pound Ridge Police department their dream became a reality and in June the couple opened Kouzina on Forest Street in New Canaan. Originally envisaged as a specialty food store and market that would sell olives, olive oils (from Gina’s family farm in Patras, Greece), cheeses, artisanal breads and prepared foods; the project expanded and now features a restaurant.
One of the ultimate comfort foods, the Hamburger, has obtained main stream culinary acceptance during the past few years as evidenced by the inclusion of gourmet hamburgers on many restaurant menus and recently established restaurants dedicated to these gastronomic delights. On the forefront of this trend, Kory Wollins followed his dream and opened his first Burgers, Shakes & Fries on Delavan Avenue in the Byram section of Greenwich in 2007. The first time I entered the Greenwich location and spoke with Kory, we had an in-depth conversation about his product, his ambitions and our mutual love for great hamburgers. Years later I still thoroughly enjoy the BSF hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes at the Greenwich and Darien locations, and I have watched the passion that Kory brings to each of his restaurants.
That’s correct…the name ofFilling Station in New Canaan is transitioning to Station Eats as it expands into other towns in Fairfield County. And as this column mentioned last month, the new flavor concept for this month’s Special Burger and Shake is Southeast Asia with the Station Eats’ Korean Burger. To complement the Korean Burger, this month’s Special Shake is an All-American Loopie Doop Chocolate Chip Cookie Shake.
The August 2011 Filling Station Special Burger and Shake combine another full flavored hamburger with a sweet flavorful tribute to another of my favorite fruits with the “Steak Burger” matched with a sweet Cherry Shake.
The Steak Burger includes the Filling Station’s farm-raised hamburger topped with the newly introduced secret-recipe steak sauce, raw onions and tomatoes. Similar to last month’s BBQ Special, this month’s special delivers bold flavors to complement the mild organic beef. The FS steak sauce was developed over many months of experimentation to deliver a flavor profile that pays tribute to the Peter Luger Sauce’s vinegary-tomato based variety.
Start with a patty of locally raised (Roxbury, CT) grass-fed beef. Throw in some bacon-cheddar sauce and sweet and sour onion jam. House it all on a caramelized onion brioche bun. And don't forget those fries.
No, this is not a new burger joint, this is Match's new Thursday Night Burger offer and CTbites was there for its beefy birth.
CTbites sent burger guru, "jfood," into the kitchen with Match Restaurant's Chef Matt Storch to develop this recent menu addition. From concept to reality, we bring you the new Match (SONO) Hamburger. Here's how it went down.
The Fourth of July is finally here and grilling season is in full swing. CTBites has been taking advantage of this wonderful time of year by undergoing a broad sampling of burgers from the coastal towns of Fairfield County CT. We are pleased to present our dining guide to the “Ten Recommended Burgers from Greenwich to Westport.” We know we have some more eating to do. Part 2 coming soon.
The Blue Cactus Grill is a hamburger and sandwich shop off the beaten path in Norwalk, up the street from the Norwalk Hospital. Vic Amereno, the owner, brings 20+ years of experience overseeing kitchens in Connecticut and Arizona to this location where he prepares southwestern influenced fare. Hamburgers, cheesesteaks (beef or chicken), wraps, salads, and other assorted sandwiches complement his house made potato chips, lemonade, iced tea and a delightful “cactus slaw.”
Vic’s hamburger is the star of the menu. Blue Cactus begins with a daily delivery of a 70/30 blend of beef sourced from Omaha Beef Company in Danbury, based on a 50-year old recipe that has changed little in the interim.
The Dine with Design event at the Philip Johnson House in New Canaan was an amazing food tasting extravaganza for people who enjoy spectacular food and architecture. Nestled amongst the architectural brilliance of the late Philip Johnson Glass House estate, five renowned farm-to table chefs shared their culinary talents with several hundred guests.
This fall, the New Canaan culinary landscape will welcome an exciting addition with the opening of elm, a new restaurant by Chef Brian Lewis. Chef Lewis has cultivated strong relationships with local growers and producers and looks forward to bringing his seasonally inspired, modern American cuisine to New Canaan. Lewis is especially thrilled to be opening his first restaurant in New Canaan, a town where he once lived and was married to his wife Dana.
CTBites is proud to announce that over the next few months Chef Lewis and elm will be the subject of an exclusive “Behind the Scenes” series chronicling the various aspects of bringing this much-anticipated restaurant to town including interior renovations and design as well as at-the-farm interviews as Brian visits local area farms in preparation for opening day.
The June 2011 Filling Station Special Burger and Shake are a tribute to the upcoming summer season with a backyard favorite Chili Cheeseburger and a delicious Strawberry Maple Waffle Shake.
The Chili Cheeseburger includes the Filling Station’s farm-raised meat topped with cheese, their house-made chili, lettuce, and tomato. The “chili” is the Filling Station’s Sloppy Joe, which was developed in-house after significant research and development and includes BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, vinegar and several other ingredients to allow for a sweet and sour combination that nicely complements the flavors in the organic meat. The lettuce adds a nice crispy element, the tomato accents the tomato-ey based chili and the cheese is an essential part of any hamburger, in my opinion. The lightly toasted bun is still a favorite with a light exterior crunchy and the soft interior. I enjoyed this burger and it is a good way to start to the upcoming summer months.
In less than two weeks, June 11th from 12:00-3:00 pm, five of America’s most inspirational Farm to Table chefs will converge at the late Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan to prepare their visionary seasonal creations. The much anticipated Dine with Design – An Outdoor Celebration of Farm-to-Table Cuisine event includes several of the outstanding Chefs featured in the cookbook “Harvest to Heat – Cooking with America’s Best Chefs Farmers and Artisans.” The legendary Chef Michel Richard of Central Michel Richard in Washington DC and Michel in Washington, DC and McLean, VA; Chef Lee Chizmar of Bolete restaurant in Allentown, PA.; Chef Brian Lewis, co-creator of the Bedford Post, whose new restaurant, elm, opens this fall in New Canaan ; Chef Bill Taibe of LeFarmrestaurant in Westport; and Chef Derek Wagner of Nicks on Broadway in Providence, RI will each create a spectacular luncheon cuisine to delight the palate of all who attend.
Every so often the fine art of sampling in grocery stores uncovers a delicious new product. While shopping last week in Fairway Market in Stamford I stumbled across a local business, You&Me Cookie, that is creating three scrumptious versions of old-time favorite cookie recipes: the original Chocolate Chip, a Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Chunk, and a modern version of an old-fashioned Oatmeal Raisin. I sampled and loved all of the varieties. With one bite I knew I had an obligation to let our readers know that You&Me Cookies are now available in Fairfield County. After two years of successfully selling through specialty stores in Westchester County, co-owners Heather Mahland and Kyle deLasa have expanded their distribution with the addition of Walter Stewarts in New Canaan, and Plum Pure Food, Starlight Café at the YMCA and Caffé Bon in Greenwich.
This month’s Special Burger and Shake at the Filling Station in New Canaan celebrates Cinco de Mayo by offering a departure from its traditional hamburger ingredients. The May 2011 Special pairs a Chorizo Burger with the Special Shake of the Month, Dulce de Leche. The former combines the spiciness of a house made chorizo patty with the mild flavors of queso fresco, lettuce, tomato and house-made lime cilantro crema, while the latter adds a different ingredient to its Dulce de Leche interpretation.