The countdown to Cinco De Mayo has begun, and Red Lulu is taking over Sono for a Cinco De Mayo block party. Eat, drink and dance all day with no cover charge at this Cinco celebration, complete with live bands, Mexican eats, and of course...tequila! The parking lot across the street from Red Lulu will be shut down for the day for maximum festivity. Here are the details:
I've said this before, but espressoNEAT, in my biased opinion, serves the best espresso in Fairfield County. Located in Darien, their baristas are well trained experts, and their devotion to their craft is obvious from the first sip of any of their coffee based beverages. Here's the info on their next home brewing class on Thursday May 31st.
Do you like the coffee you get at NEAT? Did you know you could enjoy that coffee without even leaving your house? No, we’re not starting a delivery service, but we are relaunching an educational series that will equip you to make a stellar cup of coffee in the comfort of your own home and bathrobe. We’ll guide you in the fundamentals of buying, storing, grinding, and brewing and help you get the best at home as well as at NEAT.
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Class size is limited to 8 people for maximum learning and tasting.
Email education (at) espressoNEAT.com or ask someone NEAT to sign up.
$10/person, includes 10% off whole bean coffee & Clever brewers after class.
Check back here to find out about upcoming dates!
Thursday, May 31 @ 7:00PM : Brew Methods Class
We recently reported on Valencia Luncheria's highly anticipated expansion plan which has this Fairfield County arepa haven moving down the street to a significantly larger location at 164 Main Street in Norwalk. Regulars wondered if the new place would retain the just stepped off the Venezuelan beachside charm of Valencia 1.0, a tiny spot whose uniquely delicious menu has won over locals as well as Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Loyal patrons need not fear. Owner, Michael Young, recently toured CTbites around the new Valencia Luncheria, and all of the rustic and reclaimed touches, bright colors, and the signature wall of plantains, are still in the house. There are, however, some significant upgrades about which you'll want to know. Here's the rundown on what to look for in the new Valencia Luncheria, currently scheduled to open by the end of May.
Millstone Farm has just announced a few more workshops going on at their beautiful 75-acre working farm in Wilton, CT. For those unfamiliar with Millstone, heir focus is on rebuilding our food community through small scale agriculture, educational activities, and events. Millstone raises pastured heirloom breed sheep, pigs, and poultry, and grow vegetables for their CSA, local chefs, and family owned markets. They do wonderful events and workshops with top chefs and guest speakers. Here is the spring lineup including "Backyard Composting" and "Foraging & Cooking with Wild Edibles."
Jon Vaast is the talented chef at Dressing Room in Westport. He may be young but he has been in the kitchen for most of his adult life. Here are a few things you likely didn't know about this Fairfield County chef.
If you had unexpected guests arriving at your home for dinner in 1 hour, what would you whip up? I would run to the store and grab some strip steaks, some vegetables in season, got to make some mashed potatoes either roasted garlic or caraway, along with a few bombers of craft beer.
What is the last dish you cooked for yourself? Made some duck ragout with spinach linguine after lunch service today.
What are your guilty pleasures in terms of food? I’m a sucker for a burger and fries.
What ingredient could you not live without? Farm fresh eggs
SAVE THE DATE!! Join us at Fairfield County Eats on Thursday, April 26th for an evening of outstanding food, beer and wine...for a very good cause. This unique tasting event will take place at The Italian Center in Stamford with all proceeds directly supporting The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County's efforts to help end hunger in our community. The list of restaurants, caterers, and beverage purveyors participating in this event will surely make you salivate. @ $45 a person this is an event not to be missed. Check out the complete list of tasty vendors below:
Bodega Taco Bar is celebrating its first anniversary with a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. On Saturday, May 5th beginning at 12 noon Bodega will be serving up their popular "Hand Slapped Guacamole," Tasty Tacos and other signature dishes under the Bodega Big Top. Other highlights of the day will include a Pig Roast prepared in a custom built La Caja China Roasting Box and a “guacamole slapping” demo. Festivities lasting into the evening hours include tequila tastings, cocktail specials, live music and dancing.
Nes and Joseph Jaffre, owners of the Roger Sherman Inn in New Canaan, CT announced today that the Inn is hosting an event-‐packed recreation of the legendary Titanic’s last dinner on Saturday, April 14th. “Night to Remember” includes 7-course recreation of actual First Class menu while raising funds for American Red Cross.
Come on board the ‘U.S.S. Roger Sherman Inn’ as it commemorates the Titanic’s 100th anniversary. The Inn, known for its history and elegance, offers the perfect setting to host a luxurious evening that was the hallmark of the Titanic. Throughout the night, guests will relive the grandeur of the Titanic with a lavish champagne welcome, a seven-‐course dinner that recreates the final First Class menu, dancing to the music of the era with a wonderful string quartet and open bar.
Join Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant on March 31st for a special evening of food and celebration with Didi Emmons. Emmons, a chef, author, educator and former restaurateur will make a special appearance at Barcelona Fairfield to promote her IACP nominated cookbook Wild Flavors, One Chef’s Transformative Year Cooking from Eva’s Farm.
The cookbook features unusual food that is grown on a farm run by Eva Sommaripa, a renegade 70-year old farmer from southeast Massachusetts, who grows for a variety of notable chefs in New England.
The evening wil begin with a cocktail hour where guests will have to opportunity to meet with Emmons and peruse signed copies of her latest cookbook. In addition to Barcelona Wine Bar and Restaurant’s regular menu, we will be offering a special a la carte menu featuring specialties from Eva’s farm such as juniper berries, sunchokes, lovage, claytonia and other foraged and cultivated flavors prepared by Barcelona Wine Bar’s Culinary Director, Adam Halberg.
Live from CTbites global headquarters, Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant launches the CTbites Chef Demo Video series. Watch and learn people.
Matt Storch's recipe for Pomegranate-Orange Braised Boneless Beef Short Ribs With Pea Puree takes a classic winter dish and re-imagines it for spring with vibrant fresh peas. Get great tips as you watch Chef Storch review the basics of braising in this beautiful dish.
If you have a chef or recipe you would like to see on CTbites, let us know.
This just in from The Daily Westport...
WESTPORT, Conn. – More outdoor seating areas may be popping-up in downtown Westport this spring. On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a policy that allows the creation of pop-up cafes and pop-up seating along certain one-way streets.
This new policy will permit merchants along Main Street and other one-way roads to install on-street cafes or seating areas in converted curbside parking spaces outside their businesses. The policy was created by Planning and Zoning Commissioner Howard Lathrop and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jennifer Johnson, with help from Assistant Town Attorney Gail Kelly.
“If you look at the policy, we wanted to make it broad enough not to exclude retail businesses from doing this,” said Johnson after the meeting. “This will actually allow both pop-up cafes and pop-up seating.” --Vanessa Inzitari
On Tuesday, March 20th, the first day of spring, tickets will go on sale for the 2012 season of Outstanding In The Field. This year's dinner will take place at the Waldingfield Farm in Washington CT on September 15, 2012.
Outstanding in the Field visits orchards, beaches and vineyards. At Waldingfield Farm, we have a site where we can all be out standing in the field. The other meaning of Outstanding in the Field is outstanding as in the best. This year at Waldingfeild Farm, guest chef Joel Viehland of Community Table will return to prepare another late summer feast. Joel is truly one of the best.
"Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls." Their mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.
WHEN: Saturday September 15, 2012
WHERE: Waldingfield Farm, Washington, CT
PRICE: $220.00, Tickets can be purchased on their website.
WIN a FREE DINNER for TWO at Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar. Here's how..
You all did such a superior job with our recent cocktail contest, we decided to throw the gauntlet down once again. If your Cocktail name is selected, it will be featured on Barcelona Restaurant's new drinks menu & you will receive a FREE DINNER FOR TWO @ any Barcelona Restaurant (+ YOUR new cocktail).
"YOUR NAME HERE" Cocktail Recipe:
2 bar spoons of diced cucumber
½ oz. Simple Syrup
1 oz. Lime Juice
½ oz. St. Germain
1 oz. Vizcaya 12 yr. Rum
1 dash hellfire bitters
pimenton/sugar dipped cucumber slice
Post your submission below (include email) , or if you're shy, feel free to send it to us directly. Cocktail names must be submitted by March 31st.
This just in via WestportNow...
The ranks of new restaurants in Westport’s center are about to get bigger. Developer Robert Haroun said The Town Hall Restaurant will open in the basement space of his Old Town Hall at 90 Post Road East. The space years ago housed Westport police headquarters. He said the eatery, owned by Westporter Chad Whited, is scheduled to open in three or four months and will serve hamburgers, sandwiches, and casual food with a bar. Meanwhile, Haroun has applied for permits to erect a two-story building at 100 Post Road East, site of the former drive-up banking building, that will have 4,600-square feet on the first floor with basement storage of similar dimension.
Story courtesy of Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
CT residents will soon have two locations for Shake Shack's top notch burgers and dogs. Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) plans to bring its Shake Shack to New Haven in 2012. One of NYC’s most beloved gathering places, Shake Shack is a modern day "roadside" burger stand known for its delicious burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more.
Shake Shack’s New Haven home will be centrally located at 986 Chapel Street, across from the New Haven Green and kitty-corner to Yale’s Old Campus. Fall 2012 marks the start of the Shack-ademic calendar, with the new location opening its doors just as students return to campus.
Attention locavores or really anyone interested in getting farm fresh produce while supporting our local farming community. According to Analiese Paik of The Fairfield Green Food Guide, the 2012 Spring CSA's are open for registration and opening up new shares at several farms. This is your chance to share in our local harvest. Act fast however, these CSA's fill up quickly.
Click here to view the complete list of CSA's via the Fairfield Green Food Guide. along with detailed information on how to contact these farms and get started on a whole new way of enjoying farm to table food.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs are partnerships between an individual farm and a community of supporters, providing a direct link between the production and consumption of food. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower.
Thanks to everyone who submitted creative and amusing names for The Ginger Man's Cocktail Naming Contest, There were so many great names from which to choose but we are pleased to say we've got ourselves a winner.
Congratulations to Kate of StamfordNotes.com for her winning name..."Tipsy Tiger Lily." Kate will receive FREE BRUNCH FOR TWO @ The Ginger Man (complete with the newly branded cocktails).
Watch out for our upcoming CTBites Invite event at The Ginger Man featuring the Tipsy Tiger Lily...coming soon.
Happy and safe Cocktailing from CTbites.
Dinners at the Farm is back! For those of you who have yet to attend this wonderful culinary event, check out our write-up from 2009 or view our photo gallery from 2011. Order yourself some tickets for the upcoming season now! This is truly one of CT's most unique dining experiences.
For those of you new to the "farm dinner" concept, Dinners at the Farm is a series of benefit dinners that recreate a sense of connection to farming, cooking and eating. Plus you get to reconnect under the stars in a beautiful candlelit tent while eating a spectacular multi course meal.
Special Offer: Diners at the Farm is again offering $100 Thursdays and Sundays beginning now through mid-night March 30, 2012. Hurry the clock is ticking.
Support your local farming community and join us.
Join Fountainhead Wines and Fat Cat Pie Co. on March 3rd for an evening of Peterson wines with special guest Jamie Peterson, winemaker and next generational fixture at Peterson Winery in Dry Creek, Sonoma. Peterson Winery has an old world winemaking philosophy and a reverence for sustainable farming. The Peterson approach is to capture the essence of vintage and vineyard—a philosophy they call Zero Manipulation—with low tech, yet high touch, to produce wines of a place, wines with soul.
Fountainhead will be pouring an array of Zinfandel from the much heralded 2009 vintage along with a few other treats, including the superb Gravity Flow Syrah from vines high atop Bradford Mountain. Fred, Jamie's father, has pronounced the Zins from this vintage as some of the best in the last twenty years and guests will sample their way through these offerings accompanied by lovingly prepared cuisine from Fat Cat's chef de chez, Robert Herlihy.
