CT Guide To Raw Milk: Why Raw and Where To Buy in CT? Features Ingredients Ingredients Farm to Table CT Farms Local Farm Luke Shanahan April 19, 2018 I submit that raw milk might just be the most real of all foods. Start with the fact that milk is the only food created specifically to feed something. (Honey doesn’t count, as the pollen honey is made from has its own agenda.) Synonymous with nourishment, raw milk is the first food most human beings—all mammals—ingest. And raw milk, for it to be free of any off flavors and to be safe to drink, requires painstaking care to produce. Every little step in the process matters.The subtle and intricate flavors in raw milk, the very opposite of the one-note flavor of pasteurized milk or, worse, the waxy cardboard taste vacuum of skim, come from the undenatured biocomplexity in unpasteurized milk. When I read chemists-for-hire claiming, on behalf of big commercial dairy, that there isn't that much nutritional difference between pasteurized and raw, I choose to trust my palate. Well, my palate and the biochemists who say that the difference is real and considerable. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for April 22-29 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 18, 2018 Stratford Restaurant Week will take place from April 22-28. Participating restaurants include neighborhood favorites like Riverview Bistro, The Beach House Grill, Outriggers, Joey C’s, Paradise Pizza, The Lazy Dog Tavern, Kama Sushi, and more. Food Rescue US, the direct-transfer food rescue organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in America, is thrilled to present their signature fundraising event, Food for All on Wednesday April 25.Visit Ambler Farm on Saturday April 28 for a Spring Pancake Breakfast from 11am-12:30pm. Plus, catch up with the farm animals, do a fun spring-themed craft, and watch the sheep have their wool shorn in preparation for warmer weather. It is $15 per adult and $5 per child. On Monday April 23, L’escale will host a wine dinner featuring Pago de Carraovejas. The meal will include dishes like Grilled Lamb Chop, Heritage Pork Loin, Octopus “Escabeche,” and more. It costs $85 per person.Join Matt Storch at Match Restaurant in South Norwalk and tune in LIVE to watch Matt battle it out on The Food Network's Chopped. It all goes down April 24th with a full evening's line up events. Read More
Watch Chef Matt Storch Live on Food Network's Chopped April 24th Features Events Stephanie Webster April 13, 2018 Join Matt Storch at Match Restaurant in South Norwalk and tune in LIVE to watch Matt battle it out on The Food Network's Chopped. It all goes down April 24th with a full evening's line up events. CTbites and Ken Tuccio will be in the house at 9:15 with a live podcast. At 9:00pm Match will host their late night happy hour including a Broken Shed Vodka Chopped Competition where YOU get to be the JUDGE. At 10pm they will fire up the huge screen and projector to view the premiere of the episode. Make your reservations now! Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of April 15 to 22 Features Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 12, 2018 Melt Mobile has added a new truck to the fleet. “Earl” can now accommodate up to 500 people (50 Minimum). www.melt-mobile.com/catering.The Spread in Sono & Greenwich have a NEW Happy Hour Monday-Friday 4:30-6:30pm, $6 cocktails, wine & beer, and Chef Carlos' tasty snacks. Bartaco is introducing new dishes this month! Visit them for gazpacho, blistered shishito peppers, a chicken pastor taco and rice bowl, duck quesadilla, and more.Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, famous for its New Haven-style pizzas, has launched its first ever loyalty program, Pepe’s Rewards. Pepe’s fans can earn one point for each dollar spent and members who collect 250 points will receive a $20 gift to use toward Pepe’s iconic pizza pies. Additionally, members will be gifted a $15 credit on their birthday and will receive a variety of special promotions along the way. https://frankpepesrewards.myguestaccount.com/guest/Washington Prime will host a Duckhorn Vineyards Wine Dinner on April 17. The SoNo location invites you to a 5 course wine pairing dinner for $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. http://washingtonprimect.com/events/wp-sonoButchers & Bakers in Farmington is opening its patio! Join them on Thursday April 19 when they debut the outdoor space. There will be live music from Dangerous Play, $3 Salute American Vodka cocktails, $2 Bud and Bud Light, $5 Cheese Pizzas, and 50 cent wings!On Thursday April 19, Fairfield Cheese Company, Cato Corner Farm, and Kent Falls Brewery are teaming up for cheese class. It costs $50 per person and runs from 7-9pm. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/farmhouse-cheeses-with-cato-corner-tickets-43209806695Newbrook Kitchen + Market has announced new dates for its popular 6-course tasting dinners! On Friday April 20, join them for a “Southern Comfort” menu featuring Shrimp & "Grits," Fried Chicken Livers, "Corn Bread" & Tomato Salad, Pulled Pork Biscuit Dumpling, Crab Cake & Brussels, and Carrot Cake. https://www.newbrookkitchen.com/shop-1 Read More
It's A Woman's World: Annie Farrell, Sustainable Farmer, Millstone Farm Features CT Farms Local Farm Interview CTbites Team April 10, 2018 Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us. Our new series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow. How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature Annie Farrell, a pioneer in sustainable farming, and farmer at Millstone Farm in Wilton CT. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com. Read More
WIN FREE TIX to the Third Annual Connecticut Blind Beer Awards Features Events CTbites Team April 09, 2018 The Blind Rhino will host the Third Annual Connecticut Blind Beer Awards on Saturday, April 21st, from 1pm – 5pm, in Norwalk CT. Only 100 tickets are available and they can be purchased here.TO WIN 2 FREE TICKETS ($100 value) to the CT Blind Beer Awards, tell us why you NEED to attend this event below. We will select a winner on Thursday, April 19th. The Connecticut Blind Beer Awards is a unique beer tasting-experience, hosted by Ken Tuccio, where hype and bias are eliminated and beer drinkers decide what they like based solely on the liquid. Read More
Recap: Beers & Bites at Half Full Brewery with Knot Norms and Hapa Food Truck Features Homepage Dinner Events Beer Dinner CT Beer CTbites Invites Andrew Dominick April 05, 2018 Did you ever hear the one about the food truck chef and the restaurant chef at a local brewery? Wait, that’s a real thing. There’s no punchline. What I’m talking about here is the first ever Beers & Bites event that was held on April 5, 2018 at Half Full Brewery in Stamford. Beers & Bites is a collaboration between CTbites, Half Full Brewery, local food trucks and chefs. The idea behind Beers & Bites is to team a food truck chef and a restaurant chef to collaborate on a menu that gets paired with Half Full’s thirst-quenching brews. Think of it as a beer dinner where you won’t leave feeling overstuffed; it’s just enough food and drink. For $50 you get four-courses, four beers (refills were common so it’s a little more than four), a commemorative Beers & Bites snifter glass, and a damn good time in a non-pretentious, not overcrowded taproom. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For April 8-15 Features News Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 05, 2018 Fortina now has a new happy hour every day! Plus, during the month of April, say the magic word- “boom”- to your server, and get 50% off a pizza of your choice. Limit one per table.Beloved Heibeck’s Stand will officially open in Wilton on Tuesday April 10.Stony Creek Brewery in Branford will host the first ever showing of the No Man's Land Film Festival on Tuesday April 10. The No Man's Land Film Festival is an all-female adventure film festival based out of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Doors open at 6pm and a $10 admission donation goes to the CCAP o advance cycling for girls in Connecticut. Visit the Tasty Yolk during the month of April for the “Wilburrito 2.0” special. The breakfast offering consists of Cochinita Pernil (pulled pork), cheddar cheese, 2 eggs, and guacamole.On Tuesday April 10, Fairfield Cheese Company will hold “Cheese 101,” their popular class covering cheese basics. Learn about cheese-making, storage, and serving and taste an assortment of cheeses alongside complementary wines. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online. Read More
CTbites Joins Cinco de Mayo Block Party, Taco & Margarita Competition w/ Ken Tuccio Features Events Stephanie Webster April 04, 2018 Ken Tuccio is teaming up with Don Carmelo’s Mexican Grill in Norwalk CT for CINCO, an all day block party event, going down on Saturday May 5th at Don Carmelo’s. This event kicks off at 12pm and goes all day and it is absolutely loaded with events and activities.This block party is also going to feature two separate culinary competitions featuring some of Fairfield County’s best restaurants.At 2pm there will be a Best Taco Contest, during which four restaurants will battle to see who can create the best taco. The competing restaurants are Don Carmelo’s, El Segundo, Saltwater Restaurant and Chef Carol Koty, who has appeared on several Food Network programs. A panel of some of Connecticut’s best known food experts will be doing the judging (including CTbites)!At 5pm it’s margarita time, when Don Carmelo’s, The Blind Rhino, Washington Prime and The Spread battle it out in a Best Margarita Contest! The judging panel consists of Teresa DuFour from WTNH’s CT Style, Esther Katro from Fox 61, Lora and Bev from Unlocking Connecticut and James Gribbon from CTBites! Read More
Tix On Sale May 1st for Chef Tim LaBant's 2018's Farm to Fork Dinners at Millstone Farm Features Farm to Table Farm Dinner CT Farms Stephanie Webster April 03, 2018 Chef Tim LaBant and The Schoolhouse At Cannondale have released the schedule for the 2018 season’s Farm to Fork dinners. Tickets go on sale May 1st...and they go fast! Check out the schedule below.Four locally sourced courses served family style under the stars (weather permitting). Beginning at 6 pm, Cocktail hour (drinks included), Farm Tour and Dinner (BYOB) by Wilton's own, Chef Tim LaBant of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale. Location: Millstone Farm, Wilton, CT.Dinner is BYOB starting at around 7 pm and is four courses, family style. Read More
Ivy’s Gourmet Offers Completely Unique Granola You'll Want To Eat All Day Features Ingredients Ingredients Local Artisan Breakfast Sarah Green April 03, 2018 Move over, all you factory-produced, sugar blasted, oat-heavy granolas - there’s a new-chew in town. It’s just about that time of year when your pantry could use a purge so make some room for Sarah Tamm’s small-batch delights; time to stock up on IVY’S GOURMET granola. With a predominance of fruits, seeds and nuts as the base for all her granola blends, Tamm uses dynamic spice combinations to brighten the palette and creates interesting flavor profiles - both sweet and savory. Sure, you can purchase Chocolate Almond or Cinnamon Raisin if the “norm” is what rolls your oats. But why not be daring and try something out of the ordinary? Curry Cashew, by chance? Strawberry Rosewater? Sarah Tamm has created bold and satisfying artisanal granola, sold in several sizes from snack to bulk. Read More
Oreo Vodka To Be Released This Spring in CT Test Market Features News Stephanie Webster April 01, 2018 This just in from the folks that make the most deliciously addictive cookie in the supermarket snack aisle. The innovation team at Oreo has made some pretty incredible brand extensions in the past few years, including; Oreo O's breakfast cereal, Oreo ice cream, Oreo Jell-O, Oreo pudding crust, cake mix, frosting, brownies, granola bars, and candy...not to mention the wildly popular limited edition Oreo flavors that scroll by on your Instagram feed every few months. Yesterday, Oreo announced a very exciting brand extension/partnership with Smirnoff Vodka. Wait for it people...OREO VODKA!! No longer will beverage and cookie lovers have to get their buzz on separately. What does it taste like? We don't know yet, as we haven't managed to get our hands on a bottle. However, CT is one of 14 test markets across the country, so keep your eyes open at your local liquor story. If you find it, let us know. Happy drinking!Photo courtesy of @WrecklessEating Read More
It's A Woman's World: Greer Fredericks, Restaurateur & Owner, Peaches Features Interview Interview Chef Talk Best of CT Homepage CTbites Team March 29, 2018 Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us. Our new series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow. How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature Greer Fredericks, Owner of Peaches in Norwalk. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com. Read More
Giveaway! WIN FREE TIX to East Coast Brew Festival June 16th Features Events Giveaway Stephanie Webster March 28, 2018 GoodWorks Entertainment presents their second annual craft beer festival. From the same people that brought you Flavour Beer Festival, get ready for EAST COAST BREW FESTIVAL. ECBF will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 2 PM until 5 PM at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company (70 Sanford Street in Fairfield, Connecticut).CTbites is GIVING AWAY 2 FREE TICKETS to East Coast Brew Festival. To win, tell us WHY YOU NEED TO GO in the comments section below, and make sure you are a CTbites Newsletter Subscriber! Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For March 31-April 6 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 28, 2018 April is National Grilled Cheese month, and Fairfield Cheese Company is celebrating with a class called “Beyond Kraft Singles: Grilled Cheese.” Join them on Tuesday April 3 from 7-9pm. It costs $50 per person. Jesup Hall is launching their new Happy Hour Tuesday April 3rd. Dimitrios Zahariadis from Litchfield Distillery and Highland Brass Company will be joining Craig Ventrice behind the bar serving specialty cocktails, snacks, burgers and more! The Happy Hour will run Tuesday-Friday from 5-6pm.Food and drink meets art at Brother Jimmy’s on Tuesday April 3. The New Haven location is extending their happy hour specials and hosting a Paint Night from 7:30-9:30pm. $25 and tax includes the canvas, easel, paint, brushes, and apron. Brewport is honoring First Responders on Tuesday April 3 from 3:30-5:30pm. Show your badge and get some pizza on the house.On Friday April 6, Chef Joel Viehland is teaming up with Pam Yung, Louise Bannon, and Cortney Burns for a “Friends of Swyft” collaboration dinner. Swyft is located at 3 Maple Street in Kent and reservations can be made online through Resy. Read More
Mrs. Leonard’s Naked Ham with Maple Pecan Bacon Glaze Recipe Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Stephanie Webster March 27, 2018 Stew Leonard’s Naked ham is sourced from local farms in Pennsylvania and is antibiotic and hormone free. Mrs. Leonard loves to serve her Easter ham with a sweet glaze that includes maple syrup and brown sugar, making this dish a delightful combination of sweet and salty. She has shared her recipe below, but don't feel like you need to save this dish for Easter. Ham is great any day! Read More
Food Rescue US Hosts Food for All Fundraiser April 25 with 20+ Chefs Features Events CTbites Team March 23, 2018 Food Rescue US, the technology-fueled, direct-transfer food rescue organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in America, is thrilled to present their signature fundraising event, Food for All. Food for All has become one of Fairfield County's most popular strolling, eating events and this year features the hottest restaurants and artisans on the local dining scene. Exclusive Cocktail Hour (5:30pm-6:30pm) tickets are $250 and include access to private pre-event cocktails and food presented by Chef Bill Taibe of Kawa Ni, Jessup Hall and Whelk. Tickets to the cocktail hour also cover general admission for the rest of the evening. General Admission tickets are $125. Tickets can be purchased here.Featured Restaurants: Kawa Ni, The Spread, Knot Norms Catering, Village Social, Match Burger Lobster, Taproot, Abigail Kirsch. Amis Trattoria, Harlan Haus, Bar Zepoli, Bobby Q’s, Beach House, Flinders Lane, My Myx Kitchen, Roger Sherman Inn, Saltwater Sono. Read More
Friday Froth: Taking New England Out Of Hazy IPAs Features Beer CT Beer Ingredients James Gribbon March 23, 2018 Lately I've been doing some studying up on hops, which is - naturally - why I'm going to start this week's column off by being mad at yeast. I am comprehensively sick and tired of unfiltered IPAs; exhausted and at my wit's end trying to find an existing beer I can rely on to not look like milky pond water upon its exit from the can. Unsightly floating clumps, and my beer burning my throat, aren't even the biggest irritations. The worst is the style has had, until just now, "New England" in its name. Thankfully this week the Brewers Association has officially renamed it "Hazy or Juicy IPA." The BA's Beer Style Guidelines are effectively the AP style book of beer writing, and they've relegated the defacto descriptor of juice-bombs to the backseat. Hooray for the BA, and death to trub, amen. Read More
It's A Woman's World: Bloodroot's Noel Furie & Selma Miriam Features Interview Chef Talk Chef Interview CTbites Team March 22, 2018 Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us. Our new series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow. How'd they do it? Read on. This week, our focus turns to Noel Furie and Selma Miriam, Owners of Bloodroot feminist restaurant. Have a suggestion on someone you’d like to see featured? Email steph@ctbites.com. Read More
Norwalk Now: Norwalk Businesses Unite To Bring You The Best of Norwalk (sponsored post) Features Norwalk CTbites Team March 22, 2018 Introducing Norwalk Now: Norwalk Now is a collaborative marketing group comprised of Norwalk businesses who have come together to bring you their city – in real time. Founder, Linda Kavanagh shares the vision behind this exciting new marketing collective. Every time I crack an egg open I can’t resist the temptation of putting forth my only-funny-to-myself impersonation of Julia Child a la “The French Chef -Elegance with Eggs” episode. She makes a mundane omelet worthy of an elegant dinner with an “added green salad, crusty bread, and white wine.” From the black and white TV cooking show days of this culinary grande dame to our current day food culture.A visit to the coastal community of Norwalk and the restaurants of Norwalk Now proved to be a great place to illustrate the abundance of egg-centric preparations, a-typical and otherwise, finding their way onto our plates. Read More
