Celebrate Pride Month in Connecticut: Events, Bars, Restaurants & Specials Events Features Pride Month Pride Day Events Homepage Carly Terzigni May 31, 2023 June is here, and as we kick off the summer season, many take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate Pride Month. Pride Month is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its many contributions to our society and culture throughout history. It is typically observed in June, commemorating the Stonewall riots that took place in 1969. Since then, Pride has spread across the United States and even around the globe with parades and other special events all month long. Though you may see some cities celebrate Pride at other times of the year, June is when you will notice the highest volume of events.Here in Connecticut, several cities and towns will recognize Pride Month throughout June with limited-time menu items and special events, including drag brunches and dance parties. If you are looking for ways to commemorate Pride Month and raise a rainbow-colored glass to the LGBTQ+ community, keep reading to see what local events are happening around you throughout June. Read More
7 Spots for Happy Hour in New Haven: The "NEW" Happy Hour...Now With More Happy Features Restaurant New Haven Happy Hour Cocktails Bar Menu Happy Hour Deals Todd Lyon May 23, 2023 Are you suffering from restaurant sticker shock? Did you, on your last outing to a decent eatery, think about having the steak, then found out it cost $74 and ordered the $46 roasted chicken instead, and washed it down with the cheapest wine on the list at $18 a glass, which is more than you usually pay for an entire bottle at the corner packy?Happy hour is here to help. While not as grand as a multi-course dinner-dinner, happy hour is a wonderful eating-out alternative, offering yummy fun in great locations for not much loot. You just have to get used to, you know, eating (and drinking) on, um, the early side. Read More
CT Guide to Waterfront Dining: 75 + Restaurants With Water Views (2023 Edition) Features Restaurant Water View Waterfront Outdoor Dining Best of CT Dining Guide Highlight Homepage Carly Terzigni May 22, 2023 Warmer weather has finally arrived, meaning it is time to head outside and enjoy the many waterfront restaurants and bars the state of Connecticut offers. Whether you are craving a tasty seafood dinner or a refreshing cocktail, the state is filled with excellent restaurants with top-notch views of the water. Simply put, nothing says “summer” like waterfront dining, which is why we are back this year with a comprehensive guide to read through and decide where to grab lunch or dinner.For your convenience, we have broken the guide up into counties so you can easily find exactly what you are looking for, whether you want to dine somewhere local or try someplace new! And keep in mind, we are not just talking about Long Island Sound – Connecticut has several riverfront restaurants as well with equally beautiful views and delicious food, so we have those included here as well. Read More
PopUp Bagels Opens in Greenwich and More Expansion News Features Interview Bagels PopUp Bagels Greenwich Homepage Interview Andrew Dominick May 19, 2023 What began as a pandemic bagel baking hobby for Adam Goldberg has increased tenfold, and that’s putting it very lightly.PopUp Bagels kicked off three years ago when Goldberg and his cousin Jeff Lewis started making bagels for family and friends. Rave reviews led Goldberg to launching a backyard preorder pickup bagel biz that sold out time and time again. Read More
SAVE THE DATE for The Glass House Summer Party June 10th with Elm Restaurant Events Features Events Fundraiser CTbites Team May 17, 2023 The Glass House presents its annual Summer Party on June 10th from 12-4pm.The Glass House by Philip Johnson located in New Canaan, CT, is a world-renowned architecturally significant property and historic home. This fundraising event features art, dance, design, fashion, food, music, activations, and silent auction by ARTSY. The event celebrates 16 years as a historic site and museum and will benefit the preservation of the campus and collections. Read More
Chef Jeff Taibe Moves Taproot from Bethel to South Norwalk Features Interview Restaurant Taproot Jeff Taibe Norwalk Opening Interview Homepage Andrew Dominick May 17, 2023 South Norwalk, not counting its mainstay restaurants, tends to be a revolving door. One business goes out, some months pass, and another concept magically appears in its place.For Bruxelles Brasserie, known for its French – Belgian fare, this all happened a bit differently.Wait. Did I say Bruxelles? I surely meant Taproot. Or maybe I meant both… Read More
The "Bites" Family is Growing: HudVBites Launches from CTbites Writer Kristin L Wolfe Features CTbites HudVbites CTbites Team May 15, 2023 After falling in love with the Hudson Valley—CTbites writer/professor Kristin L. Wolfe wants to take what CTbites has done for the culinary world of CT and apply it to her new home. With countless farms, orchards, markets, restaurants, distilleries, breweries, bakeries, and confectioners Wolfe hopes HudVbites replicates the bold cheerleading support ctbites has had for its community. From areas like Beacon and New Paltz, to Kingston and Rhinebeck, to Hudson, Woodstock, and so many more, the Hudson Valley has no shortage of historic spots and brand new locations to explore. HudVbites hopes to bring readers and foodies the inside stories on chefs and their inspirations; details on craft and technique; info on grand openings and collaborations, and much much more. Like, Follow, and Please Stay Tuned. Find HudVbites on Instagram. Read More
The Blondinit: Israeli Restaurant Coming To Westport Features Westport Mediterranean Israeli Middle Eastern Opening Dan Woog May 09, 2023 If you want authentic Israeli food, go to Israel.Or Brooklyn.Soon though, dishes like shakshuka (poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce with vegetables and spices) and deep-fried matzo stuffed with cheese will be available in Westport.On, ironically, Church Lane, in Westport.The Blondinit will fill the space vacated this winter by Manna Toast. It’s the first restaurant venture for Solomon and Inda Sade, who own several other businesses already. Her background is in retail and fashion.But this is their passion project. They love food and entertaining. And they’re putting their money where their, um, mouths are: They’re funding it themselves.While not Israeli, the Sades have strong ties there. Solomon’s parents were born in Israel. His father had 10 siblings, his mother, 8.Growing up on Long Island, his family visited there every summer. More recently, he and his wife honeymooned in Israel.When COVID struck, they and their 1-year-old left New York for their second home in the Poconos. But after 6 months of boredom — “the event of the day was standing outside Walmart with rubber gloves,” Solomon recalls — they moved to suburban New Jersey.The Blondinit’s meats, pitas, pickled goods and beers will all be “authentic” from Brooklyn.It will be delivered fresh daily. The Sades will not use freezers or microwaves. All leftover food will be donated to pantries and food rescue organizations.Read the complete article on Dan Woog’s 06880. Read More
Beer Garden at Shippan Landing Opens for 2023 Season (via Hey Stamford!) Features Beer Garden Stamford Hey Stamford! May 08, 2023 This just in from Hey Stamford!A seasonal favorite in Fairfield County, the Beer Garden at Shippan Landing has officially re-opened for the 2023 season. Tucked away in Shippan Landing, a 17-acre office park located right on the water, the Beer Garden is an outdoor oasis with a rotating roster of craft beer, a variety of creative food trucks, live music, and a slate full of special events throughout the Spring, Summer and early Fall. Following their grand opening on April 21, The Beer Garden at Shippan Landing are currently opened Thursday 4PM – 10PM, Friday 4PM-12AM, Saturday 12PM-12AM, Sunday 12PM-9PM. The Beer Garden at Shippan Landing is located at 290 Harbor Drive. For more follow @beergarden_shippanlanding on Instagram or visit www.beeratthelanding.com Read More
Guide To Connecticut's Most Crave-Worthy Cookies Features Ingredients Restaurant Cookies Dessert Kid Friendly Sweets Best of CT Highlight April Guilbault May 08, 2023 Who doesn’t enjoy a cookie? Decadently giant or sublimely bite-sized, spanning traditional flavors of sugar, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter or new-fangled recipes that include everything but the kitchen sink. Sweet, sweeter, sweetest. Then there’s the Great Debate: chewy or crispy? Where do you land? Are you a dunker, a nibbler, or a late-night snacker? Cookies are the universal dessert and knowing where to get good ones makes life all the sweeter. Dunk away…Enjoy our sweet GUIDE TO THE BEST COOKIES IN CONNECTICUT. Read More
75+ CT Restaurants, Caterers & Events for Mother's Day (2023 Edition) Features Mother's Day Holiday Holiday Guide Homepage Carly Terzigni May 04, 2023 Flowers are blooming and temperatures are rising, which can mean only one thing – Mother’s Day is right around the corner! Flowers and hand-written cards aside, Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to treat that special person in your life to a memorable outing. Restaurants around Connecticut are preparing for the big day with special brunch and dinner menus that any mom would enjoy. Show that special mother, grandmother, aunt, wife, sister, cousin, friend, or any important “mom” figure in your life just how much you appreciate them by treating them to a special meal at any of the restaurants listed below. Just like our other dining guides, this one is organized into county so you can easily look up which local restaurants are offering a specialty Mother’s Day menu. Read More
Encore By GoodFellas: The Curtain Rises on Goodfellas’ Third Act in New Haven Restaurant Features New Haven Opening Todd Lyon May 03, 2023 The new Goodfellas is a knockout. At a soft opening for family and friends on April 19, Chef Gerry Iannaccone and partner Andrea Coppola showed off the dramatically reimagined and rebranded restaurant, now known as Encore by Goodfellas. New Haveners have been watching as the building at State and Trumbull slowly shifted shape; what was once an open-air patio on the roof became capped and clad, creating a sudden second floor. New signage went up, casting a golden neon glow. But none of us could have fathomed what was going on inside the building. Read More
Healthy Local Eats for Cinco de Mayo (Or Any Day) via Nutritionist Lori-Ann Marchese Features Cinco de Mayo Healthy Eats Nutrition Lori-Ann Marchese May 02, 2023 Lori-Ann Marchese is the Head Trainer of Body Construct and a licensed nutritionist. She has a few healthier options for local eats to try this Cinco De Mayo.Want to celebrate Cinco while keeping your fitness goals? We have hand selected a cocktail and dish from eight amazing CT restaurants with this in mind. Happy eating everyone! Read More
Argentine Asado Wood-Fired Outdoor Dining Event at Wakeman Town Farm June 2nd Events Features Events Pop-Up Dinner CTbites Team May 02, 2023 Don’t miss the unique opportunity to experience an authentic Argentine Asado Dinner at Wakeman Town Farm June 2nd @6:00 p.m., a wood-fired outdoor dining experience with Chef Pablo NealonThe “Argentine Asado” goes back to the mid-nineteenth century when the Gauchos roamed the Pampas. Today, it still holds many of those traditions every time a group gathers around the grill. Served outdoors and family style, it is the perfect social culinary experience. We guarantee it is unlike anything you have ever experienced at Wakeman Town Farm! This event is limited to first-come, first serve, and tickets will go quickly! If so, we may wind up adding an additional date. Read More
“Los Remolinos” Opens in Norwalk from Owners of Appetit Bistro Features Interview Restaurant Latin American Interview Colombian Venezuelan Mexican Opening Andrew Dominick April 29, 2023 With the recent news that Bruxelles Brasserie closed as of April 9 and will be taken over by Jeff Taibe and reopen as Taproot, French cuisine in South Norwalk has all but evaporated.But before the French-Belgian Bruxelles made this announcement, and at the beginning of 2023, Appetit Bistro, a more classic French restaurant, decided to switch things up, too.For Appetit’s owners, Edwin Montoya and chef Ismael Carias, whose Port Chester location is still going strong at eight years and counting, their concept simply didn’t catch on in SoNo despite seeing an initial boom of customers. Read More
CT Guide To Cinco De Mayo 2023 Events, Bars, Specials, & Catering Features Events Cinco de Mayo Mexican Cocktails April Guilbault April 28, 2023 What better way to kick off May than with a Cinco de Mayo FIESTA! Fruity, frosty or frozen Margaritas in a rainbow of flavors, tacos of every shape and size, gobs of perfectly creamy guacamole and…tequila. May 5th just happens to be a Friday this year, so let ‘er rip and party until the piñata hits the ground! Read More
CT's Dinners at the Farm Announces 2023 Season Tix On Sale! Features Events Farm Dinner Pop-Up Dinner Local Farm CTbites Team April 28, 2023 Chef Jonathan Rapp and the Farm Dinner team has announced the 2023 season for Dinners at the Farm! Join them and their friend Digga Schacht at his beautiful Hunts Brook Farm in Quaker Hill, CT for four magical dinners, July 27, 28, 29 & 30. Each night will feature a unique and delicious five-course menu showcasing the talents of cook and farmer paired with great wines, local beers, and homegrown music. A sensory extravaganza you won't want to miss. Oh, and, did we tell you it's four nights only? Get your tickets before they're gobbled up and get ready to celebrate the glorious summer season in all its finest.Score your tickets here. Read More
Brooklyn's Iconic Emmy Squared Pizza Coming to Westport?? We Think Yes Features Restaurant Pizza Burgers Westport Homepage Opening Stephanie Webster April 28, 2023 This news has NOT been confirmed by Emmy Squared, but we are watching the job boards and it looks like Emmy Squared is looking for staff for a NEW WESTPORT CT location!The iconic and much loved Emmy Squared is coming to Connecticut! Their first location opened in Williamsburg Brooklyn in 2016, co-founded by Emily Hyland and executive chef Matthew Hyland, They are known for their signature Detroit-style pizza, marked by its square shape, crispy bottom, fluffy dough, cheesy "frico" crust, and signature sauce stripes.Their famed double-stack burger, the Le Big Matt (served on a pretzel bun), was named ‘#1 Best Burger in Nashville’ by The Tennessean and Nashville Lifestyles, voted one of ‘The Best New Burgers In NYC’ by Gothamist, and listed as one of the ‘20 Best Burgers in NYC’ by The Infatuation. The menu also highlights a selection of approachable salads and sandwiches served on pretzel buns.Gaining critical claim and an ever-growing cult following, we have expanded the Emmy Squared brand with eight locations across New York City, Nashville, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Louisville and plans to expand nationally.And if you if you check out the job boards….they are coming to Westport! More details coming soon. Read More
Westport Farmers’ Market Opens for The 2023 Season May 11th Events Features Farmers Market CTbites Team April 28, 2023 Westport Farmers’ Market (WFM) is pleased to announce it will return to its home in the parking lot at 50 Imperial Avenue on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and continue every Thursday through early November. This year promises to be the best in the market’s 17-year history, with multiple programs operating under our “who grows your food” ethos.“Our emphasis on knowing who grows your food means we will see enhanced community-inspired programming, vendors, sponsors, and activities this year,” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, executive director of WFM. Read More
Guide To Kentucky Derby Events & Parties in Connecticut (2023 Edition) Features Kentucky Derby Events Holiday Cocktails Carly Terzigni April 27, 2023 What is considered by many to be the most exciting two minutes in sports is right around the corner. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby will once again take place at Churchill Downs, and fans across the country will don sportscoats and larger-than-life hats while sipping on mint juleps with the hopes of winning big. But even for the casual observer, the first Saturday in May is a great opportunity to gather with friends and family to enjoy a bite to eat and a sip of something refreshing.Restaurants across Connecticut are preparing for Derby Day, May 6th, with exciting lineups featuring menu specials, limited-time cocktails, live entertainment, and more. And yes, many will host contests to see who the best-dressed attendee will be. If you want to watch the big race on the biggest screen you can find, consider one of the restaurants listed below. They are sure to be filled with fellow spectators eager to watch the Run for the Roses. Read More