4 Reasons Taproot Should Be Your Next Dinner Out Features Bethel Farm to Table Homepage Lunch Celebrity Chef American Amy Kundrat August 27, 2017 Taproot is one of Fairfield County’s newest chef-driven restaurants. Jeff Taibe (Kawa Ni) and Steph Sweeney (Whelk, Jesup Hall) have teamed up to open the doors to a dining experience that combines a hyper local menu in a charming and down-to-earth setting. If you’re close, it's almost guaranteed to become a contender for a regular hangout spot. If not (but hey, Westport to Bethel is only 30 minutes), it is worth the drive. Thanks to a creative and seasonal menu, it's one of our new favorite spots. And here are just a few reasons why. Read More
Tix on Sale! Kitchen Crawl 2017 Culinary Fundraiser: 5 Fabulous Chefs/ Mixologists + 5 Designer Kitchens Features Events Stephanie Webster August 26, 2017 Experience 5 chefs in 5 designer kitchens...while helping to feed the hungry in our community. Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd annual Westport Kitchen Crawl.Here's how the Kitchen Crawl works. Guests purchase a $55 ticket and proceed to 5 different Westport houses, where chefs from The Spread, Mecha Noodle Bar, Match Burger Lobster, Rothbard's & Cask Republic will be cooking just for you. Cooking demos and specially prepared bites will be enjoyed alongside wine and beer provided and paired by Stew's Wines... all in spectacular designer kitchens. This year, the chefs are bringing their mixologists so get ready for some killer cocktails. Tickets sold out quickly last year, so don't wait too long to Purchase Tickets to Kitchen Crawl here. Read More
“Party in the Parking Lot" w/ Westport Farmers’ Market Sept. 14 Features Events Stephanie Webster August 25, 2017 For years the Westport Farmers’ Market has converted a non-descript parking lot at 50 Imperial Avenue into a weekly shopping extravaganza featuring local food and farmers, children’s, activities, music, and more. On Thursday evening, September 14th, the WFM will further transform that same lot into a not-to-be-missed “Party in the Parking Lot!” Just wait till you see the list of chefs! Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events & News For August 28- September 3 Features homepage Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 25, 2017 Join The Spread in Sono for a Labor Day Luau, featuring a pig roast and Captain Morgan cocktails September 3rd 5PM.On Friday September 1, sample over a dozen local and rare beers in Downtown New Haven's Historic 9th Square! During the event, participating pubs, bars, and restaurants will offer special food pairings and exclusive discounts. Tickets are $18 in advance, or $20 at the door. 21+ only. The place to be every Friday through October is the new Lachat Town Farm in Weston. Join them from 4pm -8pm and shop a great selection of vendors, food trucks, + live music. Vendors include: Dough Girls Wood Fired Pizza, Nutty Bunny, Sugar and Olives, Szabo's Seafood, The Granola Bar, The Green Grunion & Valencia Luncheria.Say cheese… and beer! On Monday August 28, Caseus Fromagerie Bistro in New Haven will hold a Beer and Cheese Pairing Class focusing on Belgian Beers. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased online. Read More
Mecha Noodle Bar Fairfield Expands Dining Room & Bar Features Restaurant Fairfield Asian Noodles Kid Friendly Bar Stephanie Webster August 22, 2017 Have you spent some time waiting in line to get into Mecha Noodle Bar in Fairfield? Good news! Mecha has just gotten bigger and is celebrating with a party on September 2. Here's the scoop. One of the area’s most acclaimed Asian restaurants, Mecha Noodle Bar, has premiered its new expanded restaurant space in its Fairfield location. With an additional 705-square feet added to the existing space, the space boasts a second bar and additional seating for 20 guests. More patrons than ever before can now enjoy Mecha Noodle Bar’s widely popular dishes and innovative cocktails. The space now conjoins the evolving Mecha space with its high energy, 90’s-themed music, and of course, the “bowl and a stiff drink model.” From a design perspective, the signature 2x4 wood continues throughout the ceiling as well as some fun pop culture-themed artwork adorn the walls. The new bar allows for more guest interaction and the opportunity to debut our new spiked boba teas, cocktails and house made sodas. Read More
Tomato Montadito w/ Goat Cheese Recipe via Barcelona Wine Bar Features Recipe Recipe healthy Stephanie Webster August 22, 2017 Tomato season is in fill swing in CT and Barcelona Wine Bar is featuring this gorgeous local bounty. There is nothing simpler than this recipe for Tomato Montadito w/ Goat Cheese but some things are better left simple. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of August 20-27 Features Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 18, 2017 Didn't get to Europe this summer? Experience an "Evening in Italy" at Elm Restaurant on Saturday August 26th with a special wine pairing event. Enjoy a delicious 4-course menu created by the chef accompanied by unique Italian wine varietals. Limited seating, reserve a spot now. 203 -920-4994. $85/pp exclusive of tax/gratuity.On Monday, August 21, Cask Republic New Haven will host a Counter Weight Tap Takeover at 5:00pm. The brews on tap will include Headway IPA, Workhorse Pilsner, Space Coyote IPA, Spiral Architect DIPA, Wizard Fight DIPA, Mixed cassette Grisette, Cask Conditioned Headway IPA, and more. Visit their Facebook and Instagram pages or call 475-238-8335 for more information.New Haven Craft Beer Week returns August 20 – 26 in partnership with Beer Collective! Read More
BAD SONS Brewery Opens In Derby: Designed For Guests Ingredients Features Derby Brewery Beer CT Beer Beer Garden Road Trip James Gribbon August 18, 2017 First of all: Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck, Shelton - in acronym, BAD SONS, collectively "The Valley." Once the manufacturing heart of an industrial state, the factories shut down to reopen out west, overseas, or not at all, but their brick shells remained. Once known for hats, watches, and artillery shells, there is new life to be found in old factories in the valley, which have become perfect incubators for the Connecticut brewing industry's baby boom.The BAD SONS brewery inhabits a space in Derby just down the Housatonic river from the Yale crew team's boathouse, about 300 yds from the Dew Drop Inn. This coal-era brick monolith may be where "BAD SONS" comes to mean "Valley Beer." Read More
Hummock Island Oyster Company Lauches "Oyster Tours" Features Seafood Events Oysters Norwalk Specialty Market Education Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 16, 2017 You may have been told not to eat raw oysters in months that don’t have an R. It’s not true. It was a beautiful, temperate August afternoon when I stood on Hummock Island slurping freshly harvested oysters and casting their shells onto the ground below. Hummock Island Oyster Company recently started offering “oyster tours,” giving the public an opportunity to visit the island, witness the operation, and taste oysters fresh from the sea. I eagerly accepted their invitation to participate, which is how I found myself indulging in oysters in early August. Read More
Paci Restaurant in Southport Re-Launches with New Interior & Menu Features Southport Opening Stephanie Webster August 14, 2017 Paci, one of Connecticut’s best Italian restaurants, has completed a grand remodeling and renovation after 21 years in businessThe restaurant, located in the nationally recognized historic train depot in Southport, will reopen on September 5th after a two month long redesign. The fresh new space showcases a new gleaming 1000 square foot glass walled bar with spacious seating as well as a gorgeous new dining area. The adjacent grounds will offer patio seating hedged with lush greenery. A new menu and hours of operations are also planned. Read More
What's Cooking at Clarke? Bay Corn! (sponsored post) Recipe Features Recipe CTbites Team August 12, 2017 Chef John Craig is cooking up something great again at Clarke, New England's Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen in South Norwalk. Nothing says summer like fresh corn and this is a great way to prepare it! For this recipe, you'll use the Convection Broil setting on your Wolf Convection Oven to perfectly melt that mozzarella cheese. This recipe for Clarke's Bay Corn is a simple, delicious side dish for any summer meal. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of August 15-20 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 10, 2017 The 43rd Annual Milford Oyster Festival takes place on Saturday August 19. There will be 35,000 oysters, crafts, food, amusement rides, classic cars, and more. The festival runs from 10am-6pm. On Saturday August 19, visit Sunset Meadow Vineyards for a Farm to Table Lobster Dinner under the stars. The dinner includes Lobster, Clams, Mussels, Potatoes, Corn and Watermelon. There will be live music and wine specials all evening. Reservations are required as seating is limited. Call 860-201-4654 for info and reservations. It is $79.95 per person. During the month of August, visit The Fez for a prix fixe menu that includes 3 courses for just $25. Read More
Roadtrip: Fox Farm Brewery Opens In Salem Ingredients Features Brewery Salem Beer CT Beer Opening CTbites Team August 08, 2017 I’ve been rabidly following the food news from my hometown of Salem, CT ever since I heard rumor of a brewery opening up by former classmates—Zack and Laura Adams. This awesome husband and wife team have created a beer oasis perfect for hanging out in the sleepy town of Salem. Opened in May, 2017, Fox Farm has been enjoying rave reviews.I’m really pleased that Zack agreed to an interview with CTbites to share his passion for beer and tell us all about his newly opened brewery. Read More
Cotton Candy Find At Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe in Ridgefield Features Ingredients Dessert Specialty Market Ridgefield Kids Kid Friendly Natalie Levitt August 03, 2017 A trip to Ridgefield, Connecticut would not be complete without a visit to the quintessential ice cream parlor and candy mecca that is Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe. Offerings span from homemade chocolates, fudge, and ice cream. There is even an entire room devoted to nostalgic candies and gummy treats. I am always looking for fun and interesting food experiences and packaging. During one of my recent visits to the shop/food safari, I noticed a wall of cotton candy made by Chocolate Storybook. The brand’s assortment offers upwards of 50 flavors including sweet and savory delights like Bacon, BBQ sauce, Atomic Fire, Pancake and Syrup, Frosted Donut, PBJ, seasonal desserts and fruits, merlot, and even a gender reveal option. The most unusual flavor however was Trump hair! The jury is still out on that one. You can add these to the list of memorable hybrid sweet treats trending these days. Read More
Hey Stamford Food Festival August 26th: Live Music, Restaurants & Food Trucks Features Festival Events Stephanie Webster August 03, 2017 On August 26th, Hey Stamford brings local restaurants together at Mill River Park for Hey Stamford Food Festival, an innovative culinary festival. In an effort to unite great restaurants and tasty brews, the food festival will take place at Mill River Park, Saturday August 26th 1-9pm, with a $10 admission. Restaurants include: Seaside Sliders, Rice & Beans, Magee's Curbside, M.O.C. Eatery, The GRANOLA bar, Nosh Hound Food Truck, Hapa Food Truck, Bang Burger, DrewbaQ, DoughGirls Pizza, Kona Ice of Stamford, Boothbay Lobster, Gotta Go Greek, Bareburger, Brother Jimmy's BBQ, Remo's, The Spread & El Segundo, Hoodoo Brown BBQ, Cask Republic, Knot Norm's Catering, Acuario, Sign of the Whale, Nikki Glekas Events Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of August 7 - 14 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 02, 2017 Greenwich’s best come together on Monday August 7 for Best of Greenwich, Moffly Media's annual celebration of Greenwich's finest businesses. The Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel will serve as a backdrop for fun cocktails, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and live music. On Wednesday August 9, Tarry Lodge in New Haven will partner with Stony Creek Brewery for a Swine & Dine Dinner. The five course meal, with dishes like House-Smoked Porchetta over Arugula with Salsa Verde and Homemade Pappardelle Pasta with Braised Short Rib Ragu, will be paired with beer from the Branford based brewery. It is $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. TruNORTH Tavern & Table in Bridgeport will host its monthly industry night on Monday August 7 from 8:30pm-close. Read More
Summer Microgreen, Kale and Blueberry Salad Recipe via Embody Features Recipe Recipe Farmers Market healthy Stephanie Webster August 01, 2017 Embody believes in eating local, keeping things simply and honoring ourselves by eating real food! This summer salad with edible Nasturium flowers makes for a beautiful dish to bring to parties or just to enjoy on your own. Takes only 15 minutes to make! Also, the majority of the ingredients are LOCAL (from the Westport CT Farmers Market) and all are organic. Read More
LobsterCraft's Captain Mike Harden To Represent CT in Flavored Nation National Event Features Seafood Food Truck CTbites Team July 27, 2017 ‘The Coastal’ Lobster Roll named iconic food of Connecticut; Captain Mike Harden chosen to serve state dish at national event, Flavored Nation.Captain Mike Harden has been chosen to represent Connecticut at Flavored Nation’s inaugural event, serving the state’s iconic ‘hot with butter’ lobster roll (also known as ‘the coastal’) to thousands of food enthusiasts – alongside chefs and restaurateurs from 49 other states. A Coast Guard captain and licensed lobster fisherman, Harden founded LobsterCraft in 2012 after friends asked if he could catch, cook and prepare lobster for them. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of July 30-August 6 Features Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 27, 2017 Elm City Social will host a Tiki Cocktail Contest on Monday July 31 at 6pm. The best cocktail can win $500, with second and third place earning $300 and $100 respectively. To register, email dan@elmcitysocial.com. El Segundo has made Monday industry night! All day, industry peers can enjoy free tastings and 20% off the entire bill.Two of NBC’s Team Ninja Warrior champions, Allyssa Beird and Joe Moravski, edteam up with b.good Fairfield and Food Rescue US (Formerly Community Plates) to rescue fresh, reusable food from local grocery stores and deliver it to soup kitchens and shelters in the area. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of July 23-30 Features Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 19, 2017 Join James Beard Award winner Chef Jeff Michaud at Terrain Garden Cafe in Westport, as he hosts a dinner celebrating our summer favorite – rosé! Enjoy a cocktail hour followed by three-courses highlighting dishes from Chef Michaud’s cookbook, Eating Italy: A Chef’s Culinary Adventure, each one paired with a glass of rosé. Ticket info here. Reservations required. $85 pp. To prepare for their opening in Darien, Blue Wave Taco, (205 Boston Post Road in Darien) is giving away free chicken tacos (one per person per car) from the drive-thru window this Wednesday, July 26 from 5pm to 8pm. One lucky visitor will walk away with a free taco every day for a year!!!On Wednesday July 26, Sugar and Olives will teach you how to make Sweet Summer Sauces. From 7-9pm, discover how to create Caramel three ways, a berry sauce, a peach melba, and a hot fudge sauce. Tickets are available online for $80 each. Read More
