Where Do Local Chefs Eat Out? Chef Matt Storch of Match & Nom Eez Features Chef Talk Homepage Jessica Ryan February 22, 2017 Welcome to our 3rd installment of "Where Do CT Chefs Eat Out?" Do they prefer to go home and relax? Or do they like to go out? If the latter, what are some of their favorite places, locally and beyond? Do they might have any secret hole in the wall places and would they be willing to share these with us? We began our series with Matt Storch of Match and Nom Eez. Read More
3 Spots For Afternoon Tea in CT: Culture Tea, Tea W/ Tracey & The Drawing Room Restaurant Features Tea And Coffee Lunch kids activity Dessert Fairfield County Foodie February 21, 2017 ndeed, there is something so deeply relaxing and enjoyable about the ritual of afternoon tea. That one hour in the middle of the day where you take a break from whatever it is you were doing. That chance to get away from the race we call life. An excuse to share quality time with family and friends… or, heck! even a little bit of “me” time. Ah! Don’t you just love the pampering and all the delightful eats on those dramatic 3-tiered servers. The beautiful china, the dainty bites of food, the soothing hot tea of your choice – made especially for you. How divine! Read More
A Visit To Asylum Distillery In Bridgeport Features Ingredients Cocktails Brewery Specialty Market Homepage James Gribbon February 17, 2017 This January marked 98 years since the start of Prohibition. The result: brutal enforcement, a public health crisis, loss of tax revenue, and the creation of modern organized crime, all evidenced the spectacular failure of the hated Volstead Act, and ensured its repeal in 1933. But from that January in 1919 - a time when even young people could remember the 1800s - all the way into the second decade of the 21st century, Fairfield County had not produced a single drop of legal spirits. Robert Schulten changed nearly 100 years of history when he opened Asylum Distillery in Bridgeport in May of 2016. CTBites decided to drop by. Here's what we saw. Read More
CT Chefs Win Nominations For James Beard Award: Millwrights & Present Company Features Stephanie Webster February 16, 2017 Congratulations to Tyler Anderson of Millwrights, Simsbury, CT & Jeffrey Lizotte of Present Company also in Simsbury. These outstanding chefs have been nominated for the prestigious James Beard award in the "Best Chefs in the Northeast" category. You can view the complete list of 2017 nominees here. Good luck guys! Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of February 19-26 Features Restaurant Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 16, 2017 On Tuesday February 21, CT baristas and coffee enthusiasts will gather at Newtown’s Café Xpresso for a Latte Art and Espresso Drink Throwdown. Representatives from NEAT, The Granola Bar, Source Coffee, New Morning Market, Dolce Café, N2 Coffee, and more will present their creations to local coffee roasters, the media, and food industry professionals. The general public is invited to witness the competition… and enjoy samples from Café Xpresso’s from-scratch menu. Celebrate Johnny Cash’s birthday at Walrus + Carpenter in Bridgeport. On Thursday February 23, they invite you to their fourth annual bash starting at 7:30pm.Fairfield Greenwich Cheese Company hosts Fondue Pop Up Dinners this week. Visit the Fairfield location on February 22 from 7-9:30pm and the Greenwich location on February 23 from 7-9:30pm. Read More
Yes Chef! Chef Marcell Davidsen Collaborates with Black Hog Brewing Co. Features Beer Brewery Homepage Amy Kundrat February 10, 2017 I'd like to introduce you to the best, shittiest beer in Connecticut.No, it’s not a slam. In fact, it’s exactly what chef Marcel Davidsen and brewmaster Tyler Jones set out to create when developing Black Hog Brewing Co.'s newest beer, Yes Chef.“Marcel came to me wanting to make a beer for the guys who work hard in his kitchen. After their shifts, they usually drink PBR. So we thought, let’s make a craft beer but keep it simple with just hops and malt, and no additives,” explained Tyler Jones, a chemical engineer and the brewmaster at Black Hog Brewing Co. Read More
Beef, Prunes Chickpeas Slow Cooked Pot Recipe via Silvia Baldini Recipe Features Recipe CTbites Team February 08, 2017 Prunes, chickpeas and ginger combine their forces in to this crammed with hearty flavors slow cooked pot, a perfect combination for a jolt of much needed energy to help us sustain our daily actions.Prunes for fiber, chickpeas for nutrient-rich energy, ginger as an antioxidant and a generous amount of fork tender bits of beef; this pot is a darling at my house on wintery Sunday family dinners, when warmth and restoring strength are very much a necessity. Let’s put power back in to the right hands and the force of sustenance in to our family bellies. Read More
Friday Froth: Strong Drinks...Black Hog, Two Roads Brewery & Litchfield Distillery Features Beer Friday Froth Brewery James Gribbon February 01, 2017 The shadows seem to be growing this January. Winter daylight is all too brief, darkness glooming in through a window you swear was sunny the last time you walked by. It suddenly feels like it's gone dark all the time now. Maybe you feel it, too. And how long to go before the next sunrise? Ugh. The days ahead seem so stretch on to the invisible horizon. Maybe you could use a drink, a 16oz. weight to hang from time's pendulum to speed those dark hours on their way. Make it a strong one, because maybe we can clip off some of tomorrow's darkness while we're at it. Gravity shapes space, as we all know, and space is tied to time, so let's grab a few high gravity beers, and bend the long arc. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of February 6-11 Features Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 01, 2017 "First Fridays" kicks off this Friday, feb 3rd at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield, featuring a "Contemporary Cocktail Party" and nibbles via Festivities Events.86’D: A Culinary Collision is a surprise on many levels! Two surprise chefs will have a showdown at a surprise host restaurant while spectators feast on tasty appetizers and cocktails. The location will be announced just prior to the competition, which takes place on February 6 at 10pm. On Monday February 6, Wood-n-Tap in Newington presents a Victory Brewing Company Beer Dinner. Bill Covaleski, founder of Victory Brewing Company, will guide guests through a four course meal paired with five brews. Tickets are approximately $60 per person, with discounts for parties of 6 or more. Beer and chocolate? Don’t mind if we do! Still Hill Brewery in Rocky Hill will host a beer and chocolate pairing on Tuesday February 7 from 7-9pm. The event features Fascia's Chocolates of Waterbury. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online. Read More
Gluten Free? Oui! at Garelick & Herbs (sponsored post) Ingredients Gluten-Free Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market Stephanie Webster January 30, 2017 Gluten Free? Oui! at Garelick & HerbsIt’s easier than ever to choose gluten free at Garelick& Herbs. We’ve been using gluten free labels in our prepared food case, and now we’re adding the labels to the food in our grab and go refrigerated case and in house bakery items!In the entrees, there are now pasta dishes such as Pasta Primavera with fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes, a fabulous Potato “pasta” with Pesto- positively addictive whether you are gluten free or not. We have translated our Chicken Francais and Chicken Cutlets recipes to make them GF too. Read More
Coconut Fudge Recipe via Marcia Selden Catering Features Recipe kids activity Kid Friendly Dessert Stephanie Webster January 29, 2017 Coconut fans get ready to find a new favorite treat. Made from shredded and desiccated coconut, this is deeply flavorful and almost "healthy." Warning: This fudge is so deliciously decadent that you may not be able to stop eating it. Read More
10 Questions with Peter Crawford of Darien Butcher Shop Ingredients Features Butcher Darien Amy Kundrat January 18, 2017 Darien native and chef Peter Crawford is the culinary braun behind lower Fairfield County's newest destination butchery, The Darien Butcher Shop. The shop focuses on high quality meat and gourmet specialty products, as well as events and catering, not to mention hot pressed sandwiches if you're looking for a new lunch option. We had a chance to chat with Peter, and wanted to know what this carnivore cooks for himself, his preferred cut of meat, and his most memorable meal. Why did you become a butcher? Read More
South Avenue Butcher Opens in New Canaan Ingredients Butcher New Canaan CTbites Team December 16, 2016 New Canaan, Connecticut is excited to welcome an old fashioned butcher shop to its already impressive culinary offering. South Avenue Butcher is the creation of businessmen, long-term friends and Darien residents Dermot Flynn, Alan Griffin and James Farrell. The friends grew up in southern Ireland where rural towns would have a butcher shop and locals would go in for special cuts of meat and advice. The concept, which was inspired by a nostalgic chat at the bar, is a direct nod to their farming heritage and reinforces that consumers care about their meat source. They strongly advocate the community and have plans to support local town events. The proper old-style butcher specializes in home-made sausages and burgers - they will even make some to a specific family recipe. Heading up the operation is Head Butcher, Michiel Hutten who hails from the Netherlands. He worked at Darien Butcher Shop, and has over 30-years of butchery experience. Inside the store he will serve prime cuts and order in specific meats. The meats are sourced from animals that are free to roam and will be organic wherever possible. Read More
Dress Up Your Party with Garelick & Herbs Holiday Platters (sponsored post) Ingredients Recipe Gift Guide Holiday CTbites Team December 15, 2016 This holiday gift alert just in from Garelick & Herbs. Looking for a delicious present that will be joyously received? Check out one of Garelick & Herbs gift platters...or design your own. Take the guess work out of your next hostess gift. These beautifully curated custom gifts are perfect for any occasion. Stopping by your friend's for brunch? We have fabulous holiday housewarming gifts. Corporate Clients need a holiday gift? Send over one of our sweet-tastic dessert boxes or a signature Office Munchie Snack Basket. We can even send over a surprise lunch to your favorite client. Also, don’t forget your manicurist and hair stylist! Nothing warms the heart and soul more than something delicious from Garelick & Herbs. Having an impromptu celebration? Going away for the weekend? Your hosts will love our snacktastic gifts–customize salty, sweet, crunchy and colorful. We have everything you need served up on a platter. Read More
Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk Available For Limited Time! Ingredients Recipe Holiday Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster December 14, 2016 Check the shelves at your local Stew Leonard's TODAY because their first ever Christmas Cookie Millk will be available for a limited time this holiday season. Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk a sweet, creamy milk that has the same flavor as a sugar cookie that's been dunked in milk. It comes straight from their dairy farms in upstate NY and is free from artificial growth hormones (rBST) and antibiotics. This milk goes from the farm to each of our stores in as little as 24 hours, and is sold in a ½ gallon glass for $4.99. Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk is going to go fast. Go grab some now. Read More
Chef Susanne Berne's Ginger Cake with Poached Pears, Dark Rum Zabaglione and Cinnamon Whipped Cream Recipe Features Recipe Homepage Dessert CTbites Team November 20, 2016 In our ongoing hunt for the perfect Thanksgiving dessert, we sought out Chef Susanne Berne, who is, quite simply, one of the finest pastry chefs around. When she is not imagining treats for Match Restaurant, she is developing new ideas for Donut Crazy's doughnut lineup. She has shared her recipe for Ginger Cake with Poached Pears, Dark Rum Zabaglione and Cinnamon Whipped Cream. Enjoy! Read More
2016 Local and Heritage Turkey Guide via Fairfield Green Food Guide Ingredients Recipe Holiday CTbites Team November 09, 2016 Are you looking to celebrate Thanksgiving with a locally grown, Heritage breed or Broad-Breasted white turkey? Supplies are limited, so order your turkey as soon as possible following the instructions given by each farmer or retailer. It feels good to support our farmers this time of year, give thanks for those who feed us, and opt out of buying an industrial turkey, which doesn’t taste like much anyway. View the complete list of local CT Heritage breed or Broad-Breasted white turkey here. Read More
Friday Froth: Stone Brewing's Enjoy After 10.31.16 Comes Of Age Ingredients Beer CT Beer Friday Froth James Gribbon November 04, 2016 Fresh beer isn't always the best beer. As arguments for freshness go, you could make one for juicy, resinous IPAs, and you certainly don't want to drink any hot can of Busch Light which rolls out from underneath a car seat, but as the American craft beer industry matures, it's beginning to make beers meant to do the same. Stone, the Escondido, California brewer of undeniable arrogance, will shy away from claims of being the first to put "born on" dates on their bottles and cans, but they were the first to use "Enjoy By" as the actual name of a beer. The Enjoy By series of IPAs (followed by a date on each) was to be taken so seriously Stone would come and retrieve any unsold beers from retailers. This is why it was so interesting when Stone Enjoy After 10.31.16 hit shelves - in 2015. This week I opened the bottle I bought over a year ago. Here's what happened. Read More
Two Roads To Build Second Brewing Facility & Tasting Room Ingredients Restaurant Beer CT Beer Stratford James Gribbon November 01, 2016 Two Roads Brewing of Stratford has announced their plans to add a 25,000 square foot expansion to their brewery specifically to create sour and barrel-aged beers. Situated on 2.5 acres of newly acquired land adjoining the existing brewery's hop yard and music venue, the brewhouse will have a 120-person capacity tasting room overlooking both the brewing operations, and a wetlands preserve. Sour beers such as Framboise Noir Black Raspberry Lambic, Urban Funk Wild Ale made with yeast from Superstorm Sandy, and Worker’s Stomp White Wine Barrel-Aged Saison will see increased production, along with Hexotic Tropical Lambic, which won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado this October. Hexotic spends 28 months in oak, and was fermented with "Brett C" (brettanomyces clausenii). Six different types of fruit were added during fermentation, including orange, passion fruit, mangosteen, soursop (aka gaunabana), guava, and mango. Read More
The Westport Winter Farmers’ Market Opens Nov. 12th At Gilbertie’s Ingredients Restaurant Farmers Market Specialty Market Westport CTbites Team November 01, 2016 Folks in Fairfield County have no need to put away their farmers’ market bags or head to the grocery store just yet. For while the temperatures might be dipping and leaves dropping, farm-fresh food is still in abundance. The Westport Winter Farmers’ Market will return for its 6th season to Gilbertie’s greenhouses at 7 Sylvan Lane beginning Saturday, November 12th and continuing through March 11th from 10 to 2. Read More
