This Week In Wine: Jelu Pinot Noir Ingredients Features This Week In Wine Kathleen Hall September 22, 2010 Jelu Pinot Noir is from the Patagonia region in Argentina. Patagonia may be better known for its majestic mountain range than for wine growing, but the cool climate found here is especially suited to the fickle Pinot Noir grape. The Jelu vineyards are located at high elevation which enables the grapes grown there to retain their bright acidity and supple fruit flavors as they slowly ripen. Medium-bodied with flavors of black cherry, ripe raspberry and a hint of savory herb. Smooth tannins and fresh acidity makes this wine simple but satisfying Read More
Reheated: This Week's Top Food News in CT & Beyond Ingredients Road Trip Restaurant News Amy Kundrat September 21, 2010 Reheated is a twice-weekly round-up of bite-sized food news in Connecticut and beyond. In Connecticut... Don't miss this week's Westport Farmers Market will feature chefs Bill Taibe (leFarm), Nancy Roper (Boxcar Cantina) and Jeff Northrop (Westport Aquaculture) in a market fundraiser. Info CTbites.com. Free scoop at participating Carvel stores this Thursday. Via Dining A La Carte. Tasti D-lite tops the list of several restaurant openings in Stamford. Via Stamford Notes. Save the date to drink for charity with Cans & Cocktails on Sept.29, a fundraiser in Stamford we'll be supporting. Info CTbites.com. Wednesday night wine tastings at Sarah's Wine Bar in Ridgefield. Via SarahsWineBar.com. Read More
MASAS: Norwalk's New Arepera Restaurant Delicious Dives Norwalk Venezuelan Comfort Food Lunch Latin American Margie Treisman September 19, 2010 I’m told “Masas” means dough in Spanish. For very little “dough” you can consume A LOT of dough at Masas Arepera, a new, family-run spot in a tiny strip mall on Westport Ave in Norwalk. (Bring some dough, though, because it’s cash only.) Place your order at the counter. Menu items are listed on the wall and for those of us who don’t speak Spanish there is a yellow take-out menu with helpful English descriptions. (The Venezuelan family and staff are friendly but not much English is spoken.) Note also that all items may not be available at all times. (One member of our group had been told on an earlier visit that chicken wasn’t available that day.) So be prepared to go with the flow. We’re very glad we did. Read More
Food Writing 101: Write Your Appetite w/ Corinne Trang Features Asian Cooking Classes Education Stephanie Webster September 15, 2010 Want to learn how to write about food from an award-winning cookbook author? Corinne Trang has written numerous cookbooks & has been dubbed the "Julia Child of Asian cuisine." She has published in Food & Wine, Health, Cooking Light, and Saveur. If you ever wanted to write a cookbook, start a food blog, review a restaurant, or write a food memoir, join Corinne Trang for a FREE workshop on food writing. She'll guide you through your first short food piece starting with describing your favorite food, learning to create a recipe and a story around it. Space is limited, RSVP and be sure to bring your favorite fruit and vegetable! Thursday, Sept. 30th is Corinne's Free Workshop: "Write Your Appetite" @ 7:15pm, Writers' Room, 252 Post Road East, Westport. Read More
Road Trip: Spa Sampler @ The Mayflower Inn Road Trip Restaurant Holiday Manchester Road Trip Travel Margie Treisman September 15, 2010 Photos: Courtesy of The Mayflower InnMy husband and I recently had the chance to spend a day at the Mayflower Inn and Spa in Washington, CT. It was, in a word, sublime. It’s nestled in the Litchfield County countryside, with rolling hills, lush foliage and perfectly manicured gardens -- a New England picture-postcard paradise. The Inn itself is an elegant, magnificently maintained, five-star luxury spa resort. I could go on for hours about the place. But this is CTBites -- let’s talk about the food. Read More
Meat & Music @ The 3rd Annual Blues & BBQ Festival Kids Bites Restaurant BBQ Events Beer Stephanie Webster September 13, 2010 Westport’s annual Blues, Views & BBQ Festival will take place on September 24th, 25th and 26th. This event celebrates food, music and family with an exciting line-up of bands, barbecue and cooking events, as well as fun for the whole family. This year’s fest, sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society, the country’s premier barbecue organization, features the amateur backyard Cookin’ For A Cause competition, in which teams of two to four participants compete in categories of chicken, ribs, and “chef’s choice.” At the same time, certified pit-masters will be grilling, smoking and barbecuing in the Pro Invitational competition. Both contests are followed by a Pro-Am Invitational “Throwdown” competition where amateur teams compete against the pros. The Pro-Am Invitational includes an “Iron Chef”-style twist where competitors must use three mystery ingredients. Our own contributor, Sarah Green will be there to help judge the Iron Chef event. Read More
PHO or FAUX - Authentic Vietnamese in Westport Restaurant Asian Vietnamese Westport Comfort Food Lunch Sarah Green September 12, 2010 Ready for a little PIK me up? Head over to PHO GARDEN at 1620 Post Road in Westport for some authentic Vietnamese delights! This brand new Asian dining offering, (formerly Zole'), has simple decor and an unimpressive neon sign outside the door, but don't let this turn you off. PHO GARDEN'S authentic menu is a welcome addition to the Westport restaurant scene. Plus, with Pho Mekong closing its doors across the street, PHO GARDEN is definitely worth checking out! We started with the COLD SUMMER ROLLS (Goi Cuon) Read More
CTbites Lunch Event: The Boathouse Restaurant CTbites Lunch Events Stephanie Webster September 10, 2010 The CTbites & SuzySaid lunch events are back, and on Tuesday, September 28th we're debuting the season with a very special venue just right for savoring the summer harvest, The Boathouse @ Saugatuck. Chef John Holzwarth, of NYC's Felidia and Westport's The Dressing Room fame, will be preparing a $20 prix fixe for CTbites readers that highlights John's commitment to using locally sourced ingredients in innovative ways. Come out and meet your CTbites community. You won't want to miss this one! For reservations, call 203.227.3399. Check out the mouthwatering menu below: Read More
Oktoberfest in Connecticut Restaurant Events Holiday Beer Amy Kundrat September 09, 2010 Frosty steins of beer, a sea of lederhosen and more meat than Kobayashi can consume in a single sitting. In other words, it’s time to celebrate Oktoberfest, that hot mess of Bavarian culture. If you’re looking to celebrate outside the seasonal selection of beers available in your local package store, we’ve compiled our own list of local Connecticut events. The Old Heidelberg | Throughout September | Bethel, CT The Old Heidelberg is the place to be for Oktoberfest festivities in Fairfield County on the weekends of September 10, 11 and 12; Sept. 17, 18 and 19; and Sept. 24, 25 and 26. The restaurant hosts three Oktoberfest weekends under a tent in their Beergarten with music, a special menu and entertainment for the kids. The Old Heidelberg is located on 5 Stony Hill Road in Bethel, CT. Information at http://www.restaurantheidelberg.com/ Read More
Drinking for Charity: Cans & Cocktails Happy Hour Restaurant Chinese Cocktails Events Food Donation Stephanie Webster September 08, 2010
CT Farm To Table Week: Celebrate Local Restaurant Events Local Farm Stephanie Webster September 07, 2010 To celebrate the bounty of our local harvest, CT restaurants have gotten together to bring the farm to you with "CT Farm to Table Week." During the week of September 26-October 2, 2010, over 80 restaurants, caterers and schools across CT will be participating in this first ever CT Farm-to-Chef Harvest Celebration Week. Restaurants will be serving special prix fixe menus as well as a la carte options exclusively featuring local producers and vineyards. This is the perfect excuse to both check out some new spots as well as support local CT agriculture. The list of participating vendors and venues for Fairfield County are below. Detailed menus for each participant can be found here. Fairfield County Participants: Read More
Navaratna: Vegetarian Indian in Stamford Restaurant Stamford Vegetarian Indian Lunch Liz Rueven September 06, 2010 Given the "Worth It" rating from the NY Times, it was easy to rally a group of hungry enthusiasts to join me at Navaratna for lunch last week. Navaratna is the newest Indian restaurant in the ever expanding dining scene in downtown Stamford. This packed lunch spot is unique in that it features Southern Indian cuisine that is strictly vegetarian (and certified Kosher). As a lover of Indian food, I was intrigued, and we descended upon Navaratna to explore its distinctive menu. Read More
Dinners At The Farm: The Photo Gallery Restaurant Events Local Farm Farm Fresh Stephanie Webster September 06, 2010
Red Lulu Opens in South Norwalk Restaurant Events Opening Amy Kundrat September 03, 2010 South Norwalk can add another notch to it’s ample dining belt with newcomer Red Lulu. A sister restaurant to the vibrant scene that is Lolita Cocina in Byram, Red Lulu opened last night with an over-the-top party introducing this “Mexican speakeasy with a luxe twist” to the well-dressed masses. The menu strikes some very familiar notes to Lolita’s inspired Mexican: bbq ribs with a coffee, chocolate and orange glaze; flautas; blackened grouper tacos; and carnitas to name just a few eye-catching bites. Staying true to its SoNo address, the bar and lounge are front and center, housing impressive collection of tequilas Read More
Burger Stock '10: FREE Burgers & Beer @ Burger Bar Restaurant Events Norwalk Burgers Stephanie Webster September 02, 2010
Rosh Hashanah Recipes from Tabouli Grill Features Holiday Mediterranean Middle Eastern Recipe Stephanie Webster September 01, 2010 The Jewish holidays are around the corner, and with the kids just barely back to school, it seemed as though we could all use a little assist with the Rosh Hashanah menu this year. Next week? Really? Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill in Stamford has come to the rescue with three great recipes to fill out your holiday table. Here's what's on the menu: Cumin Roasted Cauliflower with Yellow Raisins and Toasted Pine Nuts, Bubbe’s Brisket, and Kasha Varnishke. If you really just don't feel like cooking, Tabouli Grill is also happy to do the work for you as you can see in their Rosh Hashanah Package below. Read More
Bernard's: Tapas, Paella & Wine Dinner Restaurant Events Wine Dinners Stephanie Webster August 31, 2010 Don't miss the unique opportunity to try out one of CT's top restaurants, Bernard's in Ridgefield, at their end of summer "Tapas, Paella & Wine Dinner." Inspired by a recent trip to Barcelona, Bernard and his wife Sarah (of Sarah's Wine Bar at the same location) are teaming up with local wine merchant Cellar XV to offer up this very special evening. The event will feature sangria, Spanish wines, and tapas galore served (if weather permits) in their beautiful garden. If you haven't eaten at Bernard's, this is a great way to sample this very special restaurant. Sunday, September 12th at 6:00 – In the Garden Read More
An Evening @ New Haven's Food & Wine Festival Restaurant Events New Haven Amy Kundrat August 30, 2010
Lake Zoar Drive-In: Burgers & Dogs With a View Restaurant Delicious Dives Monroe Comfort Food Kid Friendly Burgers Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger August 29, 2010 Photos: c/o Michael Stern, Roadfood.comThe Lake Zoar Drive-In is located on Route 34 in Monroe (many Navigation systems do not recognize the website town of Stevenson) slightly less than 7 miles east of I-84. This stand-alone burger and dog shack has occupied this same stretch of beach overlooking Lake Zoar for over 20 years and the current owners have been grilling burgers and dogs for over 17 years; they must be doing something right. That something is a burger with plenty of toppings, some of the best French Fries in Connecticut plus a soda...all for under $10. Read More
Get Cooking With Aux Delices Ingredients Features Cooking Classes Stamford Liz Rueven August 27, 2010 Summer Comfort Food was the theme of the class I recently attended at Aux Delices’ Cooking School in their commissary kitchen in Stamford. As we are smack in the middle of this steaming season, I was happy to be invited to relax, observe and learn something new about how to prepare summer dishes, utilizing the season’s bounty. Aux Delices has retail store locations, all with seating, in Darien, Riverside and Greenwich. The shops offer owner/Chef Debra Ponzek’s culinary creations of prepared foods and a unique collection of specialty food items. Their name translates as “all the delicious food in life,” and considering their choices of scrumptious take out items, private and corporate catering offerings, and classes at their cooking school, the name is certainly apt. Read More
