Zinc: Modern American Farm-to-Table in New Haven Restaurant Cocktails Farm to Table Farm Fresh New Haven CTbites Team March 10, 2013 Zinc has been a fixture on the New Haven green since 1999, well before farm-to-table restaurants became the sought-after reservation. Even then, Chef Denise Appel was designing plates that changed with the season, and "continued to do so even when people in town wondered if she'd ever make her mind up on a menu," laughs co-owner Donna Curran, who has worked alongside Chef Appel for more than two decades. Named for the traditional zinc bars in European bistros, Zinc has successfully become a well-known neighborhood gathering place over the past dozen years. Warm and welcoming for its minimalist design, the restaurant is long and narrow, as expected in an urban setting. Yet with a profound cherry bar, generous seating and plenty of quiet nooks, you know you’ll gladly stay a while. Read More
THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE: Gabriele's Italian Steakhouse, Greenwich. Interview Restaurant Entertaining Greenwich Italian Steakhouse Lou Gorfain March 08, 2013 Though CTBites traditionally reviews the food created by gifted chefs in the Back of the House, we thought a story about the talent at the Front might be in order. So who better to feature than Tony Capasso, the celebrated maître d of Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse in Greenwich and unquestionably the biggest personality on the Connecticut restaurant scene? Actually, Copasso may be more MC than Maitre ‘d. "My mother tells me that when I was five, I was already meeting, greeting and introducing people to each other in my apartment house," he told us. "I've always been a people person. President of my high school. Captain of the football team, I like people, they like me, and that's what this job is all about." Read More
Hot-tail Happy Hour at Parallel Post Restaurant Cocktails Farm to Table Wine Bar Amy Kundrat March 06, 2013 Parallel Post has launched a "Hot-tail Happy Hour," a week-day cocktail list of of three steamy concoctions that can be paired with their usual happy hour specials, available Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. Although it will take more to transport me from the Trumbull Marriott to the slopes of Val d'Isère, at $7 each, these après-ski cocktails are a nice alternative to the usual glass of wine. In addition to their full menu which I wrote about last week, I have become a fan of Parallel Post's wallet-friendly happy hour menu and this new cocktail addition. The man behind these inventive drinks is a familiar face to Fairfield County, lead mixologist Greg Genias who is the man behind Barnum Publick House's epic Bloody Mary Bar. For Parallel Post, Greg has created a full menu of original cocktails, featuring many house-made liquor infusions. A native of Jamaica, Greg comes to Connecticut by way of Utah, Greg's preference leans toward classic cocktails like Manhattans and brown liquors served neat. In addition to these new concotions below, don't miss Gregory's Bloody Mary made with an infused spicy vodka and a blend of roasted vegetables. Parallel Post Hot-tail Menu Hot Buttered Popcorn: House-blend herbal tea and popcorn-infused rum Read More
Embody Fitness Gourmet in Westport: Fitness Inspired Functional Food Restaurant Juice Cleanse Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market healthy CTbites Team March 05, 2013 When I first walked into Embody Fitness Gourmet after it opened last September, it was a hot sticky day, the kind that melts the asphalt in the road. I could barely breathe and was in the midst of my usual daily stress. My car had almost died and the AC was acting quirky so I rolled into the parking lot off Riverside Ave across from the gas station. I ordered a GT Surge, a blend of crushed ice, green tea, freshly pressed lemon and agave nectar accented with fresh mint. Suddenly, my mind drifted off as the cool mojito-like flavors hit my tongue. I was transported to some palm-tree beach far away. Now, that the days of hot sunshine are long gone, I pull over and grab a homemade bean and kale soup as well as another GT Surge, if only to return to the summer in my mind. It seems these days, after much bad news and crazy weather, I need to escape often. Read More
EOS Greek Cuisine in Stamford Revamps Menu Restaurant Greek Mediterranean Stamford Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger March 03, 2013 EOS, the Greek goddess of the dawn, signifies the beginning of a new day. EOS Greek Cuisine, an upscale Greek restaurant in Stamford owned by the Glekas family, recently introduced its new menu and invited CTbites (along with several other bloggers for what we nicknamed "Bloggers' Row") for a tasting of several of these items. All of the dishes are based on family recipes with slight modifications to modernize the dishes while maintaining their Greek roots. Read More
Outstanding In The Field Seats Go On Sale March 20th Restaurant Farm to Table Local Farm CTbites Team March 01, 2013 Mark your calendars. On Wednesday, March 20th, the first day of spring, tickets will go on sale for the 2013 season of Outstanding In The Field. UPDATE: Bill Taibe of The Whelk & le Farm will be hosting a 2nd date @ The Hickories Farm in Ridgefield on September 5th!! "Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls." Their mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it. The other meaning of Outstanding in the Field is outstanding as in the best. We've just received word that the CT dinner will be held on Wednesday September 4, 2013, @ Waldingfield Farm, Washington, CT. Read More
Spring Workshops at Millstone Farm in Wilton Ingredients Features Cooking Classes Education CTbites Team March 01, 2013 Millstone Farm's spring workshops series has been announced. These events range from Pig Carving 101 with Chef Tim LaBant of The Schoolhouse to Raising Backyard Chickens with Millstone’s Master Farmer, Annie Farrell. You'll want to check these out. Pig Carving 101 with Chef Tim LaBant Saturday, March 23: 12pm – 3pm Cost: $50, RSVP to f2f@schoolhouseatcannondale.co Back by popular demand! Join us for a hearty lunch and an up close and personal workshop on how to carve a whole pig, lead by Chef Tim LaBant of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale. Read more... Raising Backyard Chickens Saturday, April 6: 1pm – 4pm Read More
"Join the Conversation" with Mark Bittman on March 16 at Ikea in New Haven Restaurant Events Chef Talk CTbites Team February 27, 2013 New York Times food writer Mark Bittman will be appearing as part of WSHU Radio's "Join the Conversation" series on March 16 at 11 am at IKEA in New Haven. Bittman will give cooking tips from his new book, How to Cook Everything: The Basics. This event is $25 per person, including a copy of his new book. Learn more or register for this event. One of the country's most widely respected food writers, Mark Bittman is also a champion of home cooking. He will discuss his new book: How to Cook Everything: The Basics (All You Need to Know to Make Great Food), revealing fundamental techniques and essential lessons from dicing vegetables and roasting meat. Read More
Pasta Bolognese in Fairfield County Roundup: Part II Restaurant Cos Cob Greenwich Norwalk Pasta Stamford Jeff Schlesinger & Lou Gorfain February 27, 2013 Déjà vu all over again so…Mangia, Mangia Mangia…and Mangia again... We recently recommended several places that are serving up delicious Bolognese and promised more. So here is our second, and last, installment of 2013 Recommended Pasta Bolognese of Fairfield County that includes two slight variations of the traditional sauce, one with chicken and another with oxtail. Let the games begin...and let the lipitor flow for these 2 brave diners who sampled Bolognese from all over Fairfield County. From Cotto in Stamford to The Spread in SoNo to Louie's in Cos Cob, we bring you tasting notes on 10 more Bologneses. Read More
elm Restaurant Events: Whole Hog, Cheese Tasting & More Features Restaurant Events CTbites Team February 26, 2013 Chef Brian Lewis and his staff at elm Restaurant in New Canaan are pleased to announce the following events during March, in conjunction with many Fairfield County Artisans. Some of the unique culinary experiences include: The Whole Hog Dinner with Craft Butchery of Westport, Localvore Cuisine, and A Cheese Primer & Feast with local expert Erin Hedley. View the complete calendar of events below: Read More
Exceeding Expectations at Trumbull's Parallel Post Restaurant Farm to Table Trumbull Lunch Amy Kundrat February 24, 2013 The Trumbull Marriott’s Parallel Post restaurant is the result of a prescient collaboration with a James Beard nominated chef and a well-known hotel chain just off the beaten path of Fairfield County's regular dining haunts. Leveraging its proximity to the region’s small and robust network of farms, and the fisheries of Long Island Sound, this three-month-old restaurant draws its inspiration from the bounty of land and sea. The effect is a modern and seasonal New England menu that skews upscale, but without any pretense. Chef and restaurateur Dean James Max was tapped by Trumbull’s Marriott to reimagine its restaurant—an intensive project that included a two month renovation of its dining spaces. Opened at the end of November 2012, the restaurant has been gaining momentum, thanks in large part to this embrace of local farms, a superlative understanding of seafood, a talented team led by Executive Chef Christopher Molyneux, and a welcome, if seemingly inauspicious location inside the Trumbull Marriott. Read More
Celebrate National Margarita Day w/ Fresh Orange Margaritas Features Cocktails katie vitucci February 22, 2013 Yep...today is National Margarita Day, and in honor of said "holiday," we suggest you celebrate with this delicious recipe for Fresh Orange Margaritas c/o local blogger, The Parsley Thief. I consider myself to be a very good margarita mixer and have made many different types over the years. One thing is always a constant and that is - Patrón tequila. Along with with the good tequila you must also have some sort of orange liqueur. Mostly, I use Cointreau {pricey!}...other times Triple Sec {when money's tight}....and once in a blue moon {usually because it's all I have laying around}, I'll use Grand Marnier. While I am sure this recipe would be equally delicious using blood oranges - I opted to use fresh Florida juice oranges because they're in season at the moment and I just so happened to have a 25 lb. box of them laying around. Read More
CTbites' Canned Film Festival: Food Movie Favorites Ingredients Features Entertaining Food Movies ellen bowen February 21, 2013 The Awards Season is in full swing! The Golden Globes, Sundance Film Festival are already old news…the Grammy’s just scored record ratings and now the anticipation builds for the “motherlode” of all awards… The 85th Academy Awards for Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences (also known as the Oscar’s ) airing on Sunday 2/24 on ABC. And what better way to spend a winter evening than with Dinner and a Movie! But, what if you don’t feel like braving the weather, the crowds or JUST can’t stand the smell of popcorn? How about staying in and watching a movie and ordering in or making dinner? Therefore, I offer you the CTbites, “CANNED FILM FESTIVAL" with tasty recomendations for food focused movies in 4 categories: Food Flick Classics, Watch With Your Kids, Food Education, and Flicks For Wine Lovers. Read More
Discover Bethel Restaurant Week Starts February 24 Restaurant Restaurant Week CTbites Team February 20, 2013 Discover Bethel Restaurant Week is Back! Visit Bethel from February 24 - March 2, 2013 for the town's second annual Restaurant Week. Several Bethel restaurants will be offering special discounts and prix-fixe specials for lunch and dinner. Participating Restaurants: Stella Restaurant and Bar - 213 Greenwood Ave: Lunch Special - $10 or $15 prixe fix menu (includes appetizer, entree, tiramisu and coffee) and Dinner Special - $30 prix fixe menu (includes appetizer, salad, entree, tiramisu, coffee and glass of house wine) Daily Fare - 13 Durant Ave (Free Coffee or Scone with any lunch purchase) Sycamore Drive In Restaurant - 282 Greenwood Ave (10% off total bill) Sal'z Pizza - 211 Greenwood Ave. Greenwoods Grille and Ale House - 186 Greenwood Ave O'Neills Sandwich and Coffee Bar - 114 Greenwood Ave LaZingara Restaurant - 8 PT Barnum Sq Lebanese Cuisine - 23 Stony Hill Rd LaFortuna Restaurant - 37 Stony Hill Rd Putnam House Restaurant - 12 Depot Place Ruzzuto's- Stony Hill Road For more information, visit www.bethelchamber.com. Read More
Krust Pizza & Bourbon Bar in Middletown Restaurant Cocktails Middletown Pizza Lunch Emily Cahill February 17, 2013 We are excited to begin bringing you even more content from across the state of Connecticut, welcoming new voices into our mix, and experimenting with the occassional shorter, more tactical posts. To that end, we are pleased to welcome Emily Cahill, the newest addition to the CTbites team covering one of our favorite new spots in Middletown. - Stephanie Webster + Amy Kundrat Photo: Nick CaitoKrust Pizza Bar Cuisine: Wood-fired pizza, BarPrice: $10- $15 Our Highlights: Specialty pizzas, bourbon and cocktails Hours: Mon – Closed. Tues-Thur 4pm – 1am, F&S 4pm-2am, Sun 4pm-1am Online: http://krustpizzabar.com/ Wood-fired pizzas, a softly lit interior, and a seemingly infinite bourbon list sets the stage for NoRa neighborhood newcomer Krust. Owners Rich Garcia and Kevin Wirtes introduced the Middletown eatery in mid-January 2013, showcasing a concise but creative menu of beautifully executed artisan pies. Whether it’s the rustic pine paneling, amber glow of bar shelves brimming with bourbon bottles, or smoky aromas permeating the space from the wood burning oven, one thing is evident: Krust is a delicious and welcome addition to Middletown’s bar and restaurant scene. Read More
Invites: Celebrate CT! An Evening of Craft Beer & BBQ @ Bar Q Restaurant CTbites Invites CTbites Team February 16, 2013 Join Bob Le Rose (of Bobby Q's) and CTbites for an evening celebrating "CT's Own!" Enjoy Craft beers from local CT breweries and 4 course dinner of CT BBQ as only BarQ can prepare it on Tuesday 2/26 7 to 9 pm for $40 per person. Buy tickets.Taste and enjoy an authentic dinner of four courses of original CT BBQ, a dessert of Snickerdoodle Bacon Ice Cream Sandwich, all while washing it down with delicious beers from three local Connecticut micro-breweries, Half Full, City Steam and Two Roads Breweries. Menu includes: Read More
Nola Oyster Bar Opens in SONO Restaurant Norwalk SONO Seafood Beer Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger February 15, 2013 With very little fanfare, Nola Oyster Bar will open its doors this weekend in SONO in the space formerly occupied by Wasabi Chi on the corner of Main and Washington. As CTbites announced a few weeks ago the menu will primarily focus on seafood from Maine to New Orleans. The previous open interior has been completely redesigned into three dining areas. The bar area features both a long bar with numerous stools for cocktails and dinner, while the two dining areas occupy the remaining space. The rear dining area is convertible for use as a private dining area. Chef Dan Kardos is overseeing the kitchen and a sneak peak at his opening menu confirms the seafood focus with variety of options. Included are traditional raw bar selections of oysters and clams plus several crudos. “Small Plates” offer several varieties of cooked seafood including braised mussels, an oyster pan roast and several renditions of oysters. The entrées maintain the seafood focus with poached lobster, shrimp and grits, and other grilled and roasted seafood, but expands into a few non-seafood selections that include hanger steak, fried chicken, a combination bacon-cheeseburger. CTbites was told that the menu will expand rapidly over the first few weeks. Stay tuned as CTbites revisits Nola Oyster Bar in a few weeks for an in depth review. Read More
CTbites Invites Recap: Passover Cooking w/ Tabouli Grill Ingredients Features CTbites Cooking Classes Holiday Invites Middle Eastern Recipe ellen bowen February 14, 2013 With the snow piled so high in front on the Post Road, it could have been easy to miss Tabouli Grill in Southport… but I was determined to join a spirited group for CTbites Invites Passover Cooking, so maneuvered my way around to the side parking lot and entrance. Chef/owner Judith Roll greeted everyone with hot coffee and her spongy homemade lemon cake as we were handed recipes for the morning's “hands on” cooking class in the Tabouli kitchen. (See Chef Judy's recipe for Bubbe's Brisket below.) Chef Judy, who has traveled the world bringing authentic Middle Eastern cuisine to her two restaurants, in Stamford and in Southport, is passionate about what she prepares and had created a wonderful Passover menu for our entertainment and dining pleasure ( Passover is March 25-April 2 ). Read More
CTbites 2013 Burger Round-Up Needs Your Help Restaurant Best of CT Burgers CTbites Team February 13, 2013 CTbites is gathering candidates for the 2013 Best Burger Round Up and we need your help. What restaurants do you think are deserving of a spot on our Third Annual List of BEST BURGERS? Post the names of your favorite Burger spots below and we will do our best to sample your suggestions. Read More
Rainbow Thai Opens in Westport Restaurant Asian Thai Westport Sarah Green February 10, 2013 Yes, Virginia, there IS a great Thai food to be found in Fairfield County. The new RAINBOW THAI at 5 Bridge Street in Westport is just what Virginia (and all the rest of us who feared that a great, local Tom Yum Gung soup might not really exist) ordered. RAINBOW THAI is tiny and, not to its advantage, finds itself in that ill fated location in the Bridge Market complex that hasn't to date been a lucky spot for restaurants. Many an eatery has peaked and faded faster than a shooting star in this locale but I think Rainbow Thai has staying power. Why? The food is just so damn good. Read More
