Victoria's Wood Fired Pizza Opens in Bethel via Newstimes.com Restaurant Bethel Pizza CTbites Team January 07, 2015 This just in from our friends at newstimes.com. Several years ago Danbury resident Bruce Lyon decided to leave his career in commercial real estate to start his own mobile catering service that specialized in authentic Neapolitan pizza. And after one of his most successful years in the business, Lyon has decided to move part of the operation -- Victoria's Wood Fired Pizza -- into brick and mortar, leasing a storefront on P.T. Barnum Square in Bethel that had been home to several different businesses over the past few years. We've more than doubled our business in the past year alone," Lyon said. "And we've had a huge increase this year in weddings. The rustic, style wedding is really becoming popular, and it works perfectly with our business model." Read the full article on newstimes.com Read More
Cookbook Author Terry Walters at Stamford's Deane Inc on January 15 Restaurant Cookbooks Events Stamford CTbites Team January 06, 2015 Deane Inc. & Elm Street Books are hosting an evening with bestselling cookbook author Terry Walters at the Stamford location of DEANE Inc. on January 15th, 2014 at 6pm. Terry Walters will be discussing and preparing recipes from her new book and copies will be available for purchase and signing. Deane Inc is located at 1267 East Main Street in Stamford, CT. For more information or to RSVP, email staff@imagesanddetails.com or call 203.966.8203. Read More
18 Places to Eat Healthy in 2015: Juice Bars, Restaurants, Organic Markets, Food Trucks & More! Restaurant Juice Bar Juice Cleanse Organic Vegetarian healthy Vegan April Guilbault January 04, 2015 After six weeks of overdoing the bubbly and those cheesy hors d’oeuvres (sooo good), ‘tis time to turn that calendar page and welcome all things cleaner and leaner. 2015 is here, with new delights to entice us and healthy flavors and dishes to keep our immune systems fueled, our skin glowing, and our bellies from bulging. This year, as you treat your body well, will cauliflower be the new kale? Will that little green nut, the pistachio, reign supreme with its antioxidants, vitamins and protein? There are so many ways to treat our bodies well and, luckily, we have found a great offering of area resources that will satisfy our tastebuds and help keep our bodies healthy. Happy New Year! Here are 18 Places to Eat Healthy in Connecticut for 2015: Juice Bars, Restaurants, Organic Markets, Food Trucks & More! Read More
Lunch @ The New Harvest Wine Bar in New Haven Restaurant American Wine Bar New Haven Lunch Amy Kundrat January 04, 2015 The New Haven outpost of Harvest Wine Bar is the fifth restaurant for siblings Kleber, Nube, and Vincente Siguenza, the the trio behind Cava in New Canaan, 55 Degrees in Fairfield, Scena in Darien, and sister restaurant Harvest Wine Bar in Greenwich. CTbites reviewed the Greenwich location almost a year ago, and many of the same culinary observations apply to this newly opened New Haven outpost on Chapel Street. I stopped in recently to experience the restaurant’s $19 two-course prix fixe lunch, perhaps one of the best downtown lunch options among New Haven’s fine dining restaurants. Read More
"Veggie Wednesdays" Are Back @ The Schoolhouse at Cannondale in Wilton Restaurant Vegetarian Wilton CTbites Team January 02, 2015 After the holidays it's time to get off to a great start in 2015 at the Schoolhouse at Cannondale Restaurant in Wilton, CT. Based on customer requests, they will again be offering Vegetarian Wednesdays. These meatless dinners will be offered each Wednesday begining JANUARY 7 and extend through MARCH! The 4 course prix fixed menu will be provided at a very reasonable price of $40. excluding tax & gratuity. Menu for January 7th can be seen below.... Read More
Top CTbites Stories From 2014 Restaurant Best of CT Stephanie Webster December 30, 2014 From restaurant openings (and closings) to memorable food-centric events and a slew of our own guides and top ten lists, we trolled our analytics to bring you the most widely read stories from 2014. Take a trip down memory lane, or use this opportunity to catch up on some great articles you may have missed. Here are the Top Stories of 2014. Guides & “Best Of” Connecticut Food Roundups The Best Tacos In Connecticut: The Ultimate Guide 15 Great Spots for Happy hour in Fairfield County Top Ten Burgers From Greenwich To Westport: Part 1 Read More
Connecticut Magazine's "Experts' Picks" & Readers' Choice Dining Awards Restaurant Awards Best of CT CTbites Team December 27, 2014 Get ready to bite into the restaurants judged the best of the best in Connecticut by the "experts" from Connecticut Magazine, who range from veteran restaurant critics and food writers to contemporary bloggers who track the trends—and hottest, newest places—along with cookbook authors and even a former restaurant owner. And to make sure the state's hottest food destination (Fairfield County, of course) was well represented, our friends at Connecticut Magazine reached out to CTbites for key input. Altogether, with some food savvy Connecticut Magazine editors sprinkled in, it's a group for which dining is a passion—and dining at the best places is an art that takes constantly having a collective finger on the pulse of the Connecticut dining scene. Taken together, Connecticut Magazine's Readers' Choice Dining Awards and its Experts' Picks feature make for a beautiful January magazine, as they also provide a comprehensive view of the state's tastiest places to eat well. Click, enjoy and let us know if Connecticut Magazine got it right: Read More
CTbites Staff & Chef Picks for TOP EATS OF 2014 Restaurant Bridgeport Danbury Fairfield Food Truck Norwalk Stamford Washington Westport New Canaan New Haven Best of CT CTbites Team December 25, 2014 In terms of eating, the CTbites team of writers, photographers, and chef friends have managed to sample and savor more than most. 2014 has been a stellar year for restaurant openings as Fairfield County and the surrounding areas continue to draw great culinary talent. Instead of coming up with a top ten list ourselves, we asked the CTbites extended family to share some of their most memorable meals and dining experiences this past year. Here are our favorite meals and restaurants of 2014. Read More
Holiday Flip Cocktail Recipe via Sean Nye of Match in SoNo Features Cocktails Recipe Stephanie Webster December 23, 2014 Looking for the perfect Holiday Cocktail recipe for your festivities? Sean Nye has mixed up a little something special for CTbites, from his new post, behind the bar of Match in South Norwalk. Sean hails most recently from Walrus & Carpenter, as well as Bodega and South End in New Canaan. Jusy sayin...the man knows how to make a drink. Enjoy this truly delicious recipe for the "Holiday Flip" made with Applejack Brandy, cardamaro and nutmeg. And if you're simply too tired from opening presents, just go order one at Match. Holiday Flip Cocktail Recipe Read More
VESPA Opens in Downtown Westport with Italian Inspired Fare Restaurant Italian Westport Sarah Green December 21, 2014 Here's the buzz- VESPA (Italian for WASP) has arrived in Westport, so get ready for the sting. Perfectly situated on the corner of Post Road and the Saugatuck River, the brand spankin-new haunt from Westporter Bobby Werhane and his partner Kevin Lalumiere of Experience Hospitality Group shares its patio space with Bar Taco and nuzzles up snugly to the water's edge. VESPA is the group's second local restaurant (NEAT opened recently, right across the lot) and it's poised for success. We were invited to a "friends and family" soft opening where we enjoyed a large cross section of the very approachable and creative Italian inspired menu, prepared by Werhane's allstar kitchen team. Executive Chefs, Brian Reilly (Greenhouse Tavern and Noodle Cat) and Craig Wallen (Spasso and sous chef at Gramercy Tavern) work alongside Pasta Chef, Laura Bonechi (Jean-George's The Inn at Pound Ridge), and, by the way...her hand-rolled pasta is seriously crave-worthy. Read More
Kids & Adult Cooking Classes @ Aux Delices Features Cooking Classes Education Kids kids activity kids cooking party CTbites Team December 17, 2014 Aux Delices' 2015 Winter/Spring Kids & Adult Cooking Class Schedule has just been announced. Aux Délices offers cooking classes for adults and children at their professional catering kitchen in Stamford. Classes are generally held on Wednesday evenings for adults and Sunday afternoons for children. Classes are hands-on for children and both participation and demonstration for adults. Their focus is to teach easy, interesting and seasonal food preparation, utilizing a variety of cooking techniques. The chef instructors are from Aux Délices, as well as from well-known restaurants in Fairfield County and New York City. Lynn Manheim, the Cooking School Director does an incredible job engaging and challenging both children and adults, while teaching students the basics of cooking along the way. View the complete schedule below...For more information, click here. Read More
13 Places to Celebrate New Years Eve in Fairfield County CT Restaurant Holiday Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 17, 2014 Plans for New Year's Eve? Usher in the New Year at one of Fairfield County's favorite restaurants and celebrate with great food, music and libations. Many will offer their regular menus while others are offering fix prixe extravaganzas. CTbites New Year's Eve round-up summarizes those restaurants that are offering special menus for ringing in 2015!!! Make your reservations early as the best spots and times usually go first. Here are 13 Fairfield County New Year's Eve Restaurant Parties... Read More
The Rosie O Sandwich @ Reddi Rooster in Stamford Restaurant Delicious Dives Stamford Breakfast Comfort Food Kid Friendly Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 14, 2014 Breakfast of Champions? The "Rosie O" at Reddi Rooster in Stamford may not qualify for this title or as a healthy start to the day, but when you want a diversion from the granola, the yogurt, the egg white omelet, the fresh fruit and throw calorie count to the wind, this sandwich is a great choice. Reddi Rooster is located on Route 1 on the east side of Stamford near the Darien border. It is a fairly non-descript roadside luncheonette serving sandwiches, wraps, and a few hot dishes. The Rosie O has garnered some positive press as one of the best breakfast sandwiches in area so when I found myself in the area I decided to stop in and see for myself. It is available on a roll for $4.50 or as a wedge or a wrap for $7. I ordered the roll version and grabbed one of the seven stools. A steady stream of guests entered, ordered and waited, always a good sign…locals know. Read More
The Year-Round Gin & Tonic Features Cocktails Amy Kundrat December 12, 2014 The gin and tonic has become one of my favorite year-round cocktails. Now before you shout INFIDEL or HERESY and run for the torches to scare me and my cocktail into hibernation until the summer equinox, hear me out. The first rule of a year-round G&T: the gin must be considered carefully. If you’re looking for guidance here, you can’t go wrong with the St. George Terroir Gin, which grounds this G&T with an earthy bite of “Douglas fir, California bay laurel, coastal sage, and other evocative botanicals.” One whiff and you’ll instinctively look over your shoulder for the bear that modeled for the label. Trust me, this is the gin you want for a cold weather G&T. Next, find yourself a clean and crisp tonic. I recommend and will rarely stray from Q Tonic. Don’t even think about desecrating the G&T with a tonic like Schweppes, or please don’t tell me about it because I WILL judge you harshly. Read More
Marcia Selden Catering’s Best Holiday Hors D’oeuvres Features Entertaining Recipe Marcia Selden Catering December 11, 2014 The holidays are right around the corner, and you know what that means…. parties, parties and more parties! Whether you’re hosting or bringing, we’ve got you covered with this season’s most delicious hors d’oeuvre recipes, including: Polenta Bites with Mushroom Duxelle; Chevre & Fig Jam Tartlettes; Gruyere & Red Pepper Jelly Tartlettes & Poached Shrimp with Assorted Dipping Sauces. Your guests will think you hired a caterer! Read More
Greenwich Cheese Company Opens in Cos Cob, via Owners of Fairfield Cheese Co Ingredients Features Cheese Cos Cob Greenwich Specialty Market CTbites Team December 10, 2014 Laura Downey and Chris Palumbo, co-owners of Fairfield Cheese Company, will open Greenwich Cheese Company at 154 East Putnam Avenue in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich, CT, December 11, 2014. Building on the success of Laura and Chris’ popular Fairfield Cheese Company, which opened in 2009, the new location will carry on the tradition of offering the area’s best selection of cut-to-order from larger wheels, artisanal and farmstead cheese from around the world and artisanal cheeses from here in the US, in addition to an array of small batch handmade charcuterie and specialty food accompaniments. Laura and Chris take their craft seriously and are both the only retail owners in Connecticut to be American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professionals (ACS CCP), a certification that only a few hundred people have nationwide. Adding to the talented team is Greenwich store manager Kevin DeFreitas who brings 15 years of cheesemongering experience to this new endeavor and has worked with such industry pros as Ken Skovron from the Darien Cheese Shop. Read More
How To Create The Classic Holiday Cocktail Bar via Sheila Barton Catering Features Catering Cocktails Entertaining Sheila Barton December 10, 2014 Sheila Barton is a local caterer with a flair for food styling. After watching her work her magic at several parties, we asked her for a few tips on creating your own "Classic Cocktail Bar." Here are her tips... I thought it would benefit many to talk about how to set up the perfect holiday cocktail bar. Not only are the essentials so very important, but so are Style, Texture and Taste. I am always about creating an experience..starting with your eyes and ending with taste. Even if you can only afford to serve one great wine and one great beer, you can still do it with style. If you can throw in a classic craft cocktail or two, more the merrier!So to first create Style, it is important to create a feeling of glamour and fun. You do this with visual appeal using different heights and Texture. Read More
Wine Making Class & Tasting @ Barcelona West Hartford Ingredients Restaurant Cooking Classes WIne Wine Tasting CTbites Team December 10, 2014
Excellent New Fall Menu @ Harlan Social in Stamford Restaurant American Stamford Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 07, 2014 Two years ago Harlan Social opened as a part of the Lockworks project in Stamford amidst questions on whether the area would support the restaurant or whether the restaurant investors and the developers were visionaries. Two years later Harlan Social’s success shines as a local hang-out, an after work meeting spot, and a destination restaurant. Harlan Social was the brainchild of Owner & Executive Chef Steve Lewandowski, who was previously the Sous Chef at Manhattan’s Abby restaurant, Gotham Bar & Grill, and Fantino in the Ritz Carlton before joining Tribeca Grill and becoming its Executive Chef. Currently overseeing the kitchen is Executive Chef Michael Sobelman, whose resume includes Sardis and Tribeca Grill with Lewandowski. When Harlan Social opened Lewandowski immediately reached out to Sobelman to join him and oversee the kitchen. Harlan Social recently introduced its new Fall menu and CTbites visited to sample some of the new additions. Read More
Scratch Baking's Loaf of the Week Program Restaurant Bakery Milford Breakfast Amy Kundrat December 07, 2014 THE winter CSA for your bread box is BACK with Scratch Baking's Loaf of the Week club. Beginning on January 9, 2015 for 8 carb-filled weeks, Scratch Baking in Milford is kicking-off their third annual "Loaf of the Week" club. Participants, or "loafers," receive a surprise bread and spread each week, paired with a recipe. Scratch Baking's manager Alex Malaspinas chalked the success of the program up to Scratch's community-minded approach: Read More
