Mecha Noodle Bar Opens In Stamford! Restaurant Noodles Asian Vietnamese Japanese Ramen Pho Stamford Lunch Homepage Opening Andrew Dominick September 01, 2019 Stamford, you’re about to be on the receiving end of a whole lot of noods. Get your mind out of the gutter, we’re talking about the piping hot, comforting bowls of ramen and pho by Mecha Noodle Bar, opening at the start of September on Bedford Street.There’s no exact date as of yet, according to the team at Mecha, but they’re advising eager broth sippers to stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram for soft opening and grand opening announcements. Much like their other locations in Fairfield, South Norwalk, and New Haven, Stamford’s version of Tony Pham’s popular noodle shop will feature all the Mecha staples; KFC bao, a half dozen pho options, red oil dumplings, kim chi fried rice, and all the porky tonkatsu and spicy miso ramen you can handle. But wait! There’s more! Mecha Stamford will have a few differences from its other locations, starting with the bar. The massive U-shaped bar was made to be a focal point of the dining room because of Stamford’s bar culture, so you can pull up, have a drink (or three) from beverage director Jonathan Rodriguez’s craft cocktail program, a few bites, and call it a night if that’s what you desire. Additionally, there’s some outdoor street level seating for when the weather obeys. Aside from all that, there’s a little something “EXTRA” at this Mecha…“There’s a section on the menu we’re referring to as the ‘Baller Menu,’” says Kaylyn Crawford, Mecha’s COO. “We’ll have stuff like a large pho for two with a steak, and large format cocktails like a punch bowl. We want to take it over the top for the demographic in Stamford.” Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For Week of September 1-8 Features Events News Festival Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 29, 2019 Attention CT foodies ready for a road trip: The Newport Wine + Food Festival arrives this September, kicking off the fall season and ushering us into a beautiful time of year. 2019 marks the fourteenth anniversary of the festival, which takes place from September 19-22. Get ready to “pig” out on Mondays at Dinosaur BBQ in Stamford. Every Monday through, 9/23 join them on the patio for some pig pulling and bourbon tasting. Bring a group of friends and have a pig picking party right at the table! Individual portions are available as well for $9. Plus, join them Tuesday 9/3 for Friends Trivia.Birdman in Bridgeport is ready for college students and football season! They are featuring a Nashville Hot style chicken wing and some Pennsylvania Dutch Hand Pies filled with the Harlem Bodega favorite "Chopped Cheese."Redding Roadhouse hosts a Tuscan Wine Dinner on Wednesday 9/4. Chef Lucas has designed a meal that pairs perfectly with Frescobaldi wines. Dine al fresco on 3 courses with pairings for $75 per person. There’s nothing like a good, juicy burger… and now you can enjoy them on the farm! On 9/4, Chef Jamie Bissonnette (Toro, Little Donkey) and Tony Camilleri (Zohara) join the Sub Edge Farmers for an evening of farm-made burgers, grilled veggies, and cold drinks. Tickets are $45. NYC-born pizza institution and Newington newcomer, Artichoke Basille's Pizza, will celebrate National Cheese Pizza Day on Thursday, September 5 by giving away a FREE Basille Regular Cheese Pie with the purchase of any other whole pie. Read More
Pokéworks Opening in West Hartford September 21 Restaurant Sushi Fast Casual Take Out Japanese Lunch West Hartford Opening Stephanie Webster August 27, 2019 Get pumped West Hartford foodies. On Sept 21st, Pokéworks, the much beloved, healthy, fast-casual poke restaurant, will be opening its doors. The new spot is going into Corbin Collection (across from Westfarms mall) located at 1445 New Britain Avenue, and brings a fresh take on Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and burritos with a convenient and customizable menu. (Check out our review for the Pokéworks Westport location here.) Read More
Blues Views & BBQ Festival Returns Labor Day Weekend! Features Festival Live Music BBQ CTbites Team August 26, 2019
WIN FREE Tickets to Greenwich Wine and Food Festival 2019 Features Festival Greenwich Wine + Food Festival CTbites Team August 26, 2019 Hey guys. It’s that time of year again…Greenwich Wine + Food Festival is almost here, and YOU CAN WIN 2 FREE SATURDAY ALL DAY PASSES (WORTH $400). Comment below and include your email. Tell us why YOU NEED those tickets!At the festival, guests will experience sommelier, mixologist and brew master presentations, celebrity book signings, cooking demos with Special Guest Chefs, a celebrity green room with live interviews, an exclusive Meet the Masters panel discussion, The Tailgate Party with The Ultimate Taco, Burgers & Beers, and Grill Masters & BBQ. The 8th Annual Burger Battle and 6th Annual Top Bartender Showdown will also return, providing friendly competition between area restaurants and bars. Read More
Growing CT Beer At Fox Farm Brewery Features Ingredients Brewery CT Farms CT Beer Beer Local Artisan Local Farm Homepage James Gribbon August 25, 2019 Beer, as I've said so many times on this site, is food. Beer is a farm you can drink. It's an agricultural product that comes to us from fields of grain and leafy green hop yards, even down to the yeast brewers culture and grow from the skins of fruit in orchards. The massive proliferation of breweries in Connecticut - many of them less than five years old - means a huge uptick in the need for all these natural products. I wanted to take a look at how the rise of craft beer is affecting the state of agriculture in the Constitution State, and how breweries and farms are working hand in hand to create and restore the growth of Connecticut beer. This will be an ongoing series as summer days get shorter and we approach harvest time, but I thought the best way to start would be with a place that brings agriculture and beer together, and I started with at Fox Farm Brewery. Read More
School’s in Session! Hoodoo Brown Debuts BBQ 101 Classes Features Cooking Classes Education BBQ Ridgefield Homepage Andrew Dominick August 25, 2019 It’s a sweltering hot Sunday in July and a dozen of us are standing outside of Hoodoo Brown BBQ at quarter to eight in the morning. A father-daughter duo came in from the Upper East Side, one guy came from Queens, others made a 45-minute drive down from parts of the Hudson Valley or from various parts of Fairfield County, the rest sped over from up the street. At that time, Hoodoo Brown was still over three hours away from opening its doors to customers craving their Texas-inspired barbecue, so what the heck were we all doing there? Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of August 25-31 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 22, 2019 In addition to being a food critic in both Connecticut and Miami, CTBites’s own Ellen Bowen is making her film debut! Check her out as an extra in Batsh*t Bride, a movie while was filmed in Fairfield County. There is a special pre film pre fixe dinner at Chez Vous Stamford and an after party At Flinders Lane. Get your tickets to the Monday August 26 premiere for $10 and by emailing batshitbride@gmail.com El Segundo is turning 3! On Thursday August 29 starting at 4pm, join them for food and drink specials, giveaways, and live music. https://www.facebook.com/events/904030639962072/ On Thursday August 29, Barcelona Wine Bar in Fairfield hosts a Patio Paella Party. Close out the summer with music from a live DJ as Chef James Bizak prepares paella and other dishes. A ticket price of $50 plus tax and gratuity will be collected on-site for entry, food, and wine. Other beverages available for purchase.The 11th Annual A Taste in Simsbury returns on Thursday August 29. The gourmet foodie event features mouthwatering samples from top area restaurants, craft beer, wine, specialty drinks, coffee and dessert. It takes place at the Riverview from 5:30-8:30pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/452464541976013/ Millwright’s appreciates teachers! Through September 15, show your badge or teaching ID and get 20% off your bill.West Hartford Restaurant Week continues through September 2. Feast on specially priced prix fixe menus at West Hartford hotspots, all while supporting Foodshare. www.whrestaurantweek.com Read More
Little Beet Table Opens in Greenwich: Healthful, Veggie Forward, & Gluten Free! Restaurant healthy Vegan Vegetarian Gluten-Free Greenwich Brunch Lunch Homepage Opening Kristin L. Wolfe August 19, 2019 The LBD. The Little Black Dress. It’s the item in a gal’s closet that never disappoints. It fits, it’s classy, not too overstated, but makes the fresh statement, “I’ve arrived.”Well, guess who has arrived in Greenwich? The LBT. Little Beet Table. It too is classy, not too overstated, and undeniably fresh.Following its successful predecessors in New York and Chicago, and under the esteemed direction of chef and culinary director Matt Aita (Rouge Tomate, Daniel, Jean Georges), Little Beet Table is amping up what it means to offer fresh, wholesome delicious food. From brunch to lunch and dinner, to cocktails and snacks, LBT puts a real twist on traditional sweet and savory bites and does it all gluten-free. As one of the first exclusively gluten-free restaurants around, Little Beet Table is on top of their game when it comes to unearthing tasty, healthy alternatives for the gluten-based dishes most of us crave, but some of us can’t or shouldn't have. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events, Farm Dinners, Tastings and Festivals for Week of August 18-25 Features News Events Farm Dinner Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 15, 2019 Birdman Juke Joint has kicked off their “Biscuit Brunch”. Yes, it's those nationally acclaimed Brown Sugar Buttermilk Biscuits that took the nation by storm when Chef Chris Scott made them on Top Chef. Brunch hours are Saturday and Sunday only from 10:30am to 2pm.Happy Birthday, Julia Child! On Wednesday August 21, celebrate her birthday at Millwrights with a 5 plus prix fixe meal. It costs $95 per person (plus tax and tip) and also includes wine pairings. Artisanal Burger Company in Manchester, CT invites you to a Pig Roast on the Patio. Join them on Monday August 19 for a pig roast with plenty of BBQ sauces, picnic-style sides, drinks, and delicious summer desserts. The Hey Stamford! Food Festival is finally here! On August 24 and 25, food trucks, live entertainment, local vendors, and more will converge on Mill River Park. Donut Crazy, Dinosaur BBQ, Cousins Maine Lobster, and Kona Ice are just a few of the eats that will be there for the weekend! Choose from regular admission or a VIP experience. Read More
Little Pub To Open Surfside Hotel Beachfront Pub In Stratford Restaurant Bar Cocktails Waterfront Outdoor Dining Comfort Food American Burgers Stratford Opening James Gribbon August 14, 2019 The owners of the Little Pub have announced they will open their next venture at the location of the former Marnick's on the Stratford seawall. Little Pub will also take over the attached seaside residence, which is being extensively redone, and renamed the Surfside Hotel. Expect the new pub to open on the beach this month, with the hotel opening shortly thereafter. Read on to see what Little Pub owner Doug Grabe had to tell CTBites... Read More
Bar August: Chic, Romantique, et Delicieuse Restaurant WIne Wine Bar New Haven Charcuterie Bar French Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe August 11, 2019 “It feels like we’re in the Village,” said my gal-pal who joined me for my much anticipated jaunt to Bar August in New Haven. We can’t always explain it, but most of us can conjure an image that falls in line with what “the Village” is? It’s small and cozy, brick and historic, refined but not over the top, with a dash of European flair. And, with the lively scene that New Haven has already, Bar August is just a primo location from the start. Built in people-watching from its side-street, almost corner digs, and a menu that will knock your socks off, Bar August has IT. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events & Happenings for August 11-18 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 10, 2019 Two things that embody summer: Croquet and Rose! Enjoy both on the Artisan (West Hartford) event lawn on Monday August 12. A $25 ticket includes game play on the event lawn, two tickets for beer, wine or soft beverages, and Artisan's hand crafted hors d'oeuvres. There are kids in the kitchen! Stew Leonard’s Newington is offering an “It’s Raining Tacos” culinary class for tots and kids this week. On Tuesday 8/13 and Friday 8/16, toddlers ages 2-5 will prepare taco quesadillas, taco mac & cheese, and tacos. Also on Tuesday, kids ages 6-12 can learn new skills in a separate session.Walrus + Carpenter in Bridgeport is known for its tasty BBQ… and it’s soon to be known for its beer! Join them to try their own newly launched beer, Walrus Ale + Lager. Plus, they’ll soon have a food trailer hitting the streets. “The Flying Pig" will be making its way to breweries, festivals, and more.Have you gotten your tickets for the Hey Stamford! Food Festival? Don’t wait- with 40+ food trucks over 2 days, they’ve got more delicious food than you could imagine for one weekend! And here’s one more reason to stop by: a Veg Out! Vegan Pop-Up was just added to the line-up. Read More
The French 75 Cocktail Recipe from Marcia Selden Catering’s Liquid Kitchen (sponsored post) Features Recipe Cocktails Catering CTbites Team August 08, 2019 Marcia Selden Catering’s Liquid Kitchen Presents a very special summer cocktail favorite…with a twist. Why do we love the French 75? It’s bright and sparkly and just plain delicious. Cheers! The French 75 Recipe1 oz V.S.O.P COGNAC1 oz Simple Syrup3/4 oz Fresh Lemon JuiceTop with Champagne Read More
30+ Spots For Ice Cream in CT: Farms, Stands, and Shops Restaurant ice cream Dessert Best of CT Kid Friendly Gelato Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 06, 2019 Connecticut loves its ice cream! One afternoon, I posted a casual query to a food lovers Facebook group: “Hello, everyone! I’m working a round-up of all the best places to enjoy ice cream across Connecticut during these hot summer days. What are your favorite spots?” Within a matter of hours, the post racked up 154 comments along with countless likes, follows, shares, and reactions. Ice cream enthusiasts were eager to share their favorite spots all across the state, from hidden gems to beloved staples. Here are 30+ places for spectacular scoops in CT. Read More
Conspiracy: Killer Cocktails & Small Plate Magic in Middletown CT Restaurant Bar Cocktails Middletown Spirits Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe August 04, 2019 The niche at Conspiracy has been very warmly received and has opened up such a great new opportunity for Middletown visitors. Chef Sassi mentioned, “The small plates is something that’s been a passion of mine for several years, so, to have a place entirely devoted to small plates breaks the mold of the conventional way of eating out. What’s better than experiencing several different dishes and flavors and journeys for the cost of a single regular entree?”I agree. It’s super smart, very creative, and gaaa damn delicious.“Being a craft cocktail bar in Middletown is a hustle,” mentioned owners Mark and Jen Sabo. “We’re not a big city, the town isn’t (yet) a place people 100 percent think of as a destination, so we have to grind and push the boundaries of creativity and innovate and change constantly...our guests respond to variety and innovation, so we are constantly looking to deliver that.”If it was even possible to manage more tasty bites, my guest and I tried the S'mores, to finish a journey of exquisite flavors. Like the PB&J, this treat paid homage to its childlike original and yet, had a cooler, dressed up vibe. Toasted graham cracker crumble, marshmallow creme anglaise, spiced chocolate, and brûlée marshmallow all painted on a plate, that was part art, part throwback summer memory. Read More
SoNo Seaport Seafood Reopens: Iconic Waterside Seafood is BACK! Restaurant South Norwalk SONO Norwalk Seafood Comfort Food Kid Friendly Waterfront Patio Outdoor Dining Homepage Opening Andrew Dominick August 01, 2019 After a two-and-a-half-month hiatus, SoNo Seaport Seafood is open once again, serving up the ocean’s bounty with a few exciting changes. In mid-April, the 35-year-old South Norwalk mainstay announced they would shut down shop while the restaurant, outdoor bar, and patio all underwent renovations. To oversee it all, SoNo Seaport’s owners, the Bloom Family, brought in a legit Fairfield County chef to consult on the project. That’s where Matt Storch enters the fray. But make no mistake, the chef/owner of Match and Match Burger Lobster wasn’t merely brought in to make decisions on what furniture to buy and what color paint should go on the walls. One of Storch’s focal points at SoNo Seaport was to give an outdated menu a much-needed refresh. Read More
Nibble: Yummy CT Food Events For August 4-11 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 31, 2019 This summer, check out Tequila Tuesdays at Evarito’s in Norwalk. Get $6 Evarito’s El Jimador margaritas, half price carafes, and other half price tequilas at the bar all night long, and enjoy their gorgeous roof top!To celebrate Litchfield’s 300 year anniversary, Arethusa Farm and the Lichfield Historical Society invite you to the Tapping Reeve Meadow to meet some of Arethusa’s award-winning cows. On August 11, learn about the history of the farm, sample ice cream and cheese, and play games. $5 per person or $20 per family. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center hosts a Berry Bonanza on Sunday August 11. Harvest berries from the garde, learn how to identify wild raspberries versus invasive wineberries, and create no-bake raspberry sauce to take home. On August 7, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill will be donating 10% of all food sales to New Haven Reads.Healing meets Happy Hour at the Roger Sherman Inn on August 7. Try out acupuncture while enjoying drinks and bites. Read More
The Perfect Provenance’s Café 47 Hosts Exceptional Monthly Dinner Tasting Restaurant Greenwich Pop-Up Dinner Andrew Dominick July 30, 2019 Exclusivity when dining out has a way of making us feel special. The smaller, the better. It’s like being part of a special club. It’s cool knowing that at that very moment, in a space half the size of a normal living room, that you and 20 people are the only ones that get to take part in an intimate dinner. Most often the problem is that “exclusive” equates to “EXPENSIVE.” That brings us to Greenwich! Wait, before you think this is going to be some $150 per person affair, you’re so very wrong. What if I told you that there’s a great four-course tasting menu offered on the first Friday and Saturday of every month for $65? If eating out is your thing, I bet you’d be intrigued. What am I saying? It’s Fairfield County, of course eating out is your thing. Would it be crazier if I mentioned that it goes down at a luxury lifestyle boutique store? And that it’s BYOB? Bet you didn’t see those swerves coming. Read More
Guide To CT Lobster and Clambake Caterers For Your Next Party Restaurant Lobster Lobster Bake Seafood Catering Entertaining Best of CT Homepage April Guilbault July 26, 2019 Crack ‘em, steam ‘em, grill ‘em, looooove ‘em. Lobster, lobster, oh sweet lovely lobster, you make our hearts swoon. Summer is here, the living is easy and to make it even easier, why not throw a good ol’ New England Lobster Bake catered to your venue of choice? You’ll feel like you are oceanside (minus the Great Whites trolling the shores) no matter where you decide to hold your bash. Draw that buttah and color yourself happy! We’ve compiled a whole boatful of vendors that will cater to every whim you might have in order to create a memorable and gloriously fun time. We may even need a bigger boat, the list is so long (ok, who got the reference?). Two big claws up to great companies that are attentive to their customers’ needs and desires and strive to make every Lobster and Clambake a delicious event. Having just used up all the lobster-talk I have up my sleeve, please read on and enjoy… Read More
