Filtering by Category: Ingredients,Features

Congrats To James Beard Awards Semifinalists: Brian Lewis & Tyler Anderson

Features Awards

Stephanie Webster February 15, 2018

The James Beard Foundation announced today its list of Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists for the 28th annual James Beard Foundation Awards. Selected from a list of more than 20,000 online entries, the prestigious group of semifinalists in 21 categories represents a wide range of culinary talent, from exceptional chefs and dining destinations nationally and in ten different regions across the U.S., to the best new restaurants, outstanding bar programs, bakers, and rising star chefs 30 or younger.

CT has two semifinalists for Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY State, RI, VT).

Congrats to Brian Lewis, The Cottage, Westport, CT and Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s, Simsbury CT!

Winners of the 2018 James Beard Media Awards will be announced on Friday, April 27, 2018. Good luck to out local CT chefs. The honor is well deserved. See this year’s full semifinalist list at jamesbeard.org/awards

Nibble: CT Food Events For Week Of February 18-25

Features Events

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 15, 2018

South Avenue in New Canaan now offers butchery classes! The first installation is called “Half Pig” and will take place on February 20 at 7pm. Participants will go home with meat and a South Avenue Butcher certificate. It costs $90 per person.

“Taste of Stamford” returns Thursday February 22 from 5:30-8:30pm. The Crown Plaza Hotel in Stamford will serve as the backdrop for local chefs, restaurateurs, and distributors in Fairfield County! VIP & General Admission tickets are available online starting at $70.

“National Margarita Day” is February 22, and Bartaco West Hartford is celebrating by releasing a new margarita each week in the months of February and March. Plus, remember to visit them on the 22nd for margaritas, tacos, and fun!

Washington Prime SoNo invites you to a Duckhorn Wine Dinner on Tuesday February 20 from 7-9:30pm. A 5 course dinner will be paired with wines from this renowned Napa winery. The evening costs $95, plus tax and gratuity. Tickets can be purchased at the restaurant or over the phone at (203) 857-1314.

Now you can help Stamford’s Ferguson Library while eating at Judy’s Kitchen + Bar. On Wednesday February 21, from 11am-9pm, 15% of Judy's sales will be donated to The Ferguson Library's Go Fund Me page to raise the money needed to install a new floor. For more information on the project, visit here.

Celebrating The Chinese New Year in CT

Features Chinese Holiday Homepage

Stephanie Webster February 15, 2018

The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival as it’s been called since the 20th century, remains the most important social and economic holiday in China. Originally tied to the lunar-solar Chinese calendar, the holiday was a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. It was also a time to bring family together for feasting. Several CT restaurants will be hosting special celebrations. Ring in The Year of the Dog at these local spots. Chinese New Year officially begins on February 16th, and ends on March 2nd.

Stew Leonard's Unveils New Pastry: The Cannoli Chipwich

Features Dessert Bakery

CTbites Team February 14, 2018

Big pastry news just in from Stew Leonard's and The Hour.

Cannoli fans should head to Stew Leonard's to grab the store's newest concoction on the shelves in Danbury and Norwalk.

The Cannoli Chipwich is two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies with creamy cannoli filling piped between them; the edges are rolled in mini-chocolate chips and then the whole thing is dusted with powdered sugar.

The chipwich is the brainchild of Jake Tavello, Store Director at Stew's in Danbury and the grandson of store founder Stew Leonard Sr. According to a spokesperson, Tavello and the Danbury bakery team were discussing new ideas for the bakery and decided to pair two of the store's most popular items: chocolate chip cookies and cannolis.

Where Do Local Chefs Eat Out? Chef/ Owner Stephen Lewandowski of Harlan Social, Harlan Publick & Harlan Haus

Features Interview Chef Chef Talk Interview Celebrity Chef

Jessica Ryan February 13, 2018

We continue our series, "Where Do Local Chefs Eat Out," with Chef/ Owner Stephen Lewandowski, who owns Harlan Social, Harlan Publick, and the recently opened, Harlan Haus in Bridgeport.

On the rare day or night you’re off from the restaurant where do you prefer to have dinner (If home what is your meal or food of choice)?

Tough question. I have 4 kids and when I do have that night off I like to hang with them and my wife so initially I would say we stay home and I will cook. My kids love chicken marsala so I tend to make this with penne pasta and an arugula salad. Simple but the kids love it. If we go out the kids really enjoy Sakura in Westport because of the hibachi. We have a good time and the staff is so friendly. We have been going there since we moved up here 5 years ago

Giveaway!! WIN FREE Tickets to Whiskey Social on March 24th

Features Giveaway Events

Stephanie Webster February 12, 2018

GoodWorks Entertainment presents their third tasting event: WHISKEY SOCIAL. WHISKEY SOCIAL will take place on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 3 PM until 6 PM at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company (70 Sanford Street in Fairfield, Connecticut).

CTbites is GIVING AWAY 2 FREE TICKETS to Whiskey Social. To win, tell us why you NEED to go in the comments section below, and make sure you are a CTbites Newsletter Subscriber!

Socialites will be able to relish in the exclusivity of sampling from an internationally curated selection of 150+ types of whisky, rye, scotch, bourbon, aged rum, and mezcal. Ordinary New Haven’s mixologist, Tim Cabral, will be in the room crafting samplers of his distinguished cocktails. With the purchase of a ticket, socialites will be invited to savor an array of delicious local fare including a mac and cheese bar, meat and cheese station and dessert bar by Garelick and Herbs of Southport as well as famed pulled pork sliders by Custom Meats of Fairfield. The tunes of a live band will carry throughout the social while couches provide lounge and whiskey barrels scatter the floor for the perfect festive setting.

Wallingford Teen Competes on Rachel Ray's “Cook Your Way to Culinary School” Competition

Features Local Artisan Kids Events

CTbites Team February 10, 2018

Four young aspiring chefs are one step closer to making their dreams of attending culinary school a reality after being named finalists in Rachael Ray’s “Cook Your Way to Culinary School” competition. On Tuesday, February 13th, Jules Esposito, an 18-year-old high school senior from Wallingford, CT, will be cooking to win! She has had her sights set on culinary school since the 2nd grade. She started a baking blog in middle school and is part of a culinary program that has allowed her to manage a food truck and cater events.

10th Pacific House Close to Home Dessert Tasting and Youth Concert Feb 23rd

Features Events

CTbites Team February 08, 2018

The 10th Pacific House Close to Home Dessert Tasting and Youth Concert will be held on Friday, February 23rd from 7-10pm at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. Tickets are now on sale for this spectacular community tradition that offers incredible desserts and live music while raising funds for homeless youth. Talented student musicians from area high schools will join together in a night of music to help their homeless peers.

Guests will leave the event having sampled delicious food and desserts from some of the area’s finest restaurants, bakeries and chocolatiers including: A Chef’s Choice, Bad Louie’s Fudge, Chocolate Works Darien, Dimare's Pastry, Filicori Zecchini, Izzi B’s Allergen Free Bakery, Le Rouge, Little Pub, Longford’s Ice Cream, Pasta Vera, The Granola Bar, Tomatillo.

Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of February 4-11

Features Events Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 03, 2018

Every Tuesday, The Spread’s SoNo and new Greenwich location offer buck-a-shuck oysters.

On Monday February 5, The Westport Library’s Cookbook Club will take place at Wakeman Town Farm. The evening will be led by food lover and blogger Yamini Lal, also known as “Fairfield County Foodie.”

Registration is now open for Bishop Orchard’s CSA. They have an assortment of options: mushroom shares, flower shares, egg shares, cheese shares, and more!

The “Boozin' In Your Onesie Bar Crawl” is coming to Hartford on Saturday February 10. A ticket includes no cover entry for up to 8 venues, an LED Bracelet indicating when to head to the next venue, a 17oz Elite Color Changing Cup, kick-off party from 12-1:30pm, a 90's party from 1:30-3pm, a “Glow Your Mind Halftime Party” from 3-4:30pm, an after party from 7-9pm, and so much more! Be sure to wear your best onesie- there will be prizes!

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill is hosting An Evening with Justin Baldwin, founder of Justin Winery, on Wednesday, February 7 at 6pm. The four-course menu includes Avocado and Crab Toast, Moroccan Shrimp, Pomegranate Lacquered Duck Breast, and Petite Filet of Beef Rossini. A complementary Justin wine pairing will be served with each course. It cost $150 per person, including tax and gratuity.

Mohegan Sun’s Winefest Redux...Chefs, Celebs, Wine & Good Times

Features Festival Events Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 02, 2018

Do you remember seeing Finding Nemo in theaters? Or when Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California? How about when a young rapper named 50 Cent won “best new artist?” It probably feels like a long time ago… and it was! 2003 to be exact. And that’s also how long Mohegan Sun’s Winefest has been around. January 26-29, 2018 marked the FIFTEENTH anniversary of this massive event that brings together celebrity chefs, wine, beer, spirits, food, and local vendors for an entire weekend. I first attended the festival in 2013 and had the opportunity cover the event on behalf of CTBites for the fourth time this year.

Cheesemonger Subscription Box Launches From Fairfield & Greenwich Cheese Co.

Ingredients Features Cheese Delivery Service Home Delivery Gift Guide

Stephanie Webster February 01, 2018

Fairfield & Greenwich Cheese Company have introduced a subscription cheese box service that curates small batch, artisan and traditional cheeses and delivers them, freshly cut, to the doorsteps of food lovers across the nation.

Cheesemonger Box will curate a selection of small batch and traditional American and European cheeses for monthly home delivery, launched this winter as the first cheese subscription service of its kind.

Founders Laura Downey and Chris Palumbo, co-founders and owners of Connecticut cheese shops Fairfield & Greenwich Cheese Company, are launching the service with the goal of “spreading the cheese love across the country” and empowering customers to “become the expert” on artisan cheese.

Blind Rhino & Ken Tuccio Host CT's Biggest Super Bowl Party

Features Events

CTbites Team January 29, 2018

I arrived to The Blind Rhino in South Norwalk 15 minutes early to meet with Ken Tuccio to discuss the party he and The Blind Rhino are throwing on Super Bowl Sunday. As I walked through the door, much to my surprise, Ken was already sitting at the bar. He was halfway through a pint of beer, looking comfortable in a zip-up hoodie bearing the logo of Bridgeport based brewery Aspetuck Brew Lab.

Ken Tuccio, a Norwalk resident, isn’t your typical “local media personality”. While most of the people involved in media on a local level seem as if they were designed in a “news anchor factory”, Tuccio is admittedly rough around the edges.

30+ CT Restaurants, Bars & Caterers for the Super Bowl: 2018 Edition

Features Events Comfort Food Sports Bar Bar

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 27, 2018

Sunday February 4 is the Super Bowl and Connecticut restaurants, bars, and caterers are serving up BIG specials for the BIG game. Halftime buffets, open bars, big screen TVs, giveaways, take-out packages… these deals will have you doing your best touchdown dance!

The Blind Rhino, Norwalk: 2018 will mark the third year of The Blind Rhino's Sono Bowl! The NO COVER pre-game bash starts at 4pm and lasts until kick-off. It will feature live music from The Extras, giveaways, and other specials.
Geronimo, Fairfield: Geronimo's Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, with locations in New Haven and Fairfield, will offer a take-out package consisting of chips, salsa, guacamole, build-your-own Beef Chile Nachos, Hatch Green Chile Stew, Southwestern Empanadas, and Signature Margarita Mix. Choose from a package for 15 or 8 guests.
Bull & Swine, New Haven: Bull & Swine in New Haven will show the Super Bowl on their 80 inch projector screen with surround sound. For $28 per person, you can also enjoy their buffet and open bar. They'll have trivia and prizes, too.
Walrus + Carpenter, Bridgeport: Assorted wings, ribs, sliders, and sides are available for pick-up from Walrus + Carpenter. Order by Tuesday January 30 and pick-up after 12pm on Sunday February 4. Send an email to catering@walruscarpenterct.com or call them at (203) 333-2733 to purchase. less

Friday Froth: Hanging Hills Brewing Co. Proves Rock And Roll Means Well

Ingredients Features Brewery Beer CT Beer Hartford

James Gribbon January 26, 2018

Nibble: CT Food Events For Week Of January 29 - February 4

Features Events

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 26, 2018

The Cook and the Bear in Hartford presents a West Coast v. East Coast Whiskey Dinner on Tuesday January 30 at 6:30pm. The evening includes a cocktail reception, a family-style meal, and side-by-side whiskey pairings. It costs $90, plus tax and gratuity, and tickets are available for purchase online.

The Spotted Horse Tavern in Westport now offers Meatless Mondays!

Learn all about Riesling at The Whelk in Westport on Tuesday January 30 at 6:30pm. Winemaker on Von Winning, Andreas Hutwohl, will be there to guide you through the delicious dinner and wine pairings. It costs $150 per person, plus tax and tip, and reservations can be made by calling 203-557-0902.

Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant in East Lyme invites you to an installation of their Food & Wine Series on Tuesday January 30. Chef Olivia Formica will prepare and explain a 5 course meal, this time inspired by the cuisine in Seattle, WA, and serve it alongside complementary wines provided by Divine Wine Emporium. Tickets are $45 per person or $80 per couple.

Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen hosts a Massaya Wine Dinner on Tuesday January 30. Sami Goshen, winemaker and owner of Massaya Vinyards in Lebanon, will be there to walk you through the wines, which will be paired with custom dishes from the chef. Tickets are $75.

On Wednesday January 31, Chef Prasad Chirnomula, Chef Owner of of INDIA Restaurant in West Hartford, will guide diners through a 5-course tasting menu featuring many of the restaurant's diverse dishes. The cost is $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and includes a complimentary beverage along with the meal.

25+ Restaurants for Fireside Dining in CT: 2018 Edition

Features Restaurant Best of CT Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 23, 2018

When temperatures plummet, it can be hard to find motivation to go outside and brave the arctic blast. Fortunately, restaurants across the state offer big warm fireplaces so that you can feast in front of a toasty fire. Here are over 25 cozy fireside dining venues in Connecticut.

Winvian, Morris: On 113 acres, Winvian, a luxury resort, has 18 luxury resort cottages, each designed by 15 different architects. Winvian also abounds with private gardens, a greenhouse, henhouse, apiary, a glorious dining room, and spa
Tavern at Graybarns, Norwalk: Tavern at GrayBarns is situated in the space that once housed Silvermine Tavern featuring elegant American fare.
The Goose, Darien: With its luxurious old style bar and welcoming tavern feel in the dining area, The Goose in Darien is a great place to enjoy soups, salads, sandwiches, seaside-inspired lobster tacos, and entrees like St. Louis-Style Ribs and Steak Frites.
Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse, Greenwich: Gabriele’s in Greenwich is a quintessential steakhouse that also offers Italian specialties. Aged leather wingback chairs, a hulking stone hearth, fireside tables, and private dining in the wine room all set the scene for hearty food.

Small Brewers Become Big Business In Fairfield County

Features Brewery Best of CT Beer CT Beer

Jeanne Muchnick January 17, 2018

This just in from Norwalk Daily Voice...

If you're a beer lover, you're in luck. Each day it seems another brewery or beer pub opens its doors in Fairfield County, catering to residents with creative hops (Harlan Haus in Bridgeport) and carefully curated snacks (shout out to Shelton's The Drunk Alpaca).

In a short period of time, the Connecticut craft beer scene has exploded, tapping into the county's thirst for flavor, variety and fun.

Many of these businesses were started by local folks with a passion for home brewing. All of them have helped elevate the area's craft beer experience.

Not sure where to go? We've done the research for you -- and yes, that may (or may not) have included sampling a few pints of amber brews.

Aspetuck Brew Lab, Bridgeport: This two-year-old brewery and tap room are the dream of a husband-and-wife team (see Daily Voice story HERE ) who care as much about the community as they do good, local beer.
Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery, Bethel: This craft brewery and casual dining spot, in the old Bethel Train Station, is hoping for a late January/early February opening. Stay tuned by following them on Facebook.

Nibble: CT Food Events For Week Of January 14-21

Features Events

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 12, 2018

On January 18, Terrain Garden Cafe in Westport will host a Winter Fireside Dinner featuring a selection of warming winter dishes inspired by cold season. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner with an optional whiskey or wine pairing with a view of crackling fire pits on the cafe patio. It is $75 per person with the optional beverage pairing for an additional $30 per person. View menu and reserve here.

Sip for a cause on Saturday, January 20 from 12-5pm at the first ever West Hartford “Culinary Corner Pub Crawl” hosted by Eat IN Connecticut while helping to raise funds for charities dedicated to ending hunger in Connecticut. The Crawl includes five of West Hartford’s Restaurants: Vinted, INDIA, The Cook and The Bear, FLORA, and Artisan Restaurant at the brand new DELAMAR Hotel. Participants can go to any of the 5 participating Culinary Corner restaurants anytime for food specials in addition to the 1/2 off drink specials during the Pub Crawl. Purchase your tickets here.

Wakeman Town Farm will have a pop-up Fondue Dinner on January 18 from 7-10pm. Enjoy 3 courses with wine pairing, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to support Wakeman's operations and educational programming. Tickets are $85 per person.

On Tuesday January 16, Caseus Fromagerie Bistro invites you to an Italian Cheese & Wine Pairing Class. It runs from 6-7:30pm and costs $45 per person.

Zoni Foods, Delicious Plant-Based Frozen Meals: A Conversation with CEO & Founder Zoë Lloyd

Interview Features New Haven Interview healthy Vegetarian Vegan

Amy Kundrat January 09, 2018

What should I make for dinner? This daily lament is the million billion dollar question fueling a booming meal kit industry. Weekly deliveries of fresh ingredients with easy-to-follow recipes offer the promise of an easy weeknight dinner. However, a growing segment of this audience such as young professionals and busy families is seeking something even simpler, less time consuming, and healthier.

CTBites On The Boat: Grace & Darkness Oyster Stout Release And Oyster Roast At Half Full Brewery, Jan. 21

Features Ingredients Beer CT Beer Brewery Seafood

James Gribbon January 07, 2018

We'd left the dock in South Norwalk in utter darkness to harvest oysters in one of the oldest, most productive oyster fisheries in America. Jordan Giles of Half Full Brewery in Stamford shucked a few on the steps of the Grace's pilothouse and handed one to me. The Copp's Island oyster had been at the bottom of the Sound minutes ago.

The "Why" is tripartite: I've always loved oysters (and can apparently add them to skiing and air travel on the list of things I'll wake up at an evil hour for), I had never been on an oyster boat, and Half Full brewery will host their second ever Grace&Darkness oyster stout can release and oyster roast on Sunday, January 21 at noon. These oysters were to be the main attraction.