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Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for December 7-15

Events Features Events News

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Red Bee Honey's Holiday Open House returns on Sunday December 8 from 11am-4pm.  Shop Local and Shop Small at Red Bee Honey and pick up your holiday honeys, gift boxes, beeswax candles, soap and many other goodies. Tour a working apiary and meet author and founder, Carla Marina Marchese.

Jazz Brunches continue at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art  on Sunday December 15.  Enjoy a buffet brunch in the Untitled Bistro with live jazz by Charmagne Tripp.

It’s “all about the braise” on Thursday December 12.  Ari Long is coming to Wakeman Town Farm to show us how to prepare leg of lamb and seasonal side dishes in time for the holidays.  Don’t forget to BYOB!  The class is limited to 16 so book your seats early. 

The annual Chili Cook-off returns to Cromwell on Saturday December 7 from 5-8pm.  There are CASH prizes for the best batches of chili plus the holiday block party and tree lighting.


Mine Hill Distillery in Roxbury: Spirits with a Sense of Past and Place (via CT Magazine)

Features Distillery Local Artisan Roxbury Cocktails Spirits

Connecticut Magazine

Time is an ingredient,” Elliott Davis says as he takes me on a tour of Mine Hill Distillery in Roxbury. The venture capitalist turned sheep farmer turned distillery owner is speaking literally. He’s referring to the way the rye, bourbon and other styles of whiskey produced at his distillery will be flavored by the passage of time as they sit aging for months and years in barrels. But he could also be speaking figuratively. Each drop of liquid produced at his distillery, which opened this fall, is inspired by the past.


Winners of CRAZIES Awards For Best CT Chefs & Restaurants Go To...

Features Chef Talk Best of CT News

Stephanie Webster

The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted nearly 700 guests on Monday, December 2 at Foxwoods Resort Casino to celebrate the restaurant industry and handed out sixteen coveted awards. One of the most significant awards of the evening was the Overall and Regional Restaurant of the Year Awards presented by Sysco. First, the association handed out regional winners from around the state and the four winners were – Present Company in Simsbury (North Region); Grano Arso in Chester (South Region); Oyster Club in Mystic (East Region) and Jesup Hall in Westport (West Region). The overall winner who was named 2019 Connecticut Restaurant of the Year went to Grano Arso, who earned the award over the other three regional winners and sixteen total nominees.


Hunger Bites: Diners Eat Out To End Hunger

Features Fundraiser

Stephanie Webster

During the month of December, diners can help feed the hungry while eating at their favorite local restaurants.  CTbites is thrilled to announce the return of Food Rescue US ‘ Hunger Bites program which allows restaurants and diners to join together in the fight against hunger. If you see the Hunger Bites logo at your local restaurant, please consider donating $1 (or more) on your guest check. By giving just $1 today on your bill you'll provide 10 fresh, nutritious meals to people in need in your community.

We encourage you to dine and donate at these participating restaurants: Whelk Jesup Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Match Restaurant, Taproot Restaurant, ,Match Burger Lobster,  The Spread, El Segundo, Terrain, Amis Trattoria, Cask Republic, The Ginger Man, Evarito’s, Little Pub (all locations) & Rowayton Seafood.


Teroforma’s 1pt Cocktail Blends Teams with Crew Restaurant to Host Cocktail Lab Dinner

Ingredients Features Pop-Up Bar Pop-Up Dinner Cocktails Local Artisan

Andrew Dominick

Wine or beer dinners in Fairfield County are common, but cocktail dinners? You don’t see very many (if any) offered on a regular basis. About a year ago, Chris Geideman, the owner of Crew Restaurant in Greenwich, along with Andrew Hellman, CEO of the Norwalk-based barware company Teroforma, started to discuss a cocktail dinner event of their very own. 

The idea would feature Teroforma’s 1pt Blends, a line of flavor kits that enable anyone from experienced bartenders to at-home amateurs to infuse spirits minus all the guesswork. Teroforma is a local CT company that creates all-natural, gourmet infusions for cocktails. After a bunch of casual conversations, they figured out a way not only to make it happen, but to make it something more than simply drinking and eating. 


100+ CT Restaurants & Venues for The Perfect Holiday Party: 2019 Edition

Features Entertaining Catering Private Party Holiday Parties Best of CT Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

As the temperatures drop and November gives way to December, it’s time to get ready to celebrate the holidays!  Call up your friends and family, pick out a festive outfit, and find the perfect place to throw your seasonal bash.  These 100+ restaurants and venues across CT have private and semi-private spaces for intimate affairs, company parties, enormous shindigs, sit-down meals, cocktail hours, and more.  After all, they don’t call it “the most wonderful time of the year” for nothing!


Stamford's Winter Wonderland Market & Beer Garden Opens Dec. 6th

Features Beer Beer Dinner CT Beer Pop-Up Bar Stamford

CTbites Team

Half Full Brewery and Mill River Park Collaborative announced today the return of Winter Wonderland Market & Beer Garden to Stamford, Conn.’s Mill River Park.  The Winter Wonderland is intended to celebrate and unite local residents and professionals through a diverse and expanded slate of programming, which will run from Friday, Dec. 6 through Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2020.


CTbites 2019 Holiday Gift Guide For CT Food Lovers

Features Gift Guide Holiday Local Artisan Homepage

April Guilbault

We’re back with some soon-to-be-loved holiday gifts! From hostess gifts to a Big Kahuna gift (get your passport ready!), we’ve uncovered an array of goodies that you will be excited to give and others will be thrilled to receive. With your beloved foodies in mind, bestow these gems in the spirit of love and good eats-made even better knowing that they all originate in our fair Nutmeg State. See, even the name of our state is food-centric. We love to support local and small businesses and hopefully, this list will encourage you to check out these favorite new finds. Happy Holidays everyone, eat well, gift well! …and if shopping stresses you out too much, go get some Oops, I Ate My…..you’ll see (wink!).


Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for November 24- December 1

Events Features Events

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Chef Emily Mingrone’s Tavern State now serves brunch!  Check it out from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  Reservations are available on Resy.

The Tasty Yolk has a new special.  “Get Stuffed” includes 2 over easy eggs, toasted brioche stuffing, pulled roasted turkey gravy, and house cranberry sauce.  It is available at all locations.  Visit their brand new storefront or check their Facebook page for the location of their 3 food trucks. 

Tisane Euro-Asian Café presents a Friendsgiving Drag Show on Tuesday November 26 from 10pm-12am.  A $10 ticket gets you access to performances by Mizery McRae & Marita Bonita and music by DJ John Rsaza.  Sip on $5 house wines, $6 specialty cocktails, and $3 select beer. 

Wednesday November 27 marks the first official crossover event between Birdman Juke Joint and The Acoustic! 


Friday Froth: The Art Of Craft Beer Comes To Three Sheets

Features Beer CT Beer Design Exhibition

James Gribbon

What if each drop in the ocean of American craft beer landed with a splash of new color? Thousands of breweries, making hundreds of thousands of beers, each rippling and bouncing with individual personality. Beer brewing is an art, yes, but in the process it also supports artists who make their own contribution to what brewers create, and drinkers see. This December, Three Sheets and The 16oz. Canvas will present The Art Of Craft Beer, featuring artists who add color to the craft beer scene of Connecticut.


Chef Bill Taibe's Cider Braised Turkey Legs Recipe

Features Holiday Thanksgiving Recipe Comfort Food

Bill Taibe

We pulled this recipe from the files circa 2011. Enjoy.

For many people, the best part of the Thanksgiving turkey are the legs. The dark meat is more richly flavorful and for those who are in this camp...why bother with the breast? Chef Bill Taibe has come up with a solution for turkey leg lovers everywhere...Cider Braised Turkey Legs. Braising vs baking makes the meat literally fall off the bone. Enjoy.


Chestnut Stuffing with Leeks and Apples from The Parsley Thief

Features Thanksgiving Recipe

katie vitucci

Carry on brave Thanksgiving cooks. Roasted chestnuts in a bottle are quite pricey.  Although time consuming, you can save money by roasting your own (which we suggest).  However, if you prefer to go the quick route, bottled chestnuts can be found in most specialty grocery stores. Enjoy this recipe for Chestnut Stuffing with Leeks & Apples c/o The Parsely Thief.


Sweet Potato Pie Recipe from Latin Chef/ Author Leticia Schwartz

Recipe Features Recipe Thanksgiving Holiday Pie Dessert

Leticia Schwartz

Ok, I’m all about healthy cooking. The proof is in the book, Latin Superfoods. But this time of year is a little special! Let’s dig right into this Sweet Potato Pie, adapted from Gourmet Magazine. Go ahead and celebrate the old-fashioned way with family and friends.

Growing up in Brazil, such a tart was not in the habits, and in fact it took some time for me to get the liking of it. But after 20 years of living here, let me tell you, I’m hooked! And Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays since it’s all about food, friends and family!


BD Provisions Opens in Fairfield: Gourmet Bulk Food Shopping

Features Specialty Market Grocery Store Bulk Shopping Fairfield Newtown Tea And Coffee Education Shopping Opening

CTbites Team

Bulk shopping isn’t exactly a new concept but bulk shopping that’s zero waste is something we get excited about. BD Provisions, with locations in Newtown, and now at the Brick Walk in Fairfield CT, takes this familiar concept and gives it a breath of fresh air with a new, environmentally friendly spin. 

Less is more, especially here. Less waste means more product which means greater savings and more fun, but you really need to head over to experience it yourself. 


DORO Catering & Restaurant Group Hosts Sub Edge Farm Dinner

Features Farm Dinner Catering Caterers

Kristin L. Wolfe

Can I just tell you how great it is to go to bed at the end of a fall night with the smell of a bonfire in my hair? Both end-of-season Hadley & Occum Farm Dinners hosted by DORO were truly sort of magical. Not in the knight in shining armor kind of magical, but in the can we hold onto to this beautiful moment of community and let these flavors and aromas linger just a little while longer kind of magical. It was community, it was the beautiful Sub Edge Farm, it was tremendous food, and it was a recognition of what Bourdain always talked about: the power of sharing a meal around a table, no matter who is dining with you.

Nominated as one of five for 2019 Caterer of the Year by the Connecticut Restaurant Association, we know DORO  Catering and Restaurant Group  is a master at their craft.  With the connection of four restaurants, Zohara Kitchen, Avert, Treva, and Artisanal Burger Company, the catering group has a culinary treasure trove of flavors and experience from which to pull for any event they cater.


50+ CT Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner & Catering: 2019 Edition

Features Holiday Thanksgiving Catering Caterers Special Occasion homepage Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and many of Connecticut’s best restaurants have Thanksgiving specials & catering worth gobbling up! From prix fixe menus to extensive buffets to family style to take-out, there are options for everyone. So don’t cry fowl– make your reservations today! Space is limited and seats fill up quickly, and get your catering orders in if you’d prefer to do Thanksgiving at home, without the work!


Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events, Game Dinners, And Festivals for November 17-24

Events Features EVENT News Pop-Up Dinner Pop-Up Bar Happy Hour

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Kombucha is delicious and nutritious!  Cross Culture Kombucha Taproom & Brewery will teach you how to make your own at home in their Kombucha Homebrewing Workshop on November 21.

On Tuesday November 19, Fairfield Cheese Company hosts an evening all about Cheese and Wine of The French Alps.  Join them from 7-9pm for $50 per person. 

The Taps & Trees Craft Beer Festival returns to the Danbury Sports Dome on Saturday November 23.


Elicit Brewing Company Sneak Peek Info & Opening November 18

Features Beer Garden Beer CT Beer Brewery Manchester Opening

CTbites Team

It's go time! After much work, construction, beer brewing, game assembly, mixology, and kitchen testing, Elicit (located at 165 Adams St, Manchester, CT) is ready to bring the FUN to Manchester - and you're invited!

Elicit Brewing Co. will be an American-style beer garden featuring a range of food from pizzas and sandwiches to smaller style plates including wings and pretzels. The brewery is expected to be open Monday through Friday late afternoon through late night, with more hours on the weekends To learn more about Elicit Brewing Co., follow us on Instagram (@ElicitBrewing), visit their website: http://elicitbrewing.com

If you would like to get in BEFORE THE PUBLIC, THEY ARE ACCEPTING RSVP’S FOR The PRE-opening weekend EVENTS.