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CT Halloween Parties, Events, Farms & Bars for 2021

Features Events Halloween Holiday Events

April Guilbault October 21, 2021

Halloween may actually feel like Halloween this year and it sure looks like it from this list! This year you can:

Fill your trick or treat bags with chocolates and candies of all sorts and not have to eat them alone in your house
Hit some gatherings that don’t involve CDC online registrations and lines waiting for a jab and…
Happily don costumes that aren’t last year’s costume-du-jour of LOUNGEWEAR, and HAVE SOME FUN!

Happy Halloween all you ghouls and ghosts, from the CTbites Vampires, bwah ha ha!

Hindsight BBQ: Must Eat BBQ in Waterbury

Features Interview Restaurant Waterbury BBQ Hindsight BBQ Homepage Lunch Catering Comfort Food Opening

Andrew Dominick October 17, 2021

When you pull up to Hindsig ht BBQ, it looks like a barbecue joint. Forget the fact that you can smell the smoke off the wood for miles or the sight of a packed patio area of carnivorous customers smacking their lips on ribs, wings, and definitely the brisket. You might even forget you’re in Waterbury. The setup of picnic tables, greenery and flowers, fire pits, an outdoor bar, and massive smokers all make you feel like you’re about to eat BBQ in a setting reminiscent of the south.

The man behind Hindsight is Jeff Schmidt. And he wants you to feel like you’re at a BBQ restaurant.

Schmidt is a self-proclaimed “restaurant baby.” His mom, Jayne Lamphear along with stepfather Red, own At The Co rner in Litchfield and Black Ro ck Taver n in Thomaston. Schmidt has general managed at both, including a decade long stint after his family opened At The Corner.

Schmidt first got into the BBQ game as a hobby, but it quickly progressed into a pop-up. “I started doing it at Black Rock Tavern some weekends and,” he says. “COVID happened and I wanted to do new, so I did BBQ every weekend and that turned into every day. I even did pop-ups for brewery owners at Kent Falls, Tribus, Counter Weight, and Fox Farm. As the pandemic became more manageable, I said to myself, ‘I don’t want to stop doing this.’”

So he didn’t.

The pandemic, Schmidt told us, was a good opportunity to take the leap to do something that was solely his restaurant baby, so he found a space. “This place maybe would not have been available if not for the pandemic,” he says as he begins to laugh. “It was a diner years ago, then it was a place where you could come and have a drink with hot models! It wasn’t a strip joint, but it basically was! It was painted hot pink inside with black ceilings.”

Of course, like any BBQ enthusiast, and believe this, Schmidt is uber nerdy about the ‘cue craft, he continued his education with a trip down south. He spent time in Texas (one being LeRoy & Le wis BBQ in Austin), Georgia, and other states expanding his knowledge and learning from guys ingrained in the BBQ scene so he could bring elements back to Waterbury with him.

So, what’s Schmidt’s BBQ style at Hindsight? There isn’t one.

Nibble: Oct 18-31 Tasty CT Food Events, Festivals, Wine Dinners, Cooking Classes +

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Stephanie Webster October 15, 2021

Two Roads Brewing Company invites you to join us for our Annual Roadsmary’s Baby Pumpkin Fest on October 24, 2021 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm including an outdoor screening of Friday the 13th starting @ 7:30pm!—-Small State Great Beer Festival is October 30th. Sip on unlimited tastings from Connecticut’s top breweries. Vibe out to live music.—-New England Brewing Company hosts a Halloween Bash on October 29—-A fun adult cooking class in Wakeman Town Farm Sustainability Center's Tim's Kitchen with @Chef Diana Andrews of @Fine Cooking Magazine, teaching three basic sauces that can be used again + again—-Fairfield Restaurant Week is going down on October 25 - November 8.++

25+ Spots To Celebrate Oktoberfest in Connecticut

Features Events Oktoberfest EVENT News Beer CT Beer Holiday Homepage

April Guilbault September 30, 2021

Who doesn’t love a wedding? Wait…what? Did you know that Oktoberfest got its start in 1810 as a celebration of the wedding of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen? (please try saying that last name after a stein of brew.) We can get onboard with any wedding celebration that involves giant pretzels, bratwurst for miles, and beer flowing like a Bavarian river. Another little factoid for you to thrill your beer-buddies with: the current Oktoberfest in Germany only serves beer from the original six breweries in Munich. Our list, lucky for you, is a tad longer. You can call that a win and not even have to fly anywhere. Oktoberfest, weddings, whatever you are celebrating-Raise those steins! Prost!

Enjoy these 25+ spots to celebrate OKTOBERFEST in Connecticut!

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events, Oktoberfests, Wine Dinners and More for Oct 3-15

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Stephanie Webster September 23, 2021

Chef Jeff Lizotte of Present Company will be cooking a five course menu on Thursday, October 7th at the Farmington Polo Grounds—-Parkville Market in West Hartford will be offering much more than just beer and bratwurst during their Oktoberfest celebration ——-The Hops Company invites you to their 6th Annual Oktoberfest on Sunday October 10th!—-Char & Lemon, an upscale pizza restaurant has just opened in Oxford, CT.—-Don’t miss the Beer Garden at the Farm, Sunday, Oct. 17, noon-4. Wakeman Town Farm, 134 Cross Hwy, Westport.—Join The Redding Roadhouse for their 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Friday October 8th at 8pm featuring Nod Hill Brewery and music by Hitch and the Giddyup.+++

Baldanza Moves to Wilton & Takes Over The Schoolhouse

Features Interview Restaurant Wilton Farm Fresh Italian lunch Homepage Brunch

Andrew Dominick September 20, 2021

School is officially back in session in the Cannondale neighborhood of Wilton. We’re not talking education but rather The Schoolhouse’s new “teachers,” Angela and Sandy Baldanza and their son, Alex.

Before the family’s move to the historic Cannondale School, they were restaurantless. No, you aren’t crazy to imagine that they had a few restaurants at one point. They owned and operated Baldanza Cafe for 8 ½ years in New Canaan with six of those spent where SE The Back End is now. They even ran Baldanza Bistro in Darien behind Ten Twenty Post.

“When COVID hit, we closed that space (Darien) because it was too small for outdoor seating,” Angela says. “We took a lease at 21 Forest (in New Canaan). A few months in, we received complaints from the condo board there. We cut our losses there and our Darien lease ended. And we only left 17 Elm because of the place in Darien, so we were left with no restaurants at all.”

Cue the 1872 building we’ve all known as The Schoolhouse at Cannondale under Tim LaBant and most recently the home of Hugh Mangum’s popular Rise Doughnut pop-up who subleased from LaBant for a year. LaBant, who had a 14-year run at The Schoolhouse decided not to renew for a few reasons. “I left to focus on Parlor Wilton and the new Parlor Darien,” he says. “My lease was up and in these crazy times, I decided not to renew.”

All of the moving, and the closings, led to a coincidence.

“Ironically, Tim has our old spot in Darien where he opened Parlor and we took over The Schoolhouse on July 1,” Angela says. “Here we are, and we love being here. Sandy and I used to come here for dinner when we had a break from our restaurant. We love Tim.”

At this iteration of Baldanza, diners can anticipate a local, organic, and homemade approach. Brioche and Tuscan bread are sourced from Balthazar Bakery, while the naturally leavened, freshly milled sourdough comes from 123Dough Bakery in Pound Ridge. They also get seasonal produce from Connecticut farms, citing Wilton’s own Ambler Farm as a primary supplier and seafood is by way of New Wave Seafood in Stamford.

The approach to “local and fresh” applies in the kitchen where Baldanza’s longtime chef, Rodrigo Pacheco executes a menu mostly curated by Angela and Sandy. Pasta, as you’ll see in a hearty pappardelle Bolognese, is made in-house, as is the fluffy ricotta gnocchi tossed in roasted tomato vodka sauce, the cheese ravioli, and the tagliatelle caprese with buffala mozzarella and cherry tomato sauce.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events & Openings For Sept. 25- October 15

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Stephanie Webster September 17, 2021

314 Beer Garden is opening September 25th from 12p-6p. Drink specials all day long. This rustic outdoor beer garden is nestled on Village Creek in South Norwalk, and we hear it’s gonna be fun!—-Niantic Bay Oyster Festival is September 25.—-October 7th & 28th hop aboard the Naugatuck Railroad for a Litchfield Hills BBQ & Tequila Special train ride.—-The Brass City Brew and Que, September 25th, is one of the largest brew fests in New England, now in its 16th year includes an Amateur Pit Master BBQ competition along with barbeque-inspired food options available for purchase.—-On October 7th at 6pm, the remarkable documentary, A Fine Line, will be screened at The Keeler Tavern in Ridgefield. This feature-length documentary explores the role of women chefs in a changing industry, with a look into a single mom's 25-year journey as a restaurateur.++

The Quartiere Debuts in Downtown Stamford

Interview Features Restaurant Italian Stamford Pasta Pizza Homepage Opening

Andrew Dominick September 05, 2021

If you’ve cruised down Bank Street in Downtown Stamford, you may have noticed there’s a new Italian restaurant located in the former Cotto Wine Bar space.

The Quartiere—roughly translated is Italian for neighborhood, area, or district—aims to be a go-to spot for pizza, pasta, and the like, in an elevated, casual setting with affordable prices.

“The Q” is owned by Martin Bates, a 30-year industry vet from the United Kingdom where he ran an umbrella of 400 pubs, bars, and restaurants before taking on the role of president at a well-known sandwich and coffee franchise.

“I worked for a brewery in the U.K. that owned all these pubs; I was all over the country driving 60,000 miles a year, living out of a suitcase, I never saw my kids, and they kept buying all these businesses while I was burning myself out,” Bates says. “I took a sabbatical for a year, traveled, went to Spain. I eventually met the founder of Pret A Manger who offered me a job where I ran a chunk of the businesses. I came to NYC in 2007 to run Pret.”

Post Pret, Bates started his own private restaurant consulting firm, Ellis Rowan, and continued to open restaurant all over.

Three years ago, Bates decided he’d eventually like to open up something of his own. “I was looking for my thing,” he says. “I started looking into neighborhood Italian because I love this style of pizza and pasta. I’m a carb freak. I love it.”

Nibble: CT Food News & Events for September 2021

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Stephanie Webster September 03, 2021

Hundred Acre, one of the world's most sought after and highly regarded wine portfolios in Napa Valley to Washington Prime for a private wine pairing dinner on September 15th, 2021 @ 7:00PM——-

Seaside Rides and Good Time Vibes! The 43rd Annual Norwalk Oyster Festival is ON for 2021: September 10, 11 & 12. Sea Y'all There! Presented by First County Bank.——-

Celebrate the end of summer at Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s annual Knobloch Family Farmhouse Lobster & Clam Bake on September 30th! Enjoy a delightful feast with friends and family on the Fedele Family Farmhouse Plaza. This special supper supports the bedrock educational programming and operations of the SM&NC. $135 per person

Rosina’s Opens in Greenwich with Elevated Old School Italian

Features Interview Restaurant Italian Greenwich Cocktails Pizza Pasta Homepage

Andrew Dominick August 29, 2021

There’s a rejuvenated buzz in Byram’s business district at the old digs once housed Mill Street Bar & Table and before it, Lolita Cucina.

The sounds of chatter and laughter, forks clanking and squealing against bowls, and hungry patrons slurping peppery, parm covered cacio e pepe are all coming from Rosina’s, a new Italian restaurant brought to you by a couple of young industry veterans you should recognize.

Rosina’s is the creation of Jared Falco and Coby Blount, who met at Fortina’s Armonk location in 2014. Falco helped run the show in the kitchen, while Blount managed front-of-house operations. “We’ve been trying to do something together for five years,” Falco says. “When we met, we clicked and always had mutual respect for each other. Even if we had it out, we could still be cool.”

The pair had a dream to work together, they just needed it to come together. Separately, they kept honing their crafts in the restaurant industry. After his first stint at Fortina, Falco took up executive chef duties at Washington Prime, Amore, Speedy Romeo, and he’d return to Fortina to express his creativity as a co-culinary director. And there’s a chance you’ve come across Blount at SE Uncorked or East End to name a few.

Their friendship kept them in touch, and they’d occasionally entertain meetings with possible investors.

“They didn’t have what we wanted,” Falco says. They wanted Sophia Loren on the walls eating spaghetti and that’s not us.” Blount chimes in, “Some of them wanted to use other people’s ideas or rip them off completely,” he says. “It didn’t feel like what we wanted to do. Or they wanted to do something corny that we weren’t into.”

What they wanted to do was classic but refined Italian food. And although it took a few years to come up with the concept, it’s the food Falco has been cooking for over a decade. Think along the lines of riffs on traditional pasta dishes, big salads, thin and crispy pizzas, and seasonal vegetable small plates. They also knew they wanted to be a neighborhood spot with affordable prices but with a handful of indulgent offerings if the mood should strike you.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For August 2021

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Stephanie Webster August 05, 2021

GET READY! It’s almost time for two huge weekends of food and music at the Hey Stamford Food Festival with 100 hand-picked food vendors, ✅ Live music with NELLY, ✅ Ice Cream Sunday, ✅ The Blind Rhino Happy, Parma-palooza with Chef Christian Petroni and so much more. August 12-15th and Aug 19-22. Get your tickets here!

Looking for a unique venue to reconnect with friends and family this summer? Foxwoods has you covered with a first-of-its-kind outdoor experience of indulgent food, craft cocktails and live music in a garden fantasy setting.

Chef Chrissy Tracey hosts a Food Pop-Up SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 AT 5:30 PM. Chrissy Tracey, a featured vegan chef on Bon Appetit Magazine, will be offering delicious vegan entrées which pair beautifully with our craft beer.

Nibble: CT Food News & Events for July 5-20

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Stephanie Webster July 01, 2021

Gotham Burger Social Club teams up with Winfield Street Coffee for a POP UP to remember on July 11th 12-4pm ( Rain Date - July 10th 12-4pm.) This collaboration will include the award winning Gotham Smash Burger paired with Aperol Spritzers, Pasta Salad, Artisan Tater Tots & Nutella Stuffed Cookies as add ons. Local vendors like Longford’s Ice Cream will be scooping their small batch, along with Living Juice spiked with Cylinder Vodka and RowHouse Stamford will be show casing what they offer on their Rowers. Note: this will be a pre order event all info on Instagram : @gothamburgersocialclub.

Tickets are now on sale for Chef Andrew Mercado’s (@fedbyandrew) rooftop pop up experience July 17th in South Norwalk CT at@sono50norwalk. He will be serving a 5 course meal on the roof with a DJ as the sun sets… and of course libations!!! Tickets here.

RHK Seafood Boil and Bar, located at 19 North Water Street in the heart of SoNo across the street from the Maritime Aquarium, is launching a new Wednesday “Aperitif Hour.” Beginning Wednesday, June 30, the weekly special will run from 4-8pm. For $23.99, guests can select one beverage (choice of house red or white wine, beer, Negroni, Old Fashioned, Campari Spritz or Aperol Spritz), and following in the European tradition, receive a rotating selection of “Chef’s Choice” small bites.

Join Washington Prime Sono for their 7th Anniversary Yacht Party on Thursday, July 22nd. They set sail at 9:00PM with DJ Norbs 3000 spinning and kicking off the beats. The Patio Deck will have a Tiki Tequila Bar sponsored by Olmeca Altos 100% Agave Tequila! We also have High Noon Seltzers in the house all night long!! No Cover Charge. Dress to Impress. All White or Hawaiian Style. This Event is a 21 and Over Event Only.

Did ya know?? You can buy straight off the boat local oysters, clams and lobsters from The Oysterman’s Daughter, a small ‘hidden’ shop located at the boatyard where Copps Island oysters are harvested and distributed nationwide. It was created with the intention of providing fresh shellfish straight off the boats to the consumer from the folks at Copps Island Oysters. It is a lifestyle shop selling an assortment of different products unique to boaters and beach lovers alike.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food News & Events for June 2021

Features Events News Events Homepage

Stephanie Webster June 11, 2021

Rosé all day! Royal Rosé is back at Foxwoods on June 13 – spend a day in a world of wines! Featuring unique rosé wine, vodka, champagne and other libations, delicious gourmet bites and eye-catching, Instagram-worthy displays, Royal Rosé is the perfect event for a girls’ day out, a daycation getaway with your loved one, or an afternoon with mom! Tickets are $45 and available for two time slots: 12-3pm or 4-7pm.

Lake Compounce Amusement Park hosts the “Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival” – taking place every Saturday and Sunday in June. They partnered with local chefs and owners of The Art of Yum to create an elevated menu for the festival with samplings including the award-winning TAOY Taco, Vegan Nachos, Chicken and Waffles, Caramel Banana Pound Cake, local craft beer, and more. Grab a Bite Card and sample EVERYTHING!! Ticket info here.

Saltwater Grille CT is hosting a Cigar Dinner on their Patio Wednesday, June 16th at 7PM. RSVP ASAP as we have limited seating on the patio and porch. The dinner will feature their new summer menu. Bring your own sticks or try from Litchfield Distillery's selection of private label cigars. Litchfield Distillery will be bringing their good spirits and great smokes! RSVP online at www.saltwater-grille.com or by calling 860-567-4900

Ordinary Bar New Haven is doing a TWIN PEAKS themed menu and decor through September, including breakfast for dinner on Wednesday nights. Don’t miss this.

Citizen Chicken & Donuts has a special Pride Chicken Sandwich to benefit Out CT for the month of June. Check it out!

Hey Stamford! Food Festival Returns with Live Music, Celebrity Chefs, Food Vendors + More

Events Hey Stamford Food Festival Stamford

Hey Stamford! May 13, 2021

After last year’s hiatus, I am SO excited to announce that the Hey Stamford! Food Festival will return for not one – but TWO WEEKENDS – of mouth-watering food, ice-cold craft beverages and world-class live music performances!

If you’re like us you are ready to get outside and have some fun in a safe and comfortable setting and that is exactly what we plan to do when we take over Stamford Downtown’s Mill River Park for TWO weekends – August 12-15 AND August 19-22, 2021!

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THE 2019 HEY STAMFORD! FOOD FESTIVAL

Over the course of those two weekends we’ll showcase some of the top food vendors in our area, celebrity chefs, amazing live music and so much more! Check this out:

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For May 13-June 1

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Stephanie Webster May 11, 2021

May 23rd, The Engine Room presents BLUEGRASS & BBQ at Stone Acres Farm, 12-3pm with Nick Bosse & The Northern Roots. $20 cover includes a free beer.

June 5th from 12-7pm is New England Food Truck Fest with up to 20 of the best Food Trucks from CT, RI and MA! Live music by local bands and our events are always FREE ENTRY & FREE PARKING. More info here.

The Gastro Park Food Truck Park & Art pop up venue is in full swing. Check out their web site for the full schedule.

Artisan West Hartford has begun serving lunch again, M-F from 12-3PM. A few dishes from the seasonal menu include…Artisan Seafood Chowder, Noank Oysters, Chatham Cod Fish & Chips, Griddled Chicken Paillard, Moules Frites ++

@randyswoosterstreetpizza will be joining Parkville Market, CT’s First Food Court. They will be serving up pies & SLICES starting in June.

It’s A Woman’s World: Sara Oberhammer of Soulber Health + Healing

Features Interview It's A Woman's World Interview Vegan Gluten-Free Healthy Eats

Andrew Dominick May 04, 2021

Connecticut is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Our ongoing column, “It’s A Woman’s World” is devoted to CT female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.

Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit, or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths, and setting examples for those who follow.

Sara Oberhammer is someone I’ve personally wanted to feature for a while. Many of you might know her as a bartender at various restaurants around Fairfield County—and if you’ve had several of those mango margaritas with the spicy, salty rim at either location of The Blind Rhino, that was Sara’s award-winning creation.

While you still might catch her mixing cocktails at your favorite haunt, Sara has paved her own path in wellness, offering health coaching, personal training, and meal prepping colorful, nutritious bowls that are vegan, gluten-free, and even the dressings are homemade.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events & News for May 1-7

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Stephanie Webster April 27, 2021

Stamford’s Mike’s Organic market and farm-to-home delivery service recently announced that their Market will now also be open every Sunday from 9am-2pm. With that, they’ve also announced a series of Sunday Funday activations they are hosting to celebrate. The activities range and include knife sharpening, charcuterie tastings, sheep shearings, ice cream & more!

WURST HAUS is officially open in West Hartford. Go get yourself some German eats!

Ahead of the highly anticipated 2021 travel season, Foxwoods Resort Casino is excited to announce plans to welcome Mystic Market Kitchen & Eatery, one of Connecticut’s most popular and beloved gourmet eatery destinations, to the resort this summer.

Join Chef Leticia Schwartz for a hands on virtual cooking class celebrating Cinco de Maio! Learn to cook: Salmon with Pumpkin Sunflower Sauce and Molten Brigadeiro Cake. Deets: Tuesday May 4th, 5:30 to 7Pm EST on Google Meet. $37 per person. Pre-registration is required. In partnership with Aquila's Nest Vineyards wine.

Join Townhouse Greenwich and Frank Family Vineyards on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 6:30pm, for what is sure to be a wonderfully delicious and fun evening! To book call 203.622.4223.

Smoking Again: Pitmaster Leland Avellino Opens Takeout-Only Avellino Family BBQ

Features Interview BBQ Pitmaster Norwalk Homepage Comfort Food Catering

Andrew Dominick April 22, 2021

Leland Avellino is a name that might be familiar to local BBQ enthusiasts. Even if you can’t recall, there’s a good chance you ate at the Stamford branch of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que at least once. Avellino, who was a partner, didn’t only open that location in 2012, he went on to become the company’s corporate executive chef before he transitioned away from that role to return to the BBQ pits in Stamford because as he puts it, “I met my wife, had two kids, and life on the road wasn’t good for that, so I came back.”

When Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Stamford decided to pull the plug in June 2020 due to COVID-19, Avellino got antsy. He wanted to feed people clamoring for his smoked meats and he needed to get back to work to feed his family.

“I was sitting home, I was bored, and I wanted to feed my people,” he says. “I bought this 500-gallon converted propane tank smoker on a whim. I looked at tanks in Texas, Kansas, I talked to pit bosses all over to find a good one. I bought this one (built in Austin) locally from a guy who was going to do something in Greenwich, and he didn’t because of COVID. I bought it without telling my wife! I pulled the trigger, and boom! Here we are!”

The “here” is in the Glenbrook section of Stamford, at 47 Larkin Street, past Lock City Brewing and Marcia Selden Catering, at ONTHEMARC Events where Avellino uses a commercial kitchen space and parks his smoker by the front door.

At Avellino Family BBQ, he’s not doing the same ‘cue he did at Dino.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for April

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Stephanie Webster March 30, 2021

Chef Tyler Anderson & Millwright’s have opened the pre-sale for their limited run of Titanic, April 16th through May 9th, the maiden voyage of their newest dining experience. Join them on the RMS Titanic as we honor her history with an authentic Titanic first-class dinner, mystery, and celebrate the traditions of yesteryear. Passage will be very exclusive, as the journey ends May 9th. Get your tickets now or be left ashore! Friday & Saturday Pricing $85 per person: Sunday Pricing $75 per person

Ordinary Bar is back with temporary business hours until they fully reopen. New hours are 4pm - 11p Thursday, Friday, Saturdays. Kitchen is open until 10:15 with Bar last call at 10:30pm. Make a rez! Special Note: Entrance is back to 990 Chapel Street. Enter foyer and Ring for admittance.

Bar Rosso is hosting a five course wine pairing dinner featuring all wines by Orin Swift on Friday April 16th, $75pp.

L’Escale in Greenwich hosts Maison Louis Jadot Burgundy Wine Dinner on Thursday, April 22nd 6:30PM. $175 pp Call to reserve your spot at 203.661.4600.

Nick Martschenko Opens Mexican-Inspired SE The Back End in New Canaan

Features Restaurant Interview New Canaan Mexican Lunch Cocktails Homepage Opening

Andrew Dominick March 20, 2021

Nick Martschenko is every so closer to his monopoly on New Canaan’s restaurant scene. Even if that’s not the goal, he’s inching towards it with what’s now a downtown dining trifecta.

His latest venture, The Back End, is different. You can’t compare it to his flagship fine dining South End. And it’s not reminiscent of the laid-back but chatty speakeasy-meets-pub atmosphere of SE Uncorked, that stars “snacks + taps” (and cocktails and one damn fine burger).

“I wanted it (The Back End) to have Miami vibes, at least I want it to have that feel,” Martschenko says. “I envision it with the bar windows wide open, a super casual setting with lots of colors, lots of pink. Ruth (Stiefel) helped a lot with the design.”

The Back End is Mexican. Well, sort of. A more accurate description is Mexican inspired with a fine dining twist, and a little fast casual tossed into the mix.

“It’s elevated Mexican food,” Martschenko says. “I’m not gonna say we’re traditional, but we bear the traditional values of what we do. It’s different. I don’t know how to do it any other way.”