Eric Felitto of The Chelsea and The Tasty Yolk Conquers Chopped! Features Events Celebrity Chef Andrew Dominick January 05, 2019 Just before the holiday season, there was a loud roar in Downtown Fairfield, and it had nothing to do with townspeople getting set for a hiatus from work. The cheers and applause was all for local chef Eric Felitto, who crushed the competition on The Food Network’s popular show, Chopped.The at-capacity viewing party for Felitto’s episode was held at The Chelsea, where he has been the executive chef since mid-2013. At the screening, locals made noise for Felitto while watching him on a 100-inch projection screen, and they witnessed him cook to one of his strengths…breakfast. Read More
The 10 Best Places for Dessert in Connecticut via Best Things Connecticut Features Restaurant Best of CT Dessert Bakery Kid Friendly Homepage CTbites Team January 04, 2019 We just had to share this great article from Best Things Connecticut, highlighting the 10 Best Places for Dessert in Connecticut. It’s a solid list. Check it out. If you find yourself craving something sweet or really need to treat yourself after a tiring day, don’t worry as the Nutmeg State has numerous places to grab a decadent treat. Look at the glorious array of colorful baked goods behind the glass counters, place your order, and sink into a cozy spot to enjoy anything from cupcakes to Italian and French pastries to traditional German sweets. With a little cup of coffee or tea to balance out the sweet, you’ll sure be feeling refreshed in no time. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for January 7-13 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 03, 2019 AMG Catering kicks of its Winter Classes with “A Tribute to Anthony Bourdain – Global Journey of Appetizers” on Tuesday January 8. The menu includes Shrimp and chorizo “bites,” Tuna “poke,” Greek meatballs with Tzatziki sauce, and Mini Jamaican beef patties. It costs $90 per person and runs from 7-9 pm. Beginning January 9, B.GOOD will roll out its new winter seasonal menu. It includes a Citrus & Avocado Salad, Maple Roasted Carrots and a Mocha Protein Smoothie. Stew Leonard’s of Newington will have a Rainbow Madness Culinary Class for Toddlers on Monday January 7 and again on Saturday January 12. Kids ages 2-5 will make rainbow cupcakes and rainbow marshmallow dream bars. Along with that, each child will paint a rainbow canvas to take home. Read More
Rise Brewing Co: Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Made in CT Ingredients Features Ingredients Coffee Brewery CTbites Team December 26, 2018 Years of drinking bland and commonplace cups of coffee began to take a toll on Connecticut natives and founders of RISE Brewing Co., Hudson Gaines-Ross, Grant Gyesky, Jarrett McGovern, and Justin Weinstein. In 2014, they decided to take matters in their own hands by hitting the drawing board in their New York City apartments. Bean after bean, one roast and cold-brewing method after another, they finally created a cold brew coffee, making them the founders of RISE Brewing Company. Traversing the concrete jungle with their product, they asked experienced mixologists if it was the real deal. One day, in a Brooklyn café, the espresso machine broke; RISE cold brew came to the rescue, and was a hit amongst the customers. The product became available for purchase in July of 2017. Read More
CT Chefs Cook Holiday Dinner for the US. Navy on Submarine Galley Features Events CTbites Team December 25, 2018 On December 28th the New London Naval Base will be visited by a fleet of talented chefs who have come together to say Thank You For your Service, the best way they know how; by preparing a BBQ Extravaganza! This holiday celebration is the brainchild of Chef Plum (Restaurant Road Trip, Food Network, Hallmark Channel) who has gathered his fellow chef friends to create a scrumptious and entertaining “chow time” event for the men and women who serve our country. Read More
Top 100 Restaurants in CT for 2018 Restaurant Features Best of CT Homepage Stephanie Webster December 23, 2018 From Granby to Madison, Kent to Killingly, good eats abound in our beautiful Nutmeg State. It was our task for Hearst Publishing this year to determine the top of the heap, the creme de la creme and the cherries on top of this statewide sundae. So, after an abundance of hours honing in on the gems, we now offer to you our Top 100 restaurants in Connecticut! This list was created for our co-branded Top 100 Dining & Drinks guide we create for Hearst Media. The establishments on this list are not necessarily new, but they do happen to represent the very best CT has to offer for 2018. Our hope is that you enjoy exploring new flavors, maybe discover a new corner of the state that you haven’t visited before, and make memories with new culinary experiences. And hey, please add your favorites in the comment section if they don’t happen to appear on this list. Connecticut is truly brimming with deliciousness. Note: Limiting this list to 100 was challenging for the team. We lacked the bandwidth to include all of our favorite “delicious dives: and “hidden gems,” but you can find those on CTbites.com. Read More
Chef Robin Selden Featured in FORBES' 11 Trends Reshaping Food And Restaurants In 2018 (sponsored post) Features Interview Stephanie Webster December 23, 2018 Our own CT Chef, Robin Selden, of Marcia Selden Catering & Events, was one of the featured voices Forbes looked to to define the 11 trends reshaping food and restaurants in 2018. Trends included, Cooking with Cannabis, The Greening of Restaurants, Fine Dining Goes Casual, Affordable Wine Lists, Year of the Woman, Oat Milk and more. Read More
60+ Restaurants & Bars for New Years in CT: 2018 Edition Features New Years Holiday Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 21, 2018 Get ready to rock the night away and usher in 2019… New Year’s is almost here! Connecticut restaurants and bars are celebrating with gourmet meals and epic bashes to help you start the new year out right. Here is a complete guide to 60+ places where you can dine in style and watch the ball drop. Read More
Nibble: Tasty, Boozy, and Festive CT Food Events For December 16-23 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 16, 2018 B.GOOD Fairfield now offers breakfast daily! Options include breakfast sandwiches, breakfast bowls, smoothies and more. Customer can enjoy a free cup of coffee with every meal through January 31, 2019. The Oyster Club in Mystic presents “Holiday Cocktail Night” on Thursday, December 20 from 7-9pm. The mixologists behind their cocktail program invite you to their holiday cocktail tasting invite you to an evening of hors d’oeuvres, holiday cocktails, and an Oyster Club cocktail recipe book! Join the party at The Chelsea on December 18th as Chef Eric Felitto (The Chelsea, Tasty Yolk), battles it out on Food Network's Chopped. Starting at 8PM. Chef Felitto is parking the Tasty Yolk food truck outside.Stew Leonard’s Famous Holiday Workshop for Toddlers will be held on December 18 at 9:30am. Read More
Flanders Fish Market and Restaurant Celebrates 35th Anniversary Features News CTbites Team December 14, 2018 Flanders Fish Market and Restaurant celebrates their 35th anniversary on December 23rd, 2018. During the hustle & bustle of the holidays this month, come grab your shrimp platter and help Flanders Fish toast to 35 years of being a part of this wonderful Southeastern Connecticut community. Read More
CT Sweet Spots For Hot Chocolate That Will Warm You Up via CT Magazine Restaurant Features Best of CT Dessert Chocolate Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe December 14, 2018 You may recognize this byline from CTbites, but this sweet reporting by Kristin L. Wolfe rounds up a list of the best spots in CT for Hot Chocolate, via Connecticut Magazine. When the temperature drops and you’ve reached your quota for coffee or tea for the day, hot chocolate may just be your answer. And, although it won’t remove the stresses from your life, it will warm the belly and light up the kid within. I recently satisfied my sweet tooth at many spots around the state that are pretty proud of their hot (and cold) chocolate delights. After you’ve read through the rundown, be sure to chime in with any other places that offer delectable, drinkable chocolate creations.Rumors CoffeehouseAlthough coffee courses throughout this cozy nook, where you can play Scrabble, grab a quirky mug, and cuddle up on a couch, you’d be surprised by the hot chocolate offerings. Their Mexican hot cocoa surprises with a spicy zing, while the tropical hints from the coconut hot cocoa remind you of summer despite the chill outside. The Campfire is an especially fun treat in which the marshmallows on top are torched to a perfect bonfire char. 22 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, 203-942-2653, facebook.com/rumorsofdanburyLe Rouge Handmade Chocolates & Cakes by AartiGet ready for the Rolls-Royce of chocolate. In every way you can imagine, your senses will reach their peak at this gorgeous sweet boutique. With sleek red cases and black-and-white, polka-dotted packaging, this shop tucked away in a plaza is a tiny amusement park for chocolate fans. Le Rouge’s hot chocolate treats are not for the faint of heart. From a rich, dark blend topped with a piece of their signature polka-dotted chocolate that melts into the drink, to a white chocolate with dried raspberries or rose petals — yes, rose petals — these drinks are fancy and an experience. Chocolatier and owner Aarti Khosla even offers white chocolate with saffron and pistachios. 190 Main St., Westport, 203-293-6106, lerougebyaarti.com Read More
Field Trip Premium Beef Jerky Opens 1st Retail Shop in Westport Ingredients Features Ingredients Snacks Specialty Market Westport Opening Stephanie Webster December 13, 2018 On December 11th, premium jerky & snack brand Field Trip opened its first store at 153 Post Road East in Westport CT. The 500-square-foot space will be the company’s first ever brick and mortar establishment. You can find Field Trip jerky in 50,000 retails outlets nationwide, but this is, and will be their ONLY dedicated store. The first 1,000 customers over the weekend of December 15th/16th will receive a free meat stick if they mention having read about us on Westport Moms, Dan Woog, CTBites, or via WestportNow! Read More
30+ Restaurants for Christmas Eve & Christmas in CT: 2018 Edition Features Christmas Holiday Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 12, 2018 It’s almost time to deck the halls… Christmas is right around the corner! While the season is joyous and filled with cheer, there is also plenty to get done from shopping to decorating to travelling. If you prefer dining out to preparing a giant meal at home, Connecticut restaurants have you covered with tasty menus, buffets, and specials. Here is a guide to restaurants where you can spend a festive Christmas Eve or Christmas. Read More
"Scraps" TV Host Chef Gamoran & CT's Jacques Pépin Create A Feast with Food Considered "Waste" Features TV Celebrity Chef Stephanie Webster December 12, 2018 FYI’s culinary series “Scraps,” returns for a second season where host Chef Joel Gamoran travels across the U.S. creating incredible feasts in the most breathtaking locales, using ingredients people throw away. In each episode Chef Gamoran partners with brilliant chefs and fellow food waste champions to celebrate the local cuisine and create a delicious meal with food items most people would consider to be waste. A recent shoot brought Chef Gamoran to CT, where he cooked with legendary chef Jacques Pépin. The episode will be airing on FYI at 10 PM on Thursday, December 13th and will also re-air on A&E at 9 AM EST on A&E. Read More
"OOPS I Ate My CBD:" CBD Infused Gourmet Chocolate Bars Features Ingredients Local Artisan Dessert Chocolate Specialty Market Homepage Stephanie Webster December 11, 2018 There is a lot of buzz going around regarding CBD, and also quite a few misconceptions. CBD, is one of the chemicals in cannabis, but unlike THC (also found in Marajuana), CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that is emerging as a very popular wellness ingredient. The plant extract, often consumed as an oil under the tongue, is now the featured ingredient in high-end products including body lotion, olive oil, cold-brew coffee, infused water, and even dog treats. Local start up, “Oops I Ate My CBD” is leveraging this emerging trend to create gourmet hemp infused chocolate bars, which come complete with 50mg of CBD per serving. The bars are made with 99.6% pure hemp derived CBD Isolate, and contains zero THC. Hence it is legal in all 50 states…and the chocolate is delicious. (Plus, I was VERY relaxed after my tasting) Read More
Watch Chef Eric Felitto of The Chelsea & Tasty Yolk Live on Food Network's Chopped Dec. 18th Features Events Stephanie Webster December 09, 2018 Join the party at The Chelsea on December 18th as Chef Eric Felitto (The Chelsea, Tasty Yolk), battles it out on Food Network's Chopped. Things are gonna heat up and get pretty tasty starting at 8PM. Chef Felitto is parking the Tasty Yolk food truck outside The Chelsea for the evening, and guests will enjoy FREE nibbles from both The Chelsea & Tasty Yolk from 8-9PM. The action really starts at 9PM when all eyes will be on the TV as Chopped declares their winner! We strongly recommend reservations by calling 203-254-8200. Read More
Drink & Do Good! 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl for a Cause: ALL Ticket $$ Goes To Open Door Shelter Features Events Stephanie Webster December 09, 2018 Put on your best holiday onesies, Santa suits, ugly sweaters, and elf costumes and get ready to crawl at the 1st Annual 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl for a Cause, Sunday December 16th 11am-10pm in Norwalk. All participating bars will have drink specials.All Profits from ticket sales including a percentage of profits from each participating Bar/Restaurant will be donated to the Open Door Shelter to help feed less fortunate people during the holiday season. Check out the amazing list of Norwalk bars below. Grab your $20 ticket here. Read More
Nibble: Delicious CT Food Events for Week of Dec. 9-16 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 07, 2018 On Monday December 10, Holbrook Farm and the Redding Roadhouse are teaming up for “An Evening to Celebrate the Last of the Harvest.” From 6-9pm, enjoy food and drink from Jeff Taibe, Dan Sabia, Matt Stanczak, Steve Tisdale, Aki Arai, and Craig Ventrice.Greenwich Steakhouse introduces new brunch, lunch and dinner menus prepared by the new Executive Chef Oscar Reyes. Executive Chef Oscar Reyes now leads the kitchen, bringing with him a lifetime of experience and seven years of hard-earned expertise training under the 40-year culinary veteran Chef Chavez at the iconic Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse.The 1st Annual "12 Bars of Christmas" Bar Crawl for a Cause comes to Norwalk Sunday December 16th from 11am-10pm! All Profits from ticket sales including a percentage of profits from each participating Bar/Restaurant will be donated to the Open Door Shelter to help feed less fortunate people during the holiday season. Read More
CTbites 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for CT Food Lovers Features Best of CT Gift Guide Holiday Homepage April Guilbault December 02, 2018 ’Tis the season of holidays, sparkly and bright, there’s baking and partying well into the night The children are excited and the adults somewhat stressed, with planning and wrapping and finding the perfect Christmas vest What shall we get for Aunt Mo or Uncle Buck, it’s hard to decide, we aren’t having much luck But wait, it’s the Guide, the almighty Gift Guide! CTbites to the rescue, we exclaimed, we cried! There’s something for everyone, your foodies and friends, we’ve found several classics, along with a few trendsSo wrap them up lovingly with great care and great pride, and present these gifts with a gleam in your eye How merry, how happy, the recipients will be, and you, the giver, will be brimming with glee! Read More
Nibble: Fabulous CT Food Events For Week of December 2-9 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 02, 2018 The Stack, featuring Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ in New Haven, has kicked off its new Happy Hour specials. The deal are offered Monday-Friday from 3p-6pm and two rotating $7 draft cocktails, $4 Pork on a Stick, $5 Fried Pickles, deals on 1L steins, and more.On December 8, The Beer Collective and the Yale Peabody Museum are teaming up for “Bones & Cheer: Ice Age Edition.” The evening will feature food from Olmo and a selection of local brews and cider. There will also be Frozen Science Experiences, Glacier Games, After-hours Museum Access, Music, prizes, and more. Tickets start at $25. This is a 21+ event. On Tuesday December 4 at 9:30am and Saturday December 8 at 10am, Stew Leonard’s in Newington hosts a “Gingerbread Fun Culinary Class for Toddlers.” Kids ages 2-5 will make gingerbread cookies, gingerbread muffins, and a gingerbread cheesecake dip. Tickets are $20 and advanced registration is required. Wednesday nights are Lobster Nights at Kensington’s at the Spa at Norwich Inn. The Dinner Special includes a lobster Dinner for two with a bottle of their Vista Point wine. Read More
