The Bloom Family Opens Copps Island Oyster Shack at Brown’s Marina in Stratford Features Interview Restaurant Seasonal Food Truck Homepage Seasonal Seafood burgers Copps Island Oysters Stratford Opening Andrew Dominick July 13, 2022 If you’ve been by Brown’s Marina lately to cast your line in the water or to take a sunset stroll, you may have noticed a super-sized food truck parked just to the left and construction on what’s soon to be a retail store.These upgrades are courtesy of the Bloom Family, a name synonymous with oysters, specifically Copps Island Oysters. According to food consultant Matt Storch—who you should know from his acclaimed Match Restaurant in South Norwalk—the Blooms purchased Brown’s Marina a few years ago from its original owners. “They spruced it up and made it a working oyster and clam dock and are in the process of turning the building into a Copps Island retail store (similar to the one in Norwalk),” he says. “They wanted to activate the beautiful space on the water because there could be more waterside dining here with exceptional, but simple food.” Read More
Mex Spot Restaurant Opens in Norwalk at Former John’s Diner Location Features Interview Restaurant Mexican Homepage Tacos Opening Andrew Dominick July 10, 2022 f you’ve driven by the stretch of Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk in the past few years by Baci Deli and directly across the street from Utopia, you may have noticed signs of life in the old John’s Diner.The skinny on John’s Diner dates back to 1927 when Joseph Flynn transported the diner/trailer from Port Chester to Norwalk. But the “John” in John’s Diner didn’t actually happen until 1939 when it was run by John Ferandino, then ultimately his son, Michael, until 1994.John’s Diner has been closed ever since.But it’s back! Sort of.Gone are the ultra-affordable blue plate specials and breakfast platters and in place of the diner fare are tacos, elote, fajitas, burritos, and some fun Mexican fast food in a burger with caramelized onions, grilled pineapple, bacon, Swiss, and grilled jalapeños. Read More
40+ Places in Connecticut for Lobster, Clambakes, + Seafood Shacks (2022 Guide) Features Seasonal Restaurant Seafood seafood boil Lobster Lobster Roll Clambake Homepage Guide Dining Guide Highlight April Guilbault June 30, 2022 One fish, two fish, red fish…lobster. And seafood in all its forms. Oh yeah, baby! Get the bibs, the frosty beers and get crackin’, shuckin’ and lovin’. Nothing signals the start of summer quite like eating by the water while the sunshine sparkles on the waves. Picture, if you will, your teeth sinking into a lobster roll dripping with drawn butter, or wistfully dragging fresh steamers through (more) butter or popping hot-out-the-fryer clam strips and fritters into your mouth. Whether dining on land or by sea, seafood rules the roost this season. These simple summer pleasures make time stand still for a few blissful moments. Summer is here, and food is easy.Enjoy our guide to over 40 summertime—or anytime—spots to get buttery lobster, chow down at a clambake, and sit and eat at a seafood shack! Read More
ÇKA KA QËLLU Albanian Restaurant Opens in Stamford Restaurant Features Stamford Lunch Albananian Homepage Jessica Ryan June 26, 2022 A few weeks ago we headed to Stamford where it was rumored that a new Albanian restaurant had opened to rave reviews by Eater as well as the New York Times. Stamford, CT is the third ÇKA KA QËLLU location – the first was in the Bronx and the second in the Murray Hill section of New York City.Why Stamford, I wondered? I then learned that Stamford has a large Albanian population. ÇKA KA QËLLU serves a modern selection of the most popular and well-loved dishes of Albania and Kosovo, including unique, mouth-watering desserts, according to their website. They also claim to proudly serve authentic dishes that are sumptuous and healthy at the same time. We were more than eager to check out this new-to-us cuisine.Tucked away in a quiet street, the restaurant’s exterior automatically draws you in. As soon as you enter the building you feel as though you’ve stepped into another time and era that’s part castle and part museum filled with all sorts of wonderful and unique authentic 18th and 19th century artifacts, all imported from Albania. Read More
Isla & Co. Opens in Fairfield CT with Australian Inspired Fare Restaurant Fairfield Australian Outdoor Dining Cocktails Opening Jessica Ryan June 21, 2022 I had the opportunity to attend a media dinner at the newly opened Isla, a restaurant featuring Australian fare. I wasn’t sure what Australian cuisine was but I was excited to check out this new eatery located in the heartbeat of downtown Fairfield right next to the community theater.The restaurant itself is small, but when the weather is good it can take advantage of the wonderful courtyard area outside and more than double its seating capabilities. The restaurant’s design is minimalistic with dark green subway tiles lining the lower half of the crisp white walls dotted with hanging greenery and navy banquettes with café tables offer up seating. The back of the restaurant opens up to show diners the “behind the scenes” where they can watch bartenders crafting up delicious cocktails and, beyond, the chef in the kitchen preparing delectable fare. Let’s move on to that, shall we? Read More
2022 Connecticut Food Truck Guide: 100+ Local Food Trucks Features Restaurant Best of CT Roundup Food Truck Food Truck Park Caterers Catering CTbites Team June 19, 2022 Summer means travel, fun, parties, festivals…and food trucks! Our state is happily overflowing (in a good way) with great eats and many of them will be rolling through your town in the coming months. You can also book many of them for your next event, which translates to easy-unique-delicious as far as parties go. We have broken down this behemoth of a list by first featuring a variety of trucks and then we break all this fun into categories so you can quickly get to the foods that interest you: Pizza, Tacos/Mexican, BBQ, Ethnic, Lobster/Seafood, All-American, Plant-Based/Alternative Diet, Ice Cream/Sweets, Coffee/Cocktails & Beer. Happy summer, everyone, roll on!Enjoy our guide to 100+ Connecticut Food Trucks! Read More
Layla’s Falafel Introduces 'Layla’s Create Your Own' Bowls Restaurant fairf Stamford Westport Middle Eastern Healthy Eats Lunch Take Out Meals To Go Jessica Ryan June 19, 2022 It’s hard to fathom there might be someone in Fairfield County not yet familiar with Layla’s Falafel. With locations in Stamford, Westport, and Fairfield, Layla’s is bustling with activity – and with good reason, their food is delicious. Layla’s offers something for everyone, satisfying a variety of palates and diet preferences, with options for vegans and vegetarians as well as those with celiac/gluten issues. This Middle Eastern fare is wonderful, fresh, and not to mention healthy.And with that we are happy to share the great news that Layla’s Custom Bowls have been added to the menu. They’re healthy, incredibly satisfying and delicious. And just like the other menu options the bowls can be made vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Read More
Taco Daddy Owners John and Morgan Nealon Open Cugine’s Italian in Harbor Point, Stamford Features Restaurant Stamford Harbor Point Italian Homepage Opening Andrew Dominick June 12, 2022 Recently, news broke that Taco Daddy owners John and Morgan Nealon would completely switch their next door concept in The Lila Rose to Cugine’s Italian, focusing on a sit-down, upscale Italian experience.If The Lila Rose—which closed for good on May 8—was Taco Daddy’s only slight alter ego, Cugine’s is its polar opposite. Think NYC speakeasy vibes—when you walk in, there’s a mini flower shop “front”—complete with dim lighting, antique chandeliers, and a nice touch in a tribute wall of notable area chefs the Nealon’s are friends with and inspired by before you hit the restroom.For John, it’s not only the Sinatra you’ll likely hear through the speakers that’s meant to bring you a bit back in time, but also the overall experience, including the food and Cugine’s focus on classic cocktails, even if there are a few small liberties taken. “Fortina (where John was one of the founders) ushered the way for casual Italian in this area, and Roberta’s really sort of originated it way back when, and that’s great,” John says. “I wanna bring back the sit down upscale Italian restaurant.” Read More
Nibble: Tasty Food News, Events, Festivals, Cooking Classes for June 2022 Events Features Events Stephanie Webster June 11, 2022 June 17-18th, Two Roads Brewing’s ROAD JAM is back for the first time since 2019!!! https://events.beerfests.com/e/road-jam-music-festival, celebrating the Sixth Annual Road Jam Music Fest on the Two Roads Campus.—Nit Noi is hosting Dumpling cooking Classes! Join them for many afternoons of dumpling construction and cookery, the first being Saturday, June 18th—-Pizza lovers who want to dig into the dough and DIY can learn how to make New Haven style pizza at Next Door New Haven 175 Humphrey Street, New Haven, CT.—Polo season has begun! The Farmington Polo Club’s season begins June 4th-September 24th each Saturday afternoon. Read More
Brian Lewis Opens Second Location of The Cottage in Greenwich Features Interview Restaurant Greenwich Homepage Brian Lewis American Fine Dining Cocktails Opening Andrew Dominick June 05, 2022 Brian Lewis officially has two pair. It’s generally a foldable poker hand, but when it comes to his successful restaurants OKO and The Cottage, that’s a very good thing for the rest of us.The opening of a second location of The Cottage gives Lewis his fourth. OKO times two in Westport and Rye, plus his flagship of The Cottage in Westport.But an exact facsimile of Westport it is not.First off, it looks different. Grayish tan wooden tables and chairs, hues of power blue, wooden beams, and beachy décor are reminiscent of relaxed Cape Cod vibes. It’s also bigger. The dining room, the bar, the kitchen are all more spacious than Westport. Read More
The (Philip Johnson) Glass House Summer Party is Back! Features Events Events EVENT Stephanie Webster June 01, 2022 The Glass House Summer Party is back! After a two-year hiatus, The Glass House is excited to be returning to an in-person celebration on Saturday June 11th, and once again welcome guests to celebrate on site with us for our 15th Anniversary. After opening our doors in 2007 as a public museum, The Glass House has remained a site of international significance. It is our mission to maintain this special place by raising funds to preserve our campus and collections.This year’s fundraising event invites guests to explore the grounds with a locally sourced picnic lunch by Elm, while enjoying special performances by award-winning tap dancer and choreographer, Ayodele Casel and musical stylings by Paul Sevigny. Picnicking is enjoyed throughout the site – tatami mats on the Pavilion, pillow lounges by Dedar Italian textile company, or reclining on the pristine grass of the Glass House lawn. In between performances, join us for rosé by The Pale, lawn games or view our curated auction of over 120 lots of art, design, luxury experiences, and mingle with supporting artists. Read More
Toasted Oat Café Opens 2nd Location: Now in Newington & Canton Restaurant Breakfast Sandwich Breakfast Coffee Canton Newington Comfort Food Lunch American Egg Sandwich Eggs Sandwich Carly Terzigni May 31, 2022 In an endless sea of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks, it’s always refreshing to stop by a local cafe for breakfast and a cup of coffee. Combine with that a charming spot on Main Street and you have a recipe for a quintessential Connecticut morning – and that’s exactly what we found at Toasted OAT Cafe on Main Street in Newington.If you’re fond of Toasted OAT Cafe in Canton which first opened its doors in 2018, then you’re in for a treat: a second location in Newington has opened in 2022, bringing their popular Packed Bowl among many other breakfast and lunch favorites to a second location in Connecticut. Just like Canton, the vibes are relaxed and welcoming. Read More
The Port of Call in Mystic Launches Seaqueens Drag & Disco Evenings Features Events News Pop-Up Mystic Events Stephanie Webster May 23, 2022 For centuries, the seafaring industry was dominated by men, and the presence of women on board was considered bad luck. In Mystic, CT, a town with a storied maritime history, The Port of Call, a new nautical-themed cocktail lounge, is giving a nod to the area’s seafaring traditions while also looking to the future. That future includes three Queer women who are “steering the ship” at The Port of Call: executive chef Renée Touponce, beverage director Jade Ayala, and general manager Nancy Hankins.To celebrate a new era of inclusivity and gender diversity in a fun and welcoming environment, the trio has announced Sea Queens, a summer-long bi-weekly dinner and drag show that will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Starting Sunday, May 29th, and kicking off Pride Month, guests can book a seating at 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., where they’ll enjoy a choice of two dishes from the inventive menu along with a cocktail, as well as an incredible drag show by some of the best Queens in the region. Then, at 10:30 p.m., the fun will continue with a disco after-party at Dive, the lower-level casual bar. Read More
Shiro Dessert Opens in Stamford: East Asian Sweets & Drinks Restaurant Stamford Asian Homepage Opening Tea Oliver Clachko May 22, 2022 Downtown Stamford appears to be a Connecticut diner’s dreamland: dozens of bustling streets dotted with happening restaurants, bars, gastropubs, and more. Yet, amid this buzz, nineteen-year-old Sabrina Wang noticed a problem. “The [area] has a lack of good dessert places,” opines the UConn business management student. Daringly, Wang set out to fix this dearth, opening Shiro Dessert with the help of investors on May 14th.The bistro serves up a handful of East Asian inspired drinks and desserts, from honey toasts to milk teas to fruit ades. In curating the menu, Wang “made sure to cater to the trends” of similar beverage shops throughout the state. This influence is most evident in the mango popping bobas that customers can add to any drink. But the impact of East Asian cuisines goes much further. Shiro’s menu is filled with ingredients popular in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese dishes — Matcha, Yuzu, Lychee, Jasmine, and more. Even Yakult, a sweetened milk product popular throughout Japan, takes a front-and-center position on the menu. Read More
Urban Greek Kitchen: Delicious Fast Casual Greek With A Twist Restaurant Shelton Greek Mediterranean Grocery Store Special Dietary Needs Gluten-Free Lunch Take Out To-Go Healthy Eats Homepage Opening Jessica Ryan May 14, 2022 In a bleak midwinter, in the midst of a great Pandemic, Sophia Diakoloukas left a successful marketing career to open her restaurant, Urban Greek Kitchen. This fast-casual eatery serves up modern Greek food with a flair. “It’s Greek with a twist” she describes. “I use traditional family recipes and adapt them to satisfy the way we eat today.” Inspired by the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean, Urban Greek focuses on healthy, fresh vibrant ingredients that are satisfying and delicious. Having grown up in the restaurant business, here in Connecticut, Sophia is no stranger to the inner workings of this complicated, fast-paced industry. It’s immediately apparent that she runs a pristinely organized and tight ship. Most of her staff has been with her since the doors opened…and so have her loyal customers. Read More
Cugine's Italian Opening in Stamford From Restaurateurs John & Morgan Nealon Restaurant Features Stamford Italian Cocktails Pasta Fine Dining Homepage Opening Stephanie Webster May 10, 2022 Stamford restaurateurs John and Morgan Nealon today announced the opening of Cugine’s Italian in Stamford’s Harbor Point community at 121 Towne Street. The restaurant, expected to open later this Spring, will feature alluring, well-plated Italian cuisine, coupled with refined cocktails and a robust wine list.“Our goal with Cugine’s is to offer not only Harbor Point, but Fairfield County as a whole, an entirely new Italian dining experience,” said John Nealon. “This sophisticated restaurant will invite our guests to take a step back in time and dine in the era of Frank Sinatra, with dark interiors and furniture, beautiful soft mood lighting, a period playlist and classic Italian cuisine.” Read More
Tickets on Sale! Queer Cook-Off- May 19th-A Celebrity Chef "Chopped" Event Features Events Events Celebrity Chef CTbites Team May 10, 2022 WESTPORT PRIDE kicks off Pride Month with the first annual QUEER COOK-OFF! Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here.Three teams of chef-testants and five judges are being brought together to create a lively culinary competition to raise money for Westport Pride’s education programs. Designed to cook up local competition and foster valuable relationships in the community, Westport Pride’s “Queer Cook-Off” will pit members of the Fairfield County LGBTQ+ and ally community against one another in this fun competition. Held at Aitoro Appliance in Norwalk, Connecticut, each team will be placed in three of the showroom’s live kitchens.The celebrity chefs guiding their team are Bill Taibe (Chef/Owner of Don Memo, Kawa Ni, & The Whelk); Jes Bengtson (Executive Chef of Terrain Café and Amis Trattoria); and Arik Bensimon (Executive Chef of the Monogram Design Center). Read More
Bar 140: Belgian Frites, Burgers, Bibimbap Wings + Booze in Shelton Features Restaurant Bar Craft Beer Cocktails Chicken Wings French Fries Shelton Belgian Frites Burgers Homepage Beer Wings Andrew Dominick May 08, 2022 It wasn’t that long ago that I found myself in Shelton covering all things pierogi at The Rogi Shoppe when I randomly received a few DMs on two different Instagram accounts saying I should stop by Bar 140.The finder’s fee goes to Gina, who sang the praises of Bar 140’s bar food, particularly their Belgian style frites. That got my attention fast! But then that continued with a few other messages trickled in that it’d be my type of bar; casual, kinda hipster, solid cocktails, and a fine beer list.I asked around and got much of the same. Even Mateus from The Rogi Shoppe said their fries were stellar.After I set up an interview with Joe Ballaro, who owns Bar 140 with his wife, Tiffany, I told a few friends I was going up there. It got pumped up even more by my friend Katy, who said, “This is my spot! I used to be a regular when I worked a few block away. It’s a good little spot. Good beer list and food. The owners are really cool.”Sold! Plus, I’ll never pass up the chance at eating carefully made, hand cut fries by the bucket full, with different dipping sauces to plunge them into. Read More
Pier 131: Dine and Drink on the River in Shelton this Summer Restaurant Shelton Comfort Food Waterfront Patio Outdoor Dining Burgers Italian American Pasta Lunch Brunch Opening CTbites Team May 03, 2022 Pier 131 Restaurant and Bar is poised to be one of CT’s “it” destinations this summer. Nestled along the newly renovated Shelton Riverfront with stunning views of the Housatonic River and the historic Old Shelton Railroad Bridge, Pier131 is located in one of the most stunning spots in Fairfield County.Although very much a neighborhood restaurant, this high-energy gathering place and urban retreat opened its doors late last summer and quickly became a popular destination drawing diners and photographers from all over Fairfield and New Haven Counties – even on the coldest winter days.The setting immediately draws you in and the tasty something for everyone menu will keep you coming back. Pier 131 has also done a great job giving diners an entertaining experience with live music several nights a week, a DJ every Sunday afternoon, as well as Trivia Night, a daily Happy Hour, $5 Margarita Tuesday, Pasta Sunday (with half off select bottles of wine). More events will be added to the line-up as the weather starts to warm. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events & News for April 30-May 22 (Cinco De Mayo Edition) Features Events Events news Stephanie Webster April 30, 2022 A Week-Long Cinco de Mayo Fiesta comes to Mohegan Sun May 2nd – May 7th—bartaco kicks off Cinco de Mayo with its latest #bartacosecret taco in partnership with Yellowbird Foods!—Camacho Garage will be celebrating on May 5 with a live Mariachi band—Washington Prime in Norwalk hosts KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY on Saturday May 7th—Don’t miss the DRAG BRUNCH CT with The Real Brunch Queens of Fairfield County SUN MAY 22nd ++ Read More
