CTbites Votes: Best Sushi in Fairfield County Restaurant CTbites Votes Japanese Stephanie Webster February 22, 2010
Pizzeria Lauretano: The Art of Pizza Restaurant Bethel Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly Amy Kundrat February 22, 2010 There is pizza, and then there is pizza. Over the last century pizza has emerged as one of Americas' favorite foods if its ubiquity (thousands of pizza parlor chains operate in the U.S.) and increasing reverence (the growth of the artisanal pizza parlor) are any indication. As inexpensive luxuries find their elevated place in our uncertain economic climate, pizza is poised (and deserves) its place as a culinary rock star. This moment is especially sweet for foodies who eschew chain restaurants and irreverent meals in favor of seeking out more authentic and artisanal experiences. The latter can be characterized by a deference to the hand-made, a regard for craft, and an appreciation of traditional methods and tools. So what is the difference between pizza and pizza? Pizza is a fast-food with forgettable crust, flavorless cheese and an emphasis on speed. Pizza on the other hand, is the type of food that can transport you to Naples in a bite, and by the time you've finished your slice you might swear you're on another continent surrounded by your extended Italian family and hundreds of years of tradition. Dedication to craft, tradition and an awareness that something that is being practiced and not merely produced, is pizza. One restaurant that successfully achieves this artisanal approach is Pizza Lauretano in Bethel, CT. Read More
Road Trip: Old Lyme & Chester for Great Food and Fun Road Trip Restaurant Old Lyme Road Trip Shoreline East Elizabeth Keyser February 18, 2010 In these cold cabin-fever days of winter, a road trip to a country inn casts an alluring spell. Dreaming of a cozy dinner in front of a flickering fireplace, we hit the road to check out The Bee & Thistle Inn and Spa in Old Lyme. (100 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT) The Bee & Thistle has been an inn since 1930, but Linnea and David Rufo have breathed new life into the historic building since buying it 4 years ago. Linnea is a multi-talented, energetic and attractive woman with 20 years of experience in the hospitality business as a chef (she worked at Jean Georges Vongerichten’s Mercer Kitchen), innkeeper (The Inn at Stockbridge in Massachusetts) and award-winning events planner (too numerous to list). She’s the Bee & Thistle’s executive chef and hostess, and has created a cozy ambience filled with good food, art and music. Read More
Ask Chef Nicole: Asian Turkey Vegetable Potstickers Features Asian Ask Chef Nicole Chef Talk kids activity Recipe Kid Friendly Nicole Straight February 18, 2010 Chef Nicole has mastered the art of the kid-friendly recipe that works just as well the adults in the crowd. These Asian Turkey Vegetable Potstickers are a perfect hands-on activity for all ages. Personally, all that folding took me right back to those origami craft projects from my younger days. These little GBD packages are deceptively simple to make and very tasty. We also have a vegetarian version below. Try 'em in your house and let us know what you think. Asian Turkey Vegetable Potstickers Read More
Westport-Weston Restaurant Week Feb. 28-March 6 Restaurant Events Weston Westport Christy Colasurdo February 18, 2010 Twice a year, I schlep into New York for “Restaurant Week” to experience some of the city’s finest eateries for a fraction of regular prices, like my unforgettable, three-course feast at Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, voted a “Top 5 Newcomer by Zagat” at January’s NYC Restaurant Week. When I learned that Restaurant Week is finally making its way up to Westport, home to over 35 eateries, I began lining up my dining partners—and you should, too. The First Annual Westport-Weston Restaurant Week will take place from February 28-March 6, and we at CTbites plan to make the most of it. As of this printing, some 20 Westport restaurants, with a range of cuisines and price points, have signed on. The list represents a cross-section of local venues, both casual and high-end, from the down-and-dirty Black Duck and the down-home Bobby Q’s to the organic dynamo, The Dressing Room, to the perennially popular Tarantino’s and DaPietro’s, to newcomers including Manolo and Rizzuto’s. “Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to try out a restaurant that may be out of your budget Read More
Raising The Bar On Eating Locally...Don't Miss FRESH Features Education Events Going Green Farm Fresh CTbites Team February 17, 2010 Analiese Paik is the Founder and Editor of The Fairfield Green Food Guide. She is devoted to raising awareness for eating locally and incorporating sustainable food into your family's daily routine. Analiese organized a sold out screening of the documentary FRESH last August. If you missed it, on February 27th, you have a second chance to see this film. Details are below: You are invited to a very special screening of the documentary food film FRESH on Saturday, February 27 from 2:00-4:30 pm at Audubon Greenwich. Immediately following the film, a panel of prominent members of the local/sustainable food movement will discuss the critical role we each play in supporting local farms and creating a local market for sustainable products and offer practical ideas about small but important steps we can take to join and strengthen this grass roots movement. Please join us afterwards for complimentary organic wine and local cheese in the exhibition area. A special educational program for children ages 5 and up is being offered free of charge so the whole family can enjoy an afternoon at the beautiful venue. Read More
Openings: Grass Fed Organic Burgers @The Filling Station Restaurant New Canaan Comfort Food Burgers Stephanie Webster February 16, 2010 It seems these days that burgers and fries are all the rage. Burger joints like Five Guys, BSF, and Flipside have cropped up all around Fairfield County and have been greeted with long lines of hungry comfort food seekers. In this classic American tradition, the retro-modern Filling Station Company is due to enter the scene in the next few weeks. Another burger joint you ask? Not exactly. Sure, the prices are right, and the milkshakes will be flowing, but The Filling Station will be offering our community a $4 burger made with locally raised organic beef, $3 nitrate free dogs, and antibiotic and hormone-free shakes. Their commitment to serving local and organic fare will make many customers smile (I'm smiling right now), and if the food is as good as the tasting I experienced last Spring, New Canaan may have themselves a winner. The menu is simple. Burgers come in veggie (actually falafel) or grass fed beef. Hot dogs can be ordered up in the beef, chicken, or veggie variety, and let's not forget the Sloppy Joes. Read More
CTbites SuzySaid Lunch Event: Cafe Tavolini Restaurant CTbites Lunch Events Stephanie Webster February 16, 2010 SuzySaid & CTbites are teaming up again for our monthly lunch event. On February 23rd, we will be meeting up at Cafe Tavolini in Bridgeport for a special $15 prix fixe lunch. CTbites has yet to review this one, so help us find the words by sampling the cuisine and submitting your opinion. We're looking forward to seeing you there. Here's what we're eating: Read More
Colombian Comfort Food @ La Sopresa Restaurant Sarah Green February 14, 2010 [UPDATE: This restaurant is closed] Do you remember that scene from the movie "Ratatouille" when the food critic, Antono Ego, takes his first bite of of the delicious veggie dish? Tears fill his eyes and he is immediately transported back to his care-free, whimsical childhood days. One delectable, comforting, outrageously sublime bite is all it takes to take to bringinnocence back to the jaded. I had that experience yesterday after taking one warm, sensational bite of a PANDEQUESO from the bakery section of La Sorpresa, in Norwalk. This undecorated, bare, and ordinary looking pastry was so surprisingly scrumptious, tears literally streamed down my face. Truly. (And yes, I probably DO need medication, but still…) And this wasn’t the only surprise at La Sorpresa, located at 61 Cedar Street in Norwalk. This Columbian restaurant, owned and run by Ivan Dario Gomez, serves typical cuisine from the region, but the place itself is anything but ordinary. Read More
Chef Talk: Barcelona's Gambas Al Ajillo Features Chef Talk Recipe Stephanie Webster February 13, 2010 Barcelona has long been a Fairfield County favorite for authentic and distinctive Spanish Tapas. All of their locations share that perfect festive vibe, and the cocktails, well they're worthy of their own post. When the Barcelona Cookbook came out last Summer, I was incredulous that I could recreate the flavors that emerge from their kitchens. Sure, these recipes don't come with music and engaging bartenders, but the food tastes great. These Gambas Al Ajillo are the first of four recipe we will feature from Barcelona Wine Bar. Enjoy! Gambas Al Ajillo Read More
Chef Nicole: Chocolate Ganache Cake w/ Hazelnut Praline Features Ask Chef Nicole Chef Talk Recipe Dessert Nicole Straight February 09, 2010 Ok people...there are tons of delicious recipes on CTbites, but this is hands down my favorite to date. Chef Nicole won an award for this Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache and Hazelnut Praline, and after your first bite, you'll know why. We used dark chocolate left over from the "Sustainable Dark Chocolate Tasting" we had earlier in the week, so it was truly outrageous. (More on that later). Bonus: The extra ganache can be used to dip fruit into resulting in a beautiful accompaniment to this decadent treat. Forget flowers this Valentine's Day...just make cake. Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache and Hazelnut Praline Read More
Osianna Taverna: A Lunch Oasis with Great Value Restaurant Fairfield Italian Mediterranean Seafood Lunch Deanna Foster February 07, 2010 Going out for lunch carries specific expectations. If you’ve gone beyond the decision to just get a bite to eat, other desires come into play: In addition to good food, you want a certain atmosphere, efficient service, and ideally, a reasonable price. A recent mid-day visit to Osianna Mediterranean Taverna in Fairfield satisfied all our requirements for a delightfully laid back lunch with excellent food that nourished, but didn’t stuff us, and proved to be an exceptional value. An energetic buzz greeted us when we entered the restaurant Read More
Super Bowl Soup, Skins, and Chili 2 Ways Features Ask Chef Nicole Chef Talk Recipe multiple Authors February 06, 2010 If you are doing a little last minute Super Bowl menu planning, you need to look no further. Here are a few recipes you can make for the masses that are tried and true delicious group pleasers. Don't miss the Trader Joe's shortcuts in Ronit's Lentil Soup recipe. Everyone should have these in their back pocket for simple soup prep. Chef Nicole brings us healthy recipes for Vegetable and Meat Chili, and of course the ever-popular...Mini Potato Skins. Enjoy the game and the food. Read More
Valentine's Day Dinners: Where to Eat Out Restaurant Holiday Stephanie Webster February 03, 2010 Ok...I'll admit it. I'm not really all that romantic. I'm a practical girl. That being said, I relish any excuse for a good meal out, and I'm always happy to assist my nearest and dearest in making their Valentine's Day plans memorable. Given the deluge of texts and calls I have received recently asking for advice on where to take wives, husbands, or girlfriends, it seemed prudent to do a little research. Here are some of our favorite restaurants offering "special" Valentines Day dinners on February 14th. A few places like leFarm and Harvest Supper, which are normally closed Sundays, will open their doors. Napa & Co and Nicholas Roberts have prix fixe menus, while others have half price bottles of wine. We are still waiting for details from a few chefs who haven't nailed down their menus. Take a look at the list below and see what works for your budget and your palate. Happy Valentine's Day...Enjoy the food...and other things. Read More
The Great Stamford Taco Crawl Restaurant Stamford Mexican Lunch Amy Kundrat February 02, 2010 I have yet to meet a taco I don't like. Or so I thought when I began hosting a series of Taco Crawls in Connecticut last fall with some adventurous foodie friends. Inspired by Jonathan Gold, considered the high-low priest of the Los Angeles food scene, and my favorite San Francisco neighborhood, the Mission District, I have become determined (read: obsessed) to discover the best taco in Connecticut. Fairfield County is no Mission District, but I contend that there are some amazing pockets of authentic food in southeastern Connecticut if you know where to look. One shining example is the El Charrito taco truck in Stamford. Their devotion to the taco and other traditional Mexican dishes in their quality ingredients contribute to what I consider to be a near perfect taco. A few things I've learned along the way is that the word ‘authentic’ or 'traditional' is tossed around entirely too often and can be deceiving. The only "real" Mexican taco you are going to experience is probably South of the border or in the kitchens of Mexican grandmothers. That being said, every restaurant expresses, interprets and defines their cuisine differently, and (with the exception of Taco Bell) I respect their efforts. With the El Charrito taco truck in our sights, we decided to begin our culinary journey in Stamford, Four taco joints would be no problem on a recent Sunday for four seasoned Taco Crawlers. Our destinations: 1. El Charrito, Richmond Hill (across from Beemers) Stamford, CT 2. Casa Villa 182 W Main St. 3. Tacos Guadalajara 217 Atlantic Street. 4. Ole Mole 1030 High Ridge Road. Read More
Granola 3 Ways: Let Them Eat Oats! Ingredients Features Ask Chef Nicole Recipe Breakfast multiple Authors February 01, 2010 If you spend any time in any grocery store these days you can't help but notice a serious proliferation of high end granola. Everyone and their grandmother is packaging their "one-of-a-kind" recipe for this oat-some breakfast treat. Many of these are high in fat, loaded with sugar, and quite frankly, not that good. We decided to consult our experts for their takes on this perennial favorite. All of these recipes are highly customizable and have an endless array of add-on possibilities. Here is 'Granola 3 Ways." At long last...three reasons to wake up in the AM. Read More
Bustling French Bistro & Seafood Fare @ 1020 Post Restaurant Darien French Seafood Breakfast Lunch CTbites Team January 31, 2010 Don't let the lace curtains and stately brick entrance fool you. Behind the doors of this new French Bistro, named for its location on the Post Road in Darien, is an airy room with coffered ceilings and a sleek zinc bar that buzzes--loudly at times--with the chatter of locals every night of the week. Located within walking distance of the Darien train station, 1020 Post, which opened its doors a little more than a year ago, pulls people in like a magnet for dinner and drinks after work and lunch during the week. On a chilly Tuesday night, I arrived with four friends to find packed tables and a bustling bar, which was lined with large glasses of Malbec and Pinot Noir. Nearby, people dined on bar stools at one of two tall community tables, where small groups can enjoy a quick bite without a reservation Read More
Chef Talk: Chef Rob Troilo, Nicholas Roberts Features Chef Talk Norwalk Recipe Stephanie Webster January 28, 2010 Many of us at CTbites are loyal followers of Chef Rob Troilo and the inventive fare served up at Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro. His food is creative, yet not overdone, and always exceptionally delicious. Last week I had the pleasure of dining with him for lunch and encountered this special; Quinoa with Butternut Squash, Roasted Fennel & Caramelized Pear Stew. The fennel in this dish is very subtle, and the squash and pear work nicely together to create a richness that does not come from 2 sticks of butter, but from the depth of the ingredients themselves. Rob's preparation of these Winter fruits and vegetables almost makes you forget about missing Summer. Now if I can just get ahold of the recipe for Rob's Maker's Mark Mac-n-Cheese... Read More
CTbites Votes: Best Italian in Fairfield County Restaurant CTbites Votes Italian Stephanie Webster January 26, 2010
Cult Pizza Following @ Colony Grill in Stamford Restaurant Pizza Stamford Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger January 24, 2010 What is the attraction of Colony Grill in Stamford? What creates almost a cult-like fascination, while simultaneously evoking harsh criticism? Why do regulars protect their turf so dearly? And most importantly, what is a Hot Oil pie? Colony has a pizza reputation that extends for decades. The walls are adorned with numerous Military and team photos from the 50’s and 60’s plus other local heroes. Twelve stools, six booths, four TVs and two video games occupy the room with a long and always occupied bar, while the second room contains ten booths and twelve additional seats around tables. The kitchen is in the back where you can see a stack of oven-ready pies, each awaiting the requested toppings. The bar offers four beers on tap plus other varieties in bottles housed in the refrigerator behind the bar. Colony ONLY serves pizza. Upwards of 1,000 in-house and take-away pies are created on a normal Saturday or Sunday Read More
