Filtering by Category: Restaurant,Features

Melt Mobile Grilled Cheese Truck Opens in Stamford

Restaurant Food Truck Stamford Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly

Nancy Kleeger April 01, 2012

If there’s one thing consistent with trends, it’s that followers will do anything to get in on the action to stay, err, well, trendy. This was evident yesterday at the opening of Melt Mobile, a new gourmet grilled cheese truck, parked smack in the middle of downtown Stamford’s Landmark Square.

Backed by Bobby Flay as part of his new “Food Project” reality show, what was started by two fierce women as a paddy wagon, one with an entrepreneurial background, the other, a trained French Culinary Institute chef and former restaurateur, is now a “permanent for now” gourmet food trend in the form of a food truck. Two trends in one, food truck and gourmet comfort food. And as I mentioned about those followers…

Spotted Horse Tavern Opens Today in Westport

Restaurant Westport Beer Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly Burgers

Sarah Green March 30, 2012

Last night, the CTBITES crew along with 100 (or so) other Westporters attended the "opening" of THE SPOTTED HORSE TAVERN, the latest and GREATEST by restaurateurs Kevin McHugh, Pete Mennona and Tommy Febbraio. (The Gray Goose in Southport is also one of theirs!) And I am placing all my bets on this HORSE! With former Manolo chef Pedro Garzon as head jockey, this SPOTTED filly is bound to cross the finish line in first place.

Beloved Hamptons Sustainable Chef brings Estia’s to Darien

Restaurant Darien Farm to Table Local Farm Breakfast Lunch

CTbites Team March 28, 2012

For two decades, former Darien restaurateur Colin Ambrose has been at the forefront of the sustainable food movement, originally in Amaganset, and now in Sag Harbor, Long Island with his popular café, Estia’s Little Kitchen. Here, the practice of growing his own fruits and vegetables on the restaurant’s property, and obtaining the rest of the ingredients from local farmers whenever possible, was never a gimmick. It was simply how he chose to source his food in order to maintain the high standards he set for the restaurant.

The second incarnation of Ambrose’s beloved restaurant concept is coming to Darien in the form of Estia’s American, a charming café that will offer breakfast, lunch and a juice bar, then transform itself into an urbane restaurant and bar for dinner service. Located in the newly developed brick walk section of a busy downtown, Estia’s American intends on filling a niche in the culinary landscape with its simple, clean, vibrant foods

Rodizio Grill in Stamford: Healthy Eats @ a Brazilian Steak House?

Restaurant Brazilian Stamford Lunch Kid Friendly

Lou Gorfain March 27, 2012

As the gauchos paraded by our table brandishing huge spears of juicy, caramelized proteins in a non-stop moveable feast, I had a question:

"Can you eat healthy in an all-you-can-eat Brazilian Steak House?"

It was a concern I imagined many a health or diet conscious CTBites reader might harbor, especially if a friend or significant other was suffering a severe steak jones and insisted on a visit to Stamford's new Rodizio Grill, an authentic Brazilian Churrascaria in the space formerly occupied by Houlihans.

Chef, Author, Farmer: Didi Emmons @ Barcelona Restaurant

Restaurant Chef Talk Cookbooks

Stephanie Webster March 26, 2012

Join Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant on March 31st for a special evening of food and celebration with Didi Emmons. Emmons, a chef, author, educator and former restaurateur will make a special appearance at Barcelona Fairfield to promote her IACP nominated cookbook Wild Flavors, One Chef’s Transformative Year Cooking from Eva’s Farm.

The cookbook features unusual food that is grown on a farm run by Eva Sommaripa, a renegade 70-year old farmer from southeast Massachusetts, who grows for a variety of notable chefs in New England.

The evening wil begin with a cocktail hour where guests will have to opportunity to meet with Emmons and peruse signed copies of her latest cookbook. In addition to Barcelona Wine Bar and Restaurant’s regular menu, we will be offering a special a la carte menu featuring specialties from Eva’s farm such as juniper berries, sunchokes, lovage, claytonia and other foraged and cultivated flavors prepared by Barcelona Wine Bar’s Culinary Director, Adam Halberg.

EDO: Korean Fare in Norwalk

Restaurant Asian Norwalk korean Lunch Kid Friendly Korean

Melissa Roberts March 25, 2012

In the window of Edo there’s a New York Times review from 2004 that touts the virtues of Edo’s sushi, but that’s not the reason why we came. Sushi or Japanese food is not the reason to go to Edo. Sure, its name is Japanese, but we were there for the Korean fare. Like so many Asian restaurants in Fairfield County, Edo tries to squeeze multiple cultures into a single venue which isn’t always for the best, but go to Edo for the Korean dishes. You'll be happy you did.

Match & Grey Goose Co-owners to Open New Restaurant in Fairfield

Restaurant Fairfield News

CTbites Team March 24, 2012

Fairfield will be the destination for one of the liveliest new restaurants to open in Fairfield County this year. The original trio behind Match in SoNo, Scott Beck, Matt Storch and Kevin McHugh, are the brains, culinary brawn and co-owners who just inked a deal to build-out and run a soon-to-be-named restaurant slated to open early summer 2012. The new venue will reside in the heart of Fairfield in the former location of Greenhouse Grill on Unquowa Place.

The restaurant will feature a “global-classics" menu with several small plates to encourage sharing, a lively bar, sidewalk dining, an opening façade and ample free parking...not to mention one of Connecticut’s most talented chefs.

Jake’s Wayback Burgers Opens in Stamford

Restaurant Stamford Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly Burgers

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger March 23, 2012

Whenever a new place that is dedicated to hamburgers opens in my ‘hood I just cannot resist the magnetic field that pulls me to give it a try; and I could not resist when Jake’s Wayback Burgers opened in Stamford.

I arrived early enough to avoid the lunch-rush and ensure that the staff could focus on my order. True to my first-visit tradition, I ordered a cheeseburger (a little over 3 ounces of meat) with bacon and grilled onions ($3.19), a small order of French fries ($1.99) and a small (listed on the menu as 12 ounces) chocolate shake ($2.89). Each item is made to order so I watched as the hamburger hit the grill, the fries plunged into the fryer and the shake whipped in the mixer.

5 Course Winemaker's Dinner @ Darien Social

Restaurant Wine Dinners

CTbites Team March 23, 2012

If you got sold out of our PHO-nomenal Vietnamese Dinner at Match for April 4th, here's something else you can do that night. The new Darien Social is hosting an exclusive five-course winemaker's dinner at 10 Center Street, Darien on Wednesday, April 4th 2012 at 7pm.

Jeremy Kreck, winemaker at Mill Creek Winery in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County, will showcase and discuss his estate-grown wines. Mill Creek is a true family-owned boutique winery whose wines have won some of the most prestigious awards in California

AMG Cooking School in Wilton: Learn While You Eat

Features Cooking Classes Education Wilton kids cooking party Recipe

ellen bowen March 23, 2012

It must have been good karma to take over the former Wave Hill bread kitchen in Wilton, because the AMG Cooking School, which opened it’s doors in July, has truly found the right ingredients for success.

Alison Milwe-Grace and her partner, Olivia Savarese, are not new to cooking having run a catering and event planning business for years. When the professional kitchen space at the old Wave Hill Breads came on the market, they saw an opportunity and jumped at the chance to open a cooking school. They have been hosting both adult and kids classes ever since.

The good friends added their own personal touch to the space. Gone are the wooden bread racks and flour dusted floors. A cozy candlelit living room and dining area serves as the entrance, while the kitchen features a huge work area complete with famous chef quotes on chalkboards to serve as inspiration.

Video: Chef Matt Storch Demos Pomegranate Braised Short Ribs w Pea Puree

Features Chef Talk Entertaining Recipe Video Recipe

Stephanie Webster March 22, 2012

Live from CTbites global headquarters, Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant launches the CTbites Chef Demo Video series. Watch and learn people.

Matt Storch's recipe for Pomegranate-Orange Braised Boneless Beef Short Ribs With Pea Puree takes a classic winter dish and re-imagines it for spring with vibrant fresh peas. Get great tips as you watch Chef Storch review the basics of braising in this beautiful dish.

If you have a chef or recipe you would like to see on CTbites, let us know.

Westport Votes YES to Pop-up Cafes via Daily Westport

Restaurant News Westport

Stephanie Webster March 21, 2012

This just in from The Daily Westport...

WESTPORT, Conn. – More outdoor seating areas may be popping-up in downtown Westport this spring. On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a policy that allows the creation of pop-up cafes and pop-up seating along certain one-way streets.

This new policy will permit merchants along Main Street and other one-way roads to install on-street cafes or seating areas in converted curbside parking spaces outside their businesses. The policy was created by Planning and Zoning Commissioner Howard Lathrop and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jennifer Johnson, with help from Assistant Town Attorney Gail Kelly.

“If you look at the policy, we wanted to make it broad enough not to exclude retail businesses from doing this,” said Johnson after the meeting. “This will actually allow both pop-up cafes and pop-up seating.” --Vanessa Inzitari

Read the full article here.

Food for Thought Event in Danbury

Restaurant Danbury

Amy Kundrat March 21, 2012

Danbury's Food For Thought 2012 will be held on Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the showroom of Connecticut Kitchen & Bath, 87 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by contacting Joann Cueva at 203-743-5565 or Joann@danburychamber.com.

In addition to highlighting the Danbury area's food scene, the event will host a lively discussion about the latest food, restaurant & cooking trends with a special guest food critic & News Times Managing Editor Jackie Smith as well as (yours truly) Amy Kundrat, Executive Editor of CTbites.

This networking and food-centric event hosted by the Women’s Business Council will showcase a variety of the Danbury area's food scene, including: Basilico, Brasilis BBQ, Brio Tuscan Grill, Hanna’s Middle Eastern Restaurant, Jay’s at the new Crowne Plaza, Koo Neo-Japanese Cuisine, Matrix Banquet & Conference Center, Mezon Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Molly Darcy’s Irish Pub & Grill, Pito’s Q - Shortcut to Puerto Rico, Stew Leonard’s, Victoria’s Wood Fired Pizza, VIVO! Bar & Grill & others.

Food for Thought is a great way to support local business as well as get to know the Danbury area's food scene. Hope to see you there.

Cheese Tasting w/ Chef & Author Jason Sobocinski

Restaurant Cheese Chef Talk Events Specialty Market

CTbites Team March 20, 2012

Love cheese? Want to know more about it? Want to taste some? Chef, TV personality, and cheese cookbook author Jason Sobocinski will talk about cheese, offer samples, and sign copies of his book, Caseus: Fromagerie Bistro Cookbook, on Friday, March 30, from 7-9 pm at a private home in Westport. Proceeds from the event, which costs $35 per person, will support Library programs.

Sobocinski is host of “The Big Cheese” on The Cooking Channel and owner of New Haven’s award-winning bistro and cheese shop Caseus. Wine will be provided by Black Bear Wines & Spirits of Westport. Register online.
For more information, contact Cindy Clark, 203.291.4824, clark@westportlibrary.org, or westportlibrary.org.

"Outstanding In The Field" in CT: Tix on Sale March 20

Restaurant Events Farm to Table Local Farm

Stephanie Webster March 19, 2012

On Tuesday, March 20th, the first day of spring, tickets will go on sale for the 2012 season of Outstanding In The Field. This year's dinner will take place at the Waldingfield Farm in Washington CT on September 15, 2012.

Outstanding in the Field visits orchards, beaches and vineyards. At Waldingfield Farm, we have a site where we can all be out standing in the field. The other meaning of Outstanding in the Field is outstanding as in the best. This year at Waldingfeild Farm, guest chef Joel Viehland of Community Table will return to prepare another late summer feast. Joel is truly one of the best.

"Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls." Their mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.

The Details:

WHEN: Saturday September 15, 2012

WHERE: Waldingfield Farm, Washington, CT

PRICE: $220.00, Tickets can be purchased on their website.

From Masala to Mole: Westport's Oaxaca Kitchen

Restaurant Mexican New Haven Lunch Kid Friendly

Amy Kundrat March 18, 2012

“From Masala to Mole” is Chef Prasad Chirnomula’s recent gourmet battle cry. The man who revolutionized Indian cuisine in Connecticut with Thali, opens his newest Mexican-inspired concept in Westport in the form of the lively south of the border hot spot that is Oaxaca Kitchen.

Leaving the Indian subcontinent, Chef Chirnomula has fully embraced the flavors of Mexico’s Oacaxa region, an area known for its mole dishes, barbacoa, mezcal and chocolate. The layers of flavors and spice found in Oaxacan dishes, a region often referred to as “land of the seven moles,” evokes a similar feel to the masalas and bright yet rich flavors found in Chef Chirnomula's native Indian cuisine.

Arethusa To Open Wine Bar in Bantam

Restaurant Litchfield Opening

CTbites Team March 16, 2012

As reported by the Litchfield County Times, the owners of Arethusa Dairy in Litchfield County received town approval to open a wine bar in a location adjacent to their retail operation at 822 Bantam Road in Bantam, CT.

The dairy was founded by Manolo Blanik owners George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis who own and operate the dairy which produces milk and other dairy products such as yogurt and ice cream. According to the County Times:

"Approval was given to a proposal for a wine bar in a building adjacent to Arethusa’s creamery in the former Bantam Firehouse, where its farm-fresh milk, ice cream, cheeses, yogurts and more are sold. The wine bar is envisioned as a bistro-style operation that will serve the creamery’s signature cheeses and other light fare."

Read the full story at Litchfield County Times.

Pizzeria Rosso Expands to Bridgeport & Greenwich

Restaurant Bridgeport Greenwich Pizza

Amy Kundrat March 15, 2012

Pizzeria Rosso is opening up not one, but two new locations in Connecticut in addition to their original Norwalk take-out outpost which has been open just under a year. [Read: Pizzeria Rosso Opens in Norwalk, June 2012]

Pasquale (Pat) Pascarella is the chef and founder of the successful yet still young pizzeria. His second Pizzeria Rosso is set to open at 960 Main Street in Bridgeport in just about three weeks. The new Bridgeport location will be open seven days a week and boasts forty seats with two four-pie Baker's pride ovens. The menu will be largely the same, but more of a focus on pizza and less pasta and will be BYOB with the possibility of a future liquor license. With Webster Arena just up the street and the Barnum Publick House opening across the street, Pizzeria Rosso will be open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night.

A third location will open in Greenwich, giving Pizzeria Rosso the run of Fairfield County.

HUGE WUSTHOF Inventory Sale in Norwalk

Features Kitchen Gear

Chris Grimm March 14, 2012

For cooks and home cooks looking for great deals on fine cutlery, the Wüsthof Outlet in Norwalk is having their bi-annual inventory sale, from Thursday, March 22 to Saturday March 24. You’ll find knives, knife sets, and accessories.

At last Fall’s sale, I fell for the Culinar line of stainless steel handled knives – basically forged from a single piece of steel – as beautiful as they are high-quality.

Be careful while checking things out. Despite a dozen signs warning customers to be careful amongst the hundreds of sharp knives, I, of course, speared myself and had to deftly pay with a single hand while keeping a sliced finger in my pocket, rather than bringing embarrassment upon myself, in the store.

Selection was great in the Fall (if you’ve never been to the outlet, it’s worth a stop under any circumstance). Regular discounts on the store models, overstocks, and discontinued models are 40% to 70% - with an extra 20% for the sale.