Silvia Baldini & Alina Lawrence Launch "The Secret Ingredient Girls" Features Ingredients Online Store Local Artisan Stephanie Webster June 26, 2018 Silvia Baldini is a local CT chef, and a national expert and celebrity in the food and media industry. Alena Lawrence is of the few women Olive Oil experts in the US, and was the owner of Olivette, an award winning boutique and olive oil tasting room in CT. The two met several years ago and immediately discovered they shared the same passions: cooking, traveling and living a high-quality life to the fullest. Now, they have joined to create The Secret Ingredient Girls, a curated site that sells only ingredients that adhere to their discerning taste and expertise in the food industry. Read More
LobsterCraft Opens Lobster Shack in Fairfield CT Restaurant Seafood Lobster Lobster Bake Catering Food Truck Lunch Fairfield Comfort Food Outdoor Dining Homepage Jessica Ryan June 24, 2018 It’s just as you’d imagine a perfect lobster shack to be – small, somewhat quirky, a whole lotta fun and absolutely delicious. LobsterCraft opened its retail doors a few months ago in Fairfield, just off of the Post Road. You have to look for it. If you blink you’ll likely drive past the sandwich board sign, the first time you go. But once you find it you’ll never forget. Parked next to the shop is their truck, and a tented, casual seating area, reminiscent of those great roadside eateries along the coast of Maine. I think those are the truest gems – lobster rolls the way lobster rolls are meant to be. This is a paper plate and paper napkin eatery which only enhances the whole lobster roll experience. Read More
Episode 6 - Chef Bill Taibe: Kawa Ni / Jesup Hall / The Whelk Interview Features Podcast Interview Celebrity Chef Ken Tuccio June 21, 2018 Chef Bill Taibe's culinary reputation is nationally known. His restaurants in Westport (Kawa Ni, The Whelk and Jesup Hall) are destination dining locations. Chef Taibe is making some big changes to the way he does business however, and he sits down with Ken Tuccio to discuss exactly what those changes are and how he's dealing with them both professionally and personally. Listen here. Read More
Guide To Lobsterbake & Clambake Caterers in Connecticut Restaurant Clambake Lobster Lobster Bake Catering Seafood Best of CT Homepage April Guilbault June 21, 2018 Summah. Lobstah. Chowdah. Did you notice that all of these “words” end in “ah”? Ahhhh, guess there is a reason. Summer, with it’s blazing sunshine and easy and delicious seasonal eats, is perfectly ahhh-inducing. One of great things about this time of year is the fresh seafood. Does anything really compare to a New England clambake with all the trimmings? Fresh, sweet lobster, briny clams, crunchy fresh corn, succulent mussels, creamy red potatoes…wait! Don’t forget the buttah. There’s that “ah” again. We hope you have many of these enjoyable shared meals with friends and family in the beautiful, warm months ahead. Here’s a list to help you on your way… Read More
Hey Stamford Food Festival is Back With Amazing Food Truck Lineup Features Festival Food Truck Stamford Stephanie Webster June 20, 2018 The Hey Stamford! Food Festival is back! The two-day, family oriented food festival will feature a full concert experience on the Minchin Buick GMC mainstage. Joining us is legendary rapper Tone Loc, “The Worlds Best Party Band” Party Rock, Country star, Dylan Scott and regional country favorites, Jump the Gunn to name just a few. The Blind Rhino Beer Garden will highlight the finest in regional and national breweries, the Fairfield County Bank Kids Zone will include a host of games and activities for the family. And it’s not a food festival without some amazing cuisine! Check out the amazing line-ups of food trucks and vendors... Read More
It's a Woman's World: Debra Ponzek, Aux Delices Foods Features Interview Chef Catering CTbites Team June 19, 2018 Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us. Our series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.How'd they do it? Read on. This week, our focus turns to Debra Ponzek, Chef/Owner of Aux Delices Foods. Have a suggestion on someone you’d like to see featured? Email steph@ctbites.com. Read More
Kyushu Ramen: Authentic Noodle Shop in Stamford...Finally!! Restaurant Asian Japanese Ramen Noodles Stamford Lunch Homepage Lou Gorfain June 17, 2018 Those who have roamed Stamford for years in search of authentic ramen finally have a new spring to their step. Kyushu Ramen, the sleek re-incarnation of Tengda Asian Bistro on Bedford’s Restaurant Row, lays claim to being Stamford’s first ramen restaurant.In place of the mish-mash Pan Asian cuisine previously served at this location, the new shop focuses primarily on Japan, sharpening the lens on the island of Kyushu and its most illustrious contribution to ramen cuisine, Tonkatsu.Distinguished by its cloudy, slowly simmered pork stock, Tonkatsu is the silky star of Kyushu’s menu. Its savory, seasoned broth, anointed with pork belly, spices, herbs and noodles, is crafted by Japanese-born chef, Ito Shigeru. Trained by strict ramen masters, this veteran New York City ramen chef brings an authentic Japanese cooking style to Bedford Street. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for June 17-24 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 16, 2018 On Monday June 18, The Weekend Kitchen in Essex hosts Chef Colt Taylor of The Essex Restaurant for “The Ultimate Fish Class.” The menu will include dishes like Ora king salmon belly gravlax, Tuna tartare, Kampachi ceviche, and Ora king salmon loin bulged wheat risotto. Don’t forget to BYOB! The class costs $90 and runs from 6:30-10pm. Fairfield Cheese Company presents Charcuterie 101 on Tuesday June 19. In the class, taste through some of their meat offerings and discuss the growing popularity of the very old world process. It is $50 and lasts from 7-9pm. Pizza In The Park: Presented By Half Full Brewery will take place on Thursday June 21 at Mill River Park & Greenway in Stamford. It will feature a true "garden" themed Pop Up Beer Garden, Pizza Vendors from CT and beyond, 3+ hours of live music, Lawn Games, and a Pizza Making Competition.Ordinary New Haven is adding an extra hour to their happy hour! Early Bird specials, offered from 4- 5pm, include $6 Cocktail Specials, $6 Half-Yards of Beer, and a $15 Wine Bottle List. Read More
CTbites Happy Hour at The Spread South Norwalk for $40 Features CTbites Invites CTbites Team June 15, 2018 Second in our popular Summer Happy Hour series, fun times are ahead on the newly opened patio at The Spread SoNo as CTbites has partnered with "The Spread Boys" for an outdoor Happy Hour on Wednesday, June 27th 5:30-7:30. $40 ticket includes a KEEL Vodka specialty cocktail and a second drink choice of wine or beer and assorted appetizers. KEEL Vodka is the only low calorie vodka on the market, with half the calories of other brands. BUY TICKETS HEREChef Carlos Baez is preparing a number of signature appetizers both passed and buffet style to accompany the special summer cocktail. Menu items include:Pork Belly buns Shrimp bunsTuna tartareSausage and rice ballsPlus $1 Copps Island Oysters and other Happy Hour specials. Join us, bring your friends and let's keep celebrating Summer 2018 at the next CTbites Happy Hour. Read More
FOOD & DRINK PODCAST : Episode 5 - Remembering Anthony Bourdain Features Podcast Celebrity Chef Interview Ken Tuccio June 14, 2018 Ken Tuccio has frequently called Anthony Bourdain his "biggest inspiration". Sadly, Anthony Bourdain is no longer with us. In this very special episode of FOOD & DRINK, Ken sits down with some of the most well known names in the Connecticut culinary scene; Chef Bill Taibe (Jessup Hall / Kawa Ni), Chef Matt Storch (Match/ Nom-Eeez) and Casey Dohme (The Blind Rhino) to talk about the life and legacy of Anthony. Listen here. Read More
Mecha & Mézon Launch Eat Justice Food Truck Restaurant Food Truck Bethel Noodles Asian Breakfast Brunch American Latin American Catering Homepage Local Farm Stephanie Webster June 14, 2018 Mecha Noodle Bar & Mézon owners, Tony Pham and Richard Reyes, are excited to announce the launch of their new food truck, Eat Justice. The truck will open its window to the public on Friday, June 15th, at Holbrook Farm in Bethel. The Eat Justice food truck rolls into the CT food scene with some pre-existing street cred, and we're not just talking about our beloved noodle slurping shop founders. Beneath the new pink origami pig exterior resides the bones of the EGGZ food truck, purchased from Matt Stanziato. Lucky us, the truck will continue to feature EGGZ' killer breakfast sandwiches, but Pham and Reyes will expand the menu to include "Daily Inspirations" ranging from Banh Mi to a classic Cubano. Bonus... you don't need to hunt down the Eat Justice truck. It will reside at Holbrook Farm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 8am-1pm, like clockwork. This is a great reason to head to Bethel. Read More
Two Connecticut Designers Win Clarke Kitchen Design Awards (sponsored post) Features Kitchen Gear Design Entertaining CTbites Team June 13, 2018 Every two years Clarke, New England’s Official Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove Showroom and Test Kitchen, hosts its Sub-Zero and Wolf Kitchen Design Contest to celebrate the best kitchen designs in the six New England states. On May 10th, Clarke awarded $15,000 in prize money to first and second place winners in three categories: Traditional Kitchen, Contemporary Kitchen and Transitional Kitchen. This year, two of the six awards went to kitchen designers in Connecticut. Veronica Campbell of Deane Inc. received the first-place award for a transitional kitchen, while Gerard Ciccarello of Covenant Kitchens & Baths won second place in the traditional kitchen category. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of June 10-17 Features Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 10, 2018 On June 12 from 6-9pm, Amis Trattoria + Chef Matt Storch of Match Burger Lobster are coming together on one grill to kick off the summer. This collaborative cookout will take place in the courtyard of Amis trattoria in Westport and benefits the Westport Farmers Market. A $75 ticket includes 6 courses, wine, and beer. Tickets here. On Wednesday June 13, join BMW for a unique evening at South End featuring Chef Nick Martschenko. Put yourself in the driver’s seat of an all-new BMW followed by an inspired and interactive cocktail and culinary experience. The event runs from 6-8:30pm. The first installation of the Waveny Summer Concert Series takes place on Wednesday June 13 at 4:30pm. The Roger Sherman Inn will have special chef picnic boxes made especially for the event. Stamford is looking for the best bartender! Stamford's Best Bartender Contest 2018 goes down Wednesday June 13 in Harbor Point. Read More
Le Penguin French Bistro Launches New Menu & Renovated Outdoor Patio Restaurant Westport French Lunch Brunch Greenwich Outdoor Dining Homepage Jessica Ryan June 09, 2018 Two years ago veteran restaurateurs Anshu Vidyarthi and Antoine Blech opened Le Penguin’s second location in Westport’s Sconset Square. This delightful French Bistro known for its superb, traditional fare has been a popular dining destination ever since. Always striving for perfection, the restaurant has made a few changes, some subtle, others less so. The porch was recently renovated enabling diners to enjoy this nautically inspired outdoor space for much of the year. During the warmer weather the oversized window panels are removed for that en plein air feel; during inclement weather they are. When necessary, portable heaters add an additional layer of warmth and comfort. Panels have been added to the ceiling, and carpeting to the floor in order to help tone down the noise level. These subtle additions have proved quite successful. Read More
33+ Restaurants for Father’s Day: 2018 Edition Features Holiday Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 09, 2018 Father’s Day in Sunday June 17! Connecticut restaurants are celebrating with special prix fixe menus, brunches, BBQs, and more. Or, start the celebrations early with beer festivals on Saturday! Here are 33+ ways to make Dad feel special this year.Bar Rosso, Stamford: Bar Rosso will have a special prix fixe menu in honor of Fathers Day. Plus, Dads get a complementary beer!Griswold Inn, Essex: The Griswold Inn's Sunday Hunt Breakfast is legendary- it dates back to the war of 1812! Treat Dad for $24.95/adult, $12/kid age 7-12, and free for under 6.Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art, Hartford: The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art will host a Fathers Day brunch. Tickets include museum admission, jazz, brunch, and one complimentary bloody mary or mimosa. After, explore the galleries on your own or take a tour with a docent.Cask Republic, South Norwalk: Cask Republic SoNo will serve Father's Day brunch starting at 11:30am.Washington Prime, South Norwalk: Washington Prime in SoNo presents a Father's Day buffet-style brunch. There are 4 seatings: 11:00AM, 12:30PM, 2:00PM, and 3:30PM. It costs $49.95 per adults and $24.95 per child. Read More
"Seeing" Anthony Bourdain Features Celebrity Chef James Gribbon June 08, 2018 Grief, as often as not, contains anger. The acknowledgment that terrible people behave that way because they are hurting is one of the primary, and most difficult, gears to turn in the machinery of compassion. If there is anything simple, it's that pain and anger are easy to spot when they present themselves openly. It's when grief turns inward, kept afloat and insulated from society by a perceptual blanket of zest and joy, that its revelation can be so unsettling. Anthony Bourdain, for as brash and shouty as he was, especially in the early seasons of No Reservations, was cognizant and open about many of his personal demons. Read More
Adults Only "Maritime With A Twist" June 21st: Sip & Sample at The Maritime Aquarium (sponsored post) Features Events CTbites Team June 08, 2018 Celebrate the summer solstice with sips and samples and sharks and seals during the “Maritime with a Twist” adults-only evening event on Thurs., June 21 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.Open to anyone age 21 and over, “Maritime with a Twist” features tastes from nearby restaurants in the South Norwalk (or SoNo) neighborhood, as well as refreshments by artisanal distillers and distributors. Sample them all while enjoying the entire Aquarium for one price.Participating restaurants and retailers include: Bandido Mexican Restaurant, The Blind Rhino, Burger Bar & Bistro, The Cask Republic, Evarito’s Mexican Bar & Kitchen, Harlan Publick, Killer B Burger, Knot Norm’s, La Dolce Italian Ice & Café, Local Kitchen & Beer Bar, Our House SoNo, and Public Wine Bar, as well as Maikana Foods. Read More
Reflecting On Anthony Bourdain Features Celebrity Chef Ken Tuccio June 08, 2018 It was like a punch in the gut.“Anthony Bourdain Dead At 61”That was the “Breaking News” headline I saw on CNN when I turned on the TV in my home office this morning. Read More
Farewell Anthony Bourdain Features Celebrity Chef Amy Kundrat June 08, 2018 Source The world lost its original culinary badass and gifted storyteller. CNN reports that Anthony Bourdain was found dead. He was 61 years old. He taught us that the culinary world and its kitchens were not all polite white tablecloth 12-course tasting menu affairs but were sometimes a drug-fueled f-bomb filled pressure cooker that would happily fill your Sunday brunch menu with questionable weekend leftovers. Read More
Friday Froth: Astronomy On Tap At BAR New Haven Features Friday Froth CT Beer Beer News James Gribbon June 08, 2018 Have you ever looked down into the swirling foam at the top of a freshly poured beer and thought "that looks like a galaxy"? Ever had your mind blown by a Carl Sagan quote? Do you like New Haven pizz- OK, unless you're a CAPTCHA-bot, of course you do. The point is, whether you've watched the original Cosmos ten times, or you just wonder how far away the stars are, BAR in New Haven has re-started Astronomy On Tap, where beer, pizza, and cosmology come together. Astronomy On Tap is a a global event series where professors, PhDs, and grad students talk about their areas of expertise at bars full of anyone who's interested, and it's free. Read More
