MATCH Taco Opens Today in Black Rock, Bridgeport from Chef Matt Storch Restaurant Mexican Tacos Delicious Dives Take Out To-Go Bridgeport Homepage Opening Stephanie Webster September 13, 2018 Chef Matt Storch is at it again, this time with a concept that waxes nostalgic to his humble beginnings in the kitchen of the much loved Tex-Mex joint, "Tacos Or What?" in Westport. Tacos Or What was the local spot where Storch learned to love the business of food, and now, Match Taco is his latest venture going into the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport.Storch plans to get back to his roots (yes, his grandma actually owned a restaurant in Mexico City) and get his hands into some serious tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas...all the Tex-Mex food you could want. Additionally Match Taco will be filling those weekend morning comfort food cravings with a full menu of breakfast sandwiches. Intrigued? Read on... Read More
Tix On Sale for The Westport Farmers’ Market "Fork it Over" Party in the Parking Lot Features Events CTbites Team September 12, 2018 The Westport Farmers’ Market annual Fork it Over Party in the Parking Lot is back! The event will be held at Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens on October 4, 2018 from 6 to 10 pm and is the largest WFM fundraiser and tribute to supporters. Adults from all over Fairfield County and beyond gather in a magical scene of music, café lighting, and the almost-unbearable aroma of local food to celebrate WFM’s programming and the bounty of the season. Read More
Vault Coffee + Deviant Donut: A Very Sweet Collaboration Restaurant Breakfast Doughnuts Coffee Mystic Tea And Coffee Dessert CTbites Team September 11, 2018 Collaborations, pop-ups, and food markets are what I live for in terms of seeking out inventive yet timeless cuisine pairings. And one new collaboration that caught my eye with an abundance of drool-worthy Instagram posts—and likely you’ve spotted it too—is the recent marriage between Vault Coffee and Deviant Donuts. Truly, what is better than a perfect pairing of coffee and doughnuts on a lazy weekend morning? Read More
Bianco Rosso Opens Newest location in Trumbull w/ Chef David White Restaurant Trumbull wilton Italian Homepage Lunch Pasta Dessert CTbites Team September 09, 2018 Earlier this summer, husband and wife team, Cristina Ramirez and Mario Lopez along with brother Jaime opened Bianco Rosso’s newest location, in Trumbull, to eager diners. Noted Chef David White (most recently of Vespa, Westport) was brought on to oversee all culinary matters and is joined by award-winning Pastry Chef Susanne Berne where the two have joined forces to create a delectable menu. Acclaimed Mixologist Jaime Johel oversees the creative specialty cocktail menu. The energetic restaurant opened to rave reviews. We had the opportunity to visit the new restaurant last week and sample some of Chef White’s culinary prowess. Read More
WIN 2 TICKETS TO GREENWICH WINE + FOOD'S Master Chef Dinner ($650 value) Features Giveaway Stephanie Webster September 08, 2018 WIN 2 TICKETS TO GREENWICH WINE + FOOD'S Opening Night Master Chef Wine Dinner (worth $650!) honoring famed restauranteur Alex Guarnaschelli with special guests Scott Conant & Adam Richman, Friday 9/21/18 7:00PM – 10:30PM. TO ENTER: 1) Subscribe to the CTbites Newsletter 2) Enter your full name and email address below Read More
Last Chance for Tix to Black Rock Yacht Club’s 1st Annual Taste, Sip & Support Fundraiser (sponsored post) Features Events CTbites Team September 07, 2018 There are just two weeks left to purchase tickets to Black Rock Yacht Club’s 1st Annual Taste, Sip & Support fundraiser, happening Saturday, September 22nd from 12-4pm.Event proceeds will benefit those that are food insecure. Funds raised will support the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Foodshare and Operation Hope, as well as scholarships to the CT Chefs Association and Lincoln Culinary Institute.The afternoon features signature dishes from award-winning chefs from more than ten area eateries. Come taste wild boar sausage over polenta with fig gastrique, Asian braised short rib tacos, and seared scallops with risotto Milanese, to name a few tasty dishes planned. Enjoy flavorful beers presented by Aspetuck Brew Lab and inventive cocktails featuring selections by Asylum Distillery, all while mingling with friends and neighbors and taking in beautiful harbor views. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of September 9-16 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson September 07, 2018 Bar Sugo’s Mixology Class is back for Round 2 on Saturday September 15! Join veteran Mixologist Seth Hiravy for a 2 hour class, which includes lunch and cocktails. Call 203-956-7134 to reserve.On Monday September 10, Mystic Cheese and Black Pond Brews are uniting for a Cheese and Beer Pairing Class in Danielson. The evening will include six beers from Black Pond Brews paired with a collection of cheese. Tickets are $40. Now at Fortina, wear your jerseys on Monday, Thursdays, and Fridays to get a complimentary Rays or Margherita Pizza. There will also be food and drink specials on those days during football season.B.J. Ryan’s in Norwalk presents a Steakhouse Theme Dinner on September 13. $100 per person (plus tax and gratuity) includes open bar as well as a menu of 40 oz Bone in Ribeye… Read More
Podcast: An Interview with Christian Burns of the NEW Evarito's Mexican Kitchen & Bar in SoNo Features Podcast Interview Ken Tuccio September 06, 2018 Evarito's Mexican Kitchen & Bar is the latest addition to South Norwalk. Ken Tuccio sits down with Christian Burns, the mind behind the spot, to talk about his background in the culinary world and how it all led to what he's doing now with Evarito's. Listen here.Read our review of Evarito's here. Read More
The Stamford Museum and Nature Center’s annual Farm-to-Table Supper on September 20th Features Events Stephanie Webster September 06, 2018 Foodies and oenophiles, mark your calendar for The Stamford Museum and Nature Center’s annual Farm-to-Table Supper on September 20th. This year's intimate dinner will feature a locally sourced menu from one of our favorite CT chefs, François Kwaku-Dongo. A James Beard nominee, Chef Kwaku-Dongo has cooked for Wolfgang Puck, the iconic Spago, L’ Escale on Greenwich Harbor, and most recently, The Roger Sherman Inn.Guests will enjoy a beautiful evening complete with a cocktail reception, Chef Kawku-Dongo’s menu inspirations featuring farm-fresh cuisine, and an exquisite selection of global wines. The rustic chic event takes place in the beautiful Bendel Mansion, and supports the missions and programs of the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. Read More
20+ Places To Celebrate Oktoberfest in CT: 2018 Edition Features Holiday Oktoberfest Beer Garden CT Beer Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson September 05, 2018 Fall is here! That means spice pumpkin lattes, apple picking, Halloween shopping, and of course… Oktoberfest! Connecticut restaurants, farms, museums, and fairgrounds are holding their own versions of the German holiday. These places are serving up German-inspired cuisine, brews, music, entertainment, and more. We will continue to update this list as venues announce events. Check back for more events throughout the month. Read More
8 Classic CT Drive-Ins To Visit Before Summer's End via CT Visit Restaurant Outdoor Dining Delicious Dives Diner Comfort Food Hot Dogs Burgers Lunch CTbites Team September 04, 2018 One of the best parts about being on the road in the summer in Connecticut is stopping at a drive-in for a quick but tasty meal. The state has many such spots, but here are 8 of the most tried and true.Sea Swirl, Mystic: It's easy to spot Sea Swirl as the former Carvel location, but the focus now is on fried seafood, especially clams, scallops, and oysters. The Sycamore, Bethel: Known for its steak burgers and homemade root beer, as well as its carhops and 1950's ambiance. Be sure to check out their web site for cruise nights and and other special events. Harry's Place, Colchester: Looking for a real juicy burger? Harry's shapes its patties into a ball, puts them on a grill, and then gradually flattens them with a spatula. The results have brought customers back every summer for decades. Read More
The Colombian Hot Dog Truck: Ultimate Comfort Food Restaurant Food Truck Burgers Columbian Comfort Food Hot Dogs Bridgeport Delicious Dives Homepage Andrew Dominick September 02, 2018 I can admit when I have a problem. Connecticut has several great food trucks, and I social media stalk a bunch of them. The addiction is obviously the food, then there’s this game of being able to track down the truck or trucks in question. Will I be free? Where will the truck be? What time? And for how long will they be there? One that I played cat and mouse with recently was The Colombian Hot Dog, a mobile trailer that specializes in Colombian fast food. They were put on my radar by a local photographer friend who spent some time shooting The Colombian Hot Dog crew in action one summer night. He suggested I check them out, but it took a while since the truck is only parked in Norwalk one night per week. Read More
Friday Froth: An ESB Or Three? Features Beer CT Beer Beer Garden Brewery James Gribbon August 31, 2018 This week we're going to look at some beers which could be confused for the country's least glitzy style, the Extra Special Bitter, or ESB. Most people who had access to beer, legally or not, in the Cro-The problem with taste sensations is their inevitable ubiquity. Like a new song quickly overplayed into agonizing repetition, the new hotness becomes common as mud or lobster mac and cheese. Bloody Mary gimmicks are an excellent example. Magnon craft beer era of the 1990s will remember Red Hook ESB. It was a good touch bitter, with a sharp roast and a twinge of sweetness to its malt-forward profile. English inspired bones fleshed out by a toddling American craft beer industry, it sold a ton as a delicious change of pace from Bud/Miller/Coors/Molson/Corona, and was to be one of the first brands bought and ruined by "Big Beer," in this case Anheuser-Busch. Read More
Costco Vs. Stew Leonard's "Samples" Thowdown: Who's The Winner? Features Specialty Market Homepage Lou Gorfain August 31, 2018 People love Free. Almost as much as they crave Food. Which explains why CTBites decided to pit Costco in Norwalk against Stew Leonard's in Norwalk, both famous for their generous grocery samples, in a Full-on Free Food Fight. There was a clear winner. And it wasn’t the store we thought it would be.While Costco is a membership warehouse, and Stewie’s a sui generes grocery market, both strive to enhance their customers’ in-store shopping experience -- more so than traditional supermarkets. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for September 2-9 Features Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 30, 2018 Savannah Bee Company invites you to a pre- Rosh HaShanah honey tasting on Wednesday September 5 at their store in downtown Westport. Liz from Kosher Like Me will walk you through the selections.On Wednesday September 5, The Fig Cooking School in Milford presents a cooking class in honor of International Bacon Day. The Food Truck Fridays Series continues at the Clinton Crossing Outlets continues on Friday September 7. Enjoy Gourmet Food Trucks, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and shopping at your favorite retailers.The 2018 Norwalk Oyster Festival hosted by the Seaport Association will take place Friday September 7 through Sunday September 9 at Veterans Memorial Park in Norwalk. Read More
2018 Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival September 20-23 Features Events Newport Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 29, 2018 Imagine sipping on wine and feasting on gourmet bites, all overlooking Rhode Island’s beautiful coast. You can at the 2018 Newport Mansions Food & Wine Festival, which begins on Thursday September 20 and continues through Sunday September 23. It’s time for a road trip! Read More
It's A Woman's World: Jes Bengsten of Terrain Features Chef Interview CTbites Team August 29, 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, we feature Jes Bengsten, Chef at Terrain Garden Café. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com. Read More
Banh Meee Brings Vietnamese Delights to Hartford’s Flourishing Capitol Avenue Restaurant Asian To-Go Take Out Hartford Vietnamese Noodles Connecticut Magazine August 28, 2018 Author Michael Lee-Murphy from Connecticut Magazine shares a great Vietnamese find in Hartford, Banh Meee. Dung “G” Tran says, “Three years ago, I didn’t know how to cook.” Really? His menu at the new Banh Meee Vietnamese restaurant on Capitol Avenue in Hartford sure doesn’t taste like it.Tran says he taught himself how to cook by watching YouTube tutorials and adding his own modern spin on traditional Vietnamese cooking. After operating for a few months as a food truck, Tran moved into the space made available by GoldBurgers’ closing of its Hartford location late last year.Born to Vietnamese parents in San Bernardino, California, Tran says his parents sent him and his siblings to New England as youngsters to, as he puts it, avoid the gang violence of the area. Tran worked in insurance in Windsor for several years before launching himself into the food business. Read More
Sift Bake Shop in Mystic: Winner of "Best Baker in America" Restaurant Bakery Mystic Breakfast Lunch Celebrity Chef Chef Talk Specialty Market Homepage CTbites Team August 26, 2018 I recently sat down with Chef Adam Young, co-owner and head baker at Sift Bake Shop, to discuss his recent win as "Best Baker in America," Sift’s success, future plans, and what you should order during your next visit.Opened in spring 2016, Sift Bake Shop in downtown Mystic has gained rapid success from a winning combination of Adam Young’s (co-owner/head baker) infectious passion and skill in the kitchen. This French-inspired bakery takes cues from Young’s own travels in France and is a combination of aspects he liked from a variety of different European bakeries. This vision translated into a bright, open space outfitted with dark wood floors, a long display case stocked with everything from sandwiches to dainty entremets and crispy baguettes, and hanging silver lighting shining like spotlights on the baked goods. Read More
Friday Froth: Kent Pils, Two Roads Spills on Area 2, And A Hazy IPA That Kills Features Ingredients CT Beer Beer Garden Beer Brewery James Gribbon August 24, 2018 This week in Friday Froth we're going to toss back a beer in the middle of a trend, a new creation in an old style, and some brewery news which leads us to an aged beer.And now, as another James May say, the nyeewws:I recently was among the first few dozen civilians to ever see the inside of Two Roads' new mixed fermentation secondary brewery, Area 2. First announced in 2016, this new on-site facility in Stratford will focus on sour, barrel aged, and wild ales - all the little organisms bursting with possibility, and voted most likely to make your wine or Bud Light drinking friends say "This is beer?!?" Read More
