The 10th Annual Hartford Rib Off is Back June 14-15 Features Events CTbites Team May 29, 2019 The 10th Annual Hartford Rib Off is back and returning to Hartford’s Riverside Park from June 14-15, 2019. 100% of the proceeds from the Hartford Rib Off festival is donated to local charities: MARC Community Resources LTD, Mayor Mike's Foundation for Kids, and The Hartford Rib Off Scholarship Fund. Guests can enjoy a Kick-off Party, an All-Day BBQ event, Kansas City Barbeque and New England Barbecue Society Competitions, Live Music and more while 100% of proceeds are donated to Charity. The Hartford Rib Off Festival is supported by community partners, 102.9 The Whale, Radio 104.1, Miller Lite, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and GN Construction LLC. Presenting Sponsor this year is Hall’s Market of West Hartford. This year's festival will begin on June 14th with the Hartford Rib Off Kick-Off Party where guests can enjoy live music, beer samples from 20 different breweries, Tito’s Vodka craft cocktails, and unlimited water and soft drinks. The best pitmasters in New England will come together to compete for first place in a New England Barbeque Society sanctioned Steak and Wing Tailgate contest. Read More
Essential Outdoor Entertaining Product Guide from D2 Interieurs Features Entertaining Kitchen Gear Design CTbites Team May 29, 2019
Local Boxing Trainer Creates Hot Lady Hot Sauce Brand Ingredients Features Ingredients Hot Sauce Local Artisan Andrew Dominick May 28, 2019 The hot sauce market is stacked with thousands of brands trying to win over your taste buds and into your pantry, but few have roots right here in Fairfield County. Cue Hot Lady Hot Sauce, created by Adam Colberg, a Connecticut resident who grew up in Westport. For Colberg, hot sauce wasn’t always in his overall plan. “Before I graduated from Staples High School, I always embarked on different projects, I always did things differently,” he said. “I wasn’t ready for college, but I wanted to do something adventurous, so I joined the Marines.” His time in the corps, where he was a jet mechanic, granted him the opportunity to travel the world, including a tour in Spain. Read More
Westport Farmers’ Market Opens For 2019 Summer Season Features Farmers Market Maddie Phelps May 26, 2019 It was as if the Connecticut weather knew it was a monumental day in the local food community, as ominous early morning clouds faded into beaming sunlight. Just like that, it became a beautiful day for hundreds of people to unite through their love for one thing: good food. It was opening day at The Westport Farmers’ Market!Since 2006, the Westport Farmers’ Market has been a destination for locals to browse a diverse selection of produce from farms, bakeries, breweries, and more. Opening day brought vendors from all corners of Connecticut, including several first timers excited to get their names out to locals. Read More
Carbone's Prime Now Serving Crave-Worthy Brunch Menu Restaurant Brunch Rocky Hill Breakfast Comfort Food Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe May 25, 2019
Chef Brian Lewis To Appear on Beat Bobby Flay May 30th Features News TV Food Network Celebrity Chef Stephanie Webster May 23, 2019 Cheer on CT’s own Chef Brian Lewis, of The Cottage and OKO, as he competes on Beat Bobby Flay, airing Thursday, May 30th @10PM. “We taped this episode months ago and I’m excited for everyone to see this episode of ‘Beat Bobby Flay.’ Just as I cook my heart out in the kitchens at OKO and The Cottage, I gave it my all for the competition. Tune in to see if I had the chance to go head to head with Bobby!” says Chef Lewis. The episode is intriguingly titled “Bye Bye Birdie,” and features Food Network's Michael Symon and Jet Tila working hard to outsmart their good friend Bobby Flay. They bring in one of his proteges, Chef Rebecca Weitzman, and fine dining's finest, Chef Brian Lewis, to muscle Bobby out of his kitchen. Read More
Connecticut’s Brewery Legitimus & Barden Farm Partner Again for 2nd CSABC (Community Supported Agriculture, Beer & Cheese) Share Features CSA Local Artisan Local Farm CT Beer Cheese Farm to Table CTbites Team May 23, 2019 Brewery Legitimus, the 7 barrel craft brewery co-founded by husband and wife team Chris and Christina Sayer, is partnering once again with Barden Farm (New Hartford, CT), to bring a Community Supported Agriculture, Beer & Cheese (CSABC) Share to the community. Back for a second year in a row, the 10-week “Farm, Beer and Cheese Share” begins July 11th and will run until September 12th. The first in the area, the CSABC share brings together locally grown produce from Barden Farm, locally crafted beer by Brewery Legitimus, and locally made cheese from several different farms in CT.A CSABC share membership is $485 for the 10 Weeks and includes Craft Beer from Brewery Legitimus, Cheese and of course a Farm Share from Barden Farm. It works just like a CSA. Here’s what’s included: Read More
Taproot & Redding Roadhouse Owners Take Over The Holbrook Farm Business Features CT Farms Farm Fresh Local Farm CSA Bethel Farm Stand Maddie Phelps May 22, 2019 More than 40 years ago, John and Lynn Holbrook purchased 12 acres of land in Bethel, Connecticut to open their very own family farm. With a mere 2 acres available for farming, the Holbrooks were tasked with maximizing space while remaining environmentally friendly. The rest is history.While the Holbrooks still own the spectacular farmland, as of this past March, four new faces have joined the farming family. Jeff Taibe, Stephanie Sweeney, and Sean and Erin Reilly decided to tackle the business side of things when the previous tenant opted not to renew her lease. With Taibe and Sweeney owning their restaurant, Taproot, and the Reilly’s owning the Redding Roadhouse, the four decided to merge the Bethel and Redding communities with Holbrook Farm as their link. Read More
MECHA Noodle Bar Opening in Stamford via Hey Stamford! Restaurant Stamford Japanese Vietnamese Noodles Opening Hey Stamford! May 21, 2019 Driving down Bedford Street recently, you may have noticed some activity taking place in a storefront along the east side of the street. It’s good news for all, because a popular local restaurant is getting ready to open their doors! With locations in South Norwalk, Fairfield, and New Haven, Mecha Noodle Bar has dropped a flag in Stamford Downtown!Known as a noodle lover’s paradise, Mecha serves up Asian comfort dishes, and is widely known for their Vietnamese Pho & Japanese Ramen. Among other things, they also do riffs on Southeast Asia street foods. The menu is replete with steamed baos, egg rolls, dumplings, spare ribs, and wings. But do not call them a “fusion” or a sushi restaurant, as they state on their website, they are: American-Vietnamese-Japanese-Thai-Chinese-Korean-New England-Momofuku-Totto-and-Ippudo-inspired.Read more on Hey Stamford! Read More
Guide To Connecticut Mobile Caterers: Food & Bar Trucks For Your Next Party! (sponsored post) Restaurant Catering Food Truck Entertaining Best of CT Homepage April Guilbault May 19, 2019 Rolling, rolling, rolling…Get that party rolling…Start food and drinks a flowin’Partaaaayyy!Hang on to your wagons, folks, we’ve compiled the Ultimate Mobile Caterers Guide for all of your summer (and fall) party needs! Just the fact that the party comes to you gets your soiree off to a unique and fun start. And then it starts dispensing amazing foods and drinks? Yes, we say, sign us up; cupcakes rolled to your doorstep? Check! Beer on tap parked in your backyard? Check! Pizzas, burgers, lobsters and crab cakes saddled up to your house? Check! You are going to have some serious fun with these options. In fact, we think it’s safe to say that your er….party “bar”…will be raised is an understatement. Keep ‘em rollin’ and enjoy! Read More
Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters Opening In Westport Restaurant Westport Coffee Tea And Coffee Local Artisan Opening Stephanie Webster May 18, 2019 Ed Freedman, Fairfield County’s passionate organic coffee roaster, and owner of the successful Shearwater Coffee Bar in the Brick Walk area of Fairfield, has announced the opening of a new location in Westport, on The Post Road. Named One of the 15 Best New Coffee Roasters in America by the popular digital lifestyle magazine Thrillist.com, and bestowed a 92 rating from CoffeeReview.com for their Organic Homacho Waeno Ethiopian roast, Shearwater introduced its small batch coffee roasts to Fairfield County in September of 2013 and was soon touted by java junkies, major gourmet food markets, and reputable area chefs as one of the leading coffee brands in the state. Read More
Nibble: Boozy & Delish CT Food Events for Week of May 19-26 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson May 17, 2019 Mystic Cheese Company and the Engine Room present A Cheese & Cocktail Pairing on May 23. Join Jason & Sylvia Sobocinski from Mystic Cheese Co. & Nick Georgetti, Beverage Director for The Engine Room, in Mystic CT as they pair their favorite cheeses alongside classic and original libations. It costs $45 per person and runs from 6-8:30pm. "Walk the Walk" on The Brick Walk Fairfield takes place on Tuesday, May 21. Check out the area’s best restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Participants include Brick + Wood, Broadway Method Academy, CT Cookie Company, Island Outfitters, Mecha Noodle Bar, and more. On Tuesday May 21, Max a Mia hosts a Beer Dinner on the Patio featuring Victory Brewing Company. The evening begins with a 6:30 reception and continues with sit down dinner. Special Guests are Adam Lang and Aron Daniels from Victory Brewing Co with a menu by Chef Stephen Lundgren. Join the Stratford Health Department and A Pinch of Salt's Raquel Rivera-Pablo to learn how to make easy and kid-friendly recipes using ingredients found in the garden on Tuesday May 21. This free cooking class is appropriate for ages 2-10. Adult supervision is required. For additional questions, please call Kelley Meier at 203-385-4090. Read More
Tony’s at the JHouse Hotel: Come For Tony, Stay For the Fine Casual Dining Restaurant Greenwich Hotel Italian American Jessica Ryan May 16, 2019 Tony Capasso has developed quite the reputation earning himself quite the following. After spending nearly 20 years at Valbella! and Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse, the veteran Maître d’ now has a steak place of his own at the JHouse, a boutique hotel in Greenwich. Tony is warm, affable and charming. He has a special way with his customers as he circles around to each table offering quick yet challenging trivia questions for all to answer. His eyes twinkle. His smile is infectious. Read More
MilkCraft Now Open in New Haven w/ Nitrogren Infused Ice Cream & Soft Serve! (+ Milkcraft Truck! Restaurant ice cream New Haven Fairfield West Hartford Dessert Opening CTbites Team May 15, 2019 I wouldn’t have expected the steady stream of customers this past Wednesday afternoon at Milkcraft, all lining up for nitrogen infused ice cream despite the chilly temps outside. And yet, after tasting my P B & J Roasted Banana in the signature Bubblecone, I understand the customers’ urgency. Who needs hot chocolate when one can delight in these fresh, chef driven flavors honoring the winter season? The Bourbon Breakfast and Smokin’ Choco de Leche and will hold me over until the summer just fine.Rejoice, New Haven residents. You can now enjoy Milkcraft in New Haven! The New Haven location (280 Crown Street) is the largest of the locations to date, at 1500 square feet. Read More
Westport Farmers’ Market Summer Season Starts May 23rd! Features Farmers Market Westport Local Artisan Local Farm Specialty Market CTbites Team May 13, 2019 Mark your calendars for the start of the Westport Farmers’ Market on Thursday, May 23rd, from 10 to 2 at 50 Imperial Avenue. Whether you are on a break from work, have a day off with kids, or are meeting a friend to shop, this season’s market has something for everyone. “We work hard to make the Westport Farmers’ Market a weekly destination for the community,” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, Executive Director. “We’re really excited with the result this year! We’ll have all of the vendors and activities that people love plus some new vendors and programs to add to the mix.” Read More
Cafe Silvium in Stamford: 18 Years And Still Topping The CT Italian Scene Restaurant Italian Stamford Lunch Homepage Andrew Dominick May 12, 2019 Cafe Silvium has been open nearly 18 years. I first heard about it six months ago. Yeah, stuff like that happens. I couldn’t possibly know about every single restaurant in this part of Connecticut, could I?What bugged me about Cafe Silvium is the number of random people who dropped it in casual conversation. And there was no collusion here. Every mention of it came from different aspects of my life or from loosely connected friends. The first whispers of Cafe Silvium came from a Bumble match. No, we didn’t ever meet up for a meal there, in case you were wondering. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For Week of May 12-19 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson May 11, 2019 Wakeman Town farm and Marcia Selden Catering are teaming up for a Spring Dinner on the Farm. On Tuesday May 14, Robin and Jeffrey Selden will be teaching participants a seasonal three-course meal, plus three signature cocktails. Then, sit down together to enjoy the feast! “A Taste of Hope Street” takes place on Wednesday May 15 in Stamford. Restaurants along the street, like Vinny’s Backyard, Olio Restaurant, and Amore Cucina & Bar will have samples. There will be beer, wine, and entertainment as well. Proceeds go to Healing Hearts. ARTISAN Restaurant, Tavern and Garden is kicking off the summer season on its patio by uncorking its private label Rosé wine at its annual Kick-off Garden Party in West Hartford on Thursday, May 16th from 6-8 PM. Experience the spectacular outdoor setting while enjoying Artisan Rosé wine and craft cocktails from the cash bar, along with complimentary hors d'oeuvres in the picturesque Artisan garden. Our House in SoNo hosts Casino Night on Friday May 19. $25 includes Poker/Roulette, a Raffle, Give-aways, and Paparazzi. Opt for the 7-8pm VIP All Inclusive with Hors d'oeuvres and vodka bar plus 1000 casino chips. On Saturday May 18, Hunt Hill Farm hosts “Fermentation Magic” with Cheryl Paswater. From 12-3pm, learn about the process and taste foods using the technique. It costs $90. On Sunday, join them again for “Foraging and Feasting” with Hayden Stebbins. Hunthillfarm.org Read More
NEW Podcast Episode: Greer Fredericks of Peaches Southern Pub & Juke Joint...and The Rolling Stones! Features Podcast Stephanie Webster May 11, 2019 This week on The CTbites Hot Dish Podcast , we chat with Peaches Southern Pub & Juke Joint’s owner Greer "Peaches" Fredericks, and man does she have some stories! Greer talks about making the perfect fried chicken, life lessons and touring with the ...um...Rolling Stones. You won’t wanna miss this episode. Listen here. Read More
Ordinary Bar In New Haven Launches P.T. Barnum Big Top Pop-Up Menu & Cocktails Features New Haven Cocktails Pop-Up Bar Bar James Gribbon May 10, 2019
Marcia Selden Caters Vera Wang's Collection Launch (sponsored post) Features Catering Events CTbites Team May 08, 2019 For Marcia Selden Catering, a night of wedding magic with Vera Wang was the perfect way to kick off wedding season. Here’s how Selden’s team created a picture perfect menu in celebration of Vera Wang’s new Spring/Summer 2020 collection.The elegant décor and details were breath taking, arranged by PartySlate and YSD Events. As guests approached the entrance of the Weylin, known as the most exceptional event space in NYC, they were greeted by a quartet of violinists and a team of beautiful servers offering bubbly. Read More
