Turning Sap Into Syrup At Ambler Farm's Tap-A-Tree Program Ingredients Features Farm to Table Local Farm Ingredients kids activity Kid Friendly Natalie Levitt February 24, 2020 It was a warm February morning and my son and I joined a group of families as we gathered at Ambler Farm in Wilton, CT to kick off the maple sugaring season. We were greeted by Program Director Kevin Meehan and received an introductory lesson on how to tap a maple tree. Most of us stood in awe as the sap started to drip out of the tree upon tapping it. Many cheered with excitement for what was about to begin was a fantastic winter farming adventure and a great lesson in farm-to-table. We then received our buckets from Assistant Program Manager Jennifer Grass and proceeded to carefully select our “Giving Trees” on the farm. We hung our buckets on the trees and captured photos to commemorate the day. (Our tree was number 42 and pretty far from the sugar shack! It was an adventure after all!) Then we waited. We waited a week. During that week, many of us wondered just how much sap we would find in our buckets when we returned to the farm. Read More
Tyler Anderson Opens Terreno at The Goodwin Hotel in Hartford Restaurant Mediterranean Italian hartfo Hartford Celebrity Chef Homepage Opening Catherine Ribeiro February 23, 2020 In full disclosure, I have worked with Chef Tyler Anderson. If you have worked in the restaurant industry in Connecticut you probably have too, in one way or another. If you have eaten in Connecticut, the same can still be said: you have worked to get a reservation at his Millwright’s, worked to pick out the perfect slice at his Square Peg and you have worked to get the best seat in the house at Anderson’s High George. But now, Tyler is bringing us all back to his most familiar ground, aptly titled Terreno - his latest venture, boasting Cal-Italian fare, in the space that formerly housed Restaurant Porrón. Read More
And The Winner of The Taco Daddy Cocktail Naming Contest Is... Features Contest Giveaway Stephanie Webster February 22, 2020 The Taco Daddy team has crowned a winner for their Cocktail Naming Contest. It was tough. There were some solid names from people all over CT, but we are pleased to announce that...The winner of the Taco Daddy Cocktail Naming Contest with her winning name "Let The Beet Drop" is Nicole Thornton. Congrats Nicole!A huge thank you to all those who participated, and we will be back soon with another Cocktail Naming Contest soon Read More
Clam Chowder Recipe from Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill Recipe Features Seafood Recipe CTbites Team February 22, 2020 It’s the day you’ve all been waiting for…February 25th is National Clam Chowder Day! Yup. It’s a thing. But seriously, any excuse to get Chef Arturo-Franco Camach to share his Clam Chowder Recipe from the Connecticut’s seafood favorite, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, is a good one. Enjoy! Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For February 23 to March 1 Events Features Events News Wine Dinners Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 19, 2020 Wednesday February 26 marks the final installation of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale’s Plant-based dinner series. The 4 course menu costs $48 and is a tasty way to “veg” out. Make your reservation online.CT Eats Week lasts from February 24-March 1. CT EATS WEEK is the ONLY statewide restaurant week in Connecticut. Restaurants from communities all across the state will participate during this week long celebration. Over 150 restaurants are participating, including Brick + Wood (Fairfield), Engine Room (Mystic), Cactus Rose (Wilton), GZen (Branford), and more.On Monday February 24, learn all about “Becoming a Sustainable Bartender.” Gyph, the world’s first molecular whiskey, and Highland Imports, are teaming up for this workshop, which sill take place at Hub & Spoke. Read More
It's Official: Shake Shack To Open in Danbury CT Features Danbury Burgers Opening Stephanie Webster February 15, 2020 According to ctinsider.com, Danbury Fair executives have confirmed that they are looking to have the popular burger chain set up shop at the Danbury Fair Mall. In fact, Shake Shack will be housed in a brand new building at Danbury Fair.If you’ve been under a rock and are not familiar with the Shake Shack brand, they currently have CT locations in Westport, New Haven, Darien & West Hartford. One of NYC’s most beloved gathering places, Shake Shack is a modern day "roadside" burger stand known for its delicious burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more.Danbury…Get pumped! Read More
Chef Brian Lewis: It's All In The Details at Japanese Inspired OKO Restaurant Features Video Chef Talk Interview Japanese Westport CTbites Team February 13, 2020 WestchesterBites writer, Sibylla Chipaziwa, sits down with Chef Brian Lewis to discuss the inspiration for his Japanese inspired restaurant, OKO, with a new location in Rye, NY (in addition to CT’s Westport spot). Have a listen.Read our review of OKO here. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For February 16-23 Events Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 12, 2020 Stamford hosts its Winter Restaurant Weeks from February 17 through March 1. Participating Downtown Stamford restaurants are serving up special lunch & dinner prix fixe menus in several different price options.Celebrate National Margarita Day on February 22nd with $5 Patrón Tequila margaritas at participating Norwalk restaurants and bars during the Norwalk Now Margarita Crawl! Participants include El Segundo, Peaches, Evarito’s, Il Posto, and more.Walrus + Carpenter’s 6th Annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash returns February 22. Come celebrate Johnny Cash's 88th Birthday and his music over Walrus’s signature BBQ and libations. Hitch & The Giddyup will be the house band for the evening and joined by other special guests.Continuum Distilling is Connecticut’s newest distillery that is dedicated to producing exceptional spirits utilizing patented green practices and ingredients to reuse and repurpose. Attend a grand opening party at its new Waterbury tasting room Read More
Local Spotlight: Mike Geller of Mike's Organic in Stamford Features Ingredients Delivery Service Home Delivery Organic Specialty Market Stamford Westchester Interview Homepage Andrew Dominick February 12, 2020 Hello, CTbites readers! Most of the time we bring you pieces on chefs but we’re trying something new that puts the focus on interesting food and beverage industry folks that ARE NOT chefs but have a tale to tell; think bartenders, independent bakers, farmers, maybe some brewers, or even that waiter everyone seems to know. It’s only fitting to kick it off with Mike Geller, the owner of Mike’s Organic Delivery in Stamford. He’s not a chef, he has a story, and he’s really easy to have a conversation with. He’s one of the reasons why I thought of this series in the first place, so making him number one was a no-brainer. If you’re unfamiliar with Mike’s Organic, it opened in 2009, strictly as a grocery delivery service. Now, celebrating its decade-old birthday, Geller expanded his business and opened his doors to the public with a mini market filled with carefully selected organic goods, fresh produce, and lots of local products. To boot, they host lots of special events and cooking classes with the likes of Geoff Lazlo, Ross Bread, and Nit Noi Provisions. How it all started, though, is quite something. Cue the Q&A! Read More
"Smorgasbord" Original Musical Will Make You Hungry For More Features Theater Events Donna Monaco Olsen February 10, 2020 Running through leap year day, February 29, is a campy, song and dance creation that will get your tummy rumbling. “Smorgasbord!” is an original musical revue written by Bradford Blake – whose previous Theater Barn production, “Wreck the Halls” was a holiday hit. This production, featuring Anya Caravella, Robert Geils, Tracey Marble, and Zachary Theis, has them singing and dancing their way through twenty food scenes. Smorgasbord is a show about foodstuff that will leave you laughing at its references to many different culinary clichés and cultures, including Chinese, Mexican, French, and Italian food, ice cream, kielbasa and more. While recommended for mature audiences due to some culinary innuendo, it is a very enjoyable “lighthearted” evening of all original songs played by a live band on stage. Read More
Blackstones Steakhouse: It's Not Just for Carnivores Restaurant Steakhouse Steak Southport Norwalk Greenwich Stamford Homepage Jessica Ryan February 09, 2020 It’s interesting that with all the restaurants to grace our local communities – from the sushi to the noodles, the vegetarian and vegan, the French, Mexican, Italian, Indian and Asian, to seafood – that we don’t have many steakhouses. So when I was invited to attend a media dinner at Blackstones Steakhouse last week I was quick to respond. With locations in Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk and Southport, Blackstones is a name you should know – even if you’re not a meat eater. Each restaurant is slightly different in style and menu. The Southport location is reminiscent of the old world steakhouse. Read More
Friday Froth: Experimental Brewing at 12% Brewing Project in North Haven Features Ingredients Beer CT Beer Brewery North Haven James Gribbon February 07, 2020
Baker of Black Rock: Outrageous Custom Cookies and Confections Features Bakery Dessert Cookies Cakes Custom Cakes Black Rock Homepage Stephanie Webster February 06, 2020 Julia Preis is the Baker of Black Rock. Sure, there may be other bakers in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport, but none like Julia. I knew this to be true long before I invited her to my home to demo the technique behind her stunning cookies and cakes. Full disclosure…I had quietly stalked her Instagram account for roughly six months, and you can do the same at @bakerofblackrock. The cookies were tiny edible works of art, seemingly too beautiful to eat, and each displayed a unique personality through accomplished craftsmanship. Her wall of cakes, fruit pies and cupcakes created eye candy that could only make you want to pull up a chair and dig in. But what did they taste like? I had to find out. Read More
It's A Woman's World: Celebrating The Trailblazing Females in CT's Culinary Industry Features Events It's A Woman's World Stephanie Webster February 05, 2020 On March 2nd, CTbites and Terrain will host “It’s A Woman’s World: A Celebration” honoring and celebrating the many inspiring and trailblazing females in Connecticut’s culinary industry. Ladies…It’s about time. From chefs and farmers, to photographers and beekeepers, we're tipping our hats to the females who are molding the CT food industry, and making sh@# happen. The evening will include a panel moderated by on-air personality Marysol Castro, (journalist, PA announcer for the METS, and CTBites podcast host), great food, drinks, awards, and of course, plenty of time to mingle and meet the women in our community as well as the ladies who appear on the list below, our Top 20 Most Influential Woman In CT Culinary Industry. We can’t wait to meet you. Purchase your $25 ticket here and read on because we need YOUR participation in selecting 5 of the women below to win awards for “Most Inspiring & Influential Women in the CT Culinary Scene,” at the event. Read More
Interview with Chef Ben Robinson of Below Deck Talks Cooking, Yachting, and Future Plans Interview Features Interview Celebrity Chef Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 03, 2020 It may be called Below Deck, but Bravo’s nautical reality series is riding high. The original show just wrapped on its seventh season, following the adventures of 49 yachties and hitting the 100 episode mark along the way. Its success has inspired two spin-off shows: Below Deck Mediterranean, which has been on for four seasons, and the brand new addition to the franchise, Below Deck Sailing Yacht.Despite the constantly changing crew, Chef Ben Robinson has become a familiar face. He’s served up delicious food from the galley on 4 seasons on Below Deck and most recently stepped in to save the day on Below Deck Mediterranean. While he achieved fame from reality television, he is a true chef who started cooking at the age of 5. CTBites had the opportunity to sit down with him at the Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Fest to chat about his culinary start, his time on the show, and his exciting plans for the future. Read More
80 + Restaurants for Valentine’s Day in CT: 2020 Features Holiday Special Occasion Valentine's Day Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 03, 2020 Move over Santa! With the holidays in the rearview, cupid is coming to town. Valentine’s Day falls on Friday February 14th and Connecticut Restaurants and Caterers are serving up “sweet” deals to make sure that you and your special someone have an evening to remember. Here are 80+ places where you can go for a romantic night out. Read More
10 Things—or Tapas—We Loved About Mezón Restaurant in Danbury Restaurant Latin American Peruvian Mexican Danbury Tapas Homepage Stephanie Webster & Andrew Dominick February 02, 2020 For nearly a decade, Mezón Restaurant has been thought of as one of Connecticut’s premiere Latin eateries by word of mouth and its seen its fair share of media recognition—they are fresh off Connecticut Magazine Reader’s Poll wins for Best Latin in Fairfield County and the runner-up for Best Latin in the state. And that’s saying something considering they didn’t even know they were nominated and because of that, they didn’t publicize it. Four years ago, our own Lou Gorfain sang Mezón’s praises after a small tasting of ceviche, pan seared pulpo, Dominican fried chicken, and churros. But everything food deserves an update, especially considering there’s a new chef at the helm, an obviously newer menu, and a haven for craft cocktails. Oh, and I’m pretty sure Lou and Kristin are the only ones at CTbites who have been to Mezón. For Stephanie and me, we uttered the same thing, “I’m embarrassed I hadn’t been here before.” Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for February 2-9 Events Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 01, 2020 ZINC New Haven’s Annual Champagne and Oyster tasting takes place on Thursday February 6. They are pouring 4 sparkling wines, selected by sommelier Michael Egan, for this special event. The month of February is Voyage Month at L’escale. Every week, travel the world by feasting on a menu inspired by a different country. From February 3-9, they’ll highlight Mexico. The two course lunch is $25.20 and the 3 course dinner is $45.20.Flights and Bites comes to Basso Café in Norwalk on Tuesday nights. Mediterranean small plates will be paired with a flight of wines.Join the Chef Team from Terrain Cafe and Amis Trattoria, Westport for a six week teaching and tasting culinary journey as they share creative, delicious recipes and stylish presentations. Read More
The Stand Vegan Cafe in Fairfield Attracts Hard-Core Vegans — And Many More (via Dan Woog's 06880) Restaurant Juice Cleanse Juice Bar healthy Vegetarian Gluten-Free Fairfield CTbites Team January 30, 2020
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Debuts NEW Meatball and Ricotta Pizza! Restaurant Pizza New Haven Danbury Fairfield CTbites Team January 29, 2020 Breaking Pizza News! It’s not often that the legendary Connecticut-based Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana debuts a new pizza, so when this classic New Haven-style, coal-fired pizzeria does, it’s a really big deal. Pepe’s has recently started serving its latest master piece, the Meatball and Ricotta pizza crafted with 100% all natural meatballs, ricotta cheese, crushed Italian tomatoes, mozzarella, grated pecorino Romano and drizzled with olive oil. Read More
