Spice Up Movie Night with Penzeys (Popcorn) Spices Ingredients Norwalk Specialty Market Spices Recipe Stephanie Webster September 01, 2009 Recently my husband brought home a spice from Penzeys Spices in Norwalk. It looked harmless enough. It was the Smoky Penzeys 4/S, where the so-called "4S's" stood for special seasoned sea salt. Sure, I've had smoked sea salt before, and yes, they do add great flavor to chicken, beef or fish, but this "all purpose smoky salt" touted one more tasty possibility. Upon reading the words "…even popcorn" my husband and I decided to give it a try for the Sunday night line-up. We popped up a large batch on the stove top - the old school way - sprinkled on a generous amount of the 4/S while the kernels were still hot, and raced over to the TIVO. After the first bite, I could no longer focus on the screen. I had to run downstairs to add more spice to the crunchy corn and only then could I carry on. The salty smokiness of this seasoning is absolutely wonderful, and really turns your average bowl of popcorn into a gourmet treat. I've had a lot of seasoned popcorn, but with ingredients like smoked paprika, black pepper, rosemary, and thyme, this spice was a winner, and it's reasonably priced at $2.95 for 4 ounces. Given the unexpected joy in this little brown canister, I went back to Penzeys to inquire about other popcorn possibilities. Read More
Tea Time in Norwalk: The Enchanted Teapot-CLOSED Restaurant Norwalk Tea And Coffee Lunch Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster August 31, 2009 On a little street in Norwalk, stands a little house, with a little pink dining room, and 6 little tables covered in lace and mismatched china. No, this is not the lore of fairy tales, it is The Enchanted Teapot…Tea House, Treasures and Art Gallery, or so the sign says. As you step into its surreally quaint surroundings, you are reminded of stepping into a less dusty version of grandma's attic. Covering every surface are teapots in every shape and size, nick knacks, antiques and a whole lot of charm. The owners of The Enchanted Teapot, Wilma Barbour and Christina Williams, opened up shop after collecting teapots, cups and saucers for 30 years. And you would believe it. But, it is not all about the treasures. People come to this little teahouse to relax, sip some of their small but well chosen tea selection and sample Williams' tea sandwiches and baked goods. I decided to fulfill my three girls' yearly quota for playing tea party and sample the real food at this oh-so-sweet Norwalk tearoom. Read More
A Hidden Gem Shines in Norwalk Restaurant American Catering Norwalk Breakfast Lunch Stephanie Webster August 27, 2009 Last Saturday night we followed an anonymous tip from a ctbites reader...a reader I need to thank. Apparently, in a small shopping center off Main Street in Norwalk sat a food gem, a hidden treasure with beautifully prepared organic and local sustainable produce..or so this reader said. The restaurant was Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro. The restaurant's web site revealed a catering company open for breakfast, lunch and Thur.-Sun. dinner dining. We were skeptical as we pulled up to the non-descript exterior, flanked by Hot & Speedy Pizza. However, as we walked past the glass case of wonderful looking prepared foods, the thrill of finding something undiscovered was upon us. We were directed to a casual but pleasant dining room with about 10 tables. Candles and trees donned with Christmas lights provided relaxed lighting, while chalk signage covering several black board painted walls gave a whimsical flourish to this minimally designed space. We handed over our wine (as it is BYOB) and hoped for the best. Spoiler alert....It was one of the most inventive and delicious meals I have had in Fairfield County. If this is the first you are hearing of Nicholas Roberts..make this your next meal out. Read More
Fabulous Fish Finds @ Fjord Fisheries Ingredients Features Cos Cob Seafood Specialty Market Westport Deanna Foster August 25, 2009 I can deal with tomatoes that aren’t as good as I had hoped - there’s always tomato sauce; an inferior cut of meat can lead to a great stew. But fish that isn’t the highest quality or supremely fresh? That is just unacceptable in my book. Fortunately, we have a number of fish market options in Fairfield County, many of which are very good. Markets like Pagano’s in Norwalk, and Superior Fish in Westport certainly have their followings, but after doing a thorough sampling, I have found that one stands apart from its peers: Fjord Fisheries. Fjord gets my vote on two counts: quality and selection. I recently spoke with Jardar Nygaard, Fjord’s owner, who shared the secret to his outstanding product. Read More
Pho Saigon: Real Pho...Really off the Beaten Path Restaurant Asian Bridgeport Delicious Dives Vietnamese Stephanie Webster August 24, 2009 In Fairfield County, Vietnamese cuisine is not as plentiful as other asian cuisines, so you really have to dig deep, and go where the Pho is...wherever it is. I recently received a tip from a CT Bites reader that good Pho was to be had in Bridgeport at a small mom & pop restaurant called Pho Saigon. We rallied our enthusiastic tasters and headed out to Iranistan Street in Bridgeport, an area that is definitely "off the beaten path", but you do what you've gotta do for good food. You won't find this place in Zagats. We entered what seemed to be the living room of a small corner house, furnished with gum-ball machines, plastic floral table cloths, and big pots of luke warm tea on the tables. Clearly, dining here was about the food, not the decor. We were greeted warmly, although not in English (which is generally a good sign that the food will be authentic), and escorted to a clean table piled high with squeeze bottles of fiery sauces and jars of fish paste. Lucky for us, the menu had translations, so we ordered half of the 21 item menu (as most dishes were under $7) and waited for the food to arrive. Read More
Home Made Indian Fare in a Flash Ingredients healthy Recipe Indian r2d2 August 20, 2009 As I walked into my house the other day, distracted with thoughts of what to make for dinner for our houseguests, I was greeted by a sweet scent of ginger and curry wafting through the door. I was famished after a long day and was downright tickled to find a delicious terrine of spinach, chickpeas, and Indian spices stewing on my stovetop. I sighed, thinking how pleasant it was to have houseguests after all! My dear friend Jackie and her Indian husband, Habib, were staying a few nights on their way up to Maine. As I lifted the lid and took in the tantalizing aroma, I was transported back to Jackie and Habib’s wedding in a Tribeca loft, where Habib’s mother had seemingly spent weeks preparing the most sumptuous Indian fare for their wedding reception. I had heard from Jackie that Habib had inherited his mother’s cooking skills as well as their old family kitchen secrets, but I had never experienced it firsthand. Turns out, anyone can enjoy this home made Indian fare without spending hours in the kitchen. Read More
Valencia Luncheria: Venezuelan Beach Food Bargain Restaurant Catering Delicious Dives Norwalk Venezuelan Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster August 19, 2009 Photo: c/o Valencia LuncheriaAlthough my husband and I had done several drive-bys, we dismissed Valencia Luncheria as a divey lunch spot, not worthy of the much-anticipated weekly date night… oh how I regret not getting there sooner. Stepping into Valencia is like wandering off the beach to grab a bite in a small Latin American, seaside town. In fact, Chef Michael Young (of Habana and Ocean Drive fame in SONO), has dubbed his cuisine “Venezuelan beach food”, and this 16-seat restaurant with its mango-colored walls, heaping plantains, and chalkboard menu listing today’s arepas and empanadas, is a slice of Latin heaven. Read More
Le Pain Quotidien: A Little Bit of Belgium in New Canaan Restaurant Bakery New Canaan Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster August 12, 2009 I never imaged that I’d be writing about a restaurant chain on this blog, but I would be remiss if I didn’t put into words my love for Le Pain Quotidien. When the New Canaan location opened their doors in the Spring of 2009, I was there the very first day, waiting patiently (or not so much) for my steel cut oatmeal, soft boiled eggs, divine apricot jam, and home made organic breads. I couldn’t wait for my latte, served in a bowl, not a cup, forcing you to pick up the warm beverage with both hands in an almost loving way. I could just barely see through the window to locate the jars of praline spread, agave nectar, and honey on the tables. A sigh of relief…it was all there… Read More
A Better Bread: Wave Hill Breads in Wilton Ingredients Bakery Special Dietary Needs Wilton healthy Breakfast Stephanie Webster August 11, 2009 My first experience with Wave Hill Breads was at The Dressing Room in Westport. Ordinarily, when the "bread course" arrives, I sample but only pick as I like to save my appetite for the main event. That evening, however, when the waiter strolled to the table, the smell of freshly baked bread immediately altered the dining plan. It was warm to the touch, had a strong crunchy crust, and the kind of dense spongy inside that has great mouthfeel. It required no spread. It was perfect all by itself... although the sweet creamy butter slathered on sure didn't hurt. When asked where this resplendent loaf had whence come, they answered Wave Hill Breads. Googling Wave Hill Breads from the restaurant, I found to my great excitement, that these lovely loaves were made locally in Wilton, in a small bakery right off Route 7. I was there the following day. I had to find out more. Read More
Pho Mekong: Thai? Vietnamese? Who Cares...It's Good! Restaurant Asian Thai Vietnamese Westport Stephanie Webster August 06, 2009 UPDATE: Pho Mekong has closed. Shake Shack coming soon! There are certain meals you just can't cook at home...especially as a white woman. We have tried in our local gourmet club to master the art of Asian cooking, but after a full day's search for the 30 obscure ingredients required for a basic dish like Pad Thai, we decided our next craving for coconut and curry would be better satisfied with take-out. We had heard rumors of a local favorite, Pho Mekong, on the Westport/Southport border. Needing a quick pre-movie bite last week, we headed over to find out if the food held up to the buzz.... Read More
Timothy's: Ice Cream the Old Fashion Way Restaurant Bridgeport ice cream Kid Friendly Dessert Stephanie Webster August 05, 2009 Yes, I know we have been featuring a great many frozen desserts these days but tis the season, so here is one more not to be missed frosty snack. Grab your kids, and run...don't walk to Timothy's in Bridgeport. This old school ice cream parlor may no longer use the salt-and-ice churners that stand in the front window, but their ice cream is every bit as classic and delicious as it gets. It’s cranked out by hand in their back room, made with sweet cream, that is not too sweet (as we have found in Cold Stone Creamery's product), and comes in several dozen inventive flavors. It is truly one of Fairfield County’s best-kept secrets. Read More
CLOSED!! Fraiche in Fairfield: Eclectic Comfort Food Restaurant American Fairfield Comfort Food Lunch Sarah Green July 29, 2009 Once upon a time, in a tiny strip mall on Hillside Road in Fairfield, there lived a most unusual and slightly confused restaurant named Fraiche. Fraiche wasn’t sure if it was a bistro or a burger bar; it didn’t know if its decor was very modern (a la Jonathan Adler - complete with fake deer heads) or remarkably old fashioned (not unlike my grandmother’s apartment, complete with chipped antique china plates on the walls); it hadn’t made up its mind whether to lure you into its intimate back room or interrogate you with its incredibly bright lighting (remedied immediately upon request). But one thing was for sure - there was no confusion about the quality of food. The food at Fraiche - it's ecclectic, it’s inventive, and of course - it's fresh! Read More
Best Donuts in Fairfield County: Westport’s Coffee An’… Restaurant Westport Breakfast Kid Friendly Dessert chris nashawaty July 28, 2009 Entertainment Weekly Senior Writer, Chris Nashawaty, and former President Bill Clinton share a similar passion...Coffee An' Donuts. One of them (I'll let you guess who) speaks of his local addiction below: Don’t get me wrong, Dunkin’ Donuts is fine when you’re racing around, running errands, and need a quick pick-me-up. But if you’re on the hunt for a hot, sugary, glazed ring of deep-fried love—I mean a real ‘destination donut’–the conversation begins and ends with Coffee An’ in Westport. Read More
A Taste of Greece in CT: Beltane Farm Goats Milk Yogurt Ingredients Greenwich Organic Farm Fresh Cheese Deanna Foster July 26, 2009 A few years ago, I tasted yogurt on the Greek island of Paros and it changed my life. Well, maybe not my life, but definitely my mornings. I now start every morning with a bowl of greek yogurt topped with fruit and granola. It’s routine, but never boring and it satisfies my subconscious craving to be back in Greece. I’ve enjoyed Fage, which is also made in Greece, is thick, creamy and has a slight sweetness to its tang. Trader Joe’s makes a Greek-style yogurt, and I give him points for trying, but his is farther removed from the real deal. I thought I was happy alternating between these two brands until I recently tasted Beltane Farm Goat Milk Yogurt, which is delicious and with just a little imagination nearly transported me back to Paros. Read More
Authentic Middle Eastern @ Layla's Falafel Restaurant Fairfield Middle Eastern Stamford Lunch Kid Friendly kerry barlas July 26, 2009 I’m always on the lookout for great ethnic food close to home. I crave flavors that transport my taste buds and snap me out of the food doldrums. A trip to Layla’s Falafel does just that. Offering a full menu of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, Layla’s (named for its owner) serves up well-priced, flavorful and fresh fare. Ideal for takeout, a quick lunch or a pre-movie pit-stop, it’s a solid alternative to your standard takeout repertoire. Some friends and I met for lunch the other day at the Fairfield location (the other two are in Stamford) and shared a variety of dishes at one of the handful of tables in their small and spare setting. Read More
Local Gelateria Brings Milan to Your Market Ingredients Italian Dessert Stephanie Webster July 25, 2009 I always enjoy walking into Whole Foods, but last week the trip was extra sweet. A representative from Gelato Giuliana, a local authentic Italian gelateria, was handing out samples of their handmade frozen dessert. Never one to turn down anything sweet, I raced over for their signature LaGiuliana (made with expresso, marscapone, and chocolate) and a personal favorite, coconut. Both were creamy, intensely flavorful, and had that "made that morning" freshness. Here comes the best part...This local Gelateria (with a storefront in Glastonbury), has been for years selling primarily to restaurants like Aqua (Westport), and Mediterraneo (Greenwich), but is now making their artisan gelato available in pints at many local markets including Whole Foods, Garelick & Herbs, A & P Fresh in Greenwich, and Stiles Farmer's Market in Westport. I walked out with containers of Tiramisu and Poma Di Currant, excited to share my find with our dinner guests that evening. Read More
Tacos Mexico: South of the Border in East Norwalk Restaurant Delicious Dives Norwalk Mexican Lunch Kid Friendly kerry barlas July 19, 2009 This California girl has a hard time finding authentic Mexican food on the East Coast that either 1) doesn’t come smothered in a cheesy sauce or 2) tries too hard on the “gourmet” front. But thankfully, there’s Tacos Mexico. Reminiscent of a classic taqueria in San Francisco’s Mission District, this family-run former hole in the wall on the fringe of East Norwalk has expanded its digs to include table service, yet you still feel like Mama and crew are in the kitchen cooking for you. With nothing over $16 on the menu (and many items under $10), the portions are heaping and the fare is tasty and fresh, with a bit of kick to many of the dishes. All this makes Tacos Mexico an exceptional value and a great find. Read More
Brunch Pick: Bloodroot Restaurant, Bridgeport Restaurant Bridgeport Special Dietary Needs Vegetarian Breakfast Lunch Stephanie Webster July 17, 2009 I first caught wind of the somewhat elusive Bloodroot Restaurant on Fat Cat Pie Co’s menu. In the midst of the pizzas and salads (more on that later), you will find “Bloodroot Oatmeal Sunflower Seed Bread," a thick slice of homemade, cake-like bread that tastes both healthy and decadently delicious at the same time. With its crunchy crust and spongy interior, the Bloodroot bread became a personal obsession. To my surprise, I found that Bloodroot is more than just heavenly bread. It is a full-blown “feminist restaurant & bookstore” in the midst of a residential neighborhood in Bridgeport, serving organic, seasonal, local vegetarian food. If the bread was this good, I could only imagine what the rest of the menu had to offer. Read More
Tart Wars...The Final Frontier Ingredients Dessert Sarah Green July 17, 2009 Come to the dark side, the tart wars have begun! I recently reviewed the delectably naughty “tart” frozen yogurt from Robeks in Westport. But it seems that frozen-treat warriors from across Fairfield county are trying to use the force to take over Robek’s extra-terrestrial powers! Trader Joe’s now has its own brand of the tangy frozen dessert and Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk is mounting its own battle against the cosmic powers of Robek’s supremacy. The question is, does either foe stand a chance at tart superiority? I think not. Read More
Grated Greatness: Julian's Brick Oven Pizzeria Restaurant Italian Pizza Westport Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster July 12, 2009 It would be easy to dismiss Julian’s Brick Oven as yet another one of Westport’s new crop of pizzerias-- with its temporary sign, small unassuming storefront, lack of marketing (heck, for a while you couldn’t even get their number from 411!). But when the pizza is this good, word spreads quickly and your detective powers kick in. Their standard pie is “New Haven Style” (think Pepe’s without the lines). It is chewy, perfectly salted, and sports a thin crust (but not wafer thin like Fat Cat Pie Co.), simple tomato sauce, and wonderfully fresh mozzarella. Their signature wood-burning brick oven, the centerpiece of this small restaurant, adds the finishing touch on this flavorful, highly satisfying pizza. But what REALLY has me going back to Julian’s and crafting new excuses for mid-week pizza night (last soccer practice? American Idol finale? It stopped raining?) is their grated cheese pizza – 100% Pecorino Romano grated over homemade tasty red sauce Read More
