Yumnuts Cashews: Have You Said Yum Today? Ingredients Deanna Foster October 19, 2009 When you walk into a company that makes a product called “Yumnuts”, it’s tempting to joke about the name. But on a recent visit to Yumnuts Naturals’ office in Norwalk, it was apparent that these guys are serious about their nuts. See, I had to do it, but all kidding aside, the makers of Yumnuts want to know if you’ve said “yum” today? If not, they have just the cashew for you. In fact, they have six: Toasted Coconut, Honey, Chocolate, Spicy Cajun, Sea Salt and Hot Chili Lime. If you’re in the mood for something savory, go for the Spicy Cajun, a hit among four discerning CTBites tasters. We also loved the Chocolate Cashews, which are dusted in cocoa powder – no heavy milk chocolate coating here - and the Toasted Coconut, which are brushed with a subtle but satisfying coconut powder. If you’re drinking a Margarita, toss that slice of lime and reach for the Hot Chili Lime Cashews instead; they pack almost as much punch as the tequila. And, to give equal and deserving credit to the other flavors, the Honey Cashews have a teasingly light taste of honey and the Sea Salt flavor will please purists who need just a hint of salt and a lot of cashew flavor. Read More
The Fresh Market Opens in Westport Ingredients Specialty Market Spices Westport Stephanie Webster October 14, 2009 The much anticipated Fresh Market opened today in Westport (despite the picket lines) not with the ceremonial ribbon cutting, but a Parmigian cheese cutting as is customary for Fresh Market store openings. The arrival of this North Carolina based grocery chain promises to do much to revitalize both the old Shaw's shopping center and our daily shopping routine. The physical space and the products they carry feel like a breath of fresh air, and I haven’t encountered such friendly executives and staff since I lived on the West Coast. Granted it was opening day, but employees stood ready in each aisle anticipating your every need and every question--often offering you something delicious to eat. The atmosphere is comfortable and warm, almost like a European general store, but the best part (even better than the fact that they walk you to your car) is the quality and diversity of the product lines. I have spent my life driving between Whole Foods for my higher end specialty items, and then high-tailing it, often in traffic, to Stop & Shop for my basics (maximizing my carbon footprint). The Fresh Market fees like a higher end shopping experience, but it also carries standard grocery store items. Read More
Food for the Whole Family @ Rizzuto's in Westport Restaurant Italian Westport Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster October 11, 2009 You could almost hear a collective sigh of relief from local residents when Rizzuto's opened last week in Westport. Situated in the old Conte's location by the train station, this new kid on the block has boasted a packed dining room since opening day. This is remarkable given both the economy (it's reasonable but not cheap), and the cavernous size of the actual dining space. Those who had sampled the fare in the first few days seemed almost surprised by the quality of the food coming from their "Wood Fired" Kitchen and Bar, as if they had given up hope for our town, but now felt renewed. I speak from experience when I say Westport has been waiting a long time for a casual kid-friendly dining space with a little atmosphere and solid food. After the fourth person stopped me in the street to inquire as to whether I had visited this new hot spot, I decided I had best get over there and see for myself what all the buzz was about. Read More
Cozy French Bistro Fare @ Cafe Lola in Fairfield Restaurant Stephanie Webster October 08, 2009 While I was admiring the outdoor seating with it’s Paris cafe chairs and flower boxes brimming with red geraniums, The restaurant with it’s quaint buttercup yellow exterior turned out to be Café Lola, the self professed “love-child” of owners Henri and Ivanina Donneaux. The couple dreamed of a casual, cozy bistro with French comfort food, inspired by their love of Paris and Provence. This wonderful Fairfield cafe is right on the mark. And the Croque Madame is out of this world... Read More
Don't Miss the Fall Bounty @ Your Local Farm Stand Ingredients Specialty Market Farm Fresh CTbites Team October 06, 2009 We Fairfield County residents are uniquely lucky to have access to beautiful fresh local produce thanks to the labors of our farmers and businesses that support them via independently run farm stands. Do yourself a foodie favor and make one of these farm stands a destination this week and greet the farmer or owner by name. You’ll be surprised and delighted at your experience and wonder why you haven’t visited before. I know what you're thinking...more apples...no thanks. Read on and see what is available from the farm these days. You will be amazed by the bounty and variety. Most farm stands close after the first hard frost, so get it now while the gettin’s good. Read More
El's Kitchen Seasonings: Versatile Dry Rubs 6 Ways Ingredients Spices Deanna Foster October 05, 2009 I followed my nose at the Blues and BBQ Festival in Westport last weekend, moving in many directions from one flaming grill to the next, when amidst all the smoke, one flavorful bite of spice rubbed grilled chicken stopped me in my tracks. The scent did not lie; the taste did not disappoint. The chicken was grilled with El’s Kitchen Chicken and Pork Medium Spicy Dry Rub and Seasoning Mix. The small sample was so flavorful; I bought a jar on the spot. Home cooking proved the tastiness could be achieved without festival accoutrement, and I called Eleanor Smith, the owner and the “El” of El’s Kitchen, who lives in Weston to learn more about her products. Read More
Viva Barcelona Restaurant Fairfield Greenwich Norwalk Spanish Stamford New Haven CTbites Team October 05, 2009 The downtown Stamford fun quotient rose dramatically with the early-summer addition of a Fairfield County stalwart -- Barcelona Wine Bar and Restaurant. Having enjoyed many festive, delicious meals (and pitchers of sangria) over the years at Barcelona in both SONO and Greenwich, I wondered if the new Stamford location would compare favorably, or if the restaurant’s sixth outlet would start to feel too much like a chain. I needn’t have worried. Barcelona in Stamford has a bustling urban bistro vibe all its own, and its energy and warmth spill out onto lower Summer Street thanks to a large, open sidewalk dining area. Handwritten chalkboard menus, warm wood floors and well-trained staff will make this the perfect setting for comfortable eating all year round. Read More
From the Farm to Your Door: CTFFE Delivers Ingredients Delivery Service Organic Farm Fresh Deanna Foster October 01, 2009 What would you say if you could support Connecticut farmers and small business entrepreneurs, reduce your carbon footprint and enjoy a wide variety of locally grown, farm fresh food with just a few clicks of your mouse? “Bring it on!” comes to mind. Which is just what I did when I heard about CT Farm Fresh Express. This wonderful service recently arrived in Fairfield County, bringing Connecticut grown produce, meat, dairy, baked goods and other products right to your front door. Now, you can leave the shopping and the driving to Deb Marsden, who began her service, CTFFE, in February ’08 Read More
BFF with BSF (Burgers, Shakes, & Fries) in Greenwich Restaurant Byram Greenwich Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly kerry barlas September 28, 2009 Just off I-95 in one of Greenwich’s grittier, but up-and-coming ‘hoods," Burgers, Shakes & Fries (BSF) is just so cool. It’s fast, funky, fresh and affordable dining done right, with a focus on – you guessed it – the all-American meal. Having taken the lighter route on my last few visits there, eating only a grilled chicken sandwich (a delicious option for non-burger lovers), on my most recent trip, I went to town. From the simple and straightforward menu, I ordered a single, 1/3 lb. burger with American cheese, tomatoes, pickles and raw onions with a side of “special sauce,” fries and a chocolate shake. Instead of the typical bun, burgers come on butter-griddled bread and unless specified, are cooked medium rare, to perfection. First bite of that burger and I knew I’d found a superstar…tasty, moist and worth every calorie. Read More
Gourmet Comfort Food @ Burger Bar and Bistro Restaurant Norwalk Comfort Food Kid Friendly Burgers Stephanie Webster September 25, 2009 This post on Burger Bar and Bistro ran as our first review in June 09. We've received several recent requests for a write up on this burger-licious venue, so we decided to re-run it in case you missed it the first time around. Since June, they have done a huge renovation with additional seating and an expanded bar. They have also added thin crust pizza to their repertoire to round out their perfect pre-movie menu. Seriously folks...it's a darn good burger. Read on... Looking for a good pre-theater eating spot, we decided to try the reputed master of comfort food, Burger Bar and Bistro in South Norwalk. We were a large group, including six children, so we opted for the spacious outdoor seating. We grabbed the menus from buckets placed mid table, and I watched as my husband and every child old enough to read grinned with delight. Read More
It's All Greek To Me @ Steve's Market in Norwalk Ingredients Greek Norwalk Specialty Market Jenny Vynerib September 24, 2009 When I decided to throw a Greek-themed dinner party, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find my stuffed grape leaves, taramasalata, and fresh feta in Fairfield County. Ye of little faith. After doing a little research, I found a place that sounded promising on Main Street in Norwalk called Steve’s Market. Filled with imported Greek produced specialty grocery items, prepared foods, religious relics and wonderful baked goods – Steve’s couldn’t be more authentic. It was like walking into a little shop on a side street in Athens, Greece. Little did I know that after one visit to Steve’s, it would become one of the stores on my “weekly visit” list. Read More
Lunchtime Oasis @ The Drawing Room in Cos Cob Restaurant Cos Cob Tea And Coffee Breakfast Lunch r2d2 September 22, 2009 Tucked behind Cozy’s Cuts for Kids in Cos Cob, is a gem called The Drawing Room. It is a combined 12-seat tea room and home décor boutique, with a garden patio that extends the tiny restaurant in the warm seasons. After many years of living and dining in Fairfield County, I thought I had exhausted all lunch possibilities, until a friend took me to The Drawing Room and I had one of those ‘aha’ moments where I couldn’t believe I didn’t know about it earlier. Opened in 2005 by husband and wife, Michael and Kenleigh Larock, The Drawing Room is a perfect spot to meet a friend for a quiet lunch. And if the weather cooperates, you can’t beat dining al fresco on their cozy patio, amidst a small herb garden, where you might even observe your server picking a few mint leaves to garnish the daily selection of infused tea. On a recent balmy September afternoon, I sat on the patio and enjoyed just such a lunch and solid catch-up session with a friend. Read More
Chop Chop to the Village Luncheonette in Wilton Restaurant Wilton Lunch Kid Friendly kerry barlas September 21, 2009
Learn While You Lunch @ Sport Hill Farm Features Restaurant Cooking Classes Education Organic healthy Farm Fresh Lunch Stephanie Webster September 19, 2009 Sometimes as Fairfield County residents, it is easy to get wrapped up in the daily suburban grind, a world of strip malls and meals on the go. Given all the white noise of routine life, it is nice to occasionally escape from the carpools and commuting…and head to the farm. With its open space, beauty, and serenity, you can be transported...nourished. Many of us journey to the fields as an annual Fall ritual to pick pumpkins and apples, drink cider, or get lost in a hay maze, but the beautiful farms of rural CT can offer much more than just kid-friendly fun. Last week I attended a "Meet Me at the Farm" lunch on the Sport Hill Farm in Easton. Read More
Los Molcajetes: Seriously Authentic Mexican in Norwalk Restaurant Catering Delicious Dives Delivery Service Norwalk Mexican Lunch Kid Friendly Sarah Green September 18, 2009 My husband spent a good deal of his youth in Mexico City and has always claimed that his favorite meal is a Mexican meal. Not me. Until last week, I must admit that Mexican food had always been my least favorite option when choosing to eat ethnic. It always seemed too heavy, too cheesy, too beany, (and yes, too gassy!) So I was skeptical when my foodie friend (who got a tip from a ctbites reader) and I entered Los Molcajetes (211 Liberty Square) in South Norwalk for a lunch-time feast. The restaurant is located in a non-descript strip mall, just before the bridge that takes you to the Norwalk Aquarium. Nothing spectacular about that. The tables are Formica and the décor consists of enormous posters of Aztec warriors, gods, calendars, etc. Again, nothing spectacular. The menu is “muy grande,” which I also took as a warning sign. O me of little faith! We have been back three times this week. Read More
5PM is the New Tea Time: Bigelow Does Happy Hour Ingredients Cocktails Recipe Tea And Coffee CTbites Team September 15, 2009 Tracy Holleran is a local blogger and founder of The Secret Ingredient Cooking School. She has taken tea to a whole new level with these innovative cocktails. Read on... Some like it hot. Others prefer it iced. But tea as a mixer for cocktails? When I teamed up with Fairfield-based Bigelow Tea to develop recipes using their many brews, that is exactly what we had in mind. Sure, I developed a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and savory, but these cocktails with a twist seemed to garner most of the attention. There are two important steps to making your tea infused cocktail: 1. For maximum flavor, prepare a super-concentrated brew using several tea bags. 2. Once the tea is lightly sweetened with some sugar, put it into the freezer to chill for about 30-45 minutes. In no time, you’re ready to start shaking, stirring, and sipping! Mix up a batch of these cocktails and this will be one tea party no adult will want to miss! Here are two of my favorites: Read More
Eat Close to the Source @ "Dinners at the Farm" Restaurant Organic South Glastonbury Farm Fresh Stephanie Webster September 12, 2009 Dinners at the Farm has hosted its final meal for the season, but for those of you who missed out of this exceptional dining event, make sure you make this a priority for next summer. If you didn't read our post on this last spring, Dinners at the Farm is a series of dinners hosted on farms throughout CT, using ingredients that are produced locally, and benefiting organizations that support our local farming community. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about driving an hour and a half in the rain to The Old Maids Farm in South Glastonbury to eat dinner in a possibly mosquito laden field. But despite Dinners at the Farm's rustic backdrop, the dining experience was a perfectly run 5 star culinary affair. From the first corn fritter and warm spiced whiskey sour cider, passed as the sun was setting, to the magic of the beautiful candle-lit tent with its white clothed communal tables..it was a perfect evening. Read More
Easy Fall Fruit Picking @ Bishops Orchards Farm Ingredients Guilford Local Farm Shoreline East kids activity Farm Fresh Kid Friendly Deanna Foster September 11, 2009 When I reluctantly moved to Los Angeles at the beginning of this decade, I missed our annual fall apple and berry picking trip so much that I dragged a posse of ex-East Coasters and their small children to the closest orchard (two hours into the desert) to pick apples one hot October Sunday. To put it mildly, apple picking in California is a sad facsimile of the real deal here in New England. The air was heavy, we were sweaty and the only ones enjoying the adventure were the children– they didn’t know any better. Being back in New England, where there really is a fall season and apples taste like, well apples, we recently took advantage of the pick your own trifecta: September peaches, apples and raspberries and visited Bishops Orchards in Guilford, CT. Read More
EspressoNEAT Opens in Darien...Coffee Done Right Restaurant Coffee Darien Tea And Coffee Dessert David Webster September 10, 2009 After moving back to CT after 7 years in Seattle, there were a number of adjustments I had to accept in making Fairfield County my home (again). Some were trivial, like relearning how to drive in the snow, while others were more signficant: Income taxes and humidity for example. But no other trade-off was as frustrating as my fruitless search for a great cup of coffee. I'm happy to report that while humidity and taxes may be here to stay, my espresso quest is finally over. You may be wondering what I'm making such a fuss about. You might be thinking "Aren't there Starbucks all over the place? Doesn't America Run on Dunkin? What's the difference?" If so, I'd say we have much to discuss. You see, coffee is actually a lot like wine. Both require an obsession with quality sourcing, solid application of repeatable scientific methods, and an attention to detail that borders on compulsion. Think I'm crazy? Here's a primer on the subject. And for better coffee at home, here's some further reading. Overwhelmed? Intrigued? Good. Because I'm going to make this very simple for you. If you want a great cup of coffee, of any variety, get your next caffeine fix at Espresso NEAT. Read More
Suckerborne Suckers...This Ain't Your Ordinary Lolli Ingredients New Canaan Dessert Sarah Green September 08, 2009 Photo c/o Suckerborne THESE SUCK!!! and they say there’s a SUCKERBORNE every day. Turns out, it's true. Read on.... Finally, a sophisticated and spectacular lollipop designed for adult palettes. Using nothing but sugar, a stick, and some outrageously decadent yet all natural ingredients, Darien resident Megan Ferrell has entered the candy market with chic and style. These lollipops have the power to transcend. For every day a sucker is born, there is a Suckerborne: Monday- you are in your mini van on one of the endless schelpps from one soccer game to another ballet class. Where do you want to be? Under a blanket with your lover, real or imaginary, watching the waves pound the Vineyard shore. It seems a long way from reality to fantasy. But there is hope. One lick of Suckerborne’s “Dark and Stormy” and you’re there! From the first taste, the ginger beer nips at your tongue. Then, quietly, the dark and moody Premium Black Seal Rum comes from behind to bathe your mouth in a delicate splash of fire. Monday is boring. “Dark and Stormy” is inspiring! Read More
