L'Andana to Bring Tuscan Cuisine to New Canaan Restaurant Italian New Canaan Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 13, 2011 New Canaan continues to expand its reputation as a restaurant destination with the scheduled opening of L’Andana next month in the space formerly occupied by 50 Coins on Locust Ave. The Northern Italian inspired restaurant represents the newest addition to owner Allan Basaran’s list of culinary accomplishments, which currently includes Carpe Diem in New York City. Prior to opening Carpe Diem, Basaran was a Director at Le Caprice Restaurant at the Pierre Hotel, the Maitre d" at the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel and the Italian eatery Nello’s. Significant renovations are currently in process and L’Andana will include a private dining room, a separate bar and chef’s table to complement the Northern Italian menu. Read More
Make the Perfect Pie with Fritz Knipschildt Ingredients Chef Talk Cooking Classes Holiday Amy Kundrat October 12, 2011 "Making the perfect pie is an art." Master Chocolatier Fritz Knipschidlt, owner of Café Chocopologie in South Norwalk uttered these words that inspired his upcoming October 20 class at Clarke Culinary Showroom. "This is the time of year that everyone starts thinking about pies and baking. The holidays are coming, and thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and what to make for dessert to serve after the turkey," continues Knipschildt, who will share his secrets of creating fabulous pies during his class at the The Clarke Culinary Center on Thursday, October 20th from 6-8PM. Pre-registration for this and Clarke's impressive fall class line-up are required and can be done online at www.clarkeculinarycenter.com or by calling 800-842-5275, ext. 206. Read More
Greenwich Food & Wine Festival Restaurant Events Greenwich Stephanie Webster October 10, 2011 The first annual Greenwich 2011 FOOD+WINE FESTIVAL will take place on October 22nd and 23rd to benefit Breast Cancer Alliance. This grand event is presented by Serendipity magazine, and if you like food and celebrity chefs, you'll want to keep reading... The weekend-long event at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich will include a Culinary Village tent with more than 60 exclusive food, wine and spirit experts, BBQ Grill Masters, Sunday brunch specialties, a Market Place, celebrity book signings, private event tents and live performances by Rusted Root, Entrain and Sister Hazel among others. Read More
Revisiting Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich Restaurant Greenwich Local Farm Special Dietary Needs Mexican Kid Friendly Amy Kundrat October 09, 2011 It may draw inspiration from the cantinas of New Mexico and the mid-century Americana of Rt. 66, but Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich is most deeply rooted in the soil of Connecticut. Locally sourced and organic ingredients have been a signature of Boxcar’s New Mexican-inspired menu for the past seventeen years well before Farm-to-Table was a claim to fame. With a weekly presence at the Westport Farmer’s Market and a green restaurant certification, the first thing you may notice upon arriving at this Greenwich restaurant are several small raised herb and vegetable garden beds filled with a variety of lettuces, herbs, tomatoes and peppers (depending on the season) that will invariably make it onto your plate. If you're as curious as I was, when I stopped by earlier in the growing season, an impressive lineup of lettuces included: Emerald Oak Lettuce, Mascara Lettuce, Lollo Bionda Lettuce, Lollo Rossa Lettuce, Gourmet Lettuce Mix, and Claytonia. Read More
Ad: Big News for Pinkberry Fans...Greenwich & More Restaurant Fairfield Greenwich Kid Friendly Dessert CTbites Team October 08, 2011 Attn. Fairfield County fro-yo lovers. Pinkberry has some big news and great new services coming to their Fairfield location! And if you reside further South, they've got something for you too. Downtown Greenwich store is opening soon. Curbside Pick Up For those times when you need your Pinkberry fix but you don't feel like braving the parking challenges of downtown Fairfield, let the fro-yo come to you. Yes…I kid you not. Just call in your order 15 minutes prior to desired pick up time and sidle (or idle) up to the curb. One of Pinkberry's friendly servers will happily walk your frozen dessert to your car. Read More
Oktoberfest: Wieners & Beer @ The Boathouse Restaurant Events Beer Stephanie Webster October 08, 2011
Butchering Demo @ Westport Farmer's Mkt. October 13 Ingredients Butcher Specialty Market Westport Stephanie Webster October 07, 2011 Ryan Fibiger, owner of Craft Butchery (opening soon in Saugatuck, Westport) will be making a unique appearance at The Westport Farmer's Market on Thursday October 13th. He will be walking guests through two butchering demonstrations at 11am and 1pm. Ryan feels passionately that for anyone who loves food, understanding where food really comes from is an integral part of the culinary experience. The demos will be on a side (half) of a heritage breed, pasture-raised pig sourced from the Hudson Valley. Throughout the demos Ryan will be hosting a discussion and Q&A on the following topics: -Basic butchering techniques and tools -Overview of the animal (farm, breed, age, feed, slaughter, primal cuts, etc.) -Demonstrate break down of basic primal cuts -Demonstrate break down into the case-ready cuts that everyone recognizes Read More
Barcelona Restaurant's Cocktail & Wine Events Schedule Restaurant Cocktails Wine Chat Wine Dinners Wine Tasting Stephanie Webster October 05, 2011 The Fall/Winter schedule for Barcelona Restaurant Group's wine and cocktail events has been released. You'll find it complete with education on wine pairings, tasting menus, and mixology 101 "Cocktail Classroom" evenings. These unique events allow guests to experience Barcelona more intimately in small groups designed to inform and tantalize. Get up close and personal with one of the many talented Barcelona chefs as well as Gretchen Thomas, Barcelona's Wine and Sprits Director. Check out the line up below: Read More
Oktoberfest Arrives at Shake Shack Restaurant Westport Burgers Amy Kundrat October 04, 2011 The Shake Shack is tackling Oktoberfest from October 7 through 16 with a special Bavarian-inspired menu of burgers, beers and custards. Here is a sneak peek of their Shacktoberfest menu: German-style Biers A regional Oktoberfest selection featuring a $12 option that includes a 25 oz. Shacktoberfest Stein and seasonal bottles for $8. Brat Burgers & Bratwursts The Brat Burger will feature a burger topped with split & griddled bratwurst with German-style slaw. Usinger's bratwursts will include a Shackmeister, a marinated cheddar brat and a Currywurst, a griddled and slices bratwurst topped with Shack-made curry ketchup. Read More
3 New Picks For Top Burgers: Greenwich to Westport Restaurant Norwalk Westport Burgers Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 04, 2011 Shake Shack Earlier this summer CTBites published my list of Ten Recommended Hamburgers from Greenwich to Westport. Subsequent to the article I received numerous suggestions, both here and through my e-mail. I want to thank all of the passionate hamburger lovers for some great options for me to try and I made every attempt to visit as many as I could. With summer now officially behind us, I wanted to report back and add three destinations to my list of Recommended Hamburgers from Greenwich to Westport. Read More
Support Fresh Food Campaign @ Westport Farmers’ Mkt Ingredients Farmers Market Stephanie Webster October 03, 2011 Wanna help? Members of the community are requested to donate fresh, healthy produce and non-perishables to their neighbors in need as part of CT Food Bank’s fresh food campaign. This Thursday, October 6th, come on down to the Westport Farmers’ Market and participate in a food drive to benefit Connecticut Food Bank, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Westport Farmers Market was thrilled to learn of the CT Food Bank’s fresh food campaign. “We’re encouraging shoppers to grab some items from their pantries before heading over to the market,” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, Director at Westport Farmers’ Market. “They then can fill their bag or grab a free one from MXenergy and then top it off with fresh produce and other market products. Just think how far $20.00 can go…” Read More
Chip’s Family Restaurant on Black Rock Tpke Fairfield Restaurant Brunch Fairfield Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Jessica and Rebecca Ryan October 02, 2011 The following is our first mother & daughter review. Jessica Ryan is in the 7th grade. Rebecca: The other day my mother, brothers and I went to try Chip’s, a new restaurant on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield (where Blockbuster’s was) for lunch. The restaurant was busy, sunny and clean. As soon as we walked in a waiter brought us to a booth by the window. The restaurant is spacious with lots of tables in the middle and booths all along the sides. There were a couple of large TVs hanging from the ceiling and we could see the kitchen from where we were sitting. Read More
Pancake Breakfast & Pop Up Farmers' Mkt @ Wakeman Farm Restaurant Farmers Market Local Farm kids activity Farm Fresh Kid Friendly Christy Colasurdo September 28, 2011 Got kids? Like pancakes? And bacon? And all things farm-y and fun? Come on down to an old-fashioned “Pancake Breakfast & Pop Up Farmers' Market," a family event at Wakeman Town Farm (134 Cross Hwy, Westport) on Sunday, October 2 from 9 a.m.-noon. It's a fun, fall $5 Pancake Breakfast and Pop-Up Farmers' Market on the farm, featuring an array of local vendors and craftspeople selling everything from artisanal foods to handmade crafts from an eclectic assortment of local vendors. (Rain or shine.) In addition to a country farm breakfast with pancakes, nitrate-free bacon and fresh maple syrup and coffee and juice, sponsored by Christie’s Country Store and Graze Delivered, there will be a host of local vendors and craftspeople selling their wares in a festive, farmers' market atmosphere. Read More
Darien Farmers' Market: Open Through November! Ingredients Local Artisan Local Farm Farm Fresh James Gribbon September 28, 2011 The Darien Farmers' Market opens in May and runs into November, offering a wide variety of seasonal edibles. The market appears Wednesdays on Mechanic St., tucked between the Darien firehouse on the Post Rd. and the Goodwives shopping center. Berries and seedlings start off the year when a trip to the market requires outerwear, and week by week, the cornucopia fills to overflowing with tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, celeriac, kohlrabi, meats, cheeses, baked goods and brussels sprouts - still on the stalk and looking like some type of Aztec war club - by the time jackets are again required pre-dining wear. Read More
Brunch @ Sugar & Olives in Norwalk Restaurant Farm to Table Norwalk Organic Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Amy Kundrat September 25, 2011 The weekend morning meal. This sacred cow for many, consists of copious amounts of coffee, newsprint (for you digital hold-outs), and a healthy combination of carbs and protein. In addition to providing fuel for the errand-filled, kid-chaffeuring day ahead, brunch can also be one of the most frequently debated destinations of your weekend.Since they began serving brunch just a month ago, Sugar & Olives in Norwalk has easily moved to the top of my brunch list. House-made ingredients, a green certification and a happy space make Sugar & Olives the type of place you can drop-in with your friends, a gaggle of kids or simply fly solo and enjoy this most important of weekend meals. Read More
The Boathouse Does Dinner @ Millstone Farm in October Restaurant Farm Dinner Farm to Table Local Farm Stephanie Webster September 23, 2011 Chef John Holzwarth of The Boathouse at Saugatuck is coming to Millstone Farm in Wilton CT on October 4th and October 11th. These “Farm to Fork” on-site events feature Chef Holzwarth’s seasonal creations showcasing Millstone Farm’s well-recognized sustainable produce. Both dinner events will feature two sumptuous five course dinners including wine pairings with each course. Arrive at 6:30 for a tour of this pristinely beautiful farm, with Annie Farrell as your guide. It’s a great opportunity to meet chef Holzwarth and farmer Annie Farrell in action! Tickets are $85 per person and must be purchased at the Boathouse in advance by calling 203-227-3399. Read More
Friday Froth: Oktoberfest...Let the Party Begin Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon September 23, 2011 Oktoberfest is the most popular town fair in the world. The town, in this case, is Munich, and the party attracts about five million people, yearly. Oktoberfest started when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony in 1810. That party has been repeated ever since - 201 years as of last week - and continues through the first few days of October. Only beers brewed inside the city limited of Munich are allowed in the enormous tents constructed on the Theresienwiese each year, but thankfully we have no such restrictions in the 203. Let's dive in. It's only fitting that we start with an actual Munich Oktoberfest beer like Paulaner. Read More
Road Trip: Stone Barns Harvest Festival Restaurant Road Trip Amy Kundrat September 22, 2011 The Stone Barns 8th Annual Harvest Festivities will take place on October 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pocantico Hills, New York. Worth the short road-trip just over the border, this day will feature a mouth-watering line-up of food vendors including Skinny Pines pizza, Balthazar Bakery, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, and Stone Barns/Blue Hill at Stone Barns pork sandwiches; live music featuring Dan Zanes & Friends and Spuyten Duyvil; a Farmers Market with delicious food from local purveyors; workshops on food and farming; and more! See below for a complete list of vendors and more information. Read More
Macdaddy’s Macaroni and Cheese Bar in Monroe Kids Bites Restaurant Monroe Special Dietary Needs kids activity Comfort Food Kid Friendly CTbites Team September 20, 2011 And now a word from our 10 years old food critic.... Hey kids, guess what? Want to win a free Mac Daddy’s T-Shirt? Mac Daddy’s will give the first 10 kids to correctly guess the amount of macaroni boxes used to fill the pan on the wall (described below) a free t-shirt Contest ends on November 20th. Mention CTbites to enter. What do you think of when you think of macaroni and cheese? A small box of Kraft mac and cheese? Well… now I think of Macdaddy’s Macaroni and Cheese Bar, an amazing macaroni and cheese restaurant with at least 20 different kinds of macaroni. I had thought that Macdaddy’s was going to be bigger than it was (they can seat about 25 people) but that didn’t mean it wasn’t good. Macdaddy’s is a quick service restaurant (which means that you order at a counter and they bring the food to your table). Read More
Kouzina: New Greek / Mediterranean in New Canaan Restaurant Greek Mediterranean New Canaan Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger September 18, 2011 Brian Herlihy and Gina Douvas followed their passion for cooking by opening Kouzina, a Greek/Mediterranean restaurant in New Canaan featuring the best of their family recipes. This husband and wife team were raised in households where large family meals were a regular event (Gina in Astoria, Queens and Brian in Katonah), and each developed a love for cooking at an early age. After numerous trips to Greece with Gina, Brian fell in love with the cuisine and their vision took shape. After Brian retired from the Pound Ridge Police department their dream became a reality and in June the couple opened Kouzina on Forest Street in New Canaan. Originally envisaged as a specialty food store and market that would sell olives, olive oils (from Gina’s family farm in Patras, Greece), cheeses, artisanal breads and prepared foods; the project expanded and now features a restaurant. Read More
