Kashi Sushi Bar Opens in Stamford: Japanese With Bling! Restaurant Stamford Japanese Sushi Homepage Opening CTbites Team October 26, 2018 Located in a 2-story townhouse on Downtown Stamford’s Restaurant Row, the brick façade of Kashi Sushi Bar and Japanese Restaurant gives way to a multi-sensory experience. Introduced to the city’s thriving restaurant scene in January of 2016, Kashi’s modern industrial design element combined with its innovative and artistic approach to sushi and Japanese food preparations quickly landed this exciting new restaurant on the radar of local food enthusiasts. Read More
Next Door in New Haven Hits the Spot for Small Plates and Pizza via CT Magazine Restaurant New Haven Pizza Lunch Cocktails Opening Connecticut Magazine October 24, 2018 Connecticut Magazine shares a great new spot for pizza and small plates in New Haven. Put this one on the list. New Haven is the opposite of a pizza desert. World-renowned pizza, er, apizza options abound, from Pepe’s, Sally’s and Modern to BAR and relative newcomers such as De Legna. So when I heard that pizza was one of the specialties at Next Door, a new bar and restaurant on Humphrey Street, I admired the restaurant owner’s chutzpah but privately wondered if the concept would work. Arriving at the restaurant on a recent evening, I learned that Next Door is about far more than just pizza.Opened in June, in the space that once held the venerable restaurant Humphrey’s, the expansive interior includes two distinct, yet linked, bar and dining areas. Each has a warm and welcoming neighborhood feel. In addition to its creative pizzas, Next Door has a wide variety of well-crafted and interesting food options, and the bar features 32 craft beer taps as well as excellent cocktails.The restaurant is owned by three veterans of the New Haven food scene: Douglas Coffin, who launched Big Green Truck Pizza (a mobile, wood-fired pizza truck business); Dom Giannotti, who owns Dive Bar & Restaurant in West Haven; and Robin Bodak, the owner of Coco Tamale, a New Haven street cart and catering company. The owners met while working “next door” to Next Door’s location at the adjoining garage that houses the Big Green Truck Pizza fleet. Read More
Cousins Maine Lobster Truck Rolls into Connecticut Restaurant Food Truck Seafood Lobster Tacos Lunch Catering Homepage Jessica Ryan October 21, 2018 On Wednesday afternoon the Cousins Maine Lobster trucked rolled into the circle at Bedford Square in Westport to offer their version of the perfect lobster roll. Although I hail from the city that never sleeps, my New England roots were planted well over 30 years ago having lived in Boston, and summered in both Maine and Newport. At the risk of sounding presumptuous I daresay that I happen to know a thing or two about what makes a good lobster roll. So when I was invited to try them out I couldn’t possibly say no. Read More
Organika Kitchen Opens on Main Street in New Canaan Restaurant New Canaan Vegan Vegetarian Lunch Breakfast Opening Jessica Ryan October 19, 2018 Nearly one year after announcing its plans, vegan and vegetarian, Organika Kitchen, officially opened Monday in downtown New Canaan at 96 Main St.Owners, Gino and Cathy Riccio are excited the new location for their organic plant-based eatery, the first having met with great success in Southport. While many alleged healthy eateries have been popping up all over the place, Organika Kitchen takes the idea of healthy eating to a new level. Organika is more than a restaurant Gino explained, “It’s an experience that is as much about the food as it is the customers and the employees.” Organika opened its doors in August to praise from vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike. Cathy expanded on her husband’s thoughts. “We felt that we needed to be eating healthier. Read More
Afternoon Tea at Alice in the Village Tea Shop, Mystic Restaurant Tea And Coffee Lunch Kid Friendly kids activity Mystic Dessert Breakfast Bakery Homepage CTbites Team October 18, 2018 Adding a bit of whimsy into the Olde Mistick Village shopping center and amping up its already kid-friendly atmosphere, let yourself go into the looking glass at the recently opened Alice in the Village tea shop and café. The completely decked out exterior is replete with faux floral window frame and the beloved doorknob from the 1951 animated Disney film Alice in Wonderland. And is this uber-theme continued on the inside? Of course!Step inside and you will find an enchanted tea house split roughly into three sections: Eat Me!/Drink Me! to go orders, an Alice-themed shop, and tea room. In addition to Alice in Wonderland collectables and kitsch, the shop section stocks an excellent selection of Harney and Sons teas. The bright green walls and sage green ceilings are decorated with hanging playing cards, pictures from Alice in Wonderland scenes, and flying books. My favorite décor element is the life size bottom half of Alice hanging down from the ceiling—any child who loves Alice in Wonderland would love a visit to Alice and the Village simply to see the décor. Read More
NEW & NOTABLE: Chef Duane Shand Takes Over At Cafe 47 @Perfect Provenance in Greenwich Restaurant Greenwich Lunch American far Burgers Dessert Homepage Lou Gorfain October 14, 2018 Cafe 47, an intimate dining space inside Perfect Provenance in Greenwich, reflects the luxury retail and exhibition space that surrounds it: tasteful, diverse, and capricious. The restaurant’s new chef, Duane Shand, fits right in to the unpredictability of the place.He radiates a rainbow of ethnicities -- West Indian, African, and Asian—a callaloo kid from Trinidad who unexpectedly, delightfully, now presides over a chic restaurant in one of America’s most patrician enclaves. Shand landed in Greenwich via a serpentine culinary route: from training at Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando to restaurants around the world, such as the Royal Mail Hotel in Australia, Asador Etxebarr in Spain and Bad Saint in DC. But what ultimately brought him to Greenwich was… Read More
Union League Café Celebrates 25 Years in New Haven CT Restaurant New Haven Lunch Brunch WIne French American Homepage Andrew Dominick October 09, 2018 Union League Café is frequently mentioned as one of Connecticut’s best restaurants. They’ve won multiple awards in various publications—in fact, it’s one of the more acclaimed places in the state—and they’ve been a New York Times darling three different times. Additionally, Union League’s chef/owner, Jean Pierre Vuillermet is recognized as a Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, translated, a Master Chef of France. Awards aside, Union League Café is set to celebrate what’s arguably its greatest achievement, their 25th anniversary. To celebrate this quarter century milestone, ULC is rolling out a handful of throwback dishes inspired by their first 25 years. All October long, diners will have the option to partake in a three-course, prix fixe tasting for $55 per person, or $79 if you’re down for carefully selected French wine pairings alongside your meal. Read More
Cross Culture Kombucha Opens Kombucha Taproom and Brewery in Danbury Restaurant Ingredients Brewery Tea And Coffee Danbury Opening Kristin L. Wolfe October 09, 2018 Cross Culture Kombucha just opened its doors in Danbury. It’s the first Kombucha taproom and brewery in the state, and they’ve been welcomed with open arms and growlers ready to fill. The light, effervescent drink has been around for ages but has most recently seen the limelight as a non-alcoholic alternative; one that is both really delicious and packed with healthy goodness. Read More
Pokémoto Opens: Fast Casual Hawaiian Poké Bowls Now In New Haven, Hamden, Fairfield, & Norwalk Restaurant Fairfield Seafood Lunch To-Go Take Out New Haven Hamden Norwalk Homepage CTbites Team October 06, 2018 The delicacy of Hawaiian fast casual poké has finally made its way to Connecticut at the new Pokémoto, now open in New Haven, Hamden, Fairfield, & Norwalk. The fresh, sushi-grade fish, in addition to tofu and chicken options, is offered in an assortment of ways with a multitude of toppings and marinades from which to choose. I recently visited Pokémoto’s Fairfield location to try the savory bowls and enjoyed the revamped space showcasing colorful fish, fruit, and vegetables aplenty. The offerings were laid out both simply and beautifully, allowing guests to either select from Signature Bowls or create their perfect mix of flavors in a customized entrée. Poké can be enjoyed in three formats: A poké bowl over rice, a wrap nestled in a sheet of roasted Nori, or over a salad. Read More
Tim LaBant’s Neapolitan Pizza ‘Parlor’ Now Open in Wilton Restaurant Wilton Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly Homepage Opening Andrew Dominick October 02, 2018
35+ Places for Great Coffee in Connecticut: 2018 Edition Features Restaurant Best of CT Coffee Tea And Coffee Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson September 28, 2018 When temperatures plummet, it’s the perfect time to warm up with a piping hot cup of joe! These shops, restaurants, and markets serve up some of Connecticut’s best java, from espresso to cups to iced options. Be sure to check out the pastries and other eats, too! Read More
Goats N’ Roses: A Wonderful, Wacky Farmstand Restaurant Restaurant Malborough Breakfast Lunch Connecticut Magazine September 25, 2018 Get over to Goats N’Roses while the weather is still acceptable. Connecticut Magazine shares a must-visit spot in Malborough. Somehow, despite all I’d heard and read in praise of Goats N’ Roses in Marlborough, I still wasn’t prepared for the experience of eating here.Words, after all, don’t really do this place justice.Driving along a sparse stretch of Route 66 in Marlborough, you know you’ve arrived at The Farm at Carter Hill, where Goats N’ Roses is located, when you see a vintage gas station and small sign proclaiming this as the home of Goats N’ Roses, an “edgy eatery.” Turning in you enter a space that feels part farm and part Cold War-era roadside attraction. The complex of buildings and fields is home to a bed and breakfast, general store, pub and event barn. There is even an animal pen filled with goats who jump and dance on their hind legs. An elaborate series of bridges crisscrosses the goat pen, allowing them to show off their climbing abilities. Read More
L'Escale Restaurant in Greenwich: Under The Radar and Better Than Ever Restaurant Greenwich Seafood Lunch American French Homepage Brunch Lou Gorfain September 23, 2018 Connecticut claims its share of Celebrity Chefs. These culinary artists routinely win Food Network Competitions, earn James Beard commendations, and enjoy (or endure) their roles as restaurant Rock Stars.Though less lionized, Chef Frederic Kieffer is every bit their equal. He created the exquisite l’Escale in Greenwich, followed by Artisan in Southport, then again in West Hartford. All are considered gems … and like Kieffer himself, understated. Read More
Playa Bowls Opens in Fairfield: Acai Bowls & Smoothies For All! Restaurant Fairfield healthy Smoothies Acai Bowl Lunch Breakfast CTbites Team September 18, 2018 Acai: the dark purple berry from the lush jungles of the Amazon has made its way to the recently opened Playa Bowls kitchen in Fairfield. With almost 50 locations, Playa Bowls has quickly grown from an idea in New Jersey to a nationwide phenomenon that highlights Acai, the berry that makes it all happen.Acai contains the nutrients that provide a natural energy boost that doesn’t overload the stomach. Playa Bowls uses this berry to its best ability by complementing it with concoctions of other fruits and intricate, yet simple, twists of decadent flavors that are rarely seen in a bowl. Read More
Bab al Salam Offers Authentic & Excellent Syrian Fare Restaurant Middle Eastern Mediterranean Lunch Orange Homepage Frank Cohen September 16, 2018 Middle Eastern restaurants, long a welcome presence in Connecticut, lately seem to be multiplying. One of the most intriguing is Bab al Salam, which is located in an Orange plaza owned by the New Haven Islamic Center, which also hosts the Orange Farmers’ Market, a Muslim clothing store, a Middle Eastern market with halal butcher, and meeting spaces for events. Bab al Salam opened in the middle of January. Owners Adnan Akil, a restaurant builder, and Suloman Chater, a restaurateur, both of whom have lived in the U.S. for decades, sought to replicate the food one might find in metropolises like Aleppo or Damascus in their homeland. They seem to have found a grateful audience in Orange. Read More
MATCH Taco Opens Today in Black Rock, Bridgeport from Chef Matt Storch Restaurant Mexican Tacos Delicious Dives Take Out To-Go Bridgeport Homepage Opening Stephanie Webster September 13, 2018 Chef Matt Storch is at it again, this time with a concept that waxes nostalgic to his humble beginnings in the kitchen of the much loved Tex-Mex joint, "Tacos Or What?" in Westport. Tacos Or What was the local spot where Storch learned to love the business of food, and now, Match Taco is his latest venture going into the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport.Storch plans to get back to his roots (yes, his grandma actually owned a restaurant in Mexico City) and get his hands into some serious tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas...all the Tex-Mex food you could want. Additionally Match Taco will be filling those weekend morning comfort food cravings with a full menu of breakfast sandwiches. Intrigued? Read on... Read More
Vault Coffee + Deviant Donut: A Very Sweet Collaboration Restaurant Breakfast Doughnuts Coffee Mystic Tea And Coffee Dessert CTbites Team September 11, 2018 Collaborations, pop-ups, and food markets are what I live for in terms of seeking out inventive yet timeless cuisine pairings. And one new collaboration that caught my eye with an abundance of drool-worthy Instagram posts—and likely you’ve spotted it too—is the recent marriage between Vault Coffee and Deviant Donuts. Truly, what is better than a perfect pairing of coffee and doughnuts on a lazy weekend morning? Read More
Bianco Rosso Opens Newest location in Trumbull w/ Chef David White Restaurant Trumbull wilton Italian Homepage Lunch Pasta Dessert CTbites Team September 09, 2018 Earlier this summer, husband and wife team, Cristina Ramirez and Mario Lopez along with brother Jaime opened Bianco Rosso’s newest location, in Trumbull, to eager diners. Noted Chef David White (most recently of Vespa, Westport) was brought on to oversee all culinary matters and is joined by award-winning Pastry Chef Susanne Berne where the two have joined forces to create a delectable menu. Acclaimed Mixologist Jaime Johel oversees the creative specialty cocktail menu. The energetic restaurant opened to rave reviews. We had the opportunity to visit the new restaurant last week and sample some of Chef White’s culinary prowess. Read More
8 Classic CT Drive-Ins To Visit Before Summer's End via CT Visit Restaurant Outdoor Dining Delicious Dives Diner Comfort Food Hot Dogs Burgers Lunch CTbites Team September 04, 2018 One of the best parts about being on the road in the summer in Connecticut is stopping at a drive-in for a quick but tasty meal. The state has many such spots, but here are 8 of the most tried and true.Sea Swirl, Mystic: It's easy to spot Sea Swirl as the former Carvel location, but the focus now is on fried seafood, especially clams, scallops, and oysters. The Sycamore, Bethel: Known for its steak burgers and homemade root beer, as well as its carhops and 1950's ambiance. Be sure to check out their web site for cruise nights and and other special events. Harry's Place, Colchester: Looking for a real juicy burger? Harry's shapes its patties into a ball, puts them on a grill, and then gradually flattens them with a spatula. The results have brought customers back every summer for decades. Read More
The Colombian Hot Dog Truck: Ultimate Comfort Food Restaurant Food Truck Burgers Columbian Comfort Food Hot Dogs Bridgeport Delicious Dives Homepage Andrew Dominick September 02, 2018 I can admit when I have a problem. Connecticut has several great food trucks, and I social media stalk a bunch of them. The addiction is obviously the food, then there’s this game of being able to track down the truck or trucks in question. Will I be free? Where will the truck be? What time? And for how long will they be there? One that I played cat and mouse with recently was The Colombian Hot Dog, a mobile trailer that specializes in Colombian fast food. They were put on my radar by a local photographer friend who spent some time shooting The Colombian Hot Dog crew in action one summer night. He suggested I check them out, but it took a while since the truck is only parked in Norwalk one night per week. Read More
