Where to Find Corned Beef & Cabbage on St. Patricks Day Restaurant Holiday Pizza Amy Kundrat March 14, 2011 It's almost St. Patricks Day and chances are good that if you plan on venturing out, your beer will be green and you'll be ordering a plate full corned beef and cabbage, that quintessential dish that March 17th can't seem to shake. So let's embrace it. Maggie over at the Lunch Break Chronicles has compiled this short and beefy list of places she is planning to get her corned beef fix which includes Tigin in Stamford as well as O'Neills in SoNo. In addition to this list, I'd recommend checking out Colony Grill in both the Fairfield and Stamford locations. Word is they'll be offering a special Corned Beef pizza for the holiday. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yup. A hot oil with corned beef may be my a new annual tradition. Read More
Versailles Restaurant: French Fare in Greenwich Restaurant Bakery French Greenwich Dessert Margie Treisman March 13, 2011 Ah, Versailles. So distant. So unreachable. So . . . French. Well, that’s how our group felt after canceling /rescheduling our planned trip to this well-established Greenwich eatery THREE separate times. As it turns out, each date was snowier, icier and slushier than the one before. It took three snow storms, three snow days and nearly a month, but we finally made it. The new location (a few doors down from the original on Greenwich Ave.) is lovely and trimly elegant. We arrived early for lunch … and it’s a good thing we did. The dining room was full to capacity -- with a line out the door -- by 12:20. Read More
Cocktail Naming Contest Restaurant Cocktails Events Stephanie Webster March 13, 2011 WIN a FREE 3 course Dinner for 2 @ MATCH Restaurant in Sono. Here's How... As promised, we are back with another boozy naming challenge. This time, you are charged with branding Match's new new signature cocktail, a citrusy blend of Tito’s Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, pressed raspberries and oranges, a splash of Mirabelle Sparkling Wine, and a splash of Absolut Ruby Red...all in a crackling sugared rimmed Flute. If your Cocktail name is selected, it will be featured on their new menu & you will receive a FREE 3 COURSE DINNER FOR TWO @ MATCH Restaurant in South Norwalk. Post your submission below (include email) , or if you're shy, feel free to send it to us directly. We welcome input from readers. If you see a name you like...post your vote! Read More
Fat Cat Pie Co. Wine Room Supper Club Event Restaurant Wine Dinners Stephanie Webster March 11, 2011 Join Fat Cat Pie Co & Fountainhead Wines on March 16th for an evening supper club in their wine room with special guest; winemaker Fred Peterson of Peterson Winery, Healdsburg, CA (Dry Creek AVA) and musical guest; jazz keyboardist Robert Aries. If you are only familiar with Fat Cat's pizza, wait till you see what Chef Herlihy and his team can do next door. These events allow diners to do a deep dive into the world of wine, whether it be a region, or a vineyard. Personally, I'd go just for the Salad Course. Their Chopped Kale Salad with Quinoa and Currants is an excellent addition to their current "Specials" menu, and really worth a try. Check out the full menu below: Read More
Kids Make Pizza Every Sunday @ Coalhouse in Stamford Kids Bites Restaurant Pizza Stamford kids activity kids cooking party Kid Friendly Liz Rueven March 11, 2011 Sundays are pizza making days for kids at Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford. First rule co-owner, Gerard Robertson, puts out there? DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE A MESS! Better his place than yours, and a lot more fun, for sure. If one too many rainy days has given your clan cabin fever, this is a great way to get out, make your own pizza and learn something too. Robertson invites kids of all ages to pull up a stool and gently work a ball of dough on the long stretch of white marble that wraps around the pizza prep area and the enormous coal oven. Read More
Filling Station Company is Coming To Stamford! Restaurant Stamford Kid Friendly Burgers Stephanie Webster March 10, 2011 Filling Station Company just gave us the word that they have officially signed a lease at 3 Landmark Square in Stamford. FSC's second restaurant is located on the Atlantic Street side of the Landmark Square, just opposite the Palace Theatre (and attention movie-goers-a direct stones throw from the Majestic Cinema complex). The location features an outside terrace for about forty guests that will serve as a bier garden featuring local beers. Here's the best news...the 1800 sq. Ft interior space will accommodate about 40 diners. For those of you who frequent the New Canaan location, you can now comfortably seat your family...no matter how big the posse. We will keep you posted on the build out and opening date. Read More
Fairfield County Eats! Tasting Benefit for The Food Bank Restaurant Events Stephanie Webster March 09, 2011 SAVE THE DATE!! Join us at Fairfield County Eats on April 27th for an evening of outstanding food, beer and wine...for a very good cause. This unique tasting event will take place at The Italian Center in Stamford with all proceeds directly supporting The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County's efforts to help end hunger in our community. The list of restaurants, caterers, and beverage purveyors participating in this event will surely make you salivate. @ $45 a person this is an event not to be missed. Restaurants include: 1020 Post, Fat Cat Pie Co, L'escale, Rory's, Coromandel, Restaurant Jean-Louis, Tavern on Main., Da Pietro's, Colony Grill, Butterfield 81, Bobby Q's, Shelley's On The River, Tawa Indian Cuisine, The Capital Grill, The Melting Pot, Tuscan Oven, Vinny's Backyard Restaurant, Cafe D'Azur, My Favorite Place, The Gingerman...and more are signing on every day. Read More
Dressing Room Hosts Benziger Biodynamic Wine Dinner Ingredients Restaurant Wine Dinners Stephanie Webster March 08, 2011 On Wednesday, March 16th @ 7PM, The Dressing Room & Nicholas Roberts Fine Wines hosts the next in their series of wine dinners featuring Benziger Family Winery. Benziger is one of the finest biodynamic, organic vineyards utilizing only sustainable farming methods. The result is a portfolio of authentic and memorable wines. Their commitment to "practices that are good for the earth and the vine, good for the farm worker and the farmer, and good for our colleagues and our customers" mirror Dressing Room's mission precisely. The inspired menu reflects their enthusiasm for this pairing partner. UPDATE: We just got word that Mike Benziger will be is town to host the event himself. Check out the menu below: Read More
Coromandel: A Visual Guide to Authentic Indian Cuisine Restaurant Norwalk Indian Gayatri Batra March 06, 2011 CLICK ON ABOVE IMAGE TO LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY As an expatriate, I am always on the lookout for good Indian Restaurants – places where I can get a proper Indian comfort food fix. Unfortunately, in this part of the world this is no easy task. Rarely do you come across a gem like Coromandel – offering inspired authentic Indian cuisine, very reasonable prices, and a restaurant experience that delivers in terms of ambience and service. The Coromandel group has a monopoly on good "home cooked" Indian food in Fairfield County. And while there is ongoing debate over the "best" location, mine is SONO. Manager, Gopi Nair, is very proud about what sets Coromandel apart. Their dishes are based on traditional recipes sourced from master chefs and regional culinary pundits in India. Their local chefs are then trained to cook the ‘Coromandel Way.’ Read More
Shout Out: Best Italian Restaurants in Fairfield County? Restaurant CTbites Shout Out Stephanie Webster March 06, 2011
Skinny Pines Pizza @ The Westport Farmer's Market Restaurant Pizza Westport Amy Kundrat March 03, 2011 Since we last reviewed Skinny Pines, Jeff Borofsky has been tweaking his dough and wooing the folks who frequent the Westport Farmers Market with his weekly appearances. I went back recently and was so taken with the Bianca and his latest crust, I had to share the experience on Slice. And about that dough: Read More
Bereket Turkish Restaurant "2" Opens in Bridgeport Restaurant Bridgeport Delicious Dives Middle Eastern Turkish Stephanie Webster March 02, 2011 CLICK ON ABOVE IMAGE TO LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY Last spring we told you about Bereket, an tiny authentic Turkish eatery tucked behind a gas station in Bridgeport. This fortuitous find primarily offered takeout, but if you were lucky enough to get one of the 3 small tables, you were served food worthy of an Ottoman emperor. While we loved hiding out behind the Citgo station, we were pleased to hear that owner Selahattin Cinar had moved his very reasonably priced menu and talented cooks to a much larger space in Blackrock (the old Helados Vazquez). With an upgraded interior worthy of the excellent fare, Selahattin can now focus on the customer experience...and a more gracious host you've never seen. Warm up your car for a quick departure to Bridgeport. Read More
Guinness Milkshakes @ Filling Station Co. Restaurant Events Dessert jfood March 02, 2011 Beer + ice cream = Filling Station's March milkshake. Yup...they've done it again. Last month we enjoyed the sweet crunchy nostalgia of the Cap'N. March brings a taste of the Irish with their (non-alcoholic) Guinness Chocolate Milkshake. And what better to accompany your extra stout frozen dessert than a Buffalo Wing Burger? Ok mates...drink up and report back. Here is the full report from our own jfood: Read More
Behind the Net Pizza @ The Darien Ice Rink Restaurant Darien Pizza Amy Kundrat February 27, 2011 An affinity for hockey or a hot tip was the only way you’d discover Behind the Net, a concession stand in Darien’s ice rink that is serving up slices of New Haven style apizza heaven—until now. Behind the Net opened on September 1, 2010 in the concession space adjacent to the busy suburban ice rink just beyond Darien’s Post Road. Home to dozens of youth hockey games and practices, the rink also welcomes open skate nights and is teeming with families, practically guaranteeing a hungry audience. Thankfully for us, word soon spread that mere steps from the ice was purportedly some real-deal New Haven pizza—a pizza style characterized by an adherence to a thin crispy crust, decent charring from a super hot oven, fresh San Marzano tomato-based sauce, and mozzarella. Read More
Chef Bick's Keeler Tavern Farm-to-Table Dinner Restaurant Chef Talk Amy Kundrat February 23, 2011 In the heart of Ridgefield, a Farm to Table-inspired dinner will be served at the historic Keeler Tavern in Ridgefield on Saturday, March 5 with Chef Michael Bick orchestrating the “sophisticated rustic menu.” The six course menu (see full menu below) will be paired with wine and studded with local and organic ingredients. This dinner is $95 per person, RSVP by February 28 at 914.572.5648 or email Tara@somethingsfishycatering.com. This dinner originated from an Earth Day dinner benefitting the Chefs Collaborative, an organization that works with chefs and the food community to celebrate local and sustainable foods. Read More
Filling Station Co. Celebrates 1 Year w/ Great Giveaways Restaurant Events Stephanie Webster February 22, 2011 And in case, you couldn't read that, here are the details: Read More
Ten China Bistro in Wilton: 10 For 10 Restaurant Asian Chinese Thai Wilton Kid Friendly Sarah Green February 20, 2011 Why TEN? The new TEN China Bistro in Wilton had a lot to live up to, giving itself a number like that. We would be the ones to decide if TEN was indeed an appropriate rating. We were diners on a mission. Chef/Owner Eric Xie would have a lot of "splainin" to do if the food at TEN ended up as anything less. There was only one way to find out...EAT! So eat we did. There are many reasons to try this new Asian fusion restaurant, (in the same plaza as SOUP ALLEY). Would we give it a 10? Well, here's the verdict: Read More
leFarms' Bill Taibe Nominated for James Beard Award Restaurant News Stephanie Webster February 17, 2011 Mr. Delicious (or so Bill Taibe's shirt read at the most recent Souterrain) has landed himself a nomination from The James Beard Foundation for "Best Chef Northeast." Taibe was the only Connecticut nominee in the "Best Chef: Northeast" category. The James Beard Foundation Awards have been deemed “the Oscars of the food world,” by Time magazine, and are the country’s most coveted honor for chefs, as well as food and beverage professionals. Final nominees will be announced at the Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland on March 21 and simultaneously live via the Foundation's Twitter page, @beardfoundation. Read More
A Guide to Juice Fasts in Fairfield County CT Ingredients Restaurant Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market healthy CTbites Team February 17, 2011 If you’re not going three times per day, then something’s not right ,”says Glen Cavallo, who, along with Lisa Storch, owns Catch a Healthy Habit Cafe in Fairfield, where I’m sampling one of the Super Smoothies that is bottled up for customers doing the Café’s Five Day Juice Cleanse. To hear Glen, and other cleansing gurus like Carissa Delicicchi at The Stand in Norwalk, and Carrie at Kaia Café in Westport, talk, it seems that most of us could probably use a little “cleaning out” every now and again. A Juice Cleanse is a nourishing diet consisting of liquid food allows the digestive organs time to rest and heal from the toxins of modern living. They give your body a break from bad habits like caffeine and alcohol and reset the palette for healthier foods. Read More
