The National Opens in Greenwich: A Conversation with Chef, Restaurateur, & TV Host Geoffrey Zakarian Interview Restaurant Celebrity Chef Greenwich Opening Amy Kundrat November 21, 2015 The National, the newest restaurant from celebrated chef, restaurateur, TV host, author, and philanthropist Geoffrey Zakarian, is now open in the heart of downtown Greenwich, at 376 Greenwich Avenue. We were invited to sit down with the chef just 24 hours after he opened the doors to the public. Sitting in a corner banquette, our candid conversation spanned his 30-year career, including his love for Greenwich, formative culinary influences, and his advice for aspiring chefs. The National feels like an extension of Zakarian himself. They both exude a studied yet casual New York elegance, are utterly charming, and yet quite approachable. A former Greenwich resident, it is no surprise he chose to open the restaurant within this community he knows so well. The modern american bistro feels at home on the Avenue and inside, boasts the welcoming charm of a neighborhood café with a seasonal menu positioned to please. Read More
Holiday Recipe: Chef Carey Savona's Heirloom Kale Salad Recipe Holiday Recipe Thanksgiving CTbites Team November 21, 2015 "By far our most requested recipe (I get at least three a week) is for our kale salad. I know that kale has jumped the shark, but this recipe was featured in the CT Farm to Table Cookbook and it fits well on the holiday table; healthy, but still very flavor forward," says Chef Carey Savona of Heirloom in New Haven. Enjoy this recipe for Heirloom's Kale Salad. Read More
Sexy Cocktails Debut @ NoMa Social Lounge in New Rochelle Restaurant Cocktails New Rochelle Bar Lou Gorfain November 20, 2015 For decades, the locally owned Radisson in New Rochelle has been a beloved pillar of the lower Westchester community. But sadly, the matriarch was getting a bit long in the tooth. So the family transformed her vibe from venerable to vogue, a Manhattan style Boutique Hotel. As one of the designers of that refurb, Colby Brock, the Food and Beverage manager, named the new restaurant and lounge NoMa Social (NoMa stands for “North of Manhattan” and bears no alliance with the renowned Noma in Copenhagen). Colby brought in highly regarded Executive Chef Bill Rosenberg, (f.i.sh., Barcelona) to upgrade the kitchen, and she recently hired 32 year old Mike DeFalco as the Bar and Nightlife Manager. A major mission: inject some hip to a ho-hum bar menu. NoMa’s splashy lounge – replete with zebra stripes and a funky, deep house/electro trance playlist -- has become a hot spot for a young, party and pick-up crowd. To add to the jump, DeFalco has set about creating a cavalcade of sexy craft cocktails. Read More
Holiday Recipe: Black Truffle & Leek Bread Pudding from elm restaurant Recipe Holiday Recipe Thanksgiving CTbites Team November 18, 2015 Executive Chef Luke Venner, of elm restaurant in New Canaan, has a decadant and delicious Thanksgiving recipe for our CTbites readers. If you want to make your guests extra happy this season, go beyond traditional bread pudding with his recipe for Black Truffle & Leek Bread Pudding. We are quite certain it will elicit praise all around. Of course, personally I'd rather have Chef Venner cook it himself, but if you can't get to elm restaurant, try this recipe at home this Thanksgiving season. Your guests will thank you. Read More
9 Events to Check Out for CT Beer Week Restaurant Beer Brewery CT Beer James Gribbon November 17, 2015 Connecticut Beer Week has officially begun, and CTBites is here to bring you a sampling of events and other news of note. This week is a celebration of both beers made in Connecticut, and the restaurants and bars who help our small state be such a big part of the national beer scene. The hashtag for searching on social media is #CTBeerWeek, and a further list of events can be found here. Many links to further events and information are included below, and please let us know in the comments if there's anything we may have missed. 1. Kent Falls Debuts Shruggie - Kent Falls will drop its brand-newest IPA, Shruggie (¯\_(ツ)_/¯) this week, starting in Litchfield on Nov. 18. Kent Falls calls this part of their "bartender interaction series." I may have agreed to order one through interpretive dance. Their next event will be at J. Timothy's.2. Get Beer'd - J. Tim's will host a Beer'd Brewing tap takeover Nov. 17, including Elihue, This Side Of Paradise, and Midnight Oil. Read More
Thanksgiving Recipe: Match Restaurant's Maple Braised Squash + Wine Pairing Recipe Holiday Recipe CTbites Team November 17, 2015 It's time to get ready for our favorite holiday here at CTbites...Thanksgiving. Chef Matt Storch has a recipe to consider as you get your Thanksgiving menu organized, Maple Braised Squash. Our wine expert, Emma Doody, has also chimed in with some suggestions for wine pairings to enhance this dish. The sweet flavors from the maple and the squash call for a wine that imparts sweetness of its own. At the same time, I would stay away from a true dessert wine. They tend to have syrupy, thicker bodies and the maple will already have that texture. The wine should have a touch of acidity to cut through the decadence.An ideal bottle to complement this is Robertson Winery’s 2015 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer. It retails in Connecticut stores for around $9.99. The wine, which comes from South Africa, hovers on the brink of dessert wine. The late harvest makes it sweet without being rich. One could also pair an Italian Muscato with the dish. Read More
Holiday Recipe: Cauliflower & Apple Soup via Marcia Selden Catering Recipe Holiday Recipe Soups Marcia Selden Catering November 16, 2015 We are days away from Thanksgiving, and the menu planning has kicked into high gear. Marcia Selden Catering has shared one of their favorite fall soups. This recipe for Cauliflower & Apple Soup with Curry Drizzle, can be served both hot and cold, with equally delicious results. Happy holidays and enjoy. Read More
First Look: Rothbard Ale + Larder European Gastropub Opens in Westport Restaurant Beer Gastropub German Westport Comfort Food Stephanie Webster November 11, 2015 Rothbard Ale + Larder European Gastropub quietly opened its doors last week in downtown Westport. The menu focuses on central European fare with dishes drawing inspiration from the cuisines of Alsace, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland. The beer and wine list mirror this sentiment, and a beautiful interior renovation transports diners to a cozy chalet in the depths of the Bavarian Alps. Chef Adam Roytman's commitment to both the cuisine and "larder" concept are tangible in every detail of this new speakeasy-esque venture with longtime partner Joseph Farrell (Walrus + Carpenter). From the crispy schnitzel and rich hearty bratwurst (house-made) to the authentic absinthe fountain and German beer steins, Rothbard Ale + Larder is the real deal. Read More
15 CT Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurant Holiday Thanksgiving Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 10, 2015 Thanksgiving arrives Thursday November 26 and many Connecticut restaurants are inviting you to spend the holiday with them. From buffets to prix fixe and traditional to creative, there are a number of styles so that you can pick the best for you and your loved ones. NOTE: We came across a few more restaurants after the publish date of this article, so we've gone beyond 15. Enjoy! Millwright's, Simsbury Cafe on the Green, Danbury Artisan, Southport Bernard's, Ridgefield Elm Restaurant, New Canaan Mill on the River Restaurant, South Windsor Capital Grille, Stamford and Hartford Harbor Lights, Norwalk Read More
2nd Annual Greenwich Restaurant Week November 12th - 18th Restaurant Restaurant Week CTbites Team November 08, 2015 Coming off a successful inaugural year, The 2nd Annual Greenwich Restaurant Week starts On November 12th and runs until November 18th. Participating restaurants include L'escale, Polpo, Harvest, Terra, Mediterraneo, Le Peguin, Le Fat Poodle, Osteria Applausi, Lugano's, Gabriele's, Char, Famous Greek Kitchen, Firenze, Blackstones Steakhouse, Little Pub, Bella Noona, Caren's Cos Cobber, Bobby Q's Pitstop, Coast, The Drawing Room, Elm Street Oyster House, Jhouse, Morello, Tengda, Mt.Kisco smokehouse, Greenwich Cheese Company and Winfield's at the Hyatt. Read More
Norwalk's Open Door Shelter Celebrates "Chopped" Celebrity Restaurant Fundraiser Norwalk CTbites Team November 04, 2015 Open Door Shelter of Norwalk is hosting a fundraiser event on November 18 from 6 to 9 pm to celebrate the recent appearance of their kitchen manager, Victor Squire, on the Food Network show Chopped. The event will be held at Aitoro in Norwalk, and will feature a competitive cook off between Norwalk Community College culinary student chefs. Wine and appetizers will be served, and Chef Victor Squire, the Chopped competitor will be on hand throughout the event to meet guests. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online. All proceeds from the event will benefit the mission and services of the Open Door Shelter in Norwalk. Read More
Why LeFarm in Westport Closed Its Doors: Q & A with Chef Bill Taibe Restaurant Chef Talk Westport Stephanie Webster November 03, 2015 Many CT diners were shocked when Bill Taibe announced that LeFarm in Westport was closing its doors after six years. LeFarm was without a doubt one of the most highly celebrated restaurants in Connecticut, a place where local chefs gathered on their nights off and regulars booked a table weekly. So, why did it close? We sat down with Chef Bill Taibe (owner of Kawa Ni and The Whelk) to find out why... LeFarm was a very successful restaurant right up until the day you closed the doors. Why did you decide to sell LeFarm? It was the right time. We had met our goals at LeFarm. It is now time to set our sites on a more focused plan. We want to offer more services. Create new experiences. Push ourselves a bit harder. Read More
Harlan Publick in South Norwalk: Innovative Cuisine with a Tropical Twist Restaurant Caribbean Norwalk SONO Bar Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger November 01, 2015 Harlan Publick opened last year in the SoNo Ironworks and immediately became a destination for great food, a vast line-up of beers and an outdoor terrace like none other in Fairfield County. The relaxed interior features a large bar, a dining area with both dining tables and high tops and a room for a private event that features several personalized beer taps, and represents the second for Managing Partner Steve Lewandowski, who is also the Managing Partner at Stamford’s Harlan Social, which has won accolades as one of the best restaurants in CT. Executive Chef Kamal Rose recently joined Harlan Publick, and his road to this position was less than traditional. Raised on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, he developed his passion for cooking from his grandmother. He moved to New York at the age of 15 and subsequently received an internship at TriBeca Grill. In 2009 he won a $20,000 scholarship in a national cooking competition and earned his diploma from the Institute of Culinary Education. He returned to TriBeca Grill under the tutelage of Drew Nieporent and Steve Lewandowski and last year, Lewandowski asked Rose to join him at Harlan Publick where his newly introduced cuisine exemplifies his Caribbean roots tempered by classical training. Read More
New Chef @ elm Restaurant in New Canaan: Enter Chef Luke Venner Restaurant American Farm to Table New Canaan Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 25, 2015 Chef Luke Venner has been at the helm of elm Restaurant for several months and was invited to participate at the Greenwich Wine and Food Festival as one of the Innovative Chefs. The two small bites that he prepared at the festival were delicious. In hopes that these were reflective of his newly revised menu, CTbites returned to the restaurant to sample other dishes on his recently introduced Autumn menu. The appetizers and entrées that we enjoyed highlighted the inherent flavors of the ingredients utilizing Chef Luke’s balanced vision and delicate touch. We shared three dishes from the “smaller” section of the menu. Read More
Junzi Kitchen Opens in New Haven Features Restaurant Asian Chinese New Haven Lunch Amy Kundrat October 23, 2015 Photo: Reed Immer, Junzi Kitchen A chun-bing (spring-pancake), is traditionally eaten to celebrate the arrival of spring in chinese culture. Its origins as a humble culinary tradition are tied to the Qin dynasty (265 - 240 ad), when chun-bing was prepared with fresh spring ingredients to signal the spring harvest and a return to the land. It’s become a year-round staple in northern China where you can find it in street carts, restaurants, and on sunday dinner tables. And now on 21 Broadway in New Haven at Junzi Kitchen which opened this week. Junzi co-founders Ming Bai, Wanting Zhang, and Yong Zhao grew up in a transitional time in northeast China when the population was experiencing many modernizations. Instead of growing food on their own, supermarkets became a predominant food source for families out of convenience, but it was clear that something special was being lost in the process. Nostalgia for the spring flavors of home led the fellow Yale grad students to launch Junzi Kitchen. "I wanted to show people that Chinese food can be simple, healthy, and satisfying, something you can eat every day," said co-founder Yong Zhao. The result is an experience that challenges the way you think about Chinese food. Read More
Happy Hour at Elm City Social in New Haven Features Restaurant Happy Hour Editor's Pick Bar New Haven Amy Kundrat October 21, 2015 Elm City Social has entered New Haven’s burgeoning craft cocktail scene with an exhaustive and inventive array of cocktails and a variety dining options from mid-day to late night. Venturing into the Elm City Social bar during Happy Hour, I had but a simple mission – to quickly refuel with a cocktail and a few snacks before an evening event. I knew I had come to the right place when I noticed the cocktail menu was equal to, if not greater than, the dining options. So first, those cocktails. The Rubber Ducky is a shaken cocktail made from a combination of a citra hop-infused New Amsterdam Gin, basil, grapefruit, lemon, with sparkling water. First sip, my eyes quickly narrowing, I found myself put off (turned on?) by the hoppy notes. Second sip, a bit of offense but also wonderment, “how did an IPA get in my cocktail?” From that point until my last sip, I was impressed by the equal parts confusion and compulsion on my palate. Well done. Also, there is an actual rubber ducky floating in your drink. Bonus points for cheekiness. Read More
The Stand Juice Company Opens 3rd Location in Westport Restaurant Juice Bar Juice Cleanse Westport healthy Jessica Ryan October 21, 2015 Vegetarians and vegans and clean eaters rejoice, The Stand Juice Company has opened its 3rd location and is now open in Westport. Carissa and Mike Hvizdo are passionate about what they do and passionate about the plant based juices, snacks, sandwiches and baked goods they serve at The Stand. Their commitment to “providing good food and a better earth using the land to do so,” has paved the way to their newest and 3rd location. Mike and Carissa met at a farmer’s market. They will tell you that their connection was profound - brought together by her passion for living life off the land and Mike’s first-hand experience with conquering a rare blood disease through natural healing methods, which ultimately led to him earning his holistic educator certification and his work with the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, FL. Read More
Breaking News: Fortina in Stamford Opening This Week Restaurant Italian Pizza Stamford Lunch Opening Lou Gorfain October 20, 2015 Grazie a Dio. The long wait (and drive to Westchester) is over. Fortina is ready to rock in Stamford’s Harbor Point. Luigi Bianco Pizza, welcome to Connecticut! Expecting to begin serving any day (as soon as they get their Certificate of Occupancy), partners John Nealon, Christian Petroni, and Rob Krauss invited CTBites to stop by for a sneak peek before the official opening. Actually that debut won’t be so formal. Nothing soft. No Friends and Family. Not even a ribbon cutting. Just a sigh of relief. “When we open the doors, we’re open,” Nealon told us. That’s because everything is set, the menu (almost identical to Armonk), the staff (many from Rye Brook and Armonk), the kitchen (the same wood fired ovens from Naples and charcoal grill from Spain) the playlist (specialized for Stamford’s millennials and empty nesters), and yes, hundreds of those familiar San Marzano cans just waiting to boost their pizza trays with a luscious Luigi Bianco. The whimsy is waiting. Read More
The Spread Team Opening El Segundo in South Norwalk Featuring Street Food From Around The Globe Restaurant Asian Norwalk SONO Seafood Mexican Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster October 15, 2015 After 3 successful years in South Norwalk, the team from The Spread has just announced that they have signed a lease in the SoNo Ironworks complex. In early 2016 an exciting new restaurant concept will be coming to CT diners. The name is El Segundo and the idea is simple. Spread owners Christpher Hickey, Christopher Rasile, Andrey Cortes, and Shawn Longyear alongside Chef Carlos Baez have created a menu that features street food from around the globe that everyone loves to eat: tacos, arepas, ceviche, Asian bao, light salads and a little comfort food thrown in for good measure. The setting is casual and fun, with a price point that will make diners in South Norwalk smile. And the bar? Let’s just say these guys know a thing or two about bartending. Directly across from Harlan Publick, El Segundo is poised to deliver a uniquely fun dining experience to Fairfield County. The restaurant features an open kitchen with bar seating, allowing diners to watch Chef Carlos as he re-creates dishes from his childhood, including his father’s recipe for Tacos Al Pastor. Large windows make this space light and airy and garage doors will open up to the Ironworks courtyard in the warmer months. Read More
Mill Street Bar & Table Opens in Greenwich: Celebrating The American Bounty Restaurant Byram Farm to Table Greenwich Local Farm Lou Gorfain October 11, 2015 The dream began in a sandbox…..where five year old Geoff Lazlo planted his first garden. Since then, he has tended, harvested, and cooked with the likes of Alice Waters at Chez Panisse, Michael Anthony at Gramercy Tavern, Dan Barber at Stone Barns, and Bill Taibe at The Whelk. “What a pedigree!” we said to Lazlo, now the Managing Partner and Executive Chef of the newly opened Mill Street Table and Bar in Greenwich. “Your takeaway?” "That a seasonal cook has to react like a top athlete," he told us. “Fresh ingredients are in constant motion. Early asparagus is very different than late asparagus, so you're always adjusting to a fast, ever changing game." Geoff's garden isn't Madison Square, but his own herb and vegetable plots at Greenwich Community Gardens, and, of course, Back 40 Farm. That’s the family acreage in Washington Depot run by his partners at Mill Street, Bill and Leslie King, who head up the organic-centric Back 40 Group. What Lazlo doesn't pick from there, he sources locally: whether it be oysters farmed off the Greenwich shore, milk, cream and butter churned at Arethusa Dairy Farm in Litchfield, even Byram River Rum, distilled down the road in Post Chester. Mill Street represents the fulfilment of Geoff’s dream to establish his own place, an “American Restaurant,” celebrating family, community and local bounty. Read More
