BONDA Takes Dinner Outside: En Plein Air Recap Restaurant ellen bowen July 23, 2013 “En Plein Air” is a French expression which means "in the open air"…and on July 10th and 11th, BONDA Chef/Owner Jamie Cooper braved the threat of thunderstorms and hosted two dinners at the Greenfield Hill Grange #133 in Fairfield, one of only five Granges left in Fairfield County. The evenings, both sold out events, featured not only Jamie’s signature style of preparing unique dishes using local ingredients and creative seasonings and pairings, but also the 120-year-old Greenfield Hill Grange, a historic nod to the days when local farmers met to trade or sell their produce and livestock. The Grange, or officially, The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is a fraternal organization in the United States which encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well being of the community and agriculture, was truly the “original” Farmers Market! Read More
Walrus and Carpenter Opens in Bridgeport w/ Killer BBQ & Elegant Sides Restaurant BBQ Bridgeport Beer Comfort Food Kid Friendly Dessert Sarah Green July 21, 2013 Certainly, the food scene in Bridgeport is getting "curiouser and curiouser." And that's a very good thing. No need for a trip down the rabbit hole, however, to experience the marvelous and weirdly wonderful creations at the new Walrus and Carpenter at 2895 Fairfield Ave. The concept (brain child of proprietor Joe Farrell) is this - a slow cook BBQ house that offers haute cuisine sides and a first class beer menu where everything (except for the tequila and the pit master) is made in America. Usually, American BBQ restaurants offer excellent meats but boring, less than note-worthy accompaniments. Here, the offerings are mostly Texas style -where the meat is slow cooked and fall-off-the-bone tender -and the main courses are paired with elegant slaws, exquisite collards and house made pickle platters. Food is plated, not just put on the plate, and that adds to the special experience. And to elevate your dining further, a fabulous selection of Craft beers by the glass or by the growler. (Some choices include Green Flash Imperial IPA and Brooklyn Brewery Sorachi Ace.) The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Paul DiMaria formerly of Community Table in Washington, CT and the food is first class yet at the same time finger-licking delicious. Simply put - it works. Read More
Update: The Mission to Save King’s Kitchen In Southport Restaurant Gina Cunsolo July 19, 2013 Independence Day – the one day a year when this nation of immigrants pays homage to our founding fathers by flocking to beaches; burger and beer in hand. Unfortunately, the three King brothers, owners of King’s Kitchen - known for serving Southport sustainable beachside fare - spent this July 4th battling to save their business. Last summer, King’s Kitchen made their debut on the Southport shore, serving locally grown and sourced beach food. The menu features about five items and changes daily – items ranging from lobster rolls and quesadilla with a fennel and caper Russian remoulade, to ox hollow grass-fed burgers and short rib tacos. The brothers also offer an assortment of chips, and a variety of organic juices, including refreshing watermelon lemonade. Signs reading “Save the Shack!” cover the cabin that once served as King’s Kitchen headquarters for all food preparation, cooking, and serving. This blue-gray building, located at 1505 Pequot Avenue in Fairfield, was built in 1946. It is both a “historic landmark” and “childhood memory”, according to Hunter King, one of the King’s brothers and partners. Read More
The Best Ice Cream Shoppes in CT: The Full Scoop Restaurant ice cream Kid Friendly Dessert Lou Gorfain July 18, 2013 In our recent roundup of supermarket ice cream, we found ourselves invoking adjectives like "Sinful," "Addictive," "Decadent.." etc. ... as if confessing to indulging in craven pleasures by the pint-full. But then, who gives a lick? Especially when an Ice Cream Shoppe offers even greater temptations than any Stop and Shop. Simply put, the ice cream hand churned on site is usually fresher, creamier, denser, richer and, yes, far more seductive than its commercial cousins. In addition, these family owned shops serve a wider spectrum of original flavors, most sourced locally, than you’ll find on the freezer aisle. Plus, is there any place in Connecticut more kid friendly than a scoop shop -- especially for the child inside you? So, for you and your family’s summer pleasures, be they guilty or innocent, CTBites has chosen the best local ice cream emporia. We bring you The Best Ice Cream Shoppes in CT. Read More
The NEW Redding Roadhouse in Redding: Where Wirt Cooks Restaurant Chef Talk Redding Comfort Food Kid Friendly Elizabeth Keyser July 14, 2013 Wirt Cook isn’t interested in stardom. Sure, he was Alex Guarnaschelli’s sous-chef on this season’s Iron Chef America, but he did that just to help his former boss. What Cook loves to do is cook in the kitchen at the Redding Roadhouse. He and his wife Karen, sister Colleen and her husband Ted Stonebly had just bought the Roadhouse last July when Guarnaschelli reached the last round of the Next Iron Chef competition. She chose two sous chefs for the final battle. Cook was joined by Ashley Merriman, who also had cheffed at Guarnaschelli’s restaurants Butter and The Darby in New York City. Cook says the team was shocked when they won. In the stress of creating more than five courses, each using the secret ingredient, within the one-hour limit, they’d made mistakes. They thought they hadn’t had such a great day. But Guarnaschelli won. She was the Next Iron Chef. And Cook suddenly had an extra job he didn’t have time for. Read More
POST 154 Opening in Westport’s Historical Post Office Building Restaurant Opening CTbites Team July 12, 2013 If you've been peering through the windows of the immense space that used to house Westport’s Historical Post Office, wondering what the new POST 154 Restaurant would hold, we've got some info for you. Mind you, this intel comes straight from the press peeps, so stay tuned for additional coverage from our CTbites team, but this will give you an idea of what's to come. “Best Chef of America” Honoree, Chef Alex Rosado prepares to open his Restaurant and Bar in Westport’s Historical Post Office building This is POST 154, a restaurant, bar and gathering place with a fresh outlook on our modern day food culture. The space is grand, the Chef is fearless, and the concept is a simple one; Exceptional food and drink with a setting to match. It begins with 154 Post Road, Westport’s historical post office building which was built circa 1935 by the New Deal, an economic program enacted in the United States in the 1930’s in response to the great depression. It was designed by Lansing Holden, a decorated World War I US Air Force hero. Read More
Summer School @ 109 Cheese & Wine in Ridgefield Ingredients Restaurant Cheese Cooking Classes Education Wine Chat Wine Tasting CTbites Team July 11, 2013 Ridgefield's best source for artisinal cheese and wine, 109 Cheese & Wine has recently expanded its footprint and education offerings. The shop, located at Ridgefield's Marketplace, has posted an impressive and fun line-up of events throughout the summer. Classes include: Red Bee Honey Pairing, Home Brewing and a Bar B Cue, The Champagne Diet, East Coast Craft Brews and Artisan Cheese & A BBQ Throw Down Wine vs. Beer. See complete listings below. Advance reservations are recommended as class size is limited, call 203-438-5757. Read More
Guide To Cooking Classes in Connecticut Ingredients Kids Bites Restaurant Cooking Classes Education kids cooking party April Guilbault July 09, 2013 Give a man a fish and he eats for one day, but TEACH him to how to bone, saute and dress up that fish, well, that’s another story. The school year has come to a close for our under-21s but we know that you hunger (pun totally intended) to learn something new...in the kitchen. Cooking classes abound in our area; some will teach you how to make the perfect french macaron (not to be confused with the American macaroon with two “o’s”), cooling summer soups or regional delights that transport you without standing in pesky security lines. Don your best apron, raise a spatula and proclaim this the summer that you learn some rockin’ cooking skills and new recipes! Summer school has never looked so good. Here is CTbites' Guide To Cooking Classes For Adults & Kids for 2013... Read More
Rive Bistro Opens in Westport: A Bistro with a View Restaurant French Westport Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger July 07, 2013 Rive Bistro, a restaurant serving French fare with a beautiful view opened recently along the banks of the Saugatuck River in Westport. As you approach the restaurant you are greeted by an awning-covered deck that seats 40-50 guests with full southern exposure. The interior features a cozy, glass enclosed dining area with a 180-degree view of the river as well as a fireplace for a romantic evening when the weather turns cold. Chef /Owner Eric Sierra brings years of experience to Rive Bistro. Many will remember that he was the chef at Westport’s Bistro des Amis before he relocated to Il Palio in Shelton. I recently attended a dinner at Rive Bistro where Chef Sierra’s presented an array of flavors from every section of the menu. Read More
2013 Guest Chef Lineup @ The Westport Farmers' Market Ingredients Restaurant Farm to Table Farmers Market CTbites Team July 04, 2013 Tired of always being in the "front of the house" when you really want to be back in the kitchen watching your favorite chef work? Well here is your chance to see some talented local chefs in action, and you even get fed at the end of the show. The Westport Farmers' Market has a great lineup of Guest Chefs this Summer and all you need to do is drive up with an empty stomach (and a shopping bag if you want to go home with some gorgeous local ingredients). Chef Arik Bensimon of Lefarm is up next on July 11th, but see the complete list below: Read More
Bailey's Backyard: Farm to Table in Ridgefield Restaurant Farm to Table Ridgefield Opening Amy Kundrat June 30, 2013 Bailey’s Backyard Cuisine: New American, Farm-to-table Price: Snacks & Sides $4 to $6 | Greens $10 to $17 | Mains $15 - $29 Our Highlights: Bibb Salad, Pan seared halibut with shitake mushroom arancini, micro basil and black truffle; egg papardelle with roasted lamb ragout Online: Official Website | Facebook A thirteen year veteran of the Ridgefield dining scene, Bailey's Backyard owner Sal Bagliavio recently re-opened the beloved restaurant with a farm-to-table mission, a completely renovated space and a new and talented team in the kitchen led by Executive Chef Forrest Pasternack. Why the shift? "It was time for a change," said Sal Bagliavio. "Anyone can go out to eat, anywhere these days, I want to offer our guest a true dining experience based on organic, local ingredients." The spring menu at the soft opening gave a promising peek at the seasonal creativity to come. Snacks and sides top the menu, offering a variety of small plates such as mable bacon pecans, local grits and roasted brussel sprouts. “Greens” and “Starts” are the showcase for local produce, such as the Connecticut Kale salad and a Bibb Salad. The latter was the highlight of my meal, a medley of textures, temperatures and flavors. Bibb lettuce, local blue cheese, bacon lardon, and parsley are the foundation for a crispy poached egg, an elegant take of a Scotch egg that is poached to perfection. Read More
Pinocchio Pizza Sponsors "A Slice for the Cure" Restaurant Fundraiser CTbites Team June 30, 2013 CTbites wants to offer a major shout out and note of appreciation to Bruno DiFabio, co-owner of 10 widely lauded pizzerias around the country including Wilton’s Pinocchio, ReNapoli in Old Greenwich and San Francisco’s esteemed Tony’s Napoletana, for launching “A Slice for the Cure” at Pinocchio Pizza in Wilton. On Tuesday, June 25th, DiFabio and Pinocchio Pizza sponsored the event from noon to 10PM, in which 100% of sales was donated to the American Cancer Society to benefit cancer research. The six-time World Pizza Champion debuted his award-winning Pulled Pork Pizza created with roasted pork, mozzarella, onion, bacon and barbecue sauce. CTbites attended the event and discussed DiFabio’s passion for pizza, the various types of crusts and toppings and his general vision for his continuing commitment to Fairfield County. Of course, this conversation occurred as we enjoyed a few slices of the Pulled Pork Pizza. Read More
SONO Maritime Cruise and Cuisine Fridays via The Hour Restaurant Events Norwalk SONO CTbites Team June 27, 2013 This article was originally published in The Hour. We wanted to share the good news... For the second consecutive summer, the Norwalk Seaport Association has rolled out its popular Maritime Cruise and Cuisine Fridays. With the components of a relaxing summer vacation, the mini-getaway is designed to showcase the beauty of the scenery in Norwalk's backyard. The Maritime Cruise and Cuisine Friday, which runs from June 28 through August 30, includes a Norwalk Harbor sunset cruise with the Norwalk Seaport Association leaving from Sheffield Island Dock. Guests then walk one block to Mama's Boy Restaurant, for a three-course meal. "The cruise was very popular last year. It's very relaxing," said Norwalk Seaport Association president Irene Dixon. "What could be better than sitting on a boat, enjoying the scenery, and inhaling the beautiful ocean air after a long work week?" Read the full article at The Hour Read More
#Streating On9 in New Haven on July 5 Restaurant New Haven Amy Kundrat June 27, 2013 Our Empty Space and On9 New Haven are teaming up once again for an evening in the streets. This pop up dining collaboration between Our Empty Space, a company that targets vacant Connecticut storefronts with pop up experiences, and New Haven's historic Historic 9th Square neighborhood, will take place on July 5 for up to 125 guests along a single table on Orange Street. Still not convinced? Check out this time lapse video from their last #streating event. Read More
The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s (sponsored post) Restaurant Catering Darien Events Seafood Steakhouse Lunch CTbites Team June 26, 2013 The restaurant of The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s is a gem hidden at the fringes of Darien, Connecticut. The restaurant marries the subtleties of Italian cuisine with the boldness of an American Steakhouse to create a dining experience unique in its balance and complexity. Each menu selection is made from the freshest of ingredients and designed to tantalize the palette. A core tenant of The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s is to serve only the best food and the best food starts with the best ingredients. Vegetable dishes, such as the restaurant’s stuffed zucchini flowers, are made from homegrown and hand picked vegetables to ensure maximum freshness. Seafood is purchased live whenever possible and, in the case of the restaurant’s blue point oysters, sourced locally and brought to the restaurant directly from the Tallmadge Brother’s boat in Norwalk. Beef, which the Restaurant’s staff butchers and ages in house to produce the best possible flavor and texture, is always prime Certified Angus Beef. This commitment to quality ingredients extends not just to the restaurant’s dining customers but also to the weddings and other events The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s hosts and caters. Read More
Mama's Boy Southern Table & Refuge: Southern in SONO Restaurant Brunch Norwalk SONO Southern Lunch Kid Friendly Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger June 23, 2013 Visit Mama’s Boy Southern Table and Refuge in SONO and experience some good old-fashioned southern hospitality and cuisine. The newest addition to SONO offers a Georgian-Carolina cuisine with the flavors and ingredients not seen on other Fairfield County menus; not spicy Cajun or Creole but grits, okra, shrimp, catfish, with a little fried chicken thrown in. Fairfield County native and owner Greer Fredericks, and her business partner Ami Dorel, bring a southern feel to the décor, and flavors to the menu, from Greer’s years in the South. Overseeing the kitchen is Chef Scott Ostrander who recently relocated from Jacksonville, Florida. His previous restaurant, ‘Town, won the Robert W. Tolf Award for Best New Restaurant from Florida Trend magazine and voted one of Jacksonville Magazine’s Northeast Florida’s Top 25 restaurants. After graduating from the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, Ostrander worked in restaurants from DC to Florida and brings authentic southern cuisine to the Mama’s Boy menu. Ostrander is currently sourcing many of his ingredients from South Carolina while simultaneously building a stable of local farms, vendors and merchants. Read More
Meatball & Co. Opens in Darien Restaurant Darien Italian Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly CTbites Team June 21, 2013 Meatball & Co., in Darien, was in “soft opening” mode last week in anticipation of next week's "official" opening and CTbites stopped by to taste a few of their meatballs. The main entrance is in the rear of the building and I decided to sit on their patio and enjoy the beautiful weather. The menu is separated into numerous sections so please listen carefully as the server explains the various options. I chose an assortment of sliders including a Beef with Cheesy Goodness, a Spicy Pork with Pesto and the special of the day, a Buffalo Chicken Slider. Each was served on a delicious and sweet brioche bun from Kneaded Bread in Port Chester. Chef / Owner Joe Criscuolo showed a deft hand in both the texture and the flavors. Read More
Mecha Noodle Bar Opens in Fairfield: An Interview w/ Tony Pham Restaurant Asian Fairfield Japanese Vietnamese Norwalk SONO Nancy Kleeger June 20, 2013 Ramen noodles are having "their moment," and restaurateur Tony Pham, owner of Pho Vietnam in Danbury has just opened a new venture in Fairfield that will have fans of Asian food slurping without pause. Welcome to MECHA. Pham, a Vietnamese American who opened Pho Vietnam at the tender age of 21, again uses his raw talent drawing from his years of experience traveling around the world and working in numerous kitchens. His newest baby, Mecha, located on Post Road in Fairfield is a hip, cozy joint that serves up Ramen as well as Asian street food. Consulting with a master Ramen chef, Tony Pham is placing all bets on this age old Japanese noodle..and we hear Pho is on the way. For a new restaurant aiming directly at the college crowd around Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, it's a perfect match. Read our interview with Tony Pham below to find out more about Tony's family, the history of Ramen, the meaning of "MECHA," and what inspires Tony Pham. Read More
A New Chef @ Terrain's Garden Cafe in Westport Restaurant Farm to Table Local Artisan Westport Christy Colasurdo June 16, 2013 A recent event at Terrain brought together farmers, foodies and local food purveyors to kick off the spring season and to introduce the Garden Café’s new Executive Chef, Jared Frazer, to the Westport dining scene. The introduction of the new chef is good news to fans of Terrain who previously gave mixed reviews to Garden Café’s food. After a few lunches and the recent spring dinner party, it’s clear that Chef Frazer has a firm grip on the farm-to-table concept, recently completing a stint as Sous Chef at Terrain’s Glen Mills flagship café. He brings over 13 years of culinary experience including Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine at Supper in Philadelphia and Perry’s in Washington, DC. He also worked with world renowned Chefs Jose Andres and Michel Richard in several top restaurants throughout Washington, DC, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Read More
10 Questions for Chef Geoff Lazlo of The Whelk in Westport Interview Restaurant Chef Talk Stephanie Webster June 12, 2013 On any given day, Chef Geoff Lazlo can be found in his vegetable garden, with his young family, or in the kitchen at The Whelk in Westport. After years of working at renown restaurants such as Blue Hill Stone Barns, Chez Panisse, and most recently Gramercy Tavern, Geoff came back to CT where he was born, to join team Bill Taibe. “I made an effort to work at the very best restaurants while I was in New York City,” says Lazlo, “but I was never really an urban person. When I was 5 years old I turned my sandbox into a garden.” As passionate locavores who care deeply about the integrity of each and every ingredient, Taibe and Lazlo would agree that this has been a perfect match. After a few months at Le Farm which Geoff says “was a great opportunity to be in a small chef driven kitchen after Gramercy Tavern," Geoff took over the helm at The Whelk (recently voted Best Seafood Restaurant in Fairfield County). When asked about The Whelk, Geoff said, “I’m a really academic guy and I like the challenge of approaching seafood with multiple cooking methods.” “Bill and I have a similar spirit, but we come at food from two different angles. I cook clean and light, and Bill encourages me to add that last ingredient that pushes it further.” Read More
