Cows Not Cars at the Creamery: Wells Hollow Farm Restaurant ice cream kids activity Kid Friendly Dessert Deanna Foster May 06, 2010 These days, going out for a cone often means visiting a scoop shop situated along a well-traveled roadway and eating your favorite flavor in a parking lot - think Carvel at 7 pm any summer evening. Small, mom and pop type ice cream stands are a rare and serendipitous find that usually require a lengthy drive into the country. But we’ve found an exception to this rule: Wells Hollow Farm in Shelton is a quick trip up Route 8 (to exit 12) and provides a surprisingly bucolic backdrop to your ice cream experience. A working farm since the late 1800’s, Wells Hollow Creamery is located in a large red barn shared with 6 cows (although I was corrected when I asked for verification: 4 cows and 2 calves) and a whole bunch of chickens and roosters – I didn’t ask how many. With 30 hard-packed flavors to choose from, Read More
CTbites Lunch Recap: Nicholas Roberts Restaurant CTbites Lunch Events Norwalk Stephanie Webster May 04, 2010 CTbites and SuzySaid readers met up once again to enjoy a decadent prix fixe menu...this time at Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro in Norwalk. The small size of this dining space, and Chef Troilo's presence in his open kitchen made this a particularly cozy event. Diners from various tables introduced themselves to one another, and new foodie friends were made. The sun was shining. We had bottomless homemade lemonade. All was good with the world. Chef Troilo created a beautiful $15 prix fixe menu, and with three diners at my table I was able to taste everything...just the way I like it. Read More
Coffee Cupping (Tasting) @ espressoNEAT Ingredients Coffee Darien Events Stephanie Webster May 04, 2010 Have you ever wondered why coffee houses bother with options at the brew bar? Do you think you could tell the difference between a $3 cup and a $6 cup if you tasted them side by side? Yes, much like wine, coffee has different varietals, single origin beans, as well as organic options. EspressoNEAT would like to invite you into their coffee obsessed world for an afternoon of sniffing, sipping, slurping, and spitting. (Nobody can handle all that caffeine at once.) They will be using a few handy tools to help keep track of what you're drinking and your discerning palate will never approach a cup of coffee in quite the same way. Read More
Taberna Food & Wine Bar: A Bridgeport Surprise Restaurant Bridgeport Italian Mediterranean Latin American Marcy Shinbaum May 02, 2010 A pleasant surprise is always welcome – especially on the third rainy day in a row at the end of April. That is why Taberna Food & Wine Bar, tucked away in a residential neighborhood on the Fairfield Bridgeport line, was such a good find. For a recent lunch date we entered through the upscale bar area into a bright, tasteful white-tablecloth dining room and immediately noticed we were the only diners. Never a good sign, my companion and I wondered out loud how they could possibly serve a decent lunch when only two diners make up the lunch rush. As the meal progressed two more tables filled, both business lunch types, but by then our initial reservations had abated, as we were deep into a delightful and delicious meal. Read More
Q&A, Book Signing: The Dressing Room's Michel Nischan Features Cookbooks Events Stephanie Webster May 01, 2010
A Taste Of Westport 2010 Restaurant Events Westport Stephanie Webster May 01, 2010 The 6th annual "Taste of Westport" is returning on Thursday May 6th for an evening of eating, drinking and fundraising. Money raised at this event will support CLASP Homes Inc., a great local not-for-profit organization serving people with developmental disabilities. Earthplace will be hosting this tasting extravaganza where guests will be able to sample an abundance of fare from restaurants like Brasitas, Cafe Lola, Rizzutos, and Da Pietro's (See the full list of restaurants and vendors below). Need a drink? They've got that covered too. Wine, beer, and signature cocktails are included in the admission price. As if that wasn't enough to get you in the door, there are also fabulous silent auction items including: tickets to the Daily Show, BMW adult and kids bikes, a plane ride around NYC, tickets and preview party for 20 @ The Westport Playhouse, a "boys night out" package, restaurant gift certificates, and much much more. Here are your ticket options: Read More
Chef Talk: Sono Baking Co's Tomato Tarts Features Bakery Chef Talk Cookbooks Recipe Stephanie Webster April 30, 2010 John Barricelli, owner and chef at Sono Baking Company, takes his tarts seriously. If you visit his storefront, you will see them perfectly crisped, savory, and seemingly impossible to make at home. A few months ago, we went "behind the scenes @ Sono Baking Co." and watched John cooking up these tasty morsels, and decided this was one recipe we had to have. Fortunately his new cookbook came out last month and now every home cook can enjoy these divine Tomato Tarts without having to drive to Norwalk. Read More
The Farmer's Cow: Ice Cream Naming Contest Winners Ingredients Events Dessert Stephanie Webster April 30, 2010 This past February, The Farmer's Cow, a group of 6 CT family dairy farms, decided to hold a contest to name 10 flavors in their new line of premium ice cream. We posted it here on CTbites, and we worked hard on our entries, but alas, no Webster family winner below. If you were wondering who did win a Summer of free ice cream, check out the names and the new flavors below. They sifted through over 3,000 names for the various ice cream flavors. The winning names and their creators are: • “Hay! Hay! Hay! Vanilla” - Tracy Shortell, Wallingford• “Cow Barn Chocolate” - Sebastian Tonewo, Franklin• “Farm Stand Cherry Vanilla” - Karen Provoncha, Storrs• “Summer Meadow Strawberry” - Kip Kolesinskas, Manchester Read More
Green Food Tips To Reduce Your Footprint Ingredients Features Education Going Green Organic Seafood healthy CTbites Team April 29, 2010 One of the easiest ways to make Earth Day every day is to green your kitchen. Here are some delicious and fun ways to reduce your family's "foodprint" while eating well. You can also view some of Analiese's tips on this Channel 8 news segment. 1. Buy locally grown food from a farmers' market and learn to cook with the seasons. Michel Nischan's (of The Dressing Room) latest cookbook is perfect for anyone looking for inspirational ways to cook with the seasons Read More
Green Gourmet To Go: Healthy Eats in Bridgeport Ingredients Features Local Farm Organic Special Dietary Needs Vegetarian healthy Farm Fresh Liz Rueven April 28, 2010 If you discover sweet potatoes and spinach in your fudge brownies at Green Gourmet to Go don't be surprised. OK, you can keep that a secret from your kids because the veggies are not detectable in these moist, chocolatey bites or in the Blondies with a sweet potato base. The chocolate (anti oxidants a plenty!) masks the veggies and you will be better off for having added a few more to your daily intake. My fave desserts were the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and the almond oaties. They tasted most like what I would expect (read: crave) from a cookie. Imagine eating your veggies in your dessert! I didn't mean to jump to the end first but I was so enthralled by the ingredients list that I did exactly that! Linda Soper-Kolton has been open in Black Rock for only 5 weeks but she is well on her way to establishing herself as a resource for healthy meals and nutrient dense foods. Read More
Bringing Back The Martini Ingredients Features Cocktails Recipe Amy Kundrat April 27, 2010 The gin martini deserves to be revered. Done well, it's a study in radical simplicity. Done poorly, and you’re better off using it as a cleaning solution. Each Monday I encourage you to celebrate the start of the week with a classic dry gin martini. A weekly ritual in our house, it should begin with good quality gin, a whisper of vermouth, combined with a shaker full of ice and finished with a twist of lemon served in a chilled glass. (If you'd rather not serve, but be served this classic cocktail, check out our "Martini Map" below.) An acquired taste for many, the juniper and botanical essence of gin over time will grow on you, especially when paired with an olive or olive juice (the dirty martini), perhaps a pickled onion (the gibson) and of course (my preferred pairing) the lemon twist Read More
Old School Burgers @ Their Best: Cherry Street East Restaurant New Canaan Comfort Food Kid Friendly Burgers Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger April 25, 2010 Photo Credit: Natasha Montero“Déjà vu all over again” – Yogi Berra In April 2006, Cherry Street East suffered the greatest catastrophe that can strike any business when it became engulfed in flames. A total loss; many loyal patrons stared at the charred remains of their local pub, their beloved hangout, and the place that since 1977 had served one of the best burgers in Fairfield County. Cherry Street East was a piece of the fiber of the New Canaan community and patrons were concerned that Cherry Street East would become a distant memory. In a true tribute to the owners John and Mary Bergin, the local residents formed an alliance with the owners to reconstruct an exact replica of the original building. The eclectic clientele returned and include local business people sharing an appetizer and burger for lunch, several regulars holding court, and families out for a burgers and fries dinner. With the building rebuilt to its former glory would the legendary burgers return? Read More
CTbites Lunch Event @ Nicholas Roberts Restaurant CTbites Lunch Events Lunch Stephanie Webster April 23, 2010 As promised, our next CTbites / Suzysaid lunch event has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 4th @ Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro. Many of us in the CTbites community have been long time fans of Rob Troilo's sublime cuisine, and now he will serve up a meal especially for our readers. You know it's going to be good. For anyone who has dined with Rob before, you know the space is small, so call now to make your reservations at (203) 229-0035. Check out the delicious $15 prix fixe menu below... Choice of entree: Seared Tuna Nicoise Style - with black olive tapenade, green beans, anchovies and a dijon vinaigrette Caesar Salad with Organic Chicken - brioche croutons and parmesan crisp Spring Vegetable Risotto with fresh favas, english peas, asparagus and mascarpone Read More
Great Entertaining: “Lulu Powers Food to Flowers" Features Catering Cookbooks Education Elizabeth Keyser April 22, 2010 Elizabeth Keyser recently had the chance to interview Lulu Powers, entertaining guru, and celebrity chef. Here is what she learned, along with a few of Lulu's amazing recipes. After writing a profile of Lulu Powers, Weston girl gone caterer-to-the stars, I met Lulu last week at a book party for “Lulu Powers Food to Flowers” at the Westport Women’s Club. Lulu lives in L.A., where she has cooked for Madonna, Will Smith and Jada Pinckett-Smith and Bill Clinton. Lulu’s philosophy is that entertaining should be fun, and it can be simple and fuss-free Read More
How To Make Grilled Pizza Features Ask Chef Nicole Chef Talk Pizza Recipe Video kids activity Recipe Kid Friendly Nicole Straight April 20, 2010 With warmer weather on its way, it's time to clean up that grill and bring on the 2010 grilling season. And really...doesn't everything taste just a little bit better on the grill? Even pizza.... If you've never made grilled pizza, you'll be amazed by how simple it is. Chef Nicole throws down some serious pie in her step-by-step video, and she's got tons of great tips. We've gone with Prosciutto, smoked Gouda, and arugula for our toppings, but feel free to dream up any accompaniment you wish. If you decide to make you own pizza dough vs. picking one up in the store, Chef Nicole has a great recipe for homemade dough. Happy cooking! Read More
Chef Leticia Brings Brazilian Cooking To Fairfield County Ingredients Features Brazilian Cooking Classes Education Deanna Foster April 19, 2010 You never know what to expect when you sign up for a cooking class. How much cooking will you do? Who will attend and what will they want from the class? How will the personality of the chef influence the experience? What if you could cut down on all those variables by gathering a group of friends with common food interests and visiting the home of a chef whose only motive is to ensure you have a good time and eat well? It would be a fabulous experience – wouldn’t it? Recently, eight CTBites contributors had just such a fabulous culinary experience with chef, teacher and cookbook author Leticia Moreinos Schwartz at one of her in-home Brazilian cooking classes. Read More
Beyond Breakfast @ Rosie in New Canaan Restaurant New Canaan Breakfast Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster April 18, 2010 By Saturday morning I can't bear the thought of cooking another breakfast for my children. These are the mornings I lean heavily on the culinary skills of my husband, or abandon the house to allow a paid cook handle the whims and desires of my family of five. Sure, there are many local diners around town, but I'm always on the lookout for something more…well, more unique. Rosie in New Canaan is just this type of place. Caterers Rosie and George Nammack are the brains and cooks behind "Rosie," offering eat-in, take-out, and catering services. Walking into their almost unmarked glass-store front on Elm Street, I am reminded of some of my favorite coffee houses in Seattle serving that perfect combination of well prepared comforting fare and plush pillows. Read More
Wkend Brunch: Pear & Candied Ginger Granola Muffins Features Ask Chef Nicole Chef Talk Recipe Breakfast Nicole Straight April 17, 2010 Muffins are alway a crowd pleaser in my family, so I'm always looking for interesting new recipes. Chef Nicole developed these Pear and Candied Ginger Granola Muffins during her days as a personal chef. The candied ginger gives these healthy fruit based muffins a little extra zing. You can buy candied ginger at any number of groceries (i.e. Trader Joe's) or make your own. David Lebovitz has a great recipe if you are feeling up for the challenge. Pear and Candied Ginger Granola Muffins Read More
Join Sugar & Olives for Supper Saturday Night! Restaurant Events Norwalk Organic Stephanie Webster April 16, 2010 Still looking for that perfect Saturday night reservation? I just got wind of this dining event. Check it out... JOIN SUGAR & OLIVES FOR SUPPER SATURDAY NIGHT! SATURDAY, APRIL 17th ••• Here's a small slice of the pie they'll be offering: Read More
