Free Local Ice Cream Tasting Ingredients Kids Bites Education Events Local Artisan Westport Dessert Stephanie Webster June 01, 2010 What could make these glorious almost Summer days even better? Did you say "Ice cream?" Yeah…that's what we thought too, so we teamed up with The Whole Foods Market and The Fairfield Green Food Guide for a... Free Local Ice Cream Tasting!! On June 18th, please join us @ The Whole Foods Market in Westport as we sample some excellent ice creams, gelatos and sorbet from 12:00pm-2:00pm in the cafe. This sweet & creamy get ready for Summer event will feature LOCAL ice cream, gelato and sorbet (so even those who can't do dairy can still enjoy). Stop by to sample how good these summer treats can taste and chat about the local significance in our community. We will be answering questions about sustainability and why buying local is best for you, your family and your community. All of the samples are made with all natural or organic ingredients. Bring your appetite and your kids! Check out the frozen dessert lineup: Read More
Jfood & Roadfood on 25 Yrs of Westfair Fish & Chips Restaurant Delicious Dives Seafood Westport Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly Multiple Eaters May 31, 2010 Photo Credit: Michael Stern, Roadfood.com Is there anything better than fried seafood by the beach on a warm Summer day? I think not. Neither do jfood of Chowhound.com and Michael Stern of Roadfood.com. These are two serious foodies who are more than happy to drive that extra mile to satisfy their fried seafood craving at Westfair Fish & Chips. I'll let them tell you why.... Read More
Chef Nicole: Buttermilk Brined Fried Chicken Features Ask Chef Nicole Chef Talk Holiday Recipe Kid Friendly Nicole Straight May 28, 2010 I don’t make fried chicken regularly, but when I do, I always use this recipe. It is a Memorial Day tradition in the Straight family, and it's all about the brine. I soak the chicken for a whole day in a buttermilk brine to give it plenty of time to soak up the tangy seasoned buttermilk. The extra liquid keeps the chicken juicy during cooking resulting in moist, flavorful delicious fried chicken. Note: When you are brining your chicken, make sure all of the pieces are completely immersed in the liquid. Happy Memorial Day!! Buttermilk Brined Fried Chicken Read More
What's Fresh @ The Westport Farmers Market Ingredients Features Ask Chef Nicole Farmers Market Recipe Farm Fresh Opening Stephanie Webster May 28, 2010 Chef Nicole and I have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the Westport Farmers Market all Winter, and finally the day had arrived. The weather held up, and under the new leadership of Market Director Lori Cochran, we were delighted to see some exciting new vendors in the mix. Chef Nicole made the rounds looking for ingredients for a Memorial Day market fresh lunch, and while gathering the goods we chatted with a few of the vendors who made this menu possible. Check out the video to hear about a new sustainable coffee roaster, buying your milk straight from the cow, backyard chickens, and a great reason to clean out your pantry every Thursday. Here are Chef Nicole's recipes from the market: Read More
Stamford Museum's Flights of Fancy Wine Tasting Restaurant Events Stamford Stephanie Webster May 27, 2010 Photos top from left: Sweet On You, Susan Kane Catering, TAWA; middle: TAWA, Frank & Julio, Susan Kane Catering; bottom: Frank & Julio, Susan Kane Catering, Sweet On YouOn Friday June 4th, Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s will hold their 13th Annual Flights of Fancy Wine Tasting to raise money for their wonderful community resource. The event will feature an evening of fine wines, exquisite food from 11 different local caterers, and a combination of tremendous live and silent auction item. Former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy will host the evening’s live auction. The 13th annual wine tasting will be held in the Museum’s Bendel Mansion. Check out the fabulous array of participating local caterers and fine restaurants. These include: A Dash of Salt of Norwalk, Butterfield 8, David’s Soundview Catering, Frank & Julio Complete Event Planning, and Fratelli Market of Stamford, Illy Coffee, Michael Joseph’s Fine Foods of Darien, and Napa & Co. of Stamford, Rosie of New Canaan, Shelly’s On The River, Susan Kane Catering, Sweet on You, and Tawa Indian Cuisine, all of Stamford. Read More
A Moveable Feast: Skinny Pines Brick Oven Pizza Truck Features Catering Local Artisan Pizza kids activity kids cooking party Liz Rueven May 26, 2010 The green Dodge pick-up truck slowly backed into my narrow, curved driveway with the 6 x 13 foot trailer leading. A dome shaped, brick pizza oven was mounted on the open trailer by some ingenious contraption that prevents it from being jostled and toppling off in a crumbled mess of mortar. Jeff Borofsky, chef/owner of SKINNY PINES, a portable wood fired oven catering company, was bringing the party to my home. A group of lucky CTbites contributors and other Fairfield County food producers were due to arrive in 90 minutes. I was beginning to wonder if the party would be ready for these friends with their discerning palates and voracious appetites. Read More
Westport Farmers Market: Guest Chef Lineup Ingredients Farmers Market Organic Farm Fresh Opening Stephanie Webster May 25, 2010 You've waited all Winter. You've been patient. You've eaten produce flown in from countries far away, and had daydreams involving fresh blueberries. But now, your wait is over. It's time to rejoice with fresh local farm fare. The Farmers Markets are back in session! Throughout the season, we will bring you coverage from Farmers Markets around Fairfield County, but we wanted to make you aware of an exciting culinary opportunity that can only be found at The Westport Farmers Market this Summer. Under the new leadership of "market master" Lori Cochran Dougall, this year's great roundup of 30 farms and vendors will be accompanied by a weekly "Guest Chef," and wait till you see the lineup. Mark your calendars people. I don't know about you, but some of my favorite chefs in Fairfield County are on this list. Don't miss your chance to meet and greet the people who make your mouth water. The Westport Farmers Market will be held every Thursday from 10-2 at the Imperial Avenue Parking Lot adjacent to the Women’s Club through mid November. For more information about opening dates and vendors at the Farmers Markets near you, check out The Fairfield Green Food Guide. Read on for the complete Guest Chef Program Schedule: Read More
In Search of "Chinese Mirch:" Good Chinese in FC Restaurant Asian Chinese Stamford Indian Kid Friendly Sarah Green May 23, 2010 "Chinese Mirch"? You mean the month before Chinese April? Oh, you mean Mirch as in "merchant?" Not that either, eh? Maybe as in, "not mirch, what's new with you?" - close but no cigar, I guess. But it turns out that there's quite a bit that's new with this trendy Chinese/Indian hybrid currently in full swing on Stamford's bustling Atlantic Street. "Chinese Mirch," founded by third generation restaurateur Vik Lulla, is a labor of love for Mr Lulla and his wife Sienam. The couple opened the first "Chinese Mirch" in NYC in 2003 to great critical acclaim. Now, the couple owns two "Chinese Mirch" restaurants in Manhattan, this new Stamford location with another opening in Farmington this Summer, and one in Cambridge, MA coming soon. But what's this Mirch business all about? As someone who HATES not knowing the true meaning of things, I just HAD to find out. Read More
Daily Fare: Down To Earth Gourmet To-Go Features Restaurant Bethel Catering Coffee Breakfast Amy Kundrat May 20, 2010 Being greeted with a cup of locally roasted coffee and the promise of a healthy prepared meal each day may be the only foolproof way to overcome the indignity that is a Metro North train commute. Located inside the Bethel train station, Daily Fare offers a nourishing and caffeinated segue into the freneticism of a work day and the welcome flexibility of a healthy prepared take-home meal for lunch or dinner. This coffee shop-meets-gourmet-to-go is not just for commuters. For many of us faced with the daily demands and dwindling hours of busy schedules, Daily Fare affords us hungry and time-crunched souls the luxury of well balanced meals instead of shopping, cooking and preparing a meal. For many of us who like to cook, it can be a much-needed respite. For others who can't cook or don't want to, it's like having your own personal chef without having to foot the bill. Read More
Whole Foods Market Opens in Darien Ingredients Organic Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market Farm Fresh Opening CTbites Team May 20, 2010 On Monday night, I joined the 1,900 person throng that descended on the new Whole Foods store in Darien for a "Sneak Peak Party." My two boys and I were treated to dozens of tastings, all from local vendors, that spanned the perimeter of the store, from appetizers to desserts. First up was raw oysters, handed over by Captain Northrop, a local aquaculture farmer who informed us that the shellfish were pulled from the water in Westport just an hour-and-a-half ago. They were large, fresh and worthy of any reputable raw bar. Other raw offerings at the store include clams and other oysters, plus tuna, salmon, eel and shrimp sashimi. We sampled sashimi tuna steak, served Tataki syle with Whole Food's wasabi aioli Read More
Taqueria La Michoacana: Bridgeport's Top Taco? Restaurant Bridgeport Delicious Dives Mexican Lunch Kid Friendly Marcy Shinbaum May 19, 2010 Cinco de Mayo found my girls and I hankering for some Mexicano authenico. While we couldn’t afford a flight south for the day, Taqueria La Michoacana was absolutamente the next best thing to being there. Tucked away between a package store and a used car lot on Main Street in Bridgeport, Taqueria La Michoacana touts itself as “The Only 100% Mexican Taqueria.” We walk into the spotless, 30-seat storefront and are immediately greeted by the sweet smell of garlic and the owner, Sergio. While he refers to his wife, Rosa, in the kitchen, we don’t get to meet her until we insist on complimenting the chef on our way out. Roles are clearly defined here, Sergio is front of the house, Rosa is the chef. Read More
Chef Talk: Tuna Marinato From Morello Bistro Features Chef Talk Greenwich Seafood Recipe Stephanie Webster May 18, 2010 Photo Credit: Thomas McGovernThe beautiful dish comes from the Marches region of Italy and is typically prepared with salt cod. Executive Chef Townsend Wentz of Morello Bistro in Greenwich uses tuna, which has a richness and fattyness that is cut by the spicy tomato. The tuna itself is marinated in rosemary and orange zest, which is mirrored in the rest of the dish. If you are wondering where to purchase your sushi grade tuna, check out our Sushi Party Primer. If you have a favorite local seafood resource, share it with the group and post a comment below.Tuna Marinato Read More
GreenChic: Shrimp in Spicy Garlic Adobo Sauce Features Seafood healthy Recipe Jennifer Spaide May 14, 2010 I like to periodically check out the local blogs to see what culinary feats the Fairfield County home cooks are coming up with. One of my favorite places to browse for healthy recipes with seasonal ingredients is Jennifer Spaide's GreenChicLife.com. As a nutritionist, Jennifer uses her vast knowledge to create recipes that are both flavorful and packed with nutrient dense ingredients. Here's what Jennifer has to say about why you should make this dish in your home (other than it just looks great): Shrimp are a healthy addition to any diet. Aside from being an excellent source of low-calorie, low-fat protein, shrimp boast a high concentration of many important nutrients including selenium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against cancer and other degenerative diseases. Vitamin B12 is a key factor in cardiovascular health. And the omega faty acids are anti-inflammatory as well as heart protective. Enjoy her beautiful recipe for Shrimp in Spicy Garlic Adobo Sauce. Read More
A Tale of Two Roasters: Buying Beans in FC Ingredients Coffee Breakfast Amy Kundrat May 12, 2010 Coffee is ritualistic on many levels and if you worship it like many do, chances are you belong to one of its tribes. There are those who home brew, and those who prefer their local barrista. There are the "fast food drinkers" who worship daily at the counters of Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, and those who will not deign to cross their "millions of customers served and counting" threshholds. This brings me to the "I only drink espresso and its gotta come from a very expensive machine" drinkers and their crunchy cousins who have been carefully polishing their chemex carafe for decades. Embracing simplicity in preparation and materials, the French press method has enjoyed a strong revival as many of us attempt to simplify and take back the brewing process to our own hands. Translate this method commercially and you have businesses like west coast favorite Philz and in our own backyard espressoNEAT who have elevated coffee to an art, brewing each cup, one by perfectly crafted cup, at a time. Read More
What's Cooking in Bridgeport: May 17-23rd Restaurant Events Stephanie Webster May 11, 2010 Bridgeport is holding their first annual "What's Cooking in Bridgeport" week from May 17 to May 23, a week long event showcasing the unique range of dining and entertainment options across the Park City. Throughout the week, 35 restaurants and 6 entertainment venues will be offering special promotions, providing a great opportunity for people across the region to enjoy food and fun in Connecticut’s largest city. From 2-for-1 prices to free appetizers, drinks and desserts, What’s Cooking in Bridgeport has a little something for everyone. Here is the list of participating restaurants (but new venues are being added every day!): Read More
Cindi Bigelow on "How to Decaf Your Tea Naturally" Ingredients Education Fairfield Recipe Tea And Coffee Stephanie Webster May 10, 2010
The Olive Market: Georgetown's Eclectic Treasure Restaurant Italian Pizza Redding Specialty Market Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Latin American CTbites Team May 09, 2010 Upon entering The Olive Market in Redding, you can’t help but be surprised by the unique setting. Envision Pottery Barn mixed in with a little Williams Sonoma, add a dash of Murray’s Cheese Shop…well, you get the picture. The Olive Market's menu, under Chef Fernando, displays a similarly intriguing fusion of foods with influences from Uruguay, Portugal, Italy, and Spain. Here you will find everything from empanadas, tapas and fondue, to paninis and pizzas. They also sell cheeses and olives by the pound and have a very browse-worthy home goods store attached to the café. The store stays open until the restaurant closes so there’s plenty of time to check out the goods while waiting for your food to arrive. Dining tables are nestled amongst shelves lined with a beautiful array of gourmet food items like olive oils, flavored salts, fondue pots, and cooking tools. I even found O & Co. White Truffle Oil which I thought I could only purchase in Grand Central. Terrazzo tiles, dark blue ceilings and vibrantly colored paintings add to the eclectic, warm atmosphere. Read More
CTbites Wins "First Prize" From CT Press Club Restaurant Events Norwalk Stephanie Webster May 07, 2010 CTbites wins 1st Prize for Best Blog in CT & Best Online Photography from the CT Press Club. Kudos for us! Last night Quattro Pazzi offered an idyllic backdrop to the annual CT Press Club Award ceremony. Anyone who is anyone in the publishing industry seemed to be in attendance including a few CTbites contributors who were graced with accolades alongside the Pulitzer winning playwright Donald Margulies. Elizabeth Keyser (seen above with "Flaxette" bread baker Michael Mordechi) walked away with several first place awards for both food and feature writing. Christy Colasurdo also won top marks for a recent feature article in Westport Magazine. We are honored to have both of these talented writers on our CTbites masthead. Several guests gave curious glances as I began to photograph the meal, but then murmured signs of recognition when I walked up to accept the 1st Prize award in the category "Blog." (Just another one of those crazy people who takes pictures of everything she eats.) Read More
Thai Coconut Curry w/ Chicken, Shrimp & Veggies Features Asian Ask Chef Nicole Chef Talk Recipe Nicole Straight May 07, 2010 I don't know about you, but I'm often daunted by Asian food prep as the list of ingredients always seems to require multiple pages. I'll admit it...this scares me. My lack of fortitude is unfortunate as Asian flavors rank high on my list of preferred meals. When it comes to a food conundrum of this magnitude, I always rely on Chef Nicole of Time to Eat! to streamline the situation. I told her I wanted a simple weeknight dish with Asian flavors that would not require a trip to the specialty market in Norwalk (not that I don't relish walking those aisles). She came up with this great Thai Coconut Curry with Chicken, Shrimp and Vegetables. Vegetarian? No problem. Simply omit the chicken and shrimp and use diced extra firm tofu. Thai Coconut Curry with Chicken, Shrimp and Vegetables Read More
