The Webster Treat Truck Delivers Free Ice Cream...Again! Events Stephanie Webster September 21, 2010 To celebrate their 75th anniversary, Webster Bank will be delivering FREE ICE CREAM to the hungry masses. Grab your kids on October 8th or 9th (or both!) and head to one of the convenient locations below. The Treat Truck is coming your way. DAY 1: October 8th at the Webster Bank Open House event Read More
MASAS: Norwalk's New Arepera Restaurant Delicious Dives Norwalk Venezuelan Comfort Food Lunch Latin American Margie Treisman September 19, 2010 I’m told “Masas” means dough in Spanish. For very little “dough” you can consume A LOT of dough at Masas Arepera, a new, family-run spot in a tiny strip mall on Westport Ave in Norwalk. (Bring some dough, though, because it’s cash only.) Place your order at the counter. Menu items are listed on the wall and for those of us who don’t speak Spanish there is a yellow take-out menu with helpful English descriptions. (The Venezuelan family and staff are friendly but not much English is spoken.) Note also that all items may not be available at all times. (One member of our group had been told on an earlier visit that chicken wasn’t available that day.) So be prepared to go with the flow. We’re very glad we did. Read More
Help Support The Westport Farmers Market Ingredients Events Farmers Market Stephanie Webster September 19, 2010 The Westport Farmers Market will be hosting the first ever market fundraiser on September 23 during market hours. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm bring a friend and enjoy lunch from our guest chefs Bill Taibe (leFarm), Nancy Roper (Boxcar Cantina) and Jeff Northrop (Westport Aquaculture) - who are teaming up for this special occasion. Everyone's favorite vendors will be on hand with tons of fall samples and specials. Come ready to eat, relax, win some prizes and help support your favorite market. Silent auction and raffle prizes have been generously donated by Sal Gilbertie, Kaia Yoga, Fort Hill Farm, Boxed Goodes, Westport Playhouse, Westport Art Center, Sherri Brooks Vinton, Sugar & Olives, The Dressing Room and many more. Raffle tickets are only $5. The auction items will be displayed at the Westport Farmers Market booth - look for red tablecloths with white polka dots. This event is to raise money for the Westport Farmers Market, a not for profit organization run solely on donations. They are working hard to raise the money to ensure their return for the 2011 season and beyond. Read More
Reheated: This Week's Top Food News [weekend edition] Road Trip Cookbooks Events News Amy Kundrat September 17, 2010 Reheated is a twice-weekly round-up of bite-sized food news in Connecticut and beyond. In Connecticut... Taste! Organic CT is this weekend in Manchester. Info www.CTbites.com/TasteOrganic Celebrate the local garlic harvest this weekend in Mystic. Info OldeMistickVillage.com. In nearby Stonington, you can also check out the Harvest Food & Wine Festival at Stonington Vineyards. Info StoningtonVineyards.com. A Family Garden Tour at Ambler Farm this Saturday. Info AmblerFarm.org. Bier, lederhosen and mountains of brats (the meat, not the kids). Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Old Heidelberg this weekend. Info RestaurantHeidelberg.com. The first annual Hamden Restaurant Week starts on the 20th. Info HamdenRestaurantWeek.com Read More
Day-Tripping The Fairfield County, CT Wine Trail Ingredients Wine Chat JoAnn LoGiurato September 16, 2010 At this time of year, the crisp sunny days, and cool nights, have me itching to get out and do something “harvesty." We are lucky enough to have access to several excellent local vineyards, with a great variety of activities for singles, couples and families. I can’t think of a better way to spend a beautiful autumn day, than to relax and unwind, sipping a local wine with some fantastic nibbles (either provided by the vineyard or toted along in your picnic basket) and enjoying life set on a vineyard! During the next few weeks Harvest Celebrations will abound. Vineyards will all be hosting special events that are sure to entice any wine enthusiast. Following is a guide to local vineyards to help you get started on your autumnal wine tripping: Read More
Food Writing 101: Write Your Appetite w/ Corinne Trang Features Asian Cooking Classes Education Stephanie Webster September 15, 2010 Want to learn how to write about food from an award-winning cookbook author? Corinne Trang has written numerous cookbooks & has been dubbed the "Julia Child of Asian cuisine." She has published in Food & Wine, Health, Cooking Light, and Saveur. If you ever wanted to write a cookbook, start a food blog, review a restaurant, or write a food memoir, join Corinne Trang for a FREE workshop on food writing. She'll guide you through your first short food piece starting with describing your favorite food, learning to create a recipe and a story around it. Space is limited, RSVP and be sure to bring your favorite fruit and vegetable! Thursday, Sept. 30th is Corinne's Free Workshop: "Write Your Appetite" @ 7:15pm, Writers' Room, 252 Post Road East, Westport. Read More
Road Trip: Spa Sampler @ The Mayflower Inn Road Trip Restaurant Holiday Manchester Road Trip Travel Margie Treisman September 15, 2010 Photos: Courtesy of The Mayflower InnMy husband and I recently had the chance to spend a day at the Mayflower Inn and Spa in Washington, CT. It was, in a word, sublime. It’s nestled in the Litchfield County countryside, with rolling hills, lush foliage and perfectly manicured gardens -- a New England picture-postcard paradise. The Inn itself is an elegant, magnificently maintained, five-star luxury spa resort. I could go on for hours about the place. But this is CTBites -- let’s talk about the food. Read More
Reheated: This Week's Top Food News in CT & Beyond News Beer Amy Kundrat September 14, 2010 Reheated is a twice-weekly round-up of bite-sized food news in Connecticut and beyond. In Connecticut... Plates, a new italian bistro in Ridgefield opens for dinner this Tuesday. Via Plates.com Indigo Indian Bistro opens in Manchester. Via A la Carte Dining Blog. Inspired by the documentary film, A Connecticut Hot Dog Tour, Serious Eats takes a look at a new CT hot dog joint each Tuesday. The film profiles about ten of our state's most interesting & delicious hot dogs by filmmaker Mark Kotlinski. Via Serious Eats. ....and beyond. Jonathan Gold makes a case for food trucks in an L.A. Times op-ed. Via LA Times. Read More
Ambler Farms Announces Great Kids Programs for Fall Kids Bites Events Local Artisan Local Farm Stephanie Webster September 14, 2010 Attention Fairfield County families: Are you always looking for a great weekend activity? Why not get away from the burbs and head to the farm! Ambler Farms has some great fall family friendly event you will not want to miss, (plus they make for great holiday card photo opps). These activities are both fun and educational, and most programs run $10-$20 per family. Saturday, September 18th - Family Garden Tour Sunday, September 19th - Honey Harvest Saturday, September 25th - Sheep Shearing Sunday, October 3rd - Ambler Farm Day Read More
Meat & Music @ The 3rd Annual Blues & BBQ Festival Kids Bites Restaurant BBQ Events Beer Stephanie Webster September 13, 2010 Westport’s annual Blues, Views & BBQ Festival will take place on September 24th, 25th and 26th. This event celebrates food, music and family with an exciting line-up of bands, barbecue and cooking events, as well as fun for the whole family. This year’s fest, sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society, the country’s premier barbecue organization, features the amateur backyard Cookin’ For A Cause competition, in which teams of two to four participants compete in categories of chicken, ribs, and “chef’s choice.” At the same time, certified pit-masters will be grilling, smoking and barbecuing in the Pro Invitational competition. Both contests are followed by a Pro-Am Invitational “Throwdown” competition where amateur teams compete against the pros. The Pro-Am Invitational includes an “Iron Chef”-style twist where competitors must use three mystery ingredients. Our own contributor, Sarah Green will be there to help judge the Iron Chef event. Read More
PHO or FAUX - Authentic Vietnamese in Westport Restaurant Asian Vietnamese Westport Comfort Food Lunch Sarah Green September 12, 2010 Ready for a little PIK me up? Head over to PHO GARDEN at 1620 Post Road in Westport for some authentic Vietnamese delights! This brand new Asian dining offering, (formerly Zole'), has simple decor and an unimpressive neon sign outside the door, but don't let this turn you off. PHO GARDEN'S authentic menu is a welcome addition to the Westport restaurant scene. Plus, with Pho Mekong closing its doors across the street, PHO GARDEN is definitely worth checking out! We started with the COLD SUMMER ROLLS (Goi Cuon) Read More
CTbites Lunch Event: The Boathouse Restaurant CTbites Lunch Events Stephanie Webster September 10, 2010 The CTbites & SuzySaid lunch events are back, and on Tuesday, September 28th we're debuting the season with a very special venue just right for savoring the summer harvest, The Boathouse @ Saugatuck. Chef John Holzwarth, of NYC's Felidia and Westport's The Dressing Room fame, will be preparing a $20 prix fixe for CTbites readers that highlights John's commitment to using locally sourced ingredients in innovative ways. Come out and meet your CTbites community. You won't want to miss this one! For reservations, call 203.227.3399. Check out the mouthwatering menu below: Read More
Feeding 1000's @ The Bridgeport Rescue Mission Bridgeport Food Donation Liz Rueven September 09, 2010 Restaurant Chefs are a self reliant bunch. Chef Paul Byron reminded me of that fact when I met him in the dining area of the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Chefs are by nature, creative, resourceful, organized planners. They manage ingredient lists, weekly menus and schedules of all kinds. These details and more, factor into the efficiency of a restaurant kitchen and ultimately into the presentation of tempting plates to restaurant patrons. Now, imagine for a moment, the opposite. Imagine a chef that prepares three meals a day including five seatings for dinner. He rarely orders or chooses his ingredients, rather he cooks with what is available to him. Read More
Oktoberfest in Connecticut Restaurant Events Holiday Beer Amy Kundrat September 09, 2010 Frosty steins of beer, a sea of lederhosen and more meat than Kobayashi can consume in a single sitting. In other words, it’s time to celebrate Oktoberfest, that hot mess of Bavarian culture. If you’re looking to celebrate outside the seasonal selection of beers available in your local package store, we’ve compiled our own list of local Connecticut events. The Old Heidelberg | Throughout September | Bethel, CT The Old Heidelberg is the place to be for Oktoberfest festivities in Fairfield County on the weekends of September 10, 11 and 12; Sept. 17, 18 and 19; and Sept. 24, 25 and 26. The restaurant hosts three Oktoberfest weekends under a tent in their Beergarten with music, a special menu and entertainment for the kids. The Old Heidelberg is located on 5 Stony Hill Road in Bethel, CT. Information at http://www.restaurantheidelberg.com/ Read More
Drinking for Charity: Cans & Cocktails Happy Hour Restaurant Chinese Cocktails Events Food Donation Stephanie Webster September 08, 2010
This Week In Wine: Manifesto Sauvignon Blanc Ingredients This Week In Wine Kathleen Hall September 08, 2010 "This Week In Wine" is a new CTbites column featuring seasonal wine picks with great drinkability, good value, and local availability. Writer, Kathleen Hall, has been the Wine Manager @ Pastis in NYC and Head Sommelier @ Greenwich's Morello Bistro. A wine to drink while you sit on your patio and watch the sun set in these last few days of summer. Manifesto! Sauvignon Blanc is made with grapes grown organically, from the North Coast of California. While some New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc can be overly fruity and Sancerre from France tends to be lean and steely, this wine is something in the middle – a style that is rounded and rich, with ripe citrus fruit flavors and a refreshing acidity. With flavors of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, orange peel and a hint of herbs Read More
School is Back in Session @ Fairfield Cheese Company Ingredients Cooking Classes Education Specialty Market Stephanie Webster September 08, 2010 Fairfield Cheese Company classes are back in session and school has never been this delicious. Whether you are a cheese novice looking for a an introduction to the basics, or a cheese-aficionado seeking to expand your knowledge on a specific variety, they've got the class for you. I jumped at the chance to attend one of these sessions last season and spent some time with owners Laura and Christopher who lead these entertaining and informative evenings. If you would like some background on Fairfield Cheese Company, check out our review, "Cheese 101." With wine pairings from Harry's Wine & Liquor, this is the perfect way to break out of that dinner-and-a-movie date night rut. If you attend any of the classes below, let us know what you think! Read More
CT Farm To Table Week: Celebrate Local Restaurant Events Local Farm Stephanie Webster September 07, 2010 To celebrate the bounty of our local harvest, CT restaurants have gotten together to bring the farm to you with "CT Farm to Table Week." During the week of September 26-October 2, 2010, over 80 restaurants, caterers and schools across CT will be participating in this first ever CT Farm-to-Chef Harvest Celebration Week. Restaurants will be serving special prix fixe menus as well as a la carte options exclusively featuring local producers and vineyards. This is the perfect excuse to both check out some new spots as well as support local CT agriculture. The list of participating vendors and venues for Fairfield County are below. Detailed menus for each participant can be found here. Fairfield County Participants: Read More
Navaratna: Vegetarian Indian in Stamford Restaurant Stamford Vegetarian Indian Lunch Liz Rueven September 06, 2010 Given the "Worth It" rating from the NY Times, it was easy to rally a group of hungry enthusiasts to join me at Navaratna for lunch last week. Navaratna is the newest Indian restaurant in the ever expanding dining scene in downtown Stamford. This packed lunch spot is unique in that it features Southern Indian cuisine that is strictly vegetarian (and certified Kosher). As a lover of Indian food, I was intrigued, and we descended upon Navaratna to explore its distinctive menu. Read More
Dinners At The Farm: The Photo Gallery Restaurant Events Local Farm Farm Fresh Stephanie Webster September 06, 2010
