Kouzina: New Greek / Mediterranean in New Canaan Restaurant Greek Mediterranean New Canaan Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger September 18, 2011 Brian Herlihy and Gina Douvas followed their passion for cooking by opening Kouzina, a Greek/Mediterranean restaurant in New Canaan featuring the best of their family recipes. This husband and wife team were raised in households where large family meals were a regular event (Gina in Astoria, Queens and Brian in Katonah), and each developed a love for cooking at an early age. After numerous trips to Greece with Gina, Brian fell in love with the cuisine and their vision took shape. After Brian retired from the Pound Ridge Police department their dream became a reality and in June the couple opened Kouzina on Forest Street in New Canaan. Originally envisaged as a specialty food store and market that would sell olives, olive oils (from Gina’s family farm in Patras, Greece), cheeses, artisanal breads and prepared foods; the project expanded and now features a restaurant. Read More
CT Food Bank's Hunger Action Month: Please Help! Stephanie Webster September 17, 2011 September is Hunger Action Month. Here are the facts on hunger in CT. Here is what you can do to help... 1. Volunteer at the CT Food Bank. Here's how. 2. DONATE to the CT Food Bank. $1 = 4 meals for somebody in need. 3. Share this video to raise awareness for hunger in CT. Read More
10 Questions with BSF Owner Kory Wollins Restaurant Chef Talk Darien Greenwich Burgers Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger September 16, 2011 One of the ultimate comfort foods, the Hamburger, has obtained main stream culinary acceptance during the past few years as evidenced by the inclusion of gourmet hamburgers on many restaurant menus and recently established restaurants dedicated to these gastronomic delights. On the forefront of this trend, Kory Wollins followed his dream and opened his first Burgers, Shakes & Fries on Delavan Avenue in the Byram section of Greenwich in 2007. The first time I entered the Greenwich location and spoke with Kory, we had an in-depth conversation about his product, his ambitions and our mutual love for great hamburgers. Years later I still thoroughly enjoy the BSF hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes at the Greenwich and Darien locations, and I have watched the passion that Kory brings to each of his restaurants. Read More
Sono Fall Restaurant Week Starts September 25th Restaurant Events Norwalk Stephanie Webster September 15, 2011
Road Trip: "Tapping Into Twain" Oktoberfest Sept. 23rd Restaurant Hartford Holiday Beer Stephanie Webster September 15, 2011 On Friday, September 23rd, the Mark Twain House will host their 4th Annual "Tapping Into Twain" Oktoberfest. This event features a selection of locally produced beers and artisanal ales paired with bites from local restaurants. This is the event the Hartford Advocate has called "absolutely, positively, without any doubt whatever, one of the best charitable events Hartford has beheld in quite some time." Breweries participating include Blue Point, Bru Rm/Bar, Cavalry Brewing, City Steam Brewery Café, Hartford Better Beer Co., HDI & Franklin Distributors, Hook & Ladder, Hooker Brewery, Maltose Express, Narragansett, Old Burnside Brewing, Southport SBC, Willimantic and Zok's Home Brewing, with more signing up every day. Read More
CTbites Hosts Live Chef Demos @ BBQ Festival Sept 24 Restaurant Events Stephanie Webster September 15, 2011 Listen up food lovers. CTbites has rounded up some of the area's top chefs for an afternoon of live cooking demonstrations, recipe tasting and general good times. On September 24th from 12-5pm come on down to the CTbites Demo Tent at Westport's Blues Views & BBQ Festival to meet: Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant in Sono; Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro's in Westport; Chef Helton DaSilva of Fairfield's Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar; Leticia Schwartz, author of The Brazilian Kitchen (recently on NBC's Today Show); and as a late breaking addition, Chef Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill. Plus, one lucky attendee will WIN a FREE Dinner for 2 @ leFarm Restaurant in Westport. Chef Demo Schedule 12:00 Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant 12:45 Chef Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill 2:00 Chef Helton DaSilva of Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant 2:45 Chef Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro's 3:30 Chef Leticia Schwartz, Author of The Brazilian Kitchen 4:30 GRAZE Home Delivery Read More
Vote YES for 3 New Restaurants on Westport's Waterfront Restaurant Stephanie Webster September 14, 2011 This just in via the The Westport News. Westporters-please support this proposal at the public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday Sept 15th in the Town Hall auditorium. "The west side of downtown Westport could soon be serving up a new menu of restaurants, if a zoning text amendment proposed by the owner of the downtown landmark, National Hall, is approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Greenfield Partners, a South Norwalk-based commercial estate firm that owns National Hall and several surrounding buildings, has secured three letters of intent to open new dining establishments on the west bank of the Saugatuck River, according to its land-use counselWilliam Fitzpatrick. Safita, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Fairfield, would open a new establishment at 6 Wilton Road, which once served as a fire house. Bartaco, a chain of Mexican restaurants, would open a new outlet at 20 Wilton Road, which formerly housed the Peter Coppola hair salon. The third restaurant in the National Hall complex would be sushi-themed and operate on the first floor of 12 Wilton Road, which overlooks the Saugatuck River." --Paul Schott Read the full article here. Read More
Ginger Beer Taste Test: The Dark & Stormy Winner Is... Ingredients Cocktails Entertaining Amy Kundrat September 14, 2011 I’m a seasonal drinker with few loyalties. Changing temperatures inspire me to rotate my spirits and by the time summer is in full-swing, I’ve traded my martinis and single malts for rum and bourbon-based cocktails. But none have as tight a hold on a season as the Dark ‘n’ Stormy has for summer, with its equal parts spice and nostalgia.A combination of dark rum, ginger beer and (an optional) wedge of lime served in a high ball, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy packs a gingery bite, conjuring salty ocean breezes, sailing trips and the island nation of Bermuda, all in a single sip. Much of the dark rum we drink hails from small island nations in the Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans, distilled from molasses (a sugar cane by product) and aged in charred American oak bourbon barrels with its dark rum finale reeking of spice and molasses. Paired with ginger beer, this seductive summer drink is the definition of the season and I cling to them until the autumnal equinox pries them out of my increasingly cold, sticky, rum-soaked hands. Read More
Farm-to-Chef Week Starts September 18th Restaurant Events Farm to Table Local Farm Stephanie Webster September 13, 2011 Participating Restaurant in Fairfield County Click here to view menus from all participants. Read More
Fire Roasted Heirloom Salsa Via Parsley Thief Features Entertaining Recipe katie vitucci September 13, 2011 I've made many variations of salsa before...like this green kind, some with fruit, and more with fruit. Usually, if I'm making traditional red tomato salsa, I make it in a similar fashion to the ones I just mentioned, using raw ingredients. But, this time I wanted to try something new. So, I ended up roasting half the tomatoes, along with some of the other ingredients on the grill, until they were charred and full of smoky flavor. The other half of the tomatoes, I left raw. I did this to keep some of the fresh, juicy texture of heirloom tomatoes present...yet with the roasted flavor mixed in. Read More
4th Annual Blues Views & BBQ Festival Sept 23-25th Events Stephanie Webster September 12, 2011 The date is rapidly approaching for the 4th Annual Blues, Views and BBQ Festival, taking place at Westport's Levitt Pavilion on September 23, 24 & 25th. This event is chock full of meaty attractions featuring an official "pro" Kansas City BBQ Society Competition as well amateur and kids BBQ contests, mechanical bull rides, pig races (yup..you heard me right), craft beer, and a whole lot of tasty BBQ. And while you're enjoying the tunes and your short ribs, keep the kids busy with face painting, School of Rock demos, magicians and more. Plus CTbites will be joining the party bringing you live cooking demonstrations from great local chefs from 12-5 on Sat the 24th. Read More
Pancho's Tacos Mexican Restaurant in Danbury Danbury Mexican Amy Kundrat September 11, 2011 Four bloggers, several more friends and platefuls of Mexican food gathered on a recent evening at Pancho's Tacos in Danbury, CT to share tacos and swig margaritas at the area's best-known Mexican joint. From their homespun dishes, including solid tacos and a particularly memorable and devilishly spicy dish called the a la Diabla which has claimed many victimes, you may need to add this to your Danbury, CT agenda. Read More
Honey Bee Jamboree at Ambler Farm in Wilton Ingredients Local Artisan Local Farm kids activity Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster September 11, 2011 Prepare to get sticky at Ambler Farm's Honey Bee Jamboree, September 17, 2011 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. This event is being presented by the Backyard Beekkeepers Association with a bevy of family friendly activities include hive observation, honey tasting, honey extracting, candle roll ing, honey ice cream making, face painting, children's activities, bee products and more. All of these bee encounters will be led by the master beekeepers of the Backyard Beekeeper Association. Read More
Join the 9/11 Day Campaign & Give to the CT Food Bank Stephanie Webster September 09, 2011 Sunday September 11th marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Join 911Day.org and honor the heroes, victims and first responders by pledging to donate to the CT Food Bank in support of their 30 Ways in 30 days: National Hunger Month initiative. Join the I WILL campaign and donate to the CT Food Bank. Read More
Friday Froth: Drinkin' Turtles Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon September 09, 2011 One does not generally drink a turtle, but there I was. The time was last Friday night, and the place was the beloved and reborn Georgia Theater in Athens, Georgia. The night's entertainment was the newly formed Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and the beer was a local Terrapin. The confluence of warmth, fellowship, location and good brews was that delicious kind of overload which tends to put one in a trance like state. Trances are not conducive to note-taking. Er, sorry about that. But do try a Terrapin or a Dale's on the rooftop bar at the Theater next time you happen to come-to in Clark County. You won't regret it. Read More
Fairfield Cheese Company Classes Are Back in Session Restaurant Cheese Fairfield Specialty Market Stephanie Webster September 08, 2011 School is back in session, and I don't mean the kind that requires boarding a yellow school bus. I'm talking about an education involving terms like bloomy, soft-ripened, blue-vein, washed-rind, and brined. Fairfield Cheese Company's Fall/Winter cheese class schedule is out with a full offering for any level of cheese appreciation. Check out the full line up below: Read More
Hatch Chile Wine Dinner in Ridgefield Restaurant Events Wine Dinners Amy Kundrat September 07, 2011 Southwest Cafe in Ridgefield will be hosting a Hatch Chile Wine Dinner on Tuesday, September 13 at 7 p.m. This four course dinner will be paired with wines by Monica Brown of 109 Cheese & Wine. Southwest Café is located at 109 Danbury Road in Ridgefield, CT. Dinner is $65 per person, gratuity not included. For reservations, email babsswc@aol.com or call 203.431.3398. Seating is limited. First Course Grilled Polenta, Stewed Hatch, Corn Crema, Queso Fresco Second Course Crisp Pork Belly, Hatch Relish, Hatch Sabayon Third Course Halibut, mussels, chorizo, Hatch aioli, Hatch Broth or Filet Mignon, Hatch Braised Beef Short Rib, Kale Fourth Course Ricotta Cake, Hatch Jam, Hatch Frozen Custom Read More
For the Love of Cheese Part 1: Beltane Farm Ingredients Lebanon Local Farm CTbites Team September 07, 2011 Most teens in high school long to get a car. Not Paul Trubey; he wanted a goat. His unique infatuation began in high school when one of his teachers was given a goat. Understandably, his parents wouldn’t let him get one. Since then, Paul found every goat worthy of affection. Paul pursued a career in social work but never abandoned his intense passion for goats. When he and his partner Mark moved to Glastonbury, Connecticut for Mark’s work in 1994, Paul did not know at the time how much the move would propel him towards his goal of being a goat farmer. In Glastonbury, Paul became involved with the owners of Highwater Farm and in the care of their herd of Swiss Oberhasli dairy goats. In his free time, he immersed himself in learning about cheese making and in visiting artisanal cheese makers throughout New England. Read More
