Pinkberry Opens in Greenwich on November 17 Amy Kundrat November 01, 2011 Celebrate the opening of Pinkberry Greenwich with a "Friends & Family Event" featuring free Pinkberry on Novemeber 17 at 5 p.m. WHAT: To commemorate the opening of the Greenwich Pinkberry location in Connecticut, there will be a town-wide celebration and all guests will receive a FREE sample of one of five Pinkberry flavors. The The first 100 guests in line will receive a complimentary Pinkberry Tee-shirt. WHERE: Pinkberry, 369 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT WHEN: Thursday, November 17, from 5 to 9 pm (Grand Opening Event) Read More
Maple & Chile Roasted Acorn Squash Features Farmers Market healthy Recipe Melissa Roberts November 01, 2011 Quite honestly, I never met a roasted vegetable I didn’t like. I roast it all: carrots (the only way to eat them besides raw), onions, okra, even broccoli. So now we’ve come to squash. I don’t know why I’m initially reluctant to prepare it, especially this time of year when it’s everywhere and the varieties are endless. Squash is like a misunderstood pitbull, tough on the outside, but sweet and tender on the inside. It can be daunting to approach at first, but really it’s no big deal. I’ve been drawn to acorn squash this season. The flesh has a pleasant vegetal quality that’s a breeze to prepare and it’s equally delicious with fish, meat, and poultry. Sliced into crescent moons, tossed with butter, olive oil and chile flakes, it gets a drizzle of maple syrup towards the end which caramelizes the squash ever so slightly. A combo of sweet and sassy. The skin is tough and inedible (remember, it’s still part pitbull), but eaten with knife and fork, it’s Autumn on a Plate. Read More
Road Trip: Ballo Italian Restaurant & Club @ Mohegan Sun Road Trip Restaurant Italian Road Trip Andrew Dominick November 01, 2011 A month ago I contributed an article about John Tunney’s latest creation, Ballo Italian Restaurant & Social Club. Now, I am pleased to bring you a sneak peek at not just the décor, not just a menu preview, but of the reason we are all here, for the food. But first, let me take you on a brief tour of this restaurant/bar/dance club/lounge. Remember that preview article? All that construction and the pictures of what it will look like? Seeing those photos is one thing, seeing this place in person is another. The wraparound marble bar, the sphere-like hanging lamps, the giant lanterns, and the fireplaces, give Ballo a glow unlike any other restaurant in Mohegan Sun Casino. Read More
Caroline's Crêperie Opens in New Canaan Restaurant French New Canaan Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Dessert CTbites Team October 30, 2011 Walk under the blue awning and into the open doors of Caroline’s Crêperie and you’ll feel as if you’re walking into Caroline’s very own French home. With the warm, helpful service and Caroline herself standing at the helm making crêpes and welcoming clients into her buzzing restaurant, you can’t help but be charmed by this new restaurant on New Canaan's Elm Street. Read More
You're Invited: Exotic Taco & Tequila Tasting @ bartaco CTbites Team October 28, 2011 Exotic Taco Night November 2nd @ bartaco. BUY NOW for $50!!! CTbites is pleased to announce the launch of CTbites Invites, an innovative series of culinary events, offers and products created for and by Connecticut launching today. This food-obsessed series will pair local restaurants, products and special events with the CTbites’ community of readers, offering exclusive access to interesting culinary experiences throughout our region. CTbites Invites is a carefully curated series of food events and offers where we will seek-out to share unique happenings in the region, hard-to-find products for sale from local vendors, and offer special offers at your favorite dining destinations. We will be working with restaurants, chefs, farmers and foodies to test and introduce new menu items, exclusive wine and food pairings, tasting menus, cooking demonstrations and classes, unique product offers, mixology classes, and private kitchen tours, to name just a few opportunities. Read More
Bumper Crop: Tuscan Kale Salad Features Farmers Market healthy Recipe Farm Fresh Melissa Roberts October 28, 2011 A recent Westport transplant from NYC, Melissa Roberts was a food editor for Gourmet for almost 9 years, where she toiled happily in the test kitchen developing and writing recipes for the magazine. She was also a cook and stylist in the Food Network's kitchen. Last Thursday’s Imperial Avenue Greenmarket in Westport fell on one of those perfect crisp and clear Fall days. The Greenmarket’s atmosphere was buzzing, complete with live music commemorating its 6th birthday. I joined in the celebration by treating myself to a Breakfast Pizza (pecorino, local bacon, fried egg) from Skinny Pines Pizza with Raus’ cold Roman Coffee to wash it all down. But my mission was not only to treat my belly, but to find inspiration amidst the produce, and it was there in spades beginning with a pile of deep green lacinato kale from Riverbank Farms in Roxbury, CT. Often with the freshest veggies the best way to treat them is the simplest. In this recipe, kale is shredded then tossed with a straightforward dressing of lemon and olive oil which brightens its earthy, mineral-like flavor, and a generous shower of nutty Parmigiano Reggiano. Read More
11 Questions w/ Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant Interview Chef Talk Stephanie Webster October 27, 2011 If you had unexpected guests arriving at your home for dinner in 1 hour, what would you whip up? Grilled Ribeye or Chicken Thighs with sautéed veg and caramelized onions or possibly a garden salsa of some sort, avocado, plums, jalapeño, toasted corn…always some nice crusty bread What is the last dish you cooked for yourself? Lunch is a pasta with sour cream and cottage cheese..(old family favorite) My wife and I had (see above) for dinner the other night What are your guilty pleasures (in terms of food)? Hamburgers, hot dogs, and French fries What ingredient could you not live without? Salt, Bacon, Olive oil, Eggs...sorry couldn’t decide Read More
Go Waiter Restaurant Delivery Service Opens in FC Features Delivery Service Home Delivery Stephanie Webster October 27, 2011 How many nights have you sat at home wishing that dinner would magically appear on your doorstep? Well, maybe that's just me, but in Fairfield County the delivery options are generally limited to pizza and a few Chinese joints. Enter GoWaiter, a national franchised restaurant delivery service, who will for $3.99 pick up and deliver lunch and dinner from over 40 local restaurants. Check out the list of participating restaurants below (including Da Pietro's, Layla's Falafel, & Tabouli Grill): Read More
Breakfast with Rene Redzepi @ Yale Amy Kundrat October 26, 2011 When you receive a breakfast invitation with the world's 'best restaurant' chef René Redzepi you say yes first and ask questions later. This first dialogue, in what hopes to be an ongoing series of intimate food-centric talks, was an insiders discussion of the restaurant industry and CTbites was lucky to simply be a fly on the wall. In town for a talk at Yale, Redzepi was the guest of honor at an intimate breakfast hosted by Carey Savona of Heirloom Restaurant located at The Study at Yale in New Haven. He invited Yale professor Paul Freedman and a gathering of Connecticut chefs with some familiar names, including: Tim Labant, Schoolhouse at Cannondale; Fritz Knipschildt, Cafe Chocopologie; Jean Pierre Vuillermet, Union League Cafe; Bill Taibe, Le Farm; Bun Lai, Miya's Sushi; Denise Appel, Zinc; Pedro Garzon, Cafe Manolo; Roland Olan, Martel; Tyler, Union League Cafe;Brandon Ahearn, Heirloom; and Marcell Simon Davidsen, Heirloom. Read More
Chef Lidia Bastianich @ Fairway in Stamford CTbites Team October 26, 2011 On Saturday, November 5, 2011, Fairway Stamford and renowned chef Lidia Bastianich will celebrate food and community in an event to support WNET New York Public Media. Lidia will kick-off the festivities at 11 a.m on November 5th, with the signing of her series companion cookbook, Lidia's Italy in America (Knopf) and her popular children’s book, Nonna Tell Me a Story: Lidia's Christmas Kitchen (Running Press Kids). Filled with adventures and irresistible recipes, both books are journeys into the heart of authentic Italian cooking. Wine tasting will follow the book signing at the adjacent store, Fairway Wines & Spirits. At the culinary event on Saturday, November 5th, Fairway Stamford will feature a free spectacular sampling of LIDIA’S pasta and sauces Read More
Meet Danny Meyer (Shake Shack) & Raise $$ for Leukemia CTbites Team October 26, 2011 On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Connecticut Chapter will host the StarWrite Author’s Luncheon: LLS’ 2nd annual luncheon with guest speaker Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and author of Setting The Table, at the Dolce Norwalk from 11AM to 2PM. “We are so thrilled to have Danny Meyer as our guest speaker for our second annual event,” said Jeannie Montano, Executive Director. “Danny just opened a Shake Shack location in Westport, Read More
Update on Elm: Opening Soon in New Canaan Restaurant Farm to Table New Canaan Farm Fresh Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 25, 2011 A flurry of activity surrounds New Canaan’s Elm Street as Chef/Owner Brian Lewis’ much anticipated elm restaurant is set to open in New Canaan in January 2012. Elm will be a Modern American restaurant, “rooted in tradition and inspired by the seasons” featuring a 60 seat elegant dining room and 25 seats in the warm, casual bar area. A highlight of elm will be The Chef’s Kitchen Table, with seating for twelve as well as a separate Chef’s Tasting Bar with four seats, which will be etched into a semi-private nook overlooking the heart of Brian’s kitchen. Together, the food, wine, hand-crafted cocktails and exceptional service will embody both luxury and comfort; a destination perfect for everyday or your favorite occasion, filled with high energy, world class food and small town charm. Read More
Epicurean Artisanal Honey Tasting, Saturday, Nov 12 Restaurant Events Wiine Tasting Dessert Stephanie Webster October 24, 2011 Join RED BEE Honey and Peace Tree Desserts for an afternoon of artisanal honey tasting and adventurous epicurean delights, presented by Sustainable Pastry Chef Robyn Eads, founder of Peace Tree Desserts in Westport. The locally sourced tasting event will be held at Sport Hill Farm in Easton, Connecticut on Saturday, November 12, 2011. This sweet event will include an exquisite three course tasting menu crafted by acclaimed Sustainable Pastry Chef Robyn Eads. The tasting menu will feature Red Bee’s artisanal single-source nectar luxury honeys, and ingredients from local artisans and organic Connecticut farms. Each course will be paired with wines from Connecticut wineries. The afternoon will begin with a prosecco and cheese reception, sourced from Connecticut’s own Cato Corner Farm and Beltane Farm, and paired with Red Bee’s honeys. Read More
ReNapoli: An Education in Pizza in Old Greenwich Restaurant Greenwich Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly Amy Kundrat October 23, 2011 What can pizza be? ReNapoli in Old Greenwich answers with one kitchen, two ovens, and three distinct pizza styles. Dining at ReNapoli isn’t just a meal, it's the equivalent of a three-credit course in pizza. Owner and pizzaoilo Bruno DiFabio has been making pizza for thirty years. A fact made more interesting when you consider he is only 42. A first generation Italian American, DiFabio was already working the lead sauté station at age 16 in his grandfather's restaurant kitchen. Fast forward a few decades, several restaurants, five World Pizza Championship titles and stints at the famed ovens of Spacca Napoli, Da Michele and Trianon in Naples, and you have the genesis of ReNapoli. Read More
Friday Froth: Buck The Trend...Drink Good Beer Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon October 21, 2011 Modern hipsterism is a weird and annoying thing. Here's how it goes: people had settled into a fairly stable fashion landscape by the time the millennium rolled around so they naturally started looking around for the next big thing. Lacking any creativity or new ideas of their own, they decided to take the most hideous and outdated clothing they could find and wear it as publicly as possible because "Haha, aren't I funny and clever and please oh god look at me." Since wearing ugly clothes is easier than actually being interesting, and neon hats from 1992 were cheaper than water, it caught on. Then everybody found out about The Cobrasnake and now the landscape is littered with "Aren't I cool for not looking cool but really that's what's cool about it but I'm too cool to acknowledge I actually really think this is cool." It's the Inception of pop culture trends, and somehow beer got caught up in it. I'm sure PBR doesn't mind that every idiot with an ironic mustache and Ladyhawke on their iPod has to have a Blue Ribbon tallboy in their hand, but this is the acid reflux disease of trends. It was ugly the first time, let's not have it again. Let's try something new, and let the revolution start with beer. Read More
Chilifest 2011: Everyone's a Judge Restaurant Events kids activity Comfort Food Kid Friendly CTbites Team October 21, 2011 Local area restaurants from Norwalk to Fairfield will engage in a culinary battle for the area's best chili on Saturday Oct. 29th from 11:30am - 3:30pm at the Unitarian Church in Westport. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 seniors (60+) and $2 kids (5-17). Unlike most competitions, everyone is a judge and can sample and vote for their favorites. The competition is expected to be 'hot' as the list of restaurants include chili cook-off veterans as well as restaurants you might not expect to see in this type of contest. Chef Pietro Scotti of DaPietro's in Westport is always up for a culinary challenge and will be entering a traditional as well as a "creative" entry. Chef Chris North of Rowayton Seafood will be cooking up a seafood chili, and Chef Troilo of Nicholas Robert's Restaurant in Norwalk will throw down with his special recipe. Read More
Beach Burger in Norwalk: Where'd the Chairs Go? Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 20, 2011 The hamburger scene in East Norwalk is experiencing a minor food fight. A few weeks ago Anthony Luciani, owner of Beach Burger was informed that his operating permit did not allow for interior seating. Once informed, Luciani immediately removed the stools and commenced the process of applying for the permit that would allow seated dining within the restaurant. I visited Beach Burger and discussed the situation and the status with Luciani. He informed me that he is conscientiously working with the appropriate departments within Norwalk to obtain the “Full Service” restaurant permit that will allow the interior seating to return. While the permitting is being resolved, Luciani assured me that Beach Burger remains open for business serving some of the best hamburgers and shakes in the area. Read More
