Darien Social: A First Taste of Restaurant Darien Beer Kid Friendly Burgers James Gribbon February 26, 2012 Several years ago, my friend and I looked into buying a bar. The space had been a sort of crusty old dive for years, stopping just short of "biker bar," but had since closed and remained so for a few trips around the Sun. Someone else picked it up by the time we got our act together, and it was just as well, because that left us able to spend many hours and ducats there - meeting neighbors, sinking pints, and possibly singing "Werewolves of London" from the loft until the other patrons consented to do the "Awoooo" part - instead of worrying about if the night's special was selling and how many soda logs we'd ordered. Friends were made in this place. News, gossip, and phone numbers were exchanged, and local business and political deals were done. Another place or two were probably the town bars, but this was the local pub. Read More
Zinsanity Wine Dinner: Fountainhead & Fat Cat Pie Co Restaurant Wine Dinners Wine Tasting Stephanie Webster February 24, 2012 Join Fountainhead Wines and Fat Cat Pie Co. on March 3rd for an evening of Peterson wines with special guest Jamie Peterson, winemaker and next generational fixture at Peterson Winery in Dry Creek, Sonoma. Peterson Winery has an old world winemaking philosophy and a reverence for sustainable farming. The Peterson approach is to capture the essence of vintage and vineyard—a philosophy they call Zero Manipulation—with low tech, yet high touch, to produce wines of a place, wines with soul. Fountainhead will be pouring an array of Zinfandel from the much heralded 2009 vintage along with a few other treats, including the superb Gravity Flow Syrah from vines high atop Bradford Mountain. Fred, Jamie's father, has pronounced the Zins from this vintage as some of the best in the last twenty years and guests will sample their way through these offerings accompanied by lovingly prepared cuisine from Fat Cat's chef de chez, Robert Herlihy. Read More
Chef Leticia on the Today Show CTbites Team February 24, 2012 Brazilian chef and CTbites contributor Leticia Schwartz shows TODAY’s Natalie Morales how to celebrate Carnival, a traditional festival in Brazil, by making a black bean stew called feijoada topped off with a caipirinha cocktail. Watch the Today Show demo! Read More
The Schoolhouse's Tim LaBant Offers "Pig Carving 101" Wilton Stephanie Webster February 21, 2012 a The Schoolhouse at Cannondale had several requests to again offer thier "Pig Carving 101" Saturday afternoon class at the Millstone Farm in Wilton, Ct. Tim LaBant, Chef & owner of The Schoolhouse will guide you from begining to end on how to successfully carve a full pig, the benefits of different cuts & how to best prepare and cook these cuts. A rustic and seasonal farm to fork lunch will be available throughout the event. Soft drinks will be available or feel free to BYOB for sharing or swapping. The event is Saturday, March 17 from 12:00PM to 2:00PM at the Millstone Farm, 180 Millstone Rd., Wilton, Ct. It's priced at $45. per person, excluding tax & gratuity. Please make reservations by calling 1-203-571-8990 or email them at rthorpe@schoolhouse.com before March 12. Because of limited space they request reservations be guaranteed with payment at time of booking. Read More
Bill Taibe & Kara Brooks 2012 JBF Award Semifinalists CTbites Team February 21, 2012 Congratulations to Bill Taibe and Kara Brooks as the only two Connecticut nominees in the "Best Chef: Northeast" category. The James Beard Foundation Awards have been deemed “the Oscars of the food world,” by Time magazine, and are the country’s most coveted honor for chefs, as well as food and beverage professionals. Final nominees will be announced at the Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland and simultaneously live via the Foundation's Twitter page, @beardfoundation. Winners will be celebrated at a gala event in New York City on May 7 (tickets on-sale March 19). For more information or to view the complete list of award categories and semifinalists, go to James Beard Foundation Awards at jamesbeard.org. Read More
Boulevard 18 French Bistro Opens in New Canaan Restaurant French New Canaan Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger February 19, 2012 Un autre grand restaurant Français ouvre dans New Canaan. Oops, I got ahead of myself. What I meant to say was another noteworthy restaurant, Boulevard 18, a French Bistro and Wine Bar, officially opened last Friday in New Canaan and the food is well worth a night out. The 62 Main Street address has been transformed into a little bit of Paris by owners Steven Semaya, Luciano Ramirez, Henry Rosenbaum and Chef/Owner David Raymer (Strada 18 in Sono). Read More
Station Eats Opens in Stamford: Organic Burgers & Dogs Restaurant Stamford Comfort Food Kid Friendly Burgers CTbites Team February 18, 2012 An open space with high ceilings gives a contemporary feel to the new Station Eats at 3 Landmark Square in Stamford. It's not the easiest place to find, but once you climb the stairs to the second story entrance, you're in for a treat. The look here is more urban than the original, smaller restaurant in New Canaan, but the bright orange and blue signature colors let you know they are one in the same: a modern burger bar where you can load your organic hot dog or grass fed burger with dozens of toppings, grab a shake, or drizzle the signature chipotle station dressing over your veggie salad Read More
Wave Hill Breads Serving Breakfast & Lunch in Norwalk Restaurant Bakery Norwalk Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster February 16, 2012 Wave Hill Breads recently moved their renown bread baking mecca and opened a new cafe in Norwalk, heralding a new “must eat” venue to add to your Fairfield County foodie dance card. At their new location on 30 High Street, Wave Hill Breads is baking way beyond their notorious three-grain pain de campagne which graces the tables of some of the finest CT restaurants and markets. The cafe features 20 seats for eat in dining with sandwiches (on Wave Hill Bread of course), soups, muffins, pastries, tea and coffee, as well as wi-fi. And if you just want to stop in for a loaf of that pain de campagne, just knock on speakeasy-esque “Back Door Bakery” around back (no password necessary). Read More
A Guide to Gluten-Free Goods: Jeanette's Healthy Living Ingredients Gluten-Free Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market CTbites Team February 15, 2012 The following Gluten-Free Guide was first published in Jeanette's Healthy Living blog. About a year ago, I discovered my youngest son was allergic to wheat, and I have been on a journey ever since to learn how to cook and bake gluten-free. There are times, however, when I don’t have the time to bake. Also, when we travel, I pack a whole suitcase full of gluten-free bread, bagels, cereal and snacks since I never know what will be available nearby. Compared to ten years ago, there are so many more gluten-free products on the market, some healthier than others. Gluten-free products can be expensive, and we’ve had our share of buying some products that ended up in the trash, so I’m hoping this list provides a starting point for anyone new to the gluten-free diet. Read More
Discover Bethel Restaurant Week Restaurant Bethel Events Amy Kundrat February 15, 2012 Bethel is where in Connecticut? Fairfield County? Yes and yes. The Bethel Chamber of Commerce is hosting their first-ever Discover Bethel Restaurant week from February 27 through March 4 with participating restaurants offering prix-fixe specials for breakfast, lunch, dinner and take-out. Menus and participating eateries can be found on the Bethel Chamber of Commerce website. This tiny town sandwiched between Redding, Newtown and Danbury boasts a few great places we've written about such as The Sycamore and Pizzeria Lauretano, as well as a few others firmly on our to-do list. So if you find your passport and make your way up to Bethel (for the record, I'm allowed to make this joke because this is my 'hood) my recommendations are: pizzas at Pizzeria Lauretano; La Zingara for one of the best Northern Italian meals in Fairfield County; soups at Wah Lah Soups, especially the Chicken pot pie; and my go-to train snack is always a scone and a cup of Redding Roasters coffee at Daily Fare. And although it's not officially on the list of participating restaurants, you'd be remiss if you didn't stop by The Sycamore on your way home for their thin French-style burgers and a root beer float. You'll need to sustenance to return home after your long journey, after all. Read More
Top Fairfield County Chefs @ The James Beard House Restaurant Events Road Trip Stephanie Webster February 14, 2012 Get ready to grab the phone. On May 23rd, six of CT's top chefs have come together to create a meal highlighting some of the best cooking Fairfield County has to offer. The prestigious James Beard House in New York City will play host to this ensemble featuring a 6 course dinner with paired wines and a cocktail reception to start. You wont want to miss this. Let's take a moment to run through the roster: Matt Storch (Match), Bill Taibe (Le Farm & The Whelk), Arik Bensimon (Napa & Co), Tim Labant (Schoolhouse at Cannondale), Lisa Storch (Catch a Healthy Habit), and Fritz Knipschildt (Knipschildt Chocolate and Chocopolgie), with wine and cocktails provided by Saugatuck Grain and Grape. The price is $130 for James Beard members and $170 per person for non-beard members. Please contact the James Beard House for reservations. 212-627-2308. Read More
Jason Sobocinski of The Big Cheese @ Fairfield Cheese Co. Stephanie Webster February 14, 2012 TV personality, restaurant owner and cookbook author Jason Sobocinski will be appearing at Fairfield Cheese Company on Saturday, March 3rd. Sobocinski, who has recently authored his first book, CASEUS FROMAGERIE BISTRO COOKBOOK, will be on hand between 1:00 and 3:00 pm for a book signing and macaroni and cheese sampling. Overflowing with signature recipes, mouthwatering photos, and tons of personality, this visually stimulating cookbook showcases a hot young chef’s zealous pursuit of pleasure through artisanally produced products. Jason Sobocinski’s landmark New Haven, Connecticut, bistro is known for its cheese-oriented menu with a classic French twist; a funky atmosphere with an educated palate. Read More
Christophe's Crepe Truck in Fairfield: Ooh La La! Restaurant Fairfield Food Truck Lunch Kid Friendly Dessert CTbites Team February 12, 2012 Food trucks have been a growing trend for the last few years. The L.A. Times reported on one of the first food trucks to gain massive popularity, a fusion of Korean, Mexican, and barbecue back in 2009. And a recent article from USA Today about food trends in the U.S. hailed the food truck, what was once the “roach coaches” for construction workers at lunch time, as the hot new thing. But the street-side vendor is certainly nothing new. New York City has been rife with dirty water dogs. And, you can’t turn a corner without bumping into a falafel stand. Roam the urban alleyways from India to Vietnam and some of the tastiest foods can be had from street vendors. Although, be sure to bring your Pepto-Bismol with you. Here in Connecticut, we’ve got coffee trucks, cupcake trucks, even a cheese truck. Quel surprise! Fairfield is now home to a freshly made crepe and waffle truck., Christophe's Crepes Read More
Chocolate Inspired Dinner w/ Chef Knipschildt of Chocopologie CTbites Invites CTbites Team February 12, 2012 Join Fritz Knipschildt of Chocopologie, and CTbites on March 13 as we indulge the master chocolatier and chef in realizing his vision for a perfectly decadent meal. Inspired by Valentines Day, this intimate dinner will feature five courses infused and/or influenced by Fritz's passion for chocolate. Each course will be paired with wine or spirits and will conclude with a tour of his SoNo chocolate factory. This event will be held privately at Chocopologie Cafe's SoNo location on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 and is $80 per person. View the complete menu below OR Purchase now and surprise your loved one as a Valentines Day gift. Read More
CTbites Pizza Contest: Design Pizzeria Rosso's 2012 Pie Restaurant Norwalk Pizza CTbites Team February 11, 2012 What were they thinking? I can do better than that? Why didn’t they use sausage? You wanna put pineapple on that pizza? What is Thai pizza anyway? These are typical statements that spark debate on the perfect combination of ingredients to place on a pizza. And now the readers of CTbites will have the opportunity to create the CTbites 2012 Pie that will be featured on Pizzeria Rosso’s menu. So welcome to: DESIGN PIZZERIA ROSSO’S “CTBITES 2012 PIE COMBO.” The rules are pretty simple. Submit the toppings that you think will create the primo, perfect, over the top pizza pie. At midnight on February 27th the entries will close and a small team of pizza lovers will choose the five finalists. (Try to be as specific as possible as the Editors of CTbites have told me these judges are not the sharpest knives in the drawer.) These final five combinations will compete in a “Pizza Throwdown” at Pizzeria Rosso (Exact Date will be posted when the Finalists are announced). The winning pie will go up on Pizzeria Rosso's menu as the "CTBites 2012 Pie Combo. So get those ideas submitted and have the chance to see one of the best pizza makers in Fairfield County turn your idea into reality and a chance to see your name next to the CTBites 2012 Pie Combo. Read More
Olivette: EVOO Tasting Room & Retail in Darien Ingredients Darien Specialty Market Deanna Foster February 10, 2012 Alina Lawrence opened her wonderful olive oil tasting room and retail shop, Olivette, in Darien days before the New Year, resolving to bring freshly pressed, single varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils and brilliantly flavored vinegars to Fairfield County. I recently spent a delightful 2 ½ hours sipping and slurping my way around the room, grateful for her resolution. If you are looking for true Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with all its health and culinary benefits, the grocery aisle is a convenient place to shop, but may not be the best place to find what you are seeking. Tom Mueller, has written extensively on the perils of purchasing olive oil, and recently published Extra Virginity, The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil. To sum up his work briefly, the oil industry is fraught with fraud, and we are not always getting what we expect in the bottles we purchase. Read More
Prasad Chirnomula Recreates James Beard House Dinner Amy Kundrat February 09, 2012 Chef Prasad Chirnomula is bringing his James Beard House dinner to The Clarke Culinary Center in South Norwalk, CT on Thursday, March 15, 2012. From Mole to Masala, Chef Prasad's menu weaves together the cuisines of India and Mexico reflecting his Connecticut restaurants, Thali and Oaxaca, providing a unique opportunity to taste the ingredients, spices and spirit of both Mexico and India. This event is $200 per person and pre-registration is required. "We are very excited about this unique and intimate evening," said Marco Barallon, manager of The Clarke Culinary Center and Clarke showroom in South Norwalk, CT. "This is going to be a wine dinner like nothing you've ever experienced." In this Clarke event entitled, "Journeys of Cultures from the James Beard House," Chef Prasad is recreating the dinner he prepared when he was invited to cook for an audience at the site of the James Beard Foundation in New York. Seating is limited and preregistration is required online at ClarkeCorp or by calling 800.842.5275. Read More
And the Winners of Chowdafest 2012.... CTbites Team February 08, 2012 Congrats to all the winners of the 2012 Chowdafest. A great time was had by all and 2012 set records for both attendance and donations. If you missed it or simply didn't hear who won, compare these top picks with your taste buds. Classic New England 1st: Mansion Clam House (first to repeat in the same category) 2nd: Rory's (their first top 3 finish) 3rd: O'Neill's (their first top 3 finish) Creative Chowder 1st: Ginger Man (a two time champion now plus a 2nd for same entry) Read More
Travel to Tuscany for the Week w/ Chef Pietro Scotti CTbites Team February 07, 2012 Join Westport's beloved chef, Pietro Scotti, for a unique, hands-on cooking experience in the magical region of Tuscany Italy on Friday April 27- Friday May 4, 2012. We’ll supply the aprons, just bring your culinary curiosity, appetite and love for Italy for a very special 8 day/7 night culinary and cultural adventure. This intimate journey will be limited to a maximum of only 14 participants. Whether your preference is to spend time creating in the kitchen with Chef Pietro and/or to have unique access for exploring the secrets of Tuscany, this is your dream journey. Read More
Spring Workshops at Millstone Farm Education Wilton CTbites Team February 06, 2012 This just in from The Fairfield Green Food Guide: Millstone Farm's spring workshops series has been announced. These events range from Pig Carving 101 with Chef Tim LaBant of The Schoolhouse to Raising Backyard Chickens with Millstone’s Master Farmer, Annie Farrell. You'll want to check these out. Pig Carving 101 Saturday, March 17: 12pm – 2pm Tim LaBant, Chef and owner of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale Restaurant provides a comprehensive how-to on carving a full pig. We’ll also discuss benefits of the different cuts of meat, and how best to prep and cook them. Read More
