Friday Froth: Lesson Learned Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon August 24, 2012 Your average lemur makes a terrible manservant. Don't ever waste a summer trying. It takes them forever to drag a beer from one room to the next, and you'd think they have dexterous little hands, but I found their laundry folding skills to be incredibly sub-par. Exotic animal friends can be both time consuming and delicious, but a Cornish game hen provides the latter with no need of training or a wee tuxedo. Unless well-dressed poultry is your thing, you monster. But let's put aside whatever predilections you have for Capon in chapeau and return to our subject, shall we? In the upper midwest (where the men are men and the women are frozen to something) sits Grand Rapids, Michigan. It has an area of 45.3 sq. mi., is home to the Frederick Meijer Gardens, the DeVos Place Convention Center and many other places you've read about both here and on Wikipedia if you've never been to the place and need something to write about it in your beer column. TRANSITION It is also home to Founders Brewing Company, one of the more significant craft breweries in the United States, at the northeast side of which you can spy Connecticut, where Founders beers can now be, um... found. Read More
Noel Jones Joins Copper Beach Inn in Ivoryton CTbites Team August 24, 2012 Highly regarded chef Noel Jones, who left ON20 in Hartford’s Polytechnic Club earlier this month, has resurfaced at Ivoryton’s historic Copper Beech Inn. Named Best Country Inn for 2009-2010 by Connecticut Magazine, the Copper Beech Inn is one of Connecticut’s premier venues for dining and lodging. It’s also one of its prettiest. Jones says he is excited about being in partnership with the Copper Beech Inn. He will be assuming the duties of Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director. “There will be tremendous talent in the kitchen,” Jones enthuses. “This is one of the best teams I’ve ever assembled.” Diners can count on Jones’ trademark imaginative and beautifully plated food. Read More
Millstone Fall Workshops: Canning Tomatoes & Pickling CTbites Team August 24, 2012 Millstone Farms has come up with a way to preserve our seasonal bounty. Summer tomatoes and other vegetables can be enjoyed all winter long with their fall workshops on Canning Tomatoes and Pickling. These workshops take place at the always beautiful Millstone Farm in Wilton, and are led by by veteran farmer Annie Farrell. If you haven't made it out to Millstone yet, this is a great reason to get closer to the source. Information on these workshops can be found below: Read More
White Gate Farm Launches 'Farm Kitchen' Cooking Classes Restaurant Cooking Classes East Lyme Shoreline East Farm Fresh Amy Kundrat August 23, 2012 White Gate Farm in East Lyme, CT, a favorite eastern Connecticut farm stand and Dinners on the Farm venue, is unveiling their new commercial "Farm Kitchen" and a series of cooking classes featuring talented Connecticut chefs. The series will officially kick off this Friday at White Gate Farm for what they are calling a "Grand Unveiling" on August 24 at 7 pm ($10 per person). The evening will feature a preview of the hands-on kitchen and farm-fresh hors d'oeuvres, wine and chef's presentations. They will also unveil the full season of classes, dates and participating chefs this evening. Read More
Don't Miss "Bacon Week" at Plan B Burger in Milford Restaurant Milford Comfort Food Kid Friendly Burgers CTbites Team August 22, 2012 Plan B Burger knows that everything is better with bacon. Hence, in celebration of their one Year Anniversary, Plan B Milford presents “Bacon Week,” Monday September 10-Sunday September 16th. This bacon bounty includes a full menu of bacon inspired savory and sweet treats including everything from “The Divine Swine” aka “Drop Dead Burger,” (100% ground bacon burger topped w/ thick sliced bacon, bacon aioli, bourbon bacon red onion jam, and a fried egg all sandwiched in between a grilled cheese) to Bacon Candy Bars and Bacon infused Bourbon cocktails. Did I mention the Bacon Cotton Candy? There's one for the ages. The full menu is below, but if you love pork like I love pork, I'd say make your way over to Milford. Read More
It's Hatch Chile Season! Celebrate with Stew Leonards. Ingredients Restaurant Norwalk CTbites Team August 22, 2012 If you can't make it to the annual Hatch Chile Festival in New Mexico in early September, this weekend in Norwalk may be a close second. Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk is partnering with a family-owned New Mexico Green Chile Company to host a Hatch Chile Roasting demo and tasting for customers on Thursday, August 23 through Sunday, August 26, 2012. Stew's will be selling their fire-roasted or unroasted Hatch chiles, as well as offering samples of fresh salsa made with Hatch chiles. For more information, visit Stew Leonards website or better yet, stop on by this weekend. Read More
Forte Gelato: "Healthier" Gelato, Now @ Stew Leonard's sherri daley August 21, 2012 We weren’t twenty minutes into our conversation when Adrian Pace took out his I-phone and showed me pictures of his freezer. “Look there,” he said, touching the screen and bringing up another image of the freezer from a different angle. “Right in the middle of Stew Leonard’s. Great placement! ” Wow, I‘m thinking. Most people show you pictures of their kids. But this is how excited Adrian Pace is about his product, Forte Gelato, a low-fat, protein-enriched gelato. He’s Italian – that explains the gelato part – but he’s also a lifelong heart patient at Columbia Hospital where he survived half a dozen major surgeries since the age of 5, literally hundreds of smaller procedures, endless medication, loneliness - and after waiting over seven months in the hospital for a donor heart - bouts of hopelessness. He was 37 years old. Read More
Pontos Taverna: Authentic Greek in Norwalk Restaurant Greek Norwalk Lunch Nancy Kleeger August 19, 2012 A well-executed movie night in Fairfield County, which includes eating out before or after the flick, usually requires some skill. You have to factor in the length of the movie and the distance to the restaurant and hope that there isn’t any traffic along Post Road so you don’t miss the coming attractions or your reservation. Good news foodies and movie lovers, I have found the antidote to that little problem right in the heart of Norwalk. I introduce to you, Pontos Taverna (cue the Greek music), serving Authentic Greek Cuisine right next to Garden Cinema. Next to Garden Cinema you ask? I know, I’ve said it before myself, “What Greek restaurant next to the cinema?” Read More
Chef Demo Tent Lineup @ 2012 Blues & BBQ Festival Restaurant BBQ Chef Talk Events CTbites Team August 19, 2012 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 Saturday, September 1st from 11:30-5pm come on down to the CTbites Chef 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 Rob Troilo of Nicholas Roberts in Norwalk; Chef Joe Wolfson of Terrain in Westport; Chef Helton DaSilva of Barcelona Restaurant; Festivities Catering and Chef Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill. Chef Demo Schedule 11:30 Festivities Catering (Nicole Straight) 12:15 Matt Storch, The Chelsea/Match 1:00 Helton DaSilva, Barcelona 1:45 Rob Troilo, Nicholas Roberts 2:30 Joe Wolfson, Terrain 3:15 Pietro Scotti, Da Pietro's 4:00 Judy Roll, Tabouli Grill Read More
The Winners of the Beach Burger Contest... Restaurant Burgers jfood August 17, 2012 A mouthwatering hamburger is one of life’s simple pleasures. And when you can elevate this 100+ year old culinary delight to another level, it makes for great eating. Schedules finally allowed for the tasting and voting for Beach Burger’s CTbites’ Burger and it was a night filled with serious eating, drinking and some tough decisions on which of the entries would win. All of the combinations were brilliantly conceived and each brought a different combination of flavors. There were Italian, Latin, Southeast Asian and good old fashioned Southern combinations in the hamburger finalists plus Caribbean and childhood memories in the milk shakes recipes. After sampling five excellent hamburgers and three delicious milk shakes, the judges were torn between two in each category. But contests are made for winners, so CTbites is pleased to announce that the new additions to Beach Burger’s menu are: Read More
Farm-to-Chef Gala to Celebrate CT Farms, September 9th CTbites Team August 16, 2012 The Celebration of Connecticut Farms is the State’s oldest and largest farm-to-chef event. This year’s gala will also mark the 10th Anniversary of Connecticut Farmland Trust. Ashlawn Farm, the location of the Lyme Farmer’s Market and Ashlawn Farm Coffee, will host the event on Sunday, September 9th, from 12:00 to 4:30pm. Over 25 of Connecticut’s best restaurants will be preparing food on-the-day, brought in fresh from farms and producers all over the state. Come and sample food by G-Zen, Metro Bis, Max Downtown, the Dressing Room, Zinc and many others. For the first time ever, the Celebration will also feature some of Connecticut’s best food trucks – we don’t want to miss out on the growing sector of great food on-the-go, including Skinny Pines Pizza and Caseus Fromagerie Bistro (the Cheese Truck). Read More
Tour India with Thali's Prasad Chirnomula Road Trip Road Trip Indian CTbites Team August 16, 2012 Indian Master Chefs Prasad Chirnomula and Maneet Chauhan, along with Culinary Instructor Jody Eddy have meticulously planned a gastronomic and cultural journey to India, December 1 - 13, 2012. One way to reach India's heart is through its stomach. Centuries of applied epicurean experimentation have led to several regional centers of India such as the regal Rajasthan. Through formal and informal discussions throughout this journey, Prasad and Maneet will provide invaluable insights of their homeland and guide you through one of the greatest gourmet spice journeys you will ever experience. From the bustling metropolis of Delhi to the serene natural quiet of the Thar Desert, you will explore India and celebrate the tastes and the sights and the sounds, while meeting the people that give India its name and its fame. For a detailed itinerary, pricing and more information about registration, visit www.jhcbh.com. Read More
New Canaan Restaurant Week Starts August 24 Restaurant New Canaan CTbites Team August 15, 2012 After a successful premiere last year, New Canaan Restaurant Week is on tap to run from Friday, August 24th to Thursday, August 30th. Thirteen New Canaan restaurants will feature Restaurant Week prix fixe menus -- providing diners a chance to sample their cuisines at attractive prices. Already known as a destination for great food, New Canaan’s upcoming promotional week promises to draw restaurant-goers into town, just as the summer is winding down and the new school year starts. The list of restaurant participants reflects the full array of New Canaan cuisines: Boulevard 18 Bistro & Wine Bar; Carpe Diem; Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant; Gates Restaurant; elm; New Canaan Diner; Plum Tree Restaurant; Rosie; Sole Ristorante; Thali Regional Cuisine of India – New Canaan; The Tuscan Osteria-Mercato and Silvermine Market. Participating restaurants have a choice of two price points for the featured two-course luncheon menus and three-course dinner menus. Pricing is as follows: Lunch $10.12 or $15.12; and dinner $20.12 or $29.12. Read More
Chef Matt Storch@ The Westport Farmers' Market Aug. 16 CTbites Team August 14, 2012 This Thursday, August 16th, Matt Storch, Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Match in South Norwalk, will be bringing his new American cuisine to the Westport Farmers’ Market Have you ever been to Match? Have you had the pleasure of visiting this hip little spot situated in the middle of SoNo? Been served up Storch’s Asain inspired American cooking and enjoyed the restaurant named the “Best Overall Restaurant and Best Service in Fairfield County” in 2010? If you just smiled or nodded yes to yourself, my job is done. I can stop this article here. Let’s just plan on meeting up Thursday at the Market (or better yet, dinner tonight?). Yet, for the few of you who have not yet had the opportunity to make it to Match…Thursday is approaching and my advice to you… seize the day! Read More
What's in Season: Blueberries Ingredients Seasonal Farm Fresh Tina Rupp August 14, 2012 CLICK ON ABOVE IMAGE TO LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY Tina Rupp is a professional food photographer who works with Food & Wine Magazine and Weight Watchers and also photographs many cookbooks and national print ads. She is inspired by the changing colors and textures of seasonal ingredients both as a foil for her her camera, as well as inspiration for her baking endeavors in her Old Saybrook home. She shoots with Canon and Hassleblad cameras Blueberries. You can get them practically year round in any grocery store in the country. We all know that they are often mealy and tasteless. Yet we still buy them, perhaps for their antioxidant power. But blueberry season is a whole different world. Outside of strawberries, blueberries are the fruit I look forward to the most in summer. The sweet yet tart delicious little nugget of flavor is such an amazing berry to eat straight off the bush, in a pie or cake or crumble, or right out of the freezer and into Sunday morning pancakes. Read More
John Barricelli's "The Seasonal Baker" Cookbook in Stores August 21 Features Bakery Chef Talk Cookbooks Recipe Deanna Foster August 14, 2012 The most appealing aspect of John Barricelli’s new cookbook “The Seasonal Baker: Easy Recipes From My Home Kitchen to Make Year-Round” is the reassuring conversational tone of his introductions and tips, which are not just sprinkled, but dolloped throughout the book. The title is a mouthful, but accurate, with the emphasis on the home kitchen. If you want to recreate the multi-layered Chocolate Ganache Cake or Crème Brulee Tartlets from the Sono Baking Company’s repertoire, go to John’s first cookbook of the same name. The Seasonal Baker is a go-to resource of thoughtfully selected and approachable recipes, both sweet and savory, meant to be prepared in a home kitchen. They will dazzle the diners, and not daunt the baker. The book is well organized, dividing its 135 recipes into 9 clear sections from Muffins, Quick Breads and Breakfast Treats through Crisps, Cobblers and Other Fruit Spoon Desserts to the savory Tarts, Quiches, Pastas and More, and finally Focaccia and Pizza on the Grill. With few exceptions, the recipes are designed for everyday baking and John’s heartfelt introduction sets you up for all you will encounter in the book, essentially a mash-up of food and family. Read More
Beaver Beer...It All Began In Westport, CT Ingredients Beer CTbites Team August 13, 2012 "If it wasn't for beaver, none of us would be here," Bill O'Brien, one of the three founders of Beaver Beer tells me over their delicious Big Red brew. Turns out he's not talking about our meeting at the bar, though. Bill gives me a quick history lesson and tells me that the Dutch were among the first to come to this country, and they were hunters looking for beaver pelts! It's one of the many stories that Beaver Beer brings out, and Bill lovingly refers to Beaver Beer as "a conversation in a bottle." The conversation that led to Beaver Beer occurred when three friends from Westport were camping and became inspired to create the perfect craft brew. After watching the nearby hard working, hard-playing beavers, they knew the beaver was the perfect mascot for their brand. Read More
Scena Wine Bar & Restaurant in Darien Restaurant Darien Italian Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger August 12, 2012 Scena Wine Bar & Restaurant in Darien has been serving top notch, modern interpretations of Italian cuisine under the direction of Executive Chef Eben Leonard for close to 3 years. It is one of three restaurants owned by brothers Vicente and Kleber Siguenza (a fourth is schedule to open in Greenwich later this year) including Cava Wine Bar in New Canaan and 55 Degrees Wine Bar and Restaurant in Fairfield. Chef Leonard traces his culinary passion to his early childhood in Chatham, New York when he prepared monthly dinner menus for his mother. As a teenager, Chef Leonard met his first mentor, Chef Urs Bieri, at the Elm Court Inn in Massachusetts, when Bieri hired him to work as a “chef” at the age of fifteen, Read More
Belgique Chocolatier To Close Both Locations Restaurant Chocolate CTbites Team August 12, 2012 Belgique Chocolatier, with locations in Kent and New Canaan, CT, will be closing the doors to both locations at the end of October and customers with gift certificates are encouraged to redeem them. Read More
