Bartaco Restaurant Offers Gluten Free Menu Restaurant Gluten-Free Port Chester Special Dietary Needs Stamford Mexican Lunch Kid Friendly Maizy Boosin September 14, 2012 Good news for people with Celiacs Disease or those going gluten free. Turns out...bartaco Restaurant is almost completely gluten free! We sent our roving reporter, 9 year old Maizy Boosin, who suffers from Celiac, to test out the menu. See what she found out below... When bartaco opened its first location in Pt. Chester, NY last year, the goal was to serve simple, tasty food in a stylish yet relaxed environment. After having expanded to locations in Stamford, CT and West Hartford, CT, bartaco continues to fulfill its original goal with a considerable bonus: the vast majority of its menu happens to be gluten free. Read More
Last Chance! Bacon Week @ Plan B Burger Bar in Milford Restaurant Cocktails Milford Burgers Cindy Hartog September 13, 2012 How does Plan B in Milford celebrate its 1-year birthday? With a cake? NO! This meat-loving restaurant celebrates with BACON! Bacon Week runs from September 10th - 16th at Plan B Burger Bar in Milford. John Brennan, the executive chef was nice enough to invite me to come opening night. I alerted my cardiologist. Armed with a big appetite and an open mind, I brought my bacon LOVING husband Marc along to help me taste everything on the menu. The meal began with the 3 signature drinks- all made with bacon infused bourbon. Plan B prides itself on its bourbon selection, and I’m a fan. I tried the bourbon straight and it was really nice, with just a hint of the bacon- nothing overpowering. Read More
Shake Shack Opens in New Haven Restaurant New Haven Burgers Amy Kundrat September 12, 2012 Shake Shack has officially arrived in New Haven. The New York hamburger chain opened its first college outpost, and second in the Connecticut, in the state's Elm City on the evening of September 12 to family and friends. It will offially open to the public on September 13, 2012. Shake Shack's founder Danny Meyer may have a not-so-hidden agenda for this first foray to college campuses – his daughter is a freshman at Yale. Facing the New Haven green on Chapel Street, Shake Shack is conveniently near the old campus of Yale University. Its location is an auspicious one – it is about a quarter of a mile away from Louis Lunch, often touted as the birthplace of the hamburger. The menu is similar to its sister restaurants, with a few signature Concretes including the Skull & Cones Concrete (a play on the University's Skull & Bones secret society), a combination of chocolate and vanilla with shattered sugar cones, and peanut butter sauce and chocolate truffle cookie dough, and the Boola Boola Blue Concrete (a reference to Yale's fight song), a combination vanilla custard with blueberry jam and a lemon pie. Shake Shack New Haven is now open at 986 Chapel Street in New Haven and will be open daily from 11 am to 11 pm. Read More
New Canaan's Harvest Festival: Craft Beer & Chef Tastings Events Beer CTbites Team September 12, 2012 Tickets are now on sale for the first annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 29 at the New Canaan Nature Center! Held outdoors on the Nature Center’s grounds, the event will feature craft beer tastings, live bands, “local bites” provided by area chefs and outdoor games. This event is open to guests 21 & over with an afternoon tasting sessions from 3pm – 6pm and an evening session from 7pm – 10pm. All attendees will receive a tasting mug at the door which they can use to sample a variety of craft beers. Participating brewers are: Berkshire Brewing Company, Charter Oak Brewing Co. - CT, Cisco Brewers, Estrella Damm, GW Beer - CT, Half Full Brewery - CT, Harpoon Brewery, Thomas Hooker - CT, Murphy’s Stout, Palm Breweries. Chefs from several area restaurants will provide “local bites” to complement the beer tastings. Roger Sherman Inn, Carpe Diem, Boulevard 18, The Tuscan, Chicken Joe’s, Joe’s Pizza truck, Deep River Snacks, El Rancho de Pancho, Asia Hamachi, Zumbach’s coffee. Read More
Nutmegger Cheese & Wine Festival September 23 Cheese Events Wine Tasting CTbites Team September 11, 2012 Calling all cheese lovers! The Working Lands Alliance will proudly host the inaugural Nutmegger Cheese and Wine Festival, a fundraiser to protect Connecticut’s farmland and to support quality childhood nutrition. The Festival will be held on Sunday, September 23 from noon-4 p.m. at the Jones Family Farms, located at 120 Beardsley Road in Shelton, CT. It will feature samples of Connecticut’s best cheeses and wines, vineyard tours, hayrides, cheesemaker talks and book signings, and include special guests who will talk about cheese. Participating Vendors Include: Cheesemakers: Arethusa Farm & Dairy, Beltane Farms, Butterfield Farm Company, Cato Corner Farm, Ladies of Levita Road, Meadow Stone Farm, Sankow Beaver Brook Farm. Read More
Blues & BBQ Festival Recap: Got Meat Anyone? CTbites Team September 11, 2012 On Labor Day weekend, 7 talented chefs joined CTbites at the Blues & BBQ Festival in Westport. Under a blistering sun, they grilled, chopped, and demo'ed dishes for literally thousands of admiring fans. The CTbites Chef Demo Tent was rocking thanks to the efforts of: 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. Missed the event, or just want to see the chefs in action? VIEW OUR BBQ FESTIVAL CHEF DEMO TENT PHOTO GALLERY Read More
"Foodies" Opening Party & Night Market @ WAC, Sept. 14 Deanna Foster September 10, 2012 Foodies Descend on the Westport Arts Center for a Delectable Reception on September 14 The connection between food and art shares such a long thread throughout humanity; it winds its way back to our cave dwelling days. Art has come a long way since those early drawings, and so has our food supply. To celebrate this lasting connection, and its progress, The Westport Arts Center will host an Opening Reception and Night Food Market for its upcoming exhibition, “Foodies.” On Friday, September 14th from 6 - 8pm, the Arts Center on 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, will become an art and food gallery featuring local artists’ works and local chefs’ creations. Read More
Olio Restaurant Opens in Springdale, Stamford Restaurant American Italian Stamford Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger September 09, 2012 Olio - [oh-lee-oh] (noun) - a dish of many different ingredients Olio Restaurant, off the beaten path in the Springdale section of Stamford, represents the epitome of a “Hidden Gem.” Located in the space that formerly housed Bella Luna, Chef/Owner Steve Costanzo and his business partner Moira Hyland bring over 36 years of experience to this underserved neighborhood. After two months, the residents are viewing Olio as their local culinary answer to downtown Stamford. Costanzo graduated from the New York Restaurant School and worked in many area restaurants including Baang, Long Ridge Tavern, and Quattro Pazzi (Executive Chef). Hyland is a graduate of the Chef's Training Program at The Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts, The duo brings their passion and energy to create an eclectic and inviting menu and environment to their dream restaurant. Read More
CT Food Bank Awards CTbites "Hunger Action Hero" CTbites Team September 09, 2012 September is Hunger Action Month and CTbites was greatly honored to be awarded the Hunger Action Hero Award for Media Advocacy by the Connecticut Food Bank. CT Food Bank distributes 33 tons of food to those in need EVERY DAY, and you may not realize it, but in Fairfield County, the need is great. Help support the CT Food Bank's efforts during Hunger Action Month and every month. To find out how to help, especially during the upcoming holiday season, go to the Connecticut Food Bank's web site. Read More
Half Full Brewery Opens in Stamford Tomorrow! Restaurant Brewery Stamford Beer James Gribbon September 07, 2012 Four years after Conor Horrigan decided to make the leap from regular working stiff to found his own brewery, the dream becomes a reality this weekend in Stamford. Half Full Brewery will be open for tastings and tours tomorrow, September 8 from 12 – 2p.m. Tours of Fairfield County’s newest brewery commence at 12:30 and 1:30, and visitors will have the option to buy filled growlers and take home a generous portion of Half Full’s signature brew: Bright Ale. The crew at Half Full describe their venture thusly: The Half Full Brewery is a “lifestyle” brewery that came to life after Conor decided to quit his day job and travel Europe and the concept behind our brewery is as simple as its name and motto sounds: whether your glass is literally or figuratively “Half Full”, you can “look forward to more…” Read More
CTbites Invites Fall 2012 Lineup Restaurant CTbites Invites ellen bowen September 07, 2012 CTbites Invites is back from summer break with an exciting lineup of insider culinary events and food experiences including Wine Dinners, Cooking Classes, and themed dining events at Napa & Co, Chocopologie, Brasitas, Bernard's, Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro, and SoNo Baking Company. Keep a eye out for these happening in the next few months. For those not yet familiar with our Invites series, CTbites partners with chefs and restaurants all over Fairfielld County (and beyond) to bring our readers innovative culinary-minded events, with behind-the-scenes access and exclusive experiences on some of the most interesting culinary happenings in the region. This past year we hosted over 40 Invites with over 1000 “foodie” attendees! We believe life is too short for bad food. Read More
Shanghai Asian Bistro: Shanghai Opens Second Location in Norwalk Restaurant Asian Chinese Japanese Norwalk Thai Vietnamese Multiple Eaters September 07, 2012 Occasionally, we like to get a few opinions on a restaurant. Here are two shorts from Cathy Siroka and James Gribbon on Shanghai Bistro. If you’re in South Norwalk and want a simple, easy place to go before a movie or out with the kids – try Shanghai Asian Bistro. They recently opened a second location at 124 Washington St., with their first one in Westport at 1715 Post Rd East. Owner, John Jiang, had been carefully looking for a second location for years, and has seen such a huge change in the traffic and excitement in downtown Norwalk, and finally felt that “now was the right time.” While the menu has the Chinese classics like shrimp with duck sauce and General Tsao’s chicken, the restaurant also offers an array of other Asian inspired dishes and many ways to customize your order according to your tastes and dietary preferences. Jiang explains his menu as “all-Asian, not just Chinese, a sampling of the flavors of China, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.” Read More
Bernard's Paella, Tapas & Spanish Wine Dinner Sept. 16th CTbites Team September 06, 2012 On Sunday, September 16th @ 6 pm, take full advantage of the last days of summer with an evening of Paella & Wine, served al fresco. Join Bernard's & 109 Cheese & Wine for a special dinner in Bernard's beautiful Ridgefield garden (weather permitting). Assorted Tapas, PAELLA & Spanish Wine will be served. Plus, lucky guests get a front row seat watching Bernard as he cooks his legendary Paella. The full menu is below. Read More
Saugatuck Craft Butchery Classes & Events Features Butcher Cooking Classes Education CTbites Team September 06, 2012 The kids are going back to school, and so should you! Lead by example and take one of Saugatuck Craft Butchery's fall/winter classes. They are offering their usual Butchery 101 classes, as well as a special Holiday Edition. All registration is now done online, so visit the Craft Butchery website to reserve your spot. See below for details on all available classes. They are also conducting pig butchering demonstrations- unlike the classes this is not hands-on, but it is still a great way to watch and learn as our butchers walk through the basic anatomy of a pig, artfully carving it into primals, then individual cuts. Read More
Slice of Saugatuck Festival: Tastings For All! CTbites Team September 06, 2012 After a highly successful event last year, this year on Saturday September 15, 2012 from noon - 3pm over three dozen of Saugatuck's finest restaurants, shops and galleries will be opening their doors and inviting the community to come and sample their offerings. Walk the streets of Saugatuck Center and taste your way from restaurant to restaurant, to liquor store, to retail merchant and back. Try some brick oven pizza, a specialty soup or a dish from Mario Batali's Tarry Lodge. Sample Bridge Square's Popadum Indian cuisine or Bistro 88. Everyone from CakeSuite to The Black Duck and Saugatuck Wine and Spirits will be giving out tastings so wear those stretchy pants. Read More
Terra Sole: Ridgefield's Hidden Gem Restaurant Italian Ridgefield Lunch Amy Kundrat September 05, 2012 Tucked behind one of Fairfield County’s most charming Main Streets, Terra Sole in Ridgefield beckons. If the weather cooperates, a 70-seat outdoor patio is your best bet. A steady weekday lunch crowd belies this restaurant’s not-so-best kept secret–a weekday prix fixe Italian lunch. Pietro Polini, the owner along with wife Lana, is a constant welcoming presence at the restaurant that pulls its culinary influences from the entire length of Italy. You’ll often find Pietro attentively scanning the dining room and patio and recommending dishes and wines to diners. Although he hails from Northern Italy, he and his family have owned restaurants from Puglia to Rimini. Read More
SoNo Marketplace Opening Soon in Norwalk Restaurant Norwalk Specialty Market Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger September 04, 2012 The SoNo MarketPlace is springing to life at 314 Wilson Avenue in South Norwalk and will change how Fairfield County views food markets. The MarketPlace is the brainchild of John Palino, the New Yorker who oversaw the creation of more than twenty restaurants, bars and nightclubs and the host and co-creator of “The Kitchen Job,” New Zealand’s top rated food focused series. The site, influenced by the ambience of the food courts of France “will combine a seasonal outdoor farmers market with a year-round indoor urban marketplace.” Located within the transforming industrial area of SONO, John Palino, Joe Grasso, and Lindsay Sudel, will revitalize the water view property to create a foodie destination with additional shopping. Palino and Grasso are also taking a personal interest in three of the culinary booths: FLAT WHITE COFFEE, the SONO CANTINA, and GOTTA NIBBLE. Read More
Saffron Indian Cuisine: An Unexpected Gem in Norwalk Norwalk Indian Lunch Sarah Green September 02, 2012 To quote a great Donovan song from the '60's, "I'm just mad about Saffron." Now the true meaning behind those lyrics is intended for another type of blog all together -I'll just stick with the restaurant that shares its name with the spice. Saffron, the year old Indian restaurant located at 333 Westport Ave in Norwalk, is the labor of love for "Pinky" Kaur, a native of Northern India. The establishment is modest and seats about 35 guests, but just like the spice, a little SAFFRON goes a very long way. We ordered, (as is our tradition), an extensive selection of the menu, but each dish that arrived seemed more well executed than the one before. This is not fancy Indian; this is authentic North-Indian at its finest. Here's the play by play. Read More
Author of "An Everlasting Meal" Tamar Adler to Speak at The Aldrich Restaurant Author Events Amy Kundrat September 02, 2012 Tamar Adler, a former editor at Harper’s Magazine and former cook at Chez Panisse and Prune will visit The Aldrich on Sunday, September 9 at 3 pm. Tickets are $10 each or free for members. Adler has written a series of essays which, as Alice Waters states in the foreword to Adler’s book, An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace are “...teaching people not just how to cook but how to love to cook.” Read More
Friday Froth: Outside and Inside Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon August 31, 2012 It can all seem so simple, these twenty two moving parts. Eleven on eleven, they violently mesh, or they fly apart. Some people look at this whole and perceive only a lumpen, tangled jumble. From orbit, the Amazon rainforest is reduced to a green carpet. A glance at the watch's face shows only two hands. A second's worth of recognition, then on to something else, the actual time already forgotten. On the watch's face is the hour. Behind that: gears, escapments, jewels. Under the green, jungle canopy: rivers, streams, lives, civilizations. Guttural cries, naked violence, and the necessary imbalance of the scoreboard are the most apparent facets of American football. Tribal, atavistic pleasures, occasionally waved off as simple things by and for simple minds. Motivating and informing it all, though, this. Twenty two individual goals made systemic by design; the moving parts of a machine imbued with a will and given a target. Put the parts together and see if the result is harmonic precision, or an expensive spray of ragged metal and oh dear, I seem to have a hairspring lodged in my cornea. That beer in your hand is more than just "a beer." Read More
