Support Community Plates on October 9th @ The Fall Ball Volunteer Stephanie Webster September 27, 2012 You've heard us talking about Community Plates and the great work they do every day by rescuing good food that would otherwise be thrown away by delivering it to hunger relief agencies in Fairfield County. Whether you have been involved in Community Plates, would like to learn more about this remarkable organization, or just like a good party, their FALL BALL is coming up on October 9th, and you’re invited. This is their major fundraiser of the year and the perfect night to make a contributions of time, passion or resources to keep this movement relevant and potent. Whether you are a restaurant, caterer or market with extra food to give to those in need, a volunteer who has a little extra time, or someone willing to support Community Plates with a small donation, this is the time to act. Plus, there will be a special opportunity to support Community Plates by bidding one of four "chef" packages donated by the generous people at Match Restaurant (Sono), Barcelona Wine Bar, Elm Restaurant (New Canaan) and Cinch Foods (Fairfield). Read More
Rhubarb Kitchen: Cooking School, British Style, in Darien Features Restaurant Cooking Classes Darien Education Dessert Melissa Roberts September 26, 2012 As if on cue, the day I attended class at the Rhubarb Kitchen, a cooking school with an emphasis on all things British, the sun disappeared and the weather turned appropriately overcast and drizzly. A perfect backdrop for learning about the delights of the very English ritual of Afternoon Tea. But first, a little about the women who run this show. Rebecca Binks (aka “Becs”) grew up in Kent and learned the highlights of English food from her grandmother, mom, and eight aunts. A former banker and world traveler who has lived in France and Spain, Becs landed in New York City where she met Lisa McMullan. Lisa, an Irishwoman, grew up surrounded by lush farmland and her culinary path is inspired by a true farm to table experience. Lisa practiced as an optometrist, but her love of food always lingered in the background. Read More
50+ Healthy Winter Squash Recipes via Jeanette's Healthy Living CTbites Team September 25, 2012 This week, local blogger, Jeanette's Healthy Living paid tribute to the season with a roundup of great recipes featuring Winter Squash. Growing winter squash can be done well into the winter, thus the name. These are hardy vegetables that can be found locally throughout the winter into the spring. Plus, they are a Power Food. Winter squash comes in all different shapes, sizes and colors and I’ve started to see more at our local farmer’s market. I’ve tried the more common pumpkin, acorn squash and butternut squash, as well as spaghetti squash, kabocha squash, buttercup squash, (similar to kabocha), and delicata squash, and I’d love to get my hands on a blue Hokkaido pumpkin, a hubbard squash, or a red Kuri pumpkin. I love using small winter squashes as bowls for serving soups and pilafs. They’re so elegant plus they’re edible! So what makes Winter Squash a Power Food? They’re packed with beta-carotene (which your body converts to vitamin A) and vitamin C, plus they’re high in fiber, manganese, potassium, folate, vitamin K and vitamin B6. Winter squash’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds are believed to have potential in the area of cancer prevention and cancer treatment, as well as the prevention of cardiovascular disease. To help get you started, I put together a roundup of 50+ Healthy Winter Squash recipes – Enjoy! Read More
WAFU Asian Bistro Opens in Southport Restaurant Asian Chinese Japanese Southport Thai Kid Friendly Sarah Green September 23, 2012 If you Google or Bing the word "Wafu" it translates to "Japanese-style," but when I asked Elaine Chen, the proprietor of the new WAFU Asian Bistro in Southport, her definition was "peace and harmony." The new Wafu, located at 3671 Post Road (formerly Friendly's) seems to be a little bit of both. Chen, from the FUJIAN PROVINCE of China, and her husband (the restaurant's lead sushi chef), have created an ASIAN establishment where Japanese, Chinese and Thai food mesh perfectly in a serene and sophisticated environment. Although it's difficult to telll from the exterior, the decor once inside is New York chic (and perhaps a tiny bit over the top with Swarski Chandeliers and neon-blue lighting). Menus are presented on ipads and you sit comfortably at your glossy tables on your white-leathered booth. Sure, it's a bit shi shi, but shi shi works at WAFU. The food is good for a "multi-culture" menu, the decor is funky and, though it looks fancy, it turns out to be a very kid-friendly establishment. Read More
Ridgefield Chef Swap: Bernard Boisseau & Jeff Taibe Restaurant Ridgefield Wine Dinners Amy Kundrat September 22, 2012 Chefs Bernard Bouissou of Bernard's Restaurant, and Chef Jeff Taibe of Southwest Café will join forces in the kitchen for two, five-course wine dinners in October. Southwest Café owner Barbara Nevins and Bernard's/Sarah's Wine Bar co-owner Sarah Boisseau will host these festive evenings. The classically trained French chef Bernard Boisseau will be embracing hatch chilies, cooking alongside Southwest Café's chef Jeff Taibe for Southwest's annual chile-centric Harvest Wine Dinner on Tuesday, October 2, 2012. Two weeks later on Sunday, October 21, Chef Jeff Taibe will be cooking in the kitchen at Bernard's, teaming up with Bernard for a dinner upstairs at Sarah's Wine Bar, for a contemporary French evening with a twist! Both evenings are $65 per person for 5 courses with 5 wine pairings (tax and gratuity is additional). Read More
First-Ever BrewFest Coming To Mohegan Sun October 6-7 CTbites Team September 20, 2012 Beer lovers rejoice, as Mohegan Sun hosts a spectacular beer tasting event on October 6th & 7th. The Summer may be winding down but at Mohegan Sun the fun times remain, especially when the first ever Sun BrewFest kicks off on Saturday, October 6th and carries into Sunday, October 7th. The big event, which takes place in the Uncas Ballroom, will feature over 100 beers as well as great food and activities and is scheduled to take place over three sessions. Tickets will be $20.00 per session and can be purchased through the Mohegan Sun Box Office. Everything from Craft Brews, Microbrews and Imports & Domestics to limited editions, plus many more will all be available, making over 100 beers in total. With that many beers, Mohegan Sun will conveniently provide tasting glasses, which can be kept as souvenirs as well as score cards to keep track of your favorite beers. Read More
WIN Free Tix to The Greenwich Food & Wine Festival! CTbites Team September 20, 2012 Wanna win FREE TICKETS to the GREENWICH FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL? We are giving away 10 FREE TICKETS! Like our Facebook page in the next 10 days, or if you're already a part of our Facebook community, just COMMENT on ANY FACEBOOK POST in the next 10 days. We will randomly select 10 winners on October 1st. More information on the Greenwich Food & Wine Festival. Read More
BONDA & Blackbird Vineyards Wine Dinner Sept 26th CTbites Team September 20, 2012 Wednesday, September 26th @ 7pm, join BONDA Restaurant and Blackbird Vineyards Proprietor, Michael Polenske, for an evening featuring four courses and five wines produced by the talented people at BlackbirdVineyards. Hailing from the Napa Valley, the main focus of Blackbird Vineyards’ wines is to showcase the beauty of the Merlot grape. Wine dinners at Bonda are intimate and special events. Seating is limited to 40 guests. Please call (203) 292-9555 for reservations. The price is $125 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity. Check out the full menu below complete with pairings. Read More
Amuse Bouche: Food News & Nibbles CTbites Team September 19, 2012 bartaco is now hosting Happy Hour Monday through Fridays from 5pm - 7pm at the Stamford and West Hartford locations only. $5 specialty cocktails. Kings Food Markets is hosting a grand opening of their first-ever CT store in Old Greenwich. Tasting begins on 10 a.m. on Friday, September 28, followed by remarks by Judy Spires, president & CEO of Kings Food Markets, and Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei at 11 a.m. On October 18th, Stew Leonard's Wines of Norwalk will host a wine and food tasting featuring more than 65 wines and beers as well as a menu of seasonal fare freshly prepared by Stew Leonard’s culinary team. Tickets are $40 per person and all proceeds will benefit The Norwalk Exchange Club. More Info. Aux Delices in Westport has just opened their evening bistro. Dinner is served Tues.-Sat. nights. Check their web site to view the menu and make reservations. Burger Craving? Thursday is "Burger Night" at Match in SONO. Read all about making of the Match Burger here. Read More
Community Plates Needs Food Runners! Kevin Mullins September 19, 2012 Community Plates is a non-profit organization that has employed one simple idea to address the complex issue of hunger, and in just a handful of months, made a huge impact in our community. Community Plates connects food to people in need of it, by rescuing good food that would otherwise be thrown away and delivering it to hunger relief agencies in Fairfield County. Community Plates has 26 food donors stretching from Greenwich to Fairfield, but we need your help to complete the direct transfer of the food to those who need it. Food runners drop off food that can be served to local food insecure individuals the same day – if not within just a few hours. We have many food rescue opportunities that we want to add to our schedule but we need more runners in order to add new donors and feed more people. To be involved with the Community Plates initiative, volunteers are asked to commit to just one food run or bin collection a month (15 – 60 minute effort). Read More
Celebrate 1 Year w/ Sono Baking Co. & John Barricelli CTbites Team September 17, 2012 Celebrate With The SoNo Baking Company on Sunday, September, 23 @ SoNo Baking at A&J's Farmstand 1680 Post Rd., Westport 2pm to 5pm In the words of Sono Baking Company: We have so many things to celebrate so we decided to throw one big party. John Barricelli's second book, The Seasonal Baker is out and it's getting great reviews. He'll be on hand to sign copies and talk about his inspiration for the book. Sono Baking Co.'s Westport location has already been open for one year! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to us! We've had a great year in Westport but couldn't have done it without you. So drop in to sample some new fall items as well as some old favorites. We'll be raffling off some prizes: Read More
Estia Restaurant Brings Greek Cuisine to SoNo Restaurant Greek Norwalk SONO Lunch Nancy Kleeger September 16, 2012 Gavrielides Restaurant Group, the family behind Harbor Lights, Eastside Café, and Overtons, all located in Norwalk, have added yet another egg to their already full basket of food establishments. Recently opened “Estia”, which shows off the Gavrielides family’s Greek roots, is a welcome addition to SONO’s Washington Street. It’s official: This tiny block now proudly boasts a veritable potpourri of cuisine, and with Greek cuisine now on offer, it is fast becoming a diners paradise. Let’s hope Estia, along with its’ neighboring partners in crime can live up to the increasing demand for quality, sophisticated food, so SONO can continue to thrive. Read More
1 Seat Left for Napa & Co. Wine Dinner w. Chef Marino CTbites Team September 15, 2012 Only 1 seat left for Napa & Co.'s 5 Course Tasting Menu & Wine Dinner event on September 27th. This special evening features Napa & Co's NEW Executive Chef, Leonardo Marino and owner/sommelier, Mary Schaffer and will take place from 7:00-9:30 pm for $85. VIEW MENU BELOW Coming Soon to CTbites Invites: Meet the farmer as you Join Chef Robert Troilo and his brother, Peter Troilo of Nicholas Roberts Fine Wines in Darien, for an all American Dinner on October 4th. This very special 4 course Fall Harvest meal features dishes from local farms and purveyors paired with wines from California, Washington State and NY State! Stay tuned for more information. Read More
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
