South End: A Modern Tavern Opens in New Canaan Restaurant American New Canaan Beer Comfort Food Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger September 30, 2012 In early July CTbites previewed the opening of South End, the newest addition to the New Canaan restaurant scene. Nearly two months of frenzied activity has confirmed the local appreciation that the creative cuisine of Chef Nicholas Martschenko is alive on Pine Street. Overseeing the front of the house is Keith Siskind, his business partner, and the duo redesigned the interior at South End to create a relaxing atmosphere by intertwining rustic charm with modern comfort. The tables are carefully arranged to allow for pleasant conversation and the overall noise level creates a vibrant buzz without overwhelming intrusion. With upwards of 85 seats, 30 of which are contained around the energetic bar area, South End offers pleasant ambience to enjoy the wonderful cuisine that emerges from the kitchen. The duo’s ambition to create the “Modern Tavern” is a rousing success. Siskind developed an excellent relationship with two local breweries, New Canaan’s Charter Oak and Stamford’s Half Full (Bright Ale) and both are prominently displayed on the taps overlooking the bar. Read More
Foodie Fest Unites Foodies in Westport Oct 26-28 CTbites Team September 30, 2012 CTbites in collaboration with the Westport Downtown Merchants Association is excited to present the first Downtown Westport Foodie Fest the weekend of October 26, 27, 28! All Foodie Fest events are venue driven, giving attendees a chance to come to the beautiful downtown area of Westport and savor over 15 events including: Sushi Making for Kids, a Biergarten on the Green, Happy Hour @ The Spotted Horse, and a screening of the ultimate foodie flick, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi" (to name a few). CTbites Invites, the very popular “insider access” foodie event program, will be offering a “menu” of over 10 dining experiences all day Saturday 10/27 including a Bloody Mary Demo and Brunch at Tavern on Main, Lunch with Chef Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro’s, Happy Hour at Spotted Horse, Mediterranean Wines and Appetizers at Acqua, a thrilling Champagne Saber demo and tasting at LUXE Modern Wine Bar, Bourbon, BBQ and Beer at Bobby Q’s and a special pre-theatre dinner at Blue Lemon. BUY Tickets here for these events & more. Read More
Westport & Weston Restaurant Week 2012 Starts Sept. 30th Events Weston Westport CTbites Team September 28, 2012 It's a fine time to eat out in Westport & Weston as Westport & Weston Restaurant Week returns September 30th through October 5th. Prix fixed menus include 3 courses for either lunch or dinner. In addition, the Westport Arts Center is sponsoring a “Dinner Doodle” Contest, encouraging diners to doodle on napkins provided by the restaurants. They will be entered into the doodle contest and featured at the Dinner Doodle Party on October 17th! Participating restaurants include: Arezzo Ristorante , Bistro 88 , Blue Lemon, Bobby Q’s , DaPietro’s , Dressing Room , Matsu Sushi , Oaxaca Kitchen , Pane e Bene , River House Tavern , Rizzuto’s , Tabouli Grill, Tarantino’s , Tarry Lodge, Tavern on Main , Terrain Garden Cafe , Villa del Sol Read More
Amuse Bouche: Food News for September 28 CTbites Team September 28, 2012 Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit (1790 Post Road East, Westport) Thursday, October 25th 7-8pm hosts a Whiskey & Bitters Happy Hour Class. Mix and match a variety of different bitters with two classic whiskey cocktails to see the big flavor impact just a few drops can make. Bottlerocket will open every bottle of bitters in the shop, allowing attendees to explore a wide range of flavor combinations.Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford is all grown up. Coalhouse will soon feature a dedicated bar & game room with darts, bar shuffleboard, karaoke, and the Golden Tee 2013 golf game; four large flatscreen televisions; and up to 60 new seats in a private setting. All Coalhouse Beer Club Members who book a Holiday Party at Coalhouse get 10% off (before tax & gratuity)! To kick off American Cheese Month Fairfield Cheese Company will host Chris Gray of Consider Bardwell Farm on Saturday October 6th from 1-4pm for a cheese tasting of their award winning American artisan cheeses. The ever popular Ambler Farm Day is THIS Sunday, September 12th from 12-4. Bring the family and enjoy this wonderful Fall Festival. This Saturday, September 29, Michael Stern (www.roadfood.com, NPR, Saveur magazine) will bring his Connecticut Eating Tour's 50 Foodies to Wave Hill Breads Bakery & Cafe at 30 High Street in Norwalk, CT. Read More
Sunday Talks & Tastings @ Yale Peabody Museum Restaurant Education New Haven Amy Kundrat September 27, 2012 The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History will host Talks and Tastings, three events in conjunction with the current exhibition Big Food: Health, Culture and the Evolution of Eating. These events, part presentation and part tasting, will be held on Sundays, September 30, October 28 and December 2. September 30: Spice of Life: Boosting Flavor Profiles and Healthy Eating October 28: Oncology Nutrition December 2: Nutrition for Young Children Admission to the Museum is free, but advance registration for these events is required. The Peabody Museum is located at 170 Whitney Avenue in New Haven, CT. Read More
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
