View "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" w/ Sushi & Sake October 28th

CTbites Team October 20, 2012

Westport Cinema Initiative presents Jiro Dreams of Sushi, (a MUST SEE for any food lover or chef), at the Westport Town Hall Auditorium followed by a Sushi Spectacular at the Westport Historical Society on Sunday Oct 28th @ 4pm. Tickets for the film alone are $10. Tickets for the film and the Sushi Spectacular are $30.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a remarkable 2011 Japanese documentary film directed by David Gelb. The film follows Jiro Ono, an 85 year-old sushi master and owner of Michelin 3-Star restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro, on his continuing quest to perfect the art of sushi.

LUXE Modern Wine & Cocktails in Westport

Ingredients Restaurant Cocktails Westport Wine Bar

Amy Kundrat October 19, 2012

LUXE Modern Wine & Cocktails in Westport is focusing on mixology education this fall and winter just in time to get your bar fully stocked and your skills sharpened for the holiday entertaining to come. Cocktail Classes will be held on 10/29, 11/19, 12/17, and focus on the following subjects: Setting up a home bar, basic bar tools, basic cocktails with mixers; basic cocktails Spirits, punch and cocktails for a crowd, how to create your own signature cocktail, and prepping your home bar for a cocktail party. To RSVP, leave a message for LUXE @ 203 349 5039 or message on facebook.

Chefs & Cookbook Authors @ Ferguson Library

CT Authors Chef Talk Cookbooks Education

CTbites Team October 18, 2012

As part of the Friend of The Ferguson Author Series, Food Writers Katie Workman of The Mom 100 Cookbook, Michele Stuart of the award winning Michele's Pies & Claire Criscuolo, and owner of Claire's Corner Copia in New Haven will be speaking about their experiences and signing books on Wednesday, November 7 from 6-8pm.

Wine reception will begin at 6 p.m. Appetizers courtesy of Bar Rosso and Capriccio Cafe. Discussion will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by a book sale and signing. Tickets are $15. Proceeds benefit the Library. Register Here

Don't Miss These Foodie Events @ Westport Foodie Festival

CTbites Team October 17, 2012

Join CTbites and Westport Downtown Merchants Association for a savory stroll thru beautiful Downtown Westport, CT the weekend of October 26,27,and 28! CTbites top picks include: Sushi Making for Kids with Matsu Sushi, Happy Hour at Spotted Horse Tavern, BBQ , Bourbon and Beer at Bobby Q's & a screening of Jiro Dreams of Sushi.

A portion of all proceeds to benefit local non-profits, Homes With Hope and Connecticut Food Bank.
Complete menu of events at www.westportfoodiefest.com But you can buy tickets here for our favorites!

SoNo Restaurant Week Starts October 21st

Restaurant Norwalk Restaurant Week SONO

Stephanie Webster October 17, 2012

Napa & Co. CTbites Invites Recap...The Importance of Pairing

Restaurant CTbites Invites Events Stamford

Amy Kundrat October 17, 2012

Owner Mary Schaeffer, with new chef Leonardo Marino, guided thirty lucky diners on an evening of off-the-menu dishes and signature wine pairings for CTbites Invites latest event at Napa & Co. on September 27. An exceptional five-course seasonal pairings menu served to showcase the breadth of the restaurant's food and wine program, the new talent in the kitchen, and some of fall’s best seasonal flavors such as fig, squash and chestnut. Guests even got to take home a bottle of Toast, a sparkling white wine Napa & Co. commissioned for the restaurant.

Westport Farmers’ Mkt Wrangles Food for the Needy @ Foodie Fest!

Lori Cochran October 16, 2012

Feast on this, Fairfield County foodies! The Westport Farmers’ Market has joined the Gillespie Center/Homes With Hope and Norwalk-based food rescue organization, Community Plates, to create a charitable event of epicurean proportions during Westport’s upcoming Foodie Fest created by the Downtown Merchants Association (DMA).

October 27, day two of the Foodie Fest, WFM, SHSC and Gillespie Center will unite to create a crack culinary team that will host a sale of local flavors at the Gillespie Center. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., area epicureans are invited to learn how to create delicious meals with seasonal ingredients, take home a tasty treat and support a good cause, because proceeds from the event will go to support the partnership program between WFM, SHSC and Gillespie Center.

Bonne Nuit Chef to Join Basaran at Picador

Restaurant Chef Talk News New Canaan

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 16, 2012

Anxious food lovers of New Canaan concerned about the activity occurring behind the covered windows of 15 Elm Street, (the building that formerly housed Harvest Supper), can rest easy. CTbites is pleased to announce that Alan Basaran, owner of New Canaan’s Carpe Diem, is the restaurateur behind the changes. Next month Basaran will open Picador, a Spanish themed restaurant offering both Tapas and entrée sized dishes. Overseeing the kitchen will be a long time New Canaan favorite, Chef Kender Urena, from Bistro Bonne Nuit.

Ad: Wave Hill Breads Bakery & Cafe is Much More Than Just Bread!

CTbites Team October 15, 2012

Have you heard? Wave Hill Breads is serving up way more than bread these days. Having recently moved their renowned artisan bakery from Wilton to 30 High Street in Norwalk, owners Margaret Sapir and Mitchell Rapoport launched Wave Hill Breads version 2.0 with a full cafe, serving breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday. This cozy eatery has developed a menu that celebrates local and seasonal ingredients and serves fresh, delicious fare. With WIFI, Java Love coffee, and the smell of freshly baked goods all day long, the Wave Hill Breads Bakery & Cafe is the perfect casual dining spot. Plus, they just won Best of the Gold Coast for Café/Bistro from Moffly Media.

The Whelk: Bill Taibe's Inspired Seafood in Westport

Restaurant American Bill Taibe Cocktails Farm to Table Local Farm Seafood Westport

Chris Grimm October 14, 2012

The last year has given Westport three high-profile (if completely divergent) openings. Danny Meyer's Shake Shack opened its first venture into Connecticut and shook-up the Westport fast food scene and Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich opened a second Tarry Lodge in Saugatuck, bringing a different twist to traditional Italian restaurants. Finally, Chef Bill Taibe, the James Beard nominee and Owner / Chef of LeFarm opened The Whelk, his second Westport restaurant, on the Saugatuck River, just a short stroll from Tarry Lodge.

The Whelk, named after a sea snail similar to a conch, is primarily focused on seafood and addresses an oddly unexploited niche, a high-end seafood restaurant on Connecticut’s Gold Coast. For that reason alone, I was especially interested in The Whelk, and thus began my exploration, with multiple visits to this award winning kitchen.

Invites: 5 Course Latin American Wine Dinner @ Brasitas

Restaurant CTbites Invites Norwalk Latin American

CTbites Team October 13, 2012

Join BRASITAS owner, Jaime Guerrero and Norwalk manager, Fabio Rojas, for an all inclusive special dinner and wine pairing featuring Latin Fusion cuisine on October 23rd from 7:30-9:30 pm at Brasitas Norwalk. This event is $70. VIEW FULL MENU HERE.

Chef Parra will introduce each dish, while Fabio will expertly pair each course with wines from the extensive wine list at Brasitas, featuring wines from all over the world including Argentina, Chile and Spain.

Friday Froth: Hopstacle Course

Ingredients Beer Dinner Beer

James Gribbon October 12, 2012

"Brain Blaster," huh? I crinkle the plastic bag in my fingers and stick my nose in once more to inhale the pungent aroma of the dried green buds it contains. "Its only sounds like 'Brain Blaster'," says Brendan Kingston. "There's no way anything with a name like that gets past the FDA." I drop the bag and pick up a small glass of brown beer. The beer's real name is An Braon, meaning "The Tasty Drop," which is appropriate. We're not here to discuss the forest here, though: we're looking at the trees. Well, vines, to be precise. I'm sitting at the first in a series of educational tasting classes conducted by B. United International, and hosted by Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford.

Every day, CTBites chronicles the myriad ways in which we're lucky to be living in Fairfield County during the current food (and beer) renaissance in America

Shacktoberfest Kicks off October 12th @ Shake Shack

CTbites Team October 11, 2012

RAISE YOUR STEINS, SHACKTOBERFEST IS HERE! Ein Prosit! Let’s toast to good times -Shacktoberfest kicks off TOMORROW (10/12) at Shake Shack.

This annual event celebrates Oktoberfest as only Shake Shack can. This year’s Shacktoberfest runs from Friday, October 12th–Sunday, October 21st at all Shake Shacks (except ballparks and international locations).

Get ready for souvenir glass bier steins filled to the brim, delicious Schaller & Weber brats and sausages griddled crisp, and delectable Bavarian-inspired frozen custard creations.

The 2012 Shacktoberfest menu features:

- Shacktoberfest Bier Stein: Fill it with your choice of Brooklyn Brewery Oktoberfest or ShackMeister Ale; 25 oz., yours to keep. $10.00 | Refill: $7.00

- Cheddar Brat Burger: All-natural hamburger topped with a griddled cheddar bratwurst, crispy ShackMeister Ale marinated shallots and ShackSauce. $7.50

- Spicy Brat: Andouille sausage griddled and served with German-style slaw. $5.25

John Dough's Pizza Bar Opens in SONO

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 11, 2012

With very little fanfare, John Dough’s Pizza Bar opened in SONO in the space formerly occupied by O’Neill’s Pub and restaurant at 77 North Main Street. The brainchild of Bill Ferguson and Chef Derek Furino, John Dough’s focuses on one thing and one thing only…New Haven style pizza, well maybe with a few salads on the other side of the menu,

For those who have enjoyed Furino’s creations at Behind the Net in the Darien skating rink, the new location will offer the same pizza with an increased number of toppings. The new location also serves 12 beers on tap, offer numerous TVs to watch your favorite sporting events, plus a little after pizza coffee from Zumbach’s Coffee of New Canaan.

Stay tuned as CTbites plans a pizza outing for a more detailed review of Furino’s creations.

John Dough's 77 N Main St, Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 956-7676

Martel Restaurant & Stew's Wines Team Up for Champagne Dinner

Restaurant Wine Dinners

CTbites Team October 11, 2012

Who doesn't love a good wine dinner? And don't bubbles make it just a little bit better?

Stew’s Wines in Norwalk is hosting a Duval-LeRoy Wine Champagne dinner on Thurs, Oct 25 with Martel Restaurant in Fairfield (www.martelrestaurant.com). This four course menu features a tasty menu paired with the perfect Duval-LeRoy champagne. The event starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $85/pp. To purchase tickets, readers can call restaurant manager Marty Levine at 203-292-6916 and he’ll take a reservation for the event.

TATE'S Bake Shop Creator & Author @ King's Market Oct 13

Chef Talk Cookbooks Greenwich Dessert

CTbites Team October 10, 2012

In celebration of Kathleen King's new cookbook, BAKING FOR FRIENDS: Over 120 scrumptious recipes from Southampton's favorite baker, Kings Food Markets will host a book signing and Q&A with Kathleen at its Old Greenwich, Connecticut store location on Saturday, October 13th at 12p.m. Guests attending will have the opportunity to meet the author and taste some of Tate's delicious sweets.

First Ever Fairfield Restaurant Week Oct 14-20

Restaurant Fairfield Restaurant Week

CTbites Team October 10, 2012

On October 14th-20th, Fairfield will launch its first ever town organized Fairfield Restaurant Week.

The Fairfield restaurant community is coming together to create during the week of October 14 with a new twist on restaurant week – not only do they have fantastic restaurants with excellent specials for this week, but local venues are also participating with activities and things to do all in Fairfield.

Over thirty restaurants from around Fairfield CT will participate in this week-long special event that will feature prix fixe lunch and dinner menu prices. Restaurants will feature $10 and $15 lunches and $20 and $30 dinners or other discounts on their already existing menus.

Passport Promotion:

As a special promotion, the Town has created a passport book that will be available at participating restaurants during Restaurant Week while supplies last.

Gretchen Thomas of Barcelona Restaurant Group Talks Wine

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 09, 2012

In a seemingly ordinary brick building nestled between the South Norwalk seaside and the Lililan August Warehouse store, an entire secret world is at work. Winding staircases and labyrinth-like halls lead to the headquarters of Barcelona, acclaimed wine and tapas bar. The space is an eclectic a mix between a mad scientist’s lab and a gourmet kitchen. Plates, beakers, and ingredients are piled on counters and tabletops while photographs of enticing dishes hang on the walls. Tucked amidst wine glasses and bottles, Gretchen Thomas is hard at work.

Thomas oversees the wine and spirits program at Barcelona Restaurant Group.

Octoberfest On The Meadow & Harvest Fest @ Stamford Museum

Kids Bites Restaurant Beer Kid Friendly

CTbites Team October 09, 2012

A fall family tradition returns to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21 with the 35^th Annual Harvest Festival Weekend. This year, the weekend will be kicked off with a new event for adults-only – Octoberfest On The Meadow at 6:30 pm on Friday, October 19 @ 6:30 PM with proceeds supporting the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. The evening will feature seasonal Oktoberfest brews, as well as Octoberfest favorites including kielbasa with sauerkraut and cherry beer roasted pork shoulder. Guests will be entertained by live music from The Bavarian Boys.

The weekend will continue with the Harvest Festival Weekend, an annual family event celebrating the fall season, from 11 am to 3 pm both Saturday and Sunday.

Re-visiting Brasitas Latin American Cuisine in Norwalk

Restaurant Columbian Norwalk Stamford Latin American

ellen bowen October 07, 2012

Just as the crisp Fall air reminds us that winter is around the corner, Brasitas in Norwalk (and the original location in Stamford) transports us to the warm Caribbean or to sunny South America.

Colorful in tropical hues of marine blue, coral and yellow, the decor of Brasitas feels very much like a Caribbean beach front café…as authentic native art from Colombia, hand picked by owner Jaime Guerrero and his wife, Nubia, adorn the walls, and brightly colored embroidered pillows line the banquettes. Two to three times a year the husband and wife travel to their native Colombia in search of new recipes and native art.

The Norwalk location, opened in 2008, is managed by Jaime’s nephew, Fabio Rojas, and has a loyal following among lovers of authentically prepared and beautifully presented Pan-Latin cuisine.