Saugatuck Grain & Grape Cocktail Events

CTbites Team October 22, 2012

Fancy bourbon? Love a good cordial? Enjoy savoring scotch?

Cocktail fans of every make and model should save the date for the fall line-up of events at Saugatuck Grain and Grape in Westport. The first event is Tuesday, October 23 from 6 to 8 pm and will feature cordials and cocktails. RSVP here.

Cordials & Cocktails - October 23 @ 6 to 8pm

Learn about all the classic cocktail ingredients, including a selection of vermouth, amaro, aperitif wines, cordials, sochu/soju, cocktail bitters, cognac/brandy, calvados, digestivos, liqueurs, absinthe and barrel aged cocktails to sample.

Big Bad Bourbon Tasting - November 13 @ 6 to 8pm

Holiday Scotch Show - Decenber 18 @ 6 to 8pm

Saugatuck Grain and Grape is located at Railroad Avenue in Westport. Follow them on Facebook for the latest news.

Morello Italian Bistro: Toning it Down in Tony Greenwich Town

Restaurant American Greenwich Italian Wine Dinners

Lou Gorfain October 21, 2012

With high-end restaurants like Thomas Henkelmann, Rebecca’s, Jean Louis, L’escale, and Polpo, the Greenwich food scene is hallmarked by special occasion dining. Though lush and lux, the cuisines are rough on wallets and waistlines.

At first blush, Morello’s on Greenwich Avenue seems to be part of that plush world. The setting, a landmark Beaux Arts bank building woven with spectacular arches and ceilings tiled in golden amber by the Catalan architect Rafel Guastavino, Jr, may be the most lavish, sexiest dining space in all of Connecticut. Moreover, the bistro is part of the exclusive restaurant portfolio belonging to international jet setter and billionaire Marlon Abela, a collection that includes Michelin star eateries in London, as well as a Voce in Manhattan and Bistro du Midi in Boston.

Terrain & Fairfield Cheese Company Do Dinner Oct. 25

CTbites Team October 21, 2012

Join Terrain Garden Café and Fairfield Cheese Company for an American Cheese Month Celebration Dinner Thursday, October 25th 7pm. Hailing from South Carolina, Chef Joe Wolfson comes to Terrain Garden Café in Westport, CT with the influence of his Southern low-country upbringing, and a strong loyalty to the local farmers and purveyors who supply him. His creative take on comfort food can be seen in the evening's menu which includes: Parsnip and Reading Cheese Soup, Seared Stonington Scallop, and Painted Hills Ribeye Steak. Wines will be paired with each course. VIEW COMPLETE MENU BELOW.

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.