Artisanal Tasting Event @ Trinity Church in Southport Restaurant Events Local Artisan CTbites Team October 24, 2012 Get your taste buds revved up for Saturday, November 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport. Artisanal foods and beverages will be available to swish, swill, sniff, and savor. Sample all kinds of goodies from Fairfield Cheese Company, Red Bee honey, Olivette oils and vinegars, Wave Hill Breads, Izzy B’s cupcakes, The Pop Shop cake pops, and Tea-RRific! ice cream. And when you get thirsty, try Henri's Reserve boutique champagnes or the latest brews from Beaver Beer. Need a hot beverage to soothe your savage soul? No problem! Try Babycat Milkbar’s fabulous teas. Sure to be a crowd pleaser! The artisanal tasting is meant to not only explore those foods and beverages that are unique and extraordinary, but it is also a great way to support local businesses. Read More
Nothin' But Granola Bars Make it Big @ Le Pain Quotidien Ingredients Local Artisan Breakfast Kid Friendly Dessert CTbites Team October 23, 2012 Big news for a local baker whose career CTbites has followed from the very beginning. Westport based NOTHIN’ BUT Premium Snack Bars have just announced that they have created a specialty blend granola bar for Le Pain Quotidien, an international chain of bakery cafes. Several months ago Nothin' But CEO, Steven Laitmon, and Jerri Graham, the founder and creator of the company, approached Le Pain with the idea of making a proprietary blended granola bar. Receptive about a Premium Snack Bar that could capture their commitment to excellence, the team at Le Pain readily agreed. Back home in Westport, Jerri and Steven set to work and started the process of crafting various combinations until they achieved what they felt was perfection. Read More
Food News: Openings, Parties, Election Day & Wine Ingredients Restaurant Brunch News Specialty Market Beer CTbites Team October 23, 2012 Half Full brewery in Stamford will host a Halloween party this Saturday, starting at 7p.m. For $50, you'll get open taps of Half Full Bright Ale, InaugerALE, IPA and Pumpkin Ale, Oktoberfest inspired food and Pumpkin Ale floats, via Station Eats, and a costume contest. Half Full recommends taking a cab to this one. Feeling stressed about Election Day? Fairway Market in Stamford has a solution. Eat cupcakes.. Go Donkey or Elephant - for $1.49 each - celebrate or sob into your sweets. The Spread opens TODAY in SoNo with Executive Chef Arik Bensimon. Don't miss out on this hipster scene and spectacular menu. More here. Looking for a good brunch spot? Bar Sugo, Chef Pat Pascarella's new killer Italian venue in Norwalk, is serving a regional Italian brunch Saturday and Sunday with rotating menu items including: Crispy Pork Belly w/ Sunny Side Up Eggs, Sausage & Broccoli Rabe omelettes, pancakes, and all the usual suspects. View menu here. Read More
Walter Stewart's Market Fall Shopping Guide (sponsored post) Ingredients Local Artisan Local Farm Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market New Canaan CTbites Team October 22, 2012 Fall is here and Walter Stewart's Market, a fixture in downtown New Canaan since 1907, is celebrating the season with great products for your whole family. For those who haven’t shopped this local gem, take a a trip down the aisles of Walter Stewart’s Market, where you’ll find an amazing array of local, seasonal and specialty items...not to mention the Stewart’s wine shop. Finally one stop shopping. How better to enjoy in these crisp Fall months, than with local apple and apple cider from Lyman Orchards in Middlefield CT or the exceptionally delicious Cider donuts from Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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 Read More
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! Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
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. MENU: Crema de Calabaza y Coco, a roasted pumpkin-coconut and lemongrass bisque, toppped with toasted pepitas and maple syrup. Followed by Ensalada con Higos Rellenos; Garrotxa cheese stuffed Black Mission Figs wrapped in Jamon Serrano. Lechon con Pozole; Slow roasted suckling pig, red chile Pozole, Avocado, Crunchy Cabbage and Tortilla "Polenta." Read More
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 Read More
