Cinch Gourmet Meal Market & Cooking Classes

Features Cooking Classes Entertaining Fairfield Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market

Nancy Kleeger

Years ago, around the time The Brady Bunch was infiltrating almost every T.V. set in America, it was unlikely that your mom would have picked up dinner in lieu of cooking a homemade meal.  While it’s true that familiar words in your household at the time may have included Wendy’s, Burger King and Arby’s, you weren’t pulling up to the drive-in window to order healthy, gourmet food.  At home it may have been a casserole or a roast while mom always remained neatly coifed, and eating meals at the table as a family were normal.  

Fast - forward 40 years and life is a lot different. In our fast paced world today we often find ourselves in a pinch, pressed for enough time to prepare a well-balanced meal for our disappearing family dinners due to time constraints.  Enter Cinch, Fairfield’s newest “Gourmet Food Market.”  A market where you shop for high quality meals that you just heat and serve in your own home.  “Eat your heart out Carol Brady, let me tell you a little bit about the life of a 21st century family on the go.” 


Buy A Milk Shake for a Good Cause @ Shake Shack

Stephanie Webster

With relief efforts steadily underway throughout the Northeast, Shake Shack is holding a week-long (Nov. 4-11) drive to help raise awareness and funds for the American Red Cross in support of victims impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

Shake Shack created a special milkshake, the Rally Shake, inspired by NYC’s iconic Black & White cookies for purchase ($5.50) to rally support and funds for the American Red Cross to help those in need.  From Sunday November 4th through Sunday, November 11th, Shake Shack will donate $2.00 to the American Red Cross for every Rally Shake sold.  The Rally Shake is available at ALL Shake Shack locations. 

For more information, please visit www.shakeshack.com.


Eat Local Fish Now

Seafood

Stephanie Webster

Like many others, fishermen in the Northeast are feeling the effects of the hurricane and struggling to get back on their feet. Many chefs have made a commitment to help New England fishermen by serving local seafood. As Jared Auerbach, Massachusetts fisherman and dock owner explains, "The East Coast got hit really hard this week and there are a lot of people who are hurting. Instead of using imported fish, lets all put our money where it's needed most." It's always a good time to eat and buy local New England fish, but now, even more so. Ask your fish purveyor what's local and fresh, and as diners ask your server where your fish was caught. 

The Dressing Room restaurant was one of the first to respond when Sea to Table, (an organization that partners with local fishermen from small-scale sustainable wild fisheries), asked for support. Chef Jon Vaast decided to menu hake from the Gulf of Maine, baked with a sunchoke puree, swiss chard, brown butter, and a red wine reduction. Chef Bill Taibe continues to do the same at The Whelk where he has been committed to sourcing local fish since they opened their doors. 


Guide To Great Sustainable Coffee in Fairfield County

Restaurant Coffee Tea And Coffee

April Guilbault

Coffee joints have always been key meeting grounds, but in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, good quality caffeine and WIFI reign supreme. However, cafes such as Green Leaf Organic Bakery and Cafe in Wilton, Terrain in Westport, Sugar & Olives in Norwalk, Tusk & Cup in Ridgefield, & espresso NEAT in Darien are going beyond basic coffee service. Here's why...(re-posted with permission from the Fairfield Green Food Guide)

Ah, it’s getting to be hot-beverage season (but then again, maybe it always is). Are you a mom who is back to inhabiting cafes with friends now that the kids are back in school? Or a traveler passing through Fairfield County? Either way, a great cup of joe is always on the destination list. But where to get one? And, more importantly, where to enjoy a sustainable cup of coffee? That’s the trickier part because not all joe is created equal.


Bar Sügo Opens in Norwalk w/ Authentic Italian

Restaurant Italian Norwalk Pasta Beer Comfort Food Kid Friendly

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

The culinary landscape of downtown Norwalk improved significantly with the opening of Bar Sügo, offering Italian cuisine that Chef/Owner Pat Pascarella’s describes as “food that Italians eat every day.”

Bar Sügo’s menu features a wide variety of cicchetti, e primi, and meatballs as well as larger servings of pasta and pizzas to accompany several beers on tap, including Allagash White, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Strubbe Pils or Thornbridge Raven, or one of the numerous bottles of wine. The interior features a large red and white tiled floor, a copper-topped bar, rustic walls covered with large canvassed photos, with one wall dedicated to displaying the restaurant’s diverse selection of wines…the setting allows for a vibrant atmosphere to complement the delicious food. Chef Pat will prepare variations of Italian cuisine using fresh, flavorful ingredients and keep the price of each of the dishes under $20.


Holiday Open House @ The Schoolhouse at Cannondale

Features Chef Talk Education Entertaining Holiday

Stephanie Webster

This just in from The Schoolhouse:

It's that time of year again! Head on over to a Holiday Open House here at the Schoolhouse at Cannondale Restaurant. Get inspiration for your upcoming holiday and dinner parties with a few signature ideas of Chef LaBant's. The Schoolhouse will be featuring several workshop stations starring some of their favorite Hor D'oeuvres, Desserts & Pies (also available for pre-order), a Prosecco and Italian Soda Bar, and a Floral Arrangements & Decorations workshop.

The Open House will go from 7 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday, November 20th. Take home an original recipe book by Schoolhouse's own, included in the cost. Tickets are $65.00 per person. To reserve tickets, please contact: openhouse2012@schoolhouseatcannondale.com with your name, number of reservations, and a telephone number should we need to contact youdirectly. We will confirm your tickets via email.


An Insider's Look at the Greenwich Food & Wine Festival

Andrea Viscuso

Greenwich 2012 FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Presented by Serendipity; A Recap from Someone Obsessed with the “Food Obsessed.”

The 2nd annual Greenwich 2012 FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL, presented by Serendipity, put fall into full swing. There is nothing like celebrating the change of the seasons by stuffing your face with fall’s most delicious tastes from Fairfield and Westchester counties – cuisine, beer, wine… bliss. Local residents roamed around the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich to feast on signature delicacies from local restaurants, wine producers, distilleries, pastry shops, chocolatiers, and the like. Thanks to Serendipity, 100% of the proceeds were donated to The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp, which is dedicated to providing unique forms of healing to children and their families who are dealing with a serious illness. Hundreds of locals filled the crowd for the festival each night. It may be safe to say next year’s camp might resemble a mini Cirque du Soleil – the fest was a complete success.


elm is Awarded One of the Best New Restaurants by Esquire Magazine

Restaurant Chef Talk New Canaan

CTbites Team

elm is Awarded One of the Best New Restaurants in America 2012 by Esquire Magazine

Chef/Owner Brian Lewis’ restaurant, elm has been named one of the best new restaurants in America 2012 by Esquire magazine.  Now in its 28th year, Esquire’s annual list features the best restaurants as selected by its restaurant features writer John Mariani.  elm is Lewis’ first solo venture, featuring inventive Modern American cuisine, rooted in tradition and inspired by the seasons.

“We are thrilled and so proud for elm to be awarded as one of Esquire’s best new restaurants,” says Lewis.  “It is quite the honor.”

 


Artisanal Tasting Event @ Trinity Church in Southport

Restaurant Events Local Artisan

CTbites Team

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.


Nothin' But Granola Bars Make it Big @ Le Pain Quotidien

Ingredients Local Artisan Breakfast Kid Friendly Dessert

CTbites Team

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. 


Food News: Openings, Parties, Election Day & Wine

Ingredients Restaurant Brunch News Specialty Market Beer

CTbites Team

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. 


Walter Stewart's Market Fall Shopping Guide (sponsored post)

Ingredients Local Artisan Local Farm Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market New Canaan

CTbites Team

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. 


Saugatuck Grain & Grape Cocktail Events

CTbites Team

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 WestportThe 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

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

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.