15 Restaurants Hold "Fairfield Fortnight” Cocktail Crawl CTbites Team January 29, 2013 Fifteen restaurants in Fairfield County have announced that they will be participating in “The Fairfield Fortnight” cocktail crawl throughout the area from Friday February 1 through Saturday February 16, 2013.The cocktail crawl will feature exclusively crafted cocktails made with Connecticut’s own Onyx Moonshine, the first legal moonshine to be produced in New England. Each restaurant’s mixologist has designed a cocktail, which will be offered at their establishment during the duration of the cocktail crawl.A portion of the proceeds made during the cocktail crawl will go to benefit End Hunger Connecticut!, a local non-profit whose mission is to eliminate hunger in the state through legislative and administrative advocacy, outreach and public education.The participating restaurants include:The Chelsea – 12 Unquowa Place, FairfieldThe Gray Goose – 246 Old Post Road, SouthportThe Spotted Horse – 26 Church Lane, WestportMatch – 98 Washington Street, South NorwalkThe LOFT – 97 Washington Street, South NorwalkBJ Ryan’s – 57 Main Street, NorwalkBanC House – 16 River Street, NorwalkThe Spread – 70 North Main Street, South NorwalkTen Twenty Post – 1020 Post Road, DarienDarien Social – 10 Center Street, DarienBar Rosso – 30 Spring Street, StamfordHudson Grille – 128 Bedford Street, StamfordPlan B – 230 Tresser Blvd, StamfordBar Q – 261 Main Street, StamfordHarlan Social – 699 Canal Street, Stamford Read More
KLAFF’S Gets Cookin’ Winter Chef Series 2013 Restaurant Chef Talk Cooking Classes CTbites Team January 29, 2013 Throughout the month of February, Klaffs Norwalk and Danbury’s beautiful home design stores will welcome some of Fairfield County’s talented chefs into their kitchen showrooms. To highlight this impressive appliance store and the many kitchens found at Klaffs, guest chefs will be demonstrating their cooking prowess with a series of FREE cooking demonstrations and food samplings every Saturday afternoon in February from 12-2 pm. Chefs from Morello Italian Bistro in Greenwich, Bar Sugo in Norwalk, Cotto Wine Bar in Stamford & WAFU Asian Bistro in Southport are just a few of the chefs being featured in this series. View the complete chef lineup below: Read More
Westport Farmers' Mkt Cabbage Recipe Contest Winner Features Farmers Market Vegetarian Recipe CTbites Team January 29, 2013 With 15 entries and some stiff competition, the judges Nancy Roper and Bill Taibe ate their way through traditional and not so traditional cabbage dishes. After careful consideration and much deliberation, a winner was announced with two dishes tied for second place. Drumroll.....Chef Selma Miriam and Noel Furie, owners of Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant, were winners with their S'chee (Russian cabbagesoup) recipe. Their soup was delicious topped with a dollop of sour cream and pinch of dill. The women of Bloodroot have been supporting local and organic before these terms were even considered part of our daily lingo. Check out their winning recipe below: Read More
GIVEAWAY: Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lover's "Tasting" Fundraiser Ingredients Chocolate Dessert CTbites Team January 28, 2013 CTbites is giving away a pair of tickets to The Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lovers Event. Post your favorite local dessert below by Feb 5th to be entered to WIN! The Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lover's 'Tasting' Evening to benefit The Shelter for the Homeless is back! On Thursday, February 7th, over 50 vendors will be serving up an evening of glorious culinary indulgence in the form of decadent chocolates, confections, and mouthwatering baked good, all washed down with fine wines, beer and specialty beverages. Here's the real bonus…You can enjoy your nibbles from favorite shops like Aux Delices, DiMare Pastry Shop & Cafe, and Izzi B’s Allergen-Free Cupcakes, knowing that 100% of every ticket sold supports the Shelter for the Homeless programs. Check out the complete list of vendors below and we'll see you there! Read More
Picador Opens in New Canaan: Tapas Restaurant French Greek Spanish Tapas New Canaan Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger January 27, 2013 The culinary landscape of New Canaan now includes the vibrant cuisine of the Iberian Peninsula with the opening of Picador, the second restaurant of owner Alan Basaran. Located on Elm Street in the space formerly occupied by Harvest Supper, the interior’s décor offers a warm and inviting environment as backdrop to the region’s vibrant cuisine. Copper-topped tables and a wrap-around leather-covered banquette fill the entire back and side walls with additional copper-topped tables with dark leather chairs occupying the remainder of the space. The walls are adorned with plates, mirrors and sconces; reminiscent of the region. Read More
Pinkberry Opens in Downtown Westport Restaurant Frozen Yogurt Fairfield Kid Friendly Dessert Stephanie Webster January 25, 2013 Attention Pinkberry fans: This frozen yogurt mecca has a new location in Westport, and it is officially open for business. Head on over to 111 Post Road East in Downtown Westport for your next fro-yo fix. Read More
Chowdafest 2013: Chef Lineup has been Announced CTbites Team January 25, 2013 Chowdafest 2013 is just around the corner. 10,000 chowder and soup lov'n fans are expected to come out and help set a record donation to Connecticut Food Bank while enjoying some of Connecticut's best soups, chowders and bisques at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. The uniquely football-themed chowder and soup competition will take place on "SOUP"er Bowl Sunday Feb. 3rd from 11:00-4:00 at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard, and YOU are the judges! The final lineup of chefs has just been posted, including names such as... Bloom Brothers Oysters, Bodega Taco Bar, Nicholas Roberts, & Southport Brewing Company. See the full list below: Read More
February Baking Classes at Scratch Baking in Milford Features Bakery Cooking Classes kids activity Kid Friendly Dessert Amy Kundrat January 25, 2013 On the heels of a sold-out January class schedule, Scratch Baking in Milford has expanded their class offerings for February to include Croissant 101, Artisan Breads I & II, Treats for your Sweet, Valentine's Day, Breakfast Pizza & Quiche Basics. To reserve your spot, call 203.301.4396 or email Scratch. Croissant 101OFFERED: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH &REOFFERRED FEBRUARY 26TH from 6-9PMCroissants are one of the most awarding pastries to make. Learn the in’s and out’s of croissant making in this three-hour class. We will demonstrate how to mix croissant dough and laminate croissant dough and then for the best part, hands-on croissant making. You will learn how to make croissants, pain au chocolat and the very popular monkey bread. Don’t worry, you will be getting a goody bag with these pastries for tomorrow’s breakfast.. that is if you can wait that long! Read More
Bedford Post’s Signature Spiked Hot Chocolate Ingredients Features Cocktails Recipe Dessert CTbites Team January 24, 2013 Meng Chiang, Beverage Director at Bedford Post has created a savory spiked hot chocolate that will warm you up on even the chilliest of winter days. Inspired by a chocolate truffle, the decadent drink is a twist on traditional hot cocoa with Stolichnaya Vodka Salted Karamel and raspberry framboise. A swirl of White Godiva Liqueur Whipped Cream and a sprinkling of chopped macadamia nuts on top are sure to satisfy any sweet-tooth. Bedford Post’s Signature Spiked Hot Chocolate 1 cup of hot chocolate, preferably dark chocolate or salted dulce de leche 1/2 oz Stolichnaya Vodka Salted Karamel 1.0 oz Clear Creek Distillery Raspberry Framboise Topped with White Godiva Liqueur Whipped Cream, chopped macadamia nuts optional Read More
Off the Vine Wine & Spirits Opens in Norwalk Ingredients Norwalk Wine Chat Wine Shop Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 23, 2013 “Come on in. I just finished putting the wine away about an hour ago,” says John Noakes as I enter Off The Vine Wine & Spirits, a wine shop in Norwalk. “I had about 100 cases just sitting in my basement.” Off the Vine is a work in progress; a paint brush lies in the corner waiting for use and the shelves have a few empty spaces awaiting bottles. Still, Noakes is well on his way toward reopening the store in its new location. The shop, previously situated on the corner of Spring Hill Avenue, is moving across town to Winfield Street. The space has its own legacy. It once housed the original location of Fountainhead Wines before it became a part of Fat Cat City on Wall Street. Off the Vine is a relatively small operation. Noakes owns and works in the store full-time and has two people who assist him part-time. The new location is physically petite as well, even more so than the previous shop. Don’t let the size fool you though. The shop offers an enviable collection of boutique wines. “Having a small store poses its challenges, but it makes it so that your taste has to be spot on,” explains Noakes. He strives to offer only the best products to his customers and tries to find unique, small production wine. Read More
Cooking Class @ Bernard's in Ridgefield Features Cooking Classes CTbites Team January 22, 2013 Class is in session @ Bernard's in Ridgefield. Join Chefs Chef Bernard and Sarah Bouissou on Tuesday, January 29th for an evening of cooking and education as they teach you how to prepare a wonderful 4 course meal. Hors d’oeuvre, appetizer, entrée & dessert will be demonstrated, along with many helpful tips and tricks throughout the evening. Then, the best part, guests will sit down and enjoy the meal they have prepared. MENUHors d’oeuvre – Ratatouille & Herb Cheese Tart Appetizer – Celery Root &Truffle Soup Entrée – Lamb Stew with Creamy Polenta & Roasted Carrots Dessert – Pear & Almond Tart 6:30 pm – cooking demo of hors d’oeuvre, appetizer, entrée and dessert – the dinner to follow! $75 per person – beverages, tax & gratuity are additional Read More
And The Winner of the Sun Winefest Giveaway Is.... CTbites Team January 22, 2013 In case you haven't noticed...ALL OVER CTbites...people have been throwing their hats into the ring to win a pair of tickets to the SOLD OUT Sun WineFest’s Grand Tasting on January 26th. Readers & commenters...the wait is over. The Winner of the Sun Winefest Giveaway is...drum roll please... Gabrielle Barrett. Thanks to our CTbites community for all of your enthusiasm. Stay tuned for our next Giveaway! Read More
Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar Opens in Danbury CTbites Team January 22, 2013 Ignacio Blanco and Chef Juan Garcia, the duo behind the successful trio of Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bars in Hamden, New Haven and Northhampton, are opening their fourth location in Danbury. The newest Ibiza Tapas and Wine Bar will be open for regular business beginning this Saturday, January 26 at 93 Mill Plain Road in Danbury. For more information, call 203.730.8800 or visit www.ibizatapaswinebar.com. Read More
Elm Restaurant's Chef Brian Lewis Offers Cooking Classes Features Cooking Classes CTbites Team January 22, 2013 Chef Brian Lewis and Elm Restaurant in New Canaan are beginning a series of hands-on cooking classes to illustrate the flavors of the season, tempt the palate and teach the aspiring little chefs in the family. On Wednesday January 30 from 11am to 2pm, Chef Brian Lewis will teach various methods of creating healthy and delicious winter dishes. The recipes will feature winter greens and roots and how best to complement these ingredients with citrus & grains. In addition the main event will prepare a salt-baked Branzino, an age-old technique that creates a moist and luscious presentation. The cost of this event is $90 and includes hands-on instruction, recipes and a three-course lunch. The second class is schedule for Wednesday, February 20 for the “lil’ chefs.” You can drop off your aspiring chefs (minimum age 9 years old pleas) at 11AM for a three-hour cooking class during Winter Break and Elm will guide them through the making of pasta with tomato sauce plus that good old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies. The fee per child for this class is $45 and includes instruction, recipes and lunch at the chef’s table. For more information, check out the elm restaurant web site. Read More
Bistro Latino: Chef Rafael Palomino Comes to Old Greenwich Restaurant Celebrity Chef Greenwich Spanish Latin American Lou Gorfain January 20, 2013 Acclaimed chef, author and restaurateur Rafael Palomino recently opened Bistro Latino in the space first occupied by Boxing Cat Café and then Greenwich Tavern in Old Greenwich. The vast dining room has been done over in dark wood flooring which is flanked by racked walls that flaunt an extensive portfolio of international wines. Palomino won his food-star stripes when he opened Sonora in Manhattan almost two decades ago, introducing Manhattan to Nuevo Latino cuisine, and earning raves from the city’s food critics. Sonora's wild success inspired Rafael to bring his unique cooking style to satellite restaurants in New Haven, Tuckahoe, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sonora now lives in Port Chester. Despite its name, Greenwich's Bistro Latino is not really Nuevo Latino since the dishes are more of Spain than Latin and South America. Rafael has created a menu that features European tapas and paella -- which he anoints with flavors from his Columbian and Queens roots. "Spanish bathed in Picante Style," is how the restaurant describes it. As a result, Bistro Latino is really more about invention than tradition. Read More
Friday Froth: Winter Update Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon January 18, 2013 "You shouldn't be scared of spiders," I remember my mother telling me. "You're much bigger than they are." At the time this line of reasoning seemed like neither a straight line, nor particularly reasonable, but I had no adequate retort at eight years old. Spiders were little, misshapen beasts from hell's own imagination then, and they remain so now. Doubly so, since now I know about things like the Brown Recluse, but that's not important. A spider I can hit with a magazine before turning on my heel and shrieking away. I am millions of times larger than a cold virus, and that hasn't stopped it from kicking my ass. So take that, 1987 Mom. All this is to say I haven't been drinking a lot of beer lately, but here are a few tidbits from the scattershot days in which I've been both awake and able to breathe over the past month.Sixpoint in Brooklyn literally turns out (at least one) new beer every month. See their single-hopped Spice of Life series for just one example. In that vein, I finally had the Pacifica version which came out in November, and can still be found on tap here and there. Read More
Chef's Table Dining @ Fine Food for a Cause Charity Event CTbites Team January 17, 2013 Stamford YMCA’s second annual Fine Food for a Cause event is scheduled for Monday, January 28, 6 p.m. at the Stamford Yacht Club. Area food lovers can dine “At the Chef’s Table” and enjoy a four-star, three-course dinner prepared by several of the area’s finest chefs. Restaurants and featured chefs include: Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant (Chef Michael Lucente) Columbus Park Trattoria (Chef Michael Marchetti) Da Pietro’s Restaurant (Chef Pietro Scotti) David’s Soundview Catering (Chef David Cingari) Lolita Cocina Napa & Co. (Chef Leonardo Marino) Stamford Yacht Club (Chef P. Quint Smith) Thali Restaurant (Chef Prasad Chirnomula) Additionally, the cocktail hour will feature cuisine from Tabouli Grill and Sushi Village, with dessert creations by Chocopologie. Stamford-based Corus, LLC is providing two types of vodka and specialty drinks for the evening. Read More
Casa Villa: Beloved Taco Joint Opens in Bridgeport Restaurant Bridgeport Delicious Dives Tacos Mexican CTbites Team January 16, 2013 Stamford's beloved Mexican restaurant Casa Villa opens a new location in Bridgeport TODAY. The menu will be very similar to that at their East Main Street location, including their signature al pastor tacos and tamales. Congratulations to owner Alvino Villa and his team! Hacienda Villa is located at 2810 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport CT. Click here to read our review of CASA VILLA Read More
