A Good Beginning for Dino's Pizza in East Norwalk Restaurant Norwalk Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger March 27, 2013 Located in 101 1st Street in the space formerly occupied by Beach Burger, Dino Sforza is creating very good pizza after only a few weeks. The interior still includes the familiar beach blue counter, tables and chairs and my first order was a half-pepperoni and half-sausage/ pepper. The crust of the pie was charred in some spots and still dark blonde in others and a quick peak underneath indicated a large variability so the ovens were still going through their normal calibration. The toppings were very generous, plenty of cheese, pepperoni, sausage and green peppers. Almost completely hidden was the sauce. Read More
New Haven Restaurant Week April 21 - 26, 2013 Restaurant Restaurant Week CTbites Team March 25, 2013 32 of downtown New Haven’s award-winning and internationally diverse restaurants are featuring prix fixe lunch and dinner menus from April 21 - 26, 2013. Participating restaurants offer a three-course, prix fixe menu consisting of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Prix fixe menus are priced at $18 for lunch and $32 for dinner. $1=1 person Join New Haven Restaurant Week and the Connecticut Food Bank to help those in need. Dine and Donate $1 to feed one person for one day. View Participating Restaurants Here: Read More
Nola Oyster Bar Brings Seafood to South Norwalk Restaurant Norwalk SONO Seafood Burgers Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger March 24, 2013 Several weeks ago CTbites first announced the opening of Nola Oyster Bar in South Norwalk, described as a seafood restaurant with dishes from Maine to New Orleans. After my initial visit, it is apparent that much of the food is influenced by the great flavors and traditions of New Orleans, but the creative interpretations are singularly of Chef Dan Kardos. Exposed brick walls, wood and tin columns, and wrought iron rails dominate the interior with white “antique” chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to create a very New Orleans visual. The front area includes a large, arced granite-topped bar that seats 10, plus a large reclaimed “Bankers’ Table” that seats an additional eight guests overlooking the floor to ceiling windows. The center section of the restaurant overlooks the kitchen, plus the rear room is available for regular dining or a private event. Nola Oyster Bar is a place for fun, drinks and great food. Read More
Friday Froth: March Madness...Beer News & Reviews Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon March 22, 2013 March Madness has once again taken hold of America's mind, and I do not give a damn. I care about the tournament for exactly as long as the Huskies are still in it and, since they're out of the dance completely this year, I've been looking elsewhere for marginally productive entertainment. People like bracket-based tournaments, it seems, because there are a ton to be found on the intertron this month. Beer brackets, news and reviews follow in this week's Froth. Paste magazine, which is a pretty good source for new music and movie info, has the superbly named Top Of The Hops IPA Challenge, in which their editors purport to whittle down a national selection of brews in the quest to find America's best IPA. The bracket falls utterly flat, though, having taken cues from every other "national" review in history and leaving Connecticut beers completely off the list, despite having a Northeast region to the tournament. NEB's Gandhi-Bot remains the best IPA I've had in my entire life, and should have been the '99 UConn in this particular madness, but this is what you get when people from Atlanta grasp at a college sport not named football. Read More
Kids Bites: Stew Leonard’s Cookbook, Goat Cheese Scrambled Eggs via Sunday Diners Kids Bites Recipe Sunday Diners March 22, 2013 This article first ran on Sunday Diners, a kid's guide to the best diners and breakfast joints in Fairfield County, Connecticut and beyond. Written by 4th Grader Alex (with a bit of help from his dad). For any one who doesn’t know, Stew Leonard’s is The World’s Largest Dairy Store,and I’m so lucky that it’s right here in Norwalk, CT. I’ve been going to Stew’s since I was a baby. They sell great bagels, fruits & vegetables, fried chicken, and of course… lots of dairy products. Their milk comes from their own cows, on their own farm – you can even see them on live video in the store… and sometimes in Stew’s Little Farm right in the parking lot. My favorite at Stew’s is the ice cream! Stew’s is super fun for kids – there’s lots’ of great displays and there’s always new things to try and taste! Today, instead of going out for breakfast, Dad and I decided to make breakfast at home. There’s a great recipe from their “Winning Recipes Cookbook” that’s written right on the back of their Cage-Free Egg carton label… “Goat Cheese Scrambled Eggs”. It’s really easy to make, with some help from an adult… it’s delicious and healthy. It’s also a lot of fun to cook! Read More
What You Didn't Know About Sherry via Gretchen Thomas of Barcelona Gretchen Thomas March 21, 2013 Gretchen Thomas is the Wine & Spirits Director for the Barcelona/Bartaco Restaurant Group. I firmly believe the single most important product that Spain has to offer to the world is Sherry. Well, soccer fans may disagree, but I stand by my opinion. If Sherry wines were a world famous rock band, I have been the equivalent of a road groupie for the past 6 years…always a fan, love to partake, but having never penetrated to the source of the art (i.e. I’d never been Jerez!). Not until last year anyways. After more than twenty wine excursions to Spain in the past 7 years, I finally made my way to the deep south of Spain and visited Jerez, aka Sherry territory. Read More
Fairfield Cheese Co. Cheese School Spring 2013 CTbites Team March 21, 2013 Fairfield Cheese Company classes are back in session and school has never been this delicious. Whether you are a cheese novice looking for a an introduction to the basics, or a cheese-aficionado seeking toexpand your knowledge on a specific variety, they've got the class for you. Thursday, April 11th. 7-9pm: Grilled Cheese: Beyond Kraft Singles and White Bread April is National Grilled Cheese Month and what better way to celebrate than a class all about our favorite sandwich? Chris will guide us through several different variations while we explore what makes a great grilled cheese. $45.00 Tuesday, May 7th. 7-9 pm: Goat-a-palozza Spring is here and that marks the return of what we like to call, goat cheese season. Join us as we taste a plate of goaty delights that cross all styles of cheese, from fresh chèvre to washed rind, firm and blue. The goat possibilities are endless! $45.00 Read More
Best Brunch Restaurants in Fairfield County Restaurant Brunch Fairfield Norwalk Ridgefield Stamford Westport Wilton New Canaan Breakfast April Guilbault March 20, 2013 ...is something wonderful to be seen. In between daily meals one and two is something very delightful for you. How Dr. Suess-y, eh? Wedged in-the-between is the one and only: Brunch. With a capital B, thank you very much. Brunch is divine. You can roll out of bed late and into a perfectly wonderful, relaxed meal that begs to be savored. It lingers beyond the lunch hour and helps you cruise effortlessly into dinner. “There is no sincerer love than the love of food” says a quote that I stumbled upon recently. I think that is pretty darned accurate, especially when it comes to this meal. Here, for you, is a collection of some lovely spots to help you turn this noun into a verb...so go forth and brunch! Did we miss one of your favorite Brunch spots? Let us know... Read More
Cotto Winebar & Pizzeria in Stamford: Menu & Kitchen Changes Restaurant Italian Pasta Stamford Wine Bar Lou Gorfain March 19, 2013 After a brief bout of Musical Toques, Claudio and Silvy Ridolfi -- owners of Cotto’s Winebar and Pizzeria in Stamford -- have convinced veteran Chef Greg Depelteau to come aboard and expand their imaginative menu of small plates and pizza. Depelteau, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, is in total simpatico with the Ridolfis’ insistence that a dish, especially a small plate, should be driven by primary flavors. “These days a lot of chefs overdo things,” Greg contends and we agree. “Too many flavors confuse the diner.“ Cotto’s simple take on hanger steak, a cut prized for its flavor, makes the case. After marinating the muscular cut overnight in herbed EVOO, Depelteau quickly grills the meat on a blazing hot sheet pan to achieve a hard sear, while maintaining a surprisingly tender, rare interior. A Read More
5 Ways Kids Can Help Fight Hunger in CT Kids Bites Volunteer kids activity Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster March 18, 2013 People often write in to CTbites asking how their kids can get involved in helping the hungry in our local community. We decided to go to the source, Connecticut Food Bank, to see how best to assist in their efforts. It turns out there are quite a few ways kids can get involved. Here are some places to begin: Organize a Team to Walk Against Hunger. We just opened Registration for the 2013 Walk Against Hunger, www.ctfoodbank.org/walk. There are now four dates to choose from. There also may be opportunities for young people and families to volunteer at the walk. It’s truly a fun family event. Organize a food drive at school, with a sports team/club or the neighborhood, here’s a link to the info. on our site, http://www.ctfoodbank.org/how-to-help/donate-food Volunteer. Contact Kim Damien, our Volunteer Coordinator to learn about volunteer opportunities for young people and families. There’s volunteer information the CT Food Bank's volunteer page, or you can contact Kim at kdamien@ctfoodbank.org, or call 203-469-5000. Read More
Must Try: Lao Sze Chuan Chinese Restaurant in Milford Restaurant Asian Chinese Delicious Dives Milford Kid Friendly Elizabeth Keyser March 17, 2013 “How adventurous do we want to be?” Maria asks. “On a scale of one to 10?” She’s poring over the menus at Lao Sze Chuan and says it’s so authentic, some of these dishes aren’t found in Chinatown in New York City. Diced rabbit with peanuts. Hot and Sour eel with cellophane noodles. Pork intestines with blood cake. “We have to have frog’s legs,” she says. “And the clams.” She starts making a list. Donna and Mark’s list is already on their ipod. They’ve been looking at Lao Sze Chuan’s menu online since three in the afternoon. Maria passes me her list. Yes, the spicy ox-tongue and tripe is on it and I’m happy not to make more decisions. The menus – two of them, the main large, multi-plastic-paged booklet and the additional four page menu of Szechuan specialties -- are overwhelming. Pages and pages of intriguing descriptions like “Silky fowl with black mushrooms and bamboo shoots in casserole.” I pass Maria’s list to my husband, who glazes over at the sight of her tiny script of five appetizers and 11 entrees. He passes it to Donna and Mark. They cross-reference against their i-Pod list, and add a couple dishes to the feast. Yes! The pig’s ear. There’s nothing like dining with the right group of people at the right place, and our crew of 10 is excited about our adventure to the commercial belly of Route 1 Milford to see if Lao Sze Chuan makes the most authentic Szechuan cuisine in Connecticut. Read More
The Next Wave in Mobile Food: A Floating Oyster Bar Seafood Ramin Ganeshram March 16, 2013 This is a story about a boat, and oysters, and a new concept in dining...a moveable feast if you will. Once neglected, America's oldest oyster boat is taking on a new role as a floating oyster bar, and it's coming to a location near you. But to make this new culinary concept a reality, this boat needs your help. Here's the whole story.... Two years ago, a typical photo assignment changed the course of photographer Jean Paul Vellotti's life. You might say that was the day he became an accidental oysterman. When tasked with capturing a local captain for a Whole Foods Market advertising campaign, he visited the East Norwalk-based Norm Bloom & Son oyster firm. There, he climbed aboard a derelict oyster boat to get a better perspective of his subject who was standing on the bow of the immaculately kept Catherine M. Wedmore. Read More
The Drawing Room In Cos Cob Hosts Artist’s Table Dinner Series CTbites Team March 16, 2013 The Drawing Room in Cos Cob is excited to announce it’s first Artist’s Table Dinner Series. The Drawing Room is an intimate gem, with a small dining room and garden patio that extends the tiny restaurant in the warm seasons and a newly remodeled art gallery in the space adjacent to the cafe. “The Artist’s Table”, is a seated, plated dinner, with limited seating, situated right in their beautiful gallery, featuring local farms, artisanal cheeses and fresh, local ingredients, which highlight particular artworks and artists in their current exhibit. This Dinner Series is an exciting combination, bringing together art and food lovers and alike. The season kicks off on March 24th @ 6:30 PM, when their executive chef, Paul Lockely teams up with Bjorn Eicke of Thomas Henkelmann to artfully create a five course dinner inspired by artworks from the current exhibition “Homeland.” Each course is well thought-out and inspired by the current collection of artwork in the gallery. (See menu below) In other words, each dish is based on a piece of artwork. Read More
Invites: Join us for Dinner w/ Bistro Latino & The Wine Mapp CTbites Team March 16, 2013 Join CTbites for a special dinner on Tuesday 3/26 from 7:00-9:00 pm featuring Chef Rafael Palomino's Bistro Latino & The Wine Mapp in Greenwich. Four courses plus dessert, all inclusive of tax and gratuity, are each paired with specially selected wines for $75. Start off with assorted tapas reception at 7 pm, followed by a 4 course dinner and wine pairings from Greenwich wine merchant, The Wine Mapp, a boutique wine and spirits shop with exceptional choices from around the world. View Menu Below or click here for more info & to purcahse tickets. 4 course menu from Chef Palomino includes: Read More
Friday Froth: Different Shades Of Green Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon March 15, 2013 Welly, well, well, my drinking droogies - what's it going to be then, eh? Me? I'm going hybrid for the holiday, and downing a few pints of Black Velvet (I like to make it equal parts Guinness and champagne). It certainly does chase the grey away. But we can't rush into things, oh no. The sight of the crowds, of too much Kelly green, too fast - especially when contrasted with tanning bed orange - presents a shock to the system few mortals can bear. Thus it was that I decided to ease up and down and through a palette of greens in the Costa Rican jungle. To prepare myself for St. Patrick's Day, you see. It's a strange feeling, while sipping a cold beer in a palm hut, to find you somehow have wifi. The distraction provided by the ability to check the score of the UConn game is occasionally a welcome one, though, since Costa Rican beers are nearly as indistinguishable from one another as they are terrible. They don't merit much expatiation, so on to the bullet points: Read More
Upcoming Events at Yale Sustainable Food Project Restaurant New Haven Amy Kundrat March 15, 2013 Mark your calendar for an impressive schedule of events hosted by Sustainable Food Project at Yale University in New Haven. Among their upcoming events is a talk with Bren Smith of Thimble Island Oyster Co. (recently featured on Lucky Peach's Tumblr), followed by Greek food writer Diane Kochilas, and a foraging tour with the Sustainable Food Project's Justin Freiberg. The Project manages an organic farm on the campus of Yale University and runs educational programs that support exploration and academic inquiry related to food and agriculture. For more information on their mission and events, visit Yale Sustainable Food Project. Upcoming Events @ Yale Sustainable Food Project Calhoun Master's Tea with Bren Smith of Thimble Island Oyster Co.Thursday, March 28Calhoun College Master's House, 189 Elm Street Read More
Too Little Thyme’s Pickles & Preserves: Pickling to Perfection Ingredients Local Artisan Kid Friendly Kathleen Atkins March 14, 2013 Jane Costello of Too Little Thyme has mastered the art of pickling to perfection. Based out of her home in Westport, Costello has been sharing her old family pickle and preserves recipes with Connecticut for the past 15 years. “I am a foodie,” says Costello. “I am always in the kitchen and I am happy to be turning this hobby into my career.” Growing up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Costello spent her weekends browsing the rows of stalls at the Lancaster Central Market, America’s oldest operating farmer’s market. “I was used to produce not wrapped in cellophane,” says Costello. “My mother always had something fresh on the counter.” It was from her childhood days in the market and in her family garden that Costello developed her love for fresh ingredients. “It sounds like the old story, but everything I learned in the kitchen was from my mother and grandmother,” says Costello, “including my pickle recipe.” Read More
Winesday: Elm Restaurant Rhone Wine Dinner Wine Chat Wine Tasting Winesday Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 13, 2013 “Are you here for the wine dinner?” asked a smiling gentleman as I entered Elm Restaurant in New Canaan, shaking snow flurries from my coat. Before I knew it, he was whisking us away behind the bar, past a few tables, and into a smaller dining room tucked away in the back. The area felt cozy and intimate. Four glossy walls framed the small space and a table set for eight sat in the center. Nearby stood a countertop, where a few more guests could perch while looking into the bustling kitchen. “We want people to feel like they are at our homes,” explained Chef Brian Lewis. “It’s like the feeling of having close friends over for dinner.” Read More
Connecticut Chili Classic 2013, Presented by Craft Butchery CTbites Team March 13, 2013 Get ready all you chili lovin' Nutmeggers. The Connecticut Chili Classic, presented by Craft Butchery, will take place on Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM @ SoNo Market Place, South Norwalk. Yeah...you heard right. The challenge for the best chili is on! In its inaugural year, twenty five teams will battle for the coveted Connecticut Chili Cup as voted by the public and a panel of local restaurant chefs. This outdoor event will feature live music by several local artists and a bonfire. 10% of profits will be donated to a local food-related charity. The Connecticut Chili Classic (CCC) is sure to become Connecticut’s premier chili competition. Whether you're competing or eating, here are the details: Read More
