Friday Froth: GermaNY Beer James Gribbon July 26, 2013 NPR recently had a piece by Joel Rose about the booming booze business in New York, focusing partially on one of my favorite distillers, Tuthilltown Spirits. Their rye (as experienced in Manhattan form) has gotten me through the darker portions of several recent winters. The gist of the piece is the birth of craft distillation after the industry's wrongful execution by the dullard proponents of the Volstead Act. The second coming of legal hooch in America, post-Prohibition, had a tremendous amount to do with first generation immigrants, especially Germans, who brought old-world recipes to a thirsty nation. The foundations they laid have paired beautifully with the American penchant for ignoring inconvenient rules, and the two together have produced our current boom in craft distillation and craft beer, which has begun (somewhat ironically) to echo in Europe. Let's take a look at some of the excellent brews, New Yorker, German, or otherwise, with which we may satiate our parched palettes this summer. Read More
Best Places to Grab a Picnic or To-Go Meal in Fairfield County CT Features Restaurant Picnic April Guilbault July 25, 2013 A tisket, a tasket...a lovely picnic basket. Or possibly just a simple, perfect, brown bag lunch. A lunch wrapped to eat by the seashore (sand not included), one to eat while lounging on a blanket in the grass listening to an outdoor, evening concert or one stuffed into a backpack for your long, summer hike. What is it about eating en plein air that is so fabulously enjoyable? Whatever your destination, here are a few suggestions for acquiring the perfect to-go meal.... Share your favorite To-Go spots by leaving a comment below: Read More
Summer Cocktails from Luxe Modern: Ginger Smash Cocktails CTbites Team July 24, 2013 LUXE Modern Wine & Cocktails in Westport has been serving up a curated selection of over 45 wines and inventive Craft cocktails since January of 2012. Under the keen direction of owner Robert Reilly, Luxe has established itself as a go-to spot for beverage aficionados in Fairfield County and beyond. We recently swung by Luxe and asked Robert to whip up a few of his favorite summer cocktails. CTbites will be running a series of these recipes, the first of which is the beautiful Ginger Smash, (seen above). Try one of these out for your next party..they are sure to be an instant hit. Read More
Steam Coffee Bar Opening at Greens Farms Station in Westport Restaurant CTbites Team July 23, 2013 It’s full steam ahead for Briana Pennell and Chris Barrett, who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their La Marzocco espresso machine, as they plan the opening of their first location of Steam Coffee Bar at Greens Farms Train Station at the end of the month. Steam will exclusively brew the locally renowned Raus Coffee and take iced coffee to a new level, serving drinks such as “Cold Roman, Roman Navel and Roman Kiss.” The new shop will also serve Arogya tea, an organic tea vendor based in Westport, and a variety of local baked goods and breakfast items from the area, including several gluten-free choices. Fresh-pressed, organic juices from The Stand and local Connecticut milk from The Farmer’s Cow are among the other area favorites on the menu. “We pride ourselves on using only the freshest ingredients and highest quality products,” said Pennell. “We love supporting the small business community and we’re very excited about sharing the best of what’s around locally with the commuters and our neighbors in the Green's Farms area.” Read More
BONDA Takes Dinner Outside: En Plein Air Recap Restaurant ellen bowen July 23, 2013 “En Plein Air” is a French expression which means "in the open air"…and on July 10th and 11th, BONDA Chef/Owner Jamie Cooper braved the threat of thunderstorms and hosted two dinners at the Greenfield Hill Grange #133 in Fairfield, one of only five Granges left in Fairfield County. The evenings, both sold out events, featured not only Jamie’s signature style of preparing unique dishes using local ingredients and creative seasonings and pairings, but also the 120-year-old Greenfield Hill Grange, a historic nod to the days when local farmers met to trade or sell their produce and livestock. The Grange, or officially, The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is a fraternal organization in the United States which encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well being of the community and agriculture, was truly the “original” Farmers Market! Read More
Walrus and Carpenter Opens in Bridgeport w/ Killer BBQ & Elegant Sides Restaurant BBQ Bridgeport Beer Comfort Food Kid Friendly Dessert Sarah Green July 21, 2013 Certainly, the food scene in Bridgeport is getting "curiouser and curiouser." And that's a very good thing. No need for a trip down the rabbit hole, however, to experience the marvelous and weirdly wonderful creations at the new Walrus and Carpenter at 2895 Fairfield Ave. The concept (brain child of proprietor Joe Farrell) is this - a slow cook BBQ house that offers haute cuisine sides and a first class beer menu where everything (except for the tequila and the pit master) is made in America. Usually, American BBQ restaurants offer excellent meats but boring, less than note-worthy accompaniments. Here, the offerings are mostly Texas style -where the meat is slow cooked and fall-off-the-bone tender -and the main courses are paired with elegant slaws, exquisite collards and house made pickle platters. Food is plated, not just put on the plate, and that adds to the special experience. And to elevate your dining further, a fabulous selection of Craft beers by the glass or by the growler. (Some choices include Green Flash Imperial IPA and Brooklyn Brewery Sorachi Ace.) The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Paul DiMaria formerly of Community Table in Washington, CT and the food is first class yet at the same time finger-licking delicious. Simply put - it works. Read More
Bodega Taco Bar Celebrates National Tequila Day w/ Freebies For All! CTbites Team July 19, 2013 Bodega Taco Bar is celebrating our Best of Gold Coast Win and National Tequila Day at both the Fairfield and Darien locations. Here's what they've got going on... Wednesday, July 24th is National Tequila Day. Come by this evening and try a sample of paQui' - the newest addition to our high end Tequila offerings. paQui' means " to be happy" in ancient Aztec tongue. "paQui + Bodega means "very happy." Thursday, July 25 is National Tequila Hangover Day (we made this up). The perfect cure... 2 for 1 breakfast tacos all day & night. The party continues on Saturday night in both Darien and Fairfield. Come by for a complimentary "Shave Ice" on the sidewalk Mexico City Style. Toppings include Homemade Strawberry, Tamarind and Mango Marmalades and Hibiscus, Watermelon, Lime and Dulce de Leche Syrups. Adults can "spike it" with a drizzle of paQui tequila. What is "Shave Ice"? Come and find out Saturday from 5pm until meltdown. Read More
Update: The Mission to Save King’s Kitchen In Southport Restaurant Gina Cunsolo July 19, 2013 Independence Day – the one day a year when this nation of immigrants pays homage to our founding fathers by flocking to beaches; burger and beer in hand. Unfortunately, the three King brothers, owners of King’s Kitchen - known for serving Southport sustainable beachside fare - spent this July 4th battling to save their business. Last summer, King’s Kitchen made their debut on the Southport shore, serving locally grown and sourced beach food. The menu features about five items and changes daily – items ranging from lobster rolls and quesadilla with a fennel and caper Russian remoulade, to ox hollow grass-fed burgers and short rib tacos. The brothers also offer an assortment of chips, and a variety of organic juices, including refreshing watermelon lemonade. Signs reading “Save the Shack!” cover the cabin that once served as King’s Kitchen headquarters for all food preparation, cooking, and serving. This blue-gray building, located at 1505 Pequot Avenue in Fairfield, was built in 1946. It is both a “historic landmark” and “childhood memory”, according to Hunter King, one of the King’s brothers and partners. Read More
The Best Ice Cream Shoppes in CT: The Full Scoop Restaurant ice cream Kid Friendly Dessert Lou Gorfain July 18, 2013 In our recent roundup of supermarket ice cream, we found ourselves invoking adjectives like "Sinful," "Addictive," "Decadent.." etc. ... as if confessing to indulging in craven pleasures by the pint-full. But then, who gives a lick? Especially when an Ice Cream Shoppe offers even greater temptations than any Stop and Shop. Simply put, the ice cream hand churned on site is usually fresher, creamier, denser, richer and, yes, far more seductive than its commercial cousins. In addition, these family owned shops serve a wider spectrum of original flavors, most sourced locally, than you’ll find on the freezer aisle. Plus, is there any place in Connecticut more kid friendly than a scoop shop -- especially for the child inside you? So, for you and your family’s summer pleasures, be they guilty or innocent, CTBites has chosen the best local ice cream emporia. We bring you The Best Ice Cream Shoppes in CT. Read More
Sono Baking Co's French Blueberry Tartlets Features Bakery Chef Talk Recipe Dessert CTbites Team July 18, 2013 Welcome to Throwback Thursday...We brought this recipe out of the archives right in time for blueberry season. Enjoy! Sweet! Berries are back in season and we've got the perfect way to celebrate the booming berry harvest: fresh fruit tarts. We asked John Barricelli of Sono Baking Company for his favorite recipe as he knows a few things about tarts. Piled high with fresh blueberries, these individual fruit tarts offer a sweet, creamy custard surprise in the center. Try making these with raspberries or strawberries, or an assortment of berries. Each tartlet uses very little pastry cream, so you’ll have some left over, which can be used as a garnish and served alongside the tarts. Read More
New Italian Opening in Westport's National Hall via WestportNow.com CTbites Team July 17, 2013 This just in from WestportNow.com... Westport’s west bank of the Saugatuck River, already hopping with new restaurants Bar Tacco and Cafe Moja, will soon add a new 120-seat restaurant in National Hall, by the end of the year, according to Westporter Mark Coe, property development consultant for Greenfield Partners. The ground floor of National Hall will be the location of an Italian restaurant by the end of the year. Coe said the 4,685-square foot space will have seating for 120 and will feature a bar, cafe and white tablecloth sections. According to Bobby Werhane, founder of Experience Hospitality and owner of the new establishment, “the name of the restaurant has not yet been determined but definitely will not be called Spasso,” an Italian restaurant he owns at 551 Hudson St, New York. He said the Westport restaurant “will have a rustic design and feature non-traditional Italian-inspired Mediterranean regional cuisine. Read the full article on WestportNow.com Read More
le Farm's Summer Market Salad Recipe Features Farm to Table Local Farm Recipe Farm Fresh CTbites Team July 16, 2013 Chef Arik Bensimon of le Farm embraces the summer growing season with this simple recipe inspired by a recent trip to the local farmers' market. Thinly shaved vegetables with varying weights and texture are drizzled with a light take on a classic Caesar dressing. (You'll want to save this recipe for use year round.) Chef Bensimon has left off the quantities on the main ingredients as there are no wrong answers here, and he recommends any raw vegetable that is to your liking as the summer harvest rotates through. Enjoy this wonderful Summer Market Salad Recipe from le Farm. Read More
The NEW Redding Roadhouse in Redding: Where Wirt Cooks Restaurant Chef Talk Redding Comfort Food Kid Friendly Elizabeth Keyser July 14, 2013 Wirt Cook isn’t interested in stardom. Sure, he was Alex Guarnaschelli’s sous-chef on this season’s Iron Chef America, but he did that just to help his former boss. What Cook loves to do is cook in the kitchen at the Redding Roadhouse. He and his wife Karen, sister Colleen and her husband Ted Stonebly had just bought the Roadhouse last July when Guarnaschelli reached the last round of the Next Iron Chef competition. She chose two sous chefs for the final battle. Cook was joined by Ashley Merriman, who also had cheffed at Guarnaschelli’s restaurants Butter and The Darby in New York City. Cook says the team was shocked when they won. In the stress of creating more than five courses, each using the secret ingredient, within the one-hour limit, they’d made mistakes. They thought they hadn’t had such a great day. But Guarnaschelli won. She was the Next Iron Chef. And Cook suddenly had an extra job he didn’t have time for. Read More
POST 154 Opening in Westport’s Historical Post Office Building Restaurant Opening CTbites Team July 12, 2013 If you've been peering through the windows of the immense space that used to house Westport’s Historical Post Office, wondering what the new POST 154 Restaurant would hold, we've got some info for you. Mind you, this intel comes straight from the press peeps, so stay tuned for additional coverage from our CTbites team, but this will give you an idea of what's to come. “Best Chef of America” Honoree, Chef Alex Rosado prepares to open his Restaurant and Bar in Westport’s Historical Post Office building This is POST 154, a restaurant, bar and gathering place with a fresh outlook on our modern day food culture. The space is grand, the Chef is fearless, and the concept is a simple one; Exceptional food and drink with a setting to match. It begins with 154 Post Road, Westport’s historical post office building which was built circa 1935 by the New Deal, an economic program enacted in the United States in the 1930’s in response to the great depression. It was designed by Lansing Holden, a decorated World War I US Air Force hero. Read More
Friday Froth: Keep It Smooth...Beer News & Tasting Notes Ingredients Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon July 12, 2013 Rolling with the windows down, warm night air blowing through, music playing, fireflies sparking at the corners of your vision... in the wintertime cars are about utility, but they seem to contain multitudes in the summer. This is especially true when you have a paper bag full of cold brews belted tightly as a child into the passenger seat. This week we'll take a short trip on the 'bahn to Stratford, try out something German, and bring it all home to Connecticut before a quick jaunt to the left coast and completely voiding the warranty somewhere in the south Pacific. Buckle up, and snorkel gear is not included.Closest to home, Two Roads Brewing Co. introduced No Limits Hefeweizen for this summer. The can (yep) design features the symbol for Germany's autobahn front and center with the slashed grey of the 'bahn's dreamy unlimited sections incorporated in there between two stalks of wheat. It's summer blockbuster season, so allow me to put on my announcer voice (ahem): Read More
Plan B Burger Bar is Coming to Fairfield CT Cocktails Fairfield Bar Comfort Food Kid Friendly Burgers CTbites Team July 11, 2013 Plan B Burger Bar has some big news. They are coming to Fairfield this fall in the old Post Office at 1262 Boston Post Road. Plan B is an upscale burger bar created by Hartford-based Locals 8 Restaurant Holdings with six (soon to be seven) locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. This burger mecca features all-American craft beers, bourbon, and burgers made from beef that is ground in-house daily, always fresh, never frozen, and free of antibiotics and hormones. We like that!Allie j Gamble, founder and CEO of Locals 8 Restaurant Group explains, “We don’t think of our restaurants as a chain, there is just a lot of us. Each Plan B location is unique. We build relationships with local farms because the food is always fresher. For example, in Milford, we work with Robert Treat Farm, Bishops Acres, Holcomb and Jones Farms. In Springfield, we draw from incredible local brewers like the Mayflower Brewing Company. We’ll do the same thing at Plan B Fairfield. We’re excited to partner up with growers in the community and offer specialty items that our other locations won’t feature. It's part of our dream of growing big while remaining small.” Read More
Summer School @ 109 Cheese & Wine in Ridgefield Ingredients Restaurant Cheese Cooking Classes Education Wine Chat Wine Tasting CTbites Team July 11, 2013 Ridgefield's best source for artisinal cheese and wine, 109 Cheese & Wine has recently expanded its footprint and education offerings. The shop, located at Ridgefield's Marketplace, has posted an impressive and fun line-up of events throughout the summer. Classes include: Red Bee Honey Pairing, Home Brewing and a Bar B Cue, The Champagne Diet, East Coast Craft Brews and Artisan Cheese & A BBQ Throw Down Wine vs. Beer. See complete listings below. Advance reservations are recommended as class size is limited, call 203-438-5757. Read More
Aye Cukarumba! Cocktail Recipe from Barcelona Restaurant Ingredients Features Cocktails Recipe CTbites Team July 09, 2013 Last Spring, CTbites ran a cocktail naming contest with Barcelona Restaurant. The drink in need of a name would debut on Barcelona Restaurant's Cocktail Menu, and has become one of their classics...the Aye Cukarumba! Yes...that is the name, not an exclamation. With zesty citrus, lightly sweet St. Germain, and a dash of Hellfire Bitters, this drink has it all going on, and now you can make Barcelona's Aye Cukarumba! cocktail in your home. Here are the ingredients for this unique and excellent addition to any party...or forget the party, and just make one for yourself tonight. Read More
Guide To Cooking Classes in Connecticut Ingredients Kids Bites Restaurant Cooking Classes Education kids cooking party April Guilbault July 09, 2013 Give a man a fish and he eats for one day, but TEACH him to how to bone, saute and dress up that fish, well, that’s another story. The school year has come to a close for our under-21s but we know that you hunger (pun totally intended) to learn something new...in the kitchen. Cooking classes abound in our area; some will teach you how to make the perfect french macaron (not to be confused with the American macaroon with two “o’s”), cooling summer soups or regional delights that transport you without standing in pesky security lines. Don your best apron, raise a spatula and proclaim this the summer that you learn some rockin’ cooking skills and new recipes! Summer school has never looked so good. Here is CTbites' Guide To Cooking Classes For Adults & Kids for 2013... Read More
The Cronuts™ Craze Comes to CT @ Stew Leonards Bakery Dessert Stephanie Webster July 08, 2013 If you are a foodie, by now, you have likely heard about the legend of the Cronut™. If you're a foodie and have been hiding under a rock and have not yet heard about the pasty hybrid taking the food obsessed world by storm, you should read this. The Cronut is a half croissant, half doughnut created by Chef Dominique Ansel in May of 2013, and since their launch, New Yorkers have been waiting in line for hours (or paying scalpers) to get one of these decadent dessert items, making it the most viral (and hyped) indulgence to date. Although I did not manage to get one of these during a recent trip to NYC, I'm pleased to announce that the rumors are true...all four locations of Stew Leonard's are selling their own version of the complicated Cronut, named "Cro-Dos!" The word "cronut" is trademarked by Ansel. Half croissant and half donut, these babies are 162 layers of butter and dough deep fried to golden perfection. And you don't have to wait in line for HOURS to buy them! $3.99/2 pack. Available now here at Stew's! I particularly enjoyed their hash tag: #ohyeswedid Kudos to the bakers at Stew Leonard's. Read More
