Recipe: Late Summer Tomato Tart via Marcia Selden Features Catering Entertaining Recipe Marcia Selden Catering August 15, 2013 Late summer offers some of the best produce of the season! For those of you who garden, you may be finding yourself with a bumper crop of plump sweet tomatoes. Here’s our recipe for a delicious tomato tart. Don’t let the word tart intimidate you, it’s deceptively easy to make, and absolutely perfect for a picnic at the beach or at home with friends. Read More
Winesday: The Color Pink...Rose to Watch Ingredients Cocktails Wine Chat Winesday Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 14, 2013 I love the color pink. Just over a month ago, I bounded into the Kuwaiti restaurant with the tips of my hair dyed a vibrant hue of “funky flamingo,” the result of a renegade mission with a friend earlier that morning. Yet when it comes to wine, I frequently find myself forsaking my favorite color. I tend to prefer a rich red to a rose- even in the summer months. Recently, though, roses that satisfy my taste for reds have garnered attention. Shelves are slowly filling with roses made from robust, red varietals. They manage to incorporate the robust notes while keeping the light nature of the rose. They prove perfect for summer cuisine. People can still enjoy a cold drink and the more delicate body will not overwhelm poultry or fish straight off the grill. At the same time, the subtle smoke and black fruit from the red grapes can hold up to spicy dishes, red meats, or even a burger. One of the most exciting bottles in this genre goes by the name of “Nigl.” It heralds from Austria and is comprised of 100% Zweigelt, a red grape indigenous to the country. Read More
Chef Michael Symon Coming To Stew Leonard's Sept 10th CTbites Team August 14, 2013 Chef Michael Symon will be appearing at Stew Leonard's Danbury location on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. to sign his new cookbook MICHAEL SYMON’S 5 IN 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners. MICHAEL SYMON is a co-host of ABC’s The Chew, an Iron Chef on Food Network’s Iron Chef America, and the host of Cooking Channel’s Symon’s Suppers. He is the author of Michael Symon’s Live to Cook and Michael Symon’s Carnivore. WHAT: When co-host Michael Symon first joined ABC’s The Chew, what excited him most was the thought of being able to inspire home cooks to create affordable and delicious food. With harried home cooks in mind, Michael developed a simple, brilliant formula to help home cooks pull together fresh meals on weeknights: a maximum of 5 fresh ingredients that cook in 5 minutes. MICHAEL SYMON’S 5 IN 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners (Clarkson Potter) ties perfectly into his segment—the most popular one on the show—featuring dazzlingly quick, satisfying dinners that the whole family will love. Read More
A Farm Grows in Stamford: Hubbard Heights Farm Local Farm Stamford Lou Gorfain August 13, 2013 Thanks in part to a gruff farmer who answers to the moniker "Uncle Buck," three acres of organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers are ripening smack dab in the middle of Stamford's big town hustle and bustle. Rows upon rows of tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, potatoes, kale, eggplant, lettuce, herbs, pumpkins and squash now prosper on land that was once part of the city's most fashionable district, an estate area known as Hubbard Heights. Over a century ago, this is where the town's doctors built their stately manses to be near the new Stamford Hospital just down the block. Even today, historic Hubbard Heights remains one of the most elegant streets in town. But let’s go Way Back to the Future, more than two and a half centuries ago. You would be standing in the middle of Hubbard Farms, a vast bucolic acreage farmed by the Hubbard family, newly arrived in Connecticut. Their fields stretch almost to the horizon; the abundant crops leafy, tall and green, free of herbicides, fungicides or growth hormones. Read More
Maddy’s Food Truck – A Caribbean Escape in Stamford Food Truck Stamford Eliza Schlesinger August 11, 2013 We’ve all been there, you’re at work, it’s a long, hard morning and your eyes glaze over as you start to dream of an island vacation. While a quick tropical getaway may be a little out of reach for a working girl in her 20’s, there is a more realistic option that can be squeezed into the lunch break, Maddy’s Food Truck. Several months ago, Maddy’s Food Truck hit the mobile meal scene as one of the first in the area and now spends lunch-time parked on Stamford streets and nights outside the Beer Garden. Offering a combination of American treats and family-inspired Haitian recipes, the menu offers a variety of dishes to appeal to the masses. My first taste was the bacon and avocado grilled cheese served with marinated tomatoes; I guess my reputation regarding my love for grilled cheese preceded me. The bacon was crisp, the avocado fresh and the marinated tomatoes added a nice flavor. Although I was pleased with having another delicious grilled cheese option, I was eager to show my palate something new. Read More
Bareburger, "Best Burger in NYC," Coming to Harbor Point Stamford & Ridgefield Restaurant Stamford Burgers CTbites Team August 10, 2013 Burger lovers rejoice. As reported in HeyStamford!, Bareburger is coming soon to Harbor Point in Stamford & according to the Bareburger web site, will be opening in Ridgefield CT Fall 2013. Bareburger is a micro-chain of organic burger restaurants. They currently have ten locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. Voted "New York's Best Burger" by Zagat, and Michelin recommended two years in a row, this place will be worth a taste. Bareburger restaurants offer organic burgers and sandwiches, fresh salads, delicious shakes and sharable snacks in environmentally sustainable, eco-friendly locations. Their belief is that organic food tastes better and is better for you, and that sourcing our ingredients locally benefits our communities. Their menu features a variety of meats, including traditional beef, chicken, turkey and lamb; exotic options such as elk, bison, ostrich and boar; and mushroom, veggie and black bean burgers for our vegetarian and vegan guests. More on the Bareburger opening coming soon. Read More
ShakesBeer Festival Raises Pints & Funds for Stratford Theater Aug 17 Events Beer James Gribbon August 09, 2013 ShakesBeer Festival Raises Pints, Funds for Stratford Theater on Aug. 17Shakespeare wrote the line "a quart of ale is a dish fit for a king" in A Winter's Tale, so down two pints and get to feeling regal as the first ever ShakesBeer festival comes to the grounds of the American Shakespeare Festival Theater in Stratford on Saturday, August 17. Music, food, local craft beers and, naturally, some live theater, are all planned. The American Shakespeare Festival Theater overlooks the mouth of the Housatonic River at 1850 Elm Street in Stratford, and has hosted show business names like Christopher Walken, Katherine Hepburn, Christopher Plummer, Jack Palance, Roy Scheider and Kelsey Grammer from its construction in 1954 until finances caused the last curtain to fall in the late 80s.* The building still stands, the location is still prime, and efforts to restore the theater have been ongoing in fits and starts since various developers and the town of Stratford itself wrested control of the property from the state. Read More
Ridgefield Farmers' Market Returns Ingredients Farmers Market Ridgefield CTbites Team August 08, 2013
Parallel Post Launches Farm-to-Trumbull Dining Series, Aug 18 Restaurant Events Farm Dinner Farm to Table CTbites Team August 08, 2013 Parallel Post in Trumbull is launching a dining series inspired by the season, Farm-to-Trumbull. Farm-to-Trumbull has been designed by Parallel Post to provide an intimate experience for 40 guests led by James Beard-nominated chef Dean James Max. For $75 per person (tax and 18 percent gratuity not included), guests can warm the palate with a welcome cocktail and sampling of small bites, followed by a family-style meal ripe with the season’s finest local ingredients, wine pairings presented by our mixologist and an all-you-can-indulge dessert bar. The dinner will take place at the beautiful, Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens in Easton. The menu for the event - much like Parallel Post’s weekly-changing restaurant menu – focuses on localism, following the philosophy that natural and sustainable products, and responsible farming, are the key components in ingredient selection. Read More
CTbites' Chef Demo Tent Returns to Westport's Blues & BBQ Festival Restaurant BBQ Chef Talk Cooking Classes Education CTbites Team August 07, 2013 Listen up food lovers. CTbites has rounded up some of the area's top chefs for two full afternoons of live cooking demonstrations, recipe tasting and general good times. Last year's CTbites Chef Demo Tent was such a success we've added a second day! On Saturday, August 31st & Sunday September 1st from 11:30-5pm come on down to Westport's Blues Views & BBQ Festival to meet: Chef Matt Storch of Match; Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro's ; Fritz Knipschidlt of Café Chocopologie; Chef Rob Troilo of Nicholas Roberts; Helton DaSilva of Barcelona Restaurant; Pat Pascarella of Bar Sugo; Mark Hepperman of Saugatuck Craft Butchery; Jamie Cooper of BONDA; Carlos Baez of The Spread; Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill; and Bar Q/Bobby Q's PitStop's own Tim Doherty. Come get schooled while you enjoy samples from 11 talented local chefs. View the full schedule below... Read More
Thali's Chef Prasad: A Lesson in Spice @ Clarke Culinary Center Features Restaurant Cooking Classes Education Kitchen Gear Sarah Green August 06, 2013 A lesson in spice, a lesson in life - a cooking class with Prasad Chirnomula is both. Purely charming and ridiculously modest, Chef Prasad (of the Indian restaurants THALI and THALI TOO and of the former Oaxaca in Westport) recently taught a group of eager foodies some very important secrets regarding the art of cooking Indian at Norwalk's prestigious Clarke Culinary Center. Clarke offers the best in high end kitchens and top quality appliances as well as wonderful cooking classes where top notch chef Gods let a small groups of mortals watch and learn. So we came, we saw, we watched and we ate. But it wasn't just food that Chef Prasad cooked up- it was more like the creation of a warm, breezy sunset. Chef Prasad created a palate of color. Read More
Farm to Shaker - Connecticut Bartender Challenge in Coventry Road Trip Restaurant Cocktails Amy Kundrat August 06, 2013 Farm-To-Shaker Bartender Challenge is this Sunday, August 11 at the Coventry Farmers' Market. The second annual benefit for the Market is also a competition as the area's best bar chefs compete to turn locally-grown ingredients into great cocktails. For $25 per person (21 and over only) you'll enjoy an afternoon of food and drink in the market barn with emcee WNPR's Chion Wolf and snacks from A Thyme to Cook, music by PORK CHOP EXPRESS. The event is sponsored by Onyx Spirits Company, RIPE Craft Bar Juice, and A Thyme to Cook. Proceeds from this event benefit the Coventry Regional Farmers' Market. To purchase tickets, visit Farm to Shaker. For more information about the Market, visit Coventry Farmers' Market. Read More
The Spread in SoNo 2.0…Enter Chef Carlos Baez Restaurant Chef Talk Norwalk SONO American Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger August 04, 2013 Twelve years of apprenticeships and hard work are now benefiting Carlos Baez, the newly appointed Executive Chef at The Spread in SONO. Baez started his career at the age of 19 and gained his culinary experience through diverse roles including a sushi chef; he smiled as he told CTbites, “I was the only Mexican sushi chef in the restaurant”. He worked as a line cook in two top-rated local restaurants, Le Panetiere (Rye, NY) and Napa and Company (Stamford) before arriving at The Spread as one of its opening chefs. After a few months in his new role of Executive Chef, CTbites spent an afternoon with Chef Carlos to sample a few of his newly introduced additions to the menu. The menu has a varied approach to the cuisine, with influences from American, French, Italian and Spanish cuisines while adhering to The Spread’s philosophy of offering high quality, locally sourced options, with entrées priced less than $25. I enjoyed many of the dishes but found many of the presentations a little over- or under-seasoned. Read More
Green & Tonic Opens in Greenwich: Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free Restaurant Going Green Greenwich Juice Cleanse Organic healthy CTbites Team August 02, 2013 Green & Tonic Opens Second Location In Greenwich with foods that find their power in both taste and healing. As a California native who has spent the last 17 years living in Connecticut, I know health food in its many forms. I also know junk food disguised as health food. I’ve eaten my share of overpriced twigs and sprouts on tiny plates, overcooked veggies flavored with too much salt and oil, “natural” juices loaded with sugar and calories, and ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. In other words, you can’t fool me, baby. But when I walked into Green & Tonic after it opened its second location in Greenwich, my doubts quickly vanished. This place walks the walk on healthy food. Oh, and it tastes good too. Co-owner Jeffrey Pandolfino, a Johnson & Wales graduate with vast experience in the restaurant business, who ran his own operation for many years and also spent time at Pret A Manger, was motivated to serve healthy, organic food for another reason – he knew the healing power of food. Read More
Gazpacho Recipe: South End In New Canaan Features Chef Talk Recipe CTbites Team August 01, 2013 Gazpacho is one of those summer treats that allows a chef to combine vibrant seasonal flavors with a unique personal touch. Every bowl of gazpacho is different, and Chef Nick Martschenko of South End in New Canaaan does a wonderful job marrying texture, taste and a little heat. This sweet and spicy version combines the sweetness of the tomatoes with a little spiciness from finely diced jalepeno peppers. He then finishes this delectable recipe with grilled shrimp. Enjoy! Read More
Underground Dinner: Plum Luv Foods Pops Up at Butcher’s Best Restaurant Chef Talk Newtown Underground Dinner Jeanette Chen July 31, 2013 This past Sunday, a group of us were six of the lucky 40 folks to nab tickets to a "hip" six course menu put on by Plum Luv Foods at Butcher's Best in Newtown, CT, showcasing sustainable local produce, seafood and grassfed meats. This was a sold-out event, even after adding ten more tickets than had been sold at previous dinners. For the past few months, Chef Plum and Sous Chef Kern have been hosting Underground Dinner ("pop-up dinners") in Connecticut, where they take over a space for the evening, and prepare dinner in a casual, local setting. No one in our group had ever been to a pop-up dinner, but we knew we were in for a fun night when we were greeted with a glass of bubbly champagne with local blueberries as soon as we walked in the door. Take a peek at the menu ~ this particular evening, Chef Plum showcased grass-fed meats from Shiregate Family Farm (carried by Butcher's Best), local grown produce (from Farming 101 and Holbrook Farm), and fresh fish and oysters caught right off the Connecticut shoreline. Read More
Ridgefield's BBQ Throwdown on Sunday, August 4 CTbites Team July 30, 2013 Join 109 Cheese & Wine this Sunday, August 4 @ 4pm for a Wine vs. Beer Throw Down with some amazing BBQ from Ridgefield Prime's CodyQ "Smok'in Good BBQ." Cody just returned from an intense BBQ boot camp learning from the most awarded man in BBQ, Myron Mixon, and he's got a greeat menu planned for the big day. 109 Cheese & Wine will pair 4 BBQ centric wines (selected by wine pairing fanatic Monica) vs. 4 craft beers (selected by beer guru Patty). Menu:- Prime Big Texas Brisket (Oak smoked)- Smokey & Sweet Carolina Pulled Pork (apple wood smoked)- Georgia style Baby Back Ribs- Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage- Pit Beans-Locally grown tomatoes and buratta salad Weather permitting this will all go down outside. Cody will have his smoker out front and will bring the very best beef, and pork cuts from Ridgefield Prime. Read More
Preserving the Harvest Canning Workshop @ Wakeman Farm Ingredients Cooking Classes Education Local Farm CTbites Team July 30, 2013 Wondering what to do with all those extra vegetables from the garden? Don't let them go to waste. Instead, come to the Wakeman Town Farm on August 10th and learn how to can and preserve your harvest. During this 2 hour workshop, you'll learn the basics of canning as you make delicious homemade jam, tomato sauce, and salsa. There will be tastings, and participants can take home a jar of their choice! The Preserving the Harvest Canning Workshop will take place on Saturday August 10th, 10am - 12pm. Fee: $25 When: Saturday, August 10, 2013 Time: 10:00am - 12pm Location: Wakeman Town Farm, 134 Cross Highway, Westport Ages: Open to all Email wakemantownfarm@gmail.com to reserve your spot! Read More
Delicious Dives: Los Poblanos, Mexican in Norwalk Restaurant Delicious Dives Norwalk Mexican Comfort Food Kid Friendly Elizabeth Keyser July 28, 2013 One bite into the tacos al pastor at Los Poblanos, and my husband and I looked up at one another in amazement. Whoa, this is really good. Tender plump bites of orange-hued pork shoulder, coated with ground chiles and herbs, mixed with bits of sweet, juicy pineapple. The flavors melded, cooked together to just the right moment. Warm, soft homemade corn tortillas. The pork topped with minced fresh raw onions and cilantro. The exterior didn’t prepare us for food made with such care. I mean, I love discovering a little Mexican hole-in-the-wall. When I noticed a handmade sign for Los Poblanos hanging outside what was still at that point Hubba Luncheonette, in a dingy little strip mall in Norwalk (cattycorner to Penzy’s), I took a quick left turn. The transformation from American breakfast place and luncheonette to Mexican, in terms of décor, at that point was shiny tourist posters of the Puebla region of Mexico. Since then it’s brightened up. The walls are painted cheerful contrasting colors, orange, green and red. The place is small and simple, with four booths, and a couple tables for two. Read More
