Marcia Selden's Contest Winners Throw Down "Chopped" Style w/ Ron Ben-Israel Kids Bites Features Catering Sarah Green October 19, 2013 Last Wednesday night, the 3 finalists of the CTbites/Marcia Selden Ultimate Dinner Party contest met for a "CHOPPED"-style cook-off at the GORGEOUS Marcia Selden headquarters in Stamford. Marcia and daughter/partner Robin along with celebrity chef and "Sweet Genius" host Ron Ben-Israel were the judges and...Oh, what a night! The three lucky finalists were Lisa Eppley of Darien, Krystle Ang of Stamford and Hannah Bukzin of Westport, aged 13...no, really! They came, they saw (by way of a thorough tour of the facility by Jeff Selden, son/partner of Marcia and the ever-fabulous Chef Nicole Straight) and they made their way to the kitchen with high hopes of conquering that grand prize - a Gourmet to Go meal delivered to the winner's home, some cool Marcia Selden swag and, most importantly, the honor of the win! So the timer was set for one hour, the contestants were told the rules - open the baskets to find the three mystery ingredients, make any dish you like as long as all three ingredients are present and have the dish presentable for the judges in exactly one hour - and the challenge began. And for the mystery ingredients? Drum roll please!!! Ritz Crackers - Chick Peas - Strawberry Pop Rocks Candy Read More
Friday Froth: A Pale Wolf Approaches Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon October 18, 2013 I do a lot of talking about Brooklyn beers in this space, between the eponymous Brooklyn Brewery, Sixpoint, He'brew/Coney Island etc. - and more on that later - but today we're going to start by kicking it up to the Boogie Down. The Bronx gets a lot of respect as the birthplace of hip hop and the home of Bullwackie's distinctly NYC dub, but if you know anything about the foodie scene outside of Arthur Avenue in the borough, you know more than me. I like to keep my eyes and ears open, though, and my mind well lubricated, so it wasn't too long before I was on the scent of a new brewer out of Port Morris. The Bronx Brewery's flagship beer is called Bronx Pale Ale, and was slapped down on the bar top before me in an industrial looking one-pint can. I personally like the stripped down appearance of the silver and black can, and immediately noticed the brewery had followed the trend of printing the beer's ABV, SRM and IBUs right on there, but they had taken it a few steps further and included the Pale Ale's Original and Final Gravities. Read More
"How We Eat" Discussion Series Hosts Jane Stern of Roadfood.com October 23rd Interview Education CTbites Team October 18, 2013 Restaurateurs, farmers, and chefs speak about their world of culinary expertise as part of How We Eat, Ridgefield Magazine’s year of discussions with prominent locals in the food industry. Jane Stern, RoadFood author, magazine writer who commands a large following on the topic of road food roadfood.com, will talk about food and dining as cultural anthropology. Putting what we eat into the context of culture, history, and attitudes. This talk will be held on October 23, @ 7 pm Events take place at the Prospector Annex, 454 Main Street, Ridgefield, until the main theater is completed in summer 2014, when they will move to the main theater on Prospect Street. To reserve a free seat, contact Julia Reis. Read More
Prime 16 Tap House & Burgers Hosts Connecticut Tap Takeover Oct. 23 CT Beer Beer CTbites Team October 17, 2013 Prime 16 Tap House & Burgers, located at 464 Boston Post Road in Orange, Connecticut, will be hosting a Connecticut Tap Takeover on Wednesday, October 23 at 5pm.Twenty of Prime 16's thirty taps will be pouring all local, all Connecticut beers the night of October 23rd. Come meet over a dozen brewery reps and brewmasters from some of Connecticut's best breweries. Scheduled to attend are reps and brewmasters from Beaver, Cavalry, Charter Oak, City Steam, George Washington, Half Full, New England, Olde Burnside, Stony Creek, Two Roads and Weed (and more!)This event featuring Connecticut beers is especially one to attend as many of these brewers don't have their own tasting rooms. It's an ideal opportunity to taste local beers and speak to the brewers who've created the brews on a one to one level. Read More
Locali Pizza Bar and Kitchen to Open in New Canaan Restaurant Italian Pizza New Canaan Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 17, 2013 The intersection of Locust Avenue and Forest Street in New Canaan will be in full restaurant mode again in a few weeks when Locali Pizza Bar and Kitchen, a tribute to Napolitano pizza and small plates, opens in the space that formally housed Kouzina. The restaurant is brainchild of Joe Bueti, whose previous restaurants include 121 in North Salem, Strega in Pleasantville and his current location in Mt. Kisco, Village Social. Bueti is teaming with business partner Anthony Legato in this new venture. Overseeing the kitchen is Chef Mogan Anthony, the current chef at Village Social, and a former participant on “Chopped.” Chef Mogan’s background includes working under Chef Jean Georges Vongericthen in three different locations and a stint at the Bedford Post under New Canaan elm restaurant’s Chef Brian Lewis. The redesign is fully in process and their aim is an inviting, more intimate atmosphere that will deliver classic food and Neapolitan dishes. Read More
Freshii Opens in Downtown Westport w/ Healthy Eats for All Restaurant Westport healthy Lunch Kid Friendly CTbites Team October 16, 2013 I was looking for a quick but healthy bite when I walked into Freshii. Set in downtown Westport next to Starbucks at 1 Main St and also accessible from Parker Harding Plaza. the new healthy fast food cafe opened late September with light, modern, clean decor of green seats and wood tables and a list of organic ingredients on the wall resembling the periodic table of the elements. The food matched the setting, with simple but well-balanced and flavorful salads, bowls and wraps including the "superbiotic" with spinach, romaine, chick peas, cucumbers, sundried tomatoes, corn, artichoke hearts, red peppers, red onion and cucumber dill dressing and the "ninja" with edamame, soy nuts, cilantro and asian sesame dressing. Catering to almost every dietary restriction and food preference, their rice, quinoa and noodle bowls offer vegan, nut- and gluten free choices such as the "warrior" with brown rice, corn, red onions, cajun spice and ranch dressing. Read More
Recap: Willett Distilling Visits Bobby Q's for Evening of Bourbon & BBQ Restaurant BBQ Events James Gribbon October 16, 2013 Fire is your friend, and on a cool evening at the end of September, so is smoke. Many a hefty stave of Connecticut oak lent its flavor to platters of pork ribs, sausage and smokey burnt ends of brisket at our latest CTBites Invites event. Blue flame lit hand rolled cigars, courtesy of Connecticut Cigar Company, and the gathered crowd on the rooftop bar at Bobby Q's in Westport was warmed by fire of a different kind, via Willett Distilling. We try to lovingly craft our dinner pairings for Invites events, and few things blend as seamlessly as fall weather, bourbon, and BBQ. The former can excite and sharpen the senses, while the latter two coddle and insulate - an ideal coalescence of need and satisfaction to contemplate through a wreath of fine tobacco smoke under a starry sky. Read More
Brooklynite Cocktail Recipe via Saugatuck Grain & Grape Features Recipe Cocktails Recipe Jeff Marron October 15, 2013 This is an older cocktail I modified during my research of local honey. Other than the Bee's Knees cocktail, I wanted to find another "staple cocktail" to use with honey from Red Bee Apiary. This is a delicious adaptation on the classic Daiquiri. Instead of using simple syrup, orange blossom honey syrup is used. I have used many rums in this recipe and I keep falling back on Ron Zacapa 23 year old from Guatemala disregarding the recommended Jamaican rum. This particular rum is soft and subtle with a rich molasses sweetness that finishes with notes of light caramel outlined in Madagascar vanilla bean. The flavor profile of this rum is just a perfect balance between the acidic lime juice and the floral orange blossom honey. Read More
Food Highlights from The Greenwich Wine + Food Festival Restaurant Events Greenwich Wine + Food Festival Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 14, 2013 VIEW JFOOD'S PHOTO GALLERY BY CLICKING ABOVE IMAGE What a great day at the Greenwich Wine + Food Festival presented by Serendipity Magazine wondering around the grounds, sampling food and wine from 100 different restaurants and wine shops, chatting with chefs, owners and fellow food lovers and listening to the chef interviews in our CTbites’ Blogger Lounge. Fairfield County chefs were well represented and each did our little neck of the culinary world proud. It is impossible to go through each of their offerings but several deserve individual shout outs. [VIEW MY PHOTO GALLERY HERE] In alphabetical order: Read More
Sneak Peek at Greenwich's Golden View Firenze Restaurant Greenwich Italian Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 13, 2013 The culinary landscape in Greenwich expands with the recent opening of Golden View Firenze at 249 Railroad Avenue with its owner, chef and menu direct from Florence, Italy. For many years Tommaso Grasso, owner of Golden View Open Bar overlooking the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, visited friends in the US and they recently convinced him to bring his upscale cuisine and vibe to Greenwich. He persuaded Italian chef Francesco Casu to join him from Florence, and the two have created a traditional and authentic Tuscan menu. Entering the restaurant, you immediately feel the European influence in the décor. The sleek black and white tables and chairs were imported from Italy and the walls are all adorned with paintings also imported from Italy. The entire space has an inviting European hip ambience and is spacious for the forty guests who will dine on traditional Tuscan cuisine. The entire rear of the dining area is dedicated to the stainless steel kitchen with a Chef’s Counter for four lucky guests. Read More
Muffin Tin Meals: Chicken Pot Pie, Turkey Meatloaf & Zucchini Leek Baked Noodles Recipes Features Recipe Kid Friendly Marcia Selden Catering October 12, 2013 Crisp fall days are upon us, and if you’re like most people, you’ve let go of that lazy end of summer vibe and are now into full-on rush mode. Too busy for dinner? Think again… We have you covered with these delicious, warm, could-even- be-eaten-for-breakfast muffin tin meals. These tasty little bites are a snap to make, freeze beautifully, and are the perfect dinner or snack for your hungry posse: Chicken Pot Pie, Zucchini & Leek Baked Noodles, and Turkey Meatloaf. Your family will thank you. Read More
Come On Down to Westport’s Oktoberfest Biergarten on the Green Oct.19th Restaurant Beer Dinner Events Holiday Oktoberfest Beer CTbites Team October 11, 2013 A chill in the air…days getting shorter…colorful leaves swirling….Welcome to October and the Westport Downtown Merchants Association’s 2nd annual Biergarten on the Green on Saturday October 19th 1:00-5:00 pm. Meet under the big tent on historic Veteran's Green right in downtown Westport, CT and sample some of the finest, award-winning local, national and international craft and micro brews. A mini tasting mug will be provided for samples from breweries such as Blue Point on Long Island, Goose Island from Chicago, East Coast Brewing from New Jersey, and Beaver Beer from right here in Westport. The Shock Top beer car will be back with the tap in the trunk and the Mohawk of wheat on the roof. New breweries are added every day. Seasonal food such as knockwurst, bratwurst, pulled pork and chili will be available for purchase. The food experts from CTBites will present chefs from Tavern on Main, and The Spread, demonstrating ways to pair the beverage of the day with delicious food; and the Zany Oompah Band will be back performing all the classics: waltzes, polkas and drinking songs for sing-a-long and dancing! Read More
Picador 2.0 Opens in New Canaan Restaurant Italian New Canaan Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 10, 2013 More culinary changes are occurring in New Canaan as Picador Restaurant on Elm Street was recently purchased by Ray Rivera, former Food and Beverage Manager at The Hyatt, and Leo Gaspar the owner of New Canaan’s Club Sandwich. Rivera and former owner Alan Basaran (owner of New Canaan’s Carpe Diem Restaurant) have known each other for years and a conversation eventually led to the Rivera and Gaspar purchasing the site. The pair immediately hired Chef Corey Falcone, who was previously the chef/owner of Bella Luna, one of Stamford’s favorite Italian restaurants. This partnership culminates years of discussions between Rivera and Chef Corey who wanted to work together in a small restaurant. Rivera summed up his four year search for the perfect venue and cuisine, “I’m thrilled about our restaurant being on Elm Street in New Canaan and presenting international fare plus steaks and chops. Corey is excited to use his talents to fuse Spanish and Italian flavors and he is a master of the grill.” Read More
Wine, Whiskey and Craft Beer Tasting @ Stew Leonard's Restaurant Cocktails Wine Tasting CTbites Team October 10, 2013 Join the wine specialists from Stew Leonard's Wines of Norwalk as we celebrate harvest season with an October Wine, Whiskey and Craft Beer Tasting! More than 50 wines and beers will be featured, as well as a special Compass Box blended whisky tasting, and a menu of seasonal fare freshly prepared by Stew Leonard’s culinary team. The event takes place on Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Stew Leonard's food store, located at 100 Westport Avenue in Norwalk. Tickets are $40 per person and all proceeds will benefit The Norwalk Exchange Club, which will use the funds raised to benefit local community organizations in the City of Norwalk. Stew Leonard's Wine specialists have hand-picked a selection of more than 50 wines that complement the flavors of the fall harvest season. Read More
Blogger Lounge Video Highlights: 15 Chefs & Industry Pros Talk Shop @ The Greenwich Wine + Food Festival Interview Restaurant Celebrity Chef Chef Talk CTbites Team October 09, 2013 Hosting the CTbites Blogger Lounge at the Greenwich Wine+Food Festival has to be one of our fondest and possibly the most fun collaborations we've been a part of in our three years of eating, writing, photographing, interviewing, and convening chefs and restaurateurs for CTbites. There is so much to share, so much to cover, so as a bit of a teaser of that excellent day, here are some video snippets of the great action from Saturday's Blogger Lounge. We will be sharing full interviews, our own coverage, and our fellow blogger coverage over the coming weeks, so stay tuned. Read More
Fork It Over Recap: Bill Taibe Transforms "El Whelk" for WFM Fundrasier Stephanie Webster October 09, 2013 CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE TO LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY As the 3rd Fork It Over fundraising event for The Westport Farmers’ Market approached this past Sunday night, one could only wonder...what next? Market Director, Lori Cochran, and her team of chefs had served up 1) an old fashioned outdoor clam bake and 2) a 198 pound Pig, but what for round 3, and who would be the mystery chef? The early Sunday morning email revealed a promising location (The Whelk), but more seafood? Not so much. The Mexican straw hats and pinatas gave it away. We were crossing the border. The Whelk had been transformed into El Whelk and we were all in for a night of tacos, tequila, and tripe soup. [VIEW IMAGE GALLERY HERE] Read More
Lolita Cocina to Reinvent Itself As Rouge Brasserie & Oyster Bar in Byram Greenwich CTbites Team October 08, 2013 This just in from CB5 Restaruant Group... In true cb5 fashion, the global restaurant development group that’s been creating cutting edge, high concept places for eating and drinking and whatever, is making a bold move over the next few weeks. Their goth-meets-Mex restaurant Lolita, located in the Byram neighborhood of Greenwich, CT, will undergo a transcontinental transformation, morphing into a French Brasserie. But, not just any brasserie. The new spot will be named ROUGE Brasserie & Oyster Bar and will be a throwback to cb5’s original claim to bistro fame dating back to 2003. Read More
Recap: Community Plates Food for All 2013 Fundraiser = Foodie Heaven Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 08, 2013 I was officially stumped. After driving up and down Fairfield Avenue, all I saw were seemingly abandoned industrial buildings and parking lots. Where on earth was the Community Plates fundraiser? “It’s wayyy in the back,” a friend texted me from inside the event. We turned the car around and headed to the parking lot we had first pulled up to. We slowly began following it back toward the water. After about a tenth of a mile, we could just make out the figure of a man motioning us into a parking space. Still skeptical, we climbed out of the car. We spied a couple in fancy attire and followed them to a long, dimly lit building. Once inside, the space was anything but. Colorful art adorned chic white walls. Music pulsed as blue lights dimly illuminated a sprawling room. People in chic clothing mingled in small groups, cocktails in hand. We’d found it. Read More
Oak & Almond High West Whiskey Dinner Oct 9th CTbites Team October 07, 2013 OAK+ ALMOND in association with CASTLE WINE & SPIRITS OF WESTPORT Welcome Troy Karnes Passionate Whiskey Missionary for a HIGH WEST DISTILLERY DINNER $75. The dinner will take place on Wednesday October 9th @ 6:30. VIEW THE COMPLETE MENU BELOW. Call 203.846.4600 to make a reservation. Read More
Connecticut Cheese Festival: Curd Is The Word October 13th CTbites Team October 07, 2013 “Curd is the word on October 13th,” says Brian Civitello, founder of Mystic Cheese Company and event co-host. On Sunday, October 13, the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market is sponsoring a three-hour Cheese Festival to coincide with its weekly market, held 11am to 2pm, at the Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street in Coventry, Connecticut. You can find the schedule of events below... For more information, visit http://ctcheese.com/ Read More
