Filtering by Tag: Van Leeuwen Ice Cream,Pizza

Locali Pizza Bar and Kitchen to Open in New Canaan

Restaurant Italian Pizza New Canaan Lunch

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

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.


Pizza Luca: Neopolitana Pizza Truck Debuts at Beer Garden @ Harbor Point in Stamford

Restaurant Catering Entertaining Food Truck Pizza Stamford Kid Friendly

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

How cool is it to walk up to a 1952 Chevy Pick-Up truck and order a perfectly prepared Napoletana pizza, with great ingredients imported from Italy, prepared by a classical trained Italian chef, and baked in under two minutes in a blazing hot, wood-fired oven. Pizza Luca, the brain child of Chef Dean Medico, creates pizza masterpieces that are steeped in the tradition of Italy, using only the best ingredients from Italy to create three distinctly southern Italian pizza delicacies, the Marinara, the Margherita, and the sauce-less Bianca.


Fortina Restaurant: Casually Hip Italian Opening in Armonk, NY

Restaurant Armonk Greenwich Italian Pizza Stamford Comfort Food Kid Friendly

Nancy Kleeger

Fairfield county residents will be soon crossing the border (passports not required)-- into Upper Westchester County's suburb of Armonk, after this week's opening of Fortina.  Chef Christian Petroni, recently Executive Chef of Greenwich's Barcelona Restaurant, is joined by John Nealon, ex-GM of the same provenance and Nealon's childhood friend, Rob Krauss as business partners. Both Nealon and Krauss originally hail from Westport.  Petroni, a local himself, is also co-owner of Cooked & Co., in Scarsdale.

Recalling the many memorable meals he had eaten during his time spent in Italy, Petroni's vision was to bring Italy's simple authentic flavors, cooking methods and presentation to the dishes he serves at Fortina. This vision is executed with the help of 2 wood burning ovens imported straight from Naples, Italy which serve as a focal point in the main dining room. In fact with the exception of just a few menu items, everything is cooked in these fiery hearths...even a pasta dish or two! (And you should hear Petroni when he speaks of his ovens...like a proud new Papa ) 


Pizza Truck Festival in New Haven on April 10

Restaurant Events Pizza New Haven

CTbites Team

What do a dozen pizza trucks look like rolling down I-95 in Connecticut?

On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, The Big Green Pizza truck will be organizing a Pizza Truck Festival to commemorate their tenth season in business. They have invited between 12 and 15 pizza trucks (including local favorite Skinny Pines) to join them in a makeshift parade and gathering in the parking lot of the newly renovated Sport's Haven at 600 Long Wharf Drive in New Haven. The public is invited to meet up with the mobile pizza parade at their final resting spot at Sport's Haven's parking lot and buy a pie or a slice from 4 to 6 pm. 

"Ten years ago no one was doing pizza for catered events. Now the Big Green Pizza Truck has five trucks and some some weeks we feed over 3,000 people," said Douglas Coffin, founder and owner of Big Green Pizza Truck. "Many other people have gotten into this business; by my count at least ten other companies are doing similar style operations. My goal with this event is to say 'look how far this idea has come!'"


Bufalina Wood Fired Pizza in Guilford

Restaurant Guilford Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly

Amy Kundrat

Bufalina Wood Fired Pizza in Guilford is one of this shoreline town’s most charming and delicious destinations. Open since September 2011, Bufalina has earned a reputation for rustic, seasonally-driven, and Neapolitan-inspired pizzas.

We wanted to recreate the feeling that you are in our kitchen and we are cooking for you,” said Melissa Pellegrino, chef and co-owner of Bufalina alongside her husband, chef Matt Scialabba.


A Good Beginning for Dino's Pizza in East Norwalk

Restaurant Norwalk Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

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.


Krust Pizza & Bourbon Bar in Middletown

Restaurant Cocktails Middletown Pizza Lunch

Emily Cahill

We are excited to begin bringing you even more content from across the state of Connecticut, welcoming new voices into our mix, and experimenting with the occassional shorter, more tactical posts. To that end, we are pleased to welcome Emily Cahill, the newest addition to the CTbites team covering one of our favorite new spots in Middletown. - Stephanie Webster + Amy Kundrat

Photo: Nick CaitoKrust Pizza Bar

Cuisine: Wood-fired pizza, Bar
Price: $10- $15
Our Highlights: Specialty pizzas, bourbon and cocktails
Hours: Mon – Closed. Tues-Thur 4pm – 1am, F&S 4pm-2am, Sun 4pm-1am
Online: http://krustpizzabar.com/

Wood-fired pizzas, a softly lit interior, and a seemingly infinite bourbon list sets the stage for NoRa neighborhood newcomer Krust. Owners Rich Garcia and Kevin Wirtes introduced the Middletown eatery in mid-January 2013, showcasing a concise but creative menu of beautifully executed artisan pies. Whether it’s the rustic pine paneling, amber glow of bar shelves brimming with bourbon bottles, or smoky aromas permeating the space from the wood burning oven, one thing is evident: Krust is a delicious and welcome addition to Middletown’s bar and restaurant scene.


10 Questions w/ Chef Mario LaPosta of Tarry Lodge

Interview Restaurant Chef Talk Italian Pizza Westport

CTbites Team

Mario LaPosta is the self proclaimed "pizza obsessed" Chef @ Tarry Lodge in Westport. Here are a few things you probably didn't know about this pizzaioli whose Margherita pizza placed in the top ten of the world pizza championships.

Plus: Don't miss Mario's recipe for Mussels En Scapece. Marinated Mussels with wine, saffron and red wine vinegar (seen below). 

If you had unexpected guests arriving at your home for dinner in 1 hour, what would you whip up? I would make homemade sauce and meatballs. Sunday sauce is something that my family has been blessed with making exceptionally well; it is easy to make in an hour by substituting meatballs instead of slow cooking beef or pork.

What is the last dish you cooked for yourself? Turkey Chili, in an effort to lose weight so I can fit into a tux on my wedding day, and in honor to watching my Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

What are your guilty pleasures in terms of food? I dream about food 24/7 so everything tends to be a guilty pleasure for me, but I like the combination of sweet and savory; Pork Belly with Apple Mostarda at Tarry Lodge and Foie Gras with Cinco Cebollas at Casa Mono represent this best.


Cotto Wine Bar and Pizzeria Opens in Stamford

Restaurant Italian Pizza Stamford

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

There’s a new kid in town, Stamford that is, and its name is Cotto Wine Bar and Pizzeria. Husband and wife Claudio and Silvy Ridolfi have teamed with Chef Kevin Kraklio to create a traditional Italian menu (with a few exceptions) that includes a wide variety of Tapas, entrée-sized dishes and pizzas. Located in the space that formerly housed Tappo, the trio first transformed the interior into a sleeker space, with a front-to-back Italian marble topped bar along the right wall, black-and-white photos adorning the left wall, a curved wood-planked ceiling and an enormous gas fired pizza oven in full view in the rear. Raised in Rome, Cotto represents Claudio and Silvy’s first restaurant in the United States, while Chef Kraklio takes the helm of the kitchen after attending the French Culinary Institute and working at restaurants throughout Italy.


SoNo Market Place Opens December 1st in Norwalk

Ingredients Restaurant Bakery Chocolate Coffee Norwalk Pizza Specialty Market Wine Dinners

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

A week prior to the official opening on Saturday December 1st, SoNo Market Place decided to sponsor a soft opening on November 23rd and I decided that tasting some good local food was a whole lot better than fighting the crowds at the mall.

All of the food purveyors were in full test-mode and my first stop was Flat White Coffee to taste the coffee described to CTbites by owner, John Palino, back in September. This was a creamy blend of rich coffee and steamed milk, a brand brought over from New Zealand, and one that should meet with great success in CT. 

But it's not just about coffee at SoNo Market Place. With over 20 food vendors and eateries, this European style market is poised to be a foodie destination. Guests lined up at Wise Guys Pizza for New Haven style pies; Norm Bloom served up fresh oysters and clams straight from the Norwalk waters, and Fish & Chips were on the menu from Gotta Nibble.  Caterering company, Festivities, has a permananet spot here with their take-out biz, "Party Express." Local specialty purveyors and well known brands such as Knipschildt ChocolatierWave Hill Breads, and Nothin' But Granola have also opened shop at the market. 


The Story Behind Fat Cat Pie Co. in Norwalk CT

Ingredients Restaurant Pizza Wine Bar Wine Chat

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

As an English enthusiast, I am always looking for meaningful ways to explain the concept of “irony.”  It is perhaps the most misunderstood word in the English language.  Although Alanis Morisette’s single “Ironic” proved catchy, it helped propagate the phony notion that irony must be linked to coincidence or misfortune. Irony is actually a simple “incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs.”  Examples include a traffic officer avoiding parking tickets or the demise of “unsinkable” Titanic.  But the best embodiment of the term is certainly the Fat Cat Pie Company This venture, led by Mark Ancona, Anthony Ancona, Suzanne Ancona, and Mike Pelletier, is a dazzling display of all things unexpected.

 


Bar Sugo Opening Brings Killer Pizza to Norwalk...Again!

Restaurant Italian Norwalk Pizza

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

For those who have longed for one of Chef Pat Pascarella memorable pizzas at Cortina Pizzeria in Norwalk, the wait is almost over. This weekend, Pascarella's newest venture, Bar Sugo opens at 104 Wall Street in Norwalk with more combinations of one of the best pizzas in CT. Over the last two months, Pascarella and his partners have been busy redesigning the new location to give that little bit of Italy feel. The floors were converted to a traditional red and white checkerboard, the beautiful new bar was installed and the kitchen is now ready for the guests to enjoy both pizzas and many other delicious Italian options.  

Since pizza was the cornerstone of Cortina, Bar Sugo will serve numerous pizza combinations, from a simple Burrata or a Margherita to the wonderful flavor combinations of the 2012 CTbites winning braised short rib topped with several roasted eggs. But the pizza is just the beginning of the cuisine.


Stanziato's Dinner @ Holbrook Farm

Restaurant Farm to Table Pizza

Amy Kundrat

Get excited. Stanziato's Pizza in Danbury is teaming up with Holbrook Farm for the Danbury pizzeria's first farm-to-table event held on the Bethel farm, Sunday, September 16, 2012 from 4 to 7pm.

Each $60 ticket includes soup, salads, appetizers (plated), wood-fired pizza from Stanziato's new truck (served family style) as well as non-alcoholic beverages and local beer/wine,.  Virtually all of the ingredients will be sourced from the farm. You can also count on live music to round out this late summer evening.

Stanziato's has accumulated a cult following of pizza lovers across northern Fairfield County who know its Neapolitan-inspired pizza menu of white and red pies by heart. If we've ever spoken about pizza, chances are you have heard me swoon about the Soppressata and Chilies pizza that stole my heart. The CIA-trained Chef Stanczak's talents don't stop at the wood-fired ovens, his salads and soups have their own fan club as well, a perfect foil for an evening dinner on the farm.   

Tickets are limited so grab some friends and be sure to get yours soon.

Where:  Holbrook Farm – 45 Turkey Plain Road, Bethel, CT 06801

Time:  4-7pm

Tickets: $60 per person, purchase online at http://stanziatos.com/farm-to-table-event/

Questions: Call Stanziato's at 203.885.1057 or email info@stanziatos.com


Great news for fans of Cortina Pizzeria, Norwalk!

Restaurant Home Delivery Norwalk Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

Chef/ owner Pat Pascarella of Cortina Pizzeria (the former Pizzeria Rosso) told CTbites that he is relocating from the current New Canaan Avenue location and re-opening on Wall Street in Norwalk with a larger menu and plenty of seats. During the relocation the New Canaan Avenue location will close on July 29th with the new Wall Street full-service restaurant scheduled to open in September.

The menu at the new restaurant will feature more than Chef Pat’s delicious pizzas (yes, he will feature the CTbites Pizza). He shared a sneak peak of some of the items he is considering and they include various meatballs, (including a meatball sampler plate), a variety of appetizers and salumi, salads including house-made mozzarella and burrata plus an assortment of pasta dishes. When CTbites spoke with Pascarella, he stated, "I am excited about opening the new location where I can expand the menu and offer more choices to my customers.  I also want to price the menu so everyone can come to the restaurant and enjoy some great food at reasonable prices.


Nauti Dolphin: New York Style Pizza in Fairfield

Restaurant Fairfield Pizza

Amy Kundrat

If you've ever missed a train or slogged through a daily commute, you know it often comes down to being at the right place at the right time. A few minutes late and you may find yourself recalculating your entire day's schedule. But if pizza is your business, and your ovens are quite literally at the tracks, you're always at the right place at the right time. 

Situated on the northbound side of the Fairfield train station, Nauti Dolphin in Fairfield serves up New York-inspired slices and pies that not only serve clock-watching commuters, but loyal Fairfielders who find themselves visiting the station whether or not they have a train to catch. Paired with fairly inexpensive prices, over ten years, and a constant stream of commuting stomachs, Nauti Dolphin is one of the town's favored neighborhood pizza take-out and delivery joints.


Stamford's @Bar Rosso v2.0 Redux

Restaurant Cocktails Italian Pizza Stamford Lunch Kid Friendly

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

It has been a roller coaster first year for @Bar Rosso in Stamford. Given the renewed level of excitement for this stylish Italian food and wine bar, I decided to return and investigate the buzz. And I am glad that I did. 

The totally revamped menu, designed by the new operating managers Giovanni Gentile and Rosario Procino, presents more casual and traditional Italian selections. More importantly, the new management team has brought in a supremely talented pizza maestro, Giuseppe Quattromini, a trained Italian baker from the Puglia region of Italy, and he is serving one of the best pizza crusts I have ever tasted. It was thin, yet crispy and strong enough to hold the toppings without folding; soft, light, and airy in texture, baked in a traditional 750-degree wood burning oven. The end result was outstanding.


CTbites Readers Create New Pies for Pizzeria Rosso

Restaurant Bridgeport Greenwich Norwalk Pizza

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

Add this to the CTBites’ mantra - Sharing seven different and unique pizzas is a great way to spend an evening. 

Several of us performed the enviable task of judging six of the great pizza combinations that readers submitted to determine which would be included on the menu of Pizzeria Rosso’s new location in Greenwich and the combination that will earn the title of “CTBites 2012 Pie Combo.” And true to the mission of CTBites of guiding our readers to delicious food, all of them were so fantastic that Owner / Chef Pat Pascarella agreed that ALL OF THEM will be included on the Greenwich menu. 

So congratulations to each of these winning combinations: 


Pizzeria Rosso Expands to Bridgeport & Greenwich

Restaurant Bridgeport Greenwich Pizza

Amy Kundrat

Pizzeria Rosso is opening up not one, but two new locations in Connecticut in addition to their original Norwalk take-out outpost which has been open just under a year. [Read: Pizzeria Rosso Opens in Norwalk, June 2012

Pasquale (Pat) Pascarella is the chef and founder of the successful yet still young pizzeria.  His second Pizzeria Rosso is set to open at 960 Main Street in Bridgeport in just about three weeks. The new Bridgeport location will be open seven days a week and boasts forty seats with two four-pie Baker's pride ovens. The menu will be largely the same, but more of a focus on pizza and less pasta and will be BYOB with the possibility of a future liquor license. With Webster Arena just up the street and the Barnum Publick House opening across the street, Pizzeria Rosso will be open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night.

A third location will open in Greenwich, giving Pizzeria Rosso the run of Fairfield County.


Pizzeria Rosso's CTbites Pie Contest Winners

Restaurant Norwalk Pizza

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

Many thanks to everyone who submitted recommendations for the new “CTbites 2012 Pie Combo” to be included on Pizzeria Rosso's menu. Over forty unique combinations were submitted in both the savory and sweet categories. 

CTbites reviewed each of the entries with Pat Pascarella, owner of Pizzeria Rosso, and after careful consideration we are pleased to announce that one sweet creation received so much enthusiasm that we unanimously decided to name this delicious combination a winner. Congratulations to...


CTbites Pizza Contest: Design Pizzeria Rosso's 2012 Pie

Restaurant Norwalk Pizza

CTbites Team

What were they thinking? I can do better than that? Why didn’t they use sausage? You wanna put pineapple on that pizza? What is Thai pizza anyway? These are typical statements that spark debate on the perfect combination of ingredients to place on a pizza.

And now the readers of CTbites will have the opportunity to create the CTbites 2012 Pie that will be featured on Pizzeria Rosso’s menu. So welcome to: DESIGN PIZZERIA ROSSO’S “CTBITES 2012 PIE COMBO.”

The rules are pretty simple. Submit the toppings that you think will create the primo, perfect, over the top pizza pie. At midnight on February 27th the entries will close and a small team of pizza lovers will choose the five finalists. (Try to be as specific as possible as the Editors of CTbites have told me these judges are not the sharpest knives in the drawer.) These final five combinations will compete in a “Pizza Throwdown” at Pizzeria Rosso (Exact Date will be posted when the Finalists are announced). The winning pie will go up on Pizzeria Rosso's menu as the "CTBites 2012 Pie Combo.

So get those ideas submitted and have the chance to see one of the best pizza makers in Fairfield County turn your idea into reality and a chance to see your name next to the CTBites 2012 Pie Combo.