PORKTOBERFEST Winners Are...... CTbites Team November 08, 2013 The winners of the PORKTOBERFEST Giveaway have been selected by the team over at Craft Butchery. The entries for this contest were epic in their creativity and passion. Here are the winning entries. Winners will be contacted today. Winner #1: Voltaire said that the pig is the most encyclopedic of animals -- meaning you could make use of his snout, tail, and everything in between. It is necessary that this assertion be tested for accuracy, and I am willing, with your help, to confirm M. Voltaire's observation. Read More
10 Questions with Captain Lawrence Brewing Company Scott Vaccaro Interview Chef Talk Beer Amy Kundrat November 07, 2013 Barcelona Wine Bar in SoNo recently hosted a beer dinner with Captain Lawrence Brewing Company founder and brewmaster Scott Vaccaro. The four course dinner paired a spanish inspired menu designed by Chef Freddy Chimborazo, with four of the brewery's beers (and at $45 per person, this felt like a dine and dash). The meal went from light to heavy, beginning with a first course paired a grilled shrimp with lemon aoili paired with Liquid Gold, a Belgian Style ale, to a fourth course pairing smoked short ribs with a smoked porter. In addition to the four well-matched courses, the highlight of the evening was getting to know Vacarro, Captain Lawrence's amiable founder and brewmaster himself. 1. How did you go from drinking Schaefer to brewing your own beer at the age of 17? I stumbled upon home brewing at a friends house my junior year in high school. I was amazed that you could actually brew beer at home. I was given the green light by my parents and with the help of my friends father I brewed my first batch in November of 1995. 2. You studied brewing at UC Davis, and worked at a few breweries including Sierra Nevada. Are you inspired by a particular style or brewery when brewing your beers? Read More
Community Plates Hosts Free Screening of "A Place at the Table" Nov. 12th CTbites Team November 06, 2013 Community Plates is Co-hosting a free screening of A Place at the Table on November 12th to raise awareness and inspire volunteers to help eradicate hunger. On Tuesday, November 12th, Community Plates will invite the public to a complimentary viewing of the documentary A Place at the Table. Community Plates has partnered with emergency assistance agency Person-to-Person to educate the audience about the widespread hunger crisis facing America and to encourage attendees to get involved in solving the problem through volunteerism. Doors open at 6:30 and the film begins at 7:00 pm. A Place at the Table tells the powerful stories of three Americans who face hunger on a daily basis, maintaining their dignity even as they struggle just to eat. The film has received much acclaim and shed light on a crisis that impacts 50 million Americans, including nearly 100,000 in Connecticut, one of the wealthiest states in the nation. “Community Plates’ mission is to end food insecurity in America, but to achieve this we need everyone to understand the breadth of the problem,” said Kevin Mullins, executive director and co-founder of Community Plates. “A Place at the Table offers an informative and compelling look that will hopefully inspire people to get involved to end hunger in America.” Read More
Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro, Coming to Greenwich via Serendipity Magazine Features Restaurant Bakery Celebrity Chef Greenwich Dessert Serendipity Magazine November 06, 2013 A Slice of Cake Boss via Serendipity Magazine. Buddy Valastro, the star of TLC’s Cake Boss and owner of the famous Carlo’s bakery, is opening shop in Greenwich, CT, this fall. He talks to Serendipity about the sweet life and what to expect at the new site: delicious pastries, over-the-top cakes, and maybe even tv cameras! Why did you choose Greenwich for your first Carlo’s Bakery out of New Jersey? I love it here, it’s a great town. I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve been able to spend here. There’s so much to do on Greenwich Avenue, and so many families in the area. I knew it would be a great fit for the first Carlo’s Bakery outside of New Jersey. I have friends who live in the Westchester area, so I’ve been able to get to know the area better when I visit them. Everyone wants to know — will you be working at the new bakery? Of course, I’m going to be there as often as I can. I’m a hands-on person, and it’s very important for me to make sure that our Greenwich location will meet the same standards I’ve built for Carlo’s Bakery. So, I’ll be here to make sure we’re running smoothly. Read More
Easy Football Party Recipes via Marcia Selden Features Catering Entertaining Recipe Kid Friendly Marcia Selden Catering November 06, 2013 At this time of year the internet is teeming with turkey recipes- brined birds, fried birds, bacon wrapped birds. November also signals an equally important time, football season! We wanted to share our favorite game day, “hangin’ with friends” snack foods. You know the “what you eat on the couch all day long, watching the game in your sweatpants” meal. The trick to a successful game day with friends is to use make-ahead recipes, so all you have to do is invite your friends, grab the remote, and a seat on the couch. We’ve taken the classics and added our Marcia Selden Catering touch. Keep it simple, use paper plates, have lots of napkins on hand, and use fun serving pieces. This will keep the feel casual, and most importantly, make clean up a breeze. Enjoy 3 great recipes: Mexican 7 Layer Dip, "Da Bomb" Chili Potato Skins, Michael's Maple Chicken Wings & Sausage Bread. Oh yeah!! Read More
River Tavern: "Dinners at the Farm" Chef Cooks Farm-to-Table in Chester CT Restaurant Chester Farm Dinner Farm to Table CTbites Team November 05, 2013
Henri's Reserve: Curating France's Finest Boutique Champagnes...in CT Ingredients Entertaining Specialty Market Wine Chat Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 05, 2013 Did you know that October 25 was actually Champagne Day? So we don’t get the day off and the postal service still delivers, but it is, in fact, a holiday celebrated worldwide. In honor of the occasion, Ruth Frantz of Henri’s Reserve hosted a champagne tasting at Southport Galleries in Southport, CT. She invited an assortment of clients, friends, foodies, wine enthusiasts, writers, and bloggers to try some of the beautiful champagnes she carries. Henri’s Reserve is an interesting concept. While many of us are used to going to stores to pick up a bottle of wine, all of Ruth’s sales are done online. She represents small, family owned champagnes. Many of her offerings are relatively unknown; she advocates them because she believes in them. Interestingly enough, Frantzgot her start dealing with larger champagne houses. One of her first restaurant jobs was with Eleven Madison Park. Read More
New Haven Restaurant Week Is On!! November 3-8 Restaurant Restaurant Week CTbites Team November 04, 2013 New Haven Restaurant Week Is On!! November 3rd – 8th. 30 of downtown New Haven’s award-winning and internationally diverse restaurants are featuring prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. Participating restaurants offer a multi-course, prix fixe menu typically consisting of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Make reservations as early as possible. Don’t wait because restaurants are sure to book quickly. Click here to make reservations Participating Restaurants Below: Read More
Post 154 Opens in Westport in Old Post Office Building Restaurant Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger November 03, 2013 CTbites recently attended a press dinner at Post 154 in Westport to sample numerous selections from its award winning Chef Alex Rosado's introductory menu. Overall the dishes were visually artistic in their construct and many presented delicious flavors. All reviews of Post 154 must include a little history of the building. The 1935 cornerstone outside the entrance commemorates the site’s original purpose as the Westport Post Office, constructed under The New Deal during the Great Depression. Architect Lansing Colton Holden Jr., a World War I flying ace who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, designed the building upon his return from battle. The building’s new ownership redesigned the spacious interior with a combination of wood paneling, flowing drapes and relics from the early 1900’s surrounding the tables. A large U-Shaped bar, with over 250 seats, occupies the entire left side and leads to an inviting patio that allows for al fresco dining in warmer weather. Read More
WIN Tickets!! Craft Butchery Hosts PORKTOBERFEST November 10th CTbites Team November 02, 2013 WIN Tickets to Craft Butchery's PORKTOBERFEST November 10th. Enter to WIN by telling us why you NEED to go to PORKTOBERFEST below. We've got 3 pairs of tickets to give away. Winner will be announced Nov. 8. Nothing welcomes autumn like two Berkshire pigs roasting on an open fire. On November 10th, Craft Butchery is building on last year's Pig on the Plaza tradition with PORKTOBERFEST at Saugatuck Center, a celebration of pork, beer, music, and more pork. Music will be provided by Norwalk's own Austrian Boys Band, and German attire is strongly encouraged. All-inclusive tickets are $35 for adults (21+) and $25 for children (under 21), available for purchase at craftbutchery.com/porktoberfest. Read More
The Westport Farmers' Market Moves Indoors for Winter CTbites Team November 01, 2013 This just in from The Westport Farmers' Market... Westport Farmers’ Market Moves To A Saturday Winter Market on November 16th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm As the temperatures start to dip and winter approaches we must bid a fond farewell to what has been a phenomenally successful summer season. However, we are thrilled to announce the start of the Winter Westport Farmers’ Market which will officially begin on Saturday, November 16 at 10:00am. The market will return for our fourth season at Gilbertie’s Herb Garden on Sylvan Lane in Westport. We’ve listened to you and we value your opinion and this is why The Westport Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturday mornings. Bring the entire family as you shop from your favorite vendors and explore new tastes. Read More
The Skinny on Thinscotti: Wafer Thin + Gluten-Free Option Features Special Dietary Needs Kid Friendly Dessert CTbites Team November 01, 2013 Milla Pospisil won’t say how she gets her biscotti wafers so thin! All she’ll say is that it’s a family recipe she learned from her Ukrainian grandmother – a secret technique that allows her to slice them paper-thin and turn them into what she and her business partner Carissa Gulyas call Thinscotti. These “deliciously addictive” (that’s the warning on the packaging) baked treats have been on the market since January, but have been baked in Milla’s family for generations. Now the duo, who both call Connecticut their home, have taken space at a commercial kitchen in Westport and are mixing and baking and slicing and packaging them up for local stores and coffee shops in Fairfield county. Because they’re made with only a handful of ingredients – all natural, and no preservatives - there is something a little nostalgic about Milla’s Thinscotti. They taste a little like the cookies your own grandma would have made, just a little crunchier, a little nuttier, a LOT thinner, and just as more-ish. And because they’re sliced so thin – “the thinnest on the market,” Carissa says, each piece packs a mere seven calories, so you can go ahead and eat half the package – and you ‘ll only have 110 calories to enter into your calorie counting app. Thinscotti comes two flavors, Toasted Almond and Dark Chocolate Almond, with plans for a Toasted Pecan Thinscotti in the works. Both flavors come in both regular and gluten-free wafers. It’s hard to tell the difference between the two! Read More
United We Mo: CTBites Joins Half Full Brewery For Movember Charity James Gribbon November 01, 2013 I'm the first to admit it: there have been times when I have lamented my luxurious pelt. I was patchy at 14 years of age, manly at 18, and, at 25, evolutionarily questionable. What kind of cruel universe imbues a man with sense capable of vanity, then steals the hair from his head while growing a thatch capable of roosting fowl on his chest? It is a sorry lot, indeed. My existential torment, "drop by drop upon the heart" as Aeschylus said, may have found its moment of grace: it is with unusually hirsute pride that I announce I have joined the Movember Foundation with Team Captain Conor Horrigan and the Half Full Beerds as we put our whiskers to work this November. Please read on to find out just how ridiculous we are willing to look to fight against prostate and testicular cancers, and help mental health challenges. Read More
Big News @ Stamford's Harbor Point: Chopped Co-Star, Aaron Sanchez Opening & Beer Garden Closing! Lou Gorfain October 31, 2013 The food scene continues to soar (along with rising skyscrapers) at Harbor Point, Stamford’s new 3.5 billion dollar “city within a city.” CTBites has just learned that celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez, restaurateur and co-star of Chopped and Heat Seekers, is bringing his Mexican magic to a new home in Waterfront Square. ALEGRE, a sexy, high end restaurant, cocktail and wine lounge, will occupy the 6,000 square foot glass building that has housed the Beer Garden, which is closing. Alegre’s is sponsored by the owners of Frankie and Johnnie’s Steakhouses and famed mixologist and competitive sommelier, Olie Berlic, who is to wine and spirits what Sanchez is to Latin food. According to Jon Sabrowski, leasing director at Harbor Point, Aaron’s Stamford outpost should open sometime next Spring or Summer. Alegre’s concept will be similar to that of the Mexican Melting Pot menu at Mestizo, Aaron’s acclaimed Kansas City restaurant. (In addition to Sanchez’s cookbooks and television appearances in both North and South America, he also sets the culinary vision for Crossroads at the House of Blues nationwide and Tacombi Tacqueria in New York City.) As for the crowds who flocked to the old Beer Garden this past summer, they need not weep in their brews. Next spring, a new 4200 square foot World of Beer will open just steps away on Waterfront Square. Pouring selected and seasonal craft brews from around the globe, this national franchise will offer one of the widest selections of suds and spirits in Connecticut, along with tavern food fare. Sabrowski confirmed that Bareburger, New York City’s award winning organic beef and meat restaurant has now chosen Harbor Point as its Stamford home. Opening next year, they will be also be located on Waterfront square. We have also learned that Harbor Point is close to sealing deals that could bring two more exciting dining additions to the South End. Stay with CTBites for updates. Read More
Comings and Goings in New Canaan's Restaurant Scene Restaurant New Canaan Lunch CTbites Team October 31, 2013 There is tremendous activity in the town of New Canaan recently and CTbites wanted to give our readers an update: Bistro Bonne Nuit closed after providing some of the best French food in Fairfield County. We wish Roe and all of the staff best of luck in their future endeavors; Farmer’s Table will relocate to the space formerly occupied by Bistro Bonne Nuit. In addition to a larger space, the new location will allow for outdoor dining and the potential for a liquor license; Picador restaurant has changed ownership and the new chef, Corey Falcone, is working on modifying the menu to include recipes from his Italian heritage; Locali Pizza Bar and Kitchen is set to open at the corner of Forest and Locust in the space that formerly housed Kouzina. Chef Mogan Anderson from Village Social in Mt. Kisco is currently devising the opening menu; Baldanza Natural Market and Café opened at 17 Elm St. in the space that formerly housed Reid’s; An Italian Trattoria under ownership of local restaurateurs and chef will open in the space that formerly housed Tuscan Restaurant; New Canaan Olive Oil opened at 98 Elm Street, in the former Dunkin’ Donuts; Eclectic, a take-out, catering and deli opened on Vitti Street; ginger bitz bakery and cafe will open at 155 Elm St. in the former Caroline's Creperie location; Caroline’s Creperie is closed and Crumbs is scheduled to close. Read More
Pizza Mecca, Colony Grill, Offers First Ever Salad Pizza!! Fairfield Pizza Stamford healthy Lunch Kid Friendly Margie Treisman October 30, 2013 For decades, Colony Grill has offered pizza. Pizza (with a capital P) and only pizza. Delicious pizza, to be sure, with a unique thin crust and lots of available toppings (including the legendary hot oil). But with the exception of veg toppings -- fresh mushrooms, onions, black olives and peppers (stingers and cherry) -- there was no greenery to be found. Veg-avores rejoice! Colony Grill is now offering a Salad Pizza. The signature Colony crust comes topped with fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots tossed with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Clean and simple. As it says on the menu, No Cheese, No Sauce. Yep, it’s healthy. Good for folks training for the 3rd Annual Colony Grill “Hot Oil” 5K on November 10. (Until then, $1 for each salad pizza sold will go to race proceeds, which benefit local police and fire department initiatives.) For those who like clean eating (and we definitely do), this salad pizza is a welcomed addition to the Colony menu board. As diligent tasters, we felt we needed more data. Read More
ChowdaQuest is ON! Vote for Your Favorite Soups & Restaurants CTbites Team October 29, 2013 Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, has announced a two-month program called ChowdaQuest allowing chefs/restaurants the ability to earn their way into the annual competition. Chowdafest is limited to 28 restaurants. Seven (7) spots in four categories: Classic New England Clam Chowder, Traditional Chowder (Manhattan & Rhode Island Clam Chowders only), Creative Chowder and Soup/Bisque. Restaurants who finished in the top 3 places last year in each category automatically qualify to compete again. A total of 12 spots can be earned through ChowdaQuest (three (3) in each category) with a remaining category spot reserved for “at-large” bids by the Chowdafest committee. During the month of October through Thanksgiving, restaurants competing in ChowdaQuest are offering a soup sampler appetizer where customers use their smart phone to vote for which soup or chowder they think the restaurant should enter. Restaurants with the most votes will fill the remaining slots. ChowdaQuest is sponsored by CTBites.com and Sierra Nevada Beer who will also be the exclusive beer at Chowdafest as the event will now offer beer sampling to compliment the competition. Read More
Fairway Market “Hosting the Holiday” Events Nov 2-3 CTbites Team October 28, 2013 Fairway Market stores throughout the Tri-State area, (including the Stamford location), are holding their annual “Hosting the Holiday” event in which shoppers can sample main courses, side dishes, baked goods and more from the extensive Thanksgiving catering menu and receive 10% off catering orders placed that day. “Hosting the Holiday” takes place on Saturday, November 2, 2013 and on Sunday, November 3, 2013 between 11 AM– 2 PM at twelve Fairway Market locations (excluding the Upper East Side and Upper West Side stores). Items available for tasting include autumn vegetable puree soup, butternut squash soup, roasted Fairway ABF turkey served with turkey gravy, roasted butternut squash, candied sweet potatoes, savory sausage stuffing, classic cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and Fairway’s own apple, pumpkin and sweet potato pies. Read More
Bailey's Backyard Farm Dinner November 5 Restaurant Farm to Table Events CTbites Team October 28, 2013 Ridgefield's farm-to-table restaurant Bailey’s Backyard will be hosting a seven-course farm-to-table dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The dinner will celebrate Connecticut ingredients and the farmers who cultivate them. The cost for the upcoming dinner is $95 per person with wine pairings and $75 per person without. Seating is limited. For reservations call 203-431-0796. For reservations call 203-431-0796. Read More
