Friday Froth: CT Pour Tour At Two Roads, Plus Reviews And Assorted Nonsense Ingredients Restaurant CT Beer Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon January 17, 2014 Mark Twain once said the best thing about writing was having written. I tend to enjoy drinking more than having drunken (which is to say, I like drankin'), but it's especially nice to have a built-in justification. Todd Ruggere has given all of us in the Constitution State just such an excuse with the CT Pour Tour, in which he will drink at least one beer this year in all 169 towns in Connecticut, and raise money at every stop for Yale Children's Hospital. Todd has published a list of when and where he'll be over the course of 2014, and I caught up with him at the CT Pour Tour launch party at Two Roads in Stratford this past Saturday. Todd spent 2013 completing his first pour tour, traveling through all 351 towns in his home state of Massachusetts. Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 16, 2014 Locali Pizza Bar & Kitchen is now officially opened for lunch in New Canaan. Friday January 17th kicks off Friday Night Wine Downs at Nicholas Roberts. The tasting will feature Barbera, Barbaresco and Barolo. As usual, there is no charge for the tasting, but a $5.00 donation to Turning Wine Into Water gets guests a staff glass. 6-8pm. On Monday January 20, Caseus in New Haven is hosting an “Oskar Blues Beer and Cheese Pairing.” Visit them for samples of delicious beers from the Oskar Blues catalogue along with some seasonal treats. Approximately $40pp. 6-7:30pm. January 21 is the Sixpoint Beer Dinner at Harlan Social in Stamford. The guys from Sixpoint Brewery stop by for 5-courses of great food matched with their craft ales. $90 all-inclusive, 6:30 - 9:30pm. Saturday January 18, Whole Foods in Darien will hold a storewide sampling called “Healthy and Delicious Meals.” From 2-4, the store’s departments will be sampling healthy options that pack wonderful flavors too. Tuesday January 21 is also a Cocktail Party & Mixology class at Bistro 7 in Wilton. Students learn the basics of bartending and watch a pro make classic martinis and seasonal specials. The entire experience lasts about four hours, two of which are spent in a cocktail-party setting. Save money on this fun experience via Groupon. Barcelona New Haven hosts “Paella 101” January 21, 2014 at 7pm. Chef Frank will teach you how to make this delicious dish and pair it with some delicious Spanish wines. $25 pp plus tax & gratuity. Read More
Stew Leonard's Introduces Croissant - Bagel Hybrid...The Crogel Features Restaurant Bakery Norwalk Kid Friendly CTbites Team January 15, 2014
Chowdafest 2014! 32 Local Restaurants Compete for Your Vote CTbites Team January 15, 2014 Chowdafest is around the corner! This year marks the 6th annual Chowdafest competition, pitting 28 award winning chefs & restaurants against each other where YOU are the judge! On February 2nd from 11-3PM, grab you ballot and sample 32 decadent samples of chowder, soup and bisque. It's up to you to determine who has the best. Chowdafest 2014 ius excited to have some new additions and award winning chefs in this year's lineup including: Mecha Noodle Bar, The Spread, Bernard's, Parallel Post and Tikkaway from New Haven. Chowdafest is as popular as a sporting event which is why it's held at the 10,000 indoor seat Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. It's also why the event is held annually as a pre-event to the Super Bowl on Feb. 2, 2014. Food and football fans alike come out to experience this culinary competition between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, then go home to family & friends to watch the big game later that evening. Chowdafest is one of the best deals around. It's just $12 (adults) $5 kids (6-12). Read More
Celebrity Mixologist Adrian Alvarado Kicks off "Prohibition Wednesdays" @ Prime 16 Restaurant CTbites Team January 14, 2014 On January 29th, at 5 P.M., Celebrity Mixologist Adrian Alvarado will be kicking off the "Prohibition Wednesdays" at Prime 16 in Orange.As an Actor/Mixologist, Adrian is best known for his role on ABC's General Hospital where he played Detective Cruz Rodriguez. Originally from Jersey City N.J., Adrian moved to L.A. where he started booking commercials and TV appearances in "Without a Trace," "Big Love," "Law & Order: LA" and "Body of Proof" before landing his longest running role on General Hospital.Since moving back to the East Coast with his wife and two children, Adrian has expanded a passion for the hospitality industry. Bartending didn't just become a side income, it became a passion. As a Mixologist he worked for the famous Soho House Group in Los Angeles and New York "The Cocktail culture is vastly growing, It's not just about going out and getting a drink. It's about going out and enjoying a new experience in flavors and it's history in a responsible way." Read More
Plated.com: Mise en Place Delivered to Your Doorstep! Features Catering Delivery Service Home Delivery Natalie Levitt January 14, 2014 There is nothing better than being able to select a gourmet recipe and have all the needed fresh ingredients arrive and ready to cook with just a few clicks. Plated.com makes meal making fun, easy, and a delicious experience. It is a mash-up of an online grocery store and a private cooking lesson. Easy to follow recipes, with pictures are provided. This is a great activity for two or the entire family, helping to reconnect people while sharing great food. The average time to prepare one of the meals is 30-40 minutes. “Each week, 7 chef-designed recipes are featured on the menu. The dishes include 4 healthy meat & fish options and 3 unique vegetarian dishes.” The produce is fresher than what is typically found at the grocery store and can be enjoyed all week long. Costs are simple to understand, they are per plate. Trial offers are currently running so check it out and go cook something extraordinary! Go check out www.plated.com for more information. Read More
Pantanal Restaurant & Churrascaria: Brazilian in Bridgeport Restaurant Brazilian Bridgeport Delicious Dives Comfort Food Elizabeth Keyser January 12, 2014 The smell of grilling meat perfumes the air on Frank Street in Bridgeport. What’s going on here? This drab residential neighborhood is crowded with cars. And what’s that funky-looking vividly green-and-yellow building? The sidewalk’s striped green and yellow too, the colors of the Brazilian flag. This is Pantanal, a Brazilian buffet and churrascaria. We’re going in. It’s Thursday at lunchtime and the place is crowded. We grab plates and try to take in all that’s offered at the cold and hot buffet. We’re overwhelmed, and we’re in the way. Everyone else knows what they want. We’re gawking, and we know we could easily overload our plates with the choice of salads, fruits, hearts of palm, collards, white rice, Spanish rice, mac ‘n cheese, black beans, pinto beans, fried sweet plantain, fried chicken, fried fish and stews. Customers are digging in to those stews. The chicken and okra stew looks intriguing, but I need to exert restraint. I need to focus. I chose an orange-colored stew of smoked pork ribs and white beans. Excellent choice, smoky and deeply flavorful. Read More
"Fine Food For a Cause" Fundraiser to Fight Childhood Obesity CTbites Team January 12, 2014 Please help conquer an important battle that is being waged in our own backyard - the fight against childhood obesity and the critical need to teach local children and their families about the value of healthy eating and exercise. On Monday, January 27, 2014 the Stamford Family YMCA will host more than 200 local supporters to help their fight against childhood obesity. The event, Fine Food For A Cause, will be held at the Palace Theatre in Stamford at 6:30PM. At this year’s event guests can sample a plethora of culinary creations provided by chefs of 10 outstanding well-known Stamford restaurants including: Barcelona, bartaco, Columbus Park Trattoria, Bar Q, Quattro Pazzi, Sushi Charlie, Tabuouli Grill, Sweet Lisa’s, Napa & Company, Forever Sweet Bakery and David’s Soundview Catering. The evening will include dinner, music, live auction and a commemorative journal, with special guest, Chris Hansen, TV Journalist and NBC Dateline correspondent, serving as Master of Ceremonies Proceeds from the event will support the Stamford Family YMCA’s youth development and healthy living programs. Read More
Recap: Plan B Magical History Tour, Featuring Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon James Gribbon January 10, 2014 Tucked back to one side off the well beaten path of the Post Road in Milford, roughly a hundred red heads lie on their sides in elevated cubbie holes. Hardly anyone paid them attention. In fact, I may be the only one who even noticed. A double stacked row, maybe 25 gallons of Maker's Mark bourbon - original wax seals unbroken - is just for decoration. My eyes roamed elsewhere, and caught George Harrison sprinting away from a Blue Meanie. I shook my head and returned my attention to the chicken and waffles. This past October, thieves (likely insiders) made away with approximately $26,000 worth of Pappy Van Winkle 20 year old bourbon. Each bottle in the 65 cases stolen is worth roughly $130, but many sell for hundreds of dollars more. Pappy had a small cult following of aficionados until rock star chefs like Anthony Bourdain and David Chang blew up its spot in the past few years. Ever since, the small supply that leaves Frankfort, Kentucky each year has been dwarfed by the demand. Drew Kulsveen, a minor royal in the bourbon world and friend to CTBites, could barely get one bottle. On a weeknight at Plan B Burger Bar, we were about to be presented with two servings. Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Restaurant Cooking Classes Wine Tasting Beer Lunch Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 09, 2014 The Whelk in Westport will start serving LUNCH on January 15th! Lunch will be served Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays 12pm-2:30. Saturday January 11 is Step Out at Stepping Stones Museum. The wine and food tasting supports the museum’s educational initiatives. It includes the Melting Pot, Nicholas Roberts Fine Wines, The Brewhouse, and more. 7-9:30pm. $40 and up per person. More info here. Mohegan Sun’s Restaurant Week begins Sunday January 12th and goes through the 17th. Visit the website to see what the casino’s renowned eateries are offering. Sundays are ½ off bottles of select wines at many local restaurants, including The Spread, Bar Sugo, and Bistro Latino. On Tuesday January 14, learn how to braise at Barcelona Fairfield. Join Chef Helton and learn the art of braising and complementing it with a few vegetable side dishes. 4-7pm. $35pp plus tax and gratuity. http://www.barcelonawinebar.com/calendar.htm Also on Tuesday, Caseus Fromagerie in New Haven is offering a class called “Relishing the Rind.” The class will explore categorizing cheese by types of rind. You will get to taste bloomy, ash, wash-rind cheeses ...and more! 6-7:30pm. Approx $37pp. Buy Tix Here. Read More
Maple Syrup Tap A Tree Program @ Ambler Farm Ingredients Features Education Cooking Classes Local Farm Local Artisan CTbites Team January 08, 2014 It's that time of year again. Sign up for Ambler Farms immensely popular, Maple Syrup Tap-a-Tree program. Sign up quickly...these classes fill up fast. Maple Syrup Tap-a-Tree program Training sessions (choose only ONE): Sat., Feb. 8th at either 10-11am or 1-2pm.Learn the science and history of maple syruping by being a hands-on part of the process. We will send regular updates on the running of the sap so you can come to the Farm to collect sap from your tree. We will boil down the sap in our sugar shack and send each family home with their very own bottle of Ambler Farm maple syrup.The season runs from early February to mid-March (a typical season is five weeks long). If you are traveling during February or March, we will collect sap for you. Contact Kevin Meehan. Enrollment Limited to 110 families. This program sold out quickly in previous years, so please do not wait to sign up. The number of trees at the Farm is limited, so we are unable to accommodate late requests or wait lists. $65 per non-member family/$60 per member family. Read More
GIVEAWAY!! Win 2 Tix to Sun Winefest Grand Tasting @ Mohegan Sun CTbites Team January 07, 2014 CTbites is GIVING AWAY 2 TICKETS to SUN WINEFEST'S Grand Tasting on Sunday, January 26th. To be eligable to win, tell us why you want to go to Sun Winefest below & like us on Facebook! Join Mohegan Sun for the 11th annual Sun WineFest Saturday, January 25th and Sunday, January 26th @ Mohegan Sun's Convention Center. Sun WineFest 2014 will feature celebrity chefs including: Robert Irvine, Todd English, Jasper White, Govind Armstrong, Michele Ragussis and more. With an amazing selction of beer, wine, specialty spirits and delectable dishes, this weekend extravaganza has something for everyone. Wine and beer enthusiasts can select from over 1,000 brands or enjoy tastings of specialty spirits. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear commentary from the winemakers and experts and enjoy delicacies from some of the region's finest restaurants with tasting portions of signature dishes. Read More
Valbella: Old School Italian Elegance in Greenwich Restaurant Bakery French Greenwich Italian Dessert Sarah Green January 05, 2014 I never go to Italian restaurants in Connecticut because I was lucky and spoiled enough to have eaten in Italy - a lot - and I always feel disappointed in the American version of Italian cuisine. So when a friend begged me to review VALBELLA in Greenwich, I was reluctant to say the least. The pastry chef, she claimed, was world renowned and his food art simply had to be reviewed. I did some research and decided to acquiesce. For more than 20 years, the stately, Victorian Valbella has been the archetype for excellent but old school Italian cuisine in the Greenwich/Riverside area, and has successful sister locations in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District and Midtown. And I can understand why. It is in no way funky or hip or cool but is extremely elegant and the food, though I am hesitant to admit it, was outstanding. Read More
Loaf of the Week at Scratch Baking Restaurant Bakery Milford Amy Kundrat January 04, 2014 Beginning on January 31, 2014 for 8 weeks, Scratch Baking in Milford will be kicking-off their second annual "Loaf of the Week" club. Participants, known as "the loafers," receive a surprise bread and spread each week, paired with a recipe. Think of it as a winter CSA for your bread box. "It really is alot of fun and honestly it is perfect for winter time when you just want to curl up and fire up that crockpot," said Lesli Flick, Scratch owner and baker. Last year, Scratch's Loaf of the Week baked fresh loaves of brioche paired with a cinnamon raisin butter, ciabatta with pesto, and rosemary focaccia with a lemon curd. The cost to become a Loafer is $65 for 8 weeks of breads and spreads. Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 03, 2014 Mohegan Sun’s Restaurant Week goes from January 12-17! Savor all the specials at Mohegan Sun's most renowned dining venues, including a three course dinner at Ballo Italian for $29.95. On Saturday January 4 check out Half Full Brewery in Stamford for the “Hoptimist Experience,” a formal tour and tasting. They are open from 1-5pm with a Tour at 3:00pm. During the tour you will learn about the brewing process and how they got started. $5 gets you a Half Full Brewery sampling glass, six samples of beers on tap, and a guided tour. More Info Here. Celebrate the return of Downton Abbey at the Silo Gallery at Hunt Hill in New Milford on Sunday January 5. A demonstration cooking class will feature an "Upstairs/Downstairs" menu based on the TV series and using recipes from “The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook.” The day will include a champagne cocktail, smoked salmon sandwiches, oxtail soup, lobster thermador, steak and kidney pie, and crepe Suzette. 11am-2pm. $90pp. Guests must sign up in advance. Every Sunday Mama’s Boy in Norwalk hosts brunch with live music from 1-4pm. January 5 you can see Griffin Anthony perform. Read More
Vegetarian Prix Fixe Wednesdays @ The Schoolhouse CTbites Team January 03, 2014 This just in from Chef Tim LaBant @ The Schoolhouse at Cannondale: The Schoolhouse Restaurant is bringing back "Vegetarian Prixe Fixed Wednesdays" for the month of January. It's a great opportunity to get over the holiday food hangover and focus on improving your overall feeling of well being. We did this last year and have had many requests to again offer meatless entrees. So starting this Wednesday, January 8 and each Wednesday during January, you'll enjoy 4 courses for $40. Cutting back on meat, even a little bit, can reap big health and environmental benefits. We hope you'll join us by making a reservation. Reserve a table and get more information here. Read More
Get A Healthy Start to 2014: CT Resources for Juicing, Healthy Eats & More Features Restaurant Juice Bar Juice Cleanse healthy Organic Take Out April Guilbault January 02, 2014 You just did it all this holiday season. And by that, I mean...cookies became a food group. Mixing, stirring and shopping had you working your “muscles” (how to polish something, right?). Real exercise resided in the back seat, crammed in between boxes and bags and wrapping paper. Your sanity was also wedged in there, too, now that you think about it. Thank goodness that a new year is upon us because you weren’t quite sure you could take another week, chaotic and fun as it may have been. And yes, there was much good in the holiday season...but it’s all....tiring. So now, after the decadence and gluttony, let’s reset. Recharge. And for the love of Pete, put down that cookie. Here we offer, as your first gift of the New Year, some great resources, including juice cleanses, yoga joints and healthy eats, to get your body and mind back on track and ready for action in 2014! Read More
Reader's Choice Awards from Connecticut Magazine Restaurant Best of CT Douglas P Clement January 01, 2014 Connecticut Magazine reached out and you responded—now here are the results of their annual restaurant survey, featuring readers’ favorites in 35 dining categories. Bon appétit! best in overall excellence Bernard’s/Sarah’s Wine Bar, Ridgefield The Spread, Norwalk The Cellar Door, Ridgefield best new restaurant The Spread, Norwalk Walrus + Carpenter, Bridgeport Heirloom Food Co.,Danielson Read The Complete Reader's Choice Awards List on Connecticut Magazine Read More
Happy New Year from CTbites CTbites Team January 01, 2014 This stunning Beef Wellington was created by CTbites contributor, Sarah Green. If you have photos from your New Years celebrations (of a foodie nature), send them to: info@ctbites.com. Read More
