Friday Froth: BigBrew NYC News and Alex Le Rouge Ingredients CT Beer Events Beer James Gribbon January 31, 2014 Every once in a while I like to spike the gruel of my disjointed ramblings in this column with some actual news, which is why I'm going to lead off by telling you all about a beer festival that is about to happen a short drive/train ride away pretty soon. The Big Brew NY Beer Festival will have its inaugural event on Saturday, February 8th, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.The organizers expect 1,500 to 2,500 people, which is positively tiny by beer fest standards, so there should be plenty of access to over 300 beers. General admission tickets are $50, designated drivers get in for $10 (in advance) and VIP tickets, which allow access to more beers, an extra hour of tasting time, and a buffet designed by Chef Anthony Goncalves of 42 The Restaurant, go for $80 in advance, or $90 at the door. All attendees will have the opportunity to discuss beer and food pairing with John Holl, author of The American Craft Beer Cookbook, and are invited to 42 The Restaurant for an after party and a 10% discount on their bill.I discussed the impending launch of this year's batch of Igor's Dream Russian Imperial Stout in the last edition of Friday Froth, Read More
Raise $$ for Community Plates @ Baró Restaurant Grand Opening Fund Raising Event Stephanie Webster January 31, 2014 We love it when local restaurants step up to support a great local cause. Baró Restaurant in Fairfield is doing just that on February 19th, 2014 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Baró has partnered with Community Plates to donate 50% of ticket sales at their Grand Opening Fund Raising Event to end hunger in the U.S. What can you expect at this event? Tons of tapas, tacos and more, signature cocktails from the master mixologists at Baró as well as a silent auction. Plus...Baró + Community Plates = a really fun night. Tickets are $40. We hope to see you there. Read More
The Spread's Poblano & Corn Chowder with Fresh Crabmeat Features Chef Talk Entertaining Recipe Comfort Food CTbites Team January 30, 2014 Get ready to rumble. Chowdafest is this weekend at the Webster Bank Arena, where 28 chefs will battle it out for "best of," and then Superbowl eating goes into full swing. The Spread in Sono under the direction of Chef Carlos Baez, will be competing for the first year at Chowdafest in the "Creative Chowder" category. Chef Baez may be a rookie to Chowdafest but he certainly is no rookie in the kitchen. Check out his very simple and delicious recipe for Poblano & Corn Chowder with Fresh Crabmeat. Make it for your Superbowl party or skip the work and sample some at Chowdafest before the big game. Read More
Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 30, 2014 Darien’s Restaurant Week returns from February 2 through February 6. Selected restaurants will offer a multi-course meal for a special set price. Lunch is priced at $12.14 or $18.14 while dinner is $20.14 or $30.14 depending on where you dine (plus tax and gratuity). Try: Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Bodega Taco Bar, Cesco’s Trattoria, Chuck’s Steakhouse, Coromandel, Darien Social, Estia’s American, Jimmy’s Southside Tavern, Meatball & Company, Rory’s Restaurant, Scena Wine Bar, Tengda, The Goose, and The Melting Pot, and more. Tuesday February 4, the Fairfield Cheese Company will hold a fondue class. Experiment with several different fondue recipes in all their warm and creamy glory. There will be lots of delicious dipping accompaniments and a couple of wine selections to add to the fabulous fondue fun. $45. Info here. It’s a Sierra Nevada tap takeover at Cask Republic Stamford on February 5th at 7pm. Guests can taste Bigfoot Barleywine, Torpedo, and Ruthless Rye IPA in the back room. Knipschildt Chocolatier (CT Magazine's Best of CT for chocolate) and Wine Institute of New England (CT Magazine's Best of CT for wine appreciation) join forces on February 5th from 7:00-9:00 pm. Read More
Sneak Peek at F·I·S·H Restaurant Coming to Stamford Restaurant Seafood Stamford Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger January 29, 2014 The finishing touches are being applied to F·I·S·H Restaurant in Stamford as it prepares for its grand opening in a few weeks. Housed in the space formerly occupied by Boca Restaurant, the staff is busily preparing to change the focus from small plates to one focused on more traditional offerings of seafood with a smattering of meats and poultry. Overseeing the kitchen is Chef Domenico Gurliacci, who also directed the kitchen at Boca. Prior to joining Boca, Gurliacci prepared some delicious Greek cuisine at Kouzina in New Canaan and was a cook at the Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood. As Gurliacci told CTbites, “There were too many restaurants in Stamford offering the small plate concept. We wanted to change it up a bit.” The menu is designed to appeal to both the lunch crowd as well as those at dinner and features a varied approach. Guests can choose from several Raw Bar offerings or one of the appetizers that range from Lobster Corn Chowder, mini fish tacos, and mini beef empanadas to traditional seafood appetizers of fried calamari or oysters, plus Asian inspired mussels and spicy buffalo shrimp. Sandwich choices include Oyster Po-Boy, Buffalo shrimp, Crab cake BLT, Steak and Gorgonzola and the F·I·S·H burger. Entrées consist of several pan-seared or grilled fish options or F·I·S·H’s modern comfort food interpretations of ricotta gnocchi with lobster; beer battered fish & chips; seafood gumbo and spaghetti with clam sauce. Read More
Bruno DiFabio of Greenwich's Re Napoli: Next Judge on Food Network's "Chopped" CTbites Team January 28, 2014 Connecticut resident Pizza maestro Bruno DiFabio — an owner of 10 artisan pizzerias around the country including ReNapoli in Old Greenwich and Pinnochio Pizza in New Canaan — has been named as the new judge on Food Network's Chopped. A six-time world world pizza champion (winner at Euro Disney Mondial de la Pizza and last year's Pizza Expo in Las Vegas), DiFabio is currently working with the Guinness Book of World Records to break the fastest pizza in the world. Bruno will preside over the Season Premiere of Chopped on Superbowl, joining Amanda Freitag and Alex Guarnaschelli. Read more about Bruno over at ConnecticutMag.com Read More
The Granola Bar Opens In Westport: Great Coffee & Good Eats Restaurant Brunch Coffee Westport healthy Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Nancy Kleeger January 26, 2014 Get your highlighter out and start counting how many times I drop the G bomb in this article. Some things cannot be avoided. The Granola Bar at 275 Post Road East in Westport has created a lot of caffeinated buzz, as well a bit of traffic congestion in the parking lot of Playhouse Square, right in the heart of Westport. Julie Levitt and Dana Noorily, two local Westport moms with years of combined business experience and a passion for food, first co-founded Oats Granola, currently sold at Whole Foods, Stew’s and other select markets around the area. The success of their product was not enough for these two entrepreneurs who had their eyes on the prize. Continuing down the foodie path with a vision to create a happy place where good, clean food and a little schmoozing can take place, they launched The Granola Bar. Read More
Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lovers Evening to Benefit Shelter For The Homeless CTbites Team January 25, 2014 The Chocolate, Dessert & Wine Lover's 'Tasting' Evening to benefit The Shelter for the Homeless is back! On Thursday, February 6th, over 50 vendors will be serving up an evening of glorious culinary indulgence in the form of decadent chocolates, confections, and mouthwatering baked good, all washed down with fine wines, beer and specialty beverages. Here's the real bonus…You can enjoy your nibbles from favorite restaurants and shops like Bar Sugo, Darien Cheese Shop, Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters, Chocolate Lab, and Izzi B’s Allergen-Free Cupcakes, knowing that 100% of every ticket sold supports the Shelter for the Homeless programs. Check out the complete list of vendors below and we'll see you there! Read More
Chowdafest Announces Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations CTbites Team January 24, 2014 Chowdafest has just announced their four celebrity chefs who will be giving cooking demonstrations during this year's event. The Clarke Cooking Stage will be graced by 3 great local chefs: Chef Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro’s in Westport; Chef Plum, a regular contributor on “Better CT” on WFSB, FoxCT and the Food Network; Chef Forrest Pasternack, the executive chef at Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield; and Chef Hunter Zampa, an 8th grader from Stamford, who recently won the Food Network’s Chopped Teen Talent. The chefs will appear on the new Clarke cooking stage and cooking demonstrations are co-hosted by OmNomCT.com and CTbites.com. Cooking demonstrations are approximately 20 minutes long and are scheduled on the hour. Additionally, each segment is supported by an event sponsor and each chef’s creations will be able to be sampled after the demonstration. Clarke Cooking Stage Schedule 11:30 Teen Chef Hunter Zampa presented by Frontier Soups and Westminster Crackers 12:30 Chef Pietro Scotti presented by Victoria Foods, FIAT of Fairfield County and E.& J. Gallo Wines Read More
Sarah & Monica's Excellent Birthday Dinner Restaurant Ridgefield Amy Kundrat January 24, 2014 Sarah Bouisseau of Bernard's & Sarah's Wine Bar in Ridgefield, and Monica Brown of 109 Cheese & Wine have been the closest of friends for over a decade, beginning when they discovered they shared the same birthday. Over the years, the oenophiles and food lovers have hosted an evening including some of their favorite foods and wines for their customers, and it has evolved into a beloved annual event. This special dinner and wine tasting happens only once a year, on Friday, January 24 (tonight!) at 7 pm at Bernard's in Ridgefield. The price is $90 per person plus tax and gratuity, call 203 438 8282 for reservations. Sarah & Monica's Birthday Menu Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 23, 2014 It’s an Onyx Moonshine tasting extravaganza on Thursday January 23! Join Amity Wines of New Haven as they welcome Onyx Spirits Owner Adam von Gootkin to discussg the history of moonshine and prohibition. You will sample the 80 proof black (with a cocktail), the high proof 111 (with infusion example), the delicious Apple Honey, and the Onyx Whiskey. Free event. 6:30-8:30pm. Reserve your space at: http://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/514204 Friday the 24th is another “Open House” style event at Half Full Brewery in Stamford. From 5:30-8:30pm, $15 gets you in the door armed with a Half Full branded recycled plastic pint glass and THE TAPS WILL BE OPEN. While you are there, try your hand at bags, life-size jenga, draw on our chalkboard wall, or just enjoy some great conversation over great beers. Saturday January 25 is the 5th Annual Valentine Chocolate Festival in New Haven. It is an elegant chocolate competition for both amateurs and professionals and a sumptuous sampling session benefiting the Montessori School On Edgewood. Submit your entry and/or just come sample sumptuous diverse, delectable chocolate treats. Read More
Start-up Bid Mob Connects Diners with New Haven Dining Deals Restaurant New Haven CTbites Team January 23, 2014 The brainchild of Daniel Underkofler, who had been working at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Manhattan, and his “team of socially-inspired Gladsters,” BidMob is a mobile app that—quite simply but brilliantly—connects anyone interested in dining and nightlife in New Haven with the best deals of the day. "BidMob is an amazing new way to save BIG $$ for your group when you go out. Stop paying for discounts, printing coupons or wondering where the best deals are when you need them," says the description in the Apple app store. Read More
The Best of Wine & Chocolate: A Tasting w/ Knipschildt Chocolatier CTbites Team January 22, 2014 Yes please! Knipschildt Chocolatier (CT Magazine's Best of CT for chocolate) and Wine Institute of New England (CT Magazine's Best of CT for wine appreciation) join forces to bring you the best of both worlds. Join them on a gustatory journey that will surely please the senses. The evening begins with chocolate-infused hors d'oeuvres and sparkling wine, followed by a guided pairing of wine and artisan chocolate from CT. This event will be held at Chocopologie Cafe, 12 S. Main Street, Norwalk, CT February 5th, 2014 7:00-9:00 pm $59/person Limited to 36 people. Advanced registration required. Purchase Tickets here. Read More
Le Farm's Signature Dish: Chef Arik Bensimon & Bill Taibe Talk Poutine Restaurant Chef Talk Westport Lou Gorfain January 22, 2014 Would Bensimom consider an encore of LePoutine for our readers? You bet! He’s putting the dish back on the LeFarm menu for a limited run, January 23 -25. Not to be missed. (If bacon ate, it would eat Poutine.) Foie gras and Poutine are two foods not usually found in the same sentence, much less married in a restaurant dish. But if you were dining at LeFarm a couple of years ago, “LePoutine” was the crazy delicious rock star in the room – a decadent, playful, steamy mashup of foie gras, fried potatoes, wine, beef cheeks, kale, gravy and imagination. A Montreal favorite, Poutine is unadulterated cardiac-on-a-plate, usually devoured with great gusto, its grease supposedly the perfect insulation before or and after a hard night of drinking. (It should be duly noted that Le Farm’s version, unlike the French Canadian, didn’t include the traditional cheese curds. But buttery Foie Gras more than made up for the missing fat calories.) “It was big, it was indulgent, and people just loved it. So did we,” Bill Taibe, the founder of LeFarm told us, grinning with the memory of his exciting crowd pleaser. Read More
Beach + Barn Opens in Branford Branford Amy Kundrat January 21, 2014 From the same folks that brought us Roomba and Tacuba, comes the shoreline's newest restaurant, Beach + Barn. The dynamic husband and wife team of Chef Arturo and Suzette Franco-Camacho have reimagined their space in Branford, re-opening their Main Street restaurant as a casual "country to coast" lunch and dinner retreat. Their approach is "to create an everyday, neighborhood spot with great tasting, affordable food." After several years of running successful restaurants in New Haven, the couple moved to Branford. Beach + Barn is their thoughtful response to living and working within the Branford community for the past several years, and a distillation of what they believe was missing in the restaurant scene in the shoreline, and especially Branford. Read More
"American Craft Beer Cookbook" Beer Food Pairing Seminar @ Mohegan Sun Features Recipe Cookbooks CTbites Team January 21, 2014 Based on recipes from the recently released American Craft Beer Cookbook, the seminar will lead attendees through a five course tasting and pairing event featuring a Grafton Village Cheese Course, three selections from sea, farm & field, and dessert. This event will take place on Friday, January 24th, Mohegan Sun Resort, 7:00pm-8:30pm Led by industry veterans Dave Hartmann & John Holl, the seminar is designed to enlighten on how the primary and broad ranging flavors in craft beer complement, contrast with and accentuate what we dine on – whether from a wide variety of hops, malt, yeast, special ingredients or even the water used in brewing itself. At least five different Long Trail beers will be in the seminar – some easy to find, some uncommon, some never before released. Attendees will also receive a fine quality Spiegelau crystal tulip tasting glass to further enhance their tasting experience. Read More
Royal House Cambodia Cuisine in Fairfield: A First Taste Elizabeth Keyser January 19, 2014 Food is a never-ending exploration, and the latest before us is the food of Cambodia. Fairfield has a new restaurant, Royal House Cambodia Cuisine. Chef-owner Minh and his wife Mandy Truong have come to Fairfield after owning Siam Thai in Chelsea, New York City for 20 years. Siam Thai was written up in the New York Times and Bon Appétit. Cambodia is a land of rivers and lakes, bordered by the Gulf of Thailand, and nestled between Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. The cuisine is lighter and features more vegetables and fish than Thai or Vietnamese, says Mandy, “The curries are more watery and delicate, less sticky and strong than in Thailand.” Cambodian cooks use the familiar flavors of basil, ginger, cilantro and lemongrass, and a far wider range of herbs, vegetables and fruits unavailable in New York and Connecticut. Here’s what we tried: Read More
Healthy Stew Recipe Roundup from Marcia Selden Catering Features Recipe Recipe CTbites Team January 18, 2014 Phew...you’ve made it through another frantic holiday season. It seems life has been one giant party from Halloween through New Year’s. It’s now time to relax a bit! While many people feel blue during January, we love to enjoy the slower pace. Feel the warmth and quiet while enjoying one of these wonderful hearty, stews. We've got easy recipes for Truffled Italian-Style Beef and Porcini Stew, Spicy Pork Posole & Moroccan Chicken Tagine. Try any one of these at home on a cold winter's night. Read More
Ny Haven: A Nordic Inspired Pop-up with Chefs Marcell Davidsen & Tommy Juliano at 116 Crown Restaurant Chef Talk Underground Dinner Amy Kundrat January 17, 2014 Photos: Signe Birck TICKETS HAVE GONE ON SALE! Tickets A 13 course Nordic-inspired menu is the inspiration for Ny Haven, a one-time pop-up dining collaboration between chefs Marcell Davidsen and Tommy Juliano, that will take place at 116 Crown on March 3, 2014. Ny Haven is a play on words. In Danish, Ny means New, and Haven means garden. In Copenhagen, Nyhavn is a main gathering point for people to meet at cafés to eat and drink. The chefs, best known for their culinary risk-taking and locavore approach at Community Table in Washington, CT, will descend upon the kitchen of 116 Crown in New Haven for a single night for 25 lucky gourmands. "We are very excited to showcase our style of new New England cuisine, and Nordic influenced cooking, to New Haven," said Davidsen. "With my Danish background and Tommy's New England approach on desserts." Read More
