Sun WineFest 2014 @ Mohegan Sun: The Recap Ingredients Celebrity Chef Wine Shop Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 26, 2014 Mohegan Sun’s annual WineFest is my Super Bowl. Before the big game, football aficionados took to twitter in anticipation of the showdown. I, too, waged a full out blitz on social media- enthusiastically counting down til I could try some great wines and see my favorite chefs back in action! For the Super Bowl, avid fans suited up in team apparel and NFL jerseys. I also donned some fancy getup; my yearly uniform is a pink shirt bedazzled with “Wine Diva” and a sparkly headband. Some people love calfskin; I love food, wine, and fun. From the moment I entered the Convention Center, it was apparent that this year’s festival was bigger than ever. Media members are granted an additional hour to peruse the venue. Last year there was a handful of us and it was easy to get a preview of what was to come. This year, however, it seemed that people everywhere were vying to cover the event. Media members were elbow-to-elbow before the doors even opened to the public. It was an extravaganza! The SunWineFest’s signature event is its Grand Tasting, which spans the weekend. Read More
Valhrona Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta, Salty Caramel, Malt Ice Cream Shake via Parallel Post Features Recipe Dessert CTbites Team February 25, 2014 Parallel Post in Trumbull is currently celebrating National Chocolate Lover's Month during February, and will also honor American Chocolate Week during the week of March 17th. Parallel Post is overseen by James Beard nominated Chef Dean James Max, and serves up modern-American cuisine focused on seasonal ingredients. To celebrate the joy of chocolate, Chef Max will be sharing a few of his chocolate inspired recipes with CTbites, the first is this amazing Valhrona Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta, Salty Caramel, Malt Ice Cream Shake. Yes please! Read More
[Live Event] A Taste of Innovation: From Farm to Table Restaurant Farm to Table Amy Kundrat February 24, 2014 Join the Yale Sustainable Food Project for A Taste of Innovation: From Farm to Table, a conversation on innovation in the agricultural value chain. Moderated by Mark Bomford of the Yale Sustainable Food Project, this panel of entrepreneurs and authors will explore some of the ways that we can redesign our current food systems and how to develop the regenerative food systems of tomorrow. The event is free and open to the public, held at Yale School of Management at 165 Whitney Avenue, Room 220, in New Haven, CT. Watch the event live on February 25 at 11:45 am. Speakers include: Joe Dobrow, Author of Natural Prophets: From Health Foods to Whole Foods; Patrick Horan, Waldingfield Farms; Dan Horan, President and CEO of Five Acre Farms; Moderated by Mark Bomford, Director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project. Read More
Kibberia Restaurant Brings Middle Eastern Cuisine to Westport Restaurant Middle Eastern Westport Lunch Sarah Green February 23, 2014 In September, Westport welcomed KIBBERIA Restaurant and Cafe to the Post Road serving traditional Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. Kibbe, a Levantine dish made of bulgur, minced onions and ground beef, is a staple in many Middle Eastern kitchens, and KIBBERIA serves KIBBE and an enormous variety of other Middle Eastern dishes, always fresh, always home-made (except for the Pita Bread) and very tasty! You have to excuse the packaging and get right down to the food… Cafeteria style with paper bowls for soup does not scream “GOURMET” by any means. But the food is the thing...and KIBBERIA does not disappoint. Westport is KIBBERIA’s second location (the other has been a huge success in Danbury since 2011) owned by Lebanese-born Nick Iskander and co-owner and head chef Carole Iskander. She is cooking for a packed, Westport crowd every day but Sunday. From moms with kids to business people out for a healthy, quick lunch to vegans to carnivores KIBBERIA provides a healthy, hearty, Middle Eastern meal that suits any palate. Read More
Cocktail Contest: Win Dinner for 2 @ Baró in Fairfield Restaurant Cocktails Recipe CTbites Team February 22, 2014 WIN a FREE Dinner for two @ Baró New World Cantina in Fairfield. Here's how... It's time for another cocktail throw down! Baró New World Cantina in Fairfield has decided to trust the fate of their new specialty cocktail to the naming skills of our CTbites readers. If your cocktail name is selected, you will win a FREE DINNER FOR TWO at Baró in Fairfield (cocktails included). Here are the ingredients for the cocktail in need of a name: 1.75 ounce Flor de Cana 7-Yr1 ounce simple syrup.75 lime juice.5 grapefruit juice Swizzle with crushed ice, top with two dash angostura bitters and Pina leaf. Post your submission below (include email). We welcome input from readers. If you see a name you like...post your vote! May the best namer win!! Good luck. The winner will be announced on March 10th Read More
[Video] Behind the Scenes with Stanziato's c/o Local Food Rocks Restaurant Danbury Pizza Amy Kundrat February 22, 2014 There is a synergy that sets Matt Stanczak's Stanziato's Wood Fired Pizza in Danbury apart. The combination of a chef/owner with a sincere devotion to his craft, a respect for simplicity, a loyalty to local ingredients, and last but certainly not least, Matt's fearless and fun leadership, make the sum of Stanziato's greater than its parts. Local Food Rocks captured the essence of Stanziato's perfectly in this behind-the-scenes video of how they build their fires (Jenga-style), what makes their pies so amazing (slow fermentation, good old Danbury water), and a couple trips to local farms you may recognize. This talented duo behind the blog and RMedia.TV deserves its own shout-out. Alicia (passionate home cook and blogger) and Renato (the man behind the camera and guitar) Ghio are literally a rocking duo. Check them out. If you watch one thing this weekend, make it this. And if you go to Stanziato's, don't miss the soppressata and chilies pizza and pair it with a salad. Read More
Friday Froth: Steam Heat Ingredients Features CT Beer Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon February 21, 2014 The business of craft beer is expanding rapidly. Every Friday Froth column I've ever published on this site has been a celebration of that fact. I - and I'd guess you, if you're reading this - revel in the vast landscape of offerings which slake our thirst, delight our palette, and expand our notions of what beer can be. An article in the March issue of Forbes stated there are over 2,700 craft breweries in the U.S. right now, and the industry is currently worth roughly $100 billion per year. Unfortunately, that's money worth fighting for. Lawyers in the employ of San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing Company have taken legal action against Hartford craft beer touchstone City Steam Brewery over the use of the word "steam." As of this week, I am officially boycotting Anchor beers until they drop this petty lawsuit, and I encourage anyone who cares about the craft beer landscape of Connecticut to do the same. Here's why... Read More
Rincon Taqueria in Norwalk- A Hidden Gem in Plain Sight Restaurant Delicious Dives Norwalk Tacos Mexican Comfort Food Kid Friendly Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger February 20, 2014 Rincon Taqueria is the epitome of a hidden gem. The exterior is fairly non-descript and the interior is one large, open space, but the food is delicious. As you enter there are tables for twenty patrons to the left and behind these tables is a long glass deli case containing large baskets and bowls filled with several varieties of chili peppers. Along the right wall are three six-foot tall refrigerators with bottles of soda, home-canned items and take-away containers, including homemade apple sauce, beef and vegetable soup, cassoulet with duck and pork, duck confit. Taqueria? The young lady behind the counter asked if I needed assistance. I looked at the wall behind her and saw two large hand-written chalkboard menus with more traditional taqueria fare…Huevas Rancheros, Burritos, Chilaquiles, Tacos, Empanadas, Tamales and a Chicken Quesadilla. I ordered a trio of tacos…a fried fish, a beef and a pork. As it turns out the young lady is one of the owners, Maria Munoz Del Castillo. As I waited, Maria brought a plate of Frijoles con Arroz. In addition to the slightly spicey rice and black beans, the dish contained a few green beans, corn, scallions, diced red onions and cilantro. It was a very pleasant way to wait for my meal. Read More
Muse by Jonathan Cartwright' Debuts at Connecticut's Luxe Mayflower Grace Restaurant Litchfield Douglas P Clement February 18, 2014 “At the Mayflower Inn, reality does not intrude,” our restaurant critic, Elise Maclay, once wrote in Connecticut Magazine.“The doors are firmly shut against it and the staff is skilled at maintaining the illusion that the elegant dining room, the spacious entry hall, the cozy library, comprise your ancestral domain, a country estate that has been in your family for generations." That was many years ago, but memories of how sybaritically satisfying the Mayflower was in its early days, when chef Thomas Moran oversaw the kitchen, pushed to the forefront last Wednesday evening when fortunate members of the media were invited to join some of Litchfield County’s notable residents in celebrating the debut of The Mayflower Grace, the country retreat as restyled by new owner Grace Hotels. The Mayflower Grace a 30-room hotel on 58 acres of gardens and woodlands nestled on a rise in lovely Washington, Conn., retains its “Downton Abbey” appeal as the type of luxury hideaway that has drawn the likes of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Where the recent extensive refurbishment of the Mayflower is most obvious—and the reason folks such as authors Dani Shapiro and Candace Bushnell braved the wintry weather Wednesday—is the creation of Muse by Jonathan Cartwright, the new restaurant that brings with it a much different, sleeker and modern feel, complemented by the cuisine of Cartwright, the native of Sheffield, England, and world-class chef with a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux distinction who offers refined modern European cuisine that incorporates the best of local and seasonal produce. On Wednesday, those qualities, along with Cartwright’s versatility and flair for subtle drama, were evident in the wide range of small-bites offered to guests, most notably in a smoked lobster dish served in a plastic egg-shaped vessel. When you unscrewed the top and lifted it off, a wonderful smoky aroma wafted upwards. The lobster itself was rich, smoky, perfectly cooked and delicious. In addition to new flavors, Muse by Jonathan Cartwright brings a distinctive new look and feel to dining at The Mayflower Grace. Read the full article on ConnecticutMag.com Read More
CT-NOFA Sponsors Food, Agriculture & Sustainability Conference on March 1st CTbites Team February 18, 2014 On March 1, 2014 the Connecticut Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (“CT NOFA”) will hold its 2014 Winter Conference at the Western Connecticut State University. CT NOFA is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the practices of ecologically sound farming and gardening, and to the development of local sustainable agriculture. Its efforts give consumers increased access to safe and healthy food. The conference is Connecticut's largest and brings into focus the challenges of the next generation of farmers and how they affect us all. The Conference will also feature lunch catered by some of Fairfield County's top farm to table restaurants including Barcelona, LeFarm, The Whelk, Bar Sugo and Sugar & Olives. The conference will also feature a variety of workshops focusing on organic food, farming, gardening and food justice. Read More
Barolo Trattoria and Wine Bar Opening in New Canaan on February 19 Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger February 17, 2014 A few weeks ago CTBites announced the anticipated opening of Barolo Trattoria and Wine Bar in New Canaan and we are pleased to announce that Barolo will open its doors to the public on Wednesday, February 19th. Under the ownership of Rafaelo Gallo, Erick Grant, and Gary Weinstein, Barolo will offer a relaxed atmosphere in its Antipasti Bar or a slightly more formal approach in its dining room. Roe Duva, the long-time owner of Bistro Bonne Nuit is also a member of the family. Overseeing the kitchen is Executive Chef Giuseppe Castellano. Born and raised in Naples and Giugliano, Italy Chef Castellano trained throughout Italy and then worked throughout Italy before moving to the US. His recent experience includes Gran Gusto in Cambridge and Tiella Restaurant in NYC. He told CTBites, “We will focus on the Piedmont style on the menu.” Given Chef Castellano’s southern Italian roots and his desire to create northern Italy cuisine, the opening menu is designed for the full Italian culinary experience. Read More
Morello Italian Bistro in Greenwich: Beautiful Food in an Exquisite Setting Restaurant Greenwich Italian Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger February 16, 2014 Morello Italian Bistro is architecturally one of the most beautiful restaurants in Connecticut and offers equally fine cuisine. The exquisite interior of the landmark building on Greenwich Avenue was designed by Rafael Guastavino, Jr, whose father invented the golden amber tile vaulting system that grace the pillars, herringbone arches and ceilings. Art adorns the walls, and the soft, hand blown white tear-drop shaped glass chandeliers, descending from the ceiling create a beautifully romantic atmosphere for dinner. As we worked our way through appetizers, pastas, entrees and desserts General Manager Jimmy Branigan, Jr. was the perfect host, stopping by the table on several occasions to explain the composition of many of the courses and offer suggestions from the reasonably priced wine list. While we leisurely perused the menu, we enjoyed the “Prosciutto & Parmesan Fritters.” The large fritters delivered complementary textures and flavors. The crisp exterior was offset by the marvelously smooth interior, which presented a delicious combination of prosciutto and Fontina cheese. The dish was finished with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese which added the perfect level of saltiness to the fried exterior. An order or two for the table is an excellent way to start the meal. Read More
Christian Petroni & Fortina Restaurant @ James Beard House in NYC May 19 Stephanie Webster February 14, 2014 Get ready to road trip. On May 19th, Chef Christian Petroni and his talented team from Fortina Restaurant in Armonk NY will be hitting up NYC. The prestigious James Beard House in New York City will play host for the evening, featuring a 6 course dinner with paired wines, beers, spirits...who knows? You won't want to miss this. Plus, we are hearing rumours of a few other exciting guest chefs joining Chef Petroni to lend a helping hand in the kitchen. More on that later. When attending a dinner at The James Beard House, guests are first invited to walk through the Beard House kitchen to meet the night’s chef and observe the event team at work. They then enjoy a canapé reception, which takes place throughout the ground floor and in our garden (weather permitting). Diners then climb to the second-floor dining room, where they enjoy a five- to six-course tasting menu with wine pairings. The evening concludes with a question-and-answer session with the chef in the dining room. Tickets will go on sale shortly. We will keep you posted. The price is $130 for James Beard members and $170 per person for non-Beard members. Please contact the James Beard House for reservations. 212-627-2308. Read More
The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 13, 2014 Stamford Restaurant Weeks return February 17-March 3. This winter over 30 of Downtown Stamford’s restaurants are serving up special lunch & dinner prix fixe menus in several different price options. New this year: each participating restaurant will be mixing up its very own Signature Winter Cocktail. February 19 is Rare Beer Night at Half Full Brewery in Stamford. Rare Beer Night is a recurring series that will take place on the third Wednesday of each month. Attendees will receive full pints of each beer and tasty food pairings. This month there will even be cheeses from The Fairfield Cheese Company (owner Laura will be on hand to discuss the pairings), Charcuterie from Fairway Market, and a mouth-watering dessert that will cap off the night. @25 pp. Join The Dew Drop Inn and Two Roads Brewing for a great beer dinner at Tavern 1757 on the 19th. The menu includes beer cheese soup with barley bread, wood fire sausage, smoked brisket with roasted garlic mash & beer braised cabbage, and wood oven smores. Each course features a Two Roads drink pairing. $70 per person +tax & gratuity. Seating is limited, Please RSVP early (203) 516-5461 Baró in Fairfield is celebrating its Grand Opening by hosting a fundraising event for Community Plates. On February 19 from 5-9 pm, you are invited to enjoy a signature drink, a complimentary drink, and a spread of tapas and tacos for just $40. Read More
Last Taste of Match Events: Match Restaurant in SoNo to Close Temporarily for Renovation CTbites Team February 12, 2014 Match Restaurant in South Norwalk owned by Chef Matt Storch will temporarily close on March 2 for a renovation of the restaurant. A 15-year veteran of the Connecticut dining scene and SoNo restaurant pioneer, Match is planning a series of special events to mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Chef/owner Storch is keeping his plans for Match 2.0 under tight wraps, but says, “it’s everything you know and love about Match but better. This is a rebirth.” Read More
Homemade Apple Fashioned Cocktail Recipe via Luxe Wine Bar Ingredients Features Cocktails Entertaining Recipe Jeff Marron February 12, 2014 Living in Connecticut, we are spoiled by the abundance of apples that are fresh out of the neighboring orchards. If you didn't make it out this past Fall to pick your own apples at Beardsley’s Cider Mill in Shelton or Silverman’s Farm on Sport Hill Road in Easton, you need to put that on your agenda next season. It’s fun for the whole family. If the crowds aren’t your thing, and you want a real farm experience, then definitely go buy local apples from Sport Hill Farm, just passed Silverman’s on the right heading north on Rt59. To enjoy your local fruit and vegetables over the winter months, you need to preserve them. This can be accomplished in any number of methods. Some people like to pickle their vegetables while others may turn the fruit into spreads and jams. I like to use my fruit to make syrups for cocktails. My Apple Cordial recipe has to be one of my favorites to make and to drink. Although it takes several days to make the syrup, it’s not a laborious task at all. In execution, however, this cocktail is definitely a labor of love. The good news is that once all the prep is complete and it’s in your glass, you’ll realize that your efforts were worth it. It’s delicious. Another great alternative is to visit me at Luxe Wine Bar in Westport, where I will be happy to make one especially for you. The apple bitters and apple brandy can be purchased at Saugatuck Grain & Grape, also in Westport. Read More
Stamford Restaurant Weeks Return February 17-March 3 CTbites Team February 11, 2014 Stamford Winter Restaurant Weeks return February 17 – March 3rd, 2014. Yes, two weeks of special multi-course menus and dining deals! This Winter over 30 of Downtown Stamford’s restaurants are serving up special lunch & dinner prix fixe menus in several different price options. The prices for lunch range from $10.14, $12.14 or $20.14 and dinner ranges from $15.14, $20.14 or $30.14 so you can return to some of your favorite restaurants and try some new ones. New this year: each participating restaurant will be mixing up its very own Signature Winter Cocktail to be featured during Restaurant Weeks. View the list of participating restaurants below: Read More
"Passport Through Spain" Wine Class Series @ Barcelona Restaurant Education CTbites Team February 11, 2014 Learn, Taste & Enjoy During Spanish Regional Wine & Food Pairing Series Jet set through Spain in the best way imaginable with a glass (or several) of wine, expertly prepped tapas and the rustic, warm environment of Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant in Greenwich, CT. Each one hour class in the series (there are four in total) will focus on a particular Spanish region, history behind the wines and the food that best accompanies them prepared by Chef Michael Lucente. These wine classes are designed to enlighten and inspire both the novice and enthusiast. Wine Steward, Jose Valverde will guide you along the way, with tips and tricks for successfully pairing your wines with local food. The series will take place each Wednesday during the month of March beginning on March 5th at 7:00pm. The first wine-pairing class covers the Rioja region best known for its Old World style and their well-aged red wines. The second covers Galicia (March 12th), a seaside region. The third class on March 19th covers Montsant/Priorat, known for its powerful, elegant and complex wines and the last class on March 26th will focus on the Valencia region. Attend one class or attend them all. With the first class you attend, you’ll receive a Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant passport. Each time you attend a class, your passport will be “stamped” and you receive a complimentary tapa token to redeem on your next visit. Attend all four classes in the series and receive a gift certificate for two people. Each class is $35 per person (plus tax and gratuity) with a maximum of 20 people attending. Reservations can be made by contacting rsvp@barteca.com. Read More
CM Gourmet Market Brings Casual Sophistication to Daytime Dining in Westport Restaurant Specialty Market Deanna Foster February 09, 2014 For years, Michelle Weber has fulfilled the artisan chocolate needs of the Westport community. Now, with the opening of CM Gourmet Bistro in Saugatuck Center, she is filling a chasm in Westport’s otherwise crowded dining scene for full service breakfast and lunch. Thanks to chef Molly Brandt, who shares Michelle’s discerning taste, creativity and attention to detail, CM Gourmet Bistro brings us a menu that is simple yet sophisticated, and just bold enough to separate it from the area’s usual breakfast, lunch and brunch fare. The setting can be described similarly - sophisticated, yet approachable, with white linen napkins on reclaimed wood tables, and chairs covered in signature Cocoa Michelle blue fabric, it’s an equally comfortable setting for a business meeting, lunch with friends, or brunch with the family. Read More
NOLA Oyster Bar Temporarily Closed - To Re-Open in April Restaurant Norwalk SONO Seafood CTbites Team February 09, 2014 For our readers who are calling to reserve a table at NOLA Oyster Bar to enjoy the fantastic cuisine of Chef Dan Kardos, please have a little patience. The restaurant is temporarily closed. Over the last few months Kardos has been overseeing the cuisine at both NOLA and Local Kitchen and Beer Bar in Fairfield. Given the rapid success and crowds that flock to Local, the decision was made to modify the menu and focus at NOLA to more align with Local. According to Kardos, “Our new Fairfield restaurant has been silly busy. We're going to make NOLA more like that.” With Kardos guiding the cuisine it should be another exciting new culinary adventure. With the anticipated re-opening scheduled in a couple of months, stay tuned as CTbites follows these changes at NOLA Oyster Bar. Read More
