Filtering by Tag: Chef Talk,Juice Bar

An Evening with Mark Bittman at Yale on October 6

Restaurant Author Chef Talk

Amy Kundrat

Photo c/o MarkBittman.comMark Bomford, Director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project will lead a conversation with author and New York Times columnist Mark Bittman on October 8, 2014 from 6 to 7 pm. The talk will take place at Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona, 1 Prospect Street in New Haven. This event is hosted by the Yale Sustainable Food Program.

The talk is being hosted in conjunction with the release of his new book, How to Cook Everything Fast: A Better Way to Cook Great Food, Bittman is speaking at Yale and will be on-hand following the talk to sign books.  


CTbites Chef Demo Tent Lineup @ Westport's Blues & BBQ Festival

BBQ Chef Talk

CTbites Team

Listen up food lovers. CTbites has rounded up some of the area's top chefs for two full afternoons of live cooking demonstrations, recipe tasting and general good times. 

On Saturday, August 30th & Sunday August 31st from 11:00-3:30pm come on down to Westport's Blues Views & BBQ Festival to meet:

Chef Matt Storch of Match; Chef Jon Vaast of Walrus + Carpenter; Chef Chaz Mazas of Mama’s Boy; Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro's; Mark Hepperman of Saugatuck Craft Butchery;  Carlos Baez of The Spread; Chef Ian Kokkeler of Barcelona FFLD; Fjord Fish Market; and Matsu Sushi's owner Paul Teoh.

Come get schooled while you enjoy samples from 9 talented local chefs View the full schedule below...  


Scallop Crudo Recipe from Chef Arik Bensimon

Features Chef Talk Seafood Recipe

CTbites Team

Chef Arik Bensimon of Le Farm wil be the guest chef at The Westport Farmers' Market on August 14th. Chef Arik will be be demo-ing and serving up his Scallop Crudo with Buttermilk, Yuzu, Beets, Cucumber & Peanuts.

Scallop Crudo recipe can be found below.

Chef Bensimon began his career at the age of 11 in his family’s restaurant in NYC. After culinary school he worked at renown restaurants such as Le Cirque, Picholine and La Panetiere. In 2009 Arik came to Connecticut as the executive chef of Napa & Co., then opened The Spread in Sono, and in 2013, he joined the team of LeFarm as Chef de Cuisine.  


Celebrate National Oyster Day! Talking Mollusks w/ Chef Lazlo of The Whelk

Ingredients Restaurant Chef Talk Seafood

ellen bowen

FACT:  The President of the United States, the Senate, and some state legislatures, governors and mayors have the authority to declare a commemorative event or day by proclamation. Petitions are introduced by constituents or trade associations to honor industries, events, professions, hobbies...AND FOOD!  After the observance day is authorized, it is the petitioner's responsibility to promote to the public. CTbites was not the petitioner, but is excited to promote National Oyster Day on Tuesday, August 5th...a day eagerly awaited by mollusk lovers throughout CT.

Today, iced cold oysters are the perfect summer food...high in protein and low in calories. There are over 150 varieties of oysters, but only five species, each traditionally named after the body of water or bay where they are grown. Varieties are known by a myriad of names such as Wellfleets, Blue Points, Kumamoto and Kuushi. The flavor varies by the conditions or Terroir they are grown in; rocky soil, tidal or brackish water, etc. with the Northeast areas of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine providing some of the most delicious and accessible oysters

CTbites sat with Chef Geoff Lazlo of The Whelk on a sunny summer afternoon to sample some of these delicious delicacies while receiving an education about choosing and enjoying oysters. Lesson #1: tasting oysters is akin to sampling wine. Connoisseurs discuss the salinity and complexity of each oyster, the finish, the hints of melon or cucumber, and of course the juice, aptly named the “liquor.”


Barcelona Fairfield Welcomes New Executive Chef Ian Kokkeler

Restaurant Chef Talk

Amy Kundrat and Stephanie Webster

Barcelona in Fairfield has welcomed new executive chef Ian Kokkeler, with previous chef Helton DaSilva relocating south to man the restaurant groups second busiest restaurant in Atlanta.

Kokkeler hails from Austin, where he spent the last several years as executive chef as some of that city’s most well known restaurants including Uchi, Congress and the W Hotel in Austin He spent 7 years at Uchi, a Japanese restaurant, where plating and precision called upon his talents as an artist.

"I am artistic, and here at Barcelona we are rustic. I hope to blend these two with my plating style. As an artist, I like to paint and sculpt, and that translates well to cooking," said Kokkeler during our visit to Barcelona during his first full week on the job.

 


Burger Alert: The Spread "Cheeseburger"- Best Bar Burger in FFD CTY?

Restaurant Chef Talk Norwalk Comfort Food Burgers

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

Executive Chef Carlos Baez assumed the helm of The Spread in SONO a year ago and the menu now completely reflects his vision of flavor and textural combinations. After a movie we decided to enjoy some of his light bites, and when they asked if I would like to try his new burger combination, I quickly agreed.

Chef Baez's "CHEESEBURGER" starts his fantastic combination with a large patty of grass-fed Kobe beef. He melts a few slices of a mild white Cheddar cheese over the patty and then tops the cheese-covered patty with house-made pickled jalapeño peppers, a few slices of crispy bacon, a little shreaded lettuce, a swath of spicy mayo, all encased in a sesame seed bun. The meat was loosely compressed to maintain its medium grind, and the cheese was a delightfully smooth addition. These two ingredients, alone, would have created a fantastic cheeseburger, but Chef Baez elevated the flavors and achieved a perfect balance of salty-spicy-sour with the pickled jalapeño peppers complemented by the bacon. The addition of the spicy mayo was a great finish. The bun was mild in flavor and did not fight with any of the other flavors. This was one great burger.


"Crudo 3 Ways" Recipes From Match Restauran

Features Chef Talk Seafood Recipe

CTbites Team

Show up Thursday July 24th at The Westport Farmers' Market @11AM and learn how to make killer Crudo 3 Ways! Chef Matt Storch will be schooling market go-ers and giving out samples. 

If you'd like to make Matt Storch's Crudo Recipe at home, please find the recipe below. 

Match Crudo Recipe

1lb of your favorite fish to eat raw (Tuna, Hamachi, Fluke, Bass or Maybe Salmon)

1/4C of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 Cloves of Garlic

Pinch of Maldon Salt

Pinch of Cracked Black Pepper

1 Bunch of Basil


Summer Grilling Tips from Saugatuck Craft Butchery

Ingredients Features Butcher Chef Talk Education Grilling

Ryan Fibiger

Craft Butchery is an old-fashioned shop with modern-day ideals (not to mention beautiful new digs). It carries only pasture-raised, organic meat from small farms located within a 150-mile radius of Westport. They sell premium beef, pork, lamb and poultry from animals that have never been given antibiotics, hormones, steroids or animal by-products. These guys know a thing or two...or three...(well, actually Ryan has 5 tips here), about grilling. 

Owner and head butcher Ryan Fibiger helps us make the most of his offerings with tips on grilling perfectly.

1. Keep it simple. When it comes to grilling high-quality, pasture-raised meats, less is more. Stick with just a salt rub on our steaks and burgers. Pepper, garlic, spice rubs and oils can burn, so use only if you’re cooking at a lower temperature.


Scafata Recipe from BONDA Restaurant

Features Chef Talk Recipe

CTbites Team

BONDA prides itself on always using the finest and freshest ingredients – and local, when available. On June 19th, Chef Jamie will be demo'ing & serving his beautiful recipe for Scafata (recipe can be found below), highlighting a medly of seasonal vegetables. 

Last season Jamie procured many vegetables at Westport Farmers’ Market - primarily from Sport Hill Farm and Fort Hill Farm. He often drives directly to Sport Hill Farm throughout the week as it is about just as far from his restaurant as the Westport Market - and open every day! Jamie also frequents the weekly Greenfield Hill Farmers’ Market outside BONDA's doorstep (every Saturday during the Summer). 

Every spring Jamie picks his own ramps at his secret spots and this year was a banner ramp season! To extend the season Jamie is pickling his own ramps and pureeing and freezing the greens for future use. Most recently a friend has opened up his organic garden to Jamie and lucky diners have been enjoying a variety of beautiful lettuces.


Rhubarb Compote Recipe from Sugar & Olives

Features Chef Talk Farmers Market Recipe

CTbites Team

SUGAR & OLIVES will be the guest at The Westport Farmers' Market THIS Thursday May 29th. SUGAR & OLIVES is devoted to serving wholesome, healthy and happy {LOCAL} food. If it's grown in CT, then it's served up at Sugar & Olives.

SUGAR & OLIVES will demo-ing and serving up recipes for RHUBARB COMPOTE & PICKLED RAMPS (view complete recipes below) as well as providing rhubarb lemonade. Chef Jon Vaast and Jenn Balin will also discuss the many uses for these ingredients like ramp and rhubarb chutney, rhubarb tom collins, ramp martini, & ramp butter. 

SUGAR & OLIVES always strives to educate and cultivate its diners. A recent addition to the lineup at S&O is Jon Vaast, former executive chef of the Dressing Room Restaurant. We look forward to seeing him at the market. 


Westport Barnes & Noble Book Signing May 17th: Come Meet Amy & Stephanie

Chef Talk Cookbooks Local Artisan

Stephanie Webster

We hate to shamelessly promote ourselves, but we would be remiss if we failed to mention our upcoming book signing at Westport Barnes & Noble on May 17th.

Come meet CTbites Founders, Amy Kundrat and Stephanie Webster @ Barnes & Noble in Westport on Saturday, May 17th @ 1PM. 

If you haven't heard the news, check out our post on our recently published book featuring over 50 of the best restaurants and chefs in Fairfield County.

BONUS: Chef Jon Vaast from Sugar & Olives will be with us serving up their recipe from the book.  


10 Questions for Jeffrey Lizotte of Hartford's ON20

Restaurant Hartford Chef Talk

Amy Kundrat

Chef Jeffrey Lizotte is the executive chef of Hartford's acclaimed ON20 restaurant and Connecticut’s only nominee for FOOD & WINE’s annual People’s Best New Chef award [you can vote online through March 31 at 5 pm].

A Connecticut native, Lizotte has been executive chef of ON20 since 2012. A graduate of Cornell's School of Hotel Administration, Jeffrey has worked under chefs David Bouley and Eric Ripert, and completed stages in France at the acclaimed La Tupina in Bordeaux, and the two Michelin-starred La Bastide St. Antoine in Grasse, France. In 2009, Lizotte returned to the nutmeg state as Chef de Cuisine at ON20, becoming executive chef in 2012. The same year, he earned a silver medal at the Bocuse D’Or USA and was awarded Valhrona Best Pastry while representing the U.S in the international culinary competition Trophee Passion.

A talented Connecticut chef, CTbites invited Lizotte to participate in our '10 Questions' column to understand what makes him tick as a chef both inside and outside of the kitchen.  

If you had unexpected guests arriving at your home for dinner in 1 hour, what would you whip up? 

Pasta Carbonara – everyone likes a good pasta dish. It is simple and one of my favorites.

What is the last dish you cooked for yourself? 

 


NyHaven in New Haven: A New Nordic Pop-Up

Restaurant Chef Talk New Nordic Underground Dinner New Haven

Amy Kundrat and Stephanie Webster

NyHaven, a one-time pop-up new Nordic dinner in New Haven on March 3, blew away a couple dozen diners lucky enough to purchase seats to the 15-course dining experience showcasing some of the most daring and inventive food in Connecticut. Conceived by Chef Simon Marcell Davidsen with fellow Community Table chef Tommy Juliano, they teamed up with John Ginnetti of 116 Crown, who not only generously offered the kitchen and dining space for NyHaven, but also paired each snack and course with an appropriate "cocktail."

An indelible evening marked by a provocative menu, curious cocktails, and a house filled with appreciate gourmands, we attempted to capture the meal in not just words, but an interview with Chef Simon Marcel Davidsen, photos of each course, and 116 Crown's video of the NyHaven experience:


Da Pietro's Chef Pietro Scotti Talks About 25 Years in Westport

Restaurant Chef Talk French Italian Westport Lunch

ellen bowen

Chef Pietro Scotti…on 25 years in Westport!

On the day after Michel Nischan sadly announced the closing of The Dressing Room, I was sitting in the cozy dining room off the kitchen of Chef Pietro Scotti’s home talking with Pietro and his wife, Janine, about the changes in the restaurant scene and in particular dining in Fairfield County.  

An anchor in Westport for over 25 years, Da Pietro’s Restaurant on Riverside Ave was one of the first “fine dining” establishments in Fairfield County, and immediately become popular as the “go to” place for special occasions and romantic dinners.  Reviewed as “Perfection ” by The New York Times and  “Excellent” by Wine Spectator, the intimate 25 seat restaurant specializes in fresh pastas, creative starters and hearty and seasonal entrees.  

Pietro, known for his big smile, warm personality, and unfailing generosity to local community events and causes, has helmed Da Pietro’s since the beginning and can still be found in the tiny restaurant kitchen every day during both lunch and dinner.   


The Spread's Poblano & Corn Chowder with Fresh Crabmeat

Features Chef Talk Entertaining Recipe Comfort Food

CTbites Team

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. 


Le Farm's Signature Dish: Chef Arik Bensimon & Bill Taibe Talk Poutine

Restaurant Chef Talk Westport

Lou Gorfain

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.  


Ny Haven: A Nordic Inspired Pop-up with Chefs Marcell Davidsen & Tommy Juliano at 116 Crown

Restaurant Chef Talk Underground Dinner

Amy Kundrat

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."


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

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! 


"My Signature Dish," Chef Jodi Bernhard of Fortina in Armonk

Restaurant Armonk Chef Talk Italian My Signature Dish

Lou Gorfain

"My Signature Dish" is a new CTbites column featuring a rotating cast of chefs, and the dishes that define their cooking style, or simply make them happy to fire up the stove. 

Jodi Bernhard hardly hesitated when choosing her signature dish at Fortina, Christian Petroni’s "casually hip" Italian restaurant in Armonk.  Her eyes gleaming, she said, "It's our Pork Braciole." Braciole, hip? 

If you grew up Italian, you probably hold memories of Braciole near and dear.  This classic rolled, stuffed meat roast, usually serves as centerpiece for those sprawling homemade Italian dinners that lazily linger across Sunday afternoons into evening.  Braciole invokes home.  And family.   Instant Nostalgia.

Ok, so how does a chef modernize a memory?  Autograph a treasured family photo? 

“That is the gist of our approach at Fortina,” Jodi explained. “ We try to not stray too far from ‘mom's’ version, but still make it a restaurant dish with our stamp on it.  We are true to simplicity and flavor.”

The notion of putting  “Mom’s dish” on Fortina’s playful, hip menu was Christian’s, one of the restaurant’s owners.  (Patroni and and Jodi once cooked together at Barcelona in nearby Greenwich.) Though she and Christian work as collaborators, the task of “restaurantizing” this homey meal was largely up to Bernhard.  


CTbites Speaks With Lidia Bastianich

Ingredients Interview Features Celebrity Chef Chef Talk Cookbooks Italian

Lou Gorfain

Like Oprah or Madonna in pop culture, Lidia is one-name-famous to foodies,  a television star  (Lidia's Italy -- PBS), renowned restaurateur (Felidia, Eataly, Delposto, Becco), a worldwide brand  (Lidia's Sauces and Pasta), bestselling author (Lidia’s Commonsense Guide to Italian Cooking is her latest), mom, grandmother, whew,  one name so many roles. 

So CTBites was delighted that Lidia carved out time from her hectic schedule to chat with us prior to her book signing this Saturday at Stamford's Fairway Market (details below.)

Incidentally, Lidia is no stranger to Connecticut.  Her son Joe and his family live in Greenwich, she tapes her PBS show in Norwalk, and of course the Bastianich clan is associated with Tarry Lodge in both Westport and Port Chester. 

We began the conversation, wondering what Lidia the little girl would think if she could peer into a crystal ball and see the famous Lidia of today.   

“When I was nine years old we had fled from Communist Yugoslavia and my family was in a refugee camp,” she told us, “I think that little girl, her mouth would be open at what I’ve accomplished.”   Then Lidia thought about that youngster for a moment and resolutely stated, “But you know, I always had confidence I was going to amount to something   And food was so very important to me, because we didn’t have much.”