Learn Truffle Making from Master Chocolatier Fritz Knipschildt @ Clarke, Nov 13th Cooking Classes CTbites Team November 06, 2014 A Rare Opportunity to Learn Truffle Making from the Master! When Master Chocolatier Fritz Knipschildt opened his artisan chocolate business, Gourmet magazine named his mouth-watering classic truffle, "One of the Top Three Truffles in the World!" He is truly a master and you can learn his sweet secrets on Thursday, November 13th at 6PM at Clarke, New England's Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen, right in South Norwalk in a class called, "World's Finest Truffles." In this hands-on class, you will work side-by-side with Fritz to create his award-winning truffles. You will discover the secrets of the ingredients and participate in creating the creamy ganache. Learn why 71% Ecuadorian single-bean dark chocolate is the key to this delightful treat and experience the delicious changes you can create by adding herbs and spices to the ganache and cocoa powder. You'll taste as you go and enjoy a glass or two of Fritz's favorite wine while you prepare these heavenly treats. And, of course, you'll take home samples and the recipe to allow you to create these for your family and friends! Read More
Play With Your Food Gala Benefit November 15th CTbites Team November 06, 2014 Now in its 13th Season, Play With Your Food, the popular lunchtime play series in Westport, Fairfield and Greenwich is hosting a Gala Benefit on Saturday November 15th. The non-profit arts organization, Jib Productions, Inc., has lined up an entertaining evening filled with food, cocktails, and a specially created performance selected for the evening by Artistic Director Carole Schweid. Special dining stations and passed hors d’oeuvres will be presented by over 15 local restaurants including Blue Lemon, Da Pietro’s , Terrain, Tierra, Garelick & Herbs, Matsu Sushi, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Isabelle & Vincent, Oscar's, Mario's, Black Duck, The Pantry, RolyPoly, Safita, Spic'nSpan, Tutti's...and more Read More
CT Beer Week Recap, Part 1: Two Roads Brewing & Cask Republic Talk Beer & Eat Good Food Restaurant Beer Dinner CT Beer Stamford Beer James Gribbon November 05, 2014 Sometimes, when it comes to beer, I envy starfish. Nature can tear the humble sea star in half and it just returns with backup, like a teeny Lernaean Hydra. The creature that is "Connecticut Beer Week" underwent a similar duplication for 2014 - with one week in May and another in October - and, after trying to be everywhere at once, I failed, regenerated, and present the first in this three part recap. Starfish likewise have the remarkable ability to turn inside out to eat. I like to think this would give them infinite eating capacity, which would be handy at your average multi-course beer pairing dinner. Fittingly, beer pairing events with Two Roads appear to be binate: the first of which was held at The Cask Republic in Stamford to kick off Connecticut Beer Week: The Revenge, this October.The hosts for the night were Two Roads Brewmaster Phil Markowski, who was debuting his Unothrodox Russian Imperial Stout, and Executive Chef Carl Carrion, whom I've mentioned before. Read More
Chef Michael White Opening Campagna at Bedford Post Inn Restaurant Bedford Celebrity Chef Hotel Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger November 05, 2014 News from Campagna Restaurant at the Bedford Post Inn...it is partnering with the Altamarea Group and Michelin-starred Chef Michael White. Joining Chef White at Campagna are Executive Chef PJ Calapa, the former chef of Ai Fiori and Costata and Chef di Cuisine Devin Bozkaya, whose experience includes the outstanding Inn at Little Washington in Virginia. The upscale sister to The Barn, the menu will focus on Chef White’s world renowned Italian cuisine with a few American twists to adhere to the surroundings of the 19th Century Bedford Post Inn. The menu features incredible options including pork shoulder ravioli with cacio e pepe; risotto with Barolo, short rib, and bone marrow; pan seared halibut with sunchokes, caponata, artichokes and salsa verde and a filet of beef with bone marrow crust, pomme puree and porcini sugo. Campagna at the Bedford Post Inn 954 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY 914-234-6386 Read More
Tikkaway Grill Opens Second Location in New Haven Restaurant New Haven Indian Amy Kundrat November 04, 2014 Tikkaway has opened a second location at 2 Howe Street in New Haven, in addition to their original location at 135 Orange Street, serving the same fast casual and healthy Indian menu. This article was originally posted on September 1, 2013. Enjoy! There is a movement underway in New Haven that may change the way Americans view Indian food. Often the domain of full-service restaurants, Indian cuisine has yet to enter the category of ‘fast casual.’ This scarcity is what some would call an opportunity. Tikkaway Grill is the brainchild of businessman Gopinath (Gopi) Nair, a chef with the rare combination of a culinary degree and an MBA. Gopi may be a familiar face to Indian food lovers in Fairfield County as a former managing partner of Coromandel, spending much of his time in its South Norwalk location. His passion for Indian cuisine, combined with an unfailing dedication to customer service, has inspired Tikkaway’s central tenants--a fresh, healthy, and informal take on Indian food. A pared down menu, casual setting and approachable price point, seeks to demystify while at the same time celebrating, the south asian spice-loving cuisine for the masses. Read More
Winter Market & Food Truck Night Pops Up @ Sugar & Olives Christy Colasurdo November 04, 2014 If you love local, there’s a novel new way to get your fix this fall/winter at Sugar & Olives in Norwalk (21 ½ Lois St. 2-3 454 FOOD). It’s called FARMS AND A MARKET, and the first one pops up Friday, November 7 from 3-7 p.m. This indoor, rain-or-shine market/outing will run every Friday through February (except after Thanksgiving Christmas and New Year’s), offering locally produced edibles, including milk, eggs, cheese, honey flour, grains, produce and meats. You can stock up on staples, and stick around for a cocktail, a snack or and supper, or grab and go from that week’s food truck and take it home for dinner. When the first Market rolls out, you’ll find fresh produce eggs and meat from Starlight Gardens in Durham CT and Snow Hill Farm in North Salem, NY, both Certified Organic Farms that follow NOFA practices (no GMOS, no pesticides, no antibiotics, and ethical practices). The Market will also have fresh Arethusa Milk on hand, locally milled flour from Wild Hive Farm in Clinton Corners, NY, Red Bee Honey (Weston), Brookside Farm maple syrup (Litchfield), and cheese, glorious cheese, from select local cheesemakers. Read More
Green & Tonic Expands Their Plant Based Dine On-The-Go Empire Restaurant Going Green Juice Cleanse healthy Vegan CTbites Team November 03, 2014 Owners Jeffrey and Cai Pandolfino have taken Green & Tonic from a delivery service to a plant-based dine on-the-go favorite with three Fairfield County locations and now a fourth location in downtown New Canaan location at 5 Burtis Avenue. Green & Tonic will offer their unique brand of organic cold-pressed juices, nutritional cleanse programs, meal plans, superfood smoothies, as well as a full menu of prepared foods including salads, side salads, wraps and soups all made fresh daily. The New Canaan store will also debut the new expanded breakfast menu, healthy kid-friendly snacks and a new store design. Green & Tonic hopes to engage the community in discussions about health & wellness "healthy happy hours", bringing in health professionals to address topics like nutrition strategies, natural remedies, sports nutrition, children’s health, and integrative health therapies. Read More
The Goose in Darien Delivers a Pretty Tasty Bar Burger Restaurant Burgers Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger November 02, 2014 I am constantly asked when the subject turns to burgers... “Have you tried The Goose…have you tried The Goose…have you tried The Goose?” With all of that positive energy guiding me to downtown Darien and a plaque commemorating The Goose’s “2014 Best of...” greeting me as I approached the front door...my hopes were pretty high that The Goose's burger would knock my socks off. I decided to grab one of the high top tables in the bar. The bar area had a fantastic vibe with its high top tables in front of a long wood bar that dominated the entire length of the room, behind the bar a full wall displaying a wide array of liquors, and TV’s airing ESPN, Sports World, Baseball World, all things wood and sports, a great pub feel. The menu included two beef burgers; the basic BLACK ANGUS BURGER, where you can build your own combination, and THE GOOSE BURGER, which included bacon, blue cheese, crispy onions and horseradish cream (definitely a pub-creation). Read More
2014 Guide To Local & Heritage Thanksgiving Turkeys via FGFG CTbites Team November 02, 2014 Thanksgiving is around the corner and it’s time to order local and heritage turkeys. Pasture-raised turkeys from local farms, especially rare, heritage breeds, are highly coveted and in short supply, so it’s important to place your order right away to avoid disappointment. While heritage breed turkeys are considerably more expensive than Broad-Breasted Whites, the once-yearly splurge is worth it when your family and guests tell you it’s the most flavorful turkey they’ve ever tasted. Almost all the turkeys grown in the US are Broad-Breasted White, an industrial breed created with the singular goal of producing a bird with more white meat that matures as quickly as possible. Although these birds don’t taste like much when grown in confinement on commercial farms, they have become so popular that other breeds of turkeys nearly became extinct. Fairfield Green Food Guide has The Complete 2014 Guide To Local & Heritage Thanksgiving Turkeys Read More
Recap: Mecha Noodle Bar + Walrus & Carpenter Team Up for Bo Ssäm Dinner Stephanie Webster November 02, 2014 This past Thursday night, Mecha Noodle Bar and Walrus & Carpenter in Bridgeport teamed up for an evening of smoked meat, ramen, sake and Bruce Lee films as they threw down a traditional Bo Ssäm Dinner. What is Bo Ssam you ask? Ssäm is Korean for enclosed or wrapped, and Bo Ssäm is a meal of slow cooked pork shoulder wrapped in greens (often Bibb lettuce), topped with an oyster, sticky rice, Korean bbq sauce, and kimchi. Tony Pham of Mecha took it a few steps further and threw in Pork Belly w/ Thai Chile Cornbread, Ramen topped with both brisket and pork, Scallion Pancakes, as well as "Deviled Onsen Tamago (eggs)" with..yes...you guessed it.. BACON, kimchi, and fermented seaweed. 30 guests thought they had died and gone to heaven in the belly of a pig. The theme revolved around the 70's cult action films of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, so moustaches and ninja attire were donned. The photos really say it all, but we look forward to anything these guys collaborate on in the future. Read More
Tarry Lodge New Haven Opens this Weekend Restaurant New Haven Take Out Pizza CTbites Team October 31, 2014 Tarry Lodge opens their newest outpost in New Haven this weekend and will be participating in New Haven's restaurant week beginning on Sunday. Tarry Lodge New Haven is located at 278 Park Street in New Haven. The Yale Daily News reported its opening today, noting its smaller footprint and more student-friendly focus: Read More
Weekly Nibble: James Beard Awards, Cooking Classes, Meatball Challenge + More Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 31, 2014 New Haven Restaurant Week lasts from Sunday November 2- Friday November 7. Enjoy $18 lunch and $32 dinner prix fixe menus from 36 of New Haven’s most popular restaurants, including Oaxaca Kitchen, Thali, Zinc, and more. Monday November 3, Barcelona Fairfield invites you to a “Basic Knife Techniques & Tapas Class.” Chef Ian will teach you to prepare food in an efficient yet safe way. Then, use the techniques you’ve learned to make tapas. $30 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Please bring your knives. To make a reservation, please call 203.255.0800. Also on Nov 3, Napa & Co celebrates its 8th year with a special 4 course $65 prix fixe dinner on Friday & Saturday nights. You can also try it with wine pairings for $80. The first-ever Meatball Challenge of New Haven County will take place on November 5 from 6 to 9 pm and will feature some of New Haven County's favorite restaurants including Barcelona Wine Bar, Cask Republic, Consiglio’s, Home, Have a Ball, Gateway Community College, Melt Mobile, and Thali. A portion of the net proceeds will be donated to the Hospitality Management Program at Gateway Community College. Also on Wednesday November 5, Tutto Pasta partners with Harry’s Wine & Liquor for “Fresh Pasta Plus More, & Italian Wine . . . Bellissima!” Read More
CT Food Bank's Thanksgiving Virtual Food Drive Stephanie Webster October 30, 2014 CT Food Bank is getting a jump on the holiday this year, as the need for Thanksgiving meals will be at an all-time high. That's why Connecticut Food Bank has started a Thanksgiving Early Bird "virtual" food drive. Please help them ensure that no one goes without a holiday meal this year. Last year with everyone's help, we were able to provide nearly 600,000 meals for people in need of food assistance. With just a $10 donation, you can feed a person for an entire week! This year, they anticipate an unprecedented need, as demand on our food-assistance network is continuing to rise. In Connecticut, there are nearly 500,000 people who are struggling with hunger, and one in five children in Connecticut doesn't always know where their next meal is coming from. Can you help make sure no one goes without a holiday meal this year? Read More
1st ever Greenwich Restaurant Week 2014 CTbites Team October 30, 2014 Plans for the inaugural Greenwich Restaurant Week (GRW) have been announced with events taking place from Nov. 12th through Nov. 19th. Foodies will enjoy a week of delicious food and drinks from the finest restaurants in Greenwich. Throughout the week, 35 Greenwich restaurants will be offering dining specials. There will be special events taking place at participating restaurants throughout the week including wine tastings, corporate dinners, cocktail parties and menu tastings. Participating restaurants include: Applausi, Beach House Café, Bella Nonna, Bistro Latino, Bistro Versailles & Patisserie, Blackstones, Bobby Q's, Char Restaurant, Coast Seafood Restaurant, Crew, Douro Restaurant, Eatalian, Elm Street Oyster House, Famous Greek Kitchen, Gabriele's Italian Steakhouse, Gingerman, Golden View Firenze, Harvest, Le Penguin, l'escale, Leafline Salad Co., Little Luigis Pizza, Little Pub, Mark’s Quality Meats & Gourmet Seafood, Mediterraneo, Morello Italian Bistro, Organic Planet, Polpo Restaurant and Saloon, Sweet Peas Baking Company, Tengda, Terra, The Cos Cobber, The Drawing Room, The Jhouse Restaurant and The Mumbai Times. The events planned are as follows: Read More
Game Dinner @ Bar Sugo in Norwalk: Rabbit, Quail, Deer, Boar + More CTbites Team October 29, 2014 View Complete Game Dinner Menu Below: Pomegranate Glazed Quail- carrot puree, baby carrots, pumpkin seeds, lime crema Chicken Fried Rabbit- blue cheese, pickled celery, smoked Salt Homemade Cavatelli- duck ragu, olives, arugula, black pepper, fig compote Wild Boar Meatballs- bacon jam, ricotta, pickled pink peppercorns Pheasant alla Milanese- patti’s lettuce, marinated red onion, oven roasted tomatoes, black truffle, shaved pecorino crotonese Roasted Venison Loin- broccoli rabe, chorizo, heirloom potatoes, fiore di latte, burnt honey, toasted farro Read More
Sono Baking Company is Open in Darien: Breakfast, Lunch & To-Go Restaurant Bakery Darien Prepared Food Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Dessert Stephanie Webster October 29, 2014 Sono Baking Company is officially open for business at their new Darien outpost. Guests can drop in and sample John Barricelli’s expansive baked goods menu, or sit down after ordering counter side and dig into both breakfast and lunch. I know what you’re thinking…yes, he remembered the espresso machine. Excited? We are. Conveniently located on 49 Tokeneke Road right across from the Darien train station, Sono Baking Co. is the perfect spot to grab an impeccably baked croissant or egg sandwich and a quick latte on the way to the train. Open 7AM to 7PM, this beautiful sun soaked interior also offers guests comfortable seating where one can relax and order from their menu of soups, paninis, quiche or special weekend pancakes. Read More
New Haven Restaurant Week: November 2 - 7, 2014 Features Restaurant Week New Haven CTbites Team October 28, 2014 The semiannual New Haven Restaurant Week kicks-off on Sunday, November 2 and runs through Saturday, November 7, 2014 featuring prix fixe 3 course menus for lunch and dinner, $18 and $32 respectively, at 36 restaurants at last count. Participating restaurants include, 116 Crown, Barcelona Wine Bar, Caseus, Heirloom, L'Orcio, Oaxaca Kitchen, and Roia. For information on participating restaurants and menus, visit: http://infonewhaven.com/restaurantweek Read More
Hana Tokyo Opens in Fairfield CT @ The Brick Walk Restaurant Asian Fairfield Japanese kids activity Sushi Kid Friendly Jessica Ryan October 28, 2014 Hana Tokyo opened in Fairfield’s Brick Walk Plaza just a few weeks ago, and locals seem to be embracing the new restaurant with open arms. Owner Alan Wu recently relocated from Alexandria, Virginia to be closer to his family. Born and raised in China, he came to the US in his mid-20s and landed in New York City where he immersed himself in the world of gourmet sushi, learning everything possible about the trade. In 2002 he opened the original Hana Tokyo and after 13 successful years as the busiest Japanese restaurant in town, Wu and his restaurant now come to us. Wu prides himself on using only the freshest available ingredients, making everything in-house, and offering unparalleled service. The new restaurant (which many will recognize as the former Tomba) has a contemporary, earthy feel. As one enters the restaurant, a large mural of a Japanese woman in a kimono, painted by renowned local artist, Suzanne Bellehumeur, greets you as you enter the facility and a small sushi bar constructed from reclaimed wood is to the right. Contemporary and traditional Japanese décor are combined to give the space a look that is modern yet traditional. The main dining area has 8 hibachi tables, a sushi bar, a lounge, plus 20 outside seats. Read More
Guide To Great Caterers in Fairfield County: Holiday Catering Made Easy Features Catering Entertaining Special Dietary Needs April Guilbault October 26, 2014 A stack of gifts. Cards with cute holiday stamps. Family parties. Work parties. Kids’ parties. Cocktail parties. Concerts. Shopping. Even more shopping. And now you want me to host a party of my own or host eighteen relatives?? Your holiday to-do list is quickly making the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” look like a lullaby with all the items that are mentioned-that partridge atop that pear tree has nothin’ on you and your list. So...save yourself some gray hairs and a freak-out by booking one of these delightful, highly capable, and creative caterers to take over the food-portion of your entertaining obligations this season. They will do you proud and you can actually relax and enjoy an evening before you have to wrap that 200th gift. And with that, may there be peace on earth. + CTbites readers get special discounts. See below. Here is our Guide To 9 Great Caterers in Fairfield County: Read More
Geoffrey Zakarian Eyeing Greenwich Location...As Reported by NYPost.com CTbites Team October 25, 2014 Zakarian @ The CTbites Blogger Lounge at Greenwich Wine+Food Fest 2014As reported on NYPost.com..... Chef Geoffrey Zakarian is eyeing an expansion to Greenwich, Conn., in 2015. The Lambs Club and “Iron Chef America” toque hosted VIPs to preview the Palm Court — which he’s relaunched at the Plaza Hotel in a space designed by Thierry Despont that includes a new afternoon tea menu. Spotted surveying the new setup were fellow chefs Bobby Flay, Marc Murphy, Anne Burrell and Marcus Samuelsson. A spy said Zakarian was overheard telling friends and colleagues about expanding to Greenwich next year. A foodie boomlet’s been going on in Fairfield County, with restaurants including Bill Taibe’s the Whelk and Antoine Blech and Anshu Vidyarthi’s popular Le Penguin. Read More
