CT NOFA to Host Organic Hop Workshop on Dec.11th Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger November 27, 2014 On December 11, join the Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (“NOFA”) for a relaxing evening where guests can enjoy a beer or soft drink, unwind, talk about this past season, and learn the full brew cycle of their favorite local beers from the hop yard to the pint glass. Named as one of the "5 Connecticut Craft Beer Events You Don’t Want to Miss" by Connecticut Magazine, "It might just be the only Connecticut event where aspiring farm-to-barrel brewers can learn some of the tricks of the trade. Sustainable agriculture never tasted so good." Read More
Cast Iron Roasted Fruits & Vegetables Recipe from Chef Arik of Le Farm Features Thanksgiving healthy Recipe CTbites Team November 26, 2014 Arik Bensimon, Chef de Cuisine at Le Farm, has always been an innovator when it comes to cooking. His roots run deep with French technique, but the ingredients always come first. We liked the simplicity and deconstructed quality of his Thanksgiving side dish. Not only is the recipe absolutely beautiful but it preserves and highlights the integrity of the seasonal ingredients. Enjoy Chef Arik's recipe for Cast Iron Roasted Fruits & Vegetables. Read More
Roasted Butternut Squash & Bosc Pear Soup Recipe from The Spread in SoNo Features Holiday Soups Thanksgiving healthy Recipe CTbites Team November 25, 2014 It's not too late to run to the store and pick up some Butternut squash for this incredibly delicious recipe created by Carlos Baez of The Spread in SoNo. This one is sure to be a keeper. When your guests are sighing with delight, please feel free to thank us. Enjoy this recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash and Bosc Pear Soup. Roasted Butternut Squash & Bosc Pear Soup 1 Butternut Squash, cut in half and seeded 1 Tsp Kosher Salt, divided ½ Tsp Black Pepper Read More
Down Home Apple Crisp Recipe from Mama's Boy in Sono Features Holiday Thanksgiving Recipe Dessert CTbites Team November 25, 2014 You really can never have too much dessert...especially when it involves warm fruit. Grab yourself some apples and try out this recipe from Chef Chaz Mazas of Mama's Boy Southern Table & Refuge in Sono. Mama's Apple Crisp never tasted so good! Read More
Brick + Wood: New Neapolitan Pizzeria & Wine Bar Opens in Fairfield Restaurant Fairfield Italian Pasta Pizza Wine Bar Take Out Christy Colasurdo November 23, 2014 You know how you “just know” when a new restaurant is going to be good? That’s the feeling you get in the first ten minutes at Brick + Wood, a new restaurant and wine bar in Fairfield’s Brick Walk Plaza on the site of the former Ponte Vecchio restaurant. When you make a great find like this, it’s a double-edged sword: You want to share it with friends, but at the same time keep it your secret a little longer. We decided to share. You’re welcome. On a recent lunch visit, as we perused the distressed-wood and worn-brick decor, an amuse bouche appeared out of nowhere—two crispy crostini topped with fluffy homemade ricotta, sautéed broccoli rabe and imported prosciutto—as if to say, “Let’s get this party started.” Read More
Chestnut Butter Bruschetta with Burrata, Kale or Arugula Recipe from Locali Pizza Bar Features Entertaining Thanksgiving Recipe CTbites Team November 23, 2014 As family and friends arrive, it's always a great idea to have a few nibbles ready for them to enjoy as the cooks in the kitchen place the final touches on the main courses. Many homes will be filled with the aroma of chestnut stuffing, so tantalize the taste buds with a delicious appetizer with a hidden ingredient, chestnut butter. Chef Mogan Anthony of Locali Pizza Bar + Kitchen shares his recipe for “Chestnut Butter Bruschetta with Burrata, Kale or Arugula” that pairs chestnut butter with greens and Burrata. Read More
Napa & Co.'s Maple-Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake Recipe Features Holiday Thanksgiving Recipe Dessert CTbites Team November 22, 2014 You’ve finished the turkey, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, sides galore, apple sauce, cranberry sauce, salads, cole slaw, and maybe a few glasses of cider, wine and beer. In the background, the football games are on the TVs and maybe a little jazz, rock or classical fills the air. It’s been a great Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family. So what’s next? Close your eyes and travel to the South and focus on one of their comfort food desserts, Bread Pudding. Chef Adam Truelove of Napa & Co. in Stamford was kind enough to share his version with CTbites, and he starts with a simple bread pudding and adds his special twists…bourbon, maple syrup and bananas. Here's Chef Truelove's recipe for Maple-Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake. Read More
Friday Froth: Beer Pairings For A Very Merry Thanksgiving Features CT Beer Thanksgiving Beer James Gribbon November 21, 2014 You can smash that wine bottle against a new ship's prow, because I'm drinking beer this Thanksgiving. I enjoy wine, but the waveform of my interest in it describes a gentle curve approaching zero on this particular day of the year. There's very little you can put on the table in late November that will get my personal circuits firing like a nice beer pairing.This week's Froth will be a selection of suggested beers for both Thanksgiving hosts and guests, presented in the order you may like them to appear during our country's great feast. I enjoy typing that word. Say it with me: "FEAST!" I wish I had a relative with an eight foot tall fireplace suitable for roasting an entire ox. I hope at least one of you reading this is going to attempt a feat of inadvisable open flame cookery next week. Bonus points if you have to bribe a child so they don't tell a spouse what you're doing. A quick note to begin: I wrote a Thanksgiving column back in 2011, and this new post is an update/overhaul. Read More
Weekly Nibble: Paella 101, Santa @ Stew's, Half Full Open House, Live Music & More Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 21, 2014 Monday November 24, taste 16 wines from award winning producers with Golden View Firenze in Greenwich. The evening also includes a 4 course dinner. It lasts from 6:45-9:15pm and costs $145 per person. Reservations are required. Usher in the holidays with Sunset Meadow Vineyards in Goshen, CT on Monday November 24 with omplimentary samples and appetizers while you visit the tasting room and gift shop. Wednesday November 26, Half Full holds its famous Open House. Receive a cup and stamp for $15 and enjoy drinks from the open taps. The brewery also has corn hole and life-sized Jenga. 5-8pm. Darien Social sandwiches Thanksgiving with 2 nights of live music. On Wednesday November 26, listen to Tangled Vines and on Friday November 28 enjoy the Fry Daddys. Both bands go on at 9pm. Several restaurants are open for Thanksgiving and offering special menus in honor of the occasion. Read More
Sage Infused Turkey w/ Pomegranate Juice & Chestnut Sausage Stuffing via South End Features Entertaining Holiday Thanksgiving Recipe CTbites Team November 21, 2014 One of the most important guests at any Thanksgiving table is the turkey. In our ongoing Thanksgiving recipe coverage, Nick Martschenko, Executive Chef at South End, New Canaan, has kindly shared his recipe for Sage Infused Turkey Basted w/ Pomegranate Juice & Chestnut Sausage Stuffing. Sure, anyone can toss a turkey in the oven, but Chef Martschenko has given his bird the love and attention it deserves. Check out his incredible recipe which will likely end up an annual tradition. Read More
Thanksgiving Recipes from The Chefs @ Westport Farmers' Mkt Features Chef Talk Farmers Market Thanksgiving Recipe Lori Cochran November 20, 2014 We, Westport Farmers’ Market, wanted to find a way to say thank you for the support our communities continue to provide us, so…… We have collaborated with the best of the best in Fairfield County to bring you a local, delicious and certainly special Thanksgiving menu. You might even say it is a celebrity chef Thanksgiving menu created just for WFM. We've gathered recipes from the likes of: Bill Taibe, Matt Storch, Mischel Nischan and so many more. View The Complete Recipe Guide Here & view the list of chefs below. Looking for the perfect recipe - heck, the perfect menu? Look no further! Each recipe will include a grocery list for Saturday's market at Gilbertie’s Herb Garden in Westport. Celebrity Chef Thanksgiving Menu Read More
Chocopologie Re-Opens in Downtown SoNo with Espresso, Dessert & Lunch Restaurant Coffee Norwalk SONO Lunch Dessert Kaila Finn November 20, 2014 Very shortly, Fritz Knipschildt, owner of Chocopologie, will be swapping his old 12 South Main St. location for an up-to-date Chocopologie at 133 Washington St. The new Chocopologie has maintained some aspects of the old café like the European flair (yes, I’m thinking about the savory buckwheat crepes), the open chocolate-making station, and their trademark exposed brick walls. But don’t be fooled; the light-washed wood flooring, trendy antique furniture, and a simple chalkboard menu point to a decidedly new style. Knipschildt described the new restaurant’s theme as “doing less with more.” Their “less is more” thinking has inspired their chow as well. Knipschildt and Manager Joseph Trepanowski are not fans of the nuevo, hipster movement, and said that “these hipster places put on good faces but it’s a facade,” adding that they want to be cool but have substance. A primary focus of the 133 Washington St. location will be the espresso. Read More
Delicata Squash Soup w/ Coffee Roasted Carrot Coulis Recipe via Boulevard 18 Features Entertaining Holiday Soups Thanksgiving Recipe CTbites Team November 19, 2014 It's time to dust off those recipe books or re-visit that Pinterest board. Thanksgiving is almost here, and in honor of our favorite culinary holiday, we have asked a few local chefs to share their favorite Thanksgiving recipes. Boulevard 18 in New Canaan is the first up with a delicious Delicata Squash Soup with Coffee Roasted Carrot Coulis and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. Stay tuned for additional recipes as we will be posting new ones up until the big day.... Read More
Meet The Whelk's New Chef de Cuisine, Anthony Kostelis Interview Restaurant Chef Chef Talk Westport Stephanie Webster November 19, 2014 How does it feel to be hired as the new Chef de Cuisine for one of Fairfield County’s most successful restaurants? Chef Anthony Kostelis, of The Whelk in Westport, would say it is like a dream come true. In fact, ever since Kostelis started working with Bill Taibe in 2010, he knew he didn't want to be anywhere else. Kostelis’ love of food began at the ripe age of 15 when he started work in a Manchester pizza restaurant. Half Greek, half Italian, and the son of a food purveyor for high end ingredients, Anthony seemed fated to head down a culinary path. By age 20, he was working in New Haven as a server and bartender at Ibiza, when he decided to leave college and pursue his real passion, cooking. Working his way through the CIA, he was mentored by Executive Chef Jeff Caputo of Scoozzi, also in New Haven, who took him under his wing and “set me up for success,” says Anthony. Read More
16 CT Restaurants Open For Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurant Holiday Thanksgiving Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 18, 2014 Not in touch with your inner Martha Stewart? Or would you rather enjoy a festive night out than serve up a Thanksgiving meal at home? That's perfectly alright- these CT restaurants are open on Thanksgiving and offering specials for the occasion. Whether you want traditional fare or modern twists on the classics, these venues are sure to make the night memorable. Be sure to make your reservations soon- these restaurants are booking up fast. David Burke Prime, Foxwoods Harbour House, Mystic Café on the Green, Danbury Bar Rosso, (Thanksgivng "eve" party on 26th) Stamford Carmen Anthony’s Steakhouse, New Haven Cask Republic, (bar only opens @ 7pm) Stamford Boulevard 18, New Canaan Bernard’s, Ridgefield Mill on the River Restaurant, South Windsor L’escale, Greenwich Elm, New Canaan The Brewhouse, Norwalk Artisan, Southport Rive Bistro, Westport Capital Grille, Hartford & Stamford Red Barn, Westport Read More
6 Stamford Breakfast Sandwiches Ya Gotta Try via Hey Stamford! Restaurant Stamford Breakfast CTbites Team November 16, 2014 Our friends over at Hey Stamford! did some breakfast related research we thought you might enjoy... Breakfast is one of our favorite meals. While my wife, Sandy often makes one hell of a breakfast at home, it’s just simply not that easy to always get a home cooked meal when you’re in a rush to the office during the week…or sleeping in for a lazy weekend (AKA hungover). Stamford Magazine just shared a great list of 12 great spots to grab breakfast in Stamford and we agree with every single one of them. Not only do they include some of the best breakfast spots in town, but in most cases, you’ll get a well rounded meal at any point in the day. Let’s be honest, you could find a tasty breakfast sandwich at almost any deli or dinerin town – it’s really tough to screw up a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. But, when you take those ingredients and kick it up a notch, that is when we’re really going to notice! That’s why, in an effort to provide a good will to you, we scoured the area to help you, the reader, make the right choices. After all, that’s what we do. You’re welcome. With that, here are 6 INCREDIBLE breakfast sandwiches you just can’t ignore in Stamford. Read More
CT Beer Week Recap Finale: A Look At Gose + Rare Beers @ Half Full Brewery James Gribbon November 15, 2014 The third act is here, the lights are low, and the curtain is set to drop. This is the final post on the Connecticut Beer Week that was, 2014 edition. The first two focused on food and beer pairing, while these last two recaps are more food-accompanied beer events. Make sense? No? Good, because there's no use in telling the audience a story they already know.Let's ease back into the narrative where we left off in act two, with sours, and the ancient art of brewing beers we callgose. This tart, slightly salty beer is at least 1,000 years old as a style, evidenced by the fact it was actually mentioned in writing by the Holy Roman Emperor Otto III, who ruled during the last millennial turnover. The name gose (say "go-zuh," like Janine Melnitz pronouncing the first name of the Gozerian), comes from the town of Goslar in Saxony, which is slightly famous for its medieval old town, and for introducing this refreshing beverage to neighboring Leipzig, where its popularity exploded. Read More
Weekly Nibble: Thanksgiving Cooking Classes; Winter Markets; Stew Leonard's Turkey Brigade & More! Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 14, 2014 Greenwich Restaurant Week continues through November 19 with dining specials and events. Join Cask Republic of Stamford as they team up with Stony Creek Brewery on Wednesday November 19. Stony Creek will debut new beer that they have been brewing on their Brew Magic System. Attendees can enter to win a mug membership at the brewery as well. It starts at 6pm. Festivities Catering has moved into the cafe at Lillian August in Norwalk. Executive Chef Bill Kaliff will host a Holiday Entertaining Class on Wednesday, Nov. 19th 11-11:45 AM. The Holiday Table class will cover holiday table fashions with a twist. Sugar & Olives in Norwalk has launched FARMS AND A MARKET. This indoor, rain-or-shine market runs every Friday through February (except after Thanksgiving Christmas and New Year’s) from 3-7. It offers locally produced edibles, including milk, eggs, cheese, honey flour, grains, produce and meats. Learn how to do Thanksgiving Barcelona style! Each cooking class is $30/person plus tax & gratuity and will take place at these locations on the following days: Read More
Positano's To Take Over Dressing Room Restaurant Space @ Westport Playhouse Restaurant Westport CTbites Team November 13, 2014 In case you missed this bit of news, Dan Woog, of 06880 Westport news blog, recently reported on the new restaurant going into the old Dressing Room in Westport. Old Mill’s loss is the Westport Country Playhouse’s gain. Positano’s — the much-loved-but-too-seldom-visited restaurant kitty-corner from Elvira’s — is closing at its Old Mill Beach location. “06880″ broke that news 2 months ago. But it’s reopening in February, next to the Westport Country Playhouse. That’s the space was occupied for 8 years by The Dressing Room. The Paul Newman-created restaurant closed last January. Positano’s has been owned and operated by the Scarpati family for more than 15 years. Owner Giuseppe Scarpati was born on the island of Ponza, Italy. He learned to cook from his father, who studied with master chefs in Italy and was one of the island’s leading fisherman. Giuseppe focuses on all-natural cooking. Read the full article on Dan Woog's Blog, 06880.com Read More
Guide To Thanksgiving Planning & Recipes via Marcia Selden Features Entertaining Holiday Thanksgiving Recipe Marcia Selden Catering November 13, 2014 Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Don’t panic. Let us be your guide to creating the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy a traditional meal with family and friends, right? For some people Thanksgiving turns into an all-out crazy fest in the kitchen filled with ranting’s and multiple trips to the supermarket. Never again! Read on for our simple, fool proof guide to hosting a stress free Thanksgiving meal. If this all seems like too much for you, we’d be happy to help you…just call! Not only do we have an up to the minute timeline for your Thanksgiving prep, but we have the quintessential recipes for: Marcia’s Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey & Old-Fashioned Southern Pecan Pie. Ready, set...Go! Read More
