Napa & Co. Announces 2015 Wine Class Schedule

Wine Bar Wine Dinners Wine Tasting

CTbites Team December 11, 2014

Napa & Co. announced its 2015 Wine Class / Tasting schedule that will span the world and offer classes for the novice, the experienced wine connoisseur and those looking for a deeper understanding of various regions and blends. Prices range from $50 to $120 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and includes up to six different varieties. All classes start at 630PM.

Monday January 12^th - WINE 101 - Start the year with an interesting class for the novice wine drinker and learn how to better describe wines and pair each with food. Enjoy 3 whites and 3 reds. $50pp (plus tax and gratuity)

Monday January 26^th - Jordan Library Wine Tasting 2001-06 - Jordan is one of the icons of Alexander Valley producing Old World style Bordeaux blends. We will try a vertical tasting of 6 wines and see how well they age, and how they’ve changed. $120pp (plus tax and gratuity)

Dinners At The Farm Announces 2015 Season; Get Your Tix Now!

CTbites Team December 10, 2014

Greenwich Cheese Company Opens in Cos Cob, via Owners of Fairfield Cheese Co

Ingredients Features Cheese Cos Cob Greenwich Specialty Market

CTbites Team December 10, 2014

Laura Downey and Chris Palumbo, co-owners of Fairfield Cheese Company, will open Greenwich Cheese Company at 154 East Putnam Avenue in the Cos Cob section of Greenwich, CT, December 11, 2014.

Building on the success of Laura and Chris’ popular Fairfield Cheese Company, which opened in 2009, the new location will carry on the tradition of offering the area’s best selection of cut-to-order from larger wheels, artisanal and farmstead cheese from around the world and artisanal cheeses from here in the US, in addition to an array of small batch handmade charcuterie and specialty food accompaniments.

Laura and Chris take their craft seriously and are both the only retail owners in Connecticut to be American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professionals (ACS CCP), a certification that only a few hundred people have nationwide. Adding to the talented team is Greenwich store manager Kevin DeFreitas who brings 15 years of cheesemongering experience to this new endeavor and has worked with such industry pros as Ken Skovron from the Darien Cheese Shop.

How To Create The Classic Holiday Cocktail Bar via Sheila Barton Catering

Features Catering Cocktails Entertaining

Sheila Barton December 10, 2014

Sheila Barton is a local caterer with a flair for food styling. After watching her work her magic at several parties, we asked her for a few tips on creating your own "Classic Cocktail Bar." Here are her tips...

I thought it would benefit many to talk about how to set up the perfect holiday cocktail bar. Not only are the essentials so very important, but so are Style, Texture and Taste. I am always about creating an experience..starting with your eyes and ending with taste. Even if you can only afford to serve one great wine and one great beer, you can still do it with style. If you can throw in a classic craft cocktail or two, more the merrier!

So to first create Style, it is important to create a feeling of glamour and fun. You do this with visual appeal using different heights and Texture.

Wine Making Class & Tasting @ Barcelona West Hartford

Ingredients Restaurant Cooking Classes WIne Wine Tasting

CTbites Team December 10, 2014

Freshii Announces "Kids Eat Free" Program

CTbites Team December 09, 2014

Freshii Westport has just announced its Freshii Kids Eat Free program, which aims toward increasing the number of kids who eat healthy meals as part of their regular diet. This program runs until the end of January 2015. During this time, Freshii is offering kids under the age of 10 a FREE entree from the kids menu on Saturdays and Sundays when their meal is accompanied by an adult entrée (one free kids meal per adult entrée).

Celebrate The Holidays With Walter Stewart's Market (sponsored post)

CTbites Team December 09, 2014

The holidays are a wonderful time to take advantage of Walter Stewart's Market in downtown New Canaan. Stewart's Market makes everything easier during this busy season, and with over a century of experience, they know a thing or two. Whether you are entertaining, gift giving, looking for great holiday decor, or simply finding that perfect wine, Walter Stewart's has it all. (Don't miss their impeccable suggestions for holiday wine pairings below.) Happy Holidays from Walter Stewart's Market and Stewart's Spirits!

Westport Farmers’ Market Hosts Apple Recipe Contest Dec 13th

CTbites Team December 08, 2014

The Westport Farmers' Market is challenging Fairfield County to bring out their best apple recipe to the Westport Farmers’ Market.

To sweeten up the holidays, WFM is challenging Fairfield County to bring out their best apple recipe on December 13 to the Westport Farmers’ Market located at 7 Sylvan Lane, Westport, CT (inside Gilbertie’s Herb Garden). At 11:00 a.m. Celebrity Judges from The Whelk, Lefarm and KawaNi will taste their way through the entries declaring a winner at high noon.

The winner will receive a Westport Farmers’ Market t-shirt, serious bragging rights and market goodies and have the option to have their recipe shared with the 3,000 people who receive the WFM newsletter each week. There is one stipulation to the contest – the apple that is used must be from a local farm and the name of the farm must be noted with the entry.

Details:

Excellent New Fall Menu @ Harlan Social in Stamford

Restaurant American Stamford

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 07, 2014

Two years ago Harlan Social opened as a part of the Lockworks project in Stamford amidst questions on whether the area would support the restaurant or whether the restaurant investors and the developers were visionaries. Two years later Harlan Social’s success shines as a local hang-out, an after work meeting spot, and a destination restaurant.

Harlan Social was the brainchild of Owner & Executive Chef Steve Lewandowski, who was previously the Sous Chef at Manhattan’s Abby restaurant, Gotham Bar & Grill, and Fantino in the Ritz Carlton before joining Tribeca Grill and becoming its Executive Chef. Currently overseeing the kitchen is Executive Chef Michael Sobelman, whose resume includes Sardis and Tribeca Grill with Lewandowski. When Harlan Social opened Lewandowski immediately reached out to Sobelman to join him and oversee the kitchen.

Harlan Social recently introduced its new Fall menu and CTbites visited to sample some of the new additions.

Scratch Baking's Loaf of the Week Program

Restaurant Bakery Milford Breakfast

Amy Kundrat December 07, 2014

THE winter CSA for your bread box is BACK with Scratch Baking's Loaf of the Week club. Beginning on January 9, 2015 for 8 carb-filled weeks, Scratch Baking in Milford is kicking-off their third annual "Loaf of the Week" club. Participants, or "loafers," receive a surprise bread and spread each week, paired with a recipe.

Scratch Baking's manager Alex Malaspinas chalked the success of the program up to Scratch's community-minded approach:

Winter Cooking Classes @ The Schoolhouse at Cannondale

Features Chef Talk Cooking Classes

CTbites Team December 07, 2014

If you're still looking for the unique gift for that special person. Give them a memorable experience that is both fun & useful. Sign them up for a cooking class at The Schoolhouse at Cannondale Restaurant in Wilton Ct. In fact, sign up with them. Chef Tim LaBant & his staff will be sharing their years of experience each Tuesday evening beginning in February. You'll also savor the finished culinary delights after the class. The schedule and focus for each evening is as follows:

February 3...Winter Braising and knife skills
February 10...Appetizers and ingredient pairing guidlines
February 17...How to prepare our most favorite soups and stocks
February 24...Duck cookery and grain preparation
March 3...Fish cookery; wet and dry cooking methods.When to use each method

Friday Froth: Around A Square State With Stubborn Beauty, Black Hog and Overshores

Features Restaurant Brewery Local Artisan Beer

James Gribbon December 05, 2014

What shape is Connecticut? Kind of a cleaver-shape, I think. I live down in the that cleaver's handle - along with you, by statistical probability - and the myriad horrors of highway travel in Connecticut tend to keep me there, but I'm wired to explore. If Lando can escape the Sarlacc, I can get out of Fairfield freaking County.

This is especially useful as I paddle my canoe up the rivers of craft beer this state has to offer, because breweries don't usually spring up next to yacht clubs, son. Train that spyglass further afield, and you'll spot Stubborn Beauty Brewing Company in increasingly craft beer dense Middletown, Black Hog Beer Company in Oxford, and Overshores Brewing Co. in East Haven. It's about time I gave each of them their due.

Weekly Nibble: Italian Wine Dinners; New Farmers' Market; Beer Conn. +

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 05, 2014

Tuesday December 9, Local in Fairfield will team up with Allagash for a “Casual Beer Dinner.” Enjoy 5 dishes like bacon cheddar risotto alongside delicious brews. You can even enjoy Founders Breakfast Stout a la mode for dessert! $45 per person, 7pm.

Wine lovers can also attend a great event on Tuesday. Golden View Firenze of Greenwich will host a Castello di Monsanto Wine Dinner from 7-9pm. $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Menu and reservations here.

Tuesday is Burger Night at Darien Social. Every Tuesday there will be new burgers, specially created by their Chef, at great prices.

Freshii, with a location in Westport, is pleased to announce a Kids Eat Free initiative, aimed at helping kids eat healthy more often. Check their website for news on the launch.

On Thursday December 11, Terrain of Westport invites you to a Winter Beer Pairing Dinner with Two Roads Brewing Co of Stratford. The four course dinner costs $48 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required. Please call (203) 226-2750 to reserve your seats.

Chef Pat Pascarella of Bar Sugo to Host Cooking Classes

Features Cooking Classes

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 04, 2014

Chef Pat Pascarella of Bar Sugo in Norwalk announced that he will conduct a new series of cooking classes beginning in Jan 2015! For those readers who have visited Bar Sugo and enjoyed his great meatballs, pastas and entrées, these classes will give the secrets for creating some of these delicious dishes at home.

There are currently six scheduled classes:

Fresh Pasta Workshop – Saturday January 24^th at 11:00am
Mama's Kitchen: Meatballs 101 – Saturday February 7^th at 11:00am
Art of Braising – Tuesday March 3^rd at 7:00pm
Pizza Workshop – Tuesday April 7^th at 7:00pm
Farmer's Harvest & Feast – Saturday May 16^th at 11:00am
Cooking with Seafood - Tuesday, June 2^nd at 7:00pm

LobsterCraft in Darien Introduces New Winter Menu & Kid-Friendly Fare

Restaurant Darien Lobster Seafood Kid Friendly

CTbites Team December 03, 2014

Back in August we reported on LobsterCraft's brick and mortar location opening in Darien. No longer did you have to chase their truck to enjoy its deliciously sought after lobster rolls. As Winter rolls around, LobsterCraft is making some exciting updates to their menu. They're not just a lobster roll joint; they are serving up New England comfort food...and it's good.

In addition to the award-winning lobster bisque, menu additions include: hush puppies, clam strips, lobster tacos, lobster salad, clam chowder, and roasted vegetable soup. The new kid-friendly menu includes the Salty Dog, a hot dog shaped like an octopus set on a bun, and Mac-N-Cheese Bites.

2014 CT Food Lovers Holiday Gift Guide

Ingredients Features Restaurant Entertaining Gift Guide Holiday Specialty Market Wine Shop Dessert

April Guilbault December 03, 2014

Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Gift giving-choosing a gift for another person that is resonant of their personality and interests-is a true art. How do we know this? We know this by the sheer number of Yankee Swap and White Elephant parties that we have all attended. You thought those salt and pepper shakers in the shape of ugly, primitive holiday carolers would be perfect for me...um, why? And thus, yet another odd gift enters the rotation of passed-along, re-gifted gifts. On the flip-side, we all hopefully have experienced the joy that comes when we do find that perfect gift. The thrill of watching the unwrapping and the smiles that follow! This holiday season, we would like to help you in your pursuit of That Perfect One....

We bring you the CTbites 2014 CT Food Lovers Gift Guide. Start shopping!

CTbites' Guide to Happy Hours in Stamford CT

Restaurant Cocktails Stamford Wine Bar Beer Bar

Eliza Schlesinger December 02, 2014

The work day comes to a close and all I can think is “Holy hell I need a bottle of wine …maybe two… maybe three… who’s coming with me?” But where do I go? What places offer specials? What vibe am I feeling? I instantly start googling “Happy Hour Downtown Stamford” but nothing pops up and suddenly I am in a panic, yes a panic. We’ve all been there many times…so I have compiled the ultimate list to help fellow happy hour enthusiasts.

Personal favorites for each day are:

Monday - Cotto, with half-priced bottles of wine and delicious tapas it’s the perfect way to ease into a hectic week;
Tuesday - Lola’s Mexican Restaurant, Taco Tuesday & Margaritas…need I say more?
Wednesday - Brickhouse Bar & Grill, known to many regulars as “wing night” it’s a low-key, delicious and fun way to finish hump day;
Thursday – Barcelona, delicious tapas and great deals on a variety of wines, the young and vibrant scene is always served up;
Friday – Hudson Grille, come for the happy hour and stay for the DJ, just be sure to bring your dancing shoes;

Dorie Greenspan Book Signing in Stamford on December 3

Amy Kundrat December 01, 2014

Barrett Bookstore is bringing Dorie Greenspan back to Fairfield County to celebrate the publication of her latest cookbook: Baking Chez Moi: Recipes from My Paris Home to Your Home Anywhere for a free event at Deane Inc. in Stamford on December 3 at 6 p.m. RSVP (required) to barrettbooks@sbcglobal.net or 203-655-2712.

Wine and treats will be prepared from Dorie Greenspan's new book by Julia Deane of Deane Inc. Greenspan will be on hand to sign copies of the book.

CTbites adores Dorie, read our interview with Dorie a few years ago.

Reservations are required for this free event. RSVP to barrettbooks@sbcglobal.net or 203-655-2712. Deane Inc. is located at 1267 East Main Street, Stamford, CT.

Lobster Post: Casual Fresh Seafood in Fairfield

Restaurant Catering Fairfield Lobster Seafood Take Out Kid Friendly

Sarah Green November 30, 2014

Two words: LOBSTER FRIES. No...Really! If you want to cozy up to some delicious and decadent comfort food, get your claws over to the LOBSTER POST at 222 Post Road in Fairfield. Opened and owned by Jack Jagetic and now run by our man, Scotty and chef Mel, the LOBSTER POST offers fresh, tasty and unpretentious fare that both adults and children will devour.

As we walked in the doors of the simple yet charming little jaunt with a beach town vibe, we were treated to a sample of piping hot LOBSTER BISQUE. Seasoned to perfection with a tiny bit of heat at the end of the gulp, this soup was excellent. Not too creamy, and with a touch of sherry wine, the lobster flavor was allowed to blossom. We sat, we ordered, all was right with the world.

On the agenda:

Chef Matt Storch's Recipe for "Day After Turkey & Waffles"

Features Holiday Thanksgiving Recipe Breakfast

Matt Storch November 28, 2014

Every Thanksgiving, we ask our friends in the Chef community for their favorite holiday recipes. This year we got a last minute entry from Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant & The Chelsea with a great idea for all those leftovers. Ok...that picture above...it's not turkey...those are chicken livers, but it's the best we could do on short notice. Here is Matt Storch's Day After Turkey & Waffles Recipe.