"Veggie Wednesdays" Are Back @ The Schoolhouse at Cannondale in Wilton

Restaurant Vegetarian Wilton

CTbites Team January 02, 2015

After the holidays it's time to get off to a great start in 2015 at the Schoolhouse at Cannondale Restaurant in Wilton, CT. Based on customer requests, they will again be offering Vegetarian Wednesdays. These meatless dinners will be offered each Wednesday begining JANUARY 7 and extend through MARCH! The 4 course prix fixed menu will be provided at a very reasonable price of $40. excluding tax & gratuity.

Menu for January 7th can be seen below....

Top 10 Wines of 2014 from Barcelona Wine & Spirits Director, Gretchen Thomas

This Week In Wine Wine Chat

Gretchen Thomas December 31, 2014

It’s been an intense year of traveling (I visited Spain five times!), tasting, and learning. And with our various locations in other Eastern US cities, I’ve been given the chance to taste limited wines that are exclusively available in their respective states, which, if anything, has reminded me that understanding wine is a giant task for those who don’t work in this field. After spending so many years devoted to tasting and learning about wines, I can still be surprised, impressed, and sometimes completely blown away. There are always new (to me) grapes varieties, regions, farming and vinifying techniques, and I’m sure next year won’t disappoint me with a chance to discover something else unknown and worth it. Since I am closing up my 2014 tasting journals and looking forward to a new year of “explore-a-tasting,” I am sharing the 10 most striking wines I tasted for the first time in 2014.

Connecticut Magazine's "Experts' Picks" & Readers' Choice Dining Awards

Restaurant Awards Best of CT

CTbites Team December 27, 2014

Get ready to bite into the restaurants judged the best of the best in Connecticut by the "experts" from Connecticut Magazine, who range from veteran restaurant critics and food writers to contemporary bloggers who track the trends—and hottest, newest places—along with cookbook authors and even a former restaurant owner. And to make sure the state's hottest food destination (Fairfield County, of course) was well represented, our friends at Connecticut Magazine reached out to CTbites for key input.

Altogether, with some food savvy Connecticut Magazine editors sprinkled in, it's a group for which dining is a passion—and dining at the best places is an art that takes constantly having a collective finger on the pulse of the Connecticut dining scene.

Taken together, Connecticut Magazine's Readers' Choice Dining Awards and its Experts' Picks feature make for a beautiful January magazine, as they also provide a comprehensive view of the state's tastiest places to eat well.

Click, enjoy and let us know if Connecticut Magazine got it right:

CTbites Staff & Chef Picks for TOP EATS OF 2014

Restaurant Bridgeport Danbury Fairfield Food Truck Norwalk Stamford Washington Westport New Canaan New Haven Best of CT

CTbites Team December 25, 2014

In terms of eating, the CTbites team of writers, photographers, and chef friends have managed to sample and savor more than most. 2014 has been a stellar year for restaurant openings as Fairfield County and the surrounding areas continue to draw great culinary talent. Instead of coming up with a top ten list ourselves, we asked the CTbites extended family to share some of their most memorable meals and dining experiences this past year.

Here are our favorite meals and restaurants of 2014.

WestportREADS The Dubliners: Dine Around Town Dublin-Style in January

ellen bowen December 24, 2014

WestportREADS, sponsored annually by the Westport Library since 2001, is once again underway, this time with some of the best fiction ever written in the English language—Dubliners by James Joyce. Help celebrate the 100th anniversary of this classic book in January, which is full of exciting and thought-provoking programs related to the book, Dubliners by James Joyce. WestportREADS is funded by Jerry A. Tishman.

In conjunction with this event, CTbites is co-hosting a curated dinner series, “Dine Around Town: Dublin,” offering the opportunity to dine and sample many traditional and delicious Irish inspired dishes; Irish Beef Stew , Guinness Glazed Short Ribs, Filet Mignon Shepard’s Pie, Wild salmon Marinated in Irish Whiskey, in a private setting with local chefs and in their local restaurants.

Holiday Flip Cocktail Recipe via Sean Nye of Match in SoNo

Features Cocktails Recipe

Stephanie Webster December 23, 2014

Looking for the perfect Holiday Cocktail recipe for your festivities? Sean Nye has mixed up a little something special for CTbites, from his new post, behind the bar of Match in South Norwalk.

Sean hails most recently from Walrus & Carpenter, as well as Bodega and South End in New Canaan. Jusy sayin...the man knows how to make a drink.

Enjoy this truly delicious recipe for the "Holiday Flip" made with Applejack Brandy, cardamaro and nutmeg. And if you're simply too tired from opening presents, just go order one at Match.

Holiday Flip Cocktail Recipe

VESPA Opens in Downtown Westport with Italian Inspired Fare

Restaurant Italian Westport

Sarah Green December 21, 2014

Here's the buzz- VESPA (Italian for WASP) has arrived in Westport, so get ready for the sting. Perfectly situated on the corner of Post Road and the Saugatuck River, the brand spankin-new haunt from Westporter Bobby Werhane and his partner Kevin Lalumiere of Experience Hospitality Group shares its patio space with Bar Taco and nuzzles up snugly to the water's edge. VESPA is the group's second local restaurant (NEAT opened recently, right across the lot) and it's poised for success.

We were invited to a "friends and family" soft opening where we enjoyed a large cross section of the very approachable and creative Italian inspired menu, prepared by Werhane's allstar kitchen team. Executive Chefs, Brian Reilly (Greenhouse Tavern and Noodle Cat) and Craig Wallen (Spasso and sous chef at Gramercy Tavern) work alongside Pasta Chef, Laura Bonechi (Jean-George's The Inn at Pound Ridge), and, by the way...her hand-rolled pasta is seriously crave-worthy.

Weekly Nibble: Bodega Happy Hour, Braising Class, X-Mas Dinners, Two Roads Brewing & More

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 19, 2014

Bodega Taco Bar has just launched Happy Hour at both locations, and it's a party. $3-$6 Bar Bites including: Pork Belly Pinxto, Cocktail Egg with Gaucamole and bacon, and Tostones w/ Achote roasted pork plus well priced beer and cocktails. Monday 4-11, Tues-Fri 4-6 pm.

Perfect your braising skills just in time for Christmas with a Winter Braises cooking class at Barcelona West Hartford on Tuesday December 23 at 7pm. It is $29 per person plus tax & gratuity. To make a reservation, please call 860.218.2100.

On Tuesday, December 30 from 11am-1pm, Stew Leonard’s of Newington will have a kids cooking class. The menu is luau inspired: sweet and sour meatballs, pineapple salsa, hawaiian spam sliders and tropical cupcakes. There will even be hula dancing. It costs $25 per child.

Also on Tuesday, join Half Full Brewery for a holiday tasting and growler fill from 5pm-12am.

Sono Baking Company To Take over Java Coffee in Westport

Westport

Stephanie Webster December 18, 2014

Yep. It's true. In a few short months, Java Coffee in Westport at 44 Church Lane is a thing of the past (sad to see them go). The good news? Sono Baking Company has just signed the lease for that very same location, and hopes to be up and running by February-ish.

Owner, John Barricelli, says "The old Java location will be more of a cafe, with our primary retail storefront in Westport being the Post Road shop." "This location will not be a full bakery, but will feature complete menus for breakfast and lunch, great coffee, and possibly dinner...down the road."

We will keep you posted as we get closer to the opening date.

CTbites Readers Get Special Gift @ Sugar & Olives Winter Market

Ingredients Farmers Market Norwalk

CTbites Team December 18, 2014

CT Bites readers who shop the market get a free gift with a purchase of $25 or more, a seasonal seasoning; a tin of our coffee salt rub (great for roasts or steaks) featuring Gorilla Coffee Beans and Himalayan Pink Sea Salt. Keep it or gift it, either way it’s a delicious addition to your holiday meal.

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. More Info Here.

What Makes A Beer A Connecticut Beer?

Ingredients CT Beer Beer

James Gribbon December 18, 2014

Recently there was some discussion on Twitter, that infinite forum for public opinion, as to what makes a beer Connecticut Beer. At issue was the newly released Sip Of Sunshine IPA from Lawson's Finest Liquids. SOS, as we'll call it, is brewed at Two Roads in Stratford, Conn., so Elm City Beer Lovers asked if it belonged on their "Best of CT Beers" list. The obvious catch? Lawson's Finest was established in Warren, Vermont circa 2009. So: does being brewed and sold in Connecticut make it a Connecticut beer you're drinking? It depends on what you think.

First, we have to consider how hard a line we're going to draw. Some beers are obviously capital C-B Connecticut Beers: New England Brewing in Woodbridge, Beer'd Brewing in Stonington, Relic Brewing in Plainville, Southport Brewing Company... all established, licensed, brewed and sold in Connecticut.
Verdict: Connecticut Beers.

That's easy, but are beers like these the only ones worthy of the name? What's the orthodoxy here?

Kids & Adult Cooking Classes @ Aux Delices

Features Cooking Classes Education Kids kids activity kids cooking party

CTbites Team December 17, 2014

Aux Delices' 2015 Winter/Spring Kids & Adult Cooking Class Schedule has just been announced. Aux Délices offers cooking classes for adults and children at their professional catering kitchen in Stamford. Classes are generally held on Wednesday evenings for adults and Sunday afternoons for children. Classes are hands-on for children and both participation and demonstration for adults.

Their focus is to teach easy, interesting and seasonal food preparation, utilizing a variety of cooking techniques. The chef instructors are from Aux Délices, as well as from well-known restaurants in Fairfield County and New York City. Lynn Manheim, the Cooking School Director does an incredible job engaging and challenging both children and adults, while teaching students the basics of cooking along the way.

View the complete schedule below...For more information, click here.

Road Trip: Miami Dining Guide c/o MIABites.com

ellen bowen December 17, 2014

A few months ago, CTbites Director of Marketing and Invites Curator, Ellen Bowen, launched MIAbites.com to cover the fast growing food scene in Miami and Miami Beach (taking advantage of the fact that Miami is her 2nd home).

With the holiday season approaching and many CTbites readers heading south for Christmas and New Years break (or going just to escape winter’s wrath ) we felt it only right to keep you in good food during your travels.

Check out MIAbites recent Best Bites Dining Guide, a comprehensive guide to all the good eats in Miami and Miami Beach.

13 Places to Celebrate New Years Eve in Fairfield County CT

Restaurant Holiday

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 17, 2014

Plans for New Year's Eve? Usher in the New Year at one of Fairfield County's favorite restaurants and celebrate with great food, music and libations. Many will offer their regular menus while others are offering fix prixe extravaganzas. CTbites New Year's Eve round-up summarizes those restaurants that are offering special menus for ringing in 2015!!! Make your reservations early as the best spots and times usually go first.

Here are 13 Fairfield County New Year's Eve Restaurant Parties...

The Rosie O Sandwich @ Reddi Rooster in Stamford

Restaurant Delicious Dives Stamford Breakfast Comfort Food Kid Friendly

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 14, 2014

Breakfast of Champions? The "Rosie O" at Reddi Rooster in Stamford may not qualify for this title or as a healthy start to the day, but when you want a diversion from the granola, the yogurt, the egg white omelet, the fresh fruit and throw calorie count to the wind, this sandwich is a great choice.

Reddi Rooster is located on Route 1 on the east side of Stamford near the Darien border. It is a fairly non-descript roadside luncheonette serving sandwiches, wraps, and a few hot dishes. The Rosie O has garnered some positive press as one of the best breakfast sandwiches in area so when I found myself in the area I decided to stop in and see for myself. It is available on a roll for $4.50 or as a wedge or a wrap for $7. I ordered the roll version and grabbed one of the seven stools. A steady stream of guests entered, ordered and waited, always a good sign…locals know.

The Year-Round Gin & Tonic

Features Cocktails

Amy Kundrat December 12, 2014

The gin and tonic has become one of my favorite year-round cocktails. Now before you shout INFIDEL or HERESY and run for the torches to scare me and my cocktail into hibernation until the summer equinox, hear me out.

The first rule of a year-round G&T: the gin must be considered carefully. If you’re looking for guidance here, you can’t go wrong with the St. George Terroir Gin, which grounds this G&T with an earthy bite of “Douglas fir, California bay laurel, coastal sage, and other evocative botanicals.” One whiff and you’ll instinctively look over your shoulder for the bear that modeled for the label. Trust me, this is the gin you want for a cold weather G&T.

Next, find yourself a clean and crisp tonic. I recommend and will rarely stray from Q Tonic. Don’t even think about desecrating the G&T with a tonic like Schweppes, or please don’t tell me about it because I WILL judge you harshly.

Weekly Nibble: Pig Roast; Happy Hours, Cooking Classes; Wine Making & More

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 12, 2014

The Chelsea is now La Chelseita… well on Monday-Friday from 4-6:30 for their new Happy Hour! Enjoy specialty taquitos and tacos, $3.99 wine & drink specials, $1.99 ponies, $2.99 domestics, and $3.99 internationals.

Rare Beer Night takes place at Half Full Brewery in Stamford on Wednesday December 17. The night features special test batches of beers from their Nano System. Guests can receive full pints of these brews and enjoy foods from local vendors. The event is limited to 40 people and costs $30 per person. 7-9pm.

Sugar & Olives in Norwalk gives you 2 opportunities to learn about cooking while eating and drinking on Wednesdays:

Their “Weekday Nooner” takes place Wednesdays 12-2pm. Watch them demo 3 recipes and then enjoy a 3 course lunch (with drinks too!) The classes start at $40. Cooking classes also take place Wednesday evenings 7-9pm. The cost is $80 and now you can buy gift certificates as a holiday gift:

Thursday December 18, Walrus + Carpenter of Bridgeport will do a Carolina-Style Whole Hog Barbecue! There will be plenty of delicious food and live music from BrewGrass.

Chowdafest Organizer Launches "Chilifest" Feb 1st: You Vote!

CTbites Team December 11, 2014

The “hot” gift of this holiday season might be tickets to Chilifest. Chilifest is a pre-Super Bowl event that takes place on Feb. 1, 2015 at Bedford Middle School in Westport CT from 11AM to 3PM. Just like its sister event, Chowdafest, veryone is given a spoon, ballot and pencil, then sample 18 different kinds of chili's and vote on their favorites.

Chilifest will feature three categories of chili's: classic beef, creative chili (turkey, vegetarian, green etc.) and “Firehouse” chili. Twelve local restaurants will compete in the classic and creative categories while firefighters from the Fairfield, Norwalk, Trumbull, Weston, Westport and Wilton Fire Departments are slated to compete in a separate category for best firehouse chili.

Some of the restaurants competing in the 2015 competition include: Bobby Q's (Westport), Cask Republic (New Haven, Stamford), Chef's Table (Fairfield), Chilibomb (Fairfield), Liquid Lunch (Milford,

Marcia Selden Catering’s Best Holiday Hors D’oeuvres

Features Entertaining Recipe

Marcia Selden Catering December 11, 2014

The holidays are right around the corner, and you know what that means…. parties, parties and more parties! Whether you’re hosting or bringing, we’ve got you covered with this season’s most delicious hors d’oeuvre recipes, including: Polenta Bites with Mushroom Duxelle; Chevre & Fig Jam Tartlettes; Gruyere & Red Pepper Jelly Tartlettes & Poached Shrimp with Assorted Dipping Sauces. Your guests will think you hired a caterer!