Savor: A Celebration of Wine, Foods & Spirits @ Foxwoods Casino w/ Chef Robert Irvine, April 10-11 Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 17, 2015 As Connecticut continues to stake its claim as a culinary powerhouse, Savor- a celebration of wine, food, and spirits- will make its debut in Hartford on April 10 and 11. Foxwoods Casino and celebrity chef Robert Irvine will join forces to celebrate local talent while raising money for important causes. On Tuesday March 10, select trade and press received an exclusive sneak peak of what the new festival has to offer. A floor of the Hartford Convention Center served as an impressive backdrop for the event. Read More
The Winners of The Kawa Ni Cocktail Contest Are.... Stephanie Webster March 17, 2015 Winners have been chosen for Kawa Ni's exclusive Bartender Compeition event March 24th @ Kawa Ni in Westport. Winners have been notified via email. The 6 runners up get seats to attend the event and "'etta" will be given a spot as one of the judges in the mixology competition. Here they are... Winner (Will Judge Event) Thai Me Up - 'etta Runner Up Winners (Will Attend Event) Lava Lamp - Jessica Lucy Takes a Tumble - SwankyCarpFace Read More
Sono Baking Company Opens in Downtown Westport Tomorrow! Bakery Stephanie Webster March 16, 2015 Tomorrow, March 17th, SoNo Baking Company will open the doors to its newest location in downtown Westport at 44 Church Lane. Owner John Barricelli will breath new life into the spot that once housed Java Coffee with a full breakfast and lunch menu for local Westport guests and lovers of SoNo's baked good, breads and coffee. What should diners and shoppers expect? The downtown location will mirror SoNo Baking Company's SONO menu and concept and will feature eggs and breakfast specialties including Belgian waffles and pancakes followed by soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch. A 12 person communal table anchors the dining space, which seats 50, and the patio will open with an additional 20 seats as soon as weather permits. Read More
Re-Cap: Oak + Almond's Four Roses Bourbon Dinner Norwalk Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger March 16, 2015 CTbites was invited to Oak + Almond in Norwalk for its Four Roses Bourbon dinner to sample some of Chef Joseph Italiano’s creative cuisine paired with one of the country’s best bourbons. Working alongside Chef Italiano for this special event was Chef Chris Vacca, whom our readers know from serving one of the best burgers in Fairfield County from his food truck, Bounty. Chef Italiano has been at the helm for several months after stints at Bistro B in Westport and Bridgeport and with Chef Pat Pascarella at Bar Sugo. Read More
"Nose To Tail" Dinner @ The Schoolhouse at Cannondale Restaurant Butcher Wilton Stephanie Webster March 13, 2015 The Schoolhouse at Cannondale, in Wilton, has decided to start a series of late Winter early Spring events at the Schoolhouse that will focus on ingredients, techniques, or themes we are into at the current moment. Their first event will be on Tuesday, March 24th and will focus on nose to tail cooking. Chef Tim LeBant and his team will be creating four courses utilizing different cuts of pork. They will also have a selection of beers and bourbons to pair with the courses as well (at a separate cost) as well as our regular wine list. You can book a reservation online by clicking here and choosing a time and party size. Reservation are available from 5:30-8:30. The nose-to-tail dinner will be $60/person. Read More
Weekly Nibble: Big Game Dinner, Sake Tasting, Makin' Ice Cream, Brunch + More! Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 12, 2015 New Haven will host the spring edition of its bi-annual restaurant week through March 27. 32 New Haven restaurants will offer special three-course, prix fixe menus for both lunch and dinner. Dinosaur BBQ in Stamford will have smoked corn beef specials all day on Tuesday March 17- St. Patrick’s Day! In fact, many CT restaurants have celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day! Here are 16 to check out. Wednesday March 18 is Rare Beer Night at Half Full Brewery in Stamford. Enjoy 4 specialty beers, brewed just for this night, along with food from Harlan Social. For information and tickets, visit: Learn how to make ice cream at Sugar & Olives on Wednesday March 18. You’ll make a base, flavor it 3 ways, and spin it. Sorbet is also included. Anna Liffey’s Fairfield has just launched a “Manhattan Style” Sunday brunch. On Sundays, enjoy special menu items like Bailey’s Irish Cream Pancakes, a build-your-own bloody mary bar, bottomless mimosas and more. Read More
Big Game Dinner @ Terrain in Westport, March 20th CTbites Team March 12, 2015 Terrain's Garden Café in Westport will hold a game dinner on Friday March 20 at 7pm. Chef Alissa Svorka will present four-courses of fresh, seasonal game dishes in the Garden café. Feast on dishes like wild hare roulade, venison loin, and more, alongside thoughtfully-selected wine pairings. $58 per person plus tax & gratuity. Please call (203) 226-2732 for reservations. View the complete menu below: Read More
Sweet and Savory Quick Bread Recipes via Marcia Selden Features Recipe Breakfast Dessert Marcia Selden Catering March 12, 2015 We love a quick bread, they’re a breeze to throw together, freeze beautifully, and are a great activity if you are with your kids and looking for something to do. Enjoy a slice with a bowl of soup or a steaming cup of tea, and you have all the trappings of a sweet perfect day. The folks at Marcia Selden Catering have shared their favorite sweet and savory quick bread recipes. Enjoy our recipes for: Earl Grey Zucchini Quick Bread; Almond Butter, Honey, Banana Quick Bread; Sundried Tomato and Pesto Quick Bread & Prosciutto & Gruyere Quick Bread. You’ll want to try them all! Read More
16 CT Restaurants To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2015 Restaurant Holiday Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 11, 2015 It’s not easy being green- unless it’s the month of March! St. Patrick’s Day is almost here and Connecticut pubs, restaurants, and hotspots are announcing an array of celebrations. From breakfasts to pub crawls to corned-beef dinners, here are the places with specials sure to keep yousham-rockin’ all night long. Tigin Irish Pub, Stamford McLadden’s, West Hartford Center Street Pub, Darien Rosie, New Canaan Anna Liffey’s, New Haven & Fairfield Fire Engine Pizza, Bridgeport Max Fish, Glastonbury O’Neil’s, South Norwalk Molly Darcy’s, Danbury Cask Republic, New Haven Johnny Utah’s, Norwalk Geno’s Pub, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville Todd English’s Tuscany, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville Read More
Recap: Mohegan Sun's Winefest 2015...Good Times! Ingredients Wine Chat Wine Tasting Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 11, 2015 2015 marked the 12th year of Mohegan Sun’s popular WineFest. The format continued as it has in years past, with a Friday night bourbon tasting, Grand Tastings on Saturday and Sunday, an Elite Cru tasting, and a Celebrity Chef Dine Around on Saturday night. The event also featured many celebrity chefs beloved from previous years like William Kovel, Todd English, Michele Ragussis, Govind Armstrong, Manouschka Guerrier, and Betty Fraser. Yet, 2015 managed to stand apart with new additions and changing trends. This year, I attended the Sunday Grand Tasting rather than staying the span of the weekend. Sunday is slightly less attended, but still provides ample opportunity to see creative chef demonstrations and sample the offerings. Read More
GIVEAWAY!! Kawa Ni Hosts 6 Cocktail Competitions & YOU Can Win a Seat Stephanie Webster March 10, 2015 Jeff Marron, Beverage/Bar Manager and master of all things cocktails for Kawa Ni, The Whelk & Le Farm, has cooked up a little friendly competition for your drinking pleasure. 6 craft cocktail contests will be held, each with a different group of celebrity competitors (see rules below), where master mixologists will go head to head to create some of the best drinks in Fairfield County. Each event will feature 6 judges, and only 30 guests. Small bites and hors d’oeurves will be provided by LeFarm, The Whelk and/or Kawa NI. CTbites is giving away 6 seats to ATTEND or JUDGE one of these exclusive events. How can YOU score a seat? Come up with a name for cocktail in the photo above. We will select our top 6 names for the 1st event on March 24th! Ingredients: Tito's Vodka, Thai Chili infused Merlet, Creme de Cassis, Contratto Bianco, Vermouth, Fresh Lime Topped with Club Soda Lemon peel garnish Read More
CT Chef Silvia Baldini to Compete on Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ CTbites Team March 10, 2015 Local chef battles for a chance to win a three-course cooking competition using mystery ingredients Chef Silvia Baldini, Founder of New Canaan, CT.-based culinary group Strawberry and Sage, and one of Jamie Oliver’s food revolution ambassadors, will be a contestant on Chopped, the Food Network’s hit series. On March 31st at 10 pm, Baldini will go head-to head with three chefs who are challenged to prepare an appetizer, entrée and dessert in 30 minutes while using unconventional ingredients from a mystery basket. The end result is of course a secret! “When I was cast for Chopped on the Food Network, I was nervous and scared, but I decided to just go for it” says Baldini. “Once I walked into the Chopped kitchen, I relaxed, stuck with recipes I knew by heart, and presented all my food beautifully.” Read More
Bobby Q’s Pit Stop in Old Greenwich: BBQ & Comfort Food Restaurant BBQ Greenwich Comfort Food Take Out Lunch Kid Friendly ellen bowen March 08, 2015 We all know Westport’s funky back alley BBQ stop, Bobby Q’s, as a casual place for authentic Kansas City BBQ ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and burnt ends. But did you know that a little over 2 years ago, owner Bob LeRose along with his cousin and Pitmaster/Chef, Joey Boucher, felt the burning desire to open a “grab and go” outpost in Old Greenwich on Putnam Ave (aka Route 1/Boston Post Road) called Bobby Q’s Pit Stop? It was 14 degrees when I pulled into the narrow storefront parking lot, and the unmistakable smell of BBQ hit me the minute I walked through the door. The open kitchen, high top tables and counter felt welcoming and comfortable. Sort of like a diner in the south. But Pit Stop is really not about BBQ, although one whole page on the menu features Bobby Q’s signature BBQ rib and meat combos, baby back ribs, and BBQ Plates and BBQ sandwiches. Read More
Upcoming Classes at 109 Cheese & Wine in Ridgefield Restaurant Ridgefield CTbites Team March 06, 2015 Cooking Class with Sarah and Bernard - $90March 11, 2015 "Easy Entertaining – 5 ingredients or less Join Bernard & Sarah in their upstairs classroom – they will teach you how do pull together a fabulous buffet – 5 ingredients or less!" Italy: The lesser know Grapes, Cheese and Wine with Artisan Wines - $65March 14, 2015 "This is an in-depth discussion and tasting of some Italy’s lesser-known grape varietals like Vermentino, Aglianico, Bombino Bianco, Pelaverga, and Timorasso. Taste the wines and regional cheeses with rock star, Jim Morrison and take the journey. Fall in love with Italy all over again." A Look into Burgundy with wines from Rosenthal Wines - $75March 21, 2015 Read More
Recap: First Ever CT Beer Summit w/ Live Recording via "Welcome to CT" Podcast Ingredients CT Beer Beer James Gribbon March 06, 2015 What happens when you get the owners and brewers of five Connecticut breweries in the same room at the same time and ask them pointed questions? There's a scene in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou where Bill Murray, as Zissou, explains documentary filmmaking by saying "Nobody knows what's going to happen. And then we film it. That's the whole concept." I kept on thinking about that line as guests filed into a room at the Two Roads brewery in Stratford and watched Tony Pellino of OEC Brewing, Clement Pellani of Two Roads Brewery, Tyler Jones of Black Hog Brewing, Rich Visco of Shebeen Brewing and Conor Horrigan of Half Full Brewery take their seats in front of live mics. Whatever went down, it would all happen on the record. On the record, in this case, means the proceedings would be recorded live for Ken Tuccio's Welcome To Connecticut podcast. The weekly podcast highlights businesses and personalities making an impact here in the Constitution State, and has previously broadcast with guests like Jerry Springer, Aaron Sanchez, Oh, Cassius!, the Nutmeg Curling Club, Miss Connecticut, and Anthony Bourdain's Russian sidekick, Zamir Gotta, among many others. The audio of the beer summit will go live on Thursday, March 19 on WelcomeCT.com, but CTBites was right there to bring you a first look. Read More
Weekly Nibble: St. Patty's, Kids Cooking, Whiskey Tasting, Breakfast for Dinner + More Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 05, 2015 Napa and Co continues its Winter Wine Series on Monday March 9. This session is entitled “Barolo Madness” and costs $85 per person. Tigin Irish Pub in Stamford is counting down to St. Patrick’s Day! On Tuesday March 10 at 8pm, participate in a “Super Paddy’s Day Pub Quiz” all about Irish heritage. Special prizes will be given all night. It’s always free to play and new teams are welcome! On the 2nd Tuesday of every month, Plan B Burgers will host a bourbon cocktail competition. Each month, the showdown will take place at a different Plan B location and feature a new bourbon and a new secret ingredient. The first round will take place Tuesday, March 10 at Plan B West Hartford. On Wednesday March 11, join Bernard and Sarah at 109 Cheese & Wine for a special cooking class.They will teach you how to pull together a fabulous buffet – using 5 ingredients or less! There will even be wine pairings by 109 Cheese & Wine. $90 per person, 7pm. Harry’s of Fairfield will host a Turkish Wine Class on Wednesday March 11. Read More
Bounty Food Truck & Lobstercraft Join To Feature Surf'n'Turf Catering Features Restaurant Seafood Burgers James Gribbon March 04, 2015 A snowy night found guests piled into the close confines of 284 Tokeneke Rd. in Darien to sample offerings from the combined menus of Lobstercraft and Bounty food truck. The two outfits have come together to expand their catering services for private parties, weddings and both special events, and we have your first look. "We thought the surf and turf idea between the best lobster and the best burger would make a great combo," Captain Mike Harden of Lobstercraft told CTBites. "We are working on bringing Bounty under the same roof so you can come to one place and get whatever you like." Read More
New Haven Restaurant Week: March 22 - 27, 2015 CTbites Team March 04, 2015 A destination with one of the Northeast’s hottest and growing culinary scenes, New Haven will host the spring edition of its bi-annual NEW HAVEN RESTAURANT WEEK from March 22 – 27, 2015. This twice-a-year celebration of New Haven’s cuisine culture is an opportunity for diners to experience limited-time, discounted menus at some of the city’s most celebrated eateries. 32 New Haven restaurants will offer special three-course, prix fixe menus for both lunch and dinner. The menus include an appetizer, entrée and dessert for lunch ($18 per person) and dinner ($32 per person). Prices do not include beverages, tax or gratuity (some restrictions may apply). Regular menus will also be offered in addition to the limited-time prix fixe options. Guests are strongly recommended to make reservations in advance. Read More
15 Places for Great BBQ in Connecticut Restaurant BBQ Comfort Food Best of CT Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 03, 2015 Don’t let the subzero temperatures discourage you… CT restaurants are bringing the heat with mouth-watering finger-lickin’ delicious barbeque! From Kansas-City style to meats fresh out of the smoker, these restaurants have a variety of menu items for you to enjoy. Bear’s BBQ, Windsor Wilson’s, Fairfield Smoke Box BBQ, Hamden Bar BQ, Stamford Wire Mill BBQ, West Redding Bobby Q’s BBQ, Westport Dinosaur BBQ, Stamford Walrus + Carpenter, Bridgeport Q’s Restaurant, Norwalk Vinny’s Backyard, Stamford Uncle Willie’s BBQ, West Haven & Seymour Billy’s BBQ, Bethel Johnny Utah’s, South Norwalk Drumstick BBQ, Bridgeport The Boatyard at Smokey Joe’s, Stamford Read More
Amore Cucina & Bar Opens in Stamford w/ World Pizza Champion at Helm Restaurant Italian Pizza Stamford Take Out Jessica Ryan March 01, 2015 I recently had the opportunity to visit the newly redesigned Amore Cucina & Bar on Hope Street in Stamford for a blogger dinner. The restaurant interior boasts a warm rustic atmosphere with its combination of exposed brick and distressed wood. The large bar area accommodates thirty people and offers a well thought out wine list with a concentration on Italian varietals, creative cocktails and craft beer. Sixty seats are set up in a casual trattoria style, and during warmer weather a large patio will welcome diners. The real news here is Owner Bruno DiFabio, a six-time World Pizza Champion, Restaurateur and Television Personality. With eleven restaurants in the US and new ones scheduled to open in London, I assure you that he knows pizza. Read More
