Millwright’s at the Farm with Guest Collaborators Bill Taibe & New England Brewing Co. on September 10 Restaurant Farm Dinner Beer Amy Kundrat May 13, 2015 What happens when you combine two of Connecticut's James Beard nominated chefs, a Connecticut Brewery, a community farm, and a good cause? Millwright's at the Farm, of course! This charity dinner series is held throughout the summer with guest chefs and themes. Chef Taibe will be the guest collaborator on September 10 at 6:30 pm at Community Farm of Simsbury, located at 73 Wolcott Road, Simsbury CT 06070. Price includes tax, food and beverage at $95 per person. June 11: Chef/Owner James Wayman, The Oyster Club & The Engine Room July 16: Chef Jamie McDonald, Bears Smokehouse [Theme: BBQ] August 27: Chef Jeff Lizotte, On20 September 10: Chef Bill Taibe, LeFarm, The Whelk, Kawa Ni, and New England Brewing Co. September 24: Chef/Owner Billy Grant, grants, Bricco October 8: Chef Scott Miller, Max Group Read More
Weekly Nibble: Lots of BBQ, Happy Hours, "Beers at the Beach," Farmer's Markets + More Emma Jane-Doody Stetson May 13, 2015 Strada 18 in conjunction with Nicholas Roberts and Northeast Wine Brokers invite you to a casual wine dinner featuring the wines of Halter Ranch. It takes place on Tuesday May 19 at 7pm and costs $50 plus tax and gratuity. Each course will be served with a duo of wines. Also on Tuesday, AMG Catering presents a “Gluten Free The Easy Way” cooking class that includes a 3 course gluten free meal. The class is sold out, but check back for cancellations. On Tuesday May 19, Toast to Success will benefit Dress For Success of Mid Fairfield County. The evening consists of a wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction. 5:30-7:30 pm, $40 per person. Reserve tickets or call (203) 610-8570. City Stream Brewery in Hartford will host an Iron Bartender Competition on Tuesday May 19 from 7-10pm. Hartford area bars/restaurants compete to make the best beer cocktail in just 10 minutes. Prizes will be awarded for taste, presentation and creativity. The event is free and guests can enjoy drink specials throughout the night. Read More
Michel Nischan: Connecticut’s Humanitarian Chef Interview Westport CTbites Team May 12, 2015 As we go to print on this article, chef, CEO and humanitarian Michel Nischan is in Chicago receiving another James Beard Award, as Humanitarian of the Year. This honor has been bestowed on few, including Art Smith, Emeril Lagasse and the late Charlie Trotter. The award signifies Michel’s commitment to making a difference in how and where we buy food, food education, and Wholesome Wave programs that offer affordable access to all consumers, especially the food insecure. As a longtime Westport resident, I have fond memories of The Dressing Room next to the Westport Country Playhouse. The buzz surrounding the restaurant when it opened in 2006 was driven by the friendship and collaboration between the co-owners, Paul Newman and chef Michel Nischan and their shared beliefs about food. Together they contributed to Connecticut’s nascent farm-to-table movement, not only sourcing from local farms and purveyors, but also listing their products as part of the menu. Paul could be found there many evenings with his wife Joanne, and family and “sightings” were always a treat to patrons. Read More
Connecticut podcast host Ken Tuccio debuts "Beers At The Beach" at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk: Tix On Sale Today! James Gribbon May 11, 2015 Tickets on sale today for... Welcome to Connecticut podcast host Ken Tuccio will debut "Beers At The Beach" at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk. The event will be held at Ripka's Beach Cafe, and is designed to be the first in a series of exclusive beer related events featuring breweries that are a bit out of the way if you live in Fairfield County, according to Tuccio. The first event will featuring Beer'd Brewing from Stonington, and the taps open at 6:30p.m. Advance tickets are $35 ($45 at the door), and include your choice of hamburger, veggie burger, or two hot dogs from Ripka's. Attendance will be capped at 150 people, so it makes sense to get yours early and guarantee yourself a spot to grab a bite, taste beers, and participate in Tuccio's live interview with Aaren Simoncini of Beer'd Brewing. This event WILL sell out, so we encourage you to purchase your tickets today. Read More
Support Celiac Disease Awareness Month by Eating @ These Great Local Restaurants & Markets CTbites Team May 11, 2015 May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. To support Celiac Disease Awareness Month, several local restaurants we frequent and who take measures to serve us safe gluten free food are partnering with R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Celiac Kids) by offering 10% off Gluten Free orders to those with celiac for the month of May. Restaurants include: Meli Melo (Greenwich), Quattro Pazzi (Fairfield), Catch a Healthy Habit (Fairfield), The Stand Juice Company (Fairfield and Norwalk), Terrain (Westport), Villharina's Pasta (Westport), Stiles Market (Westport). If restaurants or markets would like to join the cause please contact us. Read More
Hoodoo Brown BBQ Opening May 15 - Outrageous BBQ in Ridgefield Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger May 08, 2015 For our readers that have longed for real Texas BBQ, the wait is about to end when Hoodoo Brown BBQ opens for dinner in Ridgefield next Friday, May 22rd Friday, May 15th. CTbites was invited for a sneak peek to meet the owner Cody Sperry and Chris Sexton, spend some time with renowned pitmaster Nestor Laracuente, and most importantly sample some of the outstanding slow cooked meats that will be offered. Cody (on the left above) and Chris (on the right above) were friends growing up in Ridgefield and had the dream of bringing real BBQ to their hometown. For the last 17 years they researched all aspects of this fantastic cuisine, from the smoker to the meat to the pitmaster. They eventually drove to Georgia and personally transported the 108” long Lang smoker. But it wasn’t until the final, and most important, piece of the puzzle was put in place that their dream would become a reality. Chris was engaged with renowned pitmaster Nestor Laracuente (pictured left with beef ribs) on social media and when the opportunity was presented to Nestor to move to CT from his native Queens, he visited Ridgefield, discussed the vision of Hoodoo Brown and decided to bring his craft to Fairfield County. Read More
Weekly Nibble: Stamford Rooftop Bars; Mystic Food Truck Rally; Brews & BBQ; Cheese & Cider Class + More Food Truck Beer Bar Emma Jane-Doody Stetson May 08, 2015 Stamford’s Harbor Point now boasts “Sign of the Whale,” a roof top beer garden with views of Long Island Sound. Visit them on weekdays for happy hour from 4-7pm. During that time, try $4 drafts, $5 mixed drinks, and $2 off all wine by the glass. Freshii Fairfield is encouraging kids to eat healthy with its “Kids Eat Free program” in the month of May. Kids ages 10 and under will receive a free, healthy lunch on weekends with the purchase of an adult entrée. CT has great beers and now you can try them at Cask Republic New Haven. Monday, May 11 is an ALL CT Night! They’ll have brews from every brewery in CT available. May 12th, Vespa in Westport will host the 1st of their Vintage Vespa wine dinners w/ Marchesi Fumanelli's “Iconic Wines from an Iconic Family.” The Marchesi Fumanelli family have been cultiaving grapes and producing prestigious wines since 1470. Event starts @6:30pm, $125 not including tax or gratuity Read More
Friday Froth: Back To The Land With Kent Falls Brewery Ingredients CT Beer Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon May 08, 2015 The drinking population, increasingly located in cities as we carve through the invisible gelatin of time's future, has been separated from the earth. Beer taps in brick buildings reflect the light of televisions, and fluorescent light sears our retinas as we grab a shiny cardboard package from metal coolers. We obtain beer from chrome. The paradox is that brewing culture in the extravagantly digital 21st century has begun to bring us a little closer to the farm, and to the inextricable link between agriculture and beer. Breweries were farms and farms were breweries, for most of human history. People fed themselves with what they grew and raised, but they also drank it, and the beers changed based on whatever crop was in season. We still drink the different styles of beer which resulted from these changes, but now we hardly ever see the farm. That's beginning to change, in food as well as beer. Read More
Colony Grill To Open in Norwalk CT @ New Waypointe Site Restaurant Norwalk Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly CTbites Team May 07, 2015 Colony Grill Development, LLC has reached a lease agreement with CP IV Waypointe BP I, LLC to open a Colony Grill within the newly-constructed Waypointe development, located at 515 West Avenue in Norwalk, CT. Colony, famous for its thin-crust hot oil pizza, plans to open the location in mid-summer 2015. “We believe Colony Grill is one of the restaurant linchpins of this project, “said Paxton Kinol, principal at Bellpointe Capital, the Waypointe developer. “We love their pizza, their local authenticity, and their commitment to community as a company. Colony is a tremendous amenity to the Waypointe project.” Read More
How To Stock Your Pantry for Spring Entertaining via Marcia Selden Marcia Selden Catering May 07, 2015 Spring is finally here, and that means open doors, bare feet and friends dropping in to say, hi! If you want to make sure you're never be caught off guard, make sure you keep a few of these essential items on hand to throw together a fabulous impromptu platter of nibbles. Serve with a nice bottle of wine, and you’re ready to party...anytime! Check out our complete list of pantry must haves to make your warm weather entertaining a breeze. Perfectly Stocked Pantry List Thai lime chili spiced almonds or cashews, truffled Marcona almonds, candied walnuts Pickled asparagus or green beans Read More
Basso Cafe to Host 5-Course Dinner Featuring Wines of Italy CTbites Team May 07, 2015 Join Chef Renato Donzelli of Basso Cafe on May 21st when he hosts a five course dinner with wine pairings featuring wines from Italy. Joining Chef Renato will be Larry Tortorici, who will discuss each of the wines. Many may know Tortorici who conducts the weekly "Saturdays with Larry" tastings at Stew Leonard's. The first course of the evening will be a Tuna tartare with roasted almonds and currants served with caraway seed tuiles. The tartare will be paired with Ponte Prosecco - DOCG - Valdobbiadene-Conegliano from Veneto. For the second course Chef Renato will prepare Maine Diver Sea Scallop served over roasted tomato Provencal and creamy polenta with pancetta, drizzled with black truffle vinaigrette. Complementing this course will be a Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi - DOCG Monterotondo, Gavi from the Southern Piedmont region. Read More
Meet Walrus + Carpenter's Pitmaster, Ben McCrea, The Man Who Makes The Meat Interview Restaurant American BBQ Bridgeport Lunch Sarah Green May 06, 2015 Ben McCrea is a gentle-giant of a man, but don't let his warm, friendly facade fool you. Underneath that kind-hearted shell is a mean, Auss-een, grilling machine. In the WAY back of the lot on Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport that Walrus + Carpenter calls home, is the perch where Ben keeps watch. His job... smoking all types of meat to perfection. But what makes the man that makes the meat?Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Ben gained his skills from watching his grandfather grill on the "barbie," but becoming a grill master wasn't his first passion. Ben came to the States as a boxer and did very well in that 'arena.' However, boxing is a short career and Ben knew something more awaited. What he didn't know was that it would be a smoker with a 500 gallon propane tank, commissioned by Walrus co-owner Joe Farrell (along with Adam Roytman.) Read More
Westport Farmers' Market "Fork It Over" Dinner Series On Sale May 13th: Chef Lineup Here! Stephanie Webster May 05, 2015 What is "Fork it Over?" Well...the specifics for these events are a tad on the down low, but we can tell you a few savory and succulent details. The Westport Farmers' Market will host 4 fundraising events featuring seasonal ingredients. Each of these dinners will be hosted at locations to be announced the day of each dinner, and the chefs (or chefs) will be a complete surprise. Chefs for these events include (sit down for this one): Arik Bensimon (le Farm); Matt Storch (Match); James Cooper (BONDA); Barcelona; Geoff Lazlo; Pat Pascarella (Bar Sugo); Jenn Balin (Sugar & Olives); Nick Martschenko (South End); Tim LaBant (Schoolhouse); Matt Stanczak (Stanziato's); Breno Donati (JHouse); Bill Taibe; Anthony Kostelis of The Whelk; Craft Butchery/Fleishers & Phoebe Cole Smith. Join in the fun...and mystery. Help support the amazing efforts of Lori Cochran, and the Westport Farmers' Market. Read More
Marcell Davidsen Succeeds Joel Viehland as Executive Chef of Community Table in Washington, CT Restaurant Farm to Table Washington Amy Kundrat May 04, 2015 Photo c/o Community Table Marcell Davidsen will succeed Joel Viehland as Executive Chef of Community Table in Washington, CT beginning May 15. The restaurant shared the news of Davidsen's appointment in an announcement released this evening. A native of Denmark whose style is infused with Nordic infuences and exquisite plating, Davidsen was the restaurant's fomer sous chef under Viehland. Community Table's mission – celebrating modern cuisine informed by local farms and purveyors – will remain the overarching framework under Chef's Davidsen's leadership: From Community Table: Marcell Davidsen succeeds Joel Viehland as Executive Chef of Community Table After five remarkable years, and much national recognition including a nomination for best new restaurant in America by the James Beard Foundation and best chef nominations by Food and Wine Magazine and James Beard, Joel Viehland passes the reins to his former Sous Chef Marcell Davidsen. Read More
Locali in New Canaan: New Spring Menu, Clam Apizza + More Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger May 02, 2015 Spring has finally sprung! Chefs are introducing their new spring menus and restaurants are returning tables to their patios for guests looking to enjoy ‘al fresco’ dining. On a semi-crisp April evening I ventured to Locali in New Canaan to sample Chef Mogan Anthony’s newest additions to the spring menu, plus his version of the quintessential CT pizza - the clam apizza. There were several delicious additions to his small plates. Read More
Cinco de Mayo Tips c/o Aarón Sánchez & Serendipity Magazine Ingredients Features Holiday Recipe CTbites Team May 01, 2015 c/o Serendipty Magazine Chef Aarón Sánchez, Executive Chef of Paloma in Stamford, and well-known TV personality with appearances on Chopped and Taco Trip, is the guest editor of Serendipity Magazine's recent issue. His gourmet take on tacos and Cinco de Mayo party tips will leave you inspired to celebrate this Mexican holiday with his signature contemporary Latin approach. On Party Prep Try to have as many things done ahead of time as possible, and display food in cool bowls. I have dishes with different compartments where you can put little things like pickles in my line at Target.com. Pre-make your drinks in pitchers so you just have to add ice. The key is being proactive with the prep. You don’t want to be working hard while your guests are there. Read More
Instabites: Camille's Pizza in Tolland, Anthony's Deli in Stamford, Holbrook Farm in Bethel, Donut Crazy in Shelton Restaurant Bethel Local Farm Shelton Stamford Tolland Amy Kundrat and Stephanie Webster May 01, 2015 A few of our recent snackable moments from Instagram: Read More
The First Annual Food Truck Festival in New Haven Restaurant Food Truck New Haven CTbites Team April 30, 2015 The first annual New Haven Food Truck Festival will take place on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, along the Long Wharf Waterfront. A celebration of New Haven street food, the family friendly event will include live music, children's activities local vendors, and rides provided by Marenna Amusements. Tickets are $5 per person (children age 17 and under are free). Proceeds will fund a micro loans and other financial assistance to New Haven's emerging small business entrepreneurs. For more information, visit newhavenfoodtruckfestival.com. Read More
Chef Thomas Henkelmann's Samuel Adams Glazed Veal Shank c/o The Greenwich Girl Features Greenwich Amy Kundrat April 30, 2015 Photo: Lora Warnick Our go-to gal in lower Fairfield County, Greenwich Girl Laura McKittrick, shared a recipe from her recent Food & Brews Issue with the Homestead Inn's award-winning chef, Thomas Henkelmann. If you don't know about Chef Henkelmann or the Homestead Inn, picture a cozy yet charming setting with a French-inspired menu and dishes that double as works of art. This Sam Adams veal dish is a delicious way you can recreate a bit of the Homestead in your own home. Samuel Adams Glazed Veal Shank with Red Cabbage, Carrots & Pearl Onions Read More
Weekly Nibble: Cinco de Mayo, Mothers Day Brunch Spots, New Happy Hours + More Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 30, 2015 Monday May 4, Napa and Co continues their wine classes with a night focused on Honig, a solar-powered, sustainable, and family run endeavor. 6:30pm. On Tuesday May 5, Bodega is celebrating Cinco de Mayo at both locations. Join them in Darien starting at 5pm for a Pig Roast and Pincho Party on the Patio featuring pig and special menu items from the grill. There will be live music and dancing by PanaMusik and friends from Patron Tequila will be offering bottle service, drink specials and giveaways. Many of CT’s best restaurants have special Mother’s Day celebrations. Here are 17 with special menus and promotions: Reserve early. AMG Catering will offer a Mother’s Day Brunch Class on Tuesday May 5 from 7-9pm. Learn dishes like Spinach and feta “ strada” with carmelized onions, Challah bread French toast “ pudding” with three berry salad, and Crepes. It costs $78 per person. http://amgcatering.com/942/ On May 7th, Community Plates, the technology-fueled, direct-transfer food rescue organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in America, is thrilled to present their signature fundraiser, “Food for All.” The evening features 18 of Fairfield County’s newest restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and a Dessert Café, which will feature sweet treats and libations. It will take place Thursday, May 7 from 6-9 PM at The Loading Dock (375 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford, CT). Tickets cost $75 ($60 each for groups of 6 or more and can be purchased at http://communityplates.org/ffa15ffld/ . Read More
