Black Rock Farmers' Market Opens June 20th: Honey Tastings, Michel Nischan & Food Demos! Features Restaurant Bridgeport Farmers Market Local Farm CTbites Team June 16, 2015 The Black Rock Farmer’s Market (BRFM) is back and better than ever! Now in its second season, the market will be held every Saturday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm on the field next to St. Ann Church on 481 Brewster Street. The mission of BRFM is to serve as a community gathering place where local and organic farmers, producers and artisans can offer fresh agricultural and related locally sourced products to the Black Rock community and surrounding area. With a strong focus on sustainability, BRFM educates people on the importance of good health and creates business opportunities for local vendors. This year will host a variety of local vendors including Sport Hill Farm of Easton, Aradia Farm of Southbury, K is for Cookies of Black Rock, Jane’s Good Food of Westport and more. There are many new and exciting experiences for market attendees, including more local farms, food demos and educational programs. The last Saturday of every month, visitors can shop for unique and creative items in the Artisan Market. New this year there will also be a lecture series beginning on June 27th featuring Michel Nischan, CEO, President and Co-Founder of Wholesome Wave in Bridgeport. Nischan was recently named Humanitarian of the Year by the James Beard Foundation. Read More
The Winners of The Food Truck Rodeo Giveaway Are... Stephanie Webster June 16, 2015 We recently offered up 3 sets of tix to the Food Truck Rodeo in Stamford, going down this weekend in Mill River Park. We are pleased to announce the winners of the giveaway. Please step forward and claim your prize! Tamara, Ebonie & Robin G are the lucky winners. To all who attend the event, have fun and eat something delicious on our behalf. Read More
What is the Gourmet Mode in the Wolf Convection Steam Oven? (sponsored post) Features Kitchen Gear CTbites Team June 16, 2015 It seems that the Chinese have been cooking with steam for more than 3,000 years. And the "combi oven" (steam and convection combined) is a fixture in the finest European restaurants, bakeries and home kitchens. For the past several years in the U.S., many have been talking about steam ovens and how this is such a healthy way to cook. People bandy about the terms "Steam Oven," "Combi Oven," "Convection Steam Oven" and we're here to talk about the one option that is leading the pack in features, performance and number of models available. With the Wolf Convection Steam Oven you enjoy exactly the right mix of heat and humidity for any dish - crispy or flaky on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. You have ten cooking modes at your command: Steam, Auto Steam Bake, Convection, Convection Humid, Convection Steam, Gourmet, Slow Roast, Reheat, Recipes and Keep Warm. Read More
The White Hart Inn in Salisbury Led by Chef Annie Wayte Restaurant Litchfield Road Trip Douglas P Clement June 14, 2015 Scallop Crudo. Photo: Julie Bidwell With British chef Annie Wayte at the helm, fellow Englishman Paul Pearson cooking alongside her, and pastry chef Gabby Rios sculpting gorgeous desserts, The Dining Room at The White Hart in Salisbury is as brilliant as it is new, and instantly one of the best restaurants in Connecticut. Wayte, who opened fashion designer Nicole Farhi’s namesake restaurant and 202 Café in London and New York City, also worked with Sally Clarke — the Alice Waters of England — and she’s passionate about cooking with the best local and seasonal ingredients produced sustainably. Pearson “has a very high style of cooking,” Wayte says, and the results of their collaboration are dishes with lush, painterly artistry that embody purity and integrity and taste amazing. Read More
Bar Sugo's Pat Pascarella Shares Recipe for Fiore di Zucca Modo Mio (Fried Zucchini Blossoms) CTbites Team June 14, 2015 Chef Pat Pascarella, of Bar Sugo in Norwalk, will be the Guest Chef at The Westport Farmers' Market next week, Thursday June 25th. He will be demonstrating and sharing his delicious recipe for Fiore di Zucca Modo Mio, or fried zucchini flowers filled with goat cheese. Um...who doesn't like that? These delicate nibbles are seasonal and not to be missed. Read More
Friday Froth: 10 Rare Beers You Should Be Drinking Now James Gribbon June 12, 2015 I've seen some pretty lazy beer writing on the internet in the last few years. It's sort of a natural outgrowth of macrobrewers and the mainstream media gradually rising from Cthulu-esque slumber and training a gummy eye on what the kids are up to with this whole ($19.6 billion) craft beer fad. Suits being suits, they've tried to jump on the wagon by inventing fake micros, denigrating craft beer drinkers, and generally trying to rastafy their corporate reputation by ten percent. I can abide - and laugh at - Dominos launching an "artisan pizza" line, as it affects me precisely none percent. I'll join others in opening mocking a list of 50 top New England breweries which managed to quarantine the entire state of Connecticut, but when Esquire's beer writer leaves this "turd" on the doorstep, I'm just barely miffed enough to write about it. You deserve better, dammit, so I'm offering a different kind of top ten this week. Here are ten beers you should be drinking now: Read More
CTbites Invites Recap: Artisan Happy Hour 2015 CTbites Invites Invites CTbites Team June 12, 2015 Last Friday, as the skies cleared up and the temps warmed up, over 60 attendees at CTbites Invites “Kickoff of Summer” Happy Hour on The Patio at Artisan enjoyed the gorgeous setting, the plentiful Margaritas and Chef Frederic Kieffer’s grilled hors d-oeuvres. The theme of the Happy Hour was to introduce the new outdoor grill, recently acquired from The Lone Star state and even the Margaritas featured a grilled lime garnish. The cozy patio bar was a buzz as the servers circulated with platters of prosciutto and mint wrapped grilled cantaloupe, grilled sesame salmon, grilled pineapple and shrimp skewers, baby lamb chops with mint yogurt and grilled vegetable and fruit skewers. Read More
Brick + Wood Pizza in Fairfield Announces Guest Chef Lineup Fairfield Pizza CTbites Team June 11, 2015 Early in 2015, Brick + Wood in Fairfield, launched a Guest Chef Series inviting local Chefs to collaborate with Chef/Owner Paolo Cavalli on a special pizza to be offered once a month. Each Chef in the previous lineup enjoyed bringing their culinary spin to the traditional Neapolitan pie including Poutine Pizza by Chef Howard McCall of Washington Prime, a Charred Octopus Pizza by Chef Matt Storch of Match, and a Pork Belly and Short Rib Chorizo Pizza by Chef Tim Scott of Geronimo Tequilla Bar and Southwest Grill. Each Guest Chef evening often sells out of the special pie with nearly 45+ served each night. Who's Next?? Here is the lineup from June through December. Plan your pizza nights now! Next In Line June 10 - Fliesher’s Craft Butchery, Ryan Fibiger July 8 – The Granola Bar, Jes Bengtson August 5 - Bobby Qs, Bob LaRose September 2 - Thali, Prasad Chirnomula Read More
Weekly Nibble: Barnum Festival, Food Truck Festivals, Farm Tours, Brew Fests + More! Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 10, 2015 Wednesday June 17, New Haven’s Prime 16 Tap House + Burgers will host a “Foolproof” beer release with owner Nick Garrison. Try some of his best brews, including a Ginger & Lemongrass Saison, Raincloud Vanilla Porter on Nitro, a vintaged Revery Stout, and more. Gingerman Greenwich and the Greenwich Wine Society invite you to a special tasting of French wines on Wednesday June 17. Guests start in the Gingerman's private party room, followed by a sit-down tasting. Wine author Paul DeBary will be on hand. $55 per person, all inclusive ($60 at the door). More information & registration here or call 203.629.1261. New Haven’s Elm City Market will host chefs from nearby Soul de Cuba Café on Thursday June 18. They’ll demonstrate how to make Cuban and African dishes… and you can taste them too! The Summer Solstice Food Truck Festival in Hamden is back this year at Hamden Town Center Park on June 19 from 4:30 to 9 pm. There will be over 40 vendors, a kids play zone, a DJ Dance Party and more. The only thing you have to pay for is your food and drink! Friday June 19, enjoy a community pub crawl in Bridgeport with the Barnum Festival. Read More
LisaMarie's Food Truck: Paradise Lost, Then Found Off The Beaten Path in CT Restaurant Catering Danbury Food Truck Lunch Lou Gorfain June 09, 2015 Lisamarie Ault was flying high. For twenty years she had served as the personal Chef to Edgar Bronfman, Sr., the billionaire magnate of the Seagram’s empire, preparing the best of everything for a man who demanded world-class excellence. That's exactly what he got from a devoted chef who was trained at CIA and cooked at restaurants from Switzerland to Hawaii. Lisamarie led a rarefied life in her own culinary paradise. But then she suddenly fell back to earth. In December of 2013, Bronfman abruptly died, and his family no longer had need for a personal cook. Lisamarie was out of a job … and a dear friend. “Mr. B”, as she calls him, had become the father she lost days before she took the position two decades earlier. “In March of last year, I had no idea what I was going to do next,” she recalls. “Suddenly, out of the blue, I learned that Mr. Bronfman had included me in his will.” On an impulse, Lisamarie decided to buy an old food truck, and take it on the road under the banner of "PARADISE FOODS.” Read More
Top 10 Burgers in Southwest CT: 2015 Edition Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger June 07, 2015 It’s that time of year again. Restaurants have opened their patios and added new menu items to highlight the newly arriving spring bounty. With the warm weather finally upon us it is time to release the 2015 list of my Top 10 Burgers in Southwest Connecticut. The burgers just keep getting better. This year I decided to return to a single list and celebrate the best of the best. Over the last year I re-visited previous winners plus sought out many other locations (three are new to this list) to taste their creations. The list was finally reduced to my favorite burgers and at the end of the day and after much soul searching and return visits, it was a tie. The Best Burger(s) in southwest Connecticut are… Read More
Food Truck Rodeo Giveaway! We've Got 6 Tix for YOU! Stephanie Webster June 06, 2015 We are giving away 3 sets of 2 tickets to the Food Truck Rodeo in Stamford. Fancy a set for yourself? Just tell us why you think you should go, and we will select the best 3 responses from the comments below. We will select the 3 winners on June 15th. Read More
Friday Froth: Beavertown Brewery, USA Features CT Beer Friday Froth Beer James Gribbon June 05, 2015 "Raygun Gothic," they call it - all pneumatic curves and sleek fins blasting through air and space. This was the look of a future that meant rocket vacations to the moon, a fission reactor in every home, and wristwatch television walkie-talkies. Like Cicely, Alaska, I've always wanted to live there. Humanity has accomplished some of this - I'm sure at least one of you reading this right now has an iWatch on your wrist - but the dream, the one Huge Gernsback had while writing inside his isolator and thinking about "Vacation City" suspended 20,000 feet in the clouds, is out of reach. Maybe not quite so far as I think, though, thanks to Beavertown Brewing of London, and late of America. Read More
Al’s Angels & 20 + CT Restaurants Launch Angel-ade Cocktail Month to Raise $$ For Kids in Need CTbites Team June 05, 2015 Al’s Angels, a non-profit charitable organization founded by Al DiGuido of Westport, CT announced today the launch of its first annual Al’s Angels “Angel-ade Cocktail ” initiative. Al’s Angels provides financial and emotional support to children suffering from severe challenges resulting from cancer and rare blood diseases. As part of the initiative, more than 25 local bars and restaurants in Connecticut will be offering Angel-ade cocktails throughout the month of June to raise donations and awareness for Al's Angels throughout the community. Initiative partners are Drinx Unlimited, Triple 8 Distillery & Newman’s Own lemonade. Participating restaurants and bars will be donating $2.00 per Angel-ade cocktail purchased throughout the month of June to Al’s Angels. Angel-ade Cocktails will be offered at: Spotted Horse – Westport, Cask Republic – New Haven, Cask Republic – Stamford, The Spread – Norwalk, Murphy’s Townhouse Café – Stamford – Sunset Grille – Norwalk, Jimmy’s Southside – Darien , Coalhouse Pizza – Stamford , Brennan’s by the Beach – Stamford, BJ Ryan’s – Norwalk, BJ’s Banc House – Norwalk , Tavern on 7 – Norwalk , The Gingerman – Norwalk, Black Rock Tavern – Thomason , @Corner Restaurant – Litchfield , Bobby Q’s Westport, 19th Hole – Stamford, Blue Lemon – Westport + more to come! Read More
Summer Watermelon Recipes via Marcia Selden Catering Recipe Eating In Seasonal Summer Marcia Selden Catering June 04, 2015 Three cheers for watermelon! This sweet, crunchy fruit reaches its peak in the summer—making it perfect for a picnic or BBQ—it’s colorful, refreshing & packed with vitamin C! It can be used in a variety of dishes (or simply sliced on a platter)! The gang at Marcia Selden Catering shares three watermelon recipes that will dazzle and can easily be made ahead. Pro tip: Tap on the shell of a seedless watermelon when shopping-if you hear a hollow sound it’s ripe and ready to eat! Enjoy these delicious recipes for: Watermelon Panzanella Salad, Tomato, Grilled Corn, Avocado & Watermelon Salad & Thai Watermelon Ceviche. Read More
Napa & Co. to Host The Withers Wine Class on June 15th CTbites Team June 03, 2015 Napa & Co. in Stamford has been a cutting edge food destination for many years and on Monday June 15th they will host a Withers Wine Class with the owner of The Withers, Andrew Tow. Tow will present six wines over three courses, each duet of wine will be paired with a special dish prepared by Napa’s Executive Chef Walter Estrada. The Withers was launched in December, 2013 in Sonoma California blending wines from vineyards in both Sonoma and Mendocino counties plus the foothills. The aim of The Withers is to “produce elegant, nuanced, balanced, food friendly expressions of cool climate vineyard sites that don’t sacrifice flavor, complexity or intensity.” The six wines that will be featured at this class are priced from $20 to $44. Read More
Weekly Nibble: Moink Balls, Strawberry Festival, Kids Eat Free!, What the Funk @ Cask, Lobster Bakes + More! Festival Beer Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 03, 2015 Tis the season for Farmer’s Markets and they are taking place all over Connecticut. Find one near you. Have you ever heard of “Moink balls?” Prepare to be amazed… they are meatballs wrapped in bacon! On Mondays, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ in Hartford sells them for 50 cents each. Newly opened Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, located in Stamford, has announced that kids eat free Monday-Saturday until 7pm (with purchase of an adult platter and southern specialty). June 10th, join Cask Republic Stamford for “What the Funk,” a night featuring beers with extreme tasting profiles. Starting at 5pm they’ll serve “funky” beers from bitter to sour to barnyard! Fairfield Cheese Company offers “Perfect Pairings: Cheese & Wine” at its Fairfield Location on Tuesday, June 9 and at its Greenwich Location Thursday, June 11. They’ll pair the perfect cheese with its perfect wine match. 7-9pm, $45 per person. Read More
"Fork It Over" Recap: The Westport Farmers' Mkt Hosts Fundraiser ellen bowen June 02, 2015 Definition of a Food Coma: The feeling of listlessness, bordering on sleep, that one feels after eating a large meal, often caused by a rush of blood to the stomach and intestines during food digestion. Well that explains why I am having such a hard time writing up this recap of today’s Westport Farmers' Market Fork It Over benefit brunch as I must be in a food coma. As the kick off event celebrating 10 years of the Market under the passionate direction of Marketing Director, Lori Cochran, this first of four planned Fork it Over events was a collaborative effort by Chef Bill Taibe of The Whelk, owner Ryan Fibiger of Fleishers Craft Butchery and owner Mimi McLaughlin of Saugatuck Grain and Grape. Read More
Clambakes & Pig Roasts: A CT Summer Catering Guide Catering April Guilbault May 31, 2015 “Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” Henry James said that. And ok, so it’s probably cliche to start an article with a quote, but you know what? This one works. And fits the bill when you are taking about taking time to enjoy a fully catered clambake or a pig-roast on well, a summer afternoon. There is warmth from the sun. You can smell the sweet scent of freshly cut grass or the salty sea breezes. When friends gather on these delightful summer days and evenings, shall you enjoy the treats of the land or the sea? Thankfully, we have gathered a treasure-trove of options for your al fresco dining pleasure! And yes, Mr. James, we agree. Enjoy CTbites' Catering Guide to Summer Clambakes & Pig Roasts. Read More
