Weekly Nibble: Chocolate Party, Bodega Industry Night, Pig Roasts, Homebrew, Cooking Classes & More! Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 11, 2015 Bodega Taco Bar Fairfield Presents: Holiday Industry Night Monday December 14th to benefit Operation Hope. Guest can bring canned-goods/non perishable food to be donated. DJ Gruv 8:30 PM, Food Truck Pop Up -Special Food truck tacos all night, specialty cocktails. Thomas Hooker Brewing Company hosts a Mug Club Christmas Party Tap Takeover on December 16 from 5-7pm. The brewing team will be at The Pattaconk 1850 Bar & Grille in Chester to introduce new and seasonal beers. Join Walrus + Carpenter for a Whole Hog Pig Roast on Thursday December 17. The evening includes Bluegrass music, craft beer specials, delicious hog, and sides! From December 13-19, Grace Farms in New Canaan is offering special holiday programming. December 13 at 7:30pm, Michael McElroy and Broadway Inspirational Voices will put on a live concert with performers from Broadway classics. ($40 adults, $25 youth). Read More
The Blind Rhino Sports Bar Opens in South Norwalk Restaurant Beer Cocktails Norwalk SONO Sports Bar Bar Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 10, 2015 When I hear “sports bar,” I think lots of big screen TVs, beers, burgers, wings, nachos, anything to go with my Jets or Giants jersey. The Blind Rhino, recently opened in South Norwalk on Main Street just north of Washington, is undoubtedly a sports bar, with 27 big screen TVs, shuffleboard, darts, and jerseys adorning the walls. At the same time, it has elevated the cuisine with impressive menu items, an array of craft beers and a variety of whiskeys. Many sports bar staples are still on the menu, but with a twist! Owner /Chef Jamie Pantanella oversees the cuisine. He has worked in restaurants and catering all over New England for the past 22 years. His most recent restaurant experience includes The Brewhouse and Gingerman SoNo. At The Blind Rhino, Pantanella hones his years of experience to offer his “highlight reel.” The menu is not large, but each item is thoughtful and flavorful. “While having sections like wings, appetizers, soups, and sandwiches seem to be par for the course, having items like Togareshi Dry Rub Wings, Cider Braised Pork Belly Sliders, and a Sliced Ribeye Cheese Steak is exactly how we want to take the dining experience to the next level,” says manager Casey Dohme. Read More
Holiday Themed Pop Up Cocktail Lounge Opens Tonight: Miracle on Wall Street in Norwalk Restaurant Cocktails Bar Stephanie Webster December 09, 2015 Amp up the festivities this holiday season by visiting Miracle on Wall Street, a pop up holiday themed cocktail bar opening in Norwalk’s Wall Street neighborhood on December 9th. What to know before you go? This is NOT your average pop up bar. The concept began in New York City last year when Miracle on 9th Street transformed an East Village lounge into a brilliantly kitschy holiday hangout. Guest mixologists, custom holiday glassware, tons of tinsel, and cocktails with names like “ The Reindeer’s Revolt,” created a uniquely fun drinking experience. Guests went crazy for the concept and now there are four pop up locations in NYC, DC, and as of today, CT. Read More
Blaze Pizza Opens First Connecticut Location in New Haven Amy Kundrat December 08, 2015 Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza is opening its first Connecticut location in New Haven, on Friday, December 11. The "build your own" artisanal pizza restaurant will open within Jordan's Furniture on Sargent Drive. The concept is fast casual pizza at a compelling price: any pizza (any toppings on a personal-sized pizza) will be about $8 and ready to eat in 180 seconds. Founded in 2012, there are currently 99 Blaze Pizza's in 23 states and Canada. Our mission at Blaze is really simple– we're taking pizza back to its roots," said Jim Mizes, president and COO of Blaze Pizza. "By making dough in-house, carefully sourcing ingredients, and cooking by fire, we're giving guests a great way to enjoy artisinal pizza without the wait. It's changing the way people think about and eat pizza. Read More
Bareburger to Open in Harbor Point on December 21st Restaurant Stamford Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly Burgers CTbites Team December 08, 2015 The second Connecticut location for Bareburger, in Harbor Point, is due to open on December 21st, as the micro-chain-gone-global expands its Connecticut offerings. Bareburger started in 2009…after receiving rave reviews preparing hamburgers in the kitchen of Sputnik, an underground music haunt in Brooklyn, Euripides Pelekanos founded Bareburger in an Astoria, Queens’ storefront. After bringing his winning formula to thirteen additional NYC locations, Bareburger launched its first location in Ridgefield in 2013 and is now ready to launch its second, Stamford, location. In an exclusive interview with CTbites, Pelekanos explained his philosophy and vision as Bareburger first expanded from its single Astoria location into a global chain. “I want all of my products to be organic or as close to organic as possible. From the meat to the toppings to the salads, I want natural or organic; that is my personal preference; that is what I eat.” Read More
Brian Lewis' The Cottage Opens in Westport - A First Delicious Look Restaurant American Farm to Table Westport Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 06, 2015 Chef Brian Lewis, one of Connecticut’s most influential chefs and celebrated for being on the cutting edge of the state’s dining scene, opened his new restaurant, The Cottage, this past weekend. It is Chef Lewis’ second Fairfield County restaurant, redesigning the space that formerly housed Le Farm into a charming 44-seat establishment in the heart of town. Known for his thoughtful and innovative dishes that garnered him accolades from The New York Times, Esquire and Connecticut Magazine, The Cottage features his highly revered seasonal American cuisine in a warm and relaxing environment. The Cottage reflects Chef Lewis’ vision and represents his desire to produce a premier neighborhood destination serving the finest, locally sourced cuisine. The menu will be updated weekly paying homage to local farmers and artisans in the region that share Lewis’s commitment to exceptionally sourced and quality seasonal ingredients. “My wife, Dana, and I have fallen in love with Westport over the years, spending so much of our free time here with our boys, Jude and Jax. The food scene here, the community of chefs, and farmer’s market have always been a big part of my day to day life.” Read More
Gretchen Thomas of Barcelona Wine Bar Launches “Gretchen’s Selections” Ingredients Recipe Wine Bar Wine Chat Wine Shop Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 06, 2015 Exciting news from Barcelona Wine Bar and Barteca Restaurant Group! Selections from their award-winning wine list, recognized by publications like Wine Spectator and The Wall Street Journal, are now available online. Newly unveiled “Gretchen’s Selections” features approximately 25 wines that are directly imported and offered to Barcelona’s guests. Each wine was hand-selected by Gretchen Thomas, acclaimed Wine and Spirits Director for Barteca Restaurant Group. “I’m always looking for great wines for the Barcelona wine program, whether they are sold through my trusted suppliers or not,” says Thomas. Sometimes she comes across amazing bottles here at home. Vineyards will ship wines to her or she will be introduced to someone in the area doing something new and exciting. Other times, her quest takes her overseas. Read More
CTbites Invites: White Truffle Dinner at Da Pietro’s Restaurant December 10th Restaurant CTbites Invites Dinner Events CTbites Team December 06, 2015 CTbites Invites and Westport's own "celebrity chef" Pietro Scotti celebrate the final weeks of white truffle season with a special four course prix fix dinner for ONE NIGHT ONLY on THURSDAY DECEMBER 10 at 7:00 pm., specially priced at $150 pp. Purchase your tickets Here.... If you have never tasted this delicacy, this is your chance to savor the unique and special funghi foraged in the hills of Alba, Italy at a very special price. Join Chef Pietro in his intimate and award winning restaurant, Da Pietro's, for four courses that include: Read More
Friday Froth: It's Porter Season...Here's What To Drink Recipe Beer CT Beer James Gribbon December 04, 2015 I won't be mad if you tell me you don't like porters, but I will be disappointed. This is mainly because it robs me of the opportunity to order taster samples of this imperial, and that oatmeal version, and - oh man, you have to try this sour Baltic one... until you are half drunk from slamming six two ounce servings of 9% alcohol beer in four minutes, and the bartender hates us both. I am enthusiastic in my love for porter beers, and I want to share that joy. Being a pasty Irish dude, I am a natural ally of the darker, colder months, and the necessary extra layers of clothing work well in disguising the extra layers of me which come from downing 500-calorie pints two at a time. You may notice something funny going on with the names of several of the beers we're looking at this week, after that intro so, first, a quick bit of knowledge: all stouts are porters, but not all porters are stouts. If you'd like to do a deep dive on the subject, you can do worse than this. Read More
Weekly Nibble: Holiday Events, Beer Conn, Pub Crawls, Ugliest Sweaters & Wine Dinners Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 04, 2015 The Kenny G Holiday Show comes to the Ridgefield Playhouse on Tuesday December 8. 109 Wine & Cheese will hold a complimentary wine tasting in the lobby prior to the show at 7:15pm. Gallo Ristorante offering complimentary glass of house wine or beer if you dine there pre-show w/ a ticket to the event. Tre Scalini in New Haven invites you to A Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian holiday tradition, on Tuesday December 8. From 6:30-9:30pm, sit down to a five course dinner, complete with wine pairings. It costs $85 per person. Brasitas in Stamford invites will host a five course dinner featuring Chilean wines from Lapostolle on Wednesday December 9. The cost is $65 and reservations are required. Please email stamford@brasitas.com or call 203-323-3176. Start your holiday season with Blackstone’s Steakhouse and the Greenwich Wine Society on Wednesday December 9. There will be hors d’oeuvres, wine, and time to mingle. Admission is $45 now and $50 at the door. please Visit www.GreenwichWineSociety.com or call 203.629.1261. Stonington Vineyards is hosting a very special event on Thursday December 10: A vertical tasting and evening with their winemaker. Read More
Holiday Recipe: Fleisher’s Hanukkah Brisket Ryan Fibiger December 03, 2015 Nobody knows Brisket better than Fleisher's Craft Butcher, and while brisket is traditional Hanukkah fare, there really is never a bad time for birsket. This recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for a cold winter night. Enjoy Fleisher's Hanukkah Brisket recipe and happy Hanukkah! Read More
Basso Café Restaurant in Norwalk Adds Wine Bar + New Menu Restaurant Italian New Canaan Norwalk Venezuelan Wine Bar Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger December 02, 2015 Several years ago CTbites visited Basso Café Restaurant on New Canaan Avenue in Norwalk and was very impressed with many of the dishes created by Owner / Chef Renato Donzelli. Since that time Chef Renato has maintained his vision of creating a wine bar to complement the food, and that is now a reality as Basso Café Restaurant is now Basso Café Restaurant Wine Bar. The interior has been updated with large, vibrant paintings along one wall, smaller modern pieces along the other wall overseeing the 60 seat dining area. The lighting is soft and inviting and acoustical tiles have been installed to reduce the noise level. After the recent receipt of a full liquor license, guests can now benefit from Chef Renato’s pairing of wines to balance the vibrant flavors of his cuisine and the rear of the restaurant now showcases the bar area with a selection of personally selected spirits, including organic vodkas. Read More
Shout Out: What's Your Most Essential Kitchen Gadget? Recipe CTbites Shout Out Kitchen Gear CTbites Team December 02, 2015 Whether you're a chef or a home cook, I'm sure you have an arsenal of kitchen tools and gadgets you simply can't live without. Alton Brown favors multi-taskers. Some favor a broader approach of single use gadgets (my favorite being the cherry pitter). We've posted some of our favorites over in our Gadget Guru section, but we want to hear from you. What is the one kitchen gadget you can't live without? Post your comment below! [This shout out was first posted in 2010. A lot has changed in 5 years...or perhaps not so much.] Read More
Sufganiyot (Cream Filled Doughnuts) Hanukkah Recipe from Roia Restaurant Recipe Holiday Recipe Stephanie Webster December 01, 2015 The first night of Hanukkah is December 6th. The miracle of Hanukkah is that only one vial of oil was found with just enough oil for one day, and yet it lasted for 8 full days. And so, we celebrate the holiday by paying homage to an ingredient no cook can do without...oil. Roia Restaraunt in New Haven has shared a wonderful recipe to enhance any true Hanukkah celebration Sufganiyot (Cream Filled Doughnuts). Pay tribute to the oil that lasted 8 days while enjoying one of America's favorite desserts. Happy Hanukkah! Read More
Harts Gallery Benefit Featuring Food by Chef Joel Viehland CTbites Team November 30, 2015 A benefit for the Harts Gallery Children’s Art Program in New Milford will take place on Saturday, December 12 from 5 to 8 p.m., with food & wine tastings by Chef Joel Viehland, former executive chef at Community Table. The food will be a preview for the Viehland's forthcoming restaurant concept opening soon in Kent, Connecticut. Advance tickets are $40 per person; $50 at the door. Evan Abramson and Carmen Elsa Lopez Ambramson run the artist-run space, and explained the impetus for the event: Read More
2015 CT Food Lover's Holiday Gift Guide Restaurant Recipe Gift Guide Holiday Kitchen Gear Specialty Market April Guilbault November 29, 2015 “At the end of the day, people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” said the incomparable Maya Angelou. Well, we couldn’t agree more! So this holiday season, we know that when you give some of these gifts that we have found (along with a wide smile, a big hug and happy greetings!), the lucky recipients will surely be feeling the love. Happy them, happy you. Happy holidays, everyone! Here are 16 creative and delicious local CT gifts for the food lover in your life. Read More
Weekly Nibble: Cookie Crawl, Happy Hours, Holiday Markets, Cooking Classes + More! Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 28, 2015 On Wednesday December 2, elm restaurant invites you to a wine dinner featuring wine from The Withers. 5 courses, i.e. Smoked Pork Collar with red carrot and salsa verde, will be served alongside select wines. Dinner begins at 7pm and costs $85 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Also on Wednesday, Harry’s in Fairfield will hold a high-end wines class from 7-9pm. They have chosen wine from their top shelves that are age-worthy and high quality. It costs $70 per person. Troegs Brewing and Walrus + Carpenter are hosting a Mad Elf and ugly sweater party on Thursday December 3! It includes a Troegs tap takeover and live music starting at 6:30pm. Don’t forget your ugly sweater! The SoNo Holiday Bazaar will pop up at the Iron Works at 1 North Water Street in SoNo featuring local vendors selling jewelry, apparel & accessories, kitchen gifts, home décor + DJ’s and entertainment for your shopping pleasure. Food vendors include: Bar Sugo's fresh pasta, Dorset Maple Syrup, Calcutta Kitchen & rotating small batch cookie companies You’ve heard of a pub crawl… but what about a cookie crawl? On Friday December 4, collect over a dozen cookies by visiting local shops and eateries. All of the cookies are made by the Gateway Community College Culinary Department in New Haven’s 9th square. Tickets are $10. Celebrate the repeal of Prohibition in New Haven! On Saturday December 5, Ordinary is hosting its 2nd annual Repeal Day Party with $8 prohibition inspired cocktails from 5-9pm. Costumes are encouraged! Read More
Giving Back: Fighting Hunger in Connecticut on #GivingTuesday and Beyond Fundraiser Hartford Norwalk Amy Kundrat November 26, 2015 Photo c/o Community Plates Giving Tuesday has become a global day dedicated to giving back. This year it takes place on Tuesday, December 1, neatly positioned after our national day of thanks and a weekend of retail mayhem. If you’re planning on giving this holiday season around #GivingTuesday, why not consider supporting Connecticut-based charities that benefit the hungry? These charities are near and dear to our hearts at CTbites because while we celebrate food, we also understand that for too many, food insecurity is a major issue. And in our country, and certainly in Connecticut, that doesn’t feel right. If you’re planning on giving back this holiday season, and especially on Tuesday, December 1, here are a few hunger-related charities making an impact across the state. We know there are many terrific agencies and non profits not listed below, please share additional organizations that we should highlight by adding them in the comments section: Read More
Great Cakes & Cupcakes at Forever Sweet Bakery Ingredients Recipe Bakery Catering Kid Friendly Dessert CTbites Team November 24, 2015 Forever Sweet Bakery is celebrating its third anniversary as one of the most creative bakeries for cupcakes, cake pops, and special occasion themed cakes. Located off the beaten path in a strip mall on New Canaan Avenue in Norwalk, CTbites visited on opening day several years ago and over the last three years the bakery has received numerous accolades including the 2014 & 2015 Best of the Gold Coast Cupcakes. CTbites recently returned to Forever Sweet to confirm the original impression and taste the expanded offerings of cupcakes that owners Sky and Frances Mercede have created. Over the years, their cakes have been featured at many political victory parties and charity events including the Connecticut Food Bank, the Westport Little League and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Sky and Frances believe in giving back to the community as often as possible. Read More
