Filtering by Tag: CTbites Invites,Vietnamese

CTbites Invites: Happy Hour on the Kawa Ni Rooftop for $39

Restaurant CTbites Invites

ellen bowen

Are you still kicking yourself for missing the CTbites Happy Hour on the Patio at Artisan last month?  No worries… CTbites is excited to offer a second chance to celebrate Summer 2016,  this time on the wonderful outdoor rooftop patio of Kawa Ni Westport on Wednesday July 13th from 5:30-7:30 pm      ( Raindate Thursday July 14th )  Buy your tickets here http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2566107

Overlooking the Saugatuck River, and watching the boats, kayaks and paddleboarders drift by is a special bonus to the evening which for $39 includes Chef Jeff Taibe's creative and delicious appetizers and two beverages of your choice.  Enhancing the patio experience are two familiar faces, Carissa and Maddy, from The Stand Juice Bar. They bring with them both their sparkling personalities, as well as some of The Stands juices and a specialty cocktail blend called "Pick Your Poison", to enjoy while nibbling Kawa Ni's Izakaya appetizers like :

Pork Spring Rolls
Mini Tofu Pockets
Peekytoe Crab Rangoon
Ebi Sticks
Kani Salad
Broccoli Salad


CTbites Invites: Happy Hour on The Patio at Artisan for $39

Restaurant CTbites Invites Invites

CTbites Team

For the third year in a row, CTbites has partnered with Chef Frederic Kieffer and Artisan at the Delamar Hotel Southport for an outdoor Happy Hour on their gorgeous patio and bar. Mark your calendars for Wednesday June 1st 5:30-7:30, as we kick off “al fresco” dining with assorted appetizers and cocktails.  

Priced at $39, the Happy Hour includes a specialty cocktail and a second cocktail or wine or beer. Buy your tickets here:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2553071

Chef Frederic is preparing a number of signature appetizers both passed and buffet style to accompany a special summer cocktail created by the talented Artisan bartender team.  

Menu Includes...


Nom-Eez Opens in Bridgeport: Vietnamese (With a Side of Donuts)

Restaurant Asian Black Rock Bridgeport Vietnamese Breakfast Lunch Take Out

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

The official opening of Nom-Eez, Chef Matt Storch’s new Vietnamese street food storefront, in the Blackrock section of Bridgeport occurs today. As reported by CTbites, joining Storch for this new project are his partners from Match, Jason Wojnarowski (owner of the epically delicious Donut Crazy), and Susan McConnell. CTbites was invited to a sneak peek preview to sample some of the menu and a few donuts.

The menu is divided into three sections, “snacks,” “noodles” and “a bit larger.” The space is small in size, with only eight brightly colored red stools, and the flavors are equally bold and bright and engulf you in the traditional cuisine of Vietnam.


Pho 170 Opens in Middletown: Vietnamese + Thai Cuisine Gets Top Marks

Restaurant Asian Middletown Noodles Thai Vietnamese Homepage

Hope Simmons

“That’s it,” I overheard a man say with a smile, holding his takeout order as he joked about having come in four days in a row. The word is out downtown...Pho 170, M’town’s newest/latest, is busy. The service is friendly and attentive, showing this new kid on the block is already in the groove, cranking out fresh and delicious dishes—both Vietnamese and Thai.

It’s not been quite three weeks since Viengthong Charonesuk opened the doors to her newest restaurant. And, unlike so many other spots when they first get started, everything’s well under control. Even on a night when they were one person short on the waitstaff, they pulled everything off without a hitch. Vieng hails most recently from Bann Thai in Cheshire, and she’s run restaurants in other locations across the state as well. Little things, like making sure you have extra plates when you share a dish, aren’t overlooked. And it’s always a nice touch when your water glass is refilled before you even need to ask.


Can Tiin Opens in Bridgeport: Inspired Dishes with a Vietnamese Flair

Restaurant Asian Bridgeport Cocktails Noodles Vietnamese

Deanna Foster

CTBites readers who don’t live in Bridgeport now have an excellent reason to drive and dine there with the opening of Can Tiin in the downtown area. The dishes at Can Tiin (pronounced “canteen”) lead with a Vietnamese influence, are based on French techniques, and incorporate other Asian flavors. This culinary panoply is deftly handled by Chef Brian Reilly, who explained, “We take traditional Vietnamese dishes and honor them, but allow ourselves the latitude to experiment and go out of the box a little. We continually challenge ourselves to push the envelope without getting cute or overly fussy.” The result is neither cute, nor fussy, but fun, inventive and tasty. (Read our opening announcement for details on the management team.)

Mecha Noodle Bar Opens in South Norwalk

Restaurant Asian Japanese Noodles Norwalk Openings Vietnamese

Amy Kundrat and Stephanie Webster


A lot of love in that food,” I texted to Stephanie, my CTbites partner and frequent dining companion, within an hour of our departure from the new Mecha Noodle Bar in South Norwalk during one of their training nights.

“That’s the deal. He’s a special guy. It all means something to him. It’s not just the cooking. It’s nostalgia. Family. Friends. Community,” she texted back within moments.

Following that repartee, I realized whatever I wrote about our first impression of the new Mecha would pale in comparison to that observation. Love and community is the essence of what Mecha’s food is all about, and Chef Tony Pham along with partner Richard Reyes (Mézon), is at its Asian comfort food core.


CTbites Invites: White Truffle Dinner at Da Pietro’s Restaurant December 10th

Restaurant CTbites Invites Dinner Events

CTbites Team

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: 


Can Tiin Modern French Vietnamese Bistro Opening in Bridgeport

Restaurant Asian Bridgeport French Noodles Vietnamese

Stephanie Webster

There's a new Vietnamese on the block, and we are pretty excited about this one. CanTiin, a modern French Vietnamese bistro is opening at 269 Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport this October. Can Tiin boasts Chef Brian Reilly, (you might remember the name from Vespa in Westport). Chef Brian has noodles in his culinary DNA as his resume includes the role of Executive Chef at Noodle Cat in Ohio, back when high quality noodles were just starting to catch on.

Can Tiin's COO Kevin D Lalumiere is joined by Rachel Haughey from NEAT of Darien and Westport, thus completing the management team. 

Now let's talk Menus....Lunch is broken down into Pho, Banh Mi, Steam Buns, Salads & Starters, and Noodle & Frys. The Dinner menu features a mouthwatering array of dishes including Spiced Duck Breast, Pork Belly with Daikon, Crispy Rice & Coconut Crepe, Spicy Baby Octopus Stor Fry, Marrow & Miso, and a nice twist on the classic burger, a Grilled Burger Steam Bun.

We will update you on additional details and the opening date as we move into October. 


Pho Hong Thom: A Must Eat Vietnamese Gem in Bridgeport

Restaurant Asian Bridgeport Delicious Dives Vietnamese

Sarah Green

Here’s a little secret...SHHHH!!!  We got a tip from those in the know - and by that I mean some of Fairfield County’s finest chefs - that the place “around town” for truly authentic Vietnamese Pho is PHO HONG THOM on Wood Ave in Bridgeport. Naturally, we FORCED ourselves to give it a try. Tiny, unpretentious, even down-right plain, patrons come here for the food, not the decor. But they come. Empty when we arrived at 11:30 but jam packed by noon, PHO HONG THOM draws ‘em in and keeps ‘em coming back for more. Here’s why:

PHO HONG THOM gets its name from Hong and Thom Nguyen, owners of this family-run establishment in the heart of Bridgeport. Originally from a tiny village near Hanoi, the Nguyen family are “all in” with sons and a daughter helping out whenever possible. This is family cooking at its best and you get a hint of that as a mosaic of flavors greet your nose upon arrival. Broth is at the heart of this menu - and I’ll tell you what Pho..


CTbites Invites Recap: Artisan Happy Hour 2015

CTbites Invites Invites

CTbites Team

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.


Walrus + Carpenter & Mecha Noodle Bar Host BO SSäM Dinner!!!!

CTbites Invites Dinner Events

CTbites Team

Walrus+Carpenter and Mecha Noodle Bar partner on Thursday 10/30 7 pm for a BO SSäM dinner for $100 pp starring Smoked Pork Shoulder, Kimchee, Oysters, and other East Asian flavors...against the backdrop of 70's cult action films of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Buy Tix Here.

If you were lucky enough to attend the last W+C event..."The Speakeasy", this promises to be "Astonishing, Unstoppable, Mind-Blowing and Delicious"!

The mission is to bring together East Asian flavors with Western smoking techniques for one incredible evening, inspired by cult film, "Way of The Dragon", starring the high kicking, fast punching Lee and Norris.

Ninja Warrior attire or any fun Halloween costumes are encouraged but optional.

Tempting menu items include:


Q's Restaurant: Vietnamese PHO & BBQ in Norwalk

Restaurant Chinese Delicious Dives Norwalk Soups Vietnamese

Sarah Green

What's PHO lunch today? As autumn quietly slinks in, there's nothing like a truly authentic PHO to ease us into the chill that awaits. Head on over to Q's Restaurant at 172 Main Street in Norwalk (the old Valencia Luncheria spot) for the real McCoy. Recently opened (about 3 months and counting) and charmingly tiny, Q's is the love child of husband and wife duo Charles Eaton and XiaoNing Liu. Eaton, a Vietnam Vet, met Liu (a native of Old Nanking Province in China) while he was serving a tour of duty in Asia. Together, they have brought a small menu featuring Pho as well as other Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine to their wee, little kitchen. 


Speakeasy Night at Walrus+Carpenter: CTbites Invites Recap

Restaurant BBQ CTbites Invites Events

ellen bowen

As the back door opened a crack, a tuxedoed man eyed me and said, “What’s the Password?”… “Bees' Knees” I hesitantly whispered, palms sweaty, and only then I was ushered into the Walrus + Carpenter back room “Speakeasy” for a Throwback Thursday CTbites Invites event on May 8, 2014, of Prohibition cocktails, silent films and the food and music of the Roaring 20’s. 

Owner Joe Farrell and GM Adam Roytman were on hand to greet the 30 attendees of this sold out evening, most who chose to follow the Invites suggestion of dressing for the period…every where I looked were Al Capone look-alikes dressed in pinstripe suits and fedoras…Fancy “molls” in fringe dresses, sequined headbands, multiple strands of pearls and fur boas.  


The Invite: 5 Course Chocolate- Infused Dinner w/ Fritz at Chocopologie

CTbites Invites

CTbites Team

Join Fritz Knipschildt of Chocopologie, and CTbites on Tuesday April 1, 2014 7-9:30 pm as we indulge the master chocolatier and his talented team of chefs in realizing his vision for a perfectly decadent Chocolate- Infused meal for $60 pp.

This intimate dinner will feature five courses infused and/or influenced by Fritz's passion for chocolate. Inspired by his Danish roots and New Nordic cuisine, Fritz has created a truly unique menu... and for this night only! Each course will be paired with wine or spirits and will conclude with a decadent dessert, and Chocopologies Signature Chocolate Martini and coffee or tea. View menu below & DETAILS HERE.


Mecha Noodle Bar Brings Asian Noodles & Street Food to Fairfield

Restaurant Asian Fairfield Japanese Vietnamese Comfort Food Kid Friendly

Nancy Kleeger

Post opening tweaks are commonplace during the first few months after a restaurant's opening. With Mecha’s minor changes completed, it now firmly fills the belly rumbling void of Southeast Asian Noodles and street food, popularizing Ramen, Pho and South East Asian comfort food.

Owner Tony Pham, who also owns Pho Vietnam in Danbury, saw an opportunity in Fairfield, to capture the hearts and hungry stomachs of the Fairfield U student bodies by opening a Ramen noodle bar. This small, but cozy, space is an architecturally clean, eye pleasing mix of Modern Asian décor...with a long community table in the center and block style tables around its perimeter. There is some additional seating circling the "bar" with colorful Asian ceramic stools adding some pop and a touch of elegance to this casual space. Pham is committed to keeping his two restaurants a "family affair," and you may be seated, served, or cooked for, by one of his family members! 

When I first visited with Tony in September, Ramen noodles were the main attraction on his menu. Several months later, Mecha’s menu is now representative of Japan’s different regional nuances with the current soup bases including Shoyu, Miso and Chicken.


Mecha Noodle Bar Opens in Fairfield: An Interview w/ Tony Pham

Restaurant Asian Fairfield Japanese Vietnamese Norwalk SONO

Nancy Kleeger

Ramen noodles are having "their moment," and restaurateur Tony Pham, owner of Pho Vietnam in Danbury has just opened a new venture in Fairfield that will have fans of Asian food slurping without pause. Welcome to MECHA. 

Pham, a Vietnamese American who opened Pho Vietnam at the tender age of 21, again uses his raw talent drawing from his years of experience traveling around the world and working in numerous kitchens.  His newest baby, Mecha, located on Post Road in Fairfield is a hip, cozy joint that serves up Ramen as well as Asian street food. Consulting with a master Ramen chef, Tony Pham is placing all bets on this age old Japanese noodle..and we hear Pho is on the way. For a new restaurant aiming directly at the college crowd around Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, it's a perfect match.

Read our interview with Tony Pham below to find out more about Tony's family, the history of Ramen, the meaning of "MECHA," and what inspires Tony Pham. 

Recap: Happy Hours Cocktails Al Fresco @ Artisan, Southport

Restaurant CTbites Invites

sherri daley

That “drink after work” thing is not really about a drink.  It’s an escape from ennui, stale air, the copier just ran out of toner, we didn’t like the tone of that last email from our biggest client, and there’s a personal text message on our cell phone we’ve decided not to answer until later. Much later.

We claw our way out of the office, desperate for a breeze and a cocktail, and begin the search for an outside venue, of which there are precious few, and those include curbside seating on busy streets and tables in parking lots.

But Artisan in the Delamar Hotel in Southport opens their back doors onto an open-air bar and patio where, if you pretend a little bit, you can think you are in Europe.  

The hotel itself provides privacy from traffic on three sides, and the tiny street that abuts the fourth is private. Bicycles are lined up in sturdy racks, rattan furniture and Adirondack chairs are scattered in conversational groupings, and flowers hang from trellises and bloom in pots and boxes; hence, the name: the Pergola, Patio, and Garden Bar.


Must Try: Pho Mai Vietnamese in Bridgeport

Restaurant Asian Bridgeport Delicious Dives Vietnamese

Elizabeth Keyser

“You know how to eat that?” asked the kindly woman as she set a steaming bowl of soup before me at Pho Mai.  Did I know how to eat pho? To handle the chopsticks and spoon? To lift the long noodles from the big bowl of broth without slapping myself in the face with a wet noodle? I’ve learned over the years.  But Vietnamese food can be perplexing to the uninitiated. It’s hands-on. 

Pho Mai makes the best Vietnamese food I’ve found in Fairfield County. It’s been open for about a year, and it’s worth a jaunt to Wood Avenue in Bridgeport (across from the Wood’s End Deli) to enjoy the fresh, herb-filled, sweet, sour, and fermented flavors of Vietnamese food.

Pho Mai’s red awnings strike a cheerful air on a bleak corner. Inside, the place is spic and span clean, with freshly painted yellow walls. Big orange fish swim back and forth in an aquarium that bubbles soothingly. The restaurant has been near empty every time I’ve been, and that’s a shame because the food here is seriously good, and it’s a great place for a weekend lunch with a group of friends.


Invites Recap: New Nordic Dinner at Chocopologie c/o Fritz Knipschildt

Restaurant CTbites Invites Events

ellen bowen

So what happens when creative and innovative chefs are given the chance to create a special dinner inspired by their homeland, Denmark and The World’s Best Restaurant, NOMA of Copenhagen??

Well…a 10 Course “New Nordic” Dinner with Fritz Knipschildt of Chocopologie presented by CTbites Invites, turns into a true culinary happening. I lost count, but 10 courses turned into 16 courses, each paired with local wines from CT, Upstate NY and Long Island and beers from local breweries; Southport Brewing Company and City Steam of Stratford. 

But first a little food history as Fritz explained the evening ahead.  In November 2004, on the initiative of the Danish chefs René Redzepi and Claus Meyer of the then newly opened NOMA restaurant, chefs and food professionals from all the Nordic countries met in Copenhagen to discuss how best to develop what they called the "New Nordic Cuisine." In particular, they sought to emphasize the need for what they described as "purity, simplicity, and freshness" as well as increased use of seasonal foods. Restaurants were encouraged to develop traditional dishes making use of ingredients benefitting from the local region's climate, water, and soil.

As Fritz stressed, this cuisine was taking the farm-to table movement one step further, by foraging the earth for unique flavors and ingredients by using fresh herbs, moss, edible flowers and burnt hay to enhance the flavors of each dish.  


Invites: Celebrate CT! An Evening of Craft Beer & BBQ @ Bar Q

Restaurant CTbites Invites

CTbites Team

Join Bob Le Rose (of Bobby Q's) and CTbites for an evening celebrating "CT's Own!" Enjoy Craft beers from local CT breweries and 4 course dinner of CT BBQ as only BarQ can prepare it on Tuesday 2/26 7 to 9 pm for $40 per person. Buy tickets.

Taste and enjoy an authentic dinner of four courses of original CT BBQ, a dessert of Snickerdoodle Bacon Ice Cream Sandwich, all while washing it down with delicious beers from three local Connecticut micro-breweries, Half Full, City Steam and Two Roads Breweries. 

Menu includes: