PizzaCo Opens in Stratford: Bruno DiFabio Creates Garage-Fired Pizza

Restaurant Stratford Pizza Lunch CT Beer Kid Friendly Celebrity Chef Homepage

James Gribbon April 02, 2017

The first hot rod movement was sparked by people who realized cast off objects still had plenty of potential. Kids walking to school in post WWII America passed junkyards where derelict Model T Fords, relics even then, baked in the sun. An after school job's income could net you one of those heaps, and with it came your first taste of independence. Dropping in a salvaged flathead V-8 could make that old bucket loud, fast, and dangerous. The sexy combination was like flypaper to teenagers and young veterans, and their creativity launched an American culture.

Newly opened PizzaCo, just across the street from Two Roads Brewing Company, is one such hot rod. Once the site of several thoroughly defunct gas stations, the old place has been cleaned up, given a new paint job, and had its own motor swap. The driving engine is now a Marra Forni oven. They call their pizza "Garage Fired," and PizzaCo's edge was hiring world champion Bruno DiFabio to create it.

The Golden Corral Opens in Milford: Immediately Receives Michelin Star

Milford Homepage

Stephanie Webster April 01, 2017

CT residents were revving their engines, and their stomachs, preparing for the grand opening of The Golden Corral this past week. The anticipation has been made even more overwhelming by the announcement that their famed buffet, and its chef, Jaques Gasteaux have just been awarded their first Michelin Star. This award was well deserved says food critic Max Consumer, "The Golden Corral has broken every boundary in the buffet business. He is a true trailblazer"

Golden Corral is a festival for the eyes, a sprawling buffet extravaganza, and one that could previously only be found in 41 "other" states across the US. But now, CT residents can savor the variety and excess that defines the Golden Corral experience. One diner said this about his recent meal "“This one is above and beyond a "normal" buffet.” Another Yelper says "You can probably find some of your grandma's recipes here.”

Paczki at Eddy's Bake Shop in Ansonia: A Serious Pastry

Features Ingredients Bakery Ansonia Polish Dessert

Connecticut Magazine March 31, 2017

Of the many immigrant groups that have shaped the state of Connecticut throughout the decades and centuries, the Polish have been among the most prominent. (And not just in New Britain!) On Main Street in Ansonia, across the street from the Europol Deli (where you can take home a full Polish dinner) is Eddy’s Bake Shop, where one can find one of the state’s most popular versions of the Polish delicacy, paczki (pronounced PUNCH-key). Resembling a doughnut, the paczki is traditionally stuffed with a filling, such as a jam or custard. So beloved in Ansonia and the Naugatuck Valley is Eddy’s paczki, that every February the bakery hosts a paczki-eating contest, in which contestants have five minutes to eat as many as possible.

Custom Meats, 100% Locally Sourced, Butcher Opening in Fairfield

Ingredients Features Butcher Fairfield Specialty Market Ingredients Homepage

Anna Bendiksen March 30, 2017

Custom Meats, a 100% locally-sourced, traditional whole-animal butchery, is slated to open this spring at 1903 Post Road in Fairfield.

This next-door neighbor to Isabelle et Vincent French Bakery plans to serve non-GMO, nitrate-free, fresh meats raised on organic principles.

Sourcing beef, pork, lamb, and poultry from small farms in Connecticut and New York, everything will be cut and prepared in house, including dry-aged beef, sausages, and various prepared foods. Farm-fresh local eggs, raw milk, and seasonal vegetables will also be offered.

WIN FREE TIX: Food For All 2017 Fundraiser to Support Food Rescue US

Stephanie Webster March 29, 2017

Help end hunger in your community by supporting Food Rescue US's annual fundraiser, FOOD FOR ALL + enjoy a great culinary experience with 15 incredible local chefs. View the complete list of chefs below.

WIN A PAIR OF FREE TIX TO THIS AMAZING EVENT BY TELLING US WHY YOU NEED THESE TICKETS. (We will announce the winners on April 16)

OR..Don't wait and g et your tickets now for Food for All 2017: An Evening to End Hunger presented by Whole Foods Market! As a guest you will enjoy 15+ tasting plates from the hottest chefs in Fairfield County during this "strolling culinary tour," along with beer, wine, and craft cocktails. This delicious, celebratory, and impactful event is not one you want to miss out on!

Pop-Up Market @ Wave Hill Bakery in Norwalk Thursdays

Stephanie Webster March 29, 2017

Pop-up market! A group of Westport Farmers' Market vendors are hosting a weekly pop-up farmers' market at Wave Hill Bakery on 30 High Street, Norwalk. It will operate every Thursday until early May.. Check out our Facebook page for a list of weekly vendors.

Confirmed vendors for this week's kick off include: Sankow's Beaver Brook Farm Beltane Farm Healing Home Foods Izzi B's Allergen Free Cupcakes Fort Hill Farm Om Champagne Tea Nit Noi Provisions Ox Hollow Farm Wave Hill Breads

Nibble: CT Food Events for April 2-9

Features Events Wine Dinners Beer Dinner Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 29, 2017

The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford hosts A Taste of History 2017 on Monday April 3 at 5pm. The evening begins with a premier reception at 5pm and culminates with a food tasting, a cocktail tasting, music, a tour, and art inspired activities.

Fermented beverages are prevalent, but what about fermented foods? Learn about them and their health benefits at the Barrel Room in North Canton, CT on Monday April 3. The class will cover foods like water kefir, milk kefir and kimchi.

Connecticut Hops For Hope returns for its second benefit, Beers For Brittany, on Sunday, April 23rd. The event will be held at the brand new Counter Weight Brewing in Hamden, and 100% of ticket sales, in person donations, and on site raffle ticket sales will benefit Brittany Vellucci, a young woman fighting through brain cancer. Tickets go on sale tonight at 7p.m. RIGHT HERE.

Fennel-Pear Salad with Grapes + Pecans via Marcia Selden

Features Recipe Recipe healthy

Marcia Selden Catering March 29, 2017

We couldn’t be happier that spring is here! Savor the season with this light and yummy Fennel-Pear Salad. It's packed with flavor and just takes a few minutes to prepare.

Lock City Brewing to Open Stamford Tap Room & Brewery via Hey Stamford!

Features Beer Beer Garden CT Beer sta Stamford Homepage

Hey Stamford! March 28, 2017

If you’ve attended any craft beer festival in or around Connecticut over the last several years, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered Lock City Brewing Company. Coming late Spring, you won’t have to attend your favorite beer fest to sample their brews. Lock City Brewing Company is putting the finishing touches on a brand new homebase, right here in Stamford.

Head brewer, Michael Bushnell, and co-founder Patrick Casicolo, (sales and marketing) plan to open their flagship location in the Glenbrook/Springdale section of Stamford. I had a chance to meet with Michael Bushnell recently, where he walked me through the space and talked about their plans.

Read the complete article on Hey Stamford!

Where Do Local CT Chefs Eat Out? Chef Jon Vaast of Rothbard's

Features Chef Talk Chef

Jessica Ryan March 28, 2017

Welcome to our 4th installment of "Where Do CT Chefs Eat Out?" Do they prefer to go home and relax? Or do they like to go out? If the latter, what are some of their favorite places, locally and beyond? Do they might have any secret hole in the wall places and would they be willing to share these with us? Thus far, we have uncovered the eating habits of Matt Storch, Cody of Hoodoo Brown BBQ & Chris Gonzales of Hapa Food Truck.

This week, we speak with Chef Jon Vaast of Rothbard's.

Listen To CTbites On The Radio On 95.9 FOX's First Thing Fairfield County

CTbites Team March 27, 2017

Monday mornings just got tastier. Every Monday @ 9:15 AM, CTbites will sit down with Ken Tuccio of First Thing Fairfield County on 95.9 THE FOX for a quick segment on the latest food news in Fairfield County. Listen in at 95.9 The Fox or online at 959TheFox.com. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, let us know.

Thai Kit: Top Notch Thai Cuisine Found in Fairfield

Restaurant Thai Fairfield Lunch Home Delivery Take Out Asian Homepage

RealGuy March 26, 2017

The passage of time is strange. The distant past and the very recent can bend back on each other and almost touch, and what was once long ago can feel as real now as the blossoming of first love, as the comforting aroma of mom’s home cooking… Lately when I’m in the mood to go back up the river of time to that place in Southeast Asia that destiny would see us go just once, I visit Thai Kit on the Post Road in Fairfield. It's a brand new Thai restaurant with a couple of advantages over some other places I have tried. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, or if you live in the neighborhood, just past the McDonalds at the circle in Fairfield heading toward Black Rock on the left-hand side, Thai Kit is a delicious destination well worth exploring.

Nibble: CT Food Events For March 27-April 2

Features News Events Dinner Events CT Beer

James Gribbon March 25, 2017

Washington Prime’s Georgetown location has announced a Tuesday night dinner special. The prime rib roast 2-course dinner includes your choice of salad, a 16 oz. prime rib, and a side of mashed potatoes.

On Wednesday March 29, AMG Catering will offer a “Spring Chicken Class.” Learn to prepare healthy and exciting chicken dishes using seasonal spring ingredients. It costs $90 per person and goes from 7-9pm.

New Haven’s Shell & Bones Oyster Bar has an all new brunch cocktail menu. Four new cocktails will be offered alongside their “Breakfast Bloody Mary.” There will also be three non-alcoholic drinks. Join them for brunch Friday-Sunday after 11am.

GIVEAWAY: WIN TIX to 9th Annual Dessert and Chocolate Lover’s Tasting Event

Stephanie Webster March 24, 2017

Like Sweets? Would you like to WIN 2 FREE TIX to an event loaded with delicious chocolate and incredible desserts ranging from traditional to exotic from local and world-renowned chocolatiers, restaurants and artisanal bakeries? TELL US WHY YOU NEED THESE TICKETS BELOW.

Come to the 9th Annual Dessert and Chocolate Lover’s Tasting Event ON MARCH 31ST to benefit Pacific House Shelter. Indulge in delicious chocolate and incredible desserts from artisan bakeries, chocolatiers and patisseries while enjoying musical performances by talented students from: Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Country Day, Sacred Heart Greenwich, Stamford High School, Darien High School, King School and more! This very special evening supports the Pacific House Young Adult Program. Plan for an exciting evening of sweet tastes, great music and making a tremendous difference to those young adults who have nowhere to call home.

Amis Trattoria Opens March 31 in Westport w/ Epic Italian: 10 Questions with Chef Brad Spence

Restaurant Italian Westport Chef Talk Lunch Celebrity Chef Homepage Opening

Andrew Dominick March 24, 2017

You know that Bedford Square Building and Firehouse at 59 Post Road East in Westport that’s been under construction for a while? Well, it’s finally coming to fruition. On March 31, two occupants will crack the doors and open to the public, Anthropologie, and the place we’re here to talk about, Amis Trattoria. Why are we excited about this? Amis is owned by The Vetri Family, with Chef Marc Vetri at the helm, a chef who is widely regarded by his peers as one of the best Italian cooks in the U.S. If the whole women’s clothing and home décor concept and a restaurant opening in the same space seems confusing, well, there’s a story here.

Viceroy Publik House Opening in Stamford: British & Indian Pub Fare + Live Music

Restaurant Stamford Indian Pub Bar Lunch Gastropub Opening

CTbites Team March 23, 2017

Taking a page from history, from what is now referred to as the “British Raj”, the British rule over the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947, Viceroy Publik House pays homage to this now proud British and Indian cultural connect, offering a high energy English pub setting featuring London curry, pakoras and pints, and an edgy live music venue which is just as diverse as its menu. Located in Downtown Stamford, CT, Viceroy Publik House brings together these two cultures, rich in history and with a strong food and drink identity found in pubs throughout London. Viceroy will be opening in April of 2017.

25 Epic Desserts to Eat in Fairfield County Before You Die via Spoon University

Restaurant Dessert Best of CT Kid Friendly Homepage

CTbites Team March 23, 2017

Our friends over at Spoon University published this super sweet article. In case you missed it, this is a solid Fairfield County dessert roundup. NOTE: Vespa is Westport has since closed, so cross that chocolate layer cake off the list.

People often associate good food with big cities like New York or LA. The truth is good food is everywhere - you just have to know where to look for it. Even Fairfield County which is made up of 24 small Connecticut cities and towns, boasts some incredible food. Here's a list of the most epic desserts in Fairfield County.

1. Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcake at Cake Box

GIVEAWAY! WIN Tix to Flavor Craft Beer Tasting Event April 1: Free Belgian Waffles, Food Trucks & Music!

Stephanie Webster March 22, 2017

CTbites is giving away 2 pairs of tickets to this seriously great craft beer event. To WIN, just tell us why YOU need these tickets (in the comments section below).

Kindred Spirits & Wineand GoodWorks Entertainment Present: Flavor, a New England craft beer tasting event on Saturday, April 1 from 12 pm to 1 pm at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company (70 Sanford Street, Fairfield, CT).

Flavour will be hosting the Northeast’s finest breweries including: Aspetuck Brew Lab, Back East, Beer'd, Black Hog, Counter Weight, Fairfield Craft Ales, Firefly Hollow, Foley Brothers, Grey Sail, Hanging Hills, Jack's Abby, Kent Falls, Lawson's, Lord Hobo, New England, Singlecut, Stony Creek, Stubborn Beauty, Thimble Island, Thomas Hooker, Two Roads… just to name a few.

Stew Leonard’s Limited Edition Chocolate Bunny Milk

Features Ingredients Dessert Kids Kid Friendly Holiday Homepage

Stephanie Webster March 22, 2017

A half-gallon glass jug of Stew’s Chocolate Bunny Milk will be available for $5.99 starting in early April at all five Stew Leonard’s locations. Stew Leonard’s signature farm fresh milk is mixed with creamy milk chocolate to create a sweet, irresistible chocolate milk that tastes just like a classic chocolate Easter bunny. Stew Leonard’s milk is delivered fresh to our stores from award-winning dairy farms in upstate NY and is free from artificial growth hormones (rBST) and antibiotics. The milk will only be available for a limited time.

Check for the Stew Leonard's location near you here.

Guinness™ & Two Roads Brewing To Collaborate on 2 Small Batch Beers

Features Ingredients Beer CT Beer Brewery

Stephanie Webster March 21, 2017

Guinness & Co., based in Norwalk CT, and Two Roads Brewing Company, based in Stratford CT, today announce two small batch beers brewed in collaboration and to be released in May of 2017.

The first collaboration will be brewed at the Open Gate Brewery, St James’s Gate in Dublin, Ireland, and will be served to visitors of the Open Gate Brewery taproom. The second beer will be brewed shortly afterwards at Two Roads Brewing Co.’s brewery in Connecticut and will be served to visitors at the brewery.