Filtering by Tag: Newtown,Chef

Market Place Kitchen & Bar Opens in Newtown

Restaurant Newtown Avon Danbury Woodbury Organic Local Farm American

CTbites Team

Market Place Hospitality group is delighted to announce the grand opening of their newest location, Market Place Kitchen & Bar Newton, this Friday, December 1st. The restaurant will be open to the general public for dinner and is located at: The Village at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT. With sister locations in Avon, Danbury, and Woodbury, Market Place Kitchen & Bar is 100% locally owned and operated and committed to sourcing local ingredients and working with local farmers.

Managing Partner Eli Hawli says: “We are delighted and honored to be a local business supporting local farms. As our Market Place family continues to grow, we will continue to provide the same quality of craft cocktails and chef driven cuisine which we know all of our wonderful customers want and expect from us


Chef François Kwaku-Dongo Brings a Fresh Culinary Vision To New Canaan’s Beloved Roger Sherman Inn

Restaurant Norwalk Openings Chef

Stephanie Webster

Celebrated Chef Francois Kwaku-Dongo spearheads the reinvention of the Roger Sherman Inn, a historic landmark in New Canaan for nearly a decade. The stunning New England restaurant and 17-room Inn will undergo a significant culinary transformation as it remakes itself for the 21st century.

Chef Kwaku-Dongo is introducing a seasonally-inspired menu, showcasing fresh, locally-procured ingredients. The menu is a culinary tour of New England, its coastal seafood, local family farms, and talented artisans. Using these East Coast ingredients as the foundation for quality and flavor, Chef Kwaku-Dongo applies techniques honed in some of the most demanding kitchens in the country. 


Chef Geoff Lazlo's Farm Egg Thin Crust Flat Bread Recipe

Recipe Features Recipe Chef

CTbites Team

Chef Geoff Lazlo, of Mill Street Bar and Table in Greenwich has created this Farm Egg Thin Crust Flat Bread recipe as part of The Westport Farmers' Market recipe program.  

The farm egg flat bread was inspired by the beautiful eggs we raise at the Back 40 Farm in Washington, CT.  It is essentially the pizza version of a bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, which is why it is perfect for brunch. View additional farmers' market inspired recipes here. 


Where Do Local Chefs Eat Out? Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave

Interview Features Chef Homepage

Jessica Ryan

I am honored that Chef Michel Nischan agreed to play along with us for our latest installment of Where do Chefs Eat Out?  The chef and co-founder of The Dressing Room - one of the first farm to table restaurants in the state - shifted gears in 2014 to focus on Wholesome Wave, a not for profit he founded that provides healthy food choices to underserved consumers by increasing affordable access to fresh, local, and healthy items. A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to talk with him about this incredible project. What began as a dream in our own backyard is now thriving in 48 states. 


Guest Chef Lineup for Westport Farmers' Market's 2017 Summer Season

Features Ingredients Farmers Market Westport Chef

Peter Dunay

Personally, I have always wanted to be a judge or even a guest at one of Top Chef’s cookout challenges; where the chefs are tasked with using locally sourced ingredients and doing them justice by creating an epic meal. Whether, your dreams are as ornate as mine or you would just like to have a chef cook you a delicious snack, the Westport Farmers Market is the place to be.

Every Thursday between 10- 2, a special guest chef will be at the market and tasked with finding some key local ingredients and making a meal for everyone to taste. (View the complete guest chef schedule below.)


Where Do Local Chefs Eat Out: Christian Petroni of Fortina Pizza

Features Chef Talk Chef

Jessica Ryan

I've always wondered where the chefs from our favorite local restaurants eat when they finally get some time away from their busy schedules. 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? This column will be on ongoing feature. Past chefs featured have been: Chris Gonzalez of Hapa Food Truck, Cody Brown of Hoodoo BBQ & Matt Storch of Match & Nom Eez. This week, we speak with Christian Petroni of Fortina Pizza.


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

Features Chef Talk Chef

Jessica Ryan

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 BBQChris Gonzales of Hapa Food Truck

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


Where Do Local CT Chefs Eat Out? Cody of Hoodoo Brown BBQ

Restaurant Chef Chef Talk

Jessica Ryan

Welcome to our 2nd 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? We began our series with Chris Gonzales of Hapa Food Truck. Next up, we speak with Cody of Hoodoo Brown BBQ. 


Where Do Local CT Chefs Eat Out? Chris Gonzales, Hapa Food Truck

Interview Restaurant Chef Chef Talk

Jessica Ryan

I've always wondered where the chefs from our favorite local restaurants eat when they finally get some time away from their busy schedules. 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? This column will be on ongoing feature. We start our series with Chris Gonzales of Hapa Food Truck


CTbites' Chef Demo Tent @ The 9th Annual Blues, Views & BBQ Festival

Restaurant Chef Events

ellen bowen

The 9th annual Blues, Views & BBQ Festival will be held in Westport CT on September 3 & 4 at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts and the grounds of the Westport Library.  

CTbites will once again play host to the area's top chefs as they grill up some of their favorite dishes and offer up samples for attendees of the festival.  

CTbites Chef Line-up for 2016 includes:

Saturday 9/3 12-4 pm 

12:00- Rothbard's- Chef Jon Vaast

1:00- Match/Nom Eez- Chef Match Storch

2:00-  Da Pietro's- Chef Pietro Scotti

3:00- The Spread / El Segundo- Chef Carlos Baez

4:00- Pearl at Longshore- Chef Michael Hazen


Foraging with Chef Bun Lai of Miya’s Sushi in New Haven

Restaurant Chef Chef Talk Seafood New Haven Sushi

ellen bowen

To Forage:  The word forage means to use wander or search for food or provisions. 

So when I was invited to James Beard nominated and passionate foraging chef, Bun Lai’s farm in upstate Connecticut for lunch, I half expected we would forage for much of our meal.  

When I saw on Instagram that Bun and his friend, Greg Grinberg from Actual Food had been diving the prior day for clams for lunch, I knew I was in for a treat. 

Chef Bun Lai is a passionate advocate for sustainable farming and eating and sources much of the food he serves at his New Haven sushi restaurant, Miya’s, from his own gardens, from the wooded forest around his 10 acre farm in Woodbridge, CT and from Long Island Sound.   His popular restaurant has been a New Haven destination for over 35 years, originally opened by his mother, who is still involved today. 

To visit with Bun is a lesson in locally sourced produce, with no pesticides or flavor or color enhancements.  He and Greg described foraging as, “the most natural way of eating… the “gathering” part of the hunter/gatherer”. 


Dere Street: Newtown’s Crossroads of British and Italian Cuisine

Restaurant Italian Newtown

Hope Simmons

High atop a hill, near Newtown’s historic flagpole, lies the intersection of Church Hill Road and Main Street. And there, you’ll find an entirely different type of intersection—one where British and Italian cuisines meet. The concept was inspired by the original Dere Street, an ancient Roman road in Northern England, built in the first century A.D. To honor this historic place where British and Roman cultures intersect, the two cuisines are now celebrated at Dere Street in Newtown.

Past the 1800s building facade, it’s contemporary, whimsical and positively humming with other diners and imbibers. Home to 28 different gins, an abundant “British wine list” of single malts, beer and a selection of cocktails so unique, you’d be wise to arrive thirsty. Bring your appetite, as well as an open mind. If you’re a gin lover, this is the closest spot to heaven on earth you’ll find anywhere near here. And if you’re a vodka drinker? Well, they do have one brand, just in case they can’t convert you. Keeping with the British theme, it’s Broken Shed from New Zealand, a former colony. But they’d sure love to try to turn you on to gin.


CT Chef & Chopped Champion Silvia Baldini Competes Again On Food Network’s ‘Chopped Champion

Celebrity Chef Chef Chef Talk

CTbites Team

Chef Silvia Baldini, Founder of New Canaan, CT based culinary group Strawberry and Sage, will compete again on Chopped Champion, the Food Network’s hit series. On April 19st at 10 pm, Baldini will be one of the 16 returning champions chosen to battle it out for a chance to earn the Chopped Champion title and $50,000 in prize money. Four preliminary rounds will determine who gets a spot in the finale. But only one chef from among the four finalists will be named the winner.


Interview w/ Chef Zac Young, Executive Pastry Chef @ David Burke Restaurants

Interview Celebrity Chef Chef Chef Talk

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

We recently gave you a sneak peek at Savor: A Celebration of Wine, Food, & Spirits, that will unfold in Hartford from April 7-9.  The event’s Grand Tasting will give guests the chance to try hundreds of wine, spirits, and beers, indulge in dishes from area restaurants, and watch celebrity chef demonstrations. 

Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine will headline the event while proceeds go toward the Robert Irvine foundation.  A few weeks ago, he spoke with CTBites and told us about the foundation, upcoming Food Network shows, his varied food projects, and what to expect this year.

Savor just announced another addition to its celebrity chef line-up: Chef Zac Young.  Fun, gregarious, and whimsical, Young currently works as the Executive Pastry Chef for the David Burke Restaurants.  I became a fan of his when I watched him compete on Top Chef: Just Desserts.  This past holiday season, his Thanksgiving “PieCaken” became a bona fide sensation.


10 Questions w/ The Whelk's Chef Anthony Kostelis

Interview Chef Chef Talk

CTbites Team

You eat at their restaurants, you love their food, but what do you know about the chefs who work to bring you culinary pleasure? Here are 10 Questions with The Whelk's Chef Anthony Kostelis. Find out what inspires him, his favorite chef, most memorable meal and more...Get to know your chef.

What made you decide to be a chef? 

I had always been involved in restaurants in some form.  My father had his own food distribution company.  My first jobs were working a few shifts in the kitchens at one of his customer's restaurants.  I moved on to the front of house when I was 18 or so.  That landed me at Scoozzi in New Haven for a few years.  It was there, that I decided to pursue cooking.  I remember looking at my class schedule when I was enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University; I was totally uninspired by my class list.  I just happened to have dinner later that day at my favorite restaurant at the time when I realized that food is what I am passionate about.  


Homespun Mexican at Mexicali Rose in Bethel and Newtown

Restaurant Bethel Newtown Mexican Kid Friendly

Amy Kundrat

Mexicali Rose is the type of small town dive you might take for granted if you grew up with it in your backyard (like I did), or you selfishly want to keep it to yourself (like I do). As a kid growing up in Newtown, I knew it was preferable to its Subway strip mall neighbor, but it wasn’t until I logged many thousands of miles of travel and dozens (hundreds?) of taco joints, that I truly saw this place. Homemade tortilla chips, walls covered in a clutter of Mexican folkloric kitsch, a handful of enamel top tables, and one very kind family that owns and runs the restaurant make Mexicali Rose one of my favorite hidden northern Fairfield County gems.


Meet The Whelk's New Chef de Cuisine, Anthony Kostelis

Interview Restaurant Chef Chef Talk Westport

Stephanie Webster

How does it feel to be hired as the new Chef de Cuisine for one of Fairfield County’s most successful restaurants?  Chef Anthony Kostelis, of The Whelk in Westport, would say it is like a dream come true. In fact, ever since Kostelis started working with Bill Taibe in 2010, he knew he didn't want to be anywhere else. 

Kostelis’ love of food began at the ripe age of 15 when he started work in a Manchester pizza restaurant. Half Greek, half Italian, and the son of a food purveyor for high end ingredients, Anthony seemed fated to head down a culinary path. By age 20, he was working in New Haven as a server and bartender at Ibiza, when he decided to leave college and pursue his real passion, cooking. Working his way through the CIA, he was mentored by Executive Chef Jeff Caputo of Scoozzi, also in New Haven, who took him under his wing and “set me up for success,” says Anthony. 


2014 Guest Chef Lineup @ The Westport Farmers' Market

Ingredients Chef Farmers Market Local Farm

Stephanie Webster

Already love the Westport Farmers' Market? Here's another reason to feel good about shopping local. Market Director, Lori Cochran has announced an outstanding "Guest Chef" Lineup for 2014. Mark your calendars people as the guest chefs will conduct classes and demos from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m. every Thursday. I don't know about you, but some of my favorite chefs in Fairfield County are on this list. Don't miss your chance to meet and greet the people who make your mouth water. 

The Westport Farmers Market will be held every Thursday from 10-2 at the Imperial Avenue Parking Lot.

Read on for the complete Guest Chef Program Schedule:


2014 Westport Farmers' Market Opening Day is Thursday May 22nd

Restaurant CT Farms Chef Farmers Market

CTbites Team

The Westport Farmers’ Market kicks off its ninth summer season on Thursday, May 22 and continues Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m through November 6 at 50 Imperial Avenue. They will kick-off the season with a green juice toast, by The Stand @12:00. Come early and enjoy the tasty treats Chef Cecily Ganz and the Staples High School Culinary team will be demonstrating from 10:15 - 11:00. 

WFM will offer locally produced products from over 40 vendors including meats, dairy, breads, seafood and produce each week, as well as host cooking and educational demonstrations from chefs and artisans.