Bull Pan BBQ Brings Authentic Korean Fare to Stamford Restaurant Korean Asian Stamford Lunch Homepage Lou Gorfain May 27, 2018 With his sleek and spacious Bull Pan emporium now open on lower Summer Street in Stamford, Paul Ma plans to introduce the region to a fun, mouth-watering secret: Korean BBQ.Of all Asian cuisines, Korean may be the most flavor forward, zestier than Japanese and considerably more authentic than the Chinese-American imposters that clutter our culinary landscape. Although its savory flavors appeal to a Western palate, this iteration of Asian food is the least known in America. Outside of the K-Towns in New York and California, Korean restaurants have not been easy to find in the hinterlands. Read More
Chef Dan Kardos Rolls Out Liberty Rock Tavern Food Truck Restaurant Stratford Food Truck Comfort Food Bar Celebrity Chef Kid Friendly Catering Homepage Andrew Dominick May 20, 2018 I visited Liberty Rock Tavern in Milford shortly after they opened, and I distinctly remember Dan Kardos’ description of his menu, “I’m making food that people like to eat, food that I like to eat,” he said. That “food” is best described as elevated pub grub, which could be surprising to those who followed Kardos’ stints at Napa & Co., Le Farm, and various Barcelona locations. His fine dining background ultimately results in better bar food. It’s the kind of food made for cheat day, where you’ll have to roll up your sleeves, and sit as pulled up to the bar or table as you can get. It’s successful stuff. Read More
CT Guide to Outdoor Dining (2018): 100 + Restaurants for Summer Features Restaurant Best of CT Outdoor Dining Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson May 15, 2018 Temperatures are finally rising and all the snow is- dare I say- gone, so it’s time to get your sunglasses and head out for some outdoor dining! Connecticut restaurants are opening their patios and decks for the season. Whether you want a waterside view, a rooftop rave, or to get cozy by a firepit, there’s an alfresco experience waiting for you. Here are over 107 places to eat outside in Connecticut this summer.The White Horse, Litchfield: The White Horse Country Pub & Restaurant has both a deck and a patio so you can enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner along the river.Grano Arso, Chester: Grano Arso has 12 seats outside where guests can order from the full menu.The Whelk, Westport: Overlooking the quaint Saugatuck River, The Whelk brings sustainable, local seafood and ingredients to the lips of its diners.The Place, Guilford: The Place in Guilford, is about as outdoors as you can get without going camping. Tree stumps are your chairs, outdoor fires cook your meal and the menu hangs outside over it all.The Beer Garden at Shippan Landing, Stamford: The Beer Garden at Shippan Landing in Stamford is now open for the season. Families and pets are welcome!Swyft, Kent: Swyft in Kent can seat 25 guests on the patio and they also have a few tables on the porch.The Tavern at Gray Barns, Norwalk: The Tavern at GrayBarns sits in the space that once housed Silvermine Tavern. It has all been redone and reopen. Take it all in on their patio.Mill Street Bar & Table, Greenwich: Mill Street Bar + Table in Greenwich has a tavern atmosphere that’s elegant yet warm and homey. Cozy up on their patio on a starry night at this neighborhood favorite alongside the Byram River. Read More
An Unexpectedly Delicious Indian Food Find: The Mint Leaf, Groton Restaurant Indian Groton Lunch Buffet Cocktails CTbites Team May 13, 2018
Lord & Taylor in Stamford Creates Food Truck Destination Restaurant Food Truck Lunch Stamford Hey Stamford! May 11, 2018 Hey Stamford! shares a new Food Truck destination in Stamford at Lord & Taylor's!While the rest of Stamford is trying to figure out how to make the whole food truck thing work, Lord & Taylor (yes, the retail giant) is taking a step in another direction, by turning their parking lot into the ultimate food truck destination.It started back in March with just a couple of trucks, but has quickly gained steam over the last few weeks. Jack Baker, a spokesman for Lord & Taylor, tells us that the end goal will be to have a mix of 4 or 5 food trucks at a time during lunch & dinner, creating a consistent food truck destination for our area.Food trucks thus far include: Dough Girls Pizza Truck, Gotta Go Greek Food Truck, HAPA, MOC Eatery, Pito Sofrito, Walter’s Hot Dog Truck.Read more at Hey Stamford! Read More
The Beach House Café Opens in SONO w/ Southern Style Brunch Restaurant SONO Norwalk Greenwich Breakfast Brunch Lunch American Homepage Jessica Ryan May 10, 2018 Residents of Greenwich are no strangers to The Beach House Café located on Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich. The restaurant, with its beachy-chic interior and seafood fare with a fresh, Asian twist, has been a local favorite since it was re-opened in 2016 by restauranteur Kane Xu.Just recently The Beach House Café opened a second location in South Norwalk, directly across from the Maritime Center. While it retains a nautical theme with reclaimed wood, dock-line roping, seaside prints and dock-master lanterns, the vibe here is edgier, more urban, lending itself perfectly to the SoNo landscape.I had the opportunity to visit the new SONO location for brunch a few weeks ago and was struck by the Southern influence, though perhaps I shouldn’t dismiss the fact that the restaurant’s current location once belonged to Mama’s Boy, known for its Southern cuisine. The Brunch Menu boasts a great many choices, seemingly something for everyone, unless you’re like me, indecisive with an extensive palate and healthy appetite. Read More
New Haven’s ROÌA Restaurant: A Tale Of Two Countries Restaurant New Haven French Italian Brunch Lunch Farm to Table Homepage CTbites Team May 06, 2018 What do you get when you mix cooking traditions of both the Italian and French? The best of both worlds at ROÌA Restaurant in New Haven. It’s a culinary combo that doesn’t require you to renew your passport.Located in the former Taft Hotel that dates back to 1912, ROÌA Restaurant and Cafe has historical charm. Step inside and you’ll see what we mean with its two-floor open design with ornate ceilings and impressive columns. The building is truly an architect’s dream. But you don’t have to be a designer to appreciate all that ROÌA has to offer. You just have to be hungry. Read More
Station House Opens in Historic Port Chester Train Station: Coal-Fired Pizza & Tavern Fare Restaurant Port Chester American Pizza Openings Bar pizza Emma Jane-Doody Stetson May 03, 2018 As city-bound commuters dash to and fro’ and the pulse of the city continues to thrive, the Port Chester railroad station, a landmark since 1890, stands as a symbol of where we’ve been and where we’re going. Today, this turn of the century building is home to Our House Restaurant Group’s newest venture, Station House. In keeping with this dynamic restaurant group’s approach to hospitality, as seen with their popular Rye House Port Chester and Manhattan taverns, and last year’s mega outdoor hit, Village Beer Garden, Station House offers that same neighborhood vibe, this time, it comes rooted in history and coal-fired pizza.ctb Read More
PORRÓN Opens Today in Hartford: Spanish-influenced Cuisine From Chef Tyler Anderson Restaurant Hartford Hartford County Spanish Celebrity Chef Openings CTbites Team May 02, 2018 Today, the much anticipated Restaurant Porrón opened its doors to Connecticut's Capital City. Hartfordites and travelers alike will be able to dine in the Goodwin Hotel’s new signature Spanish-style restaurant. Helmed by nationally renowned Chef Tyler Anderson, and his all-star team - many of whom are behind the success that is Millwright's Restaurant and The Cook & The Bear - promise to bring local flair to the globally-inspired menu.Restaurant Porrón is a tapas-style restaurant complete with wine room and ham bar, as well as an accompanying craft cocktail bar (Bar Piña) - set to officially open by week’s end. The restaurant will feature 60 wines by the glass, local draft beer and an exciting gin & tonic selection. The tapas-driven menu will allow guests to sample a wider array of items, order a bunch of items to share, or order a la carte Spanish steakhouse-style. The food and service are intended to be elegantly simple and will use the highest quality products that Anderson and his kitchen and bar team can procure. Read More
50+ Restaurants for Mother’s Day in CT: 2018 Edition Restaurant Features Holiday Brunch Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 29, 2018 Mother’s day is right around the corner! Treat the special lady in your life with prix fixe dinners, delicious brunches, special holiday dishes, cocktail specials, and more. These 50 Connecticut restaurants will help you show Mom just how loved she is!Rosie, New Canaan: Rosie in New Canaan invites you to Mothers Day Brunch from 9am-4pm. Treat her to favorites like Huevos Rancheros, the gigantic Lobster Club, and Brioche French Toast.Roia, New Haven: At Roia in New Haven, Chef/owner Avi Szaprio has created a two-course prix fixe menu. A kids a la carte menu will also be available.Essex Steam Train, Essex: All aboard! The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat has a range of Mother's Day packages available. Take a scenic ride or enjoy dinner on the train.Griswold Inn, Essex: The Griswold Inn in Essex will treat Mom with a "dinner" buffet and featured "pink drinks." The Mothers Day meal will be served from 11am-7:30pm and costs $45 for adults and $19.95 for children under 12.Washington Prime, Norwalk: Washington Prime's Mother's Day Brunch Buffet will feature a carving station, raw bar, sushi, ham, and so much more. $49.95 for adults includes a drink while children are $24.95. Choose from 3 seatings: 11am, 12:30pm, and 2pmBar Sugo, Norwalk: Bar Sugo's Mother's Day brunch will include ½ price wines, $17 unlimited bloody marys and mimosas, and the regular brunch menu Read More
New York's Artichoke Basille’s Pizza Opening in New Haven & Hartford Restaurant New Haven Hartford Hartford County pizza Openings Take Out To-Go Homepage CTbites Team April 27, 2018 Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, the nation’s largest and fastest growing New York pizza concept, has signed a multi-unit franchise deal to bring its larger than life slices and whole pies to the greater Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut areas. Franchisee Matthew Rusconi is looking to open the first location by year’s end and is actively scouting real estate opportunities in Hartford County, New Haven, Middletown, and Cromwell.Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, founded in 2008 by cousins and best friends Francis Garcia and Sal Basille, specializes in serving authentic New York slices in a fast casual setting, but without the conveyor belt oven. The concept’s massive slices and whole pies, which have been named the ‘Best Pizza’ by The NY Post and one of the ‘Top 5 Slices in the Boroughs’ by CBS New York, range from the traditionally-topped to the more eccentric. Read More
Caputo Trattoria Opens at Foxwoods Resort Casino May 5 Restaurant Openings Italian Foxwoods CTbites Team April 26, 2018 And now a word from the folks at Foxwoods...On Saturday, May 5, Craveable Hospitality Group (CHG) opens Caputo Trattoria at Foxwoods Resort Casino, bringing a convivial Italian restaurant to the resort. Caputo Trattoria is a collaborative culinary effort from Culinary Director Matt O’Neill and Executive Chef Gary LaMothe. Read More
New Ramen in Norwalk! Good Hope Dumpling & Ramen House Now Open Restaurant Norwalk Ramen Japanese Vietnamese Noodles Asian Delicious Dives Homepage Andrew Dominick April 22, 2018 It wasn’t that long ago that I went to Valencia Luncheria for dinner. I parked where I usually do, on that side of the street, almost directly across from the laundromat. When I came out of Valencia, I noticed a sign with a blushing anime character on it that read “Good Hope Dumpling & Ramen House.” I vaguely remembered that a couple friends mentioned it. After I walked by, Good Hope was fully on my radar. I just hoped Good Hope would be good. There were positive signs besides a few of my pals who said they liked it, and the fact that their online reviews are solid. When I walked by the just over 20-seat restaurant (it’s the old Valencia location) at an obscure Sunday dinnertime, the place was packed, and I’ve noticed they gather a decent lunch crowd, even on weekdays. I had to check it out. What’s more is it’s just the kind of neighborhood haunt I like to highlight. Read More
25+ Restaurants & Bars for Cinco de Mayo in CT: 2018 Edition Restaurant Holiday Events Cinco de Mayo Bar Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 21, 2018 Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, Fairfield and New Haven: Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill will be offering “Five Days of Cinco” at its New Haven and Fairfield locations.Mezon, Danbury: Mezon in Danbury will host its annual Cinco de Mayo block party with $7 plates and drinks, a live DJ, a cocktail competition and more. Doors open at 7pm.Dos Amigos, Torrington: Karaoke meets Cinco de Mayo at Dos Amigos in Torrington.CINCO Norwalk Block Party, Norwalk: CTBites, Ken Tuccio, and Don Carmelo's Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar in Norwalk are teaming up for CINCO, a massive Cinco De Mayo Block Party event. The event kicks off at 12pm and it is an all day party four live bands, two culinary competitions and the debut of Evenflow Mexican Lager from No Worries. Bartaco, Stamford, Westport, West Hartford: Bartaco Westport is kicking off the summer with their Cinco de Mayo fiesta! Visit them for live music, a summer bucket list contest, and surprise giveaways.Cinco Five Festival, Stamford: The first annual CINCO FIVE FESTIVAL will take place in Stamford on Saturday, May 5 from 3-9pm at Stamford's Mill River Park! There will be food trucks, DJs, and plenty of beer and sangria. 21+. Read More
Shake Shack Opening In West Hartford April 27 Restaurant West Hartford Hartford Hartford County Burgers Comfort Food Kid Friendly Hot Dogs ice cream Stephanie Webster April 19, 2018 Shack®is thrilled to announce it will open its doors on Friday, April 27that 11AM. The West Hartford Shack will be located at Corbin's Corner, 1445 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT. This marks Shake Shack’s fourth Connecticut Shack, with existing locations in Darien, New Haven and Westport.In addition to the Shack classics, the West Hartford Shack will be spinning up a selection of custom frozen custard concretes: Shack Attack (chocolate custard, fudge sauce, chocolate truffle cookie dough, Mast Brothers Shake Shack dark chocolate chunks, topped with chocolate sprinkles), Cookie Butter Blender (vanilla custard, cookie butter, chocolate toffee and chocolate sprinkles)and Pie Oh My (vanilla custard and slice of Four & Twenty Blackbirds seasonal pie). Read More
Dom's Coffee: Get Your Espresso On At The "Most Beautiful Cafe in Connecticut" Restaurant Coffee Tea And Coffee Cheese Breakfast Brunch Dessert Bakery April Guilbault April 17, 2018 Farmington, Connecticut; the land of colonial homes and rolling hills, horse farms, schools once attended by former First Ladies and now, home of Dom's Coffee, rated by Architectural Digest as The Most Beautiful Cafe in Connecticut.Remember when the word coffeehouse conjured visions of overstuffed, cast-off furniture populated by long-lounging “alternative” coffee-sippers? All that was missing was your local version of Phoebe Buffay crooning about her Smelly Cat. Gone are those days. A new, craft-caffeinated, curated, uplifting day has dawned in the land of this coffeehouse and many others. Read More
First Taste: OKO Opens In Westport w/ Chef Brian Lewis Restaurant Japanese Westport Asian Openings Cocktails Bar Noodles Sushi Homepage Andrew Dominick April 15, 2018 If you’ve got your finger on the pulse of the Fairfield County food scene, there’s a good chance you’re jonesing to eat at OKO, set to open on April 19 in Downtown Westport. OKO is brought to you by Chef Brian Lewis—fresh off a James Beard semifinalist nomination—a name Westporters are familiar with from his over two-year-old flagship restaurant, and critically acclaimed, The Cottage. At OKO, Lewis is changing things up, as he plans to showcase his passion for Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques. Read More
Junzi Kitchen in New Haven: Customize Your Chinese Bings And Things Restaurant New Haven Chinese Asian Noodles Lunch Take Out To-Go lunch Homepage CTbites Team April 07, 2018 Back in 2015, a few Yale students, including chef and culinary director Lucas Sin, got together and opened Junzi Kitchen in New Haven. The small counter-serve spot dishes out traditional Northern Chinese cuisine, specializing in bings (flour-pressed wraps) and noodles.Since its creation, Junzi Kitchen has expanded to New York City, with one currently at Colombia University and a second to open on Bleecker Street this spring.The New Haven location is bright and welcoming. It has an organic feel with its white brick walls, light wood accents, and lush greenery dangling from the ceiling. On one wall, there is a small display of featured artwork, including ceramics made by the China-based artist Junty. Read More
Carbone’s Celebrates 80 Years in Hartford (sponsored post) Restaurant Hartford Bloomfield Rocky Hill Italian Lunch CTbites Team April 04, 2018 To commemorate its 80th year, Carbone’s Ristorante in Hartford is serving a Roman Dinner on weekdays from April 2 through June 29. A menu previously reserved for very special occasions –– the Roman Dinner is a 7-course chef tasting menu, including specialty wine to pair and a small gift to take home. True to Carbone’s tradition, certain courses will be prepared and served tableside.From fig bruschetta with prosciutto di parma and housemade ricotta to grilled diver scallops with shrimp, pepper-crusted petite filet with dolce gorgonzola, and a few of the classics––these courses are sure to impress. The entire experience is $65, or $80 with wine pairings. Reservations are recommended. Read More
Guide To Great Pancakes In Connecticut Restaurant Breakfast Brunch Best of CT homepage Homepage CTbites Team April 01, 2018 There is nothing quite like a fluffy, American-style pancake topped with butter and drizzled with real maple syrup. These breakfast-focused and all-day eateries offer both classic flavors and tasty twists on pancakes perfect for a filling meal to start the day. The CTBites staff have weighed in and we’ve stacked together our favorite pancakes throughout the state of Connecticut. If you have a favorite pancake spot that is not on our list tell us all about it below. Read More
