Bear's Smokehouse Opens The Stack In New Haven: BBQ, Brewpub & Music
Restaurant BBQ New Haven Openings Bar Outdoor Dining Kid Friendly Beer Garden CT Beer Lunch Comfort Food American Homepage
Filtering by Tag: Kid Friendly,Road Trip
Afternoon Tea at Alice in the Village Tea Shop, Mystic
Restaurant Tea And Coffee Lunch Kid Friendly kids activity Mystic Dessert Breakfast Bakery Homepage
Adding a bit of whimsy into the Olde Mistick Village shopping center and amping up its already kid-friendly atmosphere, let yourself go into the looking glass at the recently opened Alice in the Village tea shop and café. The completely decked out exterior is replete with faux floral window frame and the beloved doorknob from the 1951 animated Disney film Alice in Wonderland. And is this uber-theme continued on the inside? Of course!
Step inside and you will find an enchanted tea house split roughly into three sections: Eat Me!/Drink Me! to go orders, an Alice-themed shop, and tea room. In addition to Alice in Wonderland collectables and kitsch, the shop section stocks an excellent selection of Harney and Sons teas. The bright green walls and sage green ceilings are decorated with hanging playing cards, pictures from Alice in Wonderland scenes, and flying books. My favorite décor element is the life size bottom half of Alice hanging down from the ceiling—any child who loves Alice in Wonderland would love a visit to Alice and the Village simply to see the décor.
Tim LaBant’s Neapolitan Pizza ‘Parlor’ Now Open in Wilton
Restaurant Wilton Openings Pizza Lunch Kid Friendly Homepage
Barbacoa Smokehouse Opens in Fairfield: Casual Customized BBQ
Restaurant BBQ Fairfield Openings To-Go Lunch Kid Friendly Homepage
Barbacoa Smokehouse is one of the most recent restaurants to grace the Fairfield food scene. The smokehouse marries modern technology with a rustic and relaxed setting. Kiosks replace waiters, though Ambassadors are on hand to help and answer any questions you may have.
So how does a restaurant with no menu yet tons of options work? The idea is that each customer can create something unique. Certain to appeal to Millennials and Gen Z-ers, this digital-age friendly way of ordering your food is incredibly easy to use. If you can get cash from an ATM, you can order your meal! The touch screen computer guides you through the process quickly and seamlessly in four easy steps.
Guide To Great Gelato In Connecticut
Restaurant Dessert ice cream Gelato Kid Friendly Best of CT Homepage
The humidity is making your hair look like Rosanna Rosannadanna’s. You are sweating just…standing…still. What can help ease the ills of this sweltering weather? Gelato. The cool will survive! Cups and cones of creamy cold, Italian, La-Dolce-Vita-I’m-on-a-Vespa gelato. Luckily, scattered across our fair state, a wide variety of gelato can be found and now you have a reason to smile about this crazy heat and humidity. Scoops, scoops away! Brava!
Hola! Evarito’s Mexican Opens in South Norwalk
Restaurant SONO South Norwalk Mexican Kid Friendly Cocktails Lunch Norwalk Homepage
SoNo’s biggest recent mystery involved the space where Washington and N Main streets meet. Stacked piles of wood blocked all hopes of peeking inside. A fox shaded on the ends of the wood made passersby more curious. What stumped a bunch of us even more was another fox that popped up in the windows, this time in emoji form, accompanied by the hashtag #Hola.
What was this riddle? A restaurant? Another bar? In SoNo, that’s what it usually is. But definitely something with a Spanish cuisine theme, right?!
I was puzzled. I posted about it many times. I asked around to no avail. People asked me what it was. I had no freaking clue. Eventually, I heard it would be a Mexican restaurant concept by the good folks at Skal Restaurant Group, who run things at The Cask Republic locations and The Ginger Man Greenwich. All of this was later confirmed (sort of) by a fittingly odd Instagram account that tagged me in a lot of posts as they did food and drink research in Mexico.
It’s a secret no longer! Evarito’s is now open in South Norwalk!
Avenida Venezuelan & La Calle Arepas Bar: Local Tattoo Artist Opens Two Areparias in Norwalk
Restaurant Venezuelan Norwalk Lunch Kid Friendly Homepage
If I told you a tattoo artist opened two restaurants in the same city, you might think I was trying to set up a joke. It’s no joke, and it’s not even that farfetched if you talk to Javier Eastman, who just opened Avenida Venezuelan Food and Le Calle Arepas Bar in Norwalk.
So, how does a tattoo artist with almost 25,000 Instagram followers get into the food service industry?
At Avenida, you can expect an array of empanadas, 16 different stuffed arepas, pastelitos (small savory turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or both), traditional Venezuelan breakfast plates, and a few larger dishes like Pabellón Criollo, Venezuela’s national dish, comprised of shredded beef, rice & beans, fried sweet plantains, egg, avocado, and cheese. Additionally, there are patacón sandwiches (beef, chicken, or pork between deep-fried plantain slices), burgers, and Venezuelan-style hot dogs topped with shredded carrots, cabbage, ham, salsa, cheese, and crushed potato sticks.
Weenie Lynn's Hot Dog Food Truck: Killer Dogs & Sandwiches
Restaurant Food Truck Hot Dogs Danbury Comfort Food American Take Out To-Go Kid Friendly Catering Homepage
After seven years in business, it feels like it's about time to celebrate one of the old school CT food trucks, Weenie Lynn's. Weenie's is a family-owned & operated hot dog and specialty sandwich truck that has been serving the local food scene since spring of 2011. The truck is based in Danbury CT, but they are more than happy to bring their delicious dogs (and five kids) all over the tri state area...and they do. Weenie's serve two sizes of 100% All-Beef Hot Dogs (over 20 toppings & condiments), as well as Bratwurst, Kielbasa, and fresh-cut (never frozen) french fries, They also feature an ever growing menu of delicious sandwiches, many of them riffs off the classic grilled cheese.
Heibeck’s in Wilton: American Roadside Fare Since 1931
Restaurant Wilton Take Out ice cream Burgers Hot Dogs Tacos Comfort Food American Lunch Kid Friendly homepage Homepage
Escape to a different era where comfort food is locally sourced, you are served with compassion and a smile on a garden patio, and you can experience a country feel that makes our fast-paced world slow down just a bit. This cute date (BYO), family fun and good vibe spot is something special to CT that you simply shouldn’t miss.
Heibeck’s in Wilton opened in 1931 and has been family run for four generations. Back then, George Heibeck and Katherine Dhly Heibeck stayed up all night to hand churn over 100 of their original ice cream flavors to perfection, and then served the creamy goodness to their loyal customers daily. Though their ice cream is no longer produced on premises, the family prides itself upon the use of local food sources.
Chef Dan Kardos Rolls Out Liberty Rock Tavern Food Truck
Restaurant Stratford Food Truck Comfort Food Bar Celebrity Chef Kid Friendly Catering Homepage
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.
Shake Shack Opening In West Hartford April 27
Restaurant West Hartford Hartford Hartford County Burgers Comfort Food Kid Friendly Hot Dogs ice cream
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).
No Leftovers Jamaican Cuisine Now Open at Former Swanky Franks Location
Restaurant Norwalk Jamaican Delicious Dives To-Go Take Out Kid Friendly Comfort Food Homepage
Throw me into the mix of longtime Norwalkers who were shocked and saddened when the iconic Swanky Franks abruptly closed less than a year ago. What’s done is done. I’ve come to grips with the notion that I’ll be forever sour that I can’t order a ripper with chili and a pile of fresh cut fries heavily drizzled with ketchup. I grew up eating there so I’m entitled to hold onto that nostalgia. That doesn’t mean I won’t support what’s there now.
About six months after Swanky’s called it quits, a banner appeared on the front of the building. It advertised a new roadside joint called No Leftovers featuring Jamaican food. When No Leftovers opened at the start of 2018, I noticed the parking lot was usually full, or close to it, multiple times throughout the day. That’s a good sign. And seeing how I really like jerk chicken, I knew had to check it out.
Caffé Social Brings Great Breakfast to South Norwalk
Restaurant Breakfast Brunch Lunch Comfort Food American Coffee Dessert Kid Friendly Norwalk SONO Homepage
A short while back, fellow CTbites writer James Gribbon sent me a text. He asked, “Where’s a good place to get breakfast in SoNo?” I replied with, “There aren’t many. SoNo Baking Company and SoNo Harbor Café. That’s probably it.”
Unless it’s a weekend and restaurants are serving brunch, breakfast in South Norwalk is scarce. I’m not talking wheat grass juice or a pastry at one of the Latin places on South Main Street, when I say “BREAKFAST” I mean eggs, pancakes, and bacon. I want a sit-down place where I can get wired on quality coffee and clean up maple syrup drizzles with that last chunk of sausage.
Han Restaurant in West Hartford: Traditional Chinese Hot Pot
Restaurant Asian West Hartford Chinese Kid Friendly kids activity Lunch
Like its sister restaurants SHU in West Hartford and Fairfield, Chef Xinyu Huang HAN is a study in authentic Chinese cuisine, this time focusing on Huo Guo—hot pot—a popular eating experience throughout China.
For the uninitiated—as I was before visiting HAN—hot pot is a method of table-side cooking best described as Chinese-style “fondue” in which meats, vegetables, seafood and even eggs are poached in well-flavored broths before eating. Unlike fondue, which simply coats bread or fruit in cheese or chocolate respectively, diners actually cook their food in the hot pot.
The Engine Room In Mystic: Food and Atmosphere Worth The Drive
Restaurant Mystic Comfort Food Hot Dogs Lunch Brunch Road Trip American Bar Cocktails Homepage Burgers
One of my favorite new-ish restaurants to pop up in the culinary hot spot of Mystic, Connecticut is the hip Engine Room. This outstanding restaurant highlights fresh, unique food served in a welcoming, very Instagrammable atmosphere. Let’s talk through their scrumptious menu while settling into their comfortable seats and remarking on their friendly staff.
Whether you think brunch is overrated or not, you should find your way to the Engine Room for a leisurely Sunday brunch with friends. Set inside an open wood and brick interior, with metal chairs and shiny black leather booth seating, you’ll feel comfortable enough to linger over your meal, and unlike many crowded establishments, you won’t feel rushed by the staff.
Back to the menu, which has something for traditional sweet breakfast lovers and those who aren’t really into breakfast foods (oh, the horror!).
Tequila Revolucion Opens in Fairfield
Restaurant Openings Fairfield Mexican Bar Kid Friendly Lunch
Located at the former site of Wilson’s Barbecue, the Fairfield favorite of a dozen years, Tequila Revolucion features authentic Mexican/Central American fare in a vibrant atmosphere.
The brainchild of Ryan Gillespie as general manager and Mauricio Guevara, head chef who worked together at New Canaan’s Tequila Mockingbird, Tequila Revolucion is the co-owners’ first independent restaurant venture.
“We collectively have over twenty years experience in the business and Tk years together at Tequila Mockingbird,” says Gillespie. “Each of us had a dream of owning our own place and when this opportunity came up we decided to go for it.”
Gillespie was a manager at the New Canaan eatery and Guevara worked his way up to head chef from a dishwasher.
At the pair’s new venture the focus is on seasonal food and, says Gillespie, they look forward to the growing season when they hope to source as much local food as possible. Since freshness is a hallmark of the Tequila Revolucion approach, very few items on the menu come premade, canned or frozen, down to the handmade tortilla chips, salsas, beans, and sauces.
Snow Day Recipes: I Have to Feed You All Day?
Features Recipe Pizza kids activity Recipe Kid Friendly
Snow day: You’re rudely awakened at some ungodly hour by your phone informing you that yes, indeed, there is no school today. Two thoughts run through your mind, “Great, I get to go back to sleep”, followed immediately by a more frightening thought, “I have to feed them all day?!” Relax, we’ve got you covered even if you didn’t brave the market the day before to properly stock up on supplies.
First things first, make yourself a cup of coffee, it’s going to be a loooong day. Second, assess what you have in the house.
Assuming you have some eggs, why not make these fun eggs in a cup to start the day? Then you can kick them out to shovel the driveway knowing at least they’re fueled up. This is a great recipe because you can use whatever you have laying around to mix into these egg-mom-muffins, get it?! Follow up with our recipes for: Kitchen Sink Stir Fry & Simple Pizza Dough. Done...You've made it.
Gingerbread Recipes for Gingerbread Houses & Cookies via Sweet Lisa's
Recipe Features Holiday Recipe Kid Friendly kids activity Kids Bakery Dessert
'Tis the season, but when you get tired of shopping, take a break with your family, and enjoy some leisurely holiday baking. Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes has mastered the art of gingerbread (as you can see above), and they have been kind enough to share their recipes for Gingerbread Cookie Dough as well as a special (slightly more structurally sound) Gingerbread for Houses. It's a fine line when it comes to gingerbread.
If you decide to embark on a house of your own, please share it with CTbites and send us a photo.
Traveling to Miami? Check Out Our Miami Restaurant Guide c/o MIABites
Features Miami Road Trip
The Holiday season is upon us and everyone is always asking us, "Where should I eat in Miami?" Here are some of MIAbites Contributors Best Bites for "am to pm" dining in and around Miami and Miami Beach. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended and should be made in advance if possible.
All of the Miami Beach hotels have top restaurants and prices to match. Jose Andres The Bazaar and Katsuya at the SLS South Beach, Scarpetta, StripSteak and PIzza Burger by Michael Mina and Hakkasan at The Fontainebleau , The Dutch and Mr. Chow at The W South Beach, Pao by Paul Qui and Los Fuegos at Faena and Jean Georges, The Matador Room at the EDITION, the newly relocated NOBU in the Nobu Hotel Eden Roc, are all popular and top picks where chances are you will have a delicious albeit expensive meal.
So by request, the MIAbites contributors put our heads together to flesh out the restaurant scene and to compile our suggestions for dining while in Miami.
DoughLuv Edible Cookie Dough Cafe Opens (+ Gluten Free & Vegan Available)
Restaurant Features Dessert Bakery ice cream kids activity Kid Friendly Colchester
One of this year’s tastiest food trends is edible cookie dough. One could argue that cookie dough was always edible, but the term refers to the use of heat treated flour that eliminates bacteria and pasteurized eggs to reduce the risk of food-borne illness. It’s likely something you never thought about as a kid when you scraped the cake batter or cookie dough bowl clean while mom did all the baking. If you’re reading this in 2017, eating all that dough didn’t harm you one bit, and you’ve seen a cookie dough resurgence in the U.S.—in “edible” form, of course—at supermarkets, dessert shops, and food trucks. In Colchester, Connecticut, there’s a sweet shop that’s dedicated to cookie dough and other cookie dough related sundaes, milkshakes, and pies...DoughLuv.
