Filtering by Tag: Thanksgiving,Southern

Chestnut Stuffing with Leeks and Apples from The Parsley Thief

Features Thanksgiving Recipe

katie vitucci

Carry on brave Thanksgiving cooks. Roasted chestnuts in a bottle are quite pricey.  Although time consuming, you can save money by roasting your own (which we suggest).  However, if you prefer to go the quick route, bottled chestnuts can be found in most specialty grocery stores. Enjoy this recipe for Chestnut Stuffing with Leeks & Apples c/o The Parsely Thief.


Sweet Potato Pie Recipe from Latin Chef/ Author Leticia Schwartz

Recipe Features Recipe Thanksgiving Holiday Pie Dessert

Leticia Schwartz

Ok, I’m all about healthy cooking. The proof is in the book, Latin Superfoods. But this time of year is a little special! Let’s dig right into this Sweet Potato Pie, adapted from Gourmet Magazine. Go ahead and celebrate the old-fashioned way with family and friends.

Growing up in Brazil, such a tart was not in the habits, and in fact it took some time for me to get the liking of it. But after 20 years of living here, let me tell you, I’m hooked! And Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays since it’s all about food, friends and family!


50+ CT Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner & Catering: 2019 Edition

Features Holiday Thanksgiving Catering Caterers Special Occasion homepage Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and many of Connecticut’s best restaurants have Thanksgiving specials & catering worth gobbling up! From prix fixe menus to extensive buffets to family style to take-out, there are options for everyone. So don’t cry fowl– make your reservations today! Space is limited and seats fill up quickly, and get your catering orders in if you’d prefer to do Thanksgiving at home, without the work!


Candied Kabocha Squash Recipe: Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State

Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Thanksgiving Cooking Entertaining

CTbites Team

For the next two weeks CTbites will be featuring a series of Thanksgiving recipes from local CT chefs. Some of these recipes will be family favorites, or dishes the chefs cook in their own homes. Others will grace the holiday menus found at your local restaurant. One thing is certain. They will all be delicious and worthy of a seat at YOUR table. Our second in this series comes from Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State. Enjoy her recipe for Candied Kabocha Squash.


Birdman Juke Joint Opening In Bridgeport with Real Soul Food from Top Chef, Chris Scott

Restaurant Openings Bridgeport Comfort Food Celebrity Chef Southern Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe

“It’s about the chicken…” says Chef Chris Scott (Top Chef Season 15), telling his new Connecticut fan base a story at his sold out Pop Up last Thursday night. And he’s about to knock nutmeggers socks off left and right with what he calls Real Soul Food, not the “gentrified” sort we’ve heard about or tasted before. There’s a story attached to the chicken, to the greens and black-eyed peas; there’s a story about the people who originally brought us the food. Real Soul Food is not just the celebrated dishes we’ve come to know and love. Chef wants everyone to understand the heritage behind this cuisine, and really hear about the ones who toiled long and hard for the meals we know as southern soul food. It’s time we learned about the Birdman; and Chef Scott is just the one to deliver the tale. He is passionate, he is immensely knowledgeable, he is experienced, and he just so happens to be one freakin’ amazing Chef.


55+ Restaurants & Caterers for Thanksgiving in CT: 2018 Edition

Features Thanksgiving Holiday Catering

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

How does a turkey drink its wine?  From a gobble-let!  OK, but seriously… Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it’s time to consider your holiday plans!  If you want to enjoy the meal with less prep and clean-up, an assortment of Connecticut caterers and restaurants are offering savory take-out options.  Restaurants are also serving prix-fixe menus, brunches, and other specials for those who want the experience of eating out. 

Here are over 50 Thanksgiving dining options, whether you’re dining out or catering your event from your favorite local restaurant.


Maple Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie Recipe via South End's Chef Martschenko

Recipe Recipe Thanksgiving Dessert

Stephanie Webster

While many of our readers have family traditions when it comes to Thanksgiving, we, at CTbites, feel it is important to add a newcomer to the recipe box each year. For 2016, we offer you a classic developed by South End's Chef Nick Martschenko. His recipe for Maple Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie may become your family's go-to dessert. If you decide to cook this in your home next week, let us know what you thought.  

Maple Praline Pumpkin Pecan Pie Recipe


Sweet Maple Mustard Roast Pork Tenderloin Recipe via Local Food Rocks

Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Bloggers Thanksgiving

CTbites Team

This tangy yet sweet maple mustard roast pork tenderloin recipe brings together seasonal flavors in an easy-to-make-meal, perfect for a Sunday family dinner (or holiday entrée).

This Sunday pork roast idea came about thanks to Avon Prime Meats in Avon, CT. This local market packs a lot into it's 4,500 square feet. Front and center is their meat counter. They sell only Prime (highest grade of beef) or Premium Choice meats.

Many of the meats they carry are traceable to the farm of origin. They also work with local farms offering local, grass fed and all natural meats as well. Sepe Farms, Blue Slope Farms, and Cream Hill Farm are among their local farm partners.


Peaches Juke Joint in Nowalk: Two Guys Enjoy Some Southern Hospitality

Restaurant Norwalk Southern Bar

jeffrey schlesinger

CTbites has been following Greer Fredericks since she opened Mama’s Boy in Norwalk in 2013. She believed that low country southern cuisine could tantalize Fairfield County diners, from shrimp & grits, chicken and waffles to mile high desserts. Mama’s Boy’s food started the trend where down home, stick to your ribs cooking with bold flavors, deep fried, with cheese and calories were an accepted cuisine. Greer’s newest venture is Peaches’ Juke Joint, a fun-loving, take off your shoes, leave your inhibitions at the door and have some fun with a side of food. She hired Paul Failla to oversee the kitchen; many will remember Failla from his days at neighboring Bar Sugo. Ctbites was recently invited to sample Chef Paul’s newest creations and feel the vibes at Peaches.

Outrageous BBQ at Mason Dixon Smokehouse in Stamford

BBQ Southern Stamford Bar Comfort Food Lunch

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

World-class BBQ returns to CT with the homecoming of renowned pitmaster Nestor Laracuente, who is overseeing the kitchen at Mason Dixon Smokehouse in Stamford. When I heard that Nestor was teaming up with Mason Dixon, I was ecstatic, the mounds of his perfectly prepared meats that I raved about at Hoodoo Brown were indelible etched in my memory. Would Mason Dixon fill the void that I have felt for months? Bottom line…yes, the food is spectacular.

Laracuente is a soft-spoken lover of meats and Southern rock who spent years perfecting his craft. After leaving CT last year, he returned to Brooklyn where he spent time with his buddy at Beast of Bourbon in Bed-Stuy. His time was spent experimenting with new rubs, new dishes, waiting for the right opportunity for his return to Connecticut. His newest venture, of which he is part-owner, opened a few weeks ago and it is slowly expanding the menu. 


Soul Tasty Opens in Stamford: Southern Food from the Soul to the Table

Restaurant BBQ Delicious Dives Southern Stamford To-Go Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

Fairfield County offers some of the best food in the country, from trucks to fine dining, and when a restaurant serves food from the soul, it is special, it is uplifting, it makes you overjoyed. Every now and then I visit a new place that fits all these categories. Stephanie Webster, my CTbites partner, and I were looking for a new place for a lunch meeting and we chose Soul Tasty...we wanted to see what the buzz was about. It is located on Main Street in Stamford at the end of a dead end that doubles as the entrance to a pedestrian bridge and parking is incredibly difficult, have patience, it is worth it.

Soul Tasty is the brain-child and dream of Chef Jean Gabriel, Jr. When you walk in, you can feel the love. The walls are brightly painted, a little graffiti on the rear counter pronouncing FEED YOUR SOUL and a colorful menu above the hot trays holding the products of the chef’s homage to the Southern recipes of his grandmother.


CT Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner: 2016 Edition

Restaurant Holiday Thanksgiving

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and many of Connecticut’s best restaurants have Thanksgiving specials worth gobbling up!  From prix fixe menus to extensive buffets to family style to take-out, there are options for everyone.  So don’t cry fowl– make your reservations today!  Space is limited and seats fill up quickly.

  1. The National, Greenwich: The National in Greenwich will serve up Thanksgiving classics with family style sides and desserts on Thanksgiving Day. It costs $85 per adult and $35 for children under 12. For those looking to go out on Thanksgiving Eve, The National will stay open late with a live DJ and late night snack menu in the bar.
  2. Millwright’s, Simsbury: Millwrights in Simsbury will serve a prix fixe Thanksgiving menu from 11:30am-6pm. Adults are $59 while children 11 and under are $29.
  3. Rive Bistro, Westport: Their Thanksgiving menu has choices like Mousse de Foie Gras, a Turkey Plate, and Bistro Steak Frites. Find them in Westport.
  4. Cafe on the Green, Danbury: They will offer a four course Thanksgiving meal with dishes like Roasted Rack of Lamb and Pan Seared Red Snapper.
  5. Madison Beach Hotel, Madison: You are invited to their Thanksgiving Buffet, which includes an omelet station, carving station, hot buffet station, cheese array, dessert assortment, and more. Reservations are required and seatings are available from 11am-3pm.

Holiday Recipes: Scandinavian Caramelized Potatoes & Mushroom Toast via Community Table

Recipe Holiday Recipe Thanksgiving

CTbites Team

One of our favorite Litchfield County restaurants, Community Table, has contributed these deceptively simple but absolutely delicious appetizers for the upcoming holidays. Chef Marcell Davidsen's recipes for Scandinavian Caramelized PotatoesMushroom toast will delight even the most discerning guest. You may want to add this one to your virtual recipe box. 

Holiday Recipe: Black Truffle & Leek Bread Pudding from elm restaurant

Recipe Holiday Recipe Thanksgiving

CTbites Team

Executive Chef Luke Venner, of elm restaurant in New Canaan, has a decadant and delicious Thanksgiving recipe for our CTbites readers. If you want to make your guests extra happy this season, go beyond traditional bread pudding with his recipe for Black Truffle & Leek Bread Pudding. We are quite certain it will elicit praise all around. Of course, personally I'd rather have Chef Venner cook it himself, but if you can't get to elm restaurant, try this recipe at home this Thanksgiving season. Your guests will thank you. 

15 CT Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Dinner

Restaurant Holiday Thanksgiving

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Thanksgiving arrives Thursday November 26 and many Connecticut restaurants are inviting you to spend the holiday with them.  From buffets to prix fixe and traditional to creative, there are a number of styles so that you can pick the best for you and your loved ones.

NOTE: We came across a few more restaurants after the publish date of this article, so we've gone beyond 15. Enjoy!

  1. Millwright's, Simsbury
  2. Cafe on the Green, Danbury
  3. Artisan, Southport
  4. Bernard's, Ridgefield
  5. Elm Restaurant, New Canaan
  6. Mill on the River Restaurant, South Windsor
  7. Capital Grille, Stamford and Hartford
  8. Harbor Lights, Norwalk

Derby Days Parties @ Mama's Boy in Sono

Restaurant Holiday Southern

CTbites Team

Mama's Boy in Sono is celebrating the Derby in fine style with "Derby Days" April 27-May 3. Greer and her team have a full week of great events planned for your dining and partying pleasure.  The week kicks off a Low Country Crab Boil on April 28th, followed by "Fillies & Lillies," (girls night on steroids), May 1 and culminates with their big Derby Day event on May 2nd. Read the full details below. Call Mama's Boy to make your reservations (203) 956-7171.

Chef Matt Storch's Recipe for "Day After Turkey & Waffles"

Features Holiday Thanksgiving Recipe Breakfast

Matt Storch

Every Thanksgiving, we ask our friends in the Chef community for their favorite holiday recipes. This year we got a last minute entry from Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant & The Chelsea with a great idea for all those leftovers. Ok...that picture above...it's not turkey...those are chicken livers, but it's the best we could do on short notice. Here is Matt Storch's Day After Turkey & Waffles Recipe. 


Cast Iron Roasted Fruits & Vegetables Recipe from Chef Arik of Le Farm

Features Thanksgiving healthy Recipe

CTbites Team

Arik Bensimon, Chef de Cuisine at Le Farm, has always been an innovator when it comes to cooking. His roots run deep with French technique, but the ingredients always come first. We liked the simplicity and deconstructed quality of his Thanksgiving side dish. Not only is the recipe absolutely beautiful but it preserves and highlights the integrity of the seasonal ingredients. Enjoy Chef Arik's recipe for Cast Iron Roasted Fruits & Vegetables.