On March 2nd, CTbites and Terrain will host “It’s A Woman’s World: A Celebration” honoring and celebrating the many inspiring and trailblazing females in Connecticut’s culinary industry. Ladies…It’s about time.
From chefs and farmers, to photographers and beekeepers, we're tipping our hats to the females who are molding the CT food industry, and making sh@# happen. The evening will include a panel moderated by on-air personality Marysol Castro, (journalist, PA announcer for the METS, and CTBites podcast host), great food, drinks, awards, and of course, plenty of time to mingle and meet the women in our community as well as the ladies who appear on the list below, our Top 20 Most Influential Woman In CT Culinary Industry. We can’t wait to meet you. Purchase your $25 ticket here and read on because we need YOUR participation in selecting 5 of the women below to win awards for “Most Inspiring & Influential Women in the CT Culinary Scene,” at the event.
The month of February is Voyage Month at L’escale. Every week, travel the world by feasting on a menu inspired by a different country. From February 3-9, they’ll highlight Mexico. The two course lunch is $25.20 and the 3 course dinner is $45.20.
Flights and Bites comes to Basso Café in Norwalk on Tuesday nights. Mediterranean small plates will be paired with a flight of wines.
Want a front seat at the most fun Taco Tuesday competition event in CT? Taco Daddy is giving away $5k to the prize time winner of 3 elimination rounds in their Royal Rumble competition, the first of which is going down on February 11th. Oh, guess what….I’m going to be judging, so bring your A game people.
This Taco Tuesday event series will feature some talented chefs (we’ll let you know who later), and home cooks. There are two ways to get involved in this event.
1. Watch & Eat. Tickets are $100 per person, can be purchased here. Guests will be served food and unlimited drinks with their purchase of a ticket!
2. Compete! Do you think you have what it takes to be a part of this competition? The Taco Daddy team is looking for foodies, home cooks, and even professional chefs from all walks of life to compete for a grand prize of $5,000! To nominate yourself or someone you know, click here –@TacoDaddyStamford – comment on the post and include why you think the nominee would do well. More info here.
Where can you mingle with celebrities, taste delicious wine, sample craft beer, get free swag, feast on tasty food, try your luck at slot machines, and dance to hits from a DJ? This ISN’T a trick question and there IS an answer. And that answer is the Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Fest.
On January 25 and 26, I had the pleasure of attending the weekend long festival on behalf of CTBites. 2020 marked the seventeenth year of the Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Fest and seven years since I first attended in 2013. A great deal has changed since its inception. This year commanded a plethora of A-list chefs and had an array of events to supplement Saturday’s Grand Tasting.
On Monday January 27, Mezon Tapas Bar & Restaurant invites you to a Wine Dinner featuring JM Fonseca Wines. $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity) includes a 5 course meal and wine pairings.
Mondays are Wine Down Mondays at Artisan Restaurant! Get half off wines $100 or less.
Square Peg Pizza,The Mystic Cheese Company, and Black Hog Brewing Co. are all teaming up on Monday January 27. The delicious, fun event will take place at Square Peg Pizzeria in Glastonbury. There will be free prize giveaways, pairings, education, and great local CT food and drink.
Say Cheese! Fairfield Cheese Company invites you to Cheese 101, where you can get down to the basics over tasty cheeses . It runs from 7-9pm and costs $50 per person.
In honor of National Cheese Lover’s Day, Heirloom Restaurant is hosting an Artisanal Cheese Tour January 19-26th, daily 4pm to close.
Tickets are on sale for the Great Mac & Chili Challenge at the SoNo Collection, which will take place on January 26 from 11am-3pm. Purchase tickets online at www.MacAndChili.com.
Litchfield Saltwater Grille hosts a pop-up Cigar Dinner on Sunday January 12th at 4pm. $40 gets you 3 courses with their regular cigar menu. RSVP quickly!
Tavern On State’s Sunday Supper Series returns on January 12th with a dinner From the Sea! Their friends at Opici whowill be pairing wines with each of the 5 courses.
Hartford Restaurant Week is here and it continues through January 19th! Participating restaurants throughout West Hartford will offer special fixed price multi course menus at $12 for lunch and $20, $30 or $40 for dinner.
Join SoNo1420 for a Bi-Coastal Winter CBD Infused Dinner on January 11th. Cocktails prepared by SoNo 1420's Blake Poon, 5-Course CBD Infused Dinner Menu highlighting ingredients from both East and West Coasts. Presented by Executive Chef Ronald Santos coming from New York City & Celebrity Chef Michael Montano visiting from Los Angeles. Link to tickets: http://bit.ly/CBDDINNER
On Tuesday January 7, get ready to be a part of the mystery. Brewport hosts a Murder Mystery Party from 7-10pm. With your ticket, you will be given pizza, two beers, a commemorative case study notebook, and the opportunity to solve a murder!
The Spread Norwalk presents Brunch with Santa on Sunday, December 22nd at 12pm. They’re serving up fun for all ages just ahead of Christmas!
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to once again be sponsoring the annual Saugatuck Caroling Crawl to entertain patrons at all local member restaurants on Saturday evening December 21th.
Vita Pasta Lab presents an after Christmas Kids Italian Cooking & Baking Class on December 26 & 27. The class on 12/26 will focus on sweets, with a menu of Chocolate Krinkle cookies, Danish Butter cookies and Chocolate Soufflé. The class on 12/27 will feature the savory, with a menu of Pizza, Foccacia and Pinwheel Pizza. Ages 8 and up.
Holbrook Farm hosts a Farm Dinner on Monday December 16. Chefs Jeff Taibe (Taproot), Lucas Proud (The Redding Roadhouse) and Rob Haidar (Taproot) are collaborating on a menu that will highlight both fresh vegetables and those they were able to preserve from the Farm.
Tis the season for whiskey and Que Whiskey Kitchen in Southington invites you to a Sazerac Whiskey Dinner on Monday December 16.
Christmas pop-up Miracle at Ordinary is happening now! The place is all decked out with spirit and glee and there are 15 brand new Christmas cocktails. Plus, purchase mugs, stockings, and more as gifts.
Red Bee Honey's Holiday Open House returns on Sunday December 8 from 11am-4pm. Shop Local and Shop Small at Red Bee Honey and pick up your holiday honeys, gift boxes, beeswax candles, soap and many other goodies. Tour a working apiary and meet author and founder, Carla Marina Marchese.
Jazz Brunches continue at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art on Sunday December 15. Enjoy a buffet brunch in the Untitled Bistro with live jazz by Charmagne Tripp.
It’s “all about the braise” on Thursday December 12. Ari Long is coming to Wakeman Town Farm to show us how to prepare leg of lamb and seasonal side dishes in time for the holidays. Don’t forget to BYOB! The class is limited to 16 so book your seats early.
The annual Chili Cook-off returns to Cromwell on Saturday December 7 from 5-8pm. There are CASH prizes for the best batches of chili plus the holiday block party and tree lighting.
Chef Emily Mingrone’s Tavern State now serves brunch! Check it out from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are available on Resy.
The Tasty Yolk has a new special. “Get Stuffed” includes 2 over easy eggs, toasted brioche stuffing, pulled roasted turkey gravy, and house cranberry sauce. It is available at all locations. Visit their brand new storefront or check their Facebook page for the location of their 3 food trucks.
Tisane Euro-Asian Café presents a Friendsgiving Drag Show on Tuesday November 26 from 10pm-12am. A $10 ticket gets you access to performances by Mizery McRae & Marita Bonita and music by DJ John Rsaza. Sip on $5 house wines, $6 specialty cocktails, and $3 select beer.
On Tuesday November 12, Lidia Bastianich comes to Tarry Lodge in Westport.She’s celebrating the release of her new cookbook, Felidia: Recipes from My Flagship Restaurant. Guests will get a signed copy of her book as well as a four course dinner with optional wine pairings. There are two seatings, 5-7pm and 7:30-9:30pm. Tickets start at $135, inclusive of tax and gratuity.
Tavern on State hosts an Armada Brewing Beer Dinner on Monday November 4. $80 includes 5 beers, four courses, tax, and gratuity. Seating begins at 6pm and the dinner follows at 6:30pm.
The Connecticut Cider Association presents the first ever Connecticut Cider Festival on Saturday November 9! Cider Conn 2019 takes place at Zandri's Stillwood Inn. Join them for unlimited cider sampling, food trucks, live music, and more. Tickets start at $15.
Amis Trattoria’s Guest Chef Series continues on Wednesday November 6 with Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State. Amis Executive Chef Jes Bengtson and Mingrone will create a one-night-only menu of specials inspired by the guest chef’s specialties.
J House throws their annual Halloween bash on Friday November 1- this year with an Apocalypse theme! Your ticket comes with a complimentary cocktail, hors d'oeuvres, a live DJ all night, and a Red Carpet Costume Contest & Prizes. Tickets $75 pp.
Attention beer fans! Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford hosts a special SINGLECUT tap take-over at 5pm on October 30. Stay for trivia, which begins at 8pm.
Chef Jessica Bengston, chef from Terrain and Amis Trattoria, comes to the Fairfield Library on Monday October 28. She’ll share her journey in the culinary world and how food, community, and culture has influenced her career.
Get egg-cited… the Tasty Yolk storefront opens for business on Tuesday October 22! Check them out at 2992 Fairfield Ave in Bridgeport.
From Wednesday October 23 through Friday October 25, Norwalk Now presents CRUSH: A Celebration of Beer, Wine, and Spirits. Norwalk restaurants and businesses are opening their doors for demonstrations, tastings, seminars, and other events inspired by these tasty adult beverages.
Wednesday October 23 marks Brasitas’s first Wine Dinner of the season. The five course meal will compliment wines from Napa Valley. Tickets are $75 per person and space is limited.
Costume? Check. Pumpkin? Check. Candy? Check. Halloween Plans. Check…? October 31 is quickly approaching and with so many fun options to choose from, what is one to do? Connecticut restaurants, farms, bars, and venues are all getting into the Halloween spirit with frighteningly good food specials, cocktails, bar crawls, haunted hayride, and more. Here are 25+ CT spots throwing spook-tacular events to lead up to and close out the holiday.
Get ready to get crazy and “do-nut” miss this event! Friday October 18 is Donut Crazy Flight Night at Two Roads Brewing Company. They’ll even be featuring a Roadsmary’s Baby Donut inspired by the Autumnal Brew. Check it out in the tasting room from 4-9pm.
On Saturday October 19, Barcelona Norwalk will hold a pig roast on the patio. From 3-6pm, kick off fall with a roast suckling pig and seasonal tapas prepared by Chef Kaline Capps. Wine pairings will accompany the evening’s offerings.
Hamilton Park, located in The Blake Hotel in Downtown New Haven, now offers 50% off all bottles of wine during Monday evening dinner service. The restaurant offers dinner service from 5-9pm.
Le Fat Poodle is pleased to present Oktoberfest specials. The Oktoberfest menu includes specials like German beer cheese dip, pretzels, bratwurst, and more. Order a la carte or opt for three courses and get a beer and stein.
Everyone is Italian on October 12 and 13 when the That’s Amore Italian Street Festival comes to Stamford. There will be plenty of Italian food as well as concerts, games, and Italian-inspired entertainment.
TASTE of Fairfield returns on Sunday October 13 at Delamar Southport. Over 25 vendors will offer tastes of their delicious food. There will also be local vendors, wineries, and specialty cocktails to check out. Purchase a general admission ticket or upgrade to VIP for early admission to the event.
Cousins Maine Lobster and Bad Sons Beer Company are teaming up on Friday October 11. From 4-8pm, head to Derby for refreshing brews and a pop-up from the Hartford-based seafood eatery.
At CTBites, we bring you the latest news from Connecticut’s vibrant food scene. The state has a host of must-visit restaurants, farms, and food-inspired events. At the same time, there are wonderful things happening just over our border. Every September, Rhode Island celebrates the last days of summer with the Newport Mansions Wine + Food Festival.
