Filtering by Tag: Lunch,Pizza

Square Peg Pizza Gourmet Italian & Arcade Opening 7 Locations in CT (via The Patch)

Features Openings Pizza Glastonbury Vernon

CTbites Team

A Glastonbury-based restaurant that combines pizza, gourmet food and an arcade is well on its way toward expanding its culinary empire that will begin in Vernon and Enfield and extend through its current location to Orange in partnerships with several of the new and popular axe-throwing venues.

When all is said and done, Square Peg Pizza will have seven new restaurants in Connecticut by next year.

A plan that would extend Square Peg's reach from the north central state border to the New Haven suburbs with eight locations seemed like it could be overly ambitious at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic when owner Jay Maffe first began getting serious.

Read the complete article on The Patch.

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Good Old Days Pizza: Matt Stanczak's New Newtown Joint for Za

Restaurant Newtown Pizza Openings Take Out To-Go Comfort Food Kid Friendly Lunch Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe

Look. I’m a lover not a fighter. So, when it comes to Pizza-in-Connecticut politics, I usually stand on this side of the pie. HOWEVER, I will always have an opinion. Here’s what I’ve concluded thus far: like coffee shops that seem to be on every corner, there’s always room for another slice. And, as Matt Stanczak, the mastermind and magic wand wielder behind Good Old Days Pizza agrees, as long as each shop is doing a little something different...then why not!?

So, let’s get our fric-on, shall we?

Talk about doing a little something different, the frico on Good Old Days’ “Detroit-Inspired” classic squares are such tasty, drool-worthy, dream-inducing corners of heaven. I’m not kidding. I think I’d go over and over again just to pick frico off everyone’s pie. Ok, maybe not amidst a pandemic, but you get what I mean. Salty, crispy and chewy brown bites of cheese that are like the edges of nonna’s lasagna. If that’s not all, the thick red sauce is bright, and the dough looks like it should be dense and heavy, but it’s not.

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Capuli Opens in Westport with Casual California-Mediterranean Cuisine

Restaurant Westport Openings Mediterranean Healthy Eats Family Friendly take Seafood Kid Friendly Lunch Outdoor Dining

Jessica Ryan

Nestled in among the shops on the Post Road, at the former Westport Pizza location, you’ll find a gem of a family eatery called Capuli, which made a quiet entrance into Westport at the end of January.

After relocating their young family from California to Westport, Owners Andrea and Chef Armando Brito were searching for just the right location to open a restaurant and were thrilled with the newly available space in their new hometown. Chef Armando brings over 20 years of experience from Bay area restaurants such as Corso, Rivoli, Bistro Liaison and Rick & Ann’s. He was also a private chef for Kappa Beta Theta in Berkley and was awarded a scholarship to cook and learn about the various cuisines in Italy.

We sat down with Andrea who told us that Capuli was created to serve the community. “We want to offer home style meals for our guests who want them but don’t want to have to do the dishes.” Capuli, named for the fruit bearing tree found in Chef’s native country of Ecuador, draws inspiration from coastal California and the Mediterranean. A simple concept, Capuli, doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is, offering a variety of fresh, seasonal ingredients, whole grains and lean protein. Nothing is complicated here.

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Fortina Announces Menu Changes, New Direction for its Rooftop

Restaurant Stamford Pizza Pasta Italian Rooftop Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Inquiring minds want to know…What’s the deal with Fortina after the departure of its founder, Christian Petroni? What’s new? What’s sticking around? What changes are coming?

We’ve got all that.

Oh, but before you freak out, those Fortina staples you know, and love aren’t going anywhere. You can take a deep breath.

“If we every got rid of stuff like the pastasciutto, paccheri, or The LB (Luigi Bianco), people would burn the buildings down,” jokes co-food director Paul Failla.

Failla, along with his cohort in culinary creativity, Jared Falco, say that the sky’s the limit for what you might see show up on what they’re calling a bit of a menu refresh.

One pop-up Fortina fans might have already noticed on social media is a weekly burger event at the Harbor Point location. The limited burgers are seemingly no frills from the outside looking in, but frills there are. Each is a chuck and short rib blend patty griddled in duck fat on a cast iron flat top for a crusty sear, then enveloped in good ol’ American cheese. It’s placed on a toasted Martin’s Potato Roll with homemade burger sauce, diced onion, and served with a house-brined pickle spear. The first burger event sold out in just over 30 minutes, so stay tuned for their burger announcements, and if you want one or several, be punctual.

The rest of the menu update will obviously progress with the seasons. Failla says they want to take a fresh approach and keep it local, citing Sport Hill Farm in Easton as a place they frequently get their produce from. When peas are at their springtime peak, expect to see fresh cavatelli with peas and sugar snaps, chunks of pancetta, black pepper, and parmesan. And while it’s still cool out, they’ve added two classic Italian soups, pasta e fagioli (actually pronounced PASTA FAZOOL!) and Italian wedding soup that doesn’t skimp on the meatballs.

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Coals Brings Grilled Pizza, Burgers, and Wings to Norwalk

Features Restaurant Openings Pizza Norwalk Chicken Wings Burgers beer Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Regulars of the Port Chester location of Coals Pizza got some bad news towards the end of 2020 when they announced December 30 would be their final day after eight years on N Main Street.

But in the case of Coals, when one location shuttered, another opened. In early February, they quietly debuted their third restaurant (their others are in Bronxville and Portland, Maine) in the former Fat Cat Pie Co. space in Norwalk.

According to Billy Etzel—who owns Coals along with Nick Restaino (whose wife, Blanca, steps in when he’s coaching baseball at Sacred Heart University), and Joe Rossi—opening in Norwalk was the plan way back when. “Nick lives in Norwalk and always kept his eyes open for a space and Fat Cat was available (after 16 years),” he says. “Way before we opened Port Chester, this was the first place we looked at before it was Fat Cat. Back then, we would have done what they did with wine and pizza.”

As far as why they left Port Chester, Etzel said it was a myriad of reasons including the redevelopment of the area where Coals PC occupied, plus the pandemic, but more so that it was time to move onto a new chapter.

Coals’ new chapter will only be new to those unfamiliar with what they became known for in the neighboring county, grilled pizza, wings, an award-winning burger, and a credible craft beer list.

“People know us because of the grilled pizza,” Etzel says. “What we do is food that most people consider simple food. We try to do it in the most ultimate way, and we put a lot of effort into that.”

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Nick Martschenko Opens Mexican-Inspired SE The Back End in New Canaan

Features Restaurant Interview New Canaan Mexican Lunch Cocktails Homepage Openings

Andrew Dominick

Nick Martschenko is every so closer to his monopoly on New Canaan’s restaurant scene. Even if that’s not the goal, he’s inching towards it with what’s now a downtown dining trifecta.

His latest venture, The Back End, is different. You can’t compare it to his flagship fine dining South End. And it’s not reminiscent of the laid-back but chatty speakeasy-meets-pub atmosphere of SE Uncorked, that stars “snacks + taps” (and cocktails and one damn fine burger).

“I wanted it (The Back End) to have Miami vibes, at least I want it to have that feel,” Martschenko says. “I envision it with the bar windows wide open, a super casual setting with lots of colors, lots of pink. Ruth (Stiefel) helped a lot with the design.”

The Back End is Mexican. Well, sort of. A more accurate description is Mexican inspired with a fine dining twist, and a little fast casual tossed into the mix.

“It’s elevated Mexican food,” Martschenko says. “I’m not gonna say we’re traditional, but we bear the traditional values of what we do. It’s different. I don’t know how to do it any other way.”

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Pizza Bianca with Mushrooms and Bacon via Westport Farmers' Market

Features Recipe Pizza Recipe

CTbites Team

I have been making this dough for so long, I do not even remember where it came from. It has been my kids’ favorite since they were small, and it still is now that they are all grown up ;-). It is essentially foolproof, and takes no time to whip up. Because I wanted to represent as many vendors from The Westport Farmers’ Market as possible, and make it as close to a one-stop-shop recipe, I added some flour I had on hand from Kneads Bakery, and it worked. So this just goes to show…who says you can’t shop local + seasonal in the Northeast in March?!?

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Hudson Malone Opens in Westport From NYC's Legendary PJ Clarkes' Bartender, Doug Quinn

Restaurant Openings Westport Lunch Bar American Comfort Food Cocktails Homepage

Jessica Ryan

Hudson Malone is a unique place - a casual upscale eatery designed to be a neighborhood favorite welcoming repeat diners seeking comfort by the familiar and wowed by the unexpected. Upon entering the restaurant you’ll first notice the bar which has that old school, saloon style. Assorted painting, photography, memorabilia and Americana artifacts animate the walls throughout the establishment. You’ll see hints of New York City blending in seamlessly with the local backdrop. No matter how often you dine here, you’re sure to notice something new every time.

A rough hewn wood ceiling and support beams offer a rustic yet comforting tone balanced by the warm glow of the lighting overhead and stone fireplace. Natural sunlight streams in through the newly added windows along the left hand side which bounces off the elaborate navy lacquered ceiling. It’s cozy. It’s casual and it’s sophisticated. The setting is only part of the experience - for the rest you need to meet Doug Quinn, the man behind the Hudson Malone brand.

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Antojos Colombian Restaurant: Updated Menu Drops at This Hidden Gem

Restaurant Columbian Norwalk New Menu Comfort Food Delicious Dives Take Out To-Go Lunch

Stephanie Webster

Nestled in a strip mall in the Broad River section of Norwalk, you could easily miss Antojos Columbian restaurant. You’ve probably driven by, and barely noticed it, or you may remember our write up on this hidden gem back in 2017. Whether you’re new to Antojos, or a loyal customer, you’ll want to pay attention. They are serving up some seriously tasty authentic Columbian fare, and some exciting new menu items have recently dropped. We felt they were ready for their close-up. Enjoy the photo journey, complete with menu names for easy ordering. Get that drool cup ready…

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House Of Pho in Stratford Serves Up Much More Than Delicious Pho

Restaurant Asian Vietnamese Pho Soups Noodles Noodle Soup Stratford Openings Lunch Comfort Food

James Gribbon

At a hillside shopping center overlooking nothing more fashionable than the far ridge line of the Housatonic River and Sikorsky’s helicopter factory steams a great bowl of pho. It’s a standard bo vien with beef meatballs, ordered lightly rich with small convex globules of transparent oil magnifying both light and flavor in the broth. I’ve recently dosed a bite with a slice of positively infernal green pepper. A less varied quarantine diet has apparently softened my usually spice-calloused tongue. My eyes are watering, and my nose is running. I’m in heaven.

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Columbus Park Trattoria: A Stamford Italian Favorite Gets A New Look

Restaurant Stamford Italian Lunch Pasta

Jessica Ryan

Last week I had the privilege of revisiting an old favorite, Columbus Park Trattoria. It’s been many years since I’d eaten there, for no reason other than I had been sticking closer to home. But with the Coronavirus in full swing, travel opportunities so limited, and the ease of traveling on I-95 these days, I have started taking to the road for mini adventures and in search of a good bite to eat – and I’ve been encouraging others to do the same in effort to support our restaurants.

What’s resulted is the discovery of wonderful, new to me, places that previously would have not have been on my radar and the rediscovery of some old loves. Although food will always be the focal point, the simple act of dining out is really so much more, it’s an experience – something we seem all to be craving.

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Citizen Chicken + Donuts Opens TODAY in West Hartford

Restaurant West Hartford Openings Fried Chicken Breakfast Lunch Comfort Food Doughnuts donuts Bakery Homepage

Stephanie Webster

If the buzz around KFC’s 2020 rollout of their fried chicken and donut sandwich says anything about our appetite for this decadently delicious combo, I’d say with great certainty that the new Citizen Chicken & Donuts, opening today in West Hartford, has some serious legs. From the folks who brought you Hartford Baking Company, Citizen Chicken & Donuts has made a smart addition to the team, a chef who knows things about Southern cooking, and definitely knows his fried chicken. Texas born, Chef Van Hurd, of Sayulita’s, Taino Smokehouse, and Riverhouse Catering, will be at the helm alongside Hartford Baking Company founder, Scott Kluger, who will handle the carb-ier side of Citizen’s menu, including the donuts, brioche sandwich breads, cronuts and other goodies. Kluger says “Fried chicken is not our background or culture so it’s nice to have somebody from that world to bring real authenticity to the menu.” It’s really the perfect pairing, and you can find this comfort food mecca at Hartford Baking Company’s original location on New Park Avenue in West Hartford.

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Tony Pizza Napolitano: A Pop-Up Worth Popping By

Restaurant Features Pop-Up Pizza Weston Easton Homepage

Andrew Dominick

How’s this for a hidden gem pizza pop-up?

You follow Tony Pizza Napolitano on Facebook. You wait for a post with a schedule and menu—it usually posts by midday on Monday. Days and times typically read something like, “Silverman’s Farm on Wednesdays, the Norfield Grange in Weston on Thursdays and Fridays, 4 – 7 p.m. for all three days.”

But that’s not written in stone. It’s wise to check the weekly posts to make sure. If pizza strikes your fancy on Silverman’s days, just show up. If you’re a Thursday or Friday pizza person, you have to direct message the Facebook account to work out and confirm a time slot. No advance orders necessary, you can do that when you arrive. Cash is preferred but Venmo is OK, too.

There it is. All laid out for you. Easy-peasy, right?

Good.

But who is this “Tony,” anyway?

The “Tony” in question is Anthony Kesselmark. He has been a Weston resident for a decade and counting, and he previously owned a few restaurants in Dutchess County, a burger joint in Poughkeepsie and a few pizzerias in that area, one of which was Pizza & Stuff in Beacon.

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Marygold’s on Main Opens in Newtown From Chef Neugold of The Foundry Kitchen & Bar

Restaurant Newtown Openings American Pizza Cocktails Seafood Oysters

Kristin L. Wolfe

Walking along Newtown’s Main Street has always felt like stepping back in time. From dark painted Colonials with bright colored doors to a classic, yellow Federal house or the more decorative Queen Anne, you know every home has a story and the spirits of the town’s past are within reach. And, like the best pieces of historical fiction, Marigold’s on Main gives us a sense of two worlds. There’s something so exhilarating about being inside a place that has been revived from the past. Time stands still in the middle of yesterday and today. The space feels at once old and new; and, although there are thoughtful nods to another time on the menu, it is as inventive and fresh as you’d hope a new place would be. Not to mention, with Chef Clark Neugold at the helm, you know as worlds collide, he’ll still invent something that stands on its own.

Run by Chef Neugold and his wife Kate, of Foundry Kitchen & Tavern, and barely a mile down the road in Sandy Hook (see CTbites Feb 2019 for info), they know a thing or two or three about breathing new life into an old space. And, despite the setbacks Covid has undoubtedly thrust upon the industry, Marygold’s is off to a successful start. Alongside Chef Neugold, Derek Kustanbauter as Chef de Cuisine, and Steve Roth as Sous Chef, the team has brought forth a menu Connecticut diners will surely want to try.

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Zul Cafe and Grill Brings Authentic Filipino Fare to Norwalk

Features Restaurant Filipino Norwalk Lunch Openings Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Quick! Name a Filipino restaurant that’s close by!

Time’s up!

Stumped? Don’t worry, all of us in lower Fairfield County had no clue until now.

But before Zul Cafe and Grill opened its kitchen in Norwalk in early June, you likely had to venture to Yonkers, Nyack, or Queens to get your fill of Filipino fare.

The “why” behind Zul is simple. Owners and Norwalk residents Rob and Gladys Luz not only saw a void in Filipino cuisine in the area, but they also wanted it more readily available for themselves. Opening a restaurant of their own became all the more real when Rob had one of his cravings for the food of his culture.

“We would always just go to Queens because they have a lot of Filipino food in one small area, but we got tired of traffic and casually discussed opening a Filipino restaurant ourselves,” Gladys says. “We saw this house for sale and Rob said, ‘This is a nice spot for a Filipino restaurant,’ to which I replied, ‘Where?!’ I didn’t notice it because it’s residential. The roof was falling apart, the grass was high, there was a big tree out front. You couldn’t even see the building! It was a fixer upper. Rob had the vision. He saw it. I didn’t!”

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110 Grill Opens in Canton: Top 10 Most Allergy-Friendly Restaurants in America!

Restaurant Openings Special Dietary Needs Gluten-Free Allergy Friendly Food Allergy American Lunch Farmington

CTbites Team

The Shops at Farmington Valley will debut the first Connecticut restaurant location for 110 Grill, rated as “Top 10 most allergy friendly restaurants in America”. 110 Grill is New England’s Fastest Growing Restaurant Group and the opening of 110 Grill Canton will mark the 32nd location for the six-year-old Modern American restaurant group.

Located at 110 Albany Turnpike, the restaurant will feature 110 Grill’s signature modern-American fare with an array of comforting classics and unparalleled gluten-free and dietary restricted menus. Every 110 Grill location features a contemporary, yet inviting atmosphere with a spacious dining room and lounge, private dining room, outdoor patio and a large bar area.

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Oyster Club In Mystic Turns Ten And Wins "Best of Connecticut"

Features Restaurant Mystic Seafood Raw Bar Best of CT American Lunch Brunch

Kristin L. Wolfe

Am I dreaming? Is it really 2021? We got to flip the calendar?

To see a beloved restaurant hit a real landmark, especially amidst challenging times, you better believe we are going to hoot and holler and make some noise. So, that’s why we’ll spend 2021 celebrating alongside Oyster Club as they move into their next decade.

On the heels of being included in Connecticut Magazine’s “Best of” list, and as my top choice for Best Bites of 2020 here at ctbites, in addition to countless national accolades, there’s a reason for the celebration. Not only is Oyster Club in the picturesque town of Mystic, or in a building whose bold colors give nod to the elements, but the service, and what’s delivered on each plate is experiential, it is sensual; it is just extraordinary.

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Mediterranean Favorite, Basso Restaurant & Wine Bar, Opens In Westport TODAY

Restaurant Openings Westport Mediterranean Italian Pizza Spanish Venezuelan Comfort Food

Stephanie Webster

Chef Renato Donzelli, owner of Basso Restaurant & Wine Bar, has moved his longtime favorite Norwalk spot to Westport, CT. Basso opens his doors today in the beautiful two story building that once housed Matsu Sushi on Jesup Road. A loyal following, very favorable word of mouth, and a consistently excellent Mediterranean menu made Basso a huge success, and a neighborhood hangout for 13 years, so why Westport? Donzelli has had his eye on this restaurant friendly town for some time, but most importantly, he wanted to expand his dining capacity, and add al fresco dining to the menu. The new location boasts all of the above in addition to a wood fired pizza oven where Donzelli can now incorporate his family’s Neapolitan pizza recipes to his cooking repertoire. After tasting The Stallion Pizza last night at the soft opening, featuring Spanish chorizo, spicy sofrito, mozzarella, and fresh basil, I can say with great certainty, that I too am happy Donzelli found a new home where his dreams can be realized.

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BAR New Haven & Bear's Smokehouse Partner Up for NEW Brisket Pizza, Launching TODAY

Features Restaurant Pizza New Haven New Haven Pizza BBQ News Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe

It’s official. It has now been scientifically proven that pizza does in fact bring unbridled joy and happiness upon all who partake. You can thank me for the revelation later. In the meantime get your asses over to BAR for their brand new seasonal pie, which might just knock your jingly socks and ugly Christmas sweater right off.

In what might be the best late-2020-collab since Bieber and Mendes’ “Monster,” BAR and Bears’ Smokehouse BBQ had a baby that you’ve got to try: Brisket Pizza featuring Bear’s BBQ brisket and Kansas City Sauce. White, mozzarella, Cheddar, Brisket, BBQ sauce, jalapeño, red onion and cilantro. Take a minute to read that again and focus on every ingredient. I’m sorry, but it is just down right sexy. Not any one ingredient overpowers the next, but all shine through like a little dance in your mouth. Wash it down with BAR’s own Highland Outlaw and your holiday has been made.

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