Bistro V Serves Up Casual French Bistro Fare & All the Vibes in Greenwich Restaurant Greenwich French Lunch Burgers Bar Cocktails Bistro Jessica Ryan September 18, 2021 It’s been a couple of years since I dined at Bistro V on the Ave in Greenwich, and I was thrilled to have been invited for lunch last week.When Marc and Evelyne Penvenne noticed a for sale sign on the restaurant’s doors they knew that they had to step in and purchase it. The former Versailles was not only a fixture in the Greenwich restaurant scene, but for this couple it had a nostalgic and sentimental meaning. They just couldn’t let the beloved establishment go; the two met there as employees in. The Penvennes had already established themselves as successful restaurateurs. The owners of another perennial favorite, Méli-Mélo, have been feeding guests there, just a couple of blocks away, for over 25 years.After a slight rebranding, facelift and name shift, Versailles became Bistro V, inspired by their memories of growing up with the classic bistros in France. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events & Openings For Sept. 25- October 15 Events Features News Events Stephanie Webster September 17, 2021 314 Beer Garden is opening September 25th from 12p-6p. Drink specials all day long. This rustic outdoor beer garden is nestled on Village Creek in South Norwalk, and we hear it’s gonna be fun!—-Niantic Bay Oyster Festival is September 25.—-October 7th & 28th hop aboard the Naugatuck Railroad for a Litchfield Hills BBQ & Tequila Special train ride.—-The Brass City Brew and Que, September 25th, is one of the largest brew fests in New England, now in its 16th year includes an Amateur Pit Master BBQ competition along with barbeque-inspired food options available for purchase.—-On October 7th at 6pm, the remarkable documentary, A Fine Line, will be screened at The Keeler Tavern in Ridgefield. This feature-length documentary explores the role of women chefs in a changing industry, with a look into a single mom's 25-year journey as a restaurateur.++ Read More
Avellino Family BBQ Launches Food Truck at Third Place by Half Full Brewery Features Restaurant Food Truck BBQ Sandwich Burgers Stamford Homepage Opening Beer Andrew Dominick September 12, 2021 Leland and Sarah Avellino now have their BBQ spin-off.If you recall, I covered their preorder smoked meat pickup concept earlier in 2021 and asked a question about whether Avellino Family BBQ would grow into a storefront. The answer was sort of a “not yet.”Forget the brick-and-mortar. Think food truck. And it has a residence at the brand-new and stunningly beautiful Third Place by Half Full Brewery in the South End of Stamford.Unlike Avellino’s BBQ pickup that includes pounds of smoked brisket, racks of ribs, and half chickens, the truck’s focus is sandwiches, some of them with smoked meat, some of them “smashed,” and others are occasionally grilled and sauced.Let’s start with one of their signature smoked sammies. It’s a wagyu tri tip—served cold and shaved to the thickness of deli sandwich meat—with crispy shallots, a tangy dollop of BBQ sauce, and horseradish aioli.Their other truck staple, you ask? A prime brisket blend double smash burger, melted American cheese, and Zap sauce (think Big Mac sauce with some heat) on a Martin’s Potato Roll. Read More
Negroni Week in CT: Here's Where To Find Special Cocktails, Raise $$ or Enjoy a $99 Negroni! Features Cocktails Negroni Homepage Stephanie Webster September 12, 2021 help raise funds for LivFree, a local non-profit that supports families of children battling pediatric cancer. Campari (including Aperol) is matching their $1 per cocktail donation. RHK Seafood Boil + Bar will donate a percentage of Negroni Sales to benefit the James Beard Foundation’s Industry Support Programs, and Shipwirght’s Daughter in Mystic will gives back to No Kid Hungry, whose mission strives to end child hunger in America by ensuring that all children get the healthy food they need. Lastly, Ordinary Bar in New Haven will be donating to CORE Children’s Charity.Go forth a drink at any of the spots listed below, and if you’d like to celebrate in the comfort of your own home, check out the Negroni Cocktail recipe c/o MECHA’s new Beverage Director, Dan Rek. Read More
Gabriele's, Greenwich’s Classic Old School Italian Steakhouse is Opening in Westport. Restaurant Westport Italian Steakhouse Opening CTbites Team September 09, 2021 Greenwich’s classic old school Italian steakhouse is opening in Westport. Here’s the scoop from Dan Woog’s 06880.Danny Gabriele lives in Greenwich. He ran a successful restaurant — Gabriele’s — there for years.But he loves Westport too. Three weeks from now, a new Gabriele’s opens here.The location — next to the Westport Country Playhouse — is storied. For years, it was the site of Player’s Tavern. Paul Newman and Michel Nischan founded The Dressing Room there. Most recently, it was Positano.From the outside, the new Gabriele’s will look similar (with enhanced patio furniture and a new pergola).New outdoor furniture was delivered yesterday to Gabriele’s. Still to come: the pergola, and finishing the exterior.Inside though, it’s an entirely new, completely gutted and renovated space. A handsome, glass-backed bar with high-top tables sits on the left; couches and booths offer seating options throughout; a new dining area opens up in the rear. A new patio was built out back, too.Gabriele’s is bright and light. But one thing has not been touched: Paul Newman’s fireplace. Read More
Coffee for Good Opens in Greenwich: Great Coffee with a Great Mission Features Restaurant Coffee Tea And Coffee Greenwich Sandwich Breakfast Philanphropy Opening Stephanie Webster September 07, 2021 Coffee for Good is now open in downtown Greenwich, and it’s not your ordinary high-end coffee shop. Sure, you can grab yourself a perfectly pulled shot of espresso or a latte c/o their well trained baristas and the fine roasters at PATH Coffee in PortChester. But Coffee For Good provides much more than a daily caffeine fix for our community.Coffee For Good was spearheaded by Greenwich resident, Deb Rogan, in partnership with Abilis, as a self-sustaining, nonprofit organization, to serve as a training platform and employer for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The coffee shop, which provides espresso based beverages, smoothies, local baked goods, as well as sandwiches and salads, gives their trainees the opportunity to succeed and be a part of the local workforce. Read More
The Quartiere Debuts in Downtown Stamford Interview Features Restaurant Italian Stamford Pasta Pizza Homepage Opening Andrew Dominick September 05, 2021 If you’ve cruised down Bank Street in Downtown Stamford, you may have noticed there’s a new Italian restaurant located in the former Cotto Wine Bar space.The Quartiere—roughly translated is Italian for neighborhood, area, or district—aims to be a go-to spot for pizza, pasta, and the like, in an elevated, casual setting with affordable prices.“The Q” is owned by Martin Bates, a 30-year industry vet from the United Kingdom where he ran an umbrella of 400 pubs, bars, and restaurants before taking on the role of president at a well-known sandwich and coffee franchise.“I worked for a brewery in the U.K. that owned all these pubs; I was all over the country driving 60,000 miles a year, living out of a suitcase, I never saw my kids, and they kept buying all these businesses while I was burning myself out,” Bates says. “I took a sabbatical for a year, traveled, went to Spain. I eventually met the founder of Pret A Manger who offered me a job where I ran a chunk of the businesses. I came to NYC in 2007 to run Pret.”Post Pret, Bates started his own private restaurant consulting firm, Ellis Rowan, and continued to open restaurant all over.Three years ago, Bates decided he’d eventually like to open up something of his own. “I was looking for my thing,” he says. “I started looking into neighborhood Italian because I love this style of pizza and pasta. I’m a carb freak. I love it.” Read More
Nibble: CT Food News & Events for September 2021 Events Features Events News Stephanie Webster September 03, 2021 Hundred Acre, one of the world's most sought after and highly regarded wine portfolios in Napa Valley to Washington Prime for a private wine pairing dinner on September 15th, 2021 @ 7:00PM——-Seaside Rides and Good Time Vibes! The 43rd Annual Norwalk Oyster Festival is ON for 2021: September 10, 11 & 12. Sea Y'all There! Presented by First County Bank.——-Celebrate the end of summer at Stamford Museum & Nature Center’s annual Knobloch Family Farmhouse Lobster & Clam Bake on September 30th! Enjoy a delightful feast with friends and family on the Fedele Family Farmhouse Plaza. This special supper supports the bedrock educational programming and operations of the SM&NC. $135 per person Read More
The Boathouse at Saugatuck Has a New Chef & Vibrant New (Waterfront) Menu Restaurant Outdoor Dining Waterfront Lunch Patio Cocktails American Lobster Roll Burgers Westport Jessica Ryan September 03, 2021 From beaches to boathouses we’ve been thoroughly enjoying our local waterside dining venues. We recently had the opportunity to dine at The Boathouse at Saugatuck. If you haven’t been in quite a while it’s time to come back, and you’ll be in for a pleasant treat. Located upstairs at the Saugatuck Rowing Club, the restaurant has seen a couple of transformations over the past few years. The newly renovated interior boasts a coastal yet elegant setting along the river - the vibe here is upscale yet relaxed. Another noticeable change is the food. The menu has gotten a whole new wardrobe and wears it well.We sat down to talk with Scott Greene. The Boathouse’s General Manager joined the team just months before the pandemic gripped our local businesses. His vision, creativity and forward thinking has elevated the restaurant to new heights. He’s responsible for the arrival of Chef Jason Milanese and his newly invigorated menu where his inspiration and presentation is reflected in the flavors. Chef brings his experiences from Tarry Lodge as well as Relais Chateaux’s Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod. Read More
Rosina’s Opens in Greenwich with Elevated Old School Italian Features Interview Restaurant Italian Greenwich Cocktails Pizza Pasta Homepage Andrew Dominick August 29, 2021 There’s a rejuvenated buzz in Byram’s business district at the old digs once housed Mill Street Bar & Table and before it, Lolita Cucina.The sounds of chatter and laughter, forks clanking and squealing against bowls, and hungry patrons slurping peppery, parm covered cacio e pepe are all coming from Rosina’s, a new Italian restaurant brought to you by a couple of young industry veterans you should recognize.Rosina’s is the creation of Jared Falco and Coby Blount, who met at Fortina’s Armonk location in 2014. Falco helped run the show in the kitchen, while Blount managed front-of-house operations. “We’ve been trying to do something together for five years,” Falco says. “When we met, we clicked and always had mutual respect for each other. Even if we had it out, we could still be cool.”The pair had a dream to work together, they just needed it to come together. Separately, they kept honing their crafts in the restaurant industry. After his first stint at Fortina, Falco took up executive chef duties at Washington Prime, Amore, Speedy Romeo, and he’d return to Fortina to express his creativity as a co-culinary director. And there’s a chance you’ve come across Blount at SE Uncorked or East End to name a few.Their friendship kept them in touch, and they’d occasionally entertain meetings with possible investors.“They didn’t have what we wanted,” Falco says. They wanted Sophia Loren on the walls eating spaghetti and that’s not us.” Blount chimes in, “Some of them wanted to use other people’s ideas or rip them off completely,” he says. “It didn’t feel like what we wanted to do. Or they wanted to do something corny that we weren’t into.”What they wanted to do was classic but refined Italian food. And although it took a few years to come up with the concept, it’s the food Falco has been cooking for over a decade. Think along the lines of riffs on traditional pasta dishes, big salads, thin and crispy pizzas, and seasonal vegetable small plates. They also knew they wanted to be a neighborhood spot with affordable prices but with a handful of indulgent offerings if the mood should strike you. Read More
A Guide to Catering The Jewish Holidays Features Catering Caterers Jewish Holidays Holiday Catering Guide Homepage April Guilbault August 29, 2021 Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are going to be here before you know it, and if you have been a little caught off guard while you wrap up your summer and get those kiddies off to school, we’ve got your back. And your Brisket. And your Matzoh Ball soup. This delicious listing includes delis and caterers who are serving up scrumptious dinners, plenty of a la carte options, and even staffing for your holiday get-together. Shanah Tovah! Read More
Friday Froth: Berlinetta Brewing Opens in Bridgeport with A Focus On Classic European Beer Features Restaurant Brewery Beer Bridgeport Homepage Opening James Gribbon August 27, 2021 The bright white space drips with psychedelic funk as I step into Berlinetta Brewing this summer. A few decades of listening to Georges Collinet's "Afropop Worldwide," I recognize Hugh Masekela and am beaming, not just at that, but at the racks of books (actual paper books!) in reach of tables lit by huge windows. This is a very, very promising start for the downtown Bridgeport brewery.Step up through the back doorway the tasting room shares with lofts in the newly refurbished building and you'll enter a mini in-brewery record store. Racks of LPs beside a twin turntable setup are for sale or maybe trade if you're feeling barter-y. Co-owner (co-brother), and head brewer Rich Ruggiero has also crafted a tube amp powered reel-to-reel Hi-Fi stereo which can drive the sound system at the click of a toggle switch. Walk in the front door, and you'll see it (and likely him) behind the taproom bar. Read More
It’s A Woman's World: Chef Beca Tuinei of Nala’s Kitchen Features It's A Woman's World Interview Chef Talk Q & A Kristin L. Wolfe August 26, 2021 I got to meet Chef Beca Tuinei last year after trying her wonderful creations for Nala’s Kitchen. Being apprehensive to try dishes from organizations promoted as “healthy food services,” fearing a massive pile of black containers filled with dry, bland chicken and broccoli, I was truly surprised and impressed. For those diving into more measured, health conscious, and ingredient-focussed food service, Nala’s Kitchen will blow you away with flavor. Believe me, I’m still a fan of meals like chicken and broccoli, but you can have these high-protein, low calorie, diet-forward products AND STILL HAVE FLAVOR! Chef Beca will amp it up with a creative use of spices and sauces without piling on the extra calories. It is a fine line to walk but she does it so well. Not only does she do it well, but her talent has landed her a position with the WNBA, now responsible for feeding the hungry athletes of the Connecticut Sun! Read More
Amis Trattoria Switches to Sharable, Family Style Italian Dining Features Restaurant Westport Italian Amis Trattoria Family Friendly Andrew Dominick August 24, 2021 When CTbites last left Amis Trattoria in October of 2020, the Italian-inspired restaurant adopted a fresher, more fun approach. It’s still fresh and fun, only with an idea that executive chef Jes Bengston wanted to implement just under a year ago. The thought for Amis then was small, shared plates and heaps of handmade pasta meant to be passed around amongst your dining companions. Well, it’s here.“Everything is meant to be a taste or a bite,” Bengston says. “It should feel like you’re having dinner at your grandmother’s house. It’s how I eat, even when I went to Don Memo solo, I was kind of confused on what to order, but I still got a bunch of stuff so I could have a bite.”Like Bengston, I’m on the sharing bandwagon. Heck, you probably are, too. It’s why Amis’ antipasti refresh is a dozen dishes deep. You and your family or friends, or a mixture of the two, can pick at a shallow dish of citrusy, herby olives with a little heat from pickled fresno chilis or you can fight over who gets the last couple of pecorino and black pepper dusted cacio e pepe fries.Amis’ O.G. roots are sticking around, though. Crispy Brussels sprouts and those fat, tender, saucy old school meatballs are still favorites that aren’t going anywhere. Just expect less heavy fare to balance it out like spicy crab bruschetta with a burst of brightness from lemon aioli and some Calabrian chili heat. It’s a nice bite and no one would blame you for not sharing this particular plate. Read More
La Plage Opens at The Inn At Longshore on Westport's Waterfront Restaurant Waterfront Westport Seafood Raw Bar French American Homepage Opening Jessica Ryan August 22, 2021 La Plage is officially open in Westport. The Inn at Longshore and adjoining restaurant were recently acquired by the Greenwich Hospitality Group, the parent company of the Delamar hotels and restaurants. La Plage is their gift to Westport.Pronounced plah-je, plage is the French word for beach, and a fitting name when you have a French chef at the helm in the kitchen. Until recently the restaurant was home to Pearl at Longshore which shuttered its doors in January. The interior has undergone a bit of a facelift to embrace its new coastal, casual vibe. Gone is the darker, refined and urban inspired décor which has been replaced with brighter white-washed walls, wicker lampshades and a livelier, beachier ambiance. Queue in the steel brass drums perhaps, but this isn’t your piña colada/Cheeseburger in Paradise type joint. This upscale yet casual eatery is best perhaps described as a beachy chic shack of sorts. Read More
Flavorism: 5 Ghost Kitchens in Stamford Feature Local Chefs Thru Unique Delivery Platform Features Restaurant Delivery Delivery Service Ghost Kitchen Stamford Pizza Salads Burgers Jessica Ryan August 19, 2021 Long before the term ghost kitchen became part of our vernacular, Jonathan Brennan was busy building his in the heart of Stamford. Today his virtual food hall features six farm to table kitchens under one roof, is bustling and has plans for expansion in the very near future. Each kitchen features a unique menu with a different flavor profile to accommodate a wide range of different tastes and lifestyles with a focus on heath and sustainability. While Flavorism could be touted as a Ghost Kitchen, it’s really so much more. It’s a focus on sustainability, the elimination of excess waste, serving the local communities and hiring local talents. Read More
LobsterCraft Opens in Greenwich With A Serious Lobster Roll Menu Restaurant Greenwich Lobster Lobster Roll Sandwich Seafood Lunch Opening Jessica Ryan August 17, 2021 Quietly, three months ago, Captain William Michael Harden aka “Captain Mike” opened his second Lobster Craft location in the heart of Greenwich on Greenwich Avenue.We sat down to chat with him about the Greenwich location, new menu items, new restaurants down the pipeline and the challenges of opening a restaurant during a pandemic.Like most restaurants, staffing has been an issue and he’s operating with a skeleton crew but he’s very proud of his young workers, their work ethic and dedication. With over a decade of success with the original Fairfield location as well as the Lobster Truck, the recipes have been perfected and feeding the masses is the easy part. (The hard part, for us, was deciding which roll to get! Scroll down and you’ll see what I mean!) Read More
Arugula Bistro in West Hartford Celebrates 25 Years with A New Look Restaurant Hartford County West Hartford Mediterranean Middle Eastern Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe August 15, 2021 Have you strolled down Farmington Avenue lately? West Hartford is BAAAACK! And, Arugula Bistro is now all dressed up and ready to party. The colorful block mural and beautiful lavender plants along the front of the restaurant are just two visual signs that Arugula is awaiting your arrival. Back open this summer after some much needed reno, your spirit and belly will be delighted by the changes. Like many restaurants, some time closed during the pandemic was spent fixing to-do list projects. What went from much needed new flooring to some equipment and furniture overhauls, became the redo Chef Christiane Gehami and Chef Michael Kask had always wanted it to be. The pair have run Arugula together for twenty-five years and they’ve worked hard to evolve; behind them, in long-time starring roles on the team are also Steve Reynolds and Shari Warbelow. Read More
The Bronx Deli - A Little Bit of Arthur Avenue in Oxford CT Restaurant Oxford Naugatuck Deli Italian Grinders Sandwich Lunch jeffrey schlesinger August 14, 2021 10458…that’s the zip code for Arthur Avenue in The Bronx. Considered by many to be the Mecca of Italian food in the NYC area, people travel for miles to enjoy bakeries, delis and traditional red sauce restaurants. When you are 75 miles away, and looking for an Italian grinder, that drive is formidable.Fortunately, if you are in the Seymour / Oxford area in The Valley, there is an incredibly delicious alternative, The Bronx Deli – A Taste of Little Italy, on Main Street (also known as route 67). Located in a nondescript strip mall with Dunkin’ and Oxford Pizza Palace (which serves some pretty good cracker-crust pizza), this unassuming deli serves some of the best cold and hot grinders without fighting the traffic on 95 and the Hutch to The Bronx.According to the website, The Bronx Deli is a family-owned restaurant, with locations in Naugatuck and Oxford. Read More
Little Dumpling House Ghost Kitchen Opens in Westport from Folks at Grammies Donuts Restaurant Asian Chinese Japanese Sushi Westport Ghost Kitchen Homepage Opening Stephanie Webster August 11, 2021 The team that brought you the uber popular Grammies Donuts + Biscuits is back with another crave-worthy ghost kitchen concept, Little Dumpling House. For those unfamiliar with the notion of a “ghost kitchen,” it simply means there is no dining space. Guests can order online and either get their meals delivered or picked up. In this case, it’s Asian to-go.Little Dumpling House is the brainchild of owners, Charlie Gilhuly and Molly Healey, but their Asian inspired playlist is all Healey’s handiwork. The menu at Little Dumpling is small but very well executed, and also quite nicely priced. Healey wanted to create healthy clean flavorful Asian cuisine with something for everyone (including the kids), and they have delivered on that promise. Read More
