Filtering by Tag: Caterers,Coffee

Coffee for Good Opens in Greenwich: Great Coffee with a Great Mission

Features Restaurant Openings Coffee Tea And Coffee Greenwich Sandwich Breakfast Philanphropy

Stephanie Webster

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.


A Guide to Catering The Jewish Holidays

Features Catering Caterers Jewish Holidays Holiday Catering Guide Homepage

April Guilbault

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!


Tina Zaccardi: The Woman Behind The Italian Cookie

Features Baker Cottage Bakers Custom Cakes Cakes Cookies Caterers Westchester

Donna Monaco Olsen

Do you follow Tina Ziccardi Bakes, aka @theItalianCookie? Her media pages are loaded with baked deliciousness that is not only drool worthy, but is downright eye-candy perfection! Following her grand win on “The Great American Baking Show” Season 4 (Hulu), Augustina Zaccardi (Tina) became a bit of a local celebrity right here in Westchester. Her huge fan base from her hometown of Eastchester rooted her on with each baking challenge, becoming more difficult as each week passed. We all watch in amazement as contestants fly through the challenges on each food competition, but meeting with Zaccardi and listening to her describe what it is really like to be on a cooking show was enlightening. She described the experience, which filmed in England, to be competitive yet jovial and the contenders to have more comradery than might be expected in a contest pitting bakers against each other in difficult timed elimination assignments. Although they were in a heated competition, they became somewhat of a family and are still in close contact with each other today.


50 + Restaurants & Caterers for Mother's Day 2021

Features Restaurant Holiday Mother's Day Caterers Brunch Homepage

April Guilbault

Ma! Mom! Mommmmmmmm! Mamamamamama! Let’s hear it for Mom or all those fabulous women who are like Moms to us. While, of course, we are thankful for them each and every second/minute/day of the year, let’s go a bit above and beyond on the day named for them. It’s only fair and for sure will be appreciated. And here’s your glass of Prosecco, Mom….or two.


CT Easter Dining & Catering Guide (2021 Edition)

Features Restaurant Easter Holiday Caterers Homepage

April Guilbault

Spring is springing and life is getting closer to resuming. Almost. And we’ve got a holiday on our doorstep! What are we to do for this lovely and happy holiday? Well, let’s do what we have been doing and support area restaurants, some of which are open for indoor dining and most have take away service of fabulous meal packages. Sit back, bask in the warming sun, enjoy the daffodils at your feet and have a beautiful Easter. And lest we forget…we are guessing you need some desserts and chocolate bunnies to add to your fun, so check out the CTbites Sweets and Treats Guide!

*Unless noted, all Easter specials are for Sunday, April 4th, Easter Sunday.


Marcia Selden Catering & Pop-Up Bagels Team Up For Epic Weekend Bagel Brunch

Features Ingredients Pop-Up Bagels Caterers Stamford Westport Breakfast Brunch Homepage

Stephanie Webster

We love it when two of our favorite food brands team up for a pop-up that involves delicious carb-loaded brunch fare. You may have heard me sing some praise for Adam Goldberg and his ridiculously tasty Pop-Up Bagels. Well, he has found a new regular Stamford pop-up location and dedicated cooking team with Marcia Selden Catering. Last weekend, CTbites got the chance to tag along for some bagel making fun. And, don’t worry…if you missed this past week’s pop-up event, mark your calendars for March 6th, and follow @popupbagels for notifications because these bagels sell out QUICKLY!

So, here’s how this bagel making and baking went down.


Donny Raus of Raus Coffee: Expert Coffee Roaster Now Hosting Barista 101 Virtual Classes

Ingredients Features Coffee Specialty Products Espresso Local Artisan Shop Local Interview Homepage

Stephanie Webster

Donny Raus of Raus Coffee has been intimately involved with coffee for most of his life. As coffee roasters go, Donny is at the top of his game in the fair state of Connecticut. He also claims responsibility for inventing a drink that every coffee enthusiast should get involved with, a cold brew based delicacy called the Cold Roman, served at farmers’ markets around CT. This blend of hand crafted fresh brewed espresso, a touch of raw sugar, his own “cuore di caffe” natural flavor infusion, served over ice with a splash of cold foam, might be the ONLY way a person should be asked to wake up in the morning. No…seriously. But Donny’s passion goes far beyond the perfect brew or roast. His mission is to “change the way the world drinks, connects, and interacts over coffee, creating a sense of excitement around their daily cup, while also having it serve as a reminder to reconnect not only with those around us, but with ourselves.

Donny Raus is a true artisan, fastidious and supremely knowledgeable when it comes to his craft and product. Now, you can benefit from his years of training, research and experience with the launch of his new “virtual espresso training workshops.” Home-users and aspiring amatuer baristas can learn how to make proper espresso from their home machines, pull the perfect shot, and get the right grind, via his new private zoom classes. Umm…Holiday gift idea? I think yes.


Bobo's Cafe, of Westchester Fame, Opens in Ridgefield TODAY: Acai Bowls, Coffee Drinks, Killer Sandwiches, Vegan and More!

Restaurant Openings Ridgefield Breakfast Coffee Acai Bowl Lunch Sandwich Smoothies

CTbites Team

Want some great espresso, specialty iced tea, frozen drinks? How about acai, pitaya, matcha or spirulina bowls alongside killer bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches, basmati rice bowls, gluten free, vegan dishes, and mouthwatering desserts? The Westchester favorite, Bobo’s Cafe has crossed the border, and is opening in Connecticut…Ridgefield to be exact. According to their Facebook page, doors open today at 32 Danbury Road.

After completing their domination of Northern Westchester, owner Craig Bernardi said, “We look for communities that allow us the opportunity to really get to know people in town.”


Es Ok Cafe Opens In Stamford's The Lila Rose with Breakie, Lunch & Gorgeous Lattes

Restaurant Latte Tea Latte Coffee Tea And Coffee Sandwich Lunch Breakfast Espresso Openings Pastries Dessert

Stephanie Webster

Restaurateurs all over the CT are pivoting in response to the new pandemic reality facing both restaurant owners and diners, and while we all wish we could go back to 2019, smart entrepreneurs continue to reinvent themselves in unique and interesting ways. The team behind Taco Daddy and The Lila Rose, John Nealon and Morgan Machette are doing just that. With diminished dine in capacity, this duo, with the help of partner, Juan J Henao have expanded the reach of their new dinner spot, The Lila Rose, into an all day breakfast and lunch affair with their new, ‘Es Ok Cafe’.

Located in Stamford’s Harbor Point area, The Lila Rose was already closed during the day, except for brunch on Saturday and Sundays, so it was the perfect spot to house the cafe that this group had dreamed of creating pre-Covid. “Machette, Henao (JJ), and his brother, Juan Camillo Henao, have always been passionate about coffee and tea, so putting the concept together has been really fun. I also just like saying Sexy Lattes and Slutty Paninis,” says co-owner Nealon.


Guide To Great Coffee in Connecticut 2020: Happy National Coffee Day!

Features Restaurant Best of CT Coffee Tea And Coffee Breakfast Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe

Those who know me, know I’m an equal opportunity caffeinator; I start my day low-key and sort of lady-like with a cup of Twinings Earl Grey. BUT, if I haven’t been punched in the face by mid-morning with a good strong cappuccino, then watch out. By the sheer number of places in our great state to get a jolt, I know I’m not alone. The list is long, but please, let us know if we’ve missed one of your favorite spot for java and we’ll add it to the caffeinated compilation. Go forth and get buzzed.


Kneads Bakery Café Opening in Westport Sept 5th: Artisan Bread, Breakfast & Lunch

Restaurant Breakfast Lunch Bakery Bread Local Artisan Pastries Dessert Coffee Homepage

Maddie Phelps

In his grandmother’s tapas restaurant in Dallas, a young Daniel Moreno grew up hidden away in the kitchen, learning, listening while cultivating a dream of becoming a chef. Over a thousand miles away in Connecticut, a young Brittany spent her days baking for her family, guided by the dream of running her very own bakery one day. Now married, Daniel and Brittany Moreno’s dreams have turned into a reality as they open Kneads in Westport.

With coffee, sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries and, of course, bread, Kneads offers a fresh, diverse “chalkboard” menu that features 100% whole grain organic flour. And, with a heavy focus on local products within a simple, cafe format, this husband and wife duo hope to bring a newfound appreciation of milling to town.


Allora Coffee & Bites: Jolt of Java (and More) at The Waypointe

Restaurant Norwalk Coffee Healthy Eats Toast Homepage

Andrew Dominick

With the likes of Barcelona Wine Bar, Colony Grill, and ramen newcomer Haruki all filling vacancies at The Waypointe in Central Norwalk, it’s only fitting that potential visitors have a place to get caffeinated, too.

Allora Coffee & Bites—located at the development’s Orchard Street side—can provide you with a pick me up in the form of a classic cup of an exclusive house blend, a refreshing and equally jolting cold brew, or a foamy vanilla latte, complete with a fancy leaf decoration, all super fresh and roasted weekly by Redding Roasters out of Bethel.

The idea for a simple menu of well-made coffee drinks came from the husband and wife team of Reid and Kim Steinberg. Allora, though, was derived from Kim’s background. Her dad was born in Italy. She studied abroad in Florence. And as it reads on their website, she has fond memories of the smell of espresso being prepared on the stove as a child, and her parents showed their hospitality by offering a cup of coffee to a neighbor, post dinner, at a gathering, and to one another.

The Steinbergs wanted to bring that same warmth to their business, not only with fast, friendly service, but with a simple aesthetic design that’s inviting, and reminiscent of Italian coffee shops.


Takeout Chronicles: Mr. Frosty and David’s Soundview Catering

Features Restaurant Take Out To-Go Home Delivery ice cream Dessert Caterers Lobster Lobster Roll Norwalk

April Guilbault

This review is going to go in reverse because the first thing my family ordered for take-out in the early weeks of quarantine was…ice cream. We fancy ourselves pretty healthy eaters in this house, so our intense want of ice cream one evening will get chalked up to the need for some unabashed comfort food in the face of world events. Mr. Frosty’s Ice Cream in Norwalk is an institution. It (ice)screams summer and salty air evenings, sweatshirts, sandy hair, and flip-flops. However, their newly minted pickup kits will keep you entertained while we wait for any semblance of summer to return. We ordered the “Survival Kit.”

Our next take-out order involved another hungering for summer. A summer in our house is not complete without a lobster roll and we knew where to get a good one: David’s Soundview Catering in Stamford.


Winfield Coffee in Stamford Adds Cocktails and Dinner to the Menu

Restaurant Stamford New Menu Openings American Coffee

Hey Stamford!

As Stamford kicks Phase 2 of its reopening plan into high gear, one Stamford Downtown cafe has taken the opportunity to make some exciting additions to their menu.

Beginning this Friday, Winfield Street Coffee (96 Broad Street) adds cocktails, beer, wine, and some great happy hour & dinner options to their menu!

The cafe, adjacent to the Ferguson Library, has been serving the Stamford community for just over a year. The menu includes a great selection of coffees and espresso drinks. (serving Counter Culture Coffee) They also serve other local products- like fresh baked goods, great breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads, bowls, smoothies, and more!

Winfield’s new dinner options will be available from 4pm – 9pm and as Owner, Breno Donatti, shared with us, will be a great spot for the early crowd or those looking to enjoy a light meal before their night out. The menu is also perfect for date night as it includes a number of shareable plates.


Lorca Coffee Bar Expands Their Downtown Stamford Space and Breakfast Menu

Restaurant Stamford Coffee Breakfast Brunch Dessert Bakery Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Known for churning out cortados, cappuccinos, cold brews, and their famous crispy, sugared churros, Lorca Coffee Bar has expanded their original location on Bedford Street.

What used to be a tiny 16-seat café—seriously, it was the size of a large walk-in closet—is now around 40 seats.

And that’s not all, according to owner Leyla Dam Jenkins.

“We’re going to put an outdoor patio in the back; it’s already being built out,” she says.

The patio will hopefully be open by the time summer gets here. Dam Jenkins also tossed in a tidbit that Lorca now has a designated 15-minute parking spot for customers who simply want a quick cup of coffee.

But with more space comes a bigger kitchen (it’s triple the size of what is was) and thus, an expanded menu. “We used to only be able to bake 12 cookies at a time,” Dam Jenkins says. “Before, we’d have baked goods delivered but now we’re making our muffins and baked goods in-house.”


Food & Wine Picks "Story & Soil" in Hartford as One of The Best Coffee Shops in America: 2019

Restaurant Coffee Hartford Hartford County Homepage

CTbites Team

Food & Wine writer, David Landsel, has spent 2 years traveling the United States, studying the American coffee culture. His list of nearly 100 of the most essential cafes, coffee shops, and espresso bars in the United States, includes one very special spot in the Nutmeg state, Story and Soil, located in Hartford CT. Congrats on making the cut, and check out the full article in Food & Wine.


DORO Catering & Restaurant Group Hosts Sub Edge Farm Dinner

Features Farm Dinner Catering Caterers

Kristin L. Wolfe

Can I just tell you how great it is to go to bed at the end of a fall night with the smell of a bonfire in my hair? Both end-of-season Hadley & Occum Farm Dinners hosted by DORO were truly sort of magical. Not in the knight in shining armor kind of magical, but in the can we hold onto to this beautiful moment of community and let these flavors and aromas linger just a little while longer kind of magical. It was community, it was the beautiful Sub Edge Farm, it was tremendous food, and it was a recognition of what Bourdain always talked about: the power of sharing a meal around a table, no matter who is dining with you.

Nominated as one of five for 2019 Caterer of the Year by the Connecticut Restaurant Association, we know DORO  Catering and Restaurant Group  is a master at their craft.  With the connection of four restaurants, Zohara Kitchen, Avert, Treva, and Artisanal Burger Company, the catering group has a culinary treasure trove of flavors and experience from which to pull for any event they cater.


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!


Winfield Street Coffee Opens in Downtown Stamford at The Ferguson Library

Restaurant Coffee Stamford Breakfast Lunch Sandwich Openings

Andrew Dominick

Downtown Stamford just received a jolt of caffeination with the grand opening of Winfield Street Coffee at The Ferguson Library

This third branch of Winfield Street—Westport and Croton-on-Hudson are the other two—will serve up the goods that the brand has become known for under owner Breno Donatti, starting with expertly made lattes, cortados, espressos, cappuccinos, and high-quality drip using Counter Culture Coffee

Other fanciness comes in the form of turmeric, charcoal, or matcha lattes, house-made strawberry oat or chocolate almonds “mylks,” healthy smoothies, or you can treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa T.M.F. style with a heaping scoop of toasted marshmallow fluff on top.