The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events

Thursday December 12 at 7:30, Ancona’s in Ridgefield will host a high end wine tasting.  Cost is $30/person. To RSVP please call (203)544-8958 or e-mail monica@anconaswines.com. 

On Friday December 13 from 7:30-10pm, try out a class at Muse Paintbar, a combination between a painting studio and beer & wine bar in downtown Manchester, CT.  10 beers & 12 wines will help bring out the artist in you… and you’ll go home with a painting.  $39pp. View more info here. 

Every other Friday, Half Full Brewery holds an “Open House.”  From 5:30-8:30pm, the taps are open and guests can try their hand at bags, life-size jenga, draw on the chalkboard wall, and hang out. $15pp. Details here.

Lidia Bastianich will be spending some time in Stamford on Saturday, 12/14 at Fairway Market.  From 1-3 pm you can meet her at the store and she’ll sign your copies of her brand new book, Lidia’s Commonsense Italian Cooking:  150 Delicious and Simple Recipes Anyone Can Master.  While there, you’ll be able to try out and buy some of Lidia’s pastas and sauces, too, with demos and tastings.

Barcelona Fairfield will host a Wine 101 class on Saturday December 14. Guests will gain knowledge of the basics of terroir, wine-making, and varietals.  There will also be a tasting to supplement the material.  2:30pm, $30 per person (all inclusive). http://www.barcelonawinebar.com/calendar.htm 

Whole Foods has dubbed Monday December 16 “National Chocolate Covered Anything Day!” National Chocolate Covered Anything Day!  In its Hartford location will have a storewide sampling event starting at noon.  And it’s free!

Caseus Fromagerie and Bistro in New Haven is having an evening of “Seasonal Holiday Pairings” on Tuesday December 17 from 6-7:30pm.  They will help prepare you for the holidays with cheese and wine pairings.  $37 pp. Buy your ticket at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/seasonal-holiday-pairings-tickets-9213163821?aff=eventful/r/eventful 

Also on Tuesday 12/17, Bistro 7 is offering a holiday themed Bartending Lesson with Cocktail Party.  It includes 2hrs of class, 2hrs of private bar cocktail party, 4-5 different passed ours d’ouevres, a souvenir shot glass, and more.  It’s usually around $110pp, but now, you can enjoy a discounted price with groupon: http://www.groupon.com/deals/bistro-7 .

Wine & Dine Wednesdays are happening weekly at Darien Social.  Enjoy a house salad, 2 side dishes, and your choice of steak for $28pp… plus ½ off select bottles of delicious wines!  5-10pm.

Wednesday 12/18 is Rare Beer Night at Stamford’s Half Full Brewery.  The evening will feature 3-5 test batches and attendees will receive full pints of each beer. There we will be food pairings with cheeses from The Fairfield Cheese Company, Charcuterie from Fairway Market, and a mouth-watering dessert.  $25pp.  If you miss it this month, the event happens on the third Wednesday of each month.  Purchase your ticket here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/rare-beer-night-tickets-6510784933 

Nicholas Robert’s grower champagne tasting will now take place on Thursday December 19.

Thursday December 19, enjoy “A Special Christmas Tea” at Jones Family Farms in Shelton, CT.  The cooking class will feature Harney & Sons Tea, assorted sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and cardamom walnut cookies.  2-4pm, $60 pp.  http://www.jonesfamilyfarms.com/celebrate-winter-holidays-special-christmas-tea 

Friday December 20, Jones Family Farms will host a second cooking class: “Christmas Brunch for a Bunch.”  Guests can make and taste Smoked Salmon Napoleon, Egg Blossoms, Braided Fruit Danish, and Orange Boule.  11am-1pm, $60pp.  http://www.jonesfamilyfarms.com/events/celebrate-winter-holidays-christmas-brunch-bunch