Weekly Nibble: Chocopologie Cookbook, Brunch, Making Meatballs, Truffles & More

Match will host an Industry Brunch on Monday February 2. The a la carte menu will feature items like Storch’s famous onions & eggs, carpetbaggers, chocolate chip pancakes, and bacon egg and cheese on a pizza! Reservations are HIGHLY recommended! Call 203-852-1088 Ext 4.

Start your week with Darien Social’s Monday Pasta Night.  Choose a pasta, add a sauce, and finish it with your choice of toppings.  It’s just $13 for all-you-can-eat pasta, soup or salad, and breadsticks.

Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market invites you to Wine Tasting 101- their most popular class.  It unfolds over two Wednesday sessions, Feb 4 & 11. Learn about the 4 taste zones of the tongue, the basic grape varieties, and more. $50 for both classes.  Call 203-259-4692 for reservations.

Join your neighbors and friends for a very special night to support the Shelter for the Homeless, while enjoying over 70 exhibitors serving up Chocolate, Dessert & Wine. “The Ultimate Tasting Experience” takes place Thursday February 5 from 6-9pm at the Stamford Marriot.  Tickets are $60 in advance and $70 after February 4.  100% of ticket sales benefit Pacific House emergency shelter.  Please call 203-406-0017. 

Raising backyard chickens has become increasingly popular with the expanded awareness of the importance of locally and sustainably grown and produced food. Experienced chicken keeper Bil Mikulewicz will demystify the project in his talk “Backyard Chickens or One Man's Journey With A Bunch Of Dumb Clucks” on Thursday, February 5, 7pm at the Cannon Grange Hall, 25 Cannon Road, Wilton, Conn.

Truffle season has arrived! On Friday February 6, Max Downtown, located in Hartford, will prepare a 5-course dinner (plus dessert) that features the coveted ingredient.  In addition, their sommelier will select a number of wines to pair with each dish. $185 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited. Please call 860.522.2530 for reservations.

The Big Brew New York beer festival returns to the Westchester County Center in White Plains on February 7th over 250 craft beers in one gigantic session.  General admission tickets are $60 for unlimited beers, while VIP tickets are $85. 

Learn all about making meatballs with Bar Sugo’s own Chef Pat Pascarella on Saturday February 7.  “Mama's Kitchen: Meatballs 101” begins at 11:00am.  It costs $30 per person, plus gratuity. 

Also on Saturday, Barcelona West Hartford will hold a Rioja Wine Class. Learn about wine-making terminology, techniques, regions of the world, and more… and of course do some tasting! $30 per person (all inclusive).  The class starts at 2:30 and lasts approximately 2 hours.  Make your reservations online: https://fs17.formsite.com/barcelona/wine/secure_index.html

Weekend Kitchen in Essex, CT is a small, boutique shop that also offers cooking classes.  On Saturday February 7, Join Chef Danitza Roche of Mexico Gourmet in Bethel CT for a “Mexican Winter Hands-on Cooking Class.”  Learn dishes like tequilla "vampiros," sweet and spicy corn salad, and shrimp stuffed with sweet peppers au gratin. It costs $65 and goes from 6:30-10pm.  For more details and to buy tickets, visit:

Mama’s Boy has a new house band: Night Market.  They cover hits by Chaka Kahn, Barry White, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder and more.  Check them out on Sunday February 8 during brunch from 1-4pm.

Washington Prime’s “Prime Brunch” continues on Sundays at 11am.  The extensive buffet features a prime rib carving station, an omelet station, and more.  Enjoy it for $29.95 a person- and receive a complimentary Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, or Mimosa/Bellini as well.

Looking Ahead:

Fritz Knipschildt's new book "Chocopologie: Confections & Baked Treats from the Acclaimed Chocolatier" will be released on February 10th. Pre order here.