Filtering by Tag: Mediterranean,Shelton

Celebrate Shelton Announces Food Trucks on the River (sponsored post)

Events Features Events EVENT Food Truck Live Music Shelton

CTbites Team

Celebrate Shelton, a private city-wide initiative in its 11th year is thrilled to announce Food Trucks on the River, and several exciting community collaborations. 

Food Trucks on the River, an exciting two-day festival will take place on Friday, May 30th, from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, and Saturday, May 31st, from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM at Veterans Memorial Park in Downtown Shelton. In case of inclement weather, a rain date is set for Sunday, June 1st.


BarVera Modern Mediterranean Restaurant Opens in Stamford

Restaurant Stamford Opening Mediterranean Homepage Middle Eastern

Jessica Ryan

Newly opened in the heart of Stamford’s Bedford Street, BarVera, brings us an authentic taste of the Mediterranean that might just be unmatched in the area. Celebrity chef, Chef Charbel Hayek, created the concept of this coastal Mediterranean culinary journey. Known for his West Coast restaurants Ladyhawk in West Hollywood and Laya in Los Angeles, the Lebanese chef won Bravo’s Top Chef Middle East and North Africa, and has authored the cookbook Lemon & Garlic: Middle Eastern Cuisine (2023). 


Modern Kosher Mediterranean & Israeli Fare at Gveenah, West Hartford

Restaurant Mediterranean Israeli Kosher West Hartford Opening Homepage Hartford County Lunch Pizza

Leeanne Griffin

Roi Graber is a long way from home, but has brought a taste of Israel and the fresh, healthy flavors of the Mediterranean to his new residence in West Hartford.

In January, Graber opened Gveenah, a modern kosher “Mediterranean fusion” restaurant, taking over the former Black Bamboo space on Farmington Avenue as owner Sonny Chen moved his popular Chinese eatery to a new location. Gveenah means “cheese” in Hebrew, Graber said.

Graber owned restaurants in his home country, but he and his wife and children fled after the terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023 and came to the United States to stay with family members. He thought it would be a temporary measure for a few months, but the Jewish community in West Hartford helped them settle in, finding them a home and getting the children into school. Graber began thinking about a longer-term plan. 

Just a few months after arriving in Connecticut, Graber was on track to open his first American restaurant, with the help of business connections in West Hartford. Less than a year later, Gveenah opened its doors, welcoming guests in for a fusion experience blending “the rich traditions of Mediterranean and Italian cuisine,” according to its website.


Kabab & Hummus House Opens in Southport with Focus on Egyptian and Moroccan Fare

Restaurant Middle Eastern Mediterranean Westport Opening Homepage

Hannah Goodman

As a resident of Westport and a lover of Mediterranean cuisine, I often notice the lack of such restaurants available in Fairfield County. Fortunately for you (and me), a great new spot just opened up, serving mainly Middle Eastern food, with a focus on Egyptian and Moroccan fare. Fairfield County, meet your new tasty resident: Kabab and Hummus House!

Yasser Khedewe opened Kabab & Hummus House in December of last year. With its prime location on Post Road in Southport, Yasser is excited about all of the food lovers he’ll meet, especially those that are new to this type of cuisine. 

Yasser Khedewe’s occupation was originally that of a computer scientist, though he always had a deep passion for food and cooking. While he is originally from Egypt, Khedewe spent a favorable amount of time working and living in Dubai, which is primarily when his food journey began, as he loved cooking for his friends as a way to share his culture. He eventually moved to the United States in 2015 and then to Connecticut in 2016, where he gained culinary experience by working in restaurants and kitchens. 


The Luke Brasserie Opens in Downtown New Haven with Beautiful Fine Dining

Restaurant Opening Mediterranean American Bar New Haven Seafood Pasta Homepage

Chloe Zale

Walking into The Luke Brasserie in downtown New Haven, it’s apparent that this isn’t your average restaurant. The soaring space exudes grandeur, boasting ornate coffered ceilings, mosaic tile floors, and a wraparound mezzanine flanked by double-height Ionic columns. Impeccably prepared Mediterranean fare is served in oversized carved crystal bowls and wide-rimmed fluted plates. Deep red leather banquettes beckon, warmed by chandeliers and flickering candles.

“I fell in love with the space when I first saw it over a decade ago, and I wanted to do it justice,” says Executive Chef Vincent Chirico, a New York City culinary veteran with three previous restaurants under his belt. Like many of us, Chirico left the city during the height of Covid and was househunting in Connecticut when he happened to reconnect with the owner of the historic Taft Building in New Haven, who was a patron of his Upper West Side restaurant Vai. Years after encountering the space the first time, Chirico found himself weighing the opportunity to open a restaurant there. The timing felt like fate, and thus The Luke was born. 


Hidden Gem: La Scogliera In Shelton-Authentic Italian Since 1978

Restaurant Shelton Italian Hidden Gem Old School Italian food

Todd Lyon

It started with an email and ended with wedges of cake so creamy and fluffy we swore they were slices of Cloud Nine. Or perhaps Nuvola Nove.

The note was from Daniela Petrucelli, offering a brief history of her family’s restaurant, La Scogliera in Shelton. She explained that her parents, Carmelo and Carmelina Maione, opened the original restaurant in Bridgeport 46 years ago. In the early days, Daniela and her family, including sisters Francesca, Maria, and Diana, lived above the 150-seat eatery. “We would go downstairs to go to work, upstairs to go to bed,” she recalls. The restaurant became something of a hot spot, with a menu of hearty Italian-American dishes, fresh fish, and eventually, live music. Even the famously picky New York Times critic Mark Bittman liked it, rating it “Very Good” in 2003. 


Siren Restobar Opens with Mediterranean Cuisine in Greenwich

Restaurant Old Greenwich Greenwich Mediterranean Lunch Homepage Tapas

Jessica Ryan

We recently had the pleasure of visiting Siren Restobar in Old Greenwich Connecticut. Owner Anshu Vidyarthi opened this new Mediterranean-inspired eatery in August. No stranger to the restaurant world, Vidyarthi is also the co-owner of Le Penguin and Le Fat Poodle with business partner Antoine Blech. Siren is his first solo project.

The tapas restaurant takes on flavors from throughout the Mediterranean region, and Siren’s culinary range extends to include influences from Syria, Turkey, Sardinia, Morocco, and Lebanon to name just a few.

Vidyarthi’s desire with Siren was to create serious food but whimsically. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and would prefer that you didn’t either. Siren serves the type of food that people who are well-fed and well-travelled are looking for. The authenticity of every dish is evident in every mouthful, simple ingredients that create a depth of flavor. One needn’t overcomplicate things. 


Somos Handcrafted Arepas Opens in New Haven & Shelton

Restaurant Latin American Arepa Venezuelan Opening New Haven Lunch To-Go Delivery Comfort Food Homepage Shelton

James Gribbon

So, maybe you’ve had an arepa. Eaten hot from the pan, or made into fat little sandwiches somewhat akin to a stuffed pita, the puffy, crispy, hunger-busting cornmeal cakes are the unofficial comfort food of Venezuela. Or maybe you haven’t. Somos Handcrafted Arepas wants to help with that.

Brothers Alejandro and Andres Cordito grew up in Hamden as the sons of Venezuelan parents, and started taking notice of how the everyday food they had at home, on trips to visit family in Caracas, and during Andres’ time in college in South Florida, just wasn’t apparent in Connecticut. Now, with two locations in New Haven and Shelton, they’re increasing access to this gloriously variable sandwich. 

What does that mean? I’m glad you asked! 

First: Say “ah-RAY-pah."


The Blondinit: Israeli Restaurant Coming To Westport

Features Openings Westport Mediterranean Israeli Middle Eastern

Dan Woog

If you want authentic Israeli food, go to Israel.

Or Brooklyn.

Soon though, dishes like shakshuka (poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce with vegetables and spices) and deep-fried matzo stuffed with cheese will be available in Westport.

On, ironically, Church Lane, in Westport.

The Blondinit will fill the space vacated this winter by Manna Toast. It’s the first restaurant venture for Solomon and Inda Sade, who own several other businesses already. Her background is in retail and fashion.

But this is their passion project. They love food and entertaining. And they’re putting their money where their, um, mouths are: They’re funding it themselves.

While not Israeli, the Sades have strong ties there. Solomon’s parents were born in Israel. His father had 10 siblings, his mother, 8.

Growing up on Long Island, his family visited there every summer. More recently, he and his wife honeymooned in Israel.

When COVID struck, they and their 1-year-old left New York for their second home in the Poconos. But after 6 months of boredom — “the event of the day was standing outside Walmart with rubber gloves,” Solomon recalls — they moved to suburban New Jersey.

The Blondinit’s meats, pitas, pickled goods and beers will all be “authentic” from Brooklyn.

It will be delivered fresh daily. The Sades will not use freezers or microwaves. All leftover food will be donated to pantries and food rescue organizations.

Read the complete article on Dan Woog’s 06880.


Urban Greek Kitchen: Delicious Fast Casual Greek With A Twist

Restaurant Shelton Greek Mediterranean Grocery Store Special Dietary Needs Gluten-Free Lunch Take Out To-Go Openings Healthy Eats Homepage

Jessica Ryan

In a bleak midwinter, in the midst of a great Pandemic, Sophia Diakoloukas left a successful marketing career to open her restaurant, Urban Greek Kitchen. This fast-casual eatery serves up modern Greek food with a flair. “It’s Greek with a twist” she describes. “I use traditional family recipes and adapt them to satisfy the way we eat today.” Inspired by the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean, Urban Greek focuses on healthy, fresh vibrant ingredients that are satisfying and delicious. Having grown up in the restaurant business, here in Connecticut, Sophia is no stranger to the inner workings of this complicated, fast-paced industry. It’s immediately apparent that she runs a pristinely organized and tight ship. Most of her staff has been with her since the doors opened…and so have her loyal customers.


Bar 140: Belgian Frites, Burgers, Bibimbap Wings + Booze in Shelton

Features Restaurant Bar beer Craft Beer Cocktails Chicken Wings French Fries Shelton Belgian Frites Best Wings Burgers Homepage

Andrew Dominick

It wasn’t that long ago that I found myself in Shelton covering all things pierogi at The Rogi Shoppe when I randomly received a few DMs on two different Instagram accounts saying I should stop by Bar 140.

The finder’s fee goes to Gina, who sang the praises of Bar 140’s bar food, particularly their Belgian style frites. That got my attention fast! But then that continued with a few other messages trickled in that it’d be my type of bar; casual, kinda hipster, solid cocktails, and a fine beer list.

I asked around and got much of the same. Even Mateus from The Rogi Shoppe said their fries were stellar.

After I set up an interview with Joe Ballaro, who owns Bar 140 with his wife, Tiffany, I told a few friends I was going up there. It got pumped up even more by my friend Katy, who said, “This is my spot! I used to be a regular when I worked a few block away. It’s a good little spot. Good beer list and food. The owners are really cool.”

Sold! Plus, I’ll never pass up the chance at eating carefully made, hand cut fries by the bucket full, with different dipping sauces to plunge them into.


Pier 131: Dine and Drink on the River in Shelton this Summer

Restaurant Shelton Comfort Food Waterfront Patio Outdoor Dining Burgers Italian American Pasta Lunch Brunch Openings

CTbites Team

Pier 131 Restaurant and Bar is poised to be one of CT’s “it” destinations this summer. Nestled along the newly renovated Shelton Riverfront with stunning views of the Housatonic River and the historic Old Shelton Railroad Bridge, Pier131 is located in one of the most stunning spots in Fairfield County.

Although very much a neighborhood restaurant, this high-energy gathering place and urban retreat opened its doors late last summer and quickly became a popular destination drawing diners and photographers from all over Fairfield and New Haven Counties – even on the coldest winter days.

The setting immediately draws you in and the tasty something for everyone menu will keep you coming back. Pier 131 has also done a great job giving diners an entertaining experience with live music several nights a week, a DJ every Sunday afternoon, as well as Trivia Night, a daily Happy Hour, $5 Margarita Tuesday, Pasta Sunday (with half off select bottles of wine). More events will be added to the line-up as the weather starts to warm.


Wildacre Rotisserie to Debut in Greenwich (via Hey Stamford!)

Restaurant Openings Chicken To-Go Take Out Lunch Cos Cob Greenwich Mediterranean Gluten-Free

Hey Stamford!

Wildacre Rotisserie, a new fast casual rotisserie restaurant, will make its debut in Greenwich, CT in Spring 2022. Led by former Starbucks and sweetgreen culinary leader and Fairfield County resident Ben Pote, the restaurant will bring a fresh take on traditional rotisserie to Cos Cob. The concept of the eatery, both in cuisine and design, is inspired by California with a thoughtfully curated menu that offers something for everyone.

Rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted cauliflower are at the heart of the menu, complemented by entree-style salads, plant-forward sides, and sauces that are made in-house daily, with thoughtful pops of flavor throughout. The chicken, for example, is rubbed with bay leaf, oregano, and fennel pollen, giving it an herbaceous, savory flavor, while the whole-roasted cauliflower is sprinkled with za’atar, a Middle-Eastern herb blend. Wildacre’s salads are hearty enough for lunch and dinner, or to eat alongside a whole roasted chicken or cauliflower. Guests can order a la carte or select a bundled meal, which offers the choice of either a rotisserie chicken or slow-roasted cauliflower main plus two sides and two sauces. Side dishes range from french fries to roasted brussels sprouts, and the majority of the menu is gluten-free. The California influence shows up throughout the menu, which features ingredients like fennel pollen, meyer lemon, and avocado, and flavors inspired by Mediterranean, Central American, and Asian cuisines.

Read the complete article on Hey Stamford!


RAWA: Middle Eastern Fusion in New Haven

Restaurant New Haven Middle Eastern Mediterranean Kid Friendly

James Gribbon

Several years ago, hungry and lost on a ski trip in the hinterlands of northern Vermont, I convinced the crew to stop at the first sign that said "brew" on it, which is how we all discovered (and loved) Trout River Brewing, then up in Lyndonville. Another time, half the Earth's orbit away on a sweltering evening before a show at the Bowery Ballroom, a little A-shaped chalkboard got us to check our stride with the words "Cheap Drinks," and an arrow pointing down stairs revealed by open steel doors in the sidewalk. The cellar bar was a riot of antique lamps, taxidermy, and, well, us after several of the promised drinks - some of which they even asked us to pay for.

The point is: places found when I've been lost or without particular plans have been some of the bookmarked highlights of my adult life, and RAWA in New Haven is one.


The Rogi Shoppe: Small Batch Pierogies in Shelton

Features Interview Restaurant pierogi Shelton takeout Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Some years ago, at a local food festival or a brewery, you may have come across a red truck by the name of “Pierogies On Wheels.” If I have to tell you what their signature dish is, you may want to reread that first sentence. Pierogies On Wheels in its truck form, though, is no more. But in 2020, it was resurrected under a new name and in a new storefront form in Downtown Shelton.

In case you’re wondering, it’s now known as The Rogi Shoppe.

At The Rogi Shoppe, it’s not only a continuation of the food truck, but also where the mother and son team of Mateusz and Ela Nogas are continuing their Polish heritage.

“My mom, sister (Magda), and I came to the U.S. in 2002 from Poland,” Nogas says. “My mom didn’t know much English. She worked part-time jobs but started making pierogi for family and friends. She eventually had so many orders that people told her that she should open a business.”


Arugula Bistro in West Hartford Celebrates 25 Years with A New Look

Restaurant Hartford County West Hartford Mediterranean Middle Eastern Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe

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.


Little Barn To Open Second Location in Shelton

Features Shelton Openings American Gastropub Family Friendly

CTbites Team

Guess what! The uber family-friendly, American pub, Little Barn, is opening a second location in Shelton CT.

The first Little Barn opened in Westport 8 years ago serving us casual pub fare, with their new American menu. Given the success of the Westport location, the owners decided to expand. They chose Shelton for the second location as it is a town with dynamic growth and development and they wanted Little Barn to be a part of Shelton’s future.

Little Barn’s comfort food menu varies from burgers and tacos to healthy salads and Buddha bowls. They also feature many craft beers and signature cocktails, and bar is ALWAYS hopping. We have enjoyed Little Barn’s commitment to supporting local bands and have spent many a fun night listening to live music at the “barn.”

The Shelton location, which will have a large outdoor patio, will be open mid-summer 2021 and will have live music on the weekends.