In addition to being a food critic in both Connecticut and Miami, CTBites’s own Ellen Bowen is making her film debut! Check her out as an extra in Batsh*t Bride, a movie while was filmed in Fairfield County. There is a special pre film pre fixe dinner at Chez Vous Stamford and an after party At Flinders Lane. Get your tickets to the Monday August 26 premiere for $10 and by emailing batshitbride@gmail.com 

El Segundo is turning 3! On Thursday August 29 starting at 4pm, join them for food and drink specials, giveaways, and live music. https://www.facebook.com/events/904030639962072/

On Thursday August 29, Barcelona Wine Bar in Fairfield hosts a Patio Paella Party. Close out the summer with music from a live DJ as Chef James Bizak prepares paella and other dishes. A ticket price of $50 plus tax and gratuity will be collected on-site for entry, food, and wine. Other beverages available for purchase.

The 11th Annual A Taste in Simsbury returns on Thursday August 29. The gourmet foodie event features mouthwatering samples from top area restaurants, craft beer, wine, specialty drinks, coffee and dessert. It takes place at the Riverview from 5:30-8:30pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/452464541976013/

Millwright’s appreciates teachers! Through September 15, show your badge or teaching ID and get 20% off your bill.

West Hartford Restaurant Week continues through September 2. Feast on specially priced prix fixe menus at West Hartford hotspots, all while supporting Foodshare. www.whrestaurantweek.com

Two things that embody summer: Croquet and Rose! Enjoy both on the Artisan (West Hartford) event lawn on Monday August 12. A $25 ticket includes game play on the event lawn, two tickets for beer, wine or soft beverages, and Artisan's hand crafted hors d'oeuvres.

There are kids in the kitchen! Stew Leonard’s Newington is offering an “It’s Raining Tacos” culinary class for tots and kids this week. On Tuesday 8/13 and Friday 8/16, toddlers ages 2-5 will prepare taco quesadillas, taco mac & cheese, and tacos. Also on Tuesday, kids ages 6-12 can learn new skills in a separate session.

Walrus + Carpenter in Bridgeport is known for its tasty BBQ… and it’s soon to be known for its beer! Join them to try their own newly launched beer, Walrus Ale + Lager. Plus, they’ll soon have a food trailer hitting the streets. “The Flying Pig" will be making its way to breweries, festivals, and more.

Have you gotten your tickets for the Hey Stamford! Food Festival? Don’t wait- with 40+ food trucks over 2 days, they’ve got more delicious food than you could imagine for one weekend! And here’s one more reason to stop by: a Veg Out! Vegan Pop-Up was just added to the line-up.

On Tuesday July 30 at 7pm, join Mecha Noodle Bar Wine Dinner and Dominio De Punctum for a wine dinner.

Artisan Southport hosts a Culinary Fight Club Connecticut: Seafood Showdown on July 30. Culinary Fight Club is looking for the most creative use of Seafood, whether it's Salmon or Oysters, paired with local fresh ingredients plated up with the perfect bite. Come witness the competition. A $35 Tickets Includes 1 Sam Adams Beer Sample, a snack from Artisan, a wine tasting, and more. Plus, vote on your favorite.

Rockledge Grille in West Hartford and Dom’s Cheese Shop in Avon are excited to host their first ever Sunset Wine & Cheese Tasting on the patio. Join them on Monday, July 29 for wines paired with artisanal cheeses… and the BEST view in West Hartford. 7-8:30pm, $40 per guest. Call 860-206-2182 to reserve.

Mondays at the Gray Goose Café in Darien are for martinis! Join them starting at 5pm for 1/2 off All Well and Call Martinis.

The Madison Beach Hotel’s Summer Retro Cocktail Party will feature all your favorite drinks from the 1940’s, 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s! On Tuesday July 30, enjoy old-school passed hors d’ouevres and listen to the soft and mellow sounds of Ric Cunningham at this delightful Fund Raiser for the Madison Ambulance Association. Tickets are $49 per person with a cash bar.

Taste of Hartford runs through July 28.  Participating restaurants throughout the Greater Hartford area will offer special multi-course, price-fixed menus. 

For the first time in 25 years, Union League Cafe in New Haven has an outdoor space!  La Terrasse has room for 36 patrons at bistro tables and on lounge furniture.  It opens at 11:30am Monday through Friday and at 5pm on Saturday.

No donuts for you! Coffee An in Westport is on a summer hiatus and will reopen on Monday August 5.

ARTISAN Restaurant, Tavern and Garden is embracing the summer season on its patio by uncorking its private label Rosé Wine at its annual Garden Parties in West Hartford on the last Thursday of each month from June through September.  Guests are encouraged to experience the spectacular outdoor setting while enjoying Artisan Rosé wine, craft cocktails, light bites and music by a well-known DJ in the picturesque Artisan garden. Tickets are $25 per person. The next one takes place on Thursday July 25. 

On Thursday July 25, Oyster Club Mystic and Stone Acres Farm present Thursday Night Bites - Marrakech Market.  Join them on the farm for themed bites & beverages featuring Moroccan cuisine with Chef Jules from Engine Room. 

On Thursday June 27th, The Spread Greenwich will have their next Chef's Tasting! Join in for a 5-course culinary adventure served by award-wining Chef Carlos Baez! Limited seating available. Visit them online for details and call today to book your reservation.

The Meatball Shop in Westport, Conn. has a pre-opening party on June22nd! Wine, beer, and their famous meatballs and other favorites will be served to the public for the first time prior to their TBA opening date. All money raised from tickets is going to non-profit Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service. Tickets can be bought online, or at the door. Info here. 

Artisan in West Hartford invites you to a garden party on June 27.  From 5-7pm, sip on Artisan rose while enjoying a craft cocktail, light bites, and music.  Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online through Eventbrite or at the door. 

Check out the Connecticut Taco Festival: Hartford County on Saturday June 29 at Auerfarm in Bloomfield.  Admission covers access to the festival where you can purchase tacos on-site and vote for “Top Taco.”  There will also be tequila, Mexican inspired drinks, beer, a taco eating contest, music, and more.  Tickets start at $15. 

Celebrate the summer with sips and samples and sharks and seals during the “Maritime with a Twist” adults-only evening event on Thursday, June 27th at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.  Open to anyone age 21 and over, “Maritime with a Twist” features tastes from nearby restaurants in the South Norwalk neighborhood, as well as refreshments by artisanal distillers and distributors. Sample them all while enjoying the entire Aquarium for one price. Music for the evening will be provided by Big Yachty, Fairfield County’s premiere Yacht Rock cover band. 

Chef Brian Lewis & The Cottage are delighted to offer a Summer Market Menu, celebrating local farmers, fishermen and artisans throughout the region.  The prix fixe options costs $45 for 3 courses.  Selections rotate.

Two Roads’s “Road Jam Music Fest” takes place on June 21 and June 22.  Each ticket gets you entrance to the concerts as well as your first pint of beer. The namesake of the Road Jam Festival, Two Roads Road Jam Raspberry Wheat with Lemongrass will be pouring in addition to other select Two Roads’ beers. 

Jesup Hall has launched the “Splendid Table,” a special Happy Hour every Wednesday on the patio from 5:30-6:30PM. Their communal table will be filled with a bounty of great dishes to go along with our cocktail, beer and wine specials. Come in and grab a plate, visit the table as much as you would like. $25 per person.

On Sunday June 23, The Hickories & Wood Fire Food presents “Farm & Sea,” a woodfire multi-course meal with wine pairings.  It starts at 5pm with a cocktail reception and continues with dinner.  Tickets are $160.

On Tuesday June 11, Porron join Missing Link Wine Company, the Wise Old Dog, Finca Volvoreta Winery, and Chef Tyler Anderson for Porron’s very first vegetarian Pop Up Supper.  Begin with a reception of Txakoli and then sit for a tasting menu with wine for each course. 

On Thursday June 13, Kala Bistro is celebrating women with a “Wine Dinner with a Focus on Female Winemakers.”  The 5 course meal will be complemented with wines from Spain and France.  It is $69 per person, inclusive, and begins at 6:30pm. 

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield presents “A Place at the Table” farm-to-table dinner on Friday June 14.  Enjoy a locally sources 3 course dinner prepared by Hayfields Market.  Members can participate in an exclusive chef’s tasting before dinner.

The 10th Annual Hartford Rib Off is back and returning to Hartford’s Riverside Park from June 14-15, 2019.  This year's festival will begin on June 14th with the Hartford Rib Off Kick-Off Party where guests can enjoy live music, beer samples from 20 different breweries,

Visit Taprock Beer Bar in Farmington on Monday June 3 for an evening with Bellis Bourbon. The amazing CT product recently hit the market.  Meet the creators, chat with the mixologists, enjoy three different Bellis Bourbon cocktails, and dine on some appetizers.  Tickets are $40 online and $45 at the door. 

Back40 Kitchen in Greenwich invites you to a Maison Louis Jadot "Gems of France" Wine Dinner on June 6.  Each course has been carefully designed to highlight 5 wines.  It is $95/person, tax and gratuity excluded.  Email Sandra@back40kitchen.com to reserve your seat today! 

Summer is finally here and what better way to kick-off the season than a beer at East Rock Brewing Company in New Haven? Visit them on June 6 for an afternoon of socializing over beer, pizza, and board games.  This “Summer Social Kickoff” is free, but registration must be completed online.

Elm City Social in New Haven hosts “The Mixer” on Tuesday June 4.  The event, which takes place on Elm City Social's rooftop patio in New Haven, includes a live mural by Magge Gagliardi, a bartending competition, Collective Arts beer, and samples of their new gin.  5pm-Close. 

Taste of Bishops Corner 2019 takes place in Hartford on Wednesday June 5.  The indoor/outdoor event features Harrys Bishops Corner, Crown Market, Blue Plate Kitchen, OCHO and more. 

June 5, 2019 marks the 11th Annual SoNo Stroll Benefit.  In its eleventh year, the Stroll has become the biggest and most successful fundraiser that benefits the Human Services Council.