Congratulations to Michel Nischan who is receiving the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year award from the James Beard Foundation. Chef Nischan is an ardent supporter of the sustainable food movement and two-time James Beard Foundation Award winner. Here at CTbites, we know and love him as the founder and partner of the former Dressing Room Restaurant and as the founder, president, and CEO of Wholesome Wave.
Saugatuck Grain & Grape is hosting a Champagne tasting this Saturday, December 22 from 3 to 6 pm. During this event, 10% of proceeds from the event will benefit The Sandy Hook School Support Fund, created by United Way of Western Connecticut.
From Mimi at Saugatuck Grain & Grape: "I've decided to open up some bottles of bubbly; a lot of bottles, actually. Prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, I was merely going to bill it as a lovely way to spend the day. I think, however, I am going to make one change to this party. I want to celebrate life and I want to do my small part to ease the pain of the families who lost a sister/brother/niece/nephew/grandson/granddaughter/wife."
They will be pouring the following champagnes: Billecart-Salmon, Chartogne-Taillet, Henri Goutorbe, Laurent-Perrier, Krug, Cristal, Pierre Gimonnet, Pierre Peters, Aubry, A. Margaine, and Gaston Chiquet.
Is grilled Mahi Mahi on the menu tonight? Not sure which wine or beer would best complement the fish? Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit is now open in Westport at 1790 Post Road East offering a seamless, cleverly organized wine shopping experience. With its roots in downtown Manhattan, Bottlerocket hopes to offer wine fans in Fairfield County a better understanding of wine, beer and spirits. Plus, they've got street cred. Bottlerocket has been named the #2 wine store in New York City by Zagat: "An 'innovator' among vintners...an 'A+ in creativity' for the 'eye-catching' themed displays..."
Two Boots in Bridgeport: Two Boots will host a "Cinco De Mayo Happy Hour Fiesta" on Thursday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. Two Boots is located at 281 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport, CT.
Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich: Specials abound at Boxcar. Their drink special will be the General Zaragoza Margarita, a famously boozy frozen margarita topped with a splash of house-made sangria. As for eats, a Cinco Sampler, a New Mexican-inspired platter of organic chicken tinga, Niman Ranch carne adovado; and a Taco Sampler is on the menu. Boxcar Cantina is located at 44 Old Field Point Road in Greenwich, CT.
Taco Loco in Bridgeport: $5 Margaritas, $3 Coronas till 6:30Pm. Give aways, Live music for lunch and dinner, which we will have a special menu. Taco Loco is located at 3170 Fairfield Avenue in Brideport, CT.
How about this for a quick-fire challenge: Create and serve dishes inspired by a 47-acre National Trust Historic site, served outdoors for over 200 guests that celebrates the seasonal bounty.
Dine with Design is a outdoor celebration of farm-to-table cuisine on Saturday, June 11 that will challenge five chefs to do just that. The event features chefs and artisans connected to the recently published book Harvest to Heat.
With the planning for this event well underway, the Glass House invited a small group that included Chefs Bill Taibe (leFarm), Brian Lewis (Bedford Post) and Derek Wagner(Nicks on Broadway, R.I) to visit the site to literally get the lay of the land, both in terms of the property's historical and architectural significance as well as the challenges and opportunities that a 47-acre campus of buildings and landscape can present. Check out the photo gallery from today's tour to wet your appetite.
Chef Bill Taibe of leFarm has landed himself a nomination from The James Beard Foundation for "Best Chef Northeast" – the only Connecticut nominee in the "Best Chef: Northeast" category.
The Dressing Room will host a wine dinner featuring organic and biodynamic wines from Robert Sinskey Vineyards on Tuesday, February 22 at 7 pm.
Three Popular Chefs battle for the title of “IRON SOMMELIER” hosted at Ridgefield's Toscana Thursday, February 24 at 7 p.m, $80 per person.The competition will feature 3 food courses accompanied by wines chosen by local chefs: Bernard Bouissou of Bernard’s; Jean-Luc Le Gall of Le Chateau; Sabrina Rullo of Sagi; and Jeff Hennig of Toscana Ristorante. Reservations: 203.894.8995.
Connecticut Restaurant Kicks off February 27. Check out deals, schedules and which restaurants in are participating near you: Ridgefield, Stamford and Westport. Kick the weekend off with a Harpoon beer tasting at Monster B's on Friday, Feb. 18 at 5 pm.
Whole Foods will open in Danbury's former Marcus Dairy location,as reported by Talk of the Town.
The Schoolhouse at Cannondale: Mushroom Truffle SoupChef LaBant's Mushroom soup with truffle oil achieved maximum sounds of audible appreciation at a recent meal. His French culinary know how is evident in all of his sauces as well as this wonderfully decadent starter.
The Boathouse: Lobster SaladI'm embarrassed to admit how many of Chef Holzwarth's Lobster Salads I have consumed in 2010. A composed salad with the absolute freshest market vegetables, avocado and heirloom shell beans pedestaled on large chunks of succulent lobster meat. It's good stuff.
leFarm: Local Beets & Oregon Lentils, Pecans, Aged Ricotta with La Quercia HamA celebration of fresh ingredients, tastes and textures, this dish sits in perfect harmony. Earthy, sweet, rich and savory, this is a dish often craved.
Chao Chi:Foie Gras Beignet Now shuttered, this amuse bouche is stamped into my memory from a long meal enjoyed there. The buttery softness of the foie gras paired with a light and doughy shell was finished with a blackberry jam drizzle. Bravo Prasad.
Bereket Turkish Restaurant:Manti This hole in the wall in Bridgeport (soon with a new larger location) serves a Turkish classic "Manti," tiny folded triangles of dough filled with ground meat and onion, floating atop a bed of yoghurt, meat drippings and spices. As close to Istanbul as it gets in FC.
Photo: James Beard Foundation
