Patrons of Washington Prime will find comfort in the cuisine of its new Executive Chef Howard McCall Jr. This unassuming chef is not new to SoNo nor the kitchen at Washington Prime; he started in the kitchen at Barcelona twenty years ago and was the opening Sous Chef at Washington Prime last summer. Prior to joining Washington Prime he oversaw the kitchen at Mint restaurant in North Carolina which influenced his new Southern style cuisine.
CTbites was invited to meet the chef and sample some of his new additions to the menu. Chef Howard exudes a soft personality, allowing his culinary talents to speak. His recent changes to the new menu range from a creative American Soul Rolls to a Braised Lamb Shank, plus modifications of previous favorites. Each maintained the focus on the main ingredient with delightful accompaniments…more akin to Southern comfort food.
CTbites was invited to Oak + Almond in Norwalk for its Four Roses Bourbon dinner to sample some of Chef Joseph Italiano’s creative cuisine paired with one of the country’s best bourbons. Working alongside Chef Italiano for this special event was Chef Chris Vacca, whom our readers know from serving one of the best burgers in Fairfield County from his food truck, Bounty. Chef Italiano has been at the helm for several months after stints at Bistro B in Westport and Bridgeport and with Chef Pat Pascarella at Bar Sugo.
What’s better than a four course pork dinner? A five course pork extravaganza. And that is what Harlan Publick and Two Roads Brewing Company are hosting with their ROAD HOG DINNER this Tuesday March 3.
Starting at 630...nuzzle up to the bar for a beer reception and then starting at 715 the festivities begin. Owner / Chef Steve Lewandowski and his team will serve five courses of pork including Mongolian Pork Bahn Mi, Crispy Pig Ear Salad, Moroccan Braised Pork Belly, Pok Pok Smoked Ribs, Mangalista Pork Pancetta and a few other surprises. All of the dishes will be paired with special beers from Two Roads Brewing.
As announced in The New Canaanite, New Canaan’s local news website, Pine Street is about to receive a new artisan marketplace at 75 Pine Street, the site that previously housed New Canaan Cleaners. The area currently offers some of the best coffee in Fairfield County at Zumbach’s and two outstanding sandwich shops, Tony’s and the Connecticut Sandwich Co.
According to The New Canaanite, the owner of the property, Peter Lane of NCLC, would like to build a marketplace similar to that found in New York’s Grand Central Station. He hopes that the merchants will include a butcher, a baker and a cheesemaker, all of who would create their unique specialty foods. In addition the space will include a few seats and fireplace to relax and enjoy the foods of the artisans.
While no renderings are available at this time, the plan is to demolish and replace the structure with a new one and a half story building and be remain within the current footprint.
Chef Plum of Plum Luv Foods is at it again with the first 2015 Dinner Underground installment entitled “DINNER UNDERGROUND: EDMOND TOWN HALL TAKEOVER.”
On Sunday, March 8, 2015 from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM Chef Plum will host the event at 45 Main Street in downtown Newtown, offering food, frolic and fun. The current menu that Chef Plum has designed is incredibly eclectic and diverse. The first course includes three sliders of “Land Sea and Air” and features elk, fried Copps Island Oysters and foie gras. Head south for the second course and enjoy frogs’ legs with Anson Mills grits and braised kale. Transport yourself to the Asia and enjoy a pork belly Ramen bowl with togarashi and egg for course number three. The fourth course brings the guests to the Caribbean with prawns with a coconut cloud and lemon parsnip puree. And finish the evening with a Southwest cannoli with candied pepper and sweet tostones.
The next stop on my unending burger quest found me sitting at a high top table in the rear of Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield. This modest two room restaurant is known for its creative cuisine with an unwavering Farm to Table attitude instilled in the entire menu by Executive Chef, Forrest Pasternack.
Many told me about the Cheddar and Ale Burger, and it was time I tried it for myself. The Burger is served with caramelized onions, cheddar & ale sauce on a brioche, with a side of shoestring potatoes.
Chef Adam Greenberg of Fortina will be the latest local chef to appear on The Food Network’s “Chopped” on February 24th at 1000PM. The chefs are each given a ”mystery basket” and are required to create an appetizer, an entrée and a dessert re-purposing each of these ingredients. Three world class chefs then critique each chef’s creation down to the smallest details. Lose the round and you are “chopped,” the others move to the next round. Win all three rounds and you are the Chopped Champ. Chef Adam was kind enough to share a few thoughts on the competition and his culinary future with CTbites.
Mediterraneo, a ‘destination restaurant’ in the Hotel Zero Degrees on Main Street in Norwalk is a beautiful backdrop for Executive Chef Albert DeAngelis’ culinary tour of the Mediterranean. The aquatic inspired dining room features a large bar area to the left, with several high top tables to augment the bar seating, and to the right is the main dining room. With hardwood floors, white chairs and a large nautical flag painting along the far right wall, the dining area presents a clean and airy feel. The highlight of the room is the floor to ceiling glass wall that overlooks the panoramic, million-dollar waterfall view on the river. From a magnificent French Braised beef “Bourguignon” to a mild Tuscan Prosciutto wrapped rabbit loin to an outstanding Wild black sea bass, the menu at Mediterraneo offers wide varieties of clean flavors and combinations. Mediterraneo is one of five local restaurants owned by the Z Hospitality Group.
The 2015 “Dry Aged Beef Burger” prepared by Chef Anthony Kostelis begins with a 7-8 ounce patty topped with sweet pickles, Bella Bantam cheese, bacon and onion mayonnaise, all encased in a buttery brioche. The meat was deep and rich in flavor, perfectly seasoned and compressed slightly to maintain the grind of the meat. It was juicy in the middle of the burger but a little dry at the edges. The Bella Bantam cheese from Arethusa Farm was outstanding, melted atop the patty. It was mild with a slight nuttiness, a great complement to the burger. The bacon at The Whelk was one of the best I have tasted in years, with a incredible smokiness and also added a little crunchiness to the burger.
Here’s some great news for residents of downtown Stamford…
DiMare Pastry Shop has announced that it will open its third location at 30 Spring Street in Stamford, serving its delicious cakes, pies, cupcakes, pastries, rolls, breads and its ever-popular and outrageous cannoli dip. The location will be named DiMare Pastry Downtown and is convenient to the explosion of apartments in downtown Stamford along Washington, Atlantic and Bedford.
The newest location on Spring Street will be familiar for patrons of Bar Rosso and Volta as DiMare becomes the third occupant in this storefront. The interior design is currently in the planning and development phase and the artist rendering on their Facebook page (above) indicates a sleek design to showcase their outstanding baked goods. Thanks to OmNomCT for confirming the details.
Ramen is one of the great dishes of the world. Contained within a single bowl is the essence of all flavors; and the most recent pop-up restaurants overseen by Chef Mogan Anthony (Locali) just over the border into NY are phenomenal. Chef Mogan was raised in Singapore and was captivated, at an early age, by the flavors in Asian cuisine. His early training included studying under some of the best Asian chefs.
Chef Mogan Anthony of Locali is bringing his Asian heritage and early career training to his latest venture. Over the next few weeks, Chef Mogan will team with several locations for a pop-up restaurant featuring appetizers, Ramen and other Asian specialties.
The first event occurred last week in Mt. Kisco and the second session will be held this Wednesday and Thursday, January 28th and 29th just over the NY state border in Scotts Corner.
After surviving the "blizzard of the century" join Chef Mogan and warm yourself with Buns, Ramen and Sweets.
Tickets for this event are $29 and will feature three courses. Drinks, tax and gratuity are extra and the events is cash only. For resrvations call Village Social at 914-864-1255.
On Thursday, January 22nd, Morello Italian Bistro will host the BLUE POINT BEER DINNER featuring the beers of BLUE POINT Brewing Company. Enjoy a 4-course dinner and listen to guest speaker Mark Weiner, Blue Point’s Brew Master. (View menu below.)
Blue Point Brewing Company is famous for its World Beer Cup winning Toasted Lager. Blue Point Brewing Company was founded in Patchogue, NY in 1998 by Mark Burford and Pete Cotter. This traditional 30-barrel brewhouse produces more than 20 different ales, stouts and lagers that have helped make them one of the fastest growing craft breweries in the country.
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!
Win Two Tickets to this fantastic Chocolate, Dessert and Wine Lovers Festival!!!!
To earn a chance to Win two tickets: Like us on FACEBOOK and POST A COMMENT BELOW ON WHY YOU SHOULD WIN!
As my search for great burgers in CT continues, I always appreciate the opportunity to combine this pursuit with other culinary options. When I found myself in Fairfield, I decided to stop into Archie Moore’s Bar and Restaurant and sample its Bar Burger and while I was there, why not begin the meal with an order of wings, which are consistently voted some of the best in the state.
Plans for New Year's Eve? Usher in the New Year at one of Fairfield County's favorite restaurants and celebrate with great food, music and libations. Many will offer their regular menus while others are offering fix prixe extravaganzas. CTbites New Year's Eve round-up summarizes those restaurants that are offering special menus for ringing in 2015!!! Make your reservations early as the best spots and times usually go first.
Here are 13 Fairfield County New Year's Eve Restaurant Parties...
Breakfast of Champions? The "Rosie O" at Reddi Rooster in Stamford may not qualify for this title or as a healthy start to the day, but when you want a diversion from the granola, the yogurt, the egg white omelet, the fresh fruit and throw calorie count to the wind, this sandwich is a great choice.
Reddi Rooster is located on Route 1 on the east side of Stamford near the Darien border. It is a fairly non-descript roadside luncheonette serving sandwiches, wraps, and a few hot dishes. The Rosie O has garnered some positive press as one of the best breakfast sandwiches in area so when I found myself in the area I decided to stop in and see for myself. It is available on a roll for $4.50 or as a wedge or a wrap for $7. I ordered the roll version and grabbed one of the seven stools. A steady stream of guests entered, ordered and waited, always a good sign…locals know.
Two years ago Harlan Social opened as a part of the Lockworks project in Stamford amidst questions on whether the area would support the restaurant or whether the restaurant investors and the developers were visionaries. Two years later Harlan Social’s success shines as a local hang-out, an after work meeting spot, and a destination restaurant.
Harlan Social was the brainchild of Owner & Executive Chef Steve Lewandowski, who was previously the Sous Chef at Manhattan’s Abby restaurant, Gotham Bar & Grill, and Fantino in the Ritz Carlton before joining Tribeca Grill and becoming its Executive Chef. Currently overseeing the kitchen is Executive Chef Michael Sobelman, whose resume includes Sardis and Tribeca Grill with Lewandowski. When Harlan Social opened Lewandowski immediately reached out to Sobelman to join him and oversee the kitchen.
Harlan Social recently introduced its new Fall menu and CTbites visited to sample some of the new additions.
Chef Pat Pascarella of Bar Sugo in Norwalk announced that he will conduct a new series of cooking classes beginning in Jan 2015! For those readers who have visited Bar Sugo and enjoyed his great meatballs, pastas and entrées, these classes will give the secrets for creating some of these delicious dishes at home.
There are currently six scheduled classes:
Fresh Pasta Workshop – Saturday January 24th at 11:00am
Mama's Kitchen: Meatballs 101 – Saturday February 7th at 11:00am
Art of Braising – Tuesday March 3rd at 7:00pm
Pizza Workshop – Tuesday April 7th at 7:00pm
Farmer's Harvest & Feast – Saturday May 16th at 11:00am
Cooking with Seafood - Tuesday, June 2nd at 7:00pm
On December 11, join the Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (“NOFA”) for a relaxing evening where guests can enjoy a beer or soft drink, unwind, talk about this past season, and learn the full brew cycle of their favorite local beers from the hop yard to the pint glass. Named as one of the "5 Connecticut Craft Beer Events You Don’t Want to Miss" by Connecticut Magazine, "It might just be the only Connecticut event where aspiring farm-to-barrel brewers can learn some of the tricks of the trade. Sustainable agriculture never tasted so good."
Patrons of Washington Prime will find comfort in the cuisine of its new Executive Chef Howard McCall Jr. This unassuming chef is not new to SoNo nor the kitchen at Washington Prime; he started in the kitchen at Barcelona twenty years ago and was the opening Sous Chef at Washington Prime last summer. Prior to joining Washington Prime he oversaw the kitchen at Mint restaurant in North Carolina which influenced his new Southern style cuisine.
