Hartford County's premier restaurant group and Farmington Valley's century-old farm and vineyard partnered for the 15th year of Max Chef to Farm. The culinary acumen is Max Level (through the roof) with the added benefit of having beverages curated MH by Sommelier and Beverage Director Brian Mitchell.
The owners of Rosedale Farms and Vineyards have been providing apples that are redder, corn that's sweeter and berries that make the juiciest cocktails to CT restaurants for decades, and Max Hospitality has always been obsessed with fresh, local and organic. To culinary Hunter Morton, these are more than buzzwords-they're a way of life. Max Chef to Farm grew out of a desire to take the "farm to table" movement one step further and bring the culinary talent right to the source of their best ingredients.
I attest that great farm produce is available all over the state- but how often with a vineyard attached? Max gives a nod to Rosedale Farms winemaker Morgan Wilson's selections and Brian Mitchell, Max's beverage director, sommelier and a decorated wine and spirits professional and President of the New England Wine Academy
June is here, and as we kick off the summer season, many take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate Pride Month. Pride Month is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its many contributions to our society and culture throughout history. It is typically observed in June, commemorating the Stonewall riots that took place in 1969. Since then, Pride has spread across the United States and even around the globe with parades and other special events all month long. Though you may see some cities celebrate Pride at other times of the year, June is when you will notice the highest volume of events.
Here in Connecticut, several cities and towns will recognize Pride Month throughout June with limited-time menu items and special events, including drag brunches and dance parties. If you are looking for ways to commemorate Pride Month and raise a rainbow-colored glass to the LGBTQ+ community, keep reading to see what local events are happening around you throughout June.
The Glass House presents its annual Summer Party on June 10th from 12-4pm.
The Glass House by Philip Johnson located in New Canaan, CT, is a world-renowned architecturally significant property and historic home.
This fundraising event features art, dance, design, fashion, food, music, activations, and silent auction by ARTSY. The event celebrates 16 years as a historic site and museum and will benefit the preservation of the campus and collections.
Don’t miss the unique opportunity to experience an authentic Argentine Asado Dinner at Wakeman Town Farm June 2nd @6:00 p.m., a wood-fired outdoor dining experience with Chef Pablo Nealon
The “Argentine Asado” goes back to the mid-nineteenth century when the Gauchos roamed the Pampas. Today, it still holds many of those traditions every time a group gathers around the grill. Served outdoors and family style, it is the perfect social culinary experience. We guarantee it is unlike anything you have ever experienced at Wakeman Town Farm! This event is limited to first-come, first serve, and tickets will go quickly! If so, we may wind up adding an additional date.
Chef Jonathan Rapp and the Farm Dinner team has announced the 2023 season for Dinners at the Farm! Join them and their friend Digga Schacht at his beautiful Hunts Brook Farm in Quaker Hill, CT for four magical dinners, July 27, 28, 29 & 30. Each night will feature a unique and delicious five-course menu showcasing the talents of cook and farmer paired with great wines, local beers, and homegrown music. A sensory extravaganza you won't want to miss. Oh, and, did we tell you it's four nights only? Get your tickets before they're gobbled up and get ready to celebrate the glorious summer season in all its finest.
Westport Farmers’ Market (WFM) is pleased to announce it will return to its home in the parking lot at 50 Imperial Avenue on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and continue every Thursday through early November. This year promises to be the best in the market’s 17-year history, with multiple programs operating under our “who grows your food” ethos.
“Our emphasis on knowing who grows your food means we will see enhanced community-inspired programming, vendors, sponsors, and activities this year,” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, executive director of WFM.
Drown yourself in beads, good music and food while you laissez bon temps rouler!
Get out there, have some fun, throw on a colorful mask, rip the heads off some crawfish and slurp some gumbo, mes amis. This is a decadent celebration if ever there was one and we’re not even in New Orleans! So, who’s going to find the baby in the cake and be crowned King or Queen of it all?
CTbites is very proud to be a media sponsor for year one of the exciting event below, an event that celebrates the culmination of Black History Month. We share that honor with The New Canaanite, where writer, Laura Ault, originally posted this article detailing the Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R)’s Soul-Fête event, going down on March 2nd. Here’s the scoop. Grab your tickets now before they sell out!
With their customary knack for creating connection, Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R) has created an immersive cultural celebration. Soul-Fête, which will explore the culinary journey from Africa to America, will welcome you to the Carriage Barn at New Canaan’s Waveny Park on March 2nd from 7-9 P.M., wrapping up Black History Month in an unforgettable way. Music will be provided by local band The Misfits, and chef Damon Sawyer of Bridgeport’s 29 Markle Ct. will take us through the past, present, and future of Black food. What’s in store for us? Well, for one, there will be a mac ‘n’ cheese tasting.
Greenwich Wine + Food has announced the culinary talent that will be participating in The Big Easy at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York on Saturday, March 4, bringing the flavors and fun of New Orleans to life. Beneficiaries include two national non-profit organizations with roots in Connecticut - The Jacques Pépin Foundation and Wholesome Wave.
This completely new, dine-around evening event will invite guests to wander the New Orleans-style grand tasting event (view complete culinary lineup below) featuring signature Cajun and Creole dishes from area chefs from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Bourbon Street’s iconic drinks such as Hurricanes and Mudslides, as well as premium wine, beer and spirits, will be served throughout the entire evening. Special ticket options will invite guests to begin their culinary travels thirty-minutes early at 6pm, a private pre-party, access to a second-floor bar and seating area, VIP parking and more.
Musical talent for the evening includes headliner Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Big Head Todd & the Monsters and Dumpstaphunk + Cyril Neville (opening the evening’s musical line-up at 6:30pm).
The 2023 Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, January 22nd and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 5th. Chinese New Year marks the transition between zodiac signs: 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Here are a few spots to celebrate here in CT.
Chef Bill Taibe’s popular Mexican spot, Don Memo, is now serving BRUNCH!! Brunch is served Friday, Saturday beginning at noon & Sunday 11:30am-3pm.—Nit Noi has launched a Cooking Class series where you can learn how to make their fantastic dumplings, organic bone broths ++ More info here.— Join SWYFT in Kent on Sunday, January 15th for Tiki Night! 🏝️ Beach-worthy dinner specials, cocktails, and tropical mocktails (hello #dryjanuary ) from 5 to 8 🥥 We're serving up great food, atmosphere, and community all winter long at Swyft.—Lani’s next Vietnamese Pop Up at Grano Arso is celebrating the Lunar New Year. She’ll be featuring special dishes eaten only on Lunar New Year.. happening on 1/16.. doors open at 5pm. Bar seats available just give us a call! Come celebrate with us! Book on Open Table.—On February 1st, 6 PM – 9 PM don’t miss the Igor's Dream Preview & Dessert Pairing Night at Area 2 Experimental Brewing.
Witches, adjust your hats and ready your brooms. Mummies, fix those wraps and vampires, sharpen those fangs, ok? Halloween is here, people! Some might even consider this to be the most wonderful time of the year. If you are one of them, then we’ve got a fang-tanstic list of parties and events for you and your family to enjoy. Let your spooky shine!
On Saturday, October 22, 2022, Chef Michel Nischan will "reawaken" his restaurant The Dressing Room and partner with Madison Beach Hotel's culinary team to present dinner and stories with an exclusive five course event featuring dinner, wine pairings, and storytelling.—National Taco Day was October 4th, and bartaco has decided to bring back its popular, limited edition #bartacosecret roasted brussels sprouts taco in celebration of everyone’s favorite holiday.—Buy one ticket and eat in 30 different restaurants on Wednesday, October 12th 5:30 - 8:30 for a Signature New London Event- Food Stroll!—New Haven Restaurant Week presented by Citizens returns October 16 – October 29, 2022, with dining experiences and all-new exclusive offerings at 23 restaurants throughout the Elm City.—Harry's Wine School presents: Wines of Italy with Michelle DeWyngaert Wednesday, October 26th, 2022 7:00 - 9:00 pm.+
Greenwich Wine + Foodtoday announced its final schedule of weeklong festivities and participants that will comprise its 10-year anniversary celebration this October, with tickets on sale for all events. Beneficiaries include two national non-profit organizations with roots in Connecticut - The Jacques Pépin Foundation and Wholesome Wave. Suni Unger, founder and CEO of Unger Media, the parent company behind Greenwich Wine + Food and Serendipity magazine. states, “We are especially thrilled to be co-hosting more than ten events throughout the week, on-location at our favorite restaurants and bars in our local communities. These carefully curated, intimate celebrations are truly allowing us to applaud local talent in the area, and paired with our Gala on October 7, I am so proud of the programming we’re offering this Fall and our partner beneficiaries.”
Van Leeuwenice cream is opening in Greenwich Oct. 1st—Greenwich Wine + Food launches their schedule of weeklong festivities and participants that will comprise its 10-year anniversary celebration October 3-14th—On Sunday, 10/2, 4 - 7pm Barcelona Wine Bar Fairfield is throwing a 13th Annual Asado on the Patio party to pair autumn barbecue flavors and dishes with wines in a communal social-hour soiree—Wakeman Town Center is celebrating fall with an intimate chef's dinner on the Farm c/o Marcia Selden Catering on 10.6.22—bartaco has brought back its iconic #bartacosecret brisket taco to kick off the fall season++
Greenwich Wine + Foodtoday announced its final schedule of weeklong festivities and participants that will comprise its 10-year anniversary celebration this October, with tickets on sale for all events. Beneficiaries include two national non-profit organizations with roots in Connecticut - The Jacques Pépin Foundation and Wholesome Wave. Premium sponsors include Wagoneer and Greenwich Hospital.
“With the one-month countdown officially ON, I’m thrilled to share the final details for our monumental anniversary celebration,” said Suni Unger, founder and CEO of Unger Media, the parent company behind Greenwich Wine + Food and Serendipity magazine. “We are especially thrilled to be co-hosting more than ten events throughout the week, on-location at our favorite restaurants and bars in our local communities. These carefully curated, intimate celebrations are truly allowing us to applaud local talent in the area, and paired with our Gala on October 7, I am so proud of the programming we’re offering this Fall and our partner beneficiaries.”
SAVE THE DATE for a very important evening. Filling In The Blanks will be hosting their Third Annual Plates With a Purpose Event on November 19, with tons of food, fun and festivities. Guests will be treated to a culinary adventure at the Loading Dock designed by Abigail Kirsch with guest chef Luke Venner. Enjoy specialty cocktails, a not to be missed wine & spirits auction, while dancing the night away. VIP ticket packages include carefully curated wine tastings and a VIP lounge. TICKETS ON SALE NOW.
Filling in the Blanks is a non-profit organization that fills the weekend meal gap for children that qualify for the free or reduced school meal programs. By providing a bag filled with healthy food for the weekend, children experience increased academic achievement and greater increase of success.
The evening will help raise funds to support Filling in the Blanks' mission to fight childhood hunger in local communities. We are excited to see everyone at Plates with Purpose 2022!
Please join CTbites and Filling In The Blanks on November 19th, and if your dance card is busy and you can’t attend the gala, please consider making a donation here. Every dollar helps feed a child who would otherwise go hungry.
Hops is on the brain and Oktoberfest is on the calendar. It’s that delightful time of year to gather with friends, German-style! Chomp into a giant pretzel, grill a brat, raise a stein (or 20, if you are partaking in a competition), and then toast, toast, and toast some more. Across our state, Oktoberfest celebrations are happening and you’ve simply got to get in on one of them. A better time will not be had! Prost!
Negroni: one part gin, one part Vermouth Rosso, one part Campari, garnished with an orange peel. Possibly first mixed up in Florence, Italy around 1919. Supposedly, Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender of the evening to spruce up his favorite Americano with a splash of gin. Had an orange lying around and ka-pow, a classic poured into being! Well, from September 12-18th, Negroni Week heralds 7 days highlighting this classic cocktail, all the while raising money for important causes. This year, monies raised at these establishments will support Slow Food, a movement that seeks to change the world through food and beverages. Their goal? To help create a world where “everyone can enjoy food and beverage that is good for them, good for the people who grow it, and good for the planet”. Raise those glasses and enjoy this classic along with some new spins…
On September 19th Bartenders from across the state of Connecticut are invited to show off their creativity, craft and passion by participating in SoNo 1420’s BLAZE BARTENDER COMPETITION.
“We are looking for our next Great BLAZE WHISKY cocktail and would love to see you showcase your skills with our Cinnamon Flavored Whisky that has won Double Gold and Best in Class Finalist 2022 at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.”
BARTENDERS: Register here at BLAZEWHISKY.COM/COMPETITON by 9/12 to receive a complimentary 200 ml flask of Blaze along with other BLAZE Swag.
GUESTS: Swing by any of the locations below and cheer your favorite bartender on, and sample some great new cocktails.
The competition will take place on September 19th from 6-9 pm at the following locations:
