Paci Restaurant in Southport Re-Launches with New Interior & Menu Features Southport Openings Stephanie Webster August 14, 2017 Paci, one of Connecticut’s best Italian restaurants, has completed a grand remodeling and renovation after 21 years in businessThe restaurant, located in the nationally recognized historic train depot in Southport, will reopen on September 5th after a two month long redesign. The fresh new space showcases a new gleaming 1000 square foot glass walled bar with spacious seating as well as a gorgeous new dining area. The adjacent grounds will offer patio seating hedged with lush greenery. A new menu and hours of operations are also planned. Read More
What's Cooking at Clarke? Bay Corn! (sponsored post) Recipe Features Recipe CTbites Team August 12, 2017 Chef John Craig is cooking up something great again at Clarke, New England's Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen in South Norwalk. Nothing says summer like fresh corn and this is a great way to prepare it! For this recipe, you'll use the Convection Broil setting on your Wolf Convection Oven to perfectly melt that mozzarella cheese. This recipe for Clarke's Bay Corn is a simple, delicious side dish for any summer meal. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of August 15-20 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 10, 2017 The 43rd Annual Milford Oyster Festival takes place on Saturday August 19. There will be 35,000 oysters, crafts, food, amusement rides, classic cars, and more. The festival runs from 10am-6pm. On Saturday August 19, visit Sunset Meadow Vineyards for a Farm to Table Lobster Dinner under the stars. The dinner includes Lobster, Clams, Mussels, Potatoes, Corn and Watermelon. There will be live music and wine specials all evening. Reservations are required as seating is limited. Call 860-201-4654 for info and reservations. It is $79.95 per person. During the month of August, visit The Fez for a prix fixe menu that includes 3 courses for just $25. Read More
Roadtrip: Fox Farm Brewery Opens In Salem Ingredients Features Brewery Salem Beer CT Beer Openings CTbites Team August 08, 2017 I’ve been rabidly following the food news from my hometown of Salem, CT ever since I heard rumor of a brewery opening up by former classmates—Zack and Laura Adams. This awesome husband and wife team have created a beer oasis perfect for hanging out in the sleepy town of Salem. Opened in May, 2017, Fox Farm has been enjoying rave reviews.I’m really pleased that Zack agreed to an interview with CTbites to share his passion for beer and tell us all about his newly opened brewery. Read More
Cotton Candy Find At Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe in Ridgefield Features Ingredients Dessert Specialty Market Ridgefield Kids Kid Friendly Natalie Levitt August 03, 2017 A trip to Ridgefield, Connecticut would not be complete without a visit to the quintessential ice cream parlor and candy mecca that is Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe. Offerings span from homemade chocolates, fudge, and ice cream. There is even an entire room devoted to nostalgic candies and gummy treats. I am always looking for fun and interesting food experiences and packaging. During one of my recent visits to the shop/food safari, I noticed a wall of cotton candy made by Chocolate Storybook. The brand’s assortment offers upwards of 50 flavors including sweet and savory delights like Bacon, BBQ sauce, Atomic Fire, Pancake and Syrup, Frosted Donut, PBJ, seasonal desserts and fruits, merlot, and even a gender reveal option. The most unusual flavor however was Trump hair! The jury is still out on that one. You can add these to the list of memorable hybrid sweet treats trending these days. Read More
Hey Stamford Food Festival August 26th: Live Music, Restaurants & Food Trucks Features Festival Events Stephanie Webster August 03, 2017 On August 26th, Hey Stamford brings local restaurants together at Mill River Park for Hey Stamford Food Festival, an innovative culinary festival. In an effort to unite great restaurants and tasty brews, the food festival will take place at Mill River Park, Saturday August 26th 1-9pm, with a $10 admission. Restaurants include: Seaside Sliders, Rice & Beans, Magee's Curbside, M.O.C. Eatery, The GRANOLA bar, Nosh Hound Food Truck, Hapa Food Truck, Bang Burger, DrewbaQ, DoughGirls Pizza, Kona Ice of Stamford, Boothbay Lobster, Gotta Go Greek, Bareburger, Brother Jimmy's BBQ, Remo's, The Spread & El Segundo, Hoodoo Brown BBQ, Cask Republic, Knot Norm's Catering, Acuario, Sign of the Whale, Nikki Glekas Events Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of August 7 - 14 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson August 02, 2017 Greenwich’s best come together on Monday August 7 for Best of Greenwich, Moffly Media's annual celebration of Greenwich's finest businesses. The Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel will serve as a backdrop for fun cocktails, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and live music. On Wednesday August 9, Tarry Lodge in New Haven will partner with Stony Creek Brewery for a Swine & Dine Dinner. The five course meal, with dishes like House-Smoked Porchetta over Arugula with Salsa Verde and Homemade Pappardelle Pasta with Braised Short Rib Ragu, will be paired with beer from the Branford based brewery. It is $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. TruNORTH Tavern & Table in Bridgeport will host its monthly industry night on Monday August 7 from 8:30pm-close. Read More
Summer Microgreen, Kale and Blueberry Salad Recipe via Embody Features Recipe Recipe Farmers Market healthy Stephanie Webster August 01, 2017 Embody believes in eating local, keeping things simply and honoring ourselves by eating real food! This summer salad with edible Nasturium flowers makes for a beautiful dish to bring to parties or just to enjoy on your own. Takes only 15 minutes to make! Also, the majority of the ingredients are LOCAL (from the Westport CT Farmers Market) and all are organic. Read More
LobsterCraft's Captain Mike Harden To Represent CT in Flavored Nation National Event Features Seafood Food Truck CTbites Team July 27, 2017 ‘The Coastal’ Lobster Roll named iconic food of Connecticut; Captain Mike Harden chosen to serve state dish at national event, Flavored Nation.Captain Mike Harden has been chosen to represent Connecticut at Flavored Nation’s inaugural event, serving the state’s iconic ‘hot with butter’ lobster roll (also known as ‘the coastal’) to thousands of food enthusiasts – alongside chefs and restaurateurs from 49 other states. A Coast Guard captain and licensed lobster fisherman, Harden founded LobsterCraft in 2012 after friends asked if he could catch, cook and prepare lobster for them. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of July 30-August 6 Features Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 27, 2017 Elm City Social will host a Tiki Cocktail Contest on Monday July 31 at 6pm. The best cocktail can win $500, with second and third place earning $300 and $100 respectively. To register, email dan@elmcitysocial.com. El Segundo has made Monday industry night! All day, industry peers can enjoy free tastings and 20% off the entire bill.Two of NBC’s Team Ninja Warrior champions, Allyssa Beird and Joe Moravski, edteam up with b.good Fairfield and Food Rescue US (Formerly Community Plates) to rescue fresh, reusable food from local grocery stores and deliver it to soup kitchens and shelters in the area. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of July 23-30 Features Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 19, 2017 Join James Beard Award winner Chef Jeff Michaud at Terrain Garden Cafe in Westport, as he hosts a dinner celebrating our summer favorite – rosé! Enjoy a cocktail hour followed by three-courses highlighting dishes from Chef Michaud’s cookbook, Eating Italy: A Chef’s Culinary Adventure, each one paired with a glass of rosé. Ticket info here. Reservations required. $85 pp. To prepare for their opening in Darien, Blue Wave Taco, (205 Boston Post Road in Darien) is giving away free chicken tacos (one per person per car) from the drive-thru window this Wednesday, July 26 from 5pm to 8pm. One lucky visitor will walk away with a free taco every day for a year!!!On Wednesday July 26, Sugar and Olives will teach you how to make Sweet Summer Sauces. From 7-9pm, discover how to create Caramel three ways, a berry sauce, a peach melba, and a hot fudge sauce. Tickets are available online for $80 each. Read More
Breakfast Tailgate at El Segundo in South Norwalk July 28 Features Events Stephanie Webster July 18, 2017 Join 95.9 the FOX and First Thing Fairfield County with Ken Tuccio for the 95.9 the FOX First Thing Breakfast Tailgate Friday, July 28 at El Segundo in the Iron Works Building in SoNo. We broadcast live from 6am-10am and Tailgate 10am-1pm!This tailgate party celebrates the summer with amazing food, great beer, fun games and live music from Karma Darwin. And best of all its FREE! Read More
Mind Of A Caterer: A Festivities Farm Dinner (sponsored post) Features Catering Entertaining Events CTbites Team July 17, 2017 I had it all planned. My good friend, Jane Green, called and asked me and our team at Festivities to design and prepare a family style “Farm Dinner” celebrating the launch of her new book “The Sunshine Sisters.” As the name indicates, the book’s heroines are three sisters…one of them “Lizzie,” a chef. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of July 16-23 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 14, 2017 Milford Restaurant Week returns July 17-23. Restaurants like Plan b, Bin 100, Bridge House, Stonebridge, and Fratelli’s will offer prix fixe menus. Dinners will be $20.95 or $27.85 and in select restaurants a prix fixe lunch menu will be offered at $14.95. Meanwhile, Taste of Hartford will take place from July 17-30. Participating restaurants throughout the Greater Hartford area, like Capital Grille, Coyote Flaco, On20, and Ted’s Montana Grill, will offer special multi-course, price-fixed menus. Visit Bloodroot in Bridgeport for a special Ethiopian menu on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while supplies last. Read More
Chef Geoff Lazlo's Farm Egg Thin Crust Flat Bread Recipe Recipe Features Recipe Chef CTbites Team July 12, 2017 Chef Geoff Lazlo, of Mill Street Bar and Table in Greenwich has created this Farm Egg Thin Crust Flat Bread recipe as part of The Westport Farmers' Market recipe program. The farm egg flat bread was inspired by the beautiful eggs we raise at the Back 40 Farm in Washington, CT. It is essentially the pizza version of a bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, which is why it is perfect for brunch. View additional farmers' market inspired recipes here. Read More
Celebrate Bastille Day w/ Ávert Brasserie's Steamed Mussels Recipe & A Party Features Recipe Recipe French Stephanie Webster July 11, 2017 Ávert Brasserie in West Hartford is celebrating Bastille Day with a festival Abounding with French cuisine, musique, dance, and myriad attractions for the whole family. This farm fête populaire invites locals to revel in the flavors, sounds, and joie de vivre of France!If you would like to host your own Bastille Day party, here is their great recipe for Steamed Mussels with Mustard, Curry and Cream. Yum. Check it out below. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of July 10-17 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 10, 2017 On Tuesday July 11, Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market invites you to “An Evening in Provence Wine Dinner Featuring Domaines Bunan” at Martel Bistro & Bar. The $85 all inclusive meal includes five courses as well as hors d’oeuvres to start. Feast on Braised and Grilled Artichoke Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula, Halibut Filet with Tomato-Parmesan Crust, Seared Scallops, and more. July means corn! Join Chef Chris Torla of Trumbull Kitchen on July 14th as he translates the summer’s most beloved harvest into a feast inspired by the tastes of Spain. Chef Torla, who has cooked alongside Modern Latin all-star Chef Rick Bayless, will draw inspiration from both the cornfield and beyond. Enjoy a multitude of small plates as we pay homage to the golden goddess of the season.Tickets are $99 and all-inclusive except for Eventbrite fee. By purchasing this ticket, you are also making a donation to the CT Farmland Trust. Read More
Join CTbites for Happy Hour at Terrain's Garden Patio in Westport Features Events CTbites Invites CTbites Team July 08, 2017 Keep the summer party going with your hosts, CTbites and Terrain Garden Cafe, as we celebrate the warmth and beauty of the season on July 26th 5:30-7:30pm. Enjoy the most beautiful outdoor dining space in Fairfield County while sipping our signature Endless Summer cocktails along with a selection of wine and craft beers. Appetizers include: cheese/crudite spread, melon sprees prosciutto, shrimp ceviche bites and crispy chickpea and kale chips. 5:30-7:30 PM. $40 pp + tax. Bring friends, relax, sip, taste and enjoy. Tickets can be purchased here. Read More
Savannah Bee Company Opens in Downtown Westport's Bedford Square Features Ingredients Ingredients Specialty Market Westport Stephanie Webster July 07, 2017 Savannah Bee Company is bringing its Southern charm and hospitality to the Northeast, summer 2017. One of the leaders in all things Honeybee has just opened a boutique in Westport's Bedford Square.Savannah Bee Company is known for its premium artisanal honeys, honey-based health and beauty products, and mission to educate people about the wonders of the Honeybee and preserving the art of beekeeping. Read More
CT Hops for Hope Brewfest 2017 Features Beer Events Amy Kundrat July 06, 2017 Do good with great beer. TIckets are now on sale for Hops for Hope, a Connecticut brewfest to benefit the Smith Magenis Research Foundation. The event will take place on Saturday, September 2 in New Britain. Read More
