Filtering by Category: Features

Chef Tyler Anderson of Millwright’s Competes on Bravo's Top Chef Airing Dec 7th

Features Celebrity Chef Chef Talk

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Eleven years ago, I got hooked on Top Chef while… ironically… working out at the gym.  I don’t think the other gym-goers appreciated the decadent food visuals- I got a lot of side-eye- but I was mesmerized by the lightning fast pace of the challenges and the  culinary problem-solving.  That initial encounter blossomed into full blown fandom; I’ve interviewed chef-testants and dined at their restaurants.  It’s crazy to think that the latest installation marks the show’s FIFTEENTH season- and that one of Connecticut’s own chefs will be one of fifteen to compete for the coveted title.  Chef Tyler Anderson of Millwright’s in Simsbury will vie for Top Chef when the series debuts on December 7!

“One of the main reasons I went on was to represent the state of CT,” Anderson said.  “There are some Chefs, Restaurateurs and Artisans doing some amazing things in this state, I wanted to try and raise that awareness.”


Two Stamford Chefs Compete on Same Episode of Food Network’s, “Chopped”

Features Celebrity Chef Chef Talk

Hey Stamford!

vThis just in from Hey Stamford!

Over the last several years, we’ve shared news with you about a handful of local chefs and restaurateurs who have competed on the Food Network’s competition show, “Chopped“.

Most notable have been Christian Petroni, Chef & co-owner of Fortina, who appeared as both a contestant and a judge.  Adam Greenberg, who was with Fortina when he first competed (and has since made his way to DC) competed on the show multiple times (coincidentally appearing again on December 5th).  And of course, there’s Aaron Sanchez,  a constant fixture on both “Chopped” and other Food Network shows.  You may recall Sanchez owned and operated Paloma in Harbor Point which has since closed their doors. On top of that, there’s also been a handful of local kids on the junior version of the show.

So that’s all pretty cool! But as far as I am aware, we’ve yet to see multiple Stamford chefs compete on the same show….. UNTIL NOW!

On December 7th, Stamford’s own, Steve Costanzo, owner & chef at Olio and Chef Jean J, chef & co-owner at Soul Tasty will put their culinary skills to the test on the SAME SHOW!


Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of December 3-10

Features EVENT News Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Caseus Fromagerie Bistro, located in New Haven, will hold a “Porters and Stouts Beer and Cheese Pairing Class” on Monday Dece,ber 4 from 6-7:30pm.  They’ll pair delicious dark brews with cheeses from their fromagerie.   Tickets are available online and costs approximately $45. 

On Tuesday December 5, Baldanza Café in New Canaan will team up with South Avenue Butcher for another Baldanza Butcher Dinner.  There are two seatings: 5:30pm and 7:30pm.  Tickets are $100 (which includes tax and gratuity) and can be purchased by calling 203-966-4000.

Bareburger’s Ridgefield location now offers delivery!  Place your orders here. 

On Thursday December 7, Kosher Like Me food blogger Liz Rueven will present an interactive cooking class focusing on Chanukah latkes (potato pancakes). Students will prepare a classic recipe in addition to learning how to make seasonal variations and fruit sauces to top them with.  Feel free to BYOB. 

Soul Tasty in Stamford's Chef, Jean J will be featured on the TV show CHOPPED! They are having a viewing party Thursday, Dec. 7 at Acuario Restaurant (78 W. Park Place Stamford,CT) from 7:30-10:30pm (episode airs at 9pm). Head on over!


50 CT Restaurants and Venues for Holiday Parties 2017

Features Restaurant Best of CT Holiday Catering Events Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

At exactly 12pm on Thursday November 23, Santa Claus concluded the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and officially ushered in the holiday season!  For those looking to throw the ultimate holiday bash, popular Connecticut restaurants and venues can provide fantastic backdrops for the festivities.  These places have party spaces and packages that are perfect for your soirees!

  1. Schoolhouse at Cannondale, Wilton: The Schoolhouse in Wilton can help you throw a holiday cocktail party starting at $45 per person. Offerings include Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, Mini Baked Brie, Beef Tenderloin Canape, and more.
  2. Brasitas, Norwalk: Brasitas in Norwalk and Stamford both have private rooms.
  3. Two Roads, Stratford: Two Roads Brewery in Stratford has a private events room that holds 75 seated or 160 standing. You can also schedule private tours for groups larger than 10 and smaller than 20.
  4. Heirloom, New Haven: At Heirloom in New Haven, use their private dining room or The Study at Yale, their penthouse space.
  5. Roger Sherman Inn, New Canaan: The Roger Sherman in has a number of rooms of all different sizes for your private holiday party: The Blue Room (14), the Terrace Room (80), the Hunt Room (30), the Ivy Room (30), the Garden Room (70), the WineRoom (36), and the Porch (70). Reception style can accommodate between 20-200 guests.less

Miracle Pop-Up Holiday Bar Opens in Waterbury CT

Features Pop-Up Dinner Cocktails Norwalk Waterbury

Stephanie Webster

Miracle, the beloved Christmas pop-up bar launched in 2014 in New York City, will continue spreading holiday cheer this year with over 50 locations around the world. Launching the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 24, Miracle locations throughout the United States and beyond will offer seasonally-themed cocktails in a festive setting through Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24. In our fair state of Connecticut you can find the pop up in Waterbury, CT: Miracle at Highland Brass Co. 


Spigot Beer Opens in Norwalk, Pouring A Unique Beer List

Restaurant Features CT Beer Beer Brewery Specialty Market Norwalk SONO Homepage

Andrew Dominick

There’s no shortage of good quality craft beer flowing from the taps of multiple bars and restaurants in South Norwalk. On the flipside, Washington Street has seen a few brewpubs bomb. Now there’s a new beer bar on the block, and before you scoff, and say to yourself, “Really? Another one?” let us tell you what’s different about Spigot Beer.

The first thing you’ll notice is it’s in SoNo, but just slightly out of reach of the main drag. Then you must find it. At least four people saw a photo I posted, some who live on the same street, and still had no idea where Spigot is located. It’s across from the post office and Klaff’s, at the very end of the strip of stores that houses Nagoya, right before the Webster Lot entrance near the front of the 50 Washington Street building. You’re welcome. 


Bow Tie Cinemas Now Features Food, Drinks & A Stylish Renovation

Features Norwalk Food Movies Westport Trumbull Homepage

Andrew Dominick

If you’ve walked into either one of the Bow Tie Cinemas in Norwalk lately, you and I likely had the same reaction. I froze for multiple seconds. I’m certain my “wow” face was visible, mouth hitting the ground cartoon-style and all. I marveled at the renovations at the SoNo Ultimate Regent 8, the movie theater I grew up going to since it opened, and now it’s unrecognizable in the best way possible. 

Gone are the packed-in, partially broken seats, that have been replaced by padded, comfier electric recliners so you can put your feet up, kick back, and zone-out during a film. As a frequent moviegoer, that’s awesome, but this is a food site. I’m here to dish about the revamped concession stand that you’ll not only see in the South Norwalk Bow Tie, but also at the Ultimate Royal 6 on Westport Avenue, and soon at the Trumbull Marquis 6 with construction slated for early November. 

The upgraded concession area includes a full bar, with menus put in place by local restauranteur Greer Fredericks (Mama’s Boy, Peaches), who consulted on the project with assistance from Thomas Siano, who runs the bar program at her current restaurant.


Brown Dog Fancy Organic Ketchups and Mustards: Killer Condiments! (sponsored post)

Features Ingredients Ingredients Specialty Market Local Artisan Homepage

CTbites Team

When Connecticut food adventurer Kyle Rothschild can’t find an ingredient he likes, he makes his own. That led him to his latest venture: Brown Dog Fancy, a line of organic ketchups and mustards that shake up traditional notions of what makes a great-tasting condiment and marinade

Timing is everything in a kitchen, and Brown Dog Fancy’s arrival to the local food scene couldn’t be better.  Cooks, and the people who eat their food, have demanded organic, high-quality, and ethically sourced poultry, meat, and fish for years. Yet, far less attention has been paid to the condiments that accompany them.

“We spend so much time buying responsible and sustainable main ingredients, but then we marinate or top them with condiments that are full of fillers and words I cannot begin to try and pronounce. I want to know what’s in my food, and I think other people do, too,” says Kyle, who began making condiments for weekly beach barbeques that he and his wife, Sarah, hosted for friends near their Stamford, CT, starter home.


Sweet Maple Mustard Roast Pork Tenderloin Recipe via Local Food Rocks

Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Bloggers Thanksgiving

CTbites Team

This tangy yet sweet maple mustard roast pork tenderloin recipe brings together seasonal flavors in an easy-to-make-meal, perfect for a Sunday family dinner (or holiday entrée).

This Sunday pork roast idea came about thanks to Avon Prime Meats in Avon, CT. This local market packs a lot into it's 4,500 square feet. Front and center is their meat counter. They sell only Prime (highest grade of beef) or Premium Choice meats.

Many of the meats they carry are traceable to the farm of origin. They also work with local farms offering local, grass fed and all natural meats as well. Sepe Farms, Blue Slope Farms, and Cream Hill Farm are among their local farm partners.


Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of November 19-26

Features EVENT

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Every Friday and Saturday from 10am-2pm, the new GrayBarns on the Silvermine River hosts a pop up market featuring the incredible local baker, Flour Water Salt Bread. 

Then on Sunday November 26, Washington Prime will have a Homecoming Family Brunch Buffet.  Join them for one of 3 different seating times: 11AM, 12:30PM, and 2PM.  The price per person is $34.95 per person and includes a complimentary bloody mary, mimosa, or bellini. Children are $19.95 and tots under 4 are free. 

Diners can help feed the hungry while eating at their favorite local restaurants. CTbites is pleased to have joined forces with  Food Rescue US to launch Hunger Bites, a program allowing restaurants and diners to join together in the fight against hunger. If you see the Hunger Bites logo at your local restaurant, please consider donating $1 on your guest check, $1 = 20 fresh, nutritious meals to people in need in your community.  Participating restaurants include: The Cottage in Westport,Whelk Jesup Kawa NiMatch RestaurantCask Republic South Norwalk,Mill Street Bar & TableTaproot RestaurantThe Stand Juice Company,Match Burger LobsterNom-eez Winfield Street Coffee & Deli Tarry Lodge The Spread & The Ginger Man Greenwich

Prime: An American Kitchen and Bar in Stamford’s Harbor Point now offers a “Power Lunch.”  When you order the two-course $24 price fixed lunch, they guarantee you’ll be in and out in 35 minutes from when your order is taken.  Prime is open for lunch from 12:00pm - 3:00pm, Monday through Saturday.


Hunger Bites: Diners Eat Out To End Hunger

Features Fundraiser

Stephanie Webster

Starting November 15th, diners can help feed the hungry while eating at their favorite local restaurants. CTbites is pleased to have joined forces with  Food Rescue US to launch Hunger Bites, a program allowing restaurants and diners to join together in the fight against hunger. If you see the Hunger Bites logo at your local restaurant, please consider donating $1 on your guest check, By giving just $1 today on your bill you'll provide 20 fresh, nutritious meals to people in need in your community.

Participating restaurants include: Bartaco, Barcelona, The Cottage in Westport,Whelk Jesup Kawa NiMatch RestaurantCask Republic South Norwalk,Mill Street Bar & TableTaproot RestaurantThe Stand Juice Company,Match Burger LobsterNom-eez Winfield Street Coffee & Deli Tarry Lodge The Spread & The Ginger Man Greenwich


Nibble: CT Food Events For November 13 - 21

Features Events

Stephanie Webster

CA based "make-your-own" pizza venue, Pieology Pizzeria, opens November 17th in Stamford with a FREE PIZZA party. Think pizza, music, games, and fun - on the House.

Every Thursday, Kawa Ni presents a reverse “Happy Endings” happy hour from 9:30-10:30pm.  There will be food and drink specials, as well as sake bombs.

Hartford's Taste of the Nation® for No Kid Hungry will bring together award-winning chefs and mixologists from the region on Monday November 13. The evening will include cocktail and dessert receptions and a multi-course seated dinner prepared by New England’s best chefs.  Space is limited; advance ticket purchases are required.

On Tuesday November 14, the Fairfield location of the Fairfield Greenwich Cheese Company presents “Gruyère Past and Present: A Deep Dive with Glenn Hills of Columbia Cheese.”  Join them for a discussion on the history, craft and commerce of Gruyere, and of course sample it with a nicely paired wine from the region!  It is $50 per person and lasts from 7-9pm. 

Hog River Brewing Co., based in Hartford, will start hosting local chefs in their tap room.  They will begin the winter season on November 14 with Brasato Italian Street Eats.  They will serve a 5-course Italian menu paired with five of our beers, including some first time releases.  Tickets are $55 per person, plus tax and an 18% gratuity. 


"The Impossible Burger" Now Available at all CT Bareburger Locations

Restaurant Features Stamford Ridgefield Lunch Vegan Vegetarian Special Dietary Needs Homepage Burgers

Andrew Dominick

Elk, beef, duck, bison, lamb and turkey are just some of the proteins used in burgers at Bareburger. The microchain makes sure their burgers are more than just meat-based, and keep vegetarians and vegans in mind with offerings that already include the Farmstead, made from sweet potatoes and wild rice, and the Guadalupe, a black bean and roasted corn burger. Recently, Bareburger has slowly started to roll out another all-natural vegan burger that supposedly tastes close to, or like beef.

Created by Impossible Foods and CEO/founder/scientist Pat Brown, and appropriately named The Impossible Burger, this meatless option is solely made from plants. It’s made up of wheat and potato proteins for a familiar beef burger-like texture, vitamins, amino acids, sugars, and uses konjac (from Japanese yams) and xanthan (made by fermentation) as binders for the patty. It also uses a molecule called heme, which carries oxygen in our blood. Heme is in every living thing, plants included, and makes our blood red. Since red meat contains large amounts of heme, The Impossible Burger uses heme made from fermentation, and gives it a meatier taste than most vegan or veggie burgers on the market. It uses two fats, coconut oil and soybeans to give it that much needed sizzle effect when it hits the grill.  


Nibble: CT Food Events For Week Of November 5-12th

Features Events

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Tavern on Main's "RAUS in the HAUS" with Donny Raus will take place Friday November 10 from 6:30 pm until closing.  Donny will make coffee cocktails using his signature Cold Roman blend while the kitchen will whip  up several dishes using RAUS coffee. 

Brasitas in Norwalk will have a Tequila Tasting Dinner on Wednesday, November 8 at 7pm.  Four courses will be paired with tequila-based cocktails.  The event costs $65, plus tax and tip. 

On Thursday November 9, Kawa Ni will host a Japanese Whisky Dinner.  The evening will include 6 courses paired with 6 complementary whiskies.  It begins at 6:30pm and costs $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

The Westport Farmers’ Market and Fleishers Craft Butchery have joined to sponsor the film, Unbroken Ground: Revolutions Start from the Bottom, at the Fairfield Theater Company on Monday November 6. 


Donut Crazy Launches the “Cruffin” Croissant-Muffin Hybrid

Ingredients Features Bakery Dessert Kid Friendly Breakfast Doughnuts New Haven Shelton Westport Bridgeport Homepage

Stephanie Webster

Donut Crazy, a local, family-owned eatery specializing in unique donut flavors (lovingly called Dailies & Crazies), announced a tasty new menu item called the “Cruffin.” The croissant-muffin crossover is the company’s way of celebrating the first sugar-filled year of its New Haven location near Yale University. The “Cruffin” will be available at all Donut Crazy locations for $4.25, starting on Friday November 3, weekends only and while supplies last. 

The “Cruffin” has quickly become the food world’s newest bakery obsession, much like the “Cronut” before it. The buttery, flaky pastry is shaped like a muffin and filled with different flavors. Donut Crazy plans to offer coconut, dulce de leche, chocolate mousse, and pumpkin. More exciting flavors to come!


Stew Leonard’s Delivered To Your Door with Instacart

Features Ingredients Home Delivery Delivery Service

Stephanie Webster

Family owned and operated Stew Leonard’s today announced Stew’s Fresh Delivery Powered by Instacart, the technology-driven, nationwide on-demand grocery delivery service.  Starting Wednesday, November 1, 2017, same-day grocery delivery service will be available to 365,000 households within a 20-30 minute drive of Stew Leonard’s farm fresh food stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn. as well as in Yonkers, Farmingdale, and East Meadow, N.Y.

Customers who sign up for Stew’s Fresh Delivery by February 1, 2018 using code stewsexpress will have free delivery on orders over $35 for up to a year.    


Beekman Boys Dinner at Terrain: All Hail the Beet Tops!

Features Events Cookbooks

April Guilbault

If there is one word that factors prominently in the Beekman Boys’ lexicon, it is community-knowing and growing with one’s neighbors. To gather around tables together. To support each other’s endeavors or to get to know each other more. Hell, it’s to experience this thing called life. Together.

Although one recent October evening was warmer than usual, the balmy temps only added to the convivial gathering at Terrain in Westport. It was a celebratory gathering to mark the new cookbook by Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, founders of Beekman 1802 lifestyle company. This book, their sixth, sends out the call to “Have a seat!” and enjoy an assortment of dishes that they have created along with their Sicilian neighbor, Rose Marie Trapani. A sampling of these dishes was highlighted this evening. 


Southern Connecticut Wine Company Invites You To Make Your Own Wine

Features Ingredients Education Cooking Classes WIne Wine Tasting Vineyard Wallingford

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

In 2016, Forbes Magazine claimed to have discovered the “secret to happiness.”  “Spend money on experiences, not things,” they told their readers.  CNN took it one step further.  “That's in part because the initial joy of acquiring a new object, such as a new car, fades over time as people become accustomed to seeing it every day…,” they reported.  “Experiences, on the other hand, continue to provide happiness through memories long after the event occurred.”

Those looking to invest in a meaningful experience can find a solution tucked away in Wallingford, just off the highway, but hidden from view.  Southern Connecticut Wine Company, located in an unassuming garage-like building behind the railroad tracks, affords people the unique opportunity to create their own wine over the course of a season.  I had the chance to be an honorary co-op member for the day and witness a little bit of what they have to offer.


Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of October 29-November 5

Features Events

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Tickets are now on sale for a “Hip-Pop Up Dinner” at The Stand in Fairfield.  Chef Jeff Taibe will present vegan dishes on November 15 from 7-9pm.  Don’t forget to BYOB! 

On Monday October 30, Mecha’s South Norwalk locations will host its first ever Sake Dinner! Chef Brian Reilly has created a meal to complement premium, hard-to-find, sakes.  Monica Samuels, the sake arbiter of Vine Connections, will be on hand to educate guests. Reservations are required and seating is limited.  There are two seatings: 5:30pm and 8:30pm.    To make your reservation, call Mecha Noodle Bar at 203-295-8718

Bobby Q’s Cue & Co now serves Happy Hour from 4-7pm Monday-Friday. Join them in the bar for $2 off wine, beer,bourbon, and cocktails; $1 off apps and flatbreads; 50 cent wings (minimum of 6); $3 pulled pork sliders; and $10 pork belly cracklings.