Friday Froth: Roadtrip To New England Brewing Company Features Beer CT Beer Beer Garden Brewery Woodbridge James Gribbon July 27, 2018 We're taking Friday Froth on the road this week, and making the trip to New England Brewing Company in Woodbridge. You can practically hit NEBCo from the Merritt Parkway if you had a t-shirt cannon or severely misjudged your speed upon taking exit 59. You should do this (not overcooking the exit, I mean - and standing on the highway firing large projectiles is probably some sort of Nanny State "offense," come to think of it), but you should nonetheless take the drive because the beer at the end is, as anyone living in the state for more than three weeks can attest, quite good. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of July 29- August 4 Features News Events Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 27, 2018 Bar Sugo will host a Mixology Class on Saturday August 4 at 12:30pm. Join veteran Mixologist Seth Hiravy as he guides you through the art of stirring, shaking, and straining your way to being a cocktail guru. The class is 1 1/2 hours long and includes snacks and, of course, cocktails. Limited availability, call or email to book your spot.Pieology Pizzeria, located at the Stamford Town Center, recently introduced Gardein Vegan Meats and Daiya Vegan Cheese as toppings. They are showcasing these new options at their Vegan Happy Hour on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 5-7pm.Mill Street Bar & Table presents a Back 40 Farm Harvest Dinner on Wednesday August 1. Back 40 Farmers Alexis and Enya will team up with Chef Ian to use farm fresh ingredients. The first seating takes place at 5:30pm and includes 3 courses for $65 and a second takes place at 8pm and includes 4 courses for $85. To reserve, emai hospitality@millstreetct.com. Read More
An Interview w/ Vinnie Penn, Author of "Route One Food Run" Interview Features Podcast Author CT Authors Ken Tuccio July 25, 2018 Vinnie Penn has been a Connecticut media staple for decades, but he's never been someone who you'd necessarily think about when it comes to the Connecticut food scene. Well, that's changing now. Vinnie's got a brand new book out called Route One Food Run where he travels up and down Route One to try the best places you can grab some grub. Ken Tuccio talks to Vinnie about how the book came to be, his love for the world of food and what he's learned during this process. Listen here. Read More
Chef Geoff Lazlo: At The James Beard House & Beyond Features Chef Chef Talk Lou Gorfain July 25, 2018 After 18 years of 80 hour weeks in the kitchen, Chef Geoff Lazlo needed a break. It’s what kids call “a gap year,” a sabbatical before taking on the next challenge in their lives. For Lazlo that time off would offer a chance to relax with his family, reassess his options, and realize his dreams. Let’s start there, with the first of his fantasies.Though he had worked with the likes of Alice Waters at Chez Panisse, Michael Anthony at Gramercy Tavern, Dan Barber at Stone Barns, and Bill Taibe at The Whelk, as well as running his own award-winning restaurant, the acclaimed Mill Street Bar and Table in Greenwich, Lazlo had always dreamed of cooking an elaborate feast at the James Beard House in New York City. Read More
Cocktail Naming Contest: Name This New MECHA Noodle Bar Drink + Win Big! Features Recipe Cocktails Stephanie Webster July 20, 2018 Game on! We're back with another cocktail naming contest. WIN a $50 gift certificate for MECHA Noodle Bar. Here's How...MECHA has a new summer sipper in need of a name. If your Cocktail name is selected, it will be featured on their new menu & you will receive a $50 gift certificate. Post YOUR name below. Good luck! Here are the ingredients: Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of July 22 - 29th Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson July 20, 2018 On Monday July 23, Bistro on Main in Manchester presents a 5-Course to honor the late Anthony Bourdain, a well-renowned chef, author, and travel expert in the food industry. The Guilford Mooring has launched a Monday Lobster Bake, offering customers a 1 ¼ pound lobster, red potatoes, Littleneck clams, mussels, peel-and-eat shrimp, and an ear of corn – all enjoyed from the restaurant’s waterfront location. Join Millwright’s in Simsbury for their 6th Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday July 25. The special 8 course tasting menu costs $95 per person, plus and tax and tip. As an anniversary special, you can also get a $10 gift card for every $50 gift card purchased.ARTISAN Restaurant, Tavern and Garden in West Hartford will reveal its private label of Rosé wine at an inaugural garden party on Thursday, July 26 from 5-7pm. Guests can enjoy Artisan Rosé wine, a craft cocktail, a 2-hour buffet, and a DJ for $25 per person.Millstone Farm’s Summer Soiree Dinners with Chef Geoff Lazlo continue of July 26. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6pm followed by dinner, both of which use fresh ingredients from the farm. The meal is family style and BYOB.Barcelona’s West Hartford location invites you to “A Seafood Dinner with Chef Tony” on Thursday July 26 from 6:30-9pm. The evening features a whole roasted swordfish collar, a raw bar, crispy tapas from the sea, and wine pairings. Tickets are $65. Read More
Food & Drink Podcast: An Interview with Letizia's Pizza in Norwalk Interview Features Interview Podcast Pizza Ken Tuccio July 19, 2018 In Connecticut when you think "pizza" a few places immediately come to mind, but Ken Tuccio has always championed Letizia's Pizza in Norwalk as the best pizza in Connecticut. Well, it seems like other people are jumping on the Letizia's train, because they just beat out "the big boys" and were crowned 2018 Best of the Gold Coast for pizza. Ken sits with Danny, Dennis and Dave from Letizia's to talk about their 20 years making pies in Norwalk, the struggles they faced as a business and what it means to finally be recognized as the best. Listen in here. Read More
Friday Froth: Bell's Brewery and Bees in CT Features Friday Froth Beer CT Beer Brewery James Gribbon July 13, 2018
Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro Closes Its Doors: New Biz On The Way! Features Openings New Haven Stephanie Webster July 13, 2018 Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro will have its last service on Saturday July 21st 2018. After 10+ years of an amazing run, I’ve made the decision to close Caseus to pursue other projects and most importantly devote more time to raising my three young children and of course seeing my wife every now and then. Over the last decade, Caseus has served New Haven with passion, love, and true thoughtfulness. For me, personally, I am ready to see something new take its place and thrive. The foundation of what Caseus has been and always will be the community, our community, that we serve, the people who work to make us so exceptional and the deep respect for the ingredients we use. A new business, which will be unveiled in the next few weeks, will be a collaboration between two long-time Caseus employees, Chefs Alex and Craig and myself, and will maintain those same foundations with a commitment to be the best possible business for our exceptional city. Read More
Food & Drink Podcast: Meet Watertown's Hawk Ridge Winery Features Podcast Ken Tuccio July 12, 2018 This week Ken Tuccio sits down with Vin Giannetto and Michele McHugh, two of the owners of Hawk Ridge Winery in Watertown. They tell their interesting story about how, with very little experience in wine making, they managed to turn their lot of land into one of the most gorgeous vineyards in the state. Have a listen here. Read More
Tarry Lodge Debuts "Aperitivo" Happy Hour Features Restaurant Happy Hour Pizza Westport Italian Wine Bar Andrew Dominick July 11, 2018 Happy hours are one of life’s greatest pleasures. Bad day? Have a reduced-price wine, beer, or cocktail to take the edge off. Even worse day? Have more than one. Hungry? Happy hours usually offer a handful of delectable bites to be had on the cheap as an accompaniment to your glass of booze. I’m obviously a fan of the whole idea of happy hours—and I’m betting you are too—so I’m always on the lookout for new ones in the area. That’s when I came across Tarry Lodge Westport’s brand new Aperetivo Hour.Introduced in May, Aperitivo Hour goes down Monday – Friday from 4 – 6 p.m. It features wine and cocktails for $10 each, and five snackable small plates for $5 per. Read More
Episode 8- Food & Drink Podcast - Lock City Brewing Features Interview Podcast Interview Ken Tuccio July 05, 2018 Lock City Brewing in Stamford is producing some of the best beer in the state, but what's their story? Read More
It's a Woman's World: Carissa Dellicicchi of The Stand Juice Company Features Interview Chef Talk Jeanne Muchnick July 03, 2018 Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us. Our series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.How'd they do it? Read on. This week, our focus turns to Carissa Dellicicchi, owner of The Stand Juice Company. Have a suggestion on someone you’d like to see featured? Email steph@ctbites.com. Read More
Strawberry-Rose Petal Ice Cream Recipe via Westport Farmers' Market Recipe Features Recipe ice cream CTbites Team June 28, 2018 'Tis the season we wait for all year...Strawberry season. Those sweet red beauties are ready to pick in CT and can be enjoyed at these local farms. If you can't pick-your-own, just head to your local farmers' market. One of our favorite markets, The Westport Farmers' Market, has shared this recipe for Strawberry-Rose Petal Ice Cream. Get shopping... Read More
Episode 7 - Food & Drink Podcast-Charter Oak Brewing (Scott Vallely) Features Podcast Interview Ken Tuccio June 28, 2018 For years Charter Oak Brewing has been trying to open up a physical brewery in Connecticut, but they've been met with roadblock after roadblock. They never quit though, and as a result they now have a gorgeous brewery in Danbury CT which is ready to pour beers for the public. Ken sits down with Scott Vallely, the founder of Charter Oak Brewing, to discuss the hurdles and challenges he faced to get to this point. Listen here Read More
Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield Welcomes New Executive Chef Zach Campion Features Chef Ridgefield CTbites Team June 27, 2018 Nearly 20 years ago, a neighborhood coffee shop was transformed into a charming New American restaurant. The concept was a simple one; a seasonal menu presented in a relaxed atmosphere; a concept that would grow with the town; and a restaurant where a chef’s creativity could shine. Owner Sal Bagliavio opened Bailey’s Backyard in October of 1999 and continues to make his culinary mark on the town of Ridgefield, CT.Today, this seasoned restaurateur is joined by Executive Chef Zach Campion, a Johnson & Whales alumn with kitchen cred that includes; Local 121 in Providence, RI whose concept was tagged as “locally harvested food and drink”; the ground-breaking Metro Bis in Simsbury, CT under the direction of Chef Christopher Prosperi; and continued to hone his craft in the kitchen of ON20 restaurant, a Hartford, CT culinary institution. Read More
Silvia Baldini & Alina Lawrence Launch "The Secret Ingredient Girls" Features Ingredients Online Store Local Artisan Stephanie Webster June 26, 2018 Silvia Baldini is a local CT chef, and a national expert and celebrity in the food and media industry. Alena Lawrence is of the few women Olive Oil experts in the US, and was the owner of Olivette, an award winning boutique and olive oil tasting room in CT. The two met several years ago and immediately discovered they shared the same passions: cooking, traveling and living a high-quality life to the fullest. Now, they have joined to create The Secret Ingredient Girls, a curated site that sells only ingredients that adhere to their discerning taste and expertise in the food industry. Read More
Episode 6 - Chef Bill Taibe: Kawa Ni / Jesup Hall / The Whelk Interview Features Podcast Interview Celebrity Chef Ken Tuccio June 21, 2018 Chef Bill Taibe's culinary reputation is nationally known. His restaurants in Westport (Kawa Ni, The Whelk and Jesup Hall) are destination dining locations. Chef Taibe is making some big changes to the way he does business however, and he sits down with Ken Tuccio to discuss exactly what those changes are and how he's dealing with them both professionally and personally. Listen here. Read More
Hey Stamford Food Festival is Back With Amazing Food Truck Lineup Features Festival Food Truck Stamford Stephanie Webster June 20, 2018 The Hey Stamford! Food Festival is back! The two-day, family oriented food festival will feature a full concert experience on the Minchin Buick GMC mainstage. Joining us is legendary rapper Tone Loc, “The Worlds Best Party Band” Party Rock, Country star, Dylan Scott and regional country favorites, Jump the Gunn to name just a few. The Blind Rhino Beer Garden will highlight the finest in regional and national breweries, the Fairfield County Bank Kids Zone will include a host of games and activities for the family. And it’s not a food festival without some amazing cuisine! Check out the amazing line-ups of food trucks and vendors... Read More
It's a Woman's World: Debra Ponzek, Aux Delices Foods Features Interview Chef Catering CTbites Team June 19, 2018 Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us. Our series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.How'd they do it? Read on. This week, our focus turns to Debra Ponzek, Chef/Owner of Aux Delices Foods. Have a suggestion on someone you’d like to see featured? Email steph@ctbites.com. Read More
