Ordinary Bar In New Haven Launches P.T. Barnum Big Top Pop-Up Menu & Cocktails Features New Haven Cocktails Pop-Up Bar Bar James Gribbon May 10, 2019
Marcia Selden Caters Vera Wang's Collection Launch (sponsored post) Features Catering Events CTbites Team May 08, 2019 For Marcia Selden Catering, a night of wedding magic with Vera Wang was the perfect way to kick off wedding season. Here’s how Selden’s team created a picture perfect menu in celebration of Vera Wang’s new Spring/Summer 2020 collection.The elegant décor and details were breath taking, arranged by PartySlate and YSD Events. As guests approached the entrance of the Weylin, known as the most exceptional event space in NYC, they were greeted by a quartet of violinists and a team of beautiful servers offering bubbly. Read More
55+ Restaurants for Mother’s Day in CT: 2019 Edition Features Events Brunch Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson May 05, 2019 Mother’s Day is Sunday May 12! Treat the special Moms in your life to brunches, special menus, and multi-course meals at Connecticut restaurants. Over 55 restaurants have festivities fit for a queen! Make her feel like one by making your reservation today.Los Charros Cantina, Centerbrook: Los Charros Cantina will serve Mother’s Day Brunch from 11am to 3pm. The Whelk, Westport: The Whelk will have Mother's Day festivities from 12-3:30pm on Sunday 5/12.Community Table, Preston: At Community Table, enjoy a special Prix Fixe brunch with mom this year from 12-3:30 pm. In the evening, treat her to an a la carte dinner from 4:30-8:30pm.The Hickories Farm: Chef Dan Sabia of Wood Fire Food cooks brunch with a three course most of which will be cooked over a live fire, including seasonal drinks, and a farm tour.Prime, Stamford: Enjoy brunch until 2PM, and then a special Mother’s Day dinner menu on the Stamford waterside. Read More
A Short History Of The Retro Cocktail: Post Prohibition Recipes Features Ingredients Cocktails Bar Education Mixology CTbites Team May 03, 2019 Bartenders, especially those involved in the “cocktail” world, understand the significant impact that Prohibition has had on the industries surrounding alcoholic beverages. Many consumers, however, are unaware of that impact. National Prohibition was rooted in political and religious belief systems, that sought to temper a vice, and legislate morality to a nation. Any time a product, that is in high consumer demand, is made illegal, a black market is created. Crime increases, violence increases, and eventually, the public demands action. It didn’t take long for the ridiculous idea to be repealed, and when Prohibition ended on December 5, 1933, the nation joined together in a collective sigh of relief, and a toast to better times ahead. Treatises have been written, documentaries have been filmed, and many a scholar has spoken about the nearly decade and a half that The United States of America suffered under the tyranny of Prohibition. What is sorely missing, however, is a definitive study of the decades following its repeal. And, maybe, that is because not much is ever said, outside of our small circle of bartenders, about what life in this industry was like before Prohibition was passed. Read More
Chef Profile: EP Experience Rocks The 18th Annual Flavors of Connecticut Features Events Fundraiser Chef Talk Kristin L. Wolfe May 02, 2019 Ok, slow down, Chef Kevin, you’ve got a lot on your plate….I mean that literally and figuratively. I had the pleasure of meeting Chef Kevin O’Neil of EP Experience Catering at the Flavors of Connecticut Gala at the Aqua Club in Southington last month for the American Liver Foundation. Chefs from all over the state come out for the foundation’s signature event and what an event it is. No one is paid, but everyone gives one hundred percent of their time, effort, and creativity for such a great cause. Chefs and their crew turn everything up a notch and create a special event for the guests that will be seated around their tables. It becomes a party within a party and each diner enters a world of the chef and crew’s creation. From a Ziggy Stardust theme table complete with smoke and music to a French Revolution scene decked out with a guillotine (!), many tapped the artist within and created a theatrical experience where in the food was the bonus. Others kept their space more classic with bursts of color from flowers and dishware or a built-on-the-premises rustic pergola. Either way, creative people came together for a tremendous show of that artistic flare and amazing food, for a great cause. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For May 5-12 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson May 01, 2019 CLASP Homes of Westport hosts its 15th Annual Taste of Westport on Thursday, May 9 at The Westport Inn from 6-9:30pm. Taste specialties from more than 20 of this area’s finest restaurants, including Artisan Restaurant, The Spread, Harvest Wine Bar, Bobby Q’s Cue & Co., Amis Trattoria, Pearl at Longshore. There will be drinks, dessert, and entertainment as well. Tickets are $100 with the VIP Party, $75 for general admission, and $85 GA at the door. Visit www.tasteofwestport.com to purchase, or phone 203-226-7895, ext. 144.Ordinary is celebrating its six-year anniversary with a series of new initiatives officially kicking off on Wednesday, May 8. Ordinary will be transformed into the “Greatest Show on Earth” with Circus themed décor, food specials, and drink specials. On Thursday, May 9 at 7pm, Brick Walk Tavern in Fairfield hosts Belle Pente Vineyard and Winery. The five course meal costs $95 pp (all inclusive). Read More
Where To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In Connecticut 2019 Features Cinco de Mayo Events Holiday Bar Mexican Homepage Stephanie Webster April 27, 2019 On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Carson + Spencer is hosting the SONO Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl! You'll have the chance to hop from bar to bar in South Norwalk in one fun-filled evening. Tickets start at $20. Mezon in Danbury is throwing the biggest party of the year in honor of Cinco! Cocktail competition. Live DJ. Drink specials + delicious food featuring the @eatjustice food truck. Sunday May 5th. Doors open at 7.Ordinary New Haven will be offering an $8 Margarita Special in honor of Cinco de Mayo on Friday May 3 and Saturday May 4 (the bar is closed on Sundays). The drink special includes Hacienda Blanco Tequila, Blood Orange Shrub, Citrus and Dehydrated Grapefruit Salt.Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Bartaco Portchester! From 3:30-6pm, listen to live music by Rick Reyes & The Pasofino Social Club. From 6:30-9pm Tangled Vine will take the set. The night concludes with DJ Teofilis. The Acoustic Café welcomes the Cosmic Jibaros for their Cinco de Mayo celebration.Evarito's is celebrating Cinco de Mayo all weekend long! Visit them for happy hour on Friday and then enjoy $7 Margaritas and food specials on Saturday & Sunday. Their Saturday Night party will feature DJ Mercado and Sunday they’ll have Latin Band Quimbombó from NYC. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for Week of April 28- May 5 Features Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 27, 2019 Stamford’s Beer Garden at Shippan Landing will be open for the season on May 2!Walrus + Carpenter will hold a Crash Course in Agave on Thursday May 2 at 6pm. Come learn about the history of agave distillation followed by a performance at 8:30pm from Connecticut's own Symphonic Bodega! $35 per person includes two flights of tequila and mezcal, custom cocktails, and small plates. Secure your spot by calling 203-333-2733.The 2019 Passport To Connecticut Farm Wineries will begin on Friday, May 3, 2019. Stay tuned for announcements regarding the participating wineries, prizes and more in the upcoming weeks.Join ‘Chopped’ Champion and Co-Founder of The Secret Ingredient Girls, Chef Silvia Baldini at Stamford Nature Center & Museum’s gorgeous new event space, to boost your kitchen skills while building a repertoire of vibrant meals. Learn how to organize, prepare and present superbly-nuanced dishes using nutritionally-dense seasonal ingredients. This 6 weeks series starts April 29. Sign up here. On Sunday April 28th, El Segundo will be hosting a Remission Celebration with proceeds to assist in the fight against breast cancer! Pink cocktails and drink specials Read More
Chef Christian Petroni Live on CTbites Hot Dish Podcast Features Podcast Celebrity Chef Food Network Stephanie Webster April 24, 2019 Beb! It’s the CTbites’ Hot Dish Podcast Episode you’ve all been waiting for. This week we sit down with Next Food Network Star, Chef Christian Petroni…oh yeah…he also owns Fortina Pizza (all 5 locations). Petroni gabs about his summers in Italy, growing up in the Bronx, how he “learned” to cook, and the epic importance of cheesy garlic bread. Join us chez Webster, and have a listen here. Read More
8 Connecticut Brewfests for Spring/Summer 2019 Features Beer CT Beer Festival Events James Gribbon April 24, 2019 Flowers aren't the only things to start popping up this spring, as brewfest season follows the sun into outdoor spaces all over Connecticut. Below is a short list of several notable events from around the state, from the eastern shore, all the way down into lower Fairfield County. Take a look, and start planning early. Black Hog Suds & Curds On Saturday, April 27th, the owners of Black Hog Brewing and Caseus bring 10 of the finest cheese makers in New England, plus 18 breweries, to their location at 115 Hurley Rd. in Oxford. Tickets include a glass and sample pours throughout the day, plus cheese samples and beer and cheese to-go.Brewfest At The BeachOcean Beach Park in New London is the setting for the 2019 Brewfest At The Beach, featuring over 150 beers on tap, live music, "brew friendly food," and a wine tasting all included with the price of admission. The brews and views are available to you after work from 6-9pm on Friday, May 10th, and proceeds benefit Camp Rotary. Read More
SONO 1420, Small Batch Distillery Featuring Hemp Distilled Spirits, Opens in South Norwalk Features Ingredients Openings South Norwalk SONO Distillery Cocktails Spirits Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe April 20, 2019 It was a vote of 14 to 20.One hundred years ago in 1919 Connecticut State Senate couldn’t ratify the 18th Amendment which made Connecticut one of two states at the time to defeat prohibition. It was a real moment in history, and now a real moment for SONO 1420, the revolutionary new distillery making waves in the world of spirits. As far as everyone knows, they are THE only distillery around using hemp seed in its remarkable mash for whiskey as well as other parts of the plant for its flavorful and aromatic essence in gins, bourbons, and ryes. Read More
Nibble: Delicious CT Food Events for Week of April 22-29 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 19, 2019 Spiga Restaurant Group is hosting its own “Spiga Restaurant Group Week” from April 22-25. They are celebrating spring with a 4-day restaurant week event featuring 3-course lunch and dinner prix fixe menus. The Spiga family includes Molto in Fairfield, Spiga in New Canaan & Lugano’s in Greenwich. Lunch $20.19, Dinner $30.19.On Tuesday April 23, Union Kitchen presents a 4 course dinner featuring WhistlePig Rye Whiskey. Tickets are $80.00 per person plus tax and gratuity and may be purchased online at UnionKitchen-ct.com/Events.Pearl at Longshore Restaurant and Bar is excited to announce Gatsby’s Return 2019. This year’s event will be on Saturday, April 27 at 7pm. It will be a special evening of music, fashion, dancing, food and drink that captures the essence of the roaring 20’s for the Westport and Fairfield County citizens to share and enjoy. Westport Historical Society and Harbor Watch will be the event’s fundraising beneficiaries. On Thursday April 25, Thimble Island Brewing and Calabro Cheese are teaming up to give you a night filled with delicious beer paired with artisan cheese selections, all locally made in Connecticut. Five varieties of beer and cheese will be sampled along with pairing tips from our experts. Read More
Fairfield Cheese Company Celebrates its 10-Year Anniversary w/ A Cheesefest! Features Events Cheese Stephanie Webster April 18, 2019 Laura Downey and Chris Palumbo, co-owners of the popular Fairfield and Greenwich Cheese Company shops, reflect upon their 10-year journey in the cheese biz, their accomplishments, and how far consumers have come in their appreciation for delectable fromage. They will also be celebrating with some great cheese-centric classes in early May. Check ‘em out here. Read More
Hartford Flavor Company: Uniquely Delicious Botanical Liqueurs Features Ingredients Liqueur Cocktails Ingredients Hartford Specialty Market Kristin L. Wolfe April 17, 2019 It’s herbal, it’s floral, it’s natural, Oh MY. It’s botanical liqueur.Walking into Hartford Flavor Company is like walking into a place where all’s right with the world: it’s owned and operated by a smart woman, everything is natural, and it is as beautiful as a field of flowers should be. Or, it’s like a laboratory-meets day spa-meets fully-stocked bar. Take your pick.Anyway, I think you are getting my point. It is downright lovely and essential and all you think while touring around and talking to owner Lelaneia Dubay is, where have you been all my life? Read More
BD Provisions: Gourmet Bulk Food Shopping That’s Really "Out of the Box" Features Ingredients Shopping Specialty Market Grocery Store Newtown Ingredients Coffee Jessica Ryan April 16, 2019 Bulk shopping isn’t exactly a new concept – we’ve been filling the trunks of our cars and SUVs with oversized products from those mammoth box stores for years. But bulk shopping that’s zero waste is something we don’t often see. BD Provisions, in Newtown, takes this familiar concept and gives it a breath of fresh air with a new, environmentally friendly spin. Less is more, especially here. Less waste means more product which means greater savings and more fun, but you really need to head over to experience it yourself. At BD Provisions you’ll find 270 carefully curated products sold by the pound in massive sustainable containers. Products range from dehydrated and powdered superfoods. You won’t want to pass by the creative, flavored rice, quinoa and soup blends that will enhance any weeknight dinner. Of course there are plenty of healthy snack options from the most beautifully colored wasabi coated soybeans, beautiful and delicious dried, crunchy beets, spicy chick peas, a wide selection of nuts both raw and flavored. Gorgeous beans and pastas. Beautiful aromatic spices, a generous selection of the most beautiful tea blends. Read More
50+ Restaurants & Events for Easter in CT 2019 Features Holiday Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 14, 2019 Easter in Sunday April 21 and Connecticut restaurants are celebrating with prix fixe menus, spring inspired entrees, brunch buffets, and traditional dinners. If you’re planning to eat out and haven’t made a reservation yet, you’ll want to hop to it… these meals fill up quickly! Here are 50+ restaurants with Easter specials so you can dine out with some-bunny special.Community Table, Washington: Chef Paul Pearson has created a special Easter menu to celebrate the holiday and the beginning of spring at Community Table in Washington. Join them on Sunday April 21.Artisan, Fairfield & Hartford: On Easter Sunday, Artisan, with locations in Southport and Hartford, will serve a 3 course meal for $65 per person. Reservations are required and can be made at artisansouthport.com.Millwright’s, Simsbury: Millwrights will offer a 3 course Easter Brunch Prix Fixe meal, which will cost $59 for adults $29 for children under 12. Entrees include Lobster Cake Benedict, Ham, Spring Lamb, Gnocchi, and more.Hub and Spoke, Bridgeport: On Saturday April 20, Hub & Spoke hosts Easter breakfast with the Easter Bunny! This special event lasts from 9am-12pm. Read More
Smokin' Hops Brewfest by Bears Restaurant Group April 20th Features Festival CT Beer Stephanie Webster April 13, 2019 On April 20, visit Hartford for the Smokin' Hops Brewfest 2019, presented by Bear’s Restaurant Group . A ticket includes a Smokin’ Hops Brewfest Commemorative Tasting glass, tasting of 40+ beers from 12 local breweries, tasting of an exclusive small batch beer brewed for the festival by Alvarium Beer Co., and live music by Hartford’s own, Boo-Yah. Buy tickets here. The event benefits Knox, Inc, a community-building organization that plants 500- 1,000 trees each year, maintains 20 community gardens, supports 6 urban farmers, trains young adults in landscaping, provides environmental education, and beautifies Hartford’s parks and green spaces. Read More
Ratatouille & Co. Caterers Provides Skill Sets & Menu of Opportunity For Immigrant Women Features Catering Entertaining CTbites Team April 12, 2019 Orchestrating stylish and sophisticated catered events throughout Fairfield County and New York that incorporate great food and thoughtful service is what has earned Ratatouille & Co. Catering their great reputation. The mission of this innovative catering company, however, goes beyond canapes and silver trays. Ratatouille and Company use the power of the culinary arts and the hospitality industry to empower women to learn a skill set they can use on their road to independence and success. Read More
Mystic Market Opens in Westport w/ Gourmet, Ready To Go Prepared Meals Features Specialty Market Westport To-Go Take Out Prepared Food Homepage Jessica Ryan April 09, 2019 With successful locations in Old Saybrook, Mystic and Noank, Mystic Market traveled down the coast to Fairfield County and recently opened its doors in Westport on Charles Street, not too far from the train station. The spacious interior features reclaimed lumber, steel and white subway tile which give it an airy, modern urban vibe. The eatery specializes in gourmet, ready to go pre-prepared meals all which are made in-house. For those preferring not to eat on the road, a generously sized café space offers a welcoming environment to for friends to meet up for a cup of coffee and a delicious, warm, freshly baked sweet treat. Read More
Nibble: Delicious & Boozy CT Food Events for April 7-14 Features Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson April 07, 2019 Join Chopped Champion and Co-Founder of The Secret Ingredient Girls, Silvia Baldini, on April 10 at The Perfect Provenance to invigorate your meals in this 3 part course. Boost your kitchen skills and gain an instant repertoire of wholesome, fresh and delicious back to basics meals that are perfect for family and weekend. At Copps Island Oysters, learn how to shuck an oyster from the masters themselves! You'll learn about shucking safety, different knives to use, oyster anatomy, shucking techniques, pea crabs, and some delicious easy recipes. Join them on Saturdays from 2-4pm. Stew Leonard’s in Danbury hosts its 16th Annual Egg-Stravaganza on April 11. Children will be given a map of Stew Leonard’s and a bag to collect eggs. Stew Leonard’s famous costumed characters – including Clover the Cow, Cynthia Chick, and Daphne Duck – will be available to take pictures with children at the end of the Egg Hunt. Two lucky children will win the Egg Hunt’s grand prizes: a $50 gift card to the LEGO Store or a $50 gift card to Pottery Factory. Read More
