100+ CT Restaurants & Venues for The Perfect Holiday Party: 2019 Edition Features Entertaining Catering Private Party Holiday Parties Best of CT Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 01, 2019 As the temperatures drop and November gives way to December, it’s time to get ready to celebrate the holidays! Call up your friends and family, pick out a festive outfit, and find the perfect place to throw your seasonal bash. These 100+ restaurants and venues across CT have private and semi-private spaces for intimate affairs, company parties, enormous shindigs, sit-down meals, cocktail hours, and more. After all, they don’t call it “the most wonderful time of the year” for nothing! Read More
Stamford's Winter Wonderland Market & Beer Garden Opens Dec. 6th Features Beer Beer Dinner CT Beer Pop-Up Bar Stamford CTbites Team November 30, 2019 Half Full Brewery and Mill River Park Collaborative announced today the return of Winter Wonderland Market & Beer Garden to Stamford, Conn.’s Mill River Park. The Winter Wonderland is intended to celebrate and unite local residents and professionals through a diverse and expanded slate of programming, which will run from Friday, Dec. 6 through Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Read More
CTbites 2019 Holiday Gift Guide For CT Food Lovers Features Gift Guide Holiday Local Artisan Homepage April Guilbault November 24, 2019 We’re back with some soon-to-be-loved holiday gifts! From hostess gifts to a Big Kahuna gift (get your passport ready!), we’ve uncovered an array of goodies that you will be excited to give and others will be thrilled to receive. With your beloved foodies in mind, bestow these gems in the spirit of love and good eats-made even better knowing that they all originate in our fair Nutmeg State. See, even the name of our state is food-centric. We love to support local and small businesses and hopefully, this list will encourage you to check out these favorite new finds. Happy Holidays everyone, eat well, gift well! …and if shopping stresses you out too much, go get some Oops, I Ate My…..you’ll see (wink!). Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for November 24- December 1 Events Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 22, 2019 Chef Emily Mingrone’s Tavern State now serves brunch! Check it out from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are available on Resy.The Tasty Yolk has a new special. “Get Stuffed” includes 2 over easy eggs, toasted brioche stuffing, pulled roasted turkey gravy, and house cranberry sauce. It is available at all locations. Visit their brand new storefront or check their Facebook page for the location of their 3 food trucks. Tisane Euro-Asian Café presents a Friendsgiving Drag Show on Tuesday November 26 from 10pm-12am. A $10 ticket gets you access to performances by Mizery McRae & Marita Bonita and music by DJ John Rsaza. Sip on $5 house wines, $6 specialty cocktails, and $3 select beer. Wednesday November 27 marks the first official crossover event between Birdman Juke Joint and The Acoustic! Read More
Friday Froth: The Art Of Craft Beer Comes To Three Sheets Features Beer CT Beer Design Exhibition James Gribbon November 22, 2019 What if each drop in the ocean of American craft beer landed with a splash of new color? Thousands of breweries, making hundreds of thousands of beers, each rippling and bouncing with individual personality. Beer brewing is an art, yes, but in the process it also supports artists who make their own contribution to what brewers create, and drinkers see. This December, Three Sheets and The 16oz. Canvas will present The Art Of Craft Beer, featuring artists who add color to the craft beer scene of Connecticut. Read More
Brown Sugar Apple Pie Recipe from Judy’s Bar & Kitchen in Stamford Recipe Features Recipe Dessert Holiday Thanksgiving CTbites Team November 22, 2019 Chef Judy Roll of Judy’s Bar & Kitchen knows her way around a pie, and if you visit her spot in Stamford, you’ll know why she was asked for this recipe. Quite frankly, we selfishly wanted it for our own recipe rolodexes, but we thought we’d share. Aren’t we nice? Enjoy Judy Roll’s recipe for Brown Sugar Apple Pie. Read More
Chef Bill Taibe's Cider Braised Turkey Legs Recipe Features Holiday Thanksgiving Recipe Comfort Food Bill Taibe November 22, 2019 We pulled this recipe from the files circa 2011. Enjoy. For many people, the best part of the Thanksgiving turkey are the legs. The dark meat is more richly flavorful and for those who are in this camp...why bother with the breast? Chef Bill Taibe has come up with a solution for turkey leg lovers everywhere...Cider Braised Turkey Legs. Braising vs baking makes the meat literally fall off the bone. Enjoy. Read More
Chestnut Stuffing with Leeks and Apples from The Parsley Thief Features Thanksgiving Recipe katie vitucci November 21, 2019 Carry on brave Thanksgiving cooks. Roasted chestnuts in a bottle are quite pricey. Although time consuming, you can save money by roasting your own (which we suggest). However, if you prefer to go the quick route, bottled chestnuts can be found in most specialty grocery stores. Enjoy this recipe for Chestnut Stuffing with Leeks & Apples c/o The Parsely Thief. Read More
Sweet Potato Pie Recipe from Latin Chef/ Author Leticia Schwartz Recipe Features Recipe Thanksgiving Holiday Pie Dessert Leticia Schwartz November 21, 2019 Ok, I’m all about healthy cooking. The proof is in the book, Latin Superfoods. But this time of year is a little special! Let’s dig right into this Sweet Potato Pie, adapted from Gourmet Magazine. Go ahead and celebrate the old-fashioned way with family and friends. Growing up in Brazil, such a tart was not in the habits, and in fact it took some time for me to get the liking of it. But after 20 years of living here, let me tell you, I’m hooked! And Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays since it’s all about food, friends and family! Read More
BD Provisions Opens in Fairfield: Gourmet Bulk Food Shopping Features Specialty Market Grocery Store Bulk Shopping Openings Fairfield Newtown Tea And Coffee Education Shopping CTbites Team November 20, 2019 Bulk shopping isn’t exactly a new concept but bulk shopping that’s zero waste is something we get excited about. BD Provisions, with locations in Newtown, and now at the Brick Walk in Fairfield CT, 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. Read More
DORO Catering & Restaurant Group Hosts Sub Edge Farm Dinner Features Farm Dinner Catering Caterers Kristin L. Wolfe November 19, 2019 Can I just tell you how great it is to go to bed at the end of a fall night with the smell of a bonfire in my hair? Both end-of-season Hadley & Occum Farm Dinners hosted by DORO were truly sort of magical. Not in the knight in shining armor kind of magical, but in the can we hold onto to this beautiful moment of community and let these flavors and aromas linger just a little while longer kind of magical. It was community, it was the beautiful Sub Edge Farm, it was tremendous food, and it was a recognition of what Bourdain always talked about: the power of sharing a meal around a table, no matter who is dining with you.Nominated as one of five for 2019 Caterer of the Year by the Connecticut Restaurant Association, we know DORO Catering and Restaurant Group is a master at their craft. With the connection of four restaurants, Zohara Kitchen, Avert, Treva, and Artisanal Burger Company, the catering group has a culinary treasure trove of flavors and experience from which to pull for any event they cater. Read More
50+ CT Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner & Catering: 2019 Edition Features Holiday Thanksgiving Catering Caterers Special Occasion homepage Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 17, 2019 Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and many of Connecticut’s best restaurants have Thanksgiving specials & catering worth gobbling up! From prix fixe menus to extensive buffets to family style to take-out, there are options for everyone. So don’t cry fowl– make your reservations today! Space is limited and seats fill up quickly, and get your catering orders in if you’d prefer to do Thanksgiving at home, without the work! Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events, Game Dinners, And Festivals for November 17-24 Events Features EVENT News Pop-Up Dinner Pop-Up Bar Happy Hour Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 14, 2019 Kombucha is delicious and nutritious! Cross Culture Kombucha Taproom & Brewery will teach you how to make your own at home in their Kombucha Homebrewing Workshop on November 21.On Tuesday November 19, Fairfield Cheese Company hosts an evening all about Cheese and Wine of The French Alps. Join them from 7-9pm for $50 per person. The Taps & Trees Craft Beer Festival returns to the Danbury Sports Dome on Saturday November 23. Read More
Elicit Brewing Company Sneak Peek Info & Opening November 18 Features Beer Garden Beer CT Beer Brewery Openings Manchester CTbites Team November 11, 2019 It's go time! After much work, construction, beer brewing, game assembly, mixology, and kitchen testing, Elicit (located at 165 Adams St, Manchester, CT) is ready to bring the FUN to Manchester - and you're invited!Elicit Brewing Co. will be an American-style beer garden featuring a range of food from pizzas and sandwiches to smaller style plates including wings and pretzels. The brewery is expected to be open Monday through Friday late afternoon through late night, with more hours on the weekends To learn more about Elicit Brewing Co., follow us on Instagram (@ElicitBrewing), visit their website: http://elicitbrewing.comIf you would like to get in BEFORE THE PUBLIC, THEY ARE ACCEPTING RSVP’S FOR The PRE-opening weekend EVENTS. Read More
Candied Kabocha Squash Recipe: Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State Features Recipe Recipe Holiday Thanksgiving Cooking Entertaining CTbites Team November 09, 2019 For the next two weeks CTbites will be featuring a series of Thanksgiving recipes from local CT chefs. Some of these recipes will be family favorites, or dishes the chefs cook in their own homes. Others will grace the holiday menus found at your local restaurant. One thing is certain. They will all be delicious and worthy of a seat at YOUR table. Our second in this series comes from Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State. Enjoy her recipe for Candied Kabocha Squash. Read More
Nibble: CT Food Events For November 10-17 Events Features Events News Wine Dinners Emma Jane-Doody Stetson November 08, 2019 On Tuesday November 12, Lidia Bastianich comes to Tarry Lodge in Westport. She’s celebrating the release of her new cookbook, Felidia: Recipes from My Flagship Restaurant. Guests will get a signed copy of her book as well as a four course dinner with optional wine pairings. There are two seatings, 5-7pm and 7:30-9:30pm. Tickets start at $135, inclusive of tax and gratuity. The story of the legendary Vegetarian spot, Bloodroot is coming to life on the big screen! The movie will be shown on Monday November 11th at 6:50pm at the Cinepolic Chelsea Theater in New York City as part of the Doc NYC Festival. Selma and Noel will be in attendance, along with the filmmakers for a Q&A after the showing. CT Cider Week is coming! On Wednesday November 13, Mystic Cheese Company invites you to a cheese and cider pairing class- and it’s all gluten free. It runs from 6-8pm and costs $45 per person. Read More
Polenta Holiday Cookies Recipe from Chef Silvia Baldini Features Recipe Recipe Dessert Holiday Cookies Entertaining Silvia Baldini November 05, 2019 Crispy, crunchy, polenta cookies. The recipe was kindly gifted to me by my MIL Elisabetta. They have become a welcome tradition in my family. We make them a couple of weeks ahead of the holidays and keep them fresh in metal tin, lined with parchment paper. The mix of polenta and potatoes starch gives them a melt in your mouth texture. I like to dust them with a light coating of powder sugar and I enjoy them as treat with tea or when my sweet tooth requires a fixing. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For November 3-10 Events Features Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 30, 2019 Tavern on State hosts an Armada Brewing Beer Dinner on Monday November 4. $80 includes 5 beers, four courses, tax, and gratuity. Seating begins at 6pm and the dinner follows at 6:30pm.The Connecticut Cider Association presents the first ever Connecticut Cider Festival on Saturday November 9! Cider Conn 2019 takes place at Zandri's Stillwood Inn. Join them for unlimited cider sampling, food trucks, live music, and more. Tickets start at $15. Amis Trattoria’s Guest Chef Series continues on Wednesday November 6 with Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State. Amis Executive Chef Jes Bengtson and Mingrone will create a one-night-only menu of specials inspired by the guest chef’s specialties. Read More
Hosting a Traditional Filipino Kamayan Feast at SoNo 1420 Features Pop-Up Dinner Cocktails Filipino Food Truck Andrew Dominick October 24, 2019 One of the ways to celebrate Filipino American History Month (every October) is with a kamayan meal. A what? Don’t worry, when I was asked to attend one, my response was, “What’s that now?” And I do have a few Filipino friends, including those who invited me to this one, my first one. There was a kamayan dinner and it was held in South Norwalk. The event, hosted by Chris Gonzalez of Hapa Food Truck with public relations pro and event planner Ria Rueda, was the first of its kind in the area, not counting the off chance you’ve attended one at a friend’s house. Read More
Nibble: Tasty, Fresh & Fab CT Food Events for Week of October 27- November 3 Events Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 24, 2019 J House throws their annual Halloween bash on Friday November 1- this year with an Apocalypse theme! Your ticket comes with a complimentary cocktail, hors d'oeuvres, a live DJ all night, and a Red Carpet Costume Contest & Prizes. Tickets $75 pp.On November 1, Ben & Jerry’s will serve up Free Scoops Of Non-Dairy For World Vegan Day! Visit participating locations from 4-8pm for your free scoop. Attention beer fans! Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford hosts a special SINGLECUT tap take-over at 5pm on October 30. Stay for trivia, which begins at 8pm.Chef Jessica Bengston, chef from Terrain and Amis Trattoria, comes to the Fairfield Library on Monday October 28. She’ll share her journey in the culinary world and how food, community, and culture has influenced her career. Read More
