Cooking Classes with Indian Master Chef Prasad Chirnomula, The Scholar of Spice Features Indian Cooking Cooking Classes New Canaan New Haven Kristin L. Wolfe January 14, 2020 In addition to blazing trails with restaurants (Thali, INDIA, Indian Kitchen) Chef Prasad has begun to make his fans swoon on a more intimate level with a regular cooking school series. What a special treat. I recently went to one of his Sunday classes and came away with a whole new passion for Indian cuisine. And believe me, I’ve already been a giant fan for years. (Jackson Diner, Queens anyone? I lived in Jackson Heights for ten years). Read More
Shout Out: What Type of Restaurant Do YOU WISH We Had In Connecticut?? Features CTbites Shout Out Q & A Stephanie Webster January 11, 2020 It’s 2020. In 2019 we saw some notable CT restauants close, and we saw new spots come to life. Perhaps it’s just me, but I find myself sitting in restaurants in other states or countries, turning to my dining companion and saying “God, I wish we had a restaurant like this in CT.” I’ve also had ample opportunity to speak with many CT chefs who would love to get inside the heads of their customers. CT, let’s help ‘em out. What type of restaurant, cuisine, menu, or price point do you think we are missing in CT? CT Chefs…I hope you’re listening….COMMENT BELOW. ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN SOME SICK CTBITES SWAG! Read More
Experience the New TASTING Series at Prime Stamford (sponsored post) Features Restaurant Pop-Up Dinner Stamford Chef Talk Chef's Tasting Jessica Ryan January 11, 2020 Earlier this week a few of us from the CTBites team made our now seasonal pilgrimage to Prime in Stamford. This time to experience the restaurant’s new TASTING menu.The summit of cuisine at Prime, the TASTING series is a re-imagined experience in dining. Small tastes are presented in a unique rhythm and play to Chef’s sensibilities on a weekly basis. In what feels like a restaurant within a restaurant, TASTING places you in the inner sanctum of the kitchen, with the Chef as your guide. The four course TASTING menu is a truly unique table experience. Read More
Half Full Brewery Opening 2nd Stamford Location (via Hey Stamford!) Features Stamford Brewery Beer Garden CT Beer Openings Hey Stamford! January 11, 2020 I remember it like it was yesterday, the doors would open a few days later and I had just left my first interview and brewery tour with founder and “Chief Hoptimist,” Conor Horrigan. Between his passion for the brand and the fact that Stamford was about to get its first craft brewery, I remember being really excited! Cut to today. Not only has that little Waterside brew pup been churning out some fantastic award winning beer, they’ve also become a key member of the Stamford community. So, what’s next for Conor’s team? How about an expansion! Over the holiday break , Half Full Brewery announced that they have signed a lease for a second Stamford location at 575 Pacific St. Read the complete article on Hey Stamford! Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For Week of January 12-19 Events Features Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 09, 2020 Tickets are on sale for the Great Mac & Chili Challenge at the SoNo Collection, which will take place on January 26 from 11am-3pm. Purchase tickets online at www.MacAndChili.com.Litchfield Saltwater Grille hosts a pop-up Cigar Dinner on Sunday January 12th at 4pm. $40 gets you 3 courses with their regular cigar menu. RSVP quickly!Tavern On State’s Sunday Supper Series returns on January 12th with a dinner From the Sea! Their friends at Opici who will be pairing wines with each of the 5 courses. Hartford Restaurant Week is here and it continues through January 19th! Participating restaurants throughout West Hartford will offer special fixed price multi course menus at $12 for lunch and $20, $30 or $40 for dinner. The CT Wine Train is officially open! Read More
Shepherd's Pie Recipe from Dirt Road Farm & The Westport Farmers' Market Features Recipe Recipe Comfort Food CTbites Team January 08, 2020 What’s better than a Shepherd’s Pie on a long dark winter night? Westport Farmers’ Market and Phoebe Cole-Smith of Dirt Road Farm have nicely shared this comfort food favorite with CTbites. We’ve made this many times already, and it never fails to please. Enjoy. Eat up! Read More
Terrain Cafe & Amis Trattoria Teach Seasonal & Sustainable Cooking Class Series Features Ingredients Cooking Cooking Classes Education Stephanie Webster January 07, 2020 Join the culinary professionals that lead the kitchens of Westport restaurants Terrain Cafe and Amis at Stamford Museum & Nature Center as they show you the joys of sourcing and cooking with the best in seasonal and sustainable ingredients. From salads and appetizers to entrees, pastas and desserts, this six-part series (January 27 through March 9.) takes you through the methodology of creating show-stopping dishes as you also learn how to source the best ingredients right in your own backyard. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For Week of January 5-12 Features Events Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 04, 2020 Join SoNo1420 for a Bi-Coastal Winter CBD Infused Dinner on January 11th. Cocktails prepared by SoNo 1420's Blake Poon, 5-Course CBD Infused Dinner Menu highlighting ingredients from both East and West Coasts. Presented by Executive Chef Ronald Santos coming from New York City & Celebrity Chef Michael Montano visiting from Los Angeles. Link to tickets: http://bit.ly/CBDDINNEROn Tuesday January 7, get ready to be a part of the mystery. Brewport hosts a Murder Mystery Party from 7-10pm. With your ticket, you will be given pizza, two beers, a commemorative case study notebook, and the opportunity to solve a murder! Read More
It's A Woman's World: Saray & Noemi Ruiz of Gaudi Tapas & Wine Features It's A Woman's World Interview Chef Talk CTbites Team January 03, 2020 Connecticut is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us. Our ongoing series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to CT female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow. How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature the talented Chef/Owners Noemi & Sarayy Ruiz, two sisters who own Gaudi Tapas & Bar in Danbury. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com. Read More
100+ Connecticut Restaurants To Celebrate New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Features New Years Holiday Special Occasion Homepage Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 20, 2019
GIVEAWAY: WIN Lidia Bastianich's Autographed Book, "My American Dream" Features Contest Giveaway CTbites Team December 19, 2019 Happy Holiday! CTbites is GIVING AWAY a signed copy of Lidia Bastianich’s new book, “My American Dream” for one lucky boy or girl who has been good in 2019. TO ENTER: Comment below and tell us why YOU NEED THIS BOOK. Winners must be CTbites newsletter subscribers. You can subscribe here. CTbites was recently invited to a special media tour of the This Old House. The incredible Lidia Bastianich was in attendance on behalf of Clarke Kitchen Appliances in Norwalk (where she films her show, Lidia’s Kitchen)…the company who outfitted the Idea House’s kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf Appliances.That day, Lidia was kind enough to sign a copy of her book for one of our readers. May the biggest Bastianich fan win. Good luck! Read More
“Elite Chef” Cooking Competition Showcases CT Chefs Features Competition Chopped Chef Talk Stephanie Webster December 17, 2019 In partnership with Eli's Restaurant Group, CT’s Chef Plum will host and produce a new show. "Elite Chef" will launch in early 2020 as a seven-episode web series, featuring innovative and up-and-coming epicurean talent in Connecticut (with yours truly on the judging team). “I am a huge advocate of CT chefs, and I'm thrilled to be a part of this amazing project,” says Chef Plum. “Having a platform for our local talent to shine has been a massive goal of mine for many years. Huge shout out to the amazing people at Eli's for making this happen! I cannot wait for everyone to see what we can do.” Read More
Nibble: Tasty, Boozy, & Educational CT Food Events for Week of December 15-22 Features News Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 12, 2019 Holbrook Farm hosts a Farm Dinner on Monday December 16. Chefs Jeff Taibe (Taproot), Lucas Proud (The Redding Roadhouse) and Rob Haidar (Taproot) are collaborating on a menu that will highlight both fresh vegetables and those they were able to preserve from the Farm. Tis the season for whiskey and Que Whiskey Kitchen in Southington invites you to a Sazerac Whiskey Dinner on Monday December 16. Christmas pop-up Miracle at Ordinary is happening now! The place is all decked out with spirit and glee and there are 15 brand new Christmas cocktails. Plus, purchase mugs, stockings, and more as gifts. Read More
CT Distilleries Share Their Favorite Holiday Cocktail Recipes Features Ingredients Cocktails Recipe Entertaining Holiday Local Artisan Distillery Spirits Homepage April Guilbault December 10, 2019 ’Tis the season for merriment annnnd with merriment usually comes festive cocktails. Knowing that Connecticut has some amazing small-batch distilleries, we would like to highlight some delicious cocktails utilizing these spirits to get your party going and get your guests dancing like ol’ Mr. Fezziwig. Enjoy these jovial creations at your next party or pick up a bottle of these local spirits as a great gift for hostesses, friends or family members. Spread the local love, raise those glasses and enjoy the holidays. Cue the merriment! Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for December 7-15 Events Features Events News Emma Jane-Doody Stetson December 07, 2019 Red Bee Honey's Holiday Open House returns on Sunday December 8 from 11am-4pm. Shop Local and Shop Small at Red Bee Honey and pick up your holiday honeys, gift boxes, beeswax candles, soap and many other goodies. Tour a working apiary and meet author and founder, Carla Marina Marchese.Jazz Brunches continue at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art on Sunday December 15. Enjoy a buffet brunch in the Untitled Bistro with live jazz by Charmagne Tripp.It’s “all about the braise” on Thursday December 12. Ari Long is coming to Wakeman Town Farm to show us how to prepare leg of lamb and seasonal side dishes in time for the holidays. Don’t forget to BYOB! The class is limited to 16 so book your seats early. The annual Chili Cook-off returns to Cromwell on Saturday December 7 from 5-8pm. There are CASH prizes for the best batches of chili plus the holiday block party and tree lighting. Read More
Mine Hill Distillery in Roxbury: Spirits with a Sense of Past and Place (via CT Magazine) Features Distillery Local Artisan Roxbury Cocktails Spirits Connecticut Magazine December 05, 2019 Time is an ingredient,” Elliott Davis says as he takes me on a tour of Mine Hill Distillery in Roxbury. The venture capitalist turned sheep farmer turned distillery owner is speaking literally. He’s referring to the way the rye, bourbon and other styles of whiskey produced at his distillery will be flavored by the passage of time as they sit aging for months and years in barrels. But he could also be speaking figuratively. Each drop of liquid produced at his distillery, which opened this fall, is inspired by the past. Read More
Winners of CRAZIES Awards For Best CT Chefs & Restaurants Go To... Features Chef Talk Best of CT News Stephanie Webster December 04, 2019 The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted nearly 700 guests on Monday, December 2 at Foxwoods Resort Casino to celebrate the restaurant industry and handed out sixteen coveted awards. One of the most significant awards of the evening was the Overall and Regional Restaurant of the Year Awards presented by Sysco. First, the association handed out regional winners from around the state and the four winners were – Present Company in Simsbury (North Region); Grano Arso in Chester (South Region); Oyster Club in Mystic (East Region) and Jesup Hall in Westport (West Region). The overall winner who was named 2019 Connecticut Restaurant of the Year went to Grano Arso, who earned the award over the other three regional winners and sixteen total nominees. Read More
Hunger Bites: Diners Eat Out To End Hunger Features Fundraiser Stephanie Webster December 03, 2019 During the month of December, diners can help feed the hungry while eating at their favorite local restaurants. CTbites is thrilled to announce the return of Food Rescue US ‘ Hunger Bites program which allows 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 (or more) on your guest check. By giving just $1 today on your bill you'll provide 10 fresh, nutritious meals to people in need in your community.We encourage you to dine and donate at these participating restaurants: Whelk Jesup Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Match Restaurant, Taproot Restaurant, ,Match Burger Lobster, The Spread, El Segundo, Terrain, Amis Trattoria, Cask Republic, The Ginger Man, Evarito’s, Little Pub (all locations) & Rowayton Seafood. Read More
"Miracle" Christmas Themed Pop-up Cocktail Bar Open at Ordinary Bar New Haven Features Pop-Up Bar Cocktails Homepage Stephanie Webster December 03, 2019
Teroforma’s 1pt Cocktail Blends Teams with Crew Restaurant to Host Cocktail Lab Dinner Ingredients Features Pop-Up Bar Pop-Up Dinner Cocktails Local Artisan Andrew Dominick December 03, 2019 Wine or beer dinners in Fairfield County are common, but cocktail dinners? You don’t see very many (if any) offered on a regular basis. About a year ago, Chris Geideman, the owner of Crew Restaurant in Greenwich, along with Andrew Hellman, CEO of the Norwalk-based barware company Teroforma, started to discuss a cocktail dinner event of their very own. The idea would feature Teroforma’s 1pt Blends, a line of flavor kits that enable anyone from experienced bartenders to at-home amateurs to infuse spirits minus all the guesswork. Teroforma is a local CT company that creates all-natural, gourmet infusions for cocktails. After a bunch of casual conversations, they figured out a way not only to make it happen, but to make it something more than simply drinking and eating. Read More
