A Guide to Catering The Jewish Holidays Features Catering Caterers Jewish Holidays Holiday Catering Guide Homepage April Guilbault August 29, 2021 Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are going to be here before you know it, and if you have been a little caught off guard while you wrap up your summer and get those kiddies off to school, we’ve got your back. And your Brisket. And your Matzoh Ball soup. This delicious listing includes delis and caterers who are serving up scrumptious dinners, plenty of a la carte options, and even staffing for your holiday get-together. Shanah Tovah! Read More
Friday Froth: Berlinetta Brewing Opens in Bridgeport with A Focus On Classic European Beer Features Restaurant Openings Brewery Beer Bridgeport Homepage James Gribbon August 27, 2021 The bright white space drips with psychedelic funk as I step into Berlinetta Brewing this summer. A few decades of listening to Georges Collinet's "Afropop Worldwide," I recognize Hugh Masekela and am beaming, not just at that, but at the racks of books (actual paper books!) in reach of tables lit by huge windows. This is a very, very promising start for the downtown Bridgeport brewery.Step up through the back doorway the tasting room shares with lofts in the newly refurbished building and you'll enter a mini in-brewery record store. Racks of LPs beside a twin turntable setup are for sale or maybe trade if you're feeling barter-y. Co-owner (co-brother), and head brewer Rich Ruggiero has also crafted a tube amp powered reel-to-reel Hi-Fi stereo which can drive the sound system at the click of a toggle switch. Walk in the front door, and you'll see it (and likely him) behind the taproom bar. Read More
It’s A Woman's World: Chef Beca Tuinei of Nala’s Kitchen Features It's A Woman's World Interview Chef Talk Q & A Kristin L. Wolfe August 26, 2021 I got to meet Chef Beca Tuinei last year after trying her wonderful creations for Nala’s Kitchen. Being apprehensive to try dishes from organizations promoted as “healthy food services,” fearing a massive pile of black containers filled with dry, bland chicken and broccoli, I was truly surprised and impressed. For those diving into more measured, health conscious, and ingredient-focussed food service, Nala’s Kitchen will blow you away with flavor. Believe me, I’m still a fan of meals like chicken and broccoli, but you can have these high-protein, low calorie, diet-forward products AND STILL HAVE FLAVOR! Chef Beca will amp it up with a creative use of spices and sauces without piling on the extra calories. It is a fine line to walk but she does it so well. Not only does she do it well, but her talent has landed her a position with the WNBA, now responsible for feeding the hungry athletes of the Connecticut Sun! Read More
Amis Trattoria Switches to Sharable, Family Style Italian Dining Features Restaurant Westport Italian Amis Trattoria Family Friendly Andrew Dominick August 24, 2021 When CTbites last left Amis Trattoria in October of 2020, the Italian-inspired restaurant adopted a fresher, more fun approach. It’s still fresh and fun, only with an idea that executive chef Jes Bengston wanted to implement just under a year ago. The thought for Amis then was small, shared plates and heaps of handmade pasta meant to be passed around amongst your dining companions. Well, it’s here.“Everything is meant to be a taste or a bite,” Bengston says. “It should feel like you’re having dinner at your grandmother’s house. It’s how I eat, even when I went to Don Memo solo, I was kind of confused on what to order, but I still got a bunch of stuff so I could have a bite.”Like Bengston, I’m on the sharing bandwagon. Heck, you probably are, too. It’s why Amis’ antipasti refresh is a dozen dishes deep. You and your family or friends, or a mixture of the two, can pick at a shallow dish of citrusy, herby olives with a little heat from pickled fresno chilis or you can fight over who gets the last couple of pecorino and black pepper dusted cacio e pepe fries.Amis’ O.G. roots are sticking around, though. Crispy Brussels sprouts and those fat, tender, saucy old school meatballs are still favorites that aren’t going anywhere. Just expect less heavy fare to balance it out like spicy crab bruschetta with a burst of brightness from lemon aioli and some Calabrian chili heat. It’s a nice bite and no one would blame you for not sharing this particular plate. Read More
Flavorism: 5 Ghost Kitchens in Stamford Feature Local Chefs Thru Unique Delivery Platform Features Restaurant Delivery Delivery Service Ghost Kitchen Stamford Pizza Salads Burgers Jessica Ryan August 19, 2021 Long before the term ghost kitchen became part of our vernacular, Jonathan Brennan was busy building his in the heart of Stamford. Today his virtual food hall features six farm to table kitchens under one roof, is bustling and has plans for expansion in the very near future. Each kitchen features a unique menu with a different flavor profile to accommodate a wide range of different tastes and lifestyles with a focus on heath and sustainability. While Flavorism could be touted as a Ghost Kitchen, it’s really so much more. It’s a focus on sustainability, the elimination of excess waste, serving the local communities and hiring local talents. Read More
2021 Guide To Waterfront Dining in Connecticut Features Restaurant Dining Guide Waterfront Outdoor Dining Best of CT Summer Dining Homepage April Guilbault August 08, 2021 If there is one thing that makes us long for summer all year long it is the ability to eat, play, explore, even sleep and just “be” outside. That carefree feeling of stepping outdoors without the boots and the hats and the puffy coats. Grab your flip-flops, maybe a bit of sunscreen and off we go! Ah, the carefreeness of it! And eating outside? How can it be that a bit of sun and air will elevate even the simplest food? A hot dog never tastes better around a campfire or at a ballgame. A bag of chips at the beach with a sandwich? Perfection. So, to that end, we have compiled a list of GREAT WATERFRONT DINING spots-some of which have indoor dining with fabulous views and many perch you outside on beautiful, expansive decks or docks to enjoy their dishes. If a simple hot dog tastes great outside, these venues will have you giddy. Read More
The Wheel Opens at The Village in Stamford Features Restaurant The Village Stamford The Village Farm To Table Stamford Cocktails Dessert Openings Homepage Andrew Dominick August 07, 2021 Chances are that by now you’ve heard at least a little something about The Village, located in Stamford’s South End. If you haven’t heard a peep about one of Fairfield County’s most buzzworthy openings in a while, you must be totally cut off from civilization aka social media.The CliffsNotes explanation of The Village is simple. It’s a multi-purpose space. Think offices, pop-up events, an outdoor patio that’s exclusive to Cisco Brewers from Nantucket, a rooftop garden, private event spaces, a tequila bar, and a New American anchor restaurant in The Wheel.The Village, as a whole, is financed by media mogul and Greenwich resident Brent Montgomery who with Jimmy Kimmel, founded Wheelhouse and all of its umbrella companies. Brent’s wife, Courtney, who founded Wheelhouse Properties, oversaw the development of The Village.That ends your crash course on The Village. But this is a food site and we’re here to talk about The Wheel and what it offers to quench your thirst and fill your bellies.“Let’s start at the bar” seems typical for one of these articles but we have to in the case of The Wheel. There’s a team of heavy hitters in the industry that are on board here, including beverage director Kyle Tran. Tran’s resume includes stints at Grant Achatz’s molecular gastronomy-based bar, The Aviary, and the Los Angeles branch of Employees Only. The current lineup of cocktails leans toward refreshing for summer with spritzy, ice cold, tiki type drinks. Expect fresh squeezed juices, house-made syrups, infused liquors, and for each beverage to be made with precision and care.Much like the cocktails, The Wheel’s menu is as farm fresh and seasonal as it gets. Chief food curator Mike Geller, owner of Mike’s Organic, is using his connections to local and semi-local farmers and purveyors to get the highest quality ingredients right to The Wheel’s kitchen. To boot, Geller and the culinary team are even growing produce and herbs in The Village’s rooftop garden to use in the restaurant and at the bar.In said “kitchen” is executive chef Chris Shea. Shea is the culinary director for APICII, a hospitality management and development company. He’s also headed the pass at The Wayfarer and David Burke Kitchen, to name a few. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For August 2021 Events Features Events News Stephanie Webster August 05, 2021 GET READY! It’s almost time for two huge weekends of food and music at the Hey Stamford Food Festival with 100 hand-picked food vendors, ✅ Live music with NELLY, ✅ Ice Cream Sunday, ✅ The Blind Rhino Happy, Parma-palooza with Chef Christian Petroni and so much more. August 12-15th and Aug 19-22. Get your tickets here!Looking for a unique venue to reconnect with friends and family this summer? Foxwoods has you covered with a first-of-its-kind outdoor experience of indulgent food, craft cocktails and live music in a garden fantasy setting.Chef Chrissy Tracey hosts a Food Pop-Up SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 AT 5:30 PM. Chrissy Tracey, a featured vegan chef on Bon Appetit Magazine, will be offering delicious vegan entrées which pair beautifully with our craft beer. Read More
Introducing The Charles Underground: Darien Butcher Shop's After Hours French Alter Ego Features Restaurant Darien Darien Butcher Shop Underground Dinner French Homepage Andrew Dominick August 01, 2021 It’s past 6 p.m. The Darien Butcher Shop is closed. You cruise by and you see people inside. Some are standing, others are sitting at community tables, and they’re all probably enjoying a glass of vino while they chat, laugh, and catch up.You can’t walk in for a slab of bacon or a thick, bone-in ribeye, so what’s actually happening?Four days per week, Peter Crawford transforms his business into The Charles Underground, a French-inspired eatery, and the shop’s after-hours alter ego.The Charles is where Crawford, a former New England Culinary Institute graduate who has worked with Charlie Palmer, Jean-Georges, Neil Gallagher, and Terrence Brennen, gets to step back into his passion as a classically trained French chef.Foie gras and dry-aged steak? Sure. Homemade boudin blanc sausage with Robuchon potatoes, and morel mushroom sauce? They have done that, too.Lending a helping hand in the front of the house is someone you might recognize from his time at Kawa Ni. Anthony Rinaldi acts as a restaurant jack-of-all-trades at The Charles, whether he’s waiting and bussing tables or assisting in the kitchen with cooking and occasionally washing dishes. Read More
Grounds Donut House in Danbury with Premium Drinks + Ice Cream Injected Donuts! Restaurant Features Danbury Doughnuts donuts Dessert Breakfast CTbites Team July 30, 2021 Danbury Connecticut has been on a donut driven sugar rush ever since Grounds Donut House has arrived. With completely unique flavors like Arnold Palmer Iced Tea, Orange Milano & Chips Ahoy, there is no doubt that you will leave the donut haven with smile on your face and a yearning for more. We are also excited about their new…wait for it… Ice Cream Injected Donuts available for in store purchase only.Located off of the Lake Avenue Exit, Grounds Donut House serves donut lovers creative donuts, premium coffee, over-the-top coffee drinks, and for the 21+ crowd, alcoholic beverages featuring local brewers with donut-y friendly flavor profiles. Grounds keeps their menu pretty consistent, as they have their everyday classics, but they also rotate new donuts in to allow their customers to try new flavors each time they come into the donut house. Read More
It's A Woman's World: Chef Renee Touponce of Oyster Club, Mystic Features It's A Woman's World Mystic Chef Talk Interview Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe July 21, 2021 onnecticut is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Our ongoing column, “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 followIt’s impossible to leave Mystic without falling in love. From the adorable hotels and shops, to the views along the water, the drawbridge, and THE FOOD, you will undoubtedly leave it with a scrapbook (even a virtual one) of memories. And, for such a small town, Mystic is brimming with incredible places to eat. One of the best is at Oyster Club with Chef Renee Touponce at the helm. I’ve had numerous dishes by her over the last year, and it's just never enough. Every plate is full of flavor, yet light. For me, they conjure summer sea breezes with a dash of cozy home dinner. Read More
Tina Zaccardi: The Woman Behind The Italian Cookie Features Baker Cottage Bakers Custom Cakes Cakes Cookies Caterers Westchester Donna Monaco Olsen July 20, 2021 Do you follow Tina Ziccardi Bakes, aka @theItalianCookie? Her media pages are loaded with baked deliciousness that is not only drool worthy, but is downright eye-candy perfection! Following her grand win on “The Great American Baking Show” Season 4 (Hulu), Augustina Zaccardi (Tina) became a bit of a local celebrity right here in Westchester. Her huge fan base from her hometown of Eastchester rooted her on with each baking challenge, becoming more difficult as each week passed. We all watch in amazement as contestants fly through the challenges on each food competition, but meeting with Zaccardi and listening to her describe what it is really like to be on a cooking show was enlightening. She described the experience, which filmed in England, to be competitive yet jovial and the contenders to have more comradery than might be expected in a contest pitting bakers against each other in difficult timed elimination assignments. Although they were in a heated competition, they became somewhat of a family and are still in close contact with each other today. Read More
The Zeneli Brothers Open Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana in New Haven Features Restaurant Pizza Italian New Haven New Haven Pizza Openings Homepage Christopher Hodson July 16, 2021 If you live in the New Haven area and are looking to book a trip to Naples, Italy, don’t buy that ticket just yet. At the end of Wooster Street on the right hand side, there is a place that will take you there in 90 seconds for a fraction of the price. Zeneli Pizzeria e cucina Napoletana is the new kid on the block of this already famous street known for some of the best pizza not only in Connecticut, but America as well. Wooster Street is home to several pizzerias, none more famous however than Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Sally’s Apizza. These two legendary powerhouses are what enshrined this street on the pizza map forever. Cue the Zeneli Brothers. Read More
New Cookbook from CT's Own Dorie Greenspan: BAKING WITH DORIE: SWEET, SALTY & SIMPLE Features Cooking Cookbooks Baker Baking CTbites Team July 15, 2021 Known for her multiple James Beard Award and IACP Award-winning cookbooks, CT’s own Dorie Greenspan is back with 150 all new signature recipes in BAKING WITH DORIE (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; October 19, 2021; $35.00;). This new collection, her fourteenth cookbook, arrives exactly thirty years after her food writing debut, much to the delight of her legion of fans. Read More
Guide to Connecticut Lobster, Clambakes and Seafood Shacks: 2021 Edition Restaurant Features Best of CT Seafood seafood boil Lobster Lobster Roll Lobster Bake Clambake Dining Guide homepage Homepage April Guilbault July 11, 2021 It is doubtful that, when mentioning summer eats, lobster anything wouldn’t be in the Top 3 list of foods that folks love, drive miles for, yearn for during the winter months and spiritedly debate (hot? cold? with mayo? just butter?). Well, summer is here, time to strap on that bib, lick those buttery fingers and well, get crackin’. From piled-high lobster rolls and creamy bisques, to hot fried clams and fluffy fritters, seafood rules the roost when temps rise and those ocean breezes soothe the soul. Whether you are searching for a lunch by the water or hosting a party for friends (weee! finally!), these venues will add some buttery fun to your summer days. Bon appetit! Here, let me tie that bib for you…. Read More
RHK Seafood Boil and Bar Opens in South Norwalk Restaurant Features Seafood Cocktails Burgers seafood boil South Norwalk Norwalk Homepage Andrew Dominick July 09, 2021 South Norwalk is boiling over…with seafood. Seafood boils, that is. And SoNo is set to get that times two.RHK Seafood Boil and Bar is one of two Cajun-inspired seafood joints to open its doors downtown, the other being SoNo Boil, just a block away.This isn’t a comparison between the two, but rather a focus on the former in RHK. You can compare and contrast on your own time, eating your weight in shellfish, chorizo, corn, and potatoes for research purposes.RHK—located in the former Mama’s Boy, then Beach House space—comes to Norwalk from the folks behind Round K Coffee & Roasters in New York City.But how does a seafood boil idea stem from coffee shop owners? It’s simple. Hospitality.“Coffee is the most common and traditional way to show hospitality,” says owner Ockhyeon Byeon. “At Round K, we are able to provide locals and visitors with all-in-one hospitality, from greetings to serving foods and drinks. I’m looking forward to introducing lower Fairfield County to Cajun-inspired seafood boils, where the goal is to gather, eat, and have a good time.”Byeon also likened South Norwalk to where he’s from in South Korea, where seafood is a main food source. He even purposely parks his car on the top level of The Maritime Garage because the ocean view reminds him of where he grew up. Read More
75+ Spots For Ice Cream, Gelato & Frozen Desserts In CT (2021 Get Licking Edition) Features Restaurant ice cream Italian Ices Gelato Kid Friendly Best of CT Dining Guide Summer Dessert Frozen Yogurt Homepage Highlight April Guilbault July 01, 2021 Sitting on a bench, licking a drippy ice cream cone on a warm summer day or a balmy evening can be, well…sublime. The skies are clear, the sun or moon is hanging in the sky-all is right with the world and these are a few moments to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. And creamy rich ice cream or scoop of blissful gelato is one of those pleasures, indeed. Honestly, unless you have dropped that cone (bloop, splat! *tears*), when have you ever gone for ice cream and left unhappy? Cream, fruits, swirls of caramel, bits of chocolate chips, a nut here and there-nothing can beat it. Take a few moments this summer to enjoy those simple things, like a cone with a friend or even by yourself. Here’s a list to point the way…Enjoy these 75+ Spots for Ice Cream, Gelato and Frozen Desserts in CT. Read More
Nibble: CT Food News & Events for July 5-20 Features Events News Events EVENT Stephanie Webster July 01, 2021 Gotham Burger Social Club teams up with Winfield Street Coffee for a POP UP to remember on July 11th 12-4pm ( Rain Date - July 10th 12-4pm.) This collaboration will include the award winning Gotham Smash Burger paired with Aperol Spritzers, Pasta Salad, Artisan Tater Tots & Nutella Stuffed Cookies as add ons. Local vendors like Longford’s Ice Cream will be scooping their small batch, along with Living Juice spiked with Cylinder Vodka and RowHouse Stamford will be show casing what they offer on their Rowers. Note: this will be a pre order event all info on Instagram : @gothamburgersocialclub.Tickets are now on sale for Chef Andrew Mercado’s (@fedbyandrew) rooftop pop up experience July 17th in South Norwalk CT at@sono50norwalk. He will be serving a 5 course meal on the roof with a DJ as the sun sets… and of course libations!!! Tickets here.RHK Seafood Boil and Bar, located at 19 North Water Street in the heart of SoNo across the street from the Maritime Aquarium, is launching a new Wednesday “Aperitif Hour.” Beginning Wednesday, June 30, the weekly special will run from 4-8pm. For $23.99, guests can select one beverage (choice of house red or white wine, beer, Negroni, Old Fashioned, Campari Spritz or Aperol Spritz), and following in the European tradition, receive a rotating selection of “Chef’s Choice” small bites.Join Washington Prime Sono for their 7th Anniversary Yacht Party on Thursday, July 22nd. They set sail at 9:00PM with DJ Norbs 3000 spinning and kicking off the beats. The Patio Deck will have a Tiki Tequila Bar sponsored by Olmeca Altos 100% Agave Tequila! We also have High Noon Seltzers in the house all night long!! No Cover Charge. Dress to Impress. All White or Hawaiian Style. This Event is a 21 and Over Event Only.Did ya know?? You can buy straight off the boat local oysters, clams and lobsters from The Oysterman’s Daughter, a small ‘hidden’ shop located at the boatyard where Copps Island oysters are harvested and distributed nationwide. It was created with the intention of providing fresh shellfish straight off the boats to the consumer from the folks at Copps Island Oysters. It is a lifestyle shop selling an assortment of different products unique to boaters and beach lovers alike. Read More
Chef Bill Taibe Opens All Day Cafe at The Norwalk Art Space Restaurant Features Openings Breakfast Lunch Sandwich Eggs Pastries Doughnuts Homepage Stephanie Webster June 27, 2021 It’s always exciting to hear about a new concept opening from one of your favorite CT chefs, but it is even more exciting when that chef partners with a groundbreaking philanthropic organization on a mission to educate young adults and celebrate local artists while creating a free destination for fine art and music in the city of Norwalk.Chef Bill Taibe and his team (Andrea Dinan, Caitlin McGowan and Kelly Clement) have officially opened the doors to their brand new Art Space Cafe, located inside the breathtakingly beautiful Norwalk Art Space. The Cafe will be open for breakfast and lunch, 9am-4pm, just steps away from Norwalk’s Waypointe and downtown SoNo. The Art Space Cafe is an order-at-the-counter, casual affair, and will likely become a go-to spot for breakfast meetings, grabbing a quick latte, or a lunch hang in the serene sundrenched dining space. Read More
The Home Cook: ‘Heat & Eat’ Meal Delivery Service Features Ingredients Home Delivery Dining At Home Delivery Service Catering Caterer Meal Delivery Homepage Stephanie Webster June 23, 2021 I’ve got to be honest. I really don’t like to cook. I LOVE to eat, but like many parents, the daily dinner drama is, well, just that…a ground hogs day “oh lord not again” situation. For this reason, I have spent a good deal of time, sampling and reviewing the local meal delivery services/caterers who can provide me with a dinner experience that feels “home cooked” but only involves my heating things up in and around my oven. #lazyandlovingitOne might think that identifying this type of local ‘heat & eat’ meal delivery service would be an easy task, but the requirements involved in successfully prepping large quantities of food that fares well in transit, and then is to be re-heated by an “at home cook,” is trickier than you might think. Meal prep like this requires determining the proper balance of par-cooking dishes, heating instructions for dummies, and developing meal plans that work for any and all family dynamics. Read More
