Three Connecticut Chefs Are Semifinalists For Prestigious James Beard Awards Features Awards James Beard Awards CTbites Team January 24, 2024 The James Beard Foundation announced its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists in advance of the James Beard Awards.Congrats to our Connecticut semifinalists Chef Reneé Touponce (The Port of Call and Oyster Club) for Outstanding Chef & Chef David Standridge (The Shipwright’s Daughter) for Best Chef, New England, and Cora Cora for Outstanding Restaurant. The full list of 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists can be found below and on the James Beard Foundation website. Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 3 and winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Read More
Kouign Bakery in Wallingford-Just the Right Amount of Sweet Restaurant Features Bakery Wallingford Baker Dessert Sandwiches Pastry Chef Homepage Chloe Zale January 20, 2024 In a small shopping center off a main thoroughfare in Wallingford, CT, across from a McDonald’s and a Rite Aid, a unique bakery is challenging the status quo of baked goods in central Connecticut. At Kouign, Chef Chelsea Tripp is giving classical Patisserie a facelift, creating innovative pastry concepts like cranberry brie danishes and blueberry cardamom scones in an area that has historically lacked culinary distinction. “It was a lot of chocolate on chocolate when we opened here in 2021” Tripp says with a wry smile. As someone who’d “rather eat a cheeseburger than a slice of cake,” Tripp creates pastries that meld sweet and savory in unexpected ways, with a menu that changes each week. “People find it weird at first, but then they try it and enjoy it,” she says, describing how she incorporates ingredients such as miso and turmeric into her sweets. “It just works – I promise I won’t steer you wrong,” she declares. Read More
WYNK THC + Seltzer Now Available in CT At Total Wine & More (sponsored post) Features THC Seltzer Cannabis Beverage Homepage CTbites Team January 17, 2024 Discover WYNK THC + Seltzer Now Available at Top Liquor Stores in Connecticut, Including Total Wine & MoreDry January in Connecticut: The Rise of THC Infused Alcohol AlternativesWith Dry January in full swing, you may be searching for a unique, healthier twist to your social life. Look no further than WYNK, a zero-calorie, zero-sugar seltzer that is infused with a little bit of both THC and CBD, making for a light and balanced buzz. Drinking WYNK is like experiencing the buzz of a light beer, glass of wine, or hard seltzer, but without bearing the burden of a hangover, or the strain of unwanted calories or sugar. Luckily for Connecticut consumers, popular retailers are noticing consumer demand for alcohol alternatives. So much so that national chains including Total Wine & More have made WYNK widely available for purchase. Read More
The Torta Shop Opens in Bridgeport Serving Epic Mexican Sandwiches Features Interview Restaurant Bridgeport Openings Torta Tortas Mexican Sandwiches Andrew Dominick January 16, 2024 Go up or down Bridgeport’s North Avenue roughly a mile or so before or after the Fairfield town line and you’ll notice a neon blue awning with an emoji-like sandwich logo paired with the words “The Torta Shop” printed on it.What’s not new, however, are the owners. Mariella Garcia and her husband Jose Santiago previously owned the bodega since 2017. Around a year and a half ago, the couple decided to flip the concept into something different.“We’re originally from Oaxaca, then we came to Norwalk, and my husband and I moved to Bridgeport in 2016,” Garcia says. “In 2017 we got the grocery store and thought about switching it up over the years and wanted to make a bigger change. We wanted to bring this to Bridgeport. And there are a lot of Mexican restaurants here, but we wanted to focus on tortas, Mexican sandwiches. Other places do it, but we want to be known as a tortarilla.” Read More
45 Spots for Healthy Eating in Connecticut: Restaurants, Juice Bars, Meal Delivery & Wellness Features Restaurant Healthy Eats healthy Juice Bar Organic Acai Bowl Smoothies Vegan Vegetarian Special Dietary Needs Homepage Hannah Goodman January 13, 2024 Well, well, well, if it isn’t 2024, the dreaded new year. From the Halloween candy and Thanksgiving pies, to the Christmas cookies and unlimited New Year’s bubbly, I think it’s safe to say we are ready to start anew (I will also be buying a new scale because mine is clearly broken). Now it’s time for us to follow through with those dreaded resolutions. Whether you want to eat better, drink less alcohol, consume more sustainable foods, or treat the mind and spirit, this should be your go-to list. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of committing to goals that are almost impossible to stick with. However, with this caliber of options listed below, there is no goal that cannot be accomplished, and that is coming from me, a true pessimist. Let’s march into February excited about how far we have come with our resolutions, because being healthy does not mean forfeiting fun and creativity. C’mon now, say it with me! Here are 45 spots for HEALTHY EATING and wellness in Connecticut. Read More
Chef Dan Kardos Opens Café Melba in Milford Features Interview Restaurant Milford Openings Homepage Interview Andrew Dominick January 12, 2024 No outside signage. No phone number. No problem.Aside from a fair number of whiny complaints (you know who you are), Dan Kardos’ newly opened restaurant, Café Melba, is doing just fine. Read More
It’s A Woman’s World: Chef & CIA Instructor Roshara Sanders Features Interview It's A Woman's World chef Chef Talk Andrew Dominick January 09, 2024 One of the definitions of the word “force” is as follows: a person or thing regarded as exerting power or influence.It’s fitting to say that Roshara Sanders is just that, a force. And at just 34 years old, the Bridgeport native has quite resume. Read More
Connecticut Restaurant Confidential: Strange Stories, Odd Orders, + Twisted Tales in the Industry Vol. 2: Pizzerias Features Interview Restaurant Homepage Pizza Restaurants Chefs Customers Andrew Dominick January 02, 2024 It was about time this ridiculous, limited (but slowly working on more) series returned to bring you more of the weird, bizarre, and funny tales in the restaurant industry.And while edition number one was a hodgepodge of stories from chefs that you know in the general area, this version has a focus…PIZZERIAS!This one’s got a few longer stories that I promise are worth reading, a Wu Tang sighting, one video of a chef busting his ass, and plenty of weird customer orders.And if you’re wondering what volume three might look like, we’re hitting up bartenders because we know there’s plenty of tea there.But for now…PIZZAAAAAAA! Read More
NYC's Iconic Asian Bakery, Lady Wong, Now Delivering to CT Features Delivery Dessert Cakes Asian Asian Desserts CTbites Team December 28, 2023 Lady Wong, one of New York City’s hottest bakeries, is now delivering to Connecticut and Westchester. With its innovative desserts rooted in Southeast Asian tradition, the bakery has evolved from a pandemic era delivery service to one of New York City’s hottest bakeries. Founded by the dynamic Greenwich, CT-based husband and wife duo, Mogan Anthony and Seleste Tan– Lady Wong will give Fairfield County and Westchester foodies something they've been missing — a special occasion cake or pastry that’s at the center of their table and conversation. Read More
Green & Tonic Announces Opening in Darien CT January 2nd Restaurant Features Opening Darien Plant Based Health & Wellness Healthy Eats Smoothies Acai Bowl Sandwich Lunch Breakfast CTbites Team December 28, 2023 Green & Tonic is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their brand-new location in Darien! The plant-based fast casual concept can't wait for you to step foot into their new fresh, vibrant space in the Corbin District and experience all the goodness they have to offer.Grand opening day is on Tuesday January 2nd 2024. The excitement includes:Free small lattes, free cold pressed juices and BOGO sales (on select juices) special giveaway entry w/ purchase to an epic prize (free year of G&T coffee!) and Free Kaia Yoga Class Passes for everyone who stops by on this special day ($20 value!)Can't make it to opening day. No worries! Open 7 days a week: Dine in, Pick Up or Delivery is always available. Green & Tonic is a plant-based eatery serving delicious, good-for-you food and drinks! Think salads, warm bowls, seasonal soups, breakfast sandwiches, cold-pressed juices, smoothies & açaí bowls. They've recreated popular coffee chain drinks like the cookie butter latte and peppermint mocha latte to be made with no added sugar and no additives. Read More
CTbites Staff Picks For Top Eats of 2023 (+Special Guest Eaters) Features Restaurant Best of CT Guide Top Eats Homepage CTbites Team December 25, 2023 It’s that time of year, when the CTbites staff temporarily puts down our forks, and contemplates our most memorable annual eats. 2023 saw an explosion of restaurateurs and chefs entering the Connecticut culinary scene, and the CTBites team, alongside some special guest reviewers below, did our best to eat it all. There were some clear standouts, restaurants that you’ll find repeated in the “top eats” lists below, and some hidden gems you should add to your dining dance card.Here are CTbites’ TOP EATS 2023. Read More
John Nealon Opens Crust Issues in Norwalk Featuring Pan Pizzas Features Interview Restaurant Norwalk Pizza Homepage Interview Italian Andrew Dominick December 21, 2023 Roll into the former Davinci’s Pizza (or Cosmos if we take it back to 1985) at 60 Connecticut Avenue, and it’s a way different vibe than it used to be.Quirky artificial intelligence cartoons, featuring pizza, are pasted in the entryway. Sawed off cookbook bindings are the art on the walls. A black and white photo of Marco Pierre White stares at you if you glance to your right. Read More
50+ CT Restaurants To Celebrate New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day (2023 Edition) Features Holiday New Years Events EVENT Homepage April Guilbault December 20, 2023 2023 went by in the blink of an eye and now it’s the time again to say goodbyeSo long, yes, but also hello tooand may 2024 be wonderfully good to you. With tasty food and bubbly drinkwe celebrate and sing, our glasses clinkWe toast and dance, reminisce and dine,trying to remember the words to Ol Lang SyneNo one knows, no one really caresits about being together as good wishes blareSo, dine and drink well before that ball dropsand know that all of us at CTbites think you are tops! Read More
Hoodoo Brown BBQ Serves a Smoked Cheeseburger On Sundays and It’s Awesome Features Interview Restaurant Hoodoo Brown BBQ BBQ Burger Burgers Ridgefield Andrew Dominick December 18, 2023 I can count on one finger how many times I’ve had a smoked cheeseburger in our general area.The smoked burger is seemingly elusive. My first came in 2019, in Irvington, at a BBQ joint that’s no longer there. I’m not saying it’s impossible to find one, I’m just saying it’s rare—that’s an on-purpose meat pun.In Connecticut, two spots where you absolutely can find a smoky, beefy, beast of a burger, are Hoodoo Brown BBQ and Hindsight Barbecue that were both recently named in terrific piece on Texas Monthly (link HERE) that you absolutely should read. Read More
Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State On NY Times "23 of the Best American Dishes of 2023" Features New Haven Awards CTbites Team December 12, 2023 Congrats to Chef Emily Mingrone of Tavern On State who received one of the 23 coveted dishes on NEW YORK TIMES’ list of 23 of the Best American Dishes of 2023.“Each year as we travel the country to scout out candidates for our many best-restaurant lists — whether the big national listing in the early fall or the new “best of” city lists we’ve begun rolling out — our reporters and editors eat hundreds of meals in dozens of states. Inevitably we come across that one dish that we almost wish we’d ordered two of, and wish we could find closer to home.Some are high-concept — a Dungeness crab doughnut, for instance — while others are just perfect examples of beloved familiars like brisket tacos or fried chicken. What they have in common, though, is that months later they still jump to mind when we're asked, “What were your favorite dishes of this year?”Fried Chicken at Tavern on State New Haven, Conn.I will always order the fried chicken at a promising new restaurant like this one. Its fried chicken thighs with green tomato relish and radish salad was the best of many dishes I loved this year in the growing “tavern” category — a much-needed bridge between pub grub and tweezer food.—-JULIA MOSKIN, New York Times”Read the complete article here. Read More
Taco Guy Launches “Mexican Pizza” Thursday Pop-Up Events Features Restaurant Mexican Pizza Pop-Up Tacos Norwalk Homepage Andrew Dominick December 12, 2023 In the latter part of July, I covered the opening of Taco Guy and owner Adrian Hurtado. If you read THAT article, towards the end of it, I alluded to the wood burning pizza oven being used at some point.If you’re a regular to Taco Guy like I have been, I’m sure you’ve asked Hurtado if he was going to fire that oven up. Well, friends, that time is now. Read More
60+ Connecticut Restaurants & Caterers for Christmas (2023 Edition) Features Christmas Christmas Eve Catering Guide Guide Homepage Carly Terzigni December 08, 2023 The lights and decorations are up, the presents are wrapped, and the only thing left to do is figure out what to eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. There are a ton of unique traditions around these two days – dinner at 2:00 in the afternoon, Feast of the Seven Fish, brunch with mimosas – and you may choose to cook at home or head out to one of the state’s many fine restaurants. And, if you choose to stay at home but want to take some of the work out of prepping Christmas Dinner, several restaurants and markets are offering meals to-go.If you’re in that second category, this guide will be a helpful tool in determining what restaurants are going to be open for the holiday! Not every business will be open on Sunday, December 24, or Monday, December 25, but the ones that are will typically offer special brunches, lunches, or dinners to celebrate Christmas. We’ve broken this guide up by county to make it easier to find a restaurant near you – Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, New London, Middlesex, and Windham. Simply scroll down to the region of the state you live in (or the region of the state you’re visiting family!) and check out which restaurants are open on December 24 or 25. Happy holidays! Read More
Hop & Vine, A Self-Pour Taproom, Is Preparing To Open In Stamford (Via The Patch) Features Stamford Wine Bar Beer Garden Beer Richard Kaufman via The Patch December 08, 2023 This just in from Richard Kaufman of The Patch.There will be 69 beer and wine taps across two floors and 5,500 square feet in a brewery/beer garden-type atmosphere.Hop & Vine, a self-pour taproom that will offer a wide variety of beer, wine and other beverages along with scratch-made food in a relaxed, brewery/beer garden-type atmosphere, is readying to open its doors in Stamford.An opening date has not been finalized yet since final inspections and certifications need to be made, but co-owner and general manager Connor Rasmussen hopes the business can be up and running before the end of the year.Located at 30 Spring St., Hop & Vine Taproom will eventually feature 69 taps across two floors and 5,500 square feet — 23 taps on the ground floor, and 46 on the second floor.Continue reading on The Patch. Read More
Sandra's Next Generation: Southern Cuisine With a Whole Lotta Heart in New Haven Features Interview New Haven Restaurant Soul Food Southern Food New Haven Interview Homepage Andrew Dominick November 30, 2023 If not for her belief of setting “unrealistic goals,” Sandra Pittman’s namesake restaurant, Sandra’s Next Generation, may not have ever been born in the first place.Now in over 34 years with no signs of slowing down as evidenced by our Thanksgiving week visit where we witnessed the crew rapidly filling catering orders and making so much cornbread stuffing and baking hundreds of homemade pies it would blow your mind.And even with an already booming takeout business (the restaurant is mostly takeout, but there’s a patio when the weather is nicer), Pittman’s still finds time to put the SOUL in soul food by consistently giving back to the New Haven community and all its charitable causes.Wait. Did I say 34 years? To tell the origin story of Sandra’s, we have to take it even further back to New Haven’s Edgewood neighborhood where Pittman, whose name back then was Harris, started cooking in the first place. Read More
5 CT Dairy Farms Selling Eggnog For The Holidays: Shop Local! Features Ingredients Eggnog Holiday Local Farm Local Dairy Farm Beverage Stephanie Webster November 29, 2023 We all love Eggnog, but we love it even more when it is sourced from local Connecticut farms. Here are 5 spots to check out for locally produced Eggnog for your holiday table.Arethusa Farm-Litchfieldhttps://www.arethusafarm.com/eggnogThis Eggnog lands on our gift-giving list every because, well, it’s simply a holiday must-have for a good, ol’ fashioned hap-hap-happiest holiday and this is the best one you’re going to get!Mountain Dairy Farm-Storrswww.mountaindairy.comIt’s a farm-to-bottle process for this holiday favorite that is produced at a home farm that has been chugging along for nearly two and a half centuries. This is eggnog the way eggnog should be made. Shaggy Coos Farm-Eastonwww.shaggycoos.farmFrom cow to bottling, Egg Nog made local. This nutmeg and vanilla kissed seasonal drink will have you coo-ing… Read More
