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Celebrate Shelton Announces Food Trucks on the River (sponsored post)

Events Features Events EVENT Food Truck Live Music Shelton

CTbites Team May 06, 2025

Celebrate Shelton, a private city-wide initiative in its 11th year is thrilled to announce Food Trucks on the River, and several exciting community collaborations.

Food Trucks on the River, an exciting two-day festival will take place on Friday, May 30th, from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, and Saturday, May 31st, from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM at Veterans Memorial Park in Downtown Shelton. In case of inclement weather, a rain date is set for Sunday, June 1st.

TIX On Sale! CHEFS ON STAGE at The AMP: Chefs Brian Lewis & Damon Sawyer

Events Features Events

Stephanie Webster May 05, 2025

CTbites & The Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater are excited to announce a NEW DINNER SERIES taking place ON STAGE this Summer. The first event will be held on June 7th at 6PM, with James Beard Nominee CHEF BRIAN LEWIS of The Cottage & OKO alongside CRAZIES “Chef Of The Year” Finalist CHEF DAMON SAWYER of 29 Markle Court. These chefs will be creating a very special dinner for ONLY 150 guests!

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE Tickets are $175pp.

The evening will include 4 courses of extraordinary food, live music, cocktails, wine & the unique experience of dining on the same stage on which your favorite band has performed.

All proceeds will benefit FILLING IN THE BLANKS, the Norwalk based organization that fights childhood hunger.

75+ CT Restaurants, Caterers & Events for Mother's Day (2025 Edition)

Features Mother's Day

Carly Terzigni April 29, 2025

Spring is in bloom, which means it’s time to celebrate the special women in your life on Mother’s Day! Treat your mom, grandma, aunt, sister, bestie, or yourself to a delicious brunch or dinner at one of Connecticut’s many restaurants featuring menu specials this year. From buffets to à la carte specials, there’s something in this guide for every mom figure. Some restaurants are offering these specials all weekend long. Catering options are also available at select businesses in the event that you want to go down the breakfast in bed route!

To help you plan your Mother’s Day festivities, this guide is broken up by county. That way, you can easily find a restaurant near you!

Inaugural Taste of SoNo Event On May 22nd To Benefit CT Foodshare (sponsored post)

Events Features Events

CTbites Team April 28, 2025

Join Anna and Raven of Star 99.9 & CT Foodshare for the Inaugural Taste of SoNo on May 22nd.

Taste of SoNo will feature a curated lineup of Fairfield County’s best restaurants and drink purveyors. Proceeds from the event benefit Connecticut Foodshare and help fight food insecurity across the state.

Taste of SoNo will include a silent auction, premium cocktails, live demonstrations, and live entertainment.

The event is hosted by Anna and Raven of Star 99.9.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, May 22nd
Time: VIP session begins at 6PM and general admission is at 7PM
Location: The SoNo Collection (Magnificent Room), 100 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854

Tickets are available now!
Get your General Admission or VIP tickets today at: donate.ctfoodshare.org/sono

CT Guide To Cinco De Mayo Events, Bars, Specials & Catering (2025 Edition)

Features Cinco de Mayo Homepage

Hannah Goodman April 27, 2025

While Cinco de Mayo does fall on a Monday this year, there are still plenty of restaurants all throughout Connecticut that are offering holiday specials during the week leading up to May 5th and many that are excited to party the day of! I often try to look at the glass half full…full of margarita that is. So let’s all start the week off right by grabbing our friends, throwing on our dancing shoes for the live DJ performances, and proactively calling out of work that Tuesday, because yes, the tequila and beer will be flowing and that’s just a fact. But don’t worry, the tacos, empanadas, dips, and other incredible specials might just be so off the charts that you forget about the drinks and boom! Hangover cured!

Seleste Tan of Lady Wong Patisserie & Chef Mogan Anthony Open La Bistro in Greenwich

Features Interview Restaurant French Pastry Pastry Chef Openings Greenwich Homepage Interview

Andrew Dominick April 26, 2025

Have a conversation with Seleste Tan for just a few minutes and the word that comes to mind is “humble.” Tan’s bakery, Lady Wong Patisserie, with two locations in New York City, speaks about it like she never expected it to be the megahit that it is. “I did it for a hobby during the pandemic and I never thought it would be big,” she says shyly. Her confections, inspired by flavors from her home country of Singapore, and travels throughout Southeast Asia, are her muse. And that hobby? It turned into national coverage in all the big food publications and then some.

Guide To Kentucky Derby Events & Parties in Connecticut (2025 Edition)

Events Features Kentucky Derby Events Homepage

Carly Terzigni April 25, 2025

Are you ready for the most exciting two minutes in sports? The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 3, and TVs will be tuned in at restaurants across the state. Whether you’re looking for a spot to catch the race with friends or you want an all-out extravaganza where you can sport your favorite fascinator, there’s a Derby event in Connecticut for you! Check out the restaurants and businesses below that are hosting special events for the Derby. Keep in mind that the post time is just after 6:50 PM – don’t miss it!

Preview: Taco Guy Opening Tacos 203 at the South Norwalk Train Station

Features Interview Restaurant Opening Norwalk Preview Tacos Mexican Homepage Interview

Andrew Dominick April 23, 2025

Everything you’ve heard about Adrian Hurtado and his Taco Guy brand opening a new taqueria in Norwalk are true, even if some of the details weren’t originally clear or correct.

Numero tres for Hurtado, if we’re counting the taco truck first, then his Wall Street spot second, is Tacos 203, not Carnitas Michoacán, regardless of what you may have heard. Tacos 203 will be inside of Metro-North’s South Norwalk Station and the concept won’t resemble the fare that Hurtado’s fans have experienced from the truck or his restaurant.

Connecticut Food Trucks Guide (2025 Edition)

Features Restaurant Food Truck Guide Caterer Highlight Homepage Catering

Carly Terzigni April 18, 2025

Spring is here, which means bringing lunch and dinner outside and enjoying the warmer weather. What better way to enjoy your next meal than at one of Connecticut’s many food trucks? Many of these businesses travel around their local regions and state-wide, bringing tasty food to your neighborhood. Or, you can have the food truck come directly to you and cater your next event, whether it’s a wedding, birthday bash, or corporate event.

Because the food trucks in Connecticut cater to such a wide variety of palates, we’ve broken this guide down by type of cuisine. Scroll to the food you’re craving and see which trucks suit your taste buds!

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO VIEW FOOD TRUCKS ORGANIZED BY CUISINE TYPE.

Dippin Chicken Opens in East Norwalk with Fast Casual Korean Fried Chicken

Features Ingredients Restaurant Korean Fried Chicken Korean Fast Casual Chicken Sandwich Fried Chicken Norwalk Interview Openings Homepage

Andrew Dominick April 15, 2025

Fast casual fried chicken is a hot craze that’s seemingly not cooling off anytime soon. Haven Hot Chicken, Birdcode Hot Chicken, the new to Connecticut Dave’s Hot Chicken, and smaller spots like Stamford’s Cwispy Chicken are proof of that. But even newer to the coop is Dippin Chicken in East Norwalk where Korean fried chicken is their menu’s centerpiece.

Hartford Yard Goats 2025 Food Lineup: Game On!!

Features Hartford Yard Goats

Leeanne Griffin April 14, 2025

The bad news (or good? You tell us): The “Float Your Goat,” featuring a ¼ pound all-beef dog with peppers, onions, bacon and brown mustard submerged in a glass of goat milk, was a long-game April Fool by the Hartford Yard Goats’ front office. The stunt dog, posted to the minor league team’s social media accounts on March 27, captured national media attention and more than a few disgusted reactions.

The Yard Goats management confirmed the prank as the team unveiled the real menu debuts for the 2025 season on April 2, two days ahead of Dunkin’ Park’s opening day Friday.

“We’re not going to be dipping hot dogs with peppers and onions into goat milk,” sponsorship sales manager Conor Geary said, acknowledging the “fun little hoax.”

But, he noted, “every year, as you know, and as our fans know, we work very hard to make things bigger, better, more fun, tastier, more extreme and more crazy.”

CT Easter Dining & Catering Guide (2025 Edition)

Features Easter Holiday Catering Guide

Carly Terzigni April 10, 2025

With the spring season in full bloom, Easter can’t be far away! This year, restaurants across the state are preparing special menus, including prix fixe meals and buffets, to celebrate the holiday. Whether you’re looking for a festive brunch or dinner, there are options all over the state. If you are hosting an Easter gathering at your home and you are looking for catering options, there are businesses ready to help out with the cooking! No matter how you choose to celebrate Easter this year, it’s sure to be delicious.

This guide has been organized by county to help you locate a restaurant nearest you. Scroll to your home county to see what businesses offer Easter specials this year.

Destination Dining: A Beautiful Stay At Lost Fox Inn In Litchfield

Restaurant Features Litchfield Litchfield County Road Trip Homepage Hotel

Noah Schwartz April 01, 2025

Founded in 1719, well before the Revolutionary War, Litchfield is an idyllic town in the pastoral hills of northwest Connecticut that is richly steeped in history.

In recent years, given its proximity to both NYC and Boston—each just over a two-hour drive away—Litchfield has become a popular destination for urban dwellers to unwind in the quiet of the countryside.

Catering for this clientele is a growing list of outstanding eateries, including the well-established Arethusa group, chef David DiStassi’s outstanding Italian restaurant Materia Ristorante, plus Ore Hill, Community Table and more culinary gems nearby…not to mention the Litchfield Distillery.

It is also increasingly a destination for boutique hotels and inns. There’s the Mayflower Inn (part of the prestigious Auberge Resorts Collection) and newly opened The Abner in downtown Litchfield. But the one that’s caught my eye is Lost Fox Inn, which opened in June 2024.

CT Passover Dining & Catering Guide (2025 Edition)

Features Passover Jewish Holidays

Hannah Goodman March 27, 2025

Spring is here and with it brings several holidays, including Pesach (Passover). This important Jewish holiday can be celebrated throughout Connecticut and whether you want your Seder dinner catered or you’d rather dine out to avoid the cleanup, this list has it all. Each one of these restaurants, delis, and bakeries either offer pre-ordering or reservations. Make sure to check with each of these listings, as they all have different ordering instructions and deadlines. Passover begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12th and ends at nightfall on Sunday, April 20th. Chag Sameach!

Bagel Bros & Co. Opens Second Location in Oxford

Features Restaurant Opening Breakfast Bagels Oxford Lunch

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger March 26, 2025

Bagels, Bagels, Bagels!!!

This simple rendition of mix, rise, boil, bake has numerous interpretations and toppings and has captured the imagination of breakfast lovers for over 400 years. It has been ages since a bagel shop appeared in Oxford, CT, and, after seeing the “Coming Soon” sign for months, purchasing fresh bagels in Oxford is now a reality with the opening of Bagel Bros & Company second location in the David K mall at 144 Oxford Rd.

Bagel Bros has numerous options to satisfy both the traditionalists and those looking for more funky options, whether plain, sesame, salt, onion, poppy, blueberry, cinnamon raisin, cinnamon sugar, egg, jalapeno cheddar, whole wheat, everything, egg everything, whole wheat everything, garlic, and French toast. There are quite few combinations to choose from, and Bagel Bros. does not skimp on the toppings of either the sesame or poppy seeds, they were loaded.

Lao Cocina Opens in Bridgeport: Laotian X Puerto Rican Fusion Cuisine

Features Interview Restaurant Openings Interview Bridgeport Puerto Rican Laotian Latin Fusion Homepage

Andrew Dominick March 23, 2025

When the popular Venezuelan-meets-Mexican mashup, Mil Sabores, vacated their original brick-and-mortar at 2043 Fairfield Avenue and went onto opening a bigger restaurant further down the street, they left their digs to another tenant, even if it is for a limited run. Lao Cocina, a Laotian and Puerto Rican fusion spot, that’s mostly takeout, is filling out the rest of that lease. Created by the husband-and-wife team of April Khanthaphixay, her husband, Daniel Colon, and Daniel’s uncle Sergio, they’re mixing their respective cultures for a new kind of concept.

Two Roads Brewing Company Launches Dinner Pairing Series- A New Brewery Experience

Events Features Brewery Ingredients Interview Tasting Menu Brewery Two Roads Brewing Company Craft Beer Spirits Distillery Interview Homepage beer Stratford

Andrew Dominick March 20, 2025

If you’ve followed the evolution of Two Roads Brewing Company, it’s quite something. Since the main brewery opened in 2012, one thing they kept doing is continuing to evolve. Not including a laundry list of beer releases, Two Roads went onto open a second facility next to their Hop Yard six years ago that you now know as Area Two Experimental Brewing. Following Area Two and all their fun, funky small batch drops, and in no particular order, Two Roads got into making canned cocktails, non-alcoholic beer, distilling (we’ll have a few teasers on that), and they even purchased the former PizzaCo across the street and turned it into Two Roads Food Hall & Bar and next door, Two Roads Tee Box, a golf simulator, making it a full-blown “campus.”

A Family Biz: Sly Bandit Brewing Company with Full Service Restaurant Opens in Wilton

Brewery Ingredients Features Craft Beer beer Wilton Openings Homepage Interview Brewery Sly Bandit Brewing Family Friendly

Andrew Dominick March 18, 2025

When a homebrewing hobby runs in the family, it’s only proper to open a brewery, isn’t it? That’s at least what happened in the Guda Family, whose brewery, Sly Bandit, may have caught your eye while on Route 7 in Wilton near the Norwalk line. Owned by Dave, who’s retired from the information technology world, Wendy, a former New Cannan High School math teacher who still teaches at CT State Community College Norwalk, and their son, Mike, who left his job as a market research executive to brew beer full time.

VOTE For The Best Pizza In Connecticut: CT Pizza Trail Depends on YOU!

Features Pizza

CTbites Team March 14, 2025

To celebrate our state’s status as the Pizza Capital of the U.S., the Pizza Capital Pizza Trail is being created by fans and critics, like you. Starting March 14 (National Pi Day), cast your vote for the best pizzerias in the state. You’ll have hundreds of spots to choose from, but only the top 100 will make the final trail.

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

Cast your vote for the best slice in Connecticut! Sign up with your name and email, then search for your favorite spot or browse the list below. Don't see it? Write it in at the bottom! You can select up to 10 restaurants. Hit "Submit" to finalize your vote. And don't forget—you can vote once daily through May 1, 2025.

Strega New Haven Wins Prestigious Award from Italian Authority Gambero Rosso

Features New Haven Italian Awards

Leeanne Griffin March 13, 2025

Once again, Strega owner Danilo Mongillo is celebrating a prestigious honor for his authentic Italian fare – but this one means more, he says.

Gambero Rosso, an Italian authority on food, wine and travel, awarded Mongillo’s New Haven restaurant a “due forchette,” or ‘two forks” designation in a recent ceremony in New York City. Restaurants are honored with a rating of one to three forks, similar to Michelin star ratings.