Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk Back For The Holidays Ingredients Features Holiday Specialty Market Ingredients Kid Friendly Kids Stephanie Webster December 14, 2017 Stew’s Christmas Cookie Milk will be back in stock at at all Stew Leonard's stores in Connecticut this week. This is the second consecutive year they’ve sold this special milk. Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk is sweet, creamy milk that has the same flavor as a sugar cookie that’s been dunked in milk. It comes straight from award-winning dairy farms in upstate NY and is free from artificial growth hormones (rBST) and antibiotics. This milk goes from the farm to each of our stores in as little as 24 hours. Stew Leonard's Christmas Cookie Milk is available only for a limited time and is sold in a ½ gallon glass container for $5.99. Read More
Brown Dog Fancy Organic Ketchups and Mustards: Killer Condiments! (sponsored post) Features Ingredients Ingredients Specialty Market Local Artisan Homepage CTbites Team November 16, 2017 When Connecticut food adventurer Kyle Rothschild can’t find an ingredient he likes, he makes his own. That led him to his latest venture: Brown Dog Fancy, a line of organic ketchups and mustards that shake up traditional notions of what makes a great-tasting condiment and marinade. Timing is everything in a kitchen, and Brown Dog Fancy’s arrival to the local food scene couldn’t be better. Cooks, and the people who eat their food, have demanded organic, high-quality, and ethically sourced poultry, meat, and fish for years. Yet, far less attention has been paid to the condiments that accompany them.“We spend so much time buying responsible and sustainable main ingredients, but then we marinate or top them with condiments that are full of fillers and words I cannot begin to try and pronounce. I want to know what’s in my food, and I think other people do, too,” says Kyle, who began making condiments for weekly beach barbeques that he and his wife, Sarah, hosted for friends near their Stamford, CT, starter home. Read More
Donut Crazy Launches the “Cruffin” Croissant-Muffin Hybrid Ingredients Features Bakery Dessert Kid Friendly Breakfast Doughnuts New Haven Shelton Westport Bridgeport Homepage Stephanie Webster November 02, 2017 Donut Crazy, a local, family-owned eatery specializing in unique donut flavors (lovingly called Dailies & Crazies), announced a tasty new menu item called the “Cruffin.” The croissant-muffin crossover is the company’s way of celebrating the first sugar-filled year of its New Haven location near Yale University. The “Cruffin” will be available at all Donut Crazy locations for $4.25, starting on Friday November 3, weekends only and while supplies last. The “Cruffin” has quickly become the food world’s newest bakery obsession, much like the “Cronut” before it. The buttery, flaky pastry is shaped like a muffin and filled with different flavors. Donut Crazy plans to offer coconut, dulce de leche, chocolate mousse, and pumpkin. More exciting flavors to come! Read More
Stew Leonard’s Delivered To Your Door with Instacart Features Ingredients Home Delivery Delivery Service Stephanie Webster November 01, 2017 Family owned and operated Stew Leonard’s today announced Stew’s Fresh Delivery Powered by Instacart, the technology-driven, nationwide on-demand grocery delivery service. Starting Wednesday, November 1, 2017, same-day grocery delivery service will be available to 365,000 households within a 20-30 minute drive of Stew Leonard’s farm fresh food stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn. as well as in Yonkers, Farmingdale, and East Meadow, N.Y.Customers who sign up for Stew’s Fresh Delivery by February 1, 2018 using code stewsexpress will have free delivery on orders over $35 for up to a year. Read More
Southern Connecticut Wine Company Invites You To Make Your Own Wine Features Ingredients Education Cooking Classes WIne Wine Tasting Vineyard Wallingford Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 31, 2017 In 2016, Forbes Magazine claimed to have discovered the “secret to happiness.” “Spend money on experiences, not things,” they told their readers. CNN took it one step further. “That's in part because the initial joy of acquiring a new object, such as a new car, fades over time as people become accustomed to seeing it every day…,” they reported. “Experiences, on the other hand, continue to provide happiness through memories long after the event occurred.”Those looking to invest in a meaningful experience can find a solution tucked away in Wallingford, just off the highway, but hidden from view. Southern Connecticut Wine Company, located in an unassuming garage-like building behind the railroad tracks, affords people the unique opportunity to create their own wine over the course of a season. I had the chance to be an honorary co-op member for the day and witness a little bit of what they have to offer. Read More
Stew Leonard’s Announces Limited Edition Apple Pie A La Mode Milk Features Ingredients Dessert Kids Kid Friendly Stephanie Webster October 24, 2017 Stew Leonard’s Apple Pie Milk a la Mode celebrates the season with the flavors of crisp fall apples and Stew Leonard’s dairy-fresh vanilla ice cream. It comes straight from their award-winning dairy farms in upstate NY and is free from artificial growth hormones (rBST) and antibiotics. This milk goes from the farm to each of their stores in as little as 24 hours. Stew Leonard's Apple Pie Milk a la Mode will be available starting on October 30 for a limited time. It is sold in a ½ gallon glass container for $5.99. Read More
Learn How to Make Your Own Wine w/ Southern Connecticut Wine Company Classes Features Ingredients Education Cooking Classes Events Stephanie Webster September 07, 2017 Wanna learn how to make your own wine? Wallingford’s Southern Connecticut Wine Company www.soconnwineco.com is Connecticut’s first micro winery and they have a few spots open in their fall SoConnWine CoOp. The CoOp kicks off on Saturday, September 16th with a full day of crushing grapes from 12pm - 4pm at SoConn. No barefeet required — the winery has machines for that Crushing will continue every Saturday through October 7th. CoOp members can come once, or come all four Saturdays. Lots of sips of wine are included at every CoOp event. Read More
Bishop’s Orchards: Pick Your Own Peaches, Pears & Raspberries In Guilford Ingredients Local Farm kids activity Kid Friendly Deanna Foster August 28, 2017 Yes, we can squeeze the peaches before we buy them in the supermarket and cherry-pick the basket we like at the farmer’s market, but there is nothing more satisfying than standing under a a tree limb full of ripe peaches. There is a tangible joy in choosing one, reaching up to feel the soft fuzz against the firm fruit and inhaling it’s perfume as you gently twist it from its stem. This was our experience yesterday and not one person in our party of 8 put their first picked peach in a bag. Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford can offer you this experience 4 times over, as their orchards are currently yielding peaches, pears and raspberries. Bishop’s is a straight shot up Rt. 95N(exit 57; take a right) and the 45 drive is well worth it. Read More
Hidden CT Gem: Flour Water Salt Bread Artisan Baker Ingredients Restaurant Bakery Dessert Georgetown Specialty Market Homepage Breakfast Andrew Dominick August 20, 2017 On certain mornings, the village of Georgetown smells as if it was baked inside a loaf of bread. That was my initial thought when attempting to track down local baker Rob VanKeuren. I had the address, but wasn’t certain where he was exactly. My “Where are you?” messages went unanswered, although not on purpose, the guy was wrapped up in baking. A cluster of mailboxes and my own lack of sleep the night before combined for confusion and I ended up in a driveway, still sniffing the air, and I was greeted by a tiger-striped cat, then a kid. I asked if he knew where I could find “the guy that bakes bread.” He brought my question to his mom and returned with, “Go to Lombardi’s. A right turn out of the driveway and immediately on your right.” Read More
BAD SONS Brewery Opens In Derby: Designed For Guests Ingredients Features Derby Brewery Beer CT Beer Beer Garden Road Trip James Gribbon August 18, 2017 First of all: Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck, Shelton - in acronym, BAD SONS, collectively "The Valley." Once the manufacturing heart of an industrial state, the factories shut down to reopen out west, overseas, or not at all, but their brick shells remained. Once known for hats, watches, and artillery shells, there is new life to be found in old factories in the valley, which have become perfect incubators for the Connecticut brewing industry's baby boom.The BAD SONS brewery inhabits a space in Derby just down the Housatonic river from the Yale crew team's boathouse, about 300 yds from the Dew Drop Inn. This coal-era brick monolith may be where "BAD SONS" comes to mean "Valley Beer." Read More
Roadtrip: Fox Farm Brewery Opens In Salem Ingredients Features Brewery Salem Beer CT Beer Openings CTbites Team August 08, 2017 I’ve been rabidly following the food news from my hometown of Salem, CT ever since I heard rumor of a brewery opening up by former classmates—Zack and Laura Adams. This awesome husband and wife team have created a beer oasis perfect for hanging out in the sleepy town of Salem. Opened in May, 2017, Fox Farm has been enjoying rave reviews.I’m really pleased that Zack agreed to an interview with CTbites to share his passion for beer and tell us all about his newly opened brewery. Read More
Cotton Candy Find At Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe in Ridgefield Features Ingredients Dessert Specialty Market Ridgefield Kids Kid Friendly Natalie Levitt August 03, 2017 A trip to Ridgefield, Connecticut would not be complete without a visit to the quintessential ice cream parlor and candy mecca that is Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe. Offerings span from homemade chocolates, fudge, and ice cream. There is even an entire room devoted to nostalgic candies and gummy treats. I am always looking for fun and interesting food experiences and packaging. During one of my recent visits to the shop/food safari, I noticed a wall of cotton candy made by Chocolate Storybook. The brand’s assortment offers upwards of 50 flavors including sweet and savory delights like Bacon, BBQ sauce, Atomic Fire, Pancake and Syrup, Frosted Donut, PBJ, seasonal desserts and fruits, merlot, and even a gender reveal option. The most unusual flavor however was Trump hair! The jury is still out on that one. You can add these to the list of memorable hybrid sweet treats trending these days. Read More
Newbrook Kitchen & Paleo Cafe Opens in Westport Ingredients Restaurant Specialty Market Special Dietary Needs Lunch To-Go Take Out Westport Peter Dunay July 28, 2017 I first walked up to Newbrook Kitchen, on Riverside Avenue in Westport, with no idea what cuisine the two cartoon girls that are stuck on the front window of their restaurant would be serving. I did no prior research into their business because I wanted the element of surprise to truly hit once I uncovered who they are. What I found at Newbrook was a very pleasant surprise. Stationed in Saugatuck, Westport in a little strip mall, this mother daughter operation is here to make you a believer. As their name would definitely lead you to believe, they are a Paleo restaurant, catering service, and landmark pumping out some of the best health food you can find in the Fairfield County. Read More
Savannah Bee Company Opens in Downtown Westport's Bedford Square Features Ingredients Ingredients Specialty Market Westport Stephanie Webster July 07, 2017 Savannah Bee Company is bringing its Southern charm and hospitality to the Northeast, summer 2017. One of the leaders in all things Honeybee has just opened a boutique in Westport's Bedford Square.Savannah Bee Company is known for its premium artisanal honeys, honey-based health and beauty products, and mission to educate people about the wonders of the Honeybee and preserving the art of beekeeping. Read More
Bartaco's Signature Libelula Tequila Now Available in CT + Margarita Recipe Ingredients Features Cocktails Ingredients Mexican Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 14, 2017 If you love Bartaco’s signature margarita we have great news… the tequila used to make their cocktail is now available for purchase in liquor stores across Connecticut! Libelula tequila made its official debut in the Connecticut market in January 2017, but as the summer months approach it’s becoming more and more visible on shelves throughout the state.“This is the exact tequila used to make Bartaco’s world famous margaritas!” says Curt Goldman, the Executive Importer of CNI Brands, longtime partner of Bartaco group. “No change whatsoever!” Read More
Guest Chef Lineup for Westport Farmers' Market's 2017 Summer Season Features Ingredients Farmers Market Westport Chef Peter Dunay May 22, 2017 Personally, I have always wanted to be a judge or even a guest at one of Top Chef’s cookout challenges; where the chefs are tasked with using locally sourced ingredients and doing them justice by creating an epic meal. Whether, your dreams are as ornate as mine or you would just like to have a chef cook you a delicious snack, the Westport Farmers Market is the place to be.Every Thursday between 10- 2, a special guest chef will be at the market and tasked with finding some key local ingredients and making a meal for everyone to taste. (View the complete guest chef schedule below.) Read More
Westport Farmers’ Market Enters Its 12th Year: Vendor List for 2017 Features Ingredients Farmers Market Westport Local Farm Local Artisan Stephanie Webster May 03, 2017 Mark your calendars for opening day of the Westport Farmers’ Market, Thursday, May 18th, from 10 to 2 at 50 Imperial Avenue. (View the complete market vendor list below.)Chefs from area restaurants will return this year to provide a source of inspiration to area shoppers. Each week they will create easy, healthful, delicious meals using fresh, local products found at the market. These seasonal recipes and others from top chefs throughout the area will be distributed each week at the market and available on the WFM website. Read More
M.EAT Organic Beef & Provisions Butchery Opening In Westport w/ A Custom Burger Bar Features Ingredients Butcher Westport Jessica Ryan April 28, 2017 This spring downtown Westport will see the opening of M.EAT Organic Beef and Provisions, an old school meat market with new school fundamentals. Founded by Beto Esteves and Rodrigo Echeverrigaray, the business partners saw the need for a boutique organic meat shop. I sat down with the two in their Southport offices, eager to learn more about this concept. “There is no one in the US market involved with both the importing and the retailing organic meat, explained Beto. Generally, it’s a process that involves many, the importers, distributors and suppliers. So by the time the organic product hits the shelf the prices are astronomical. We have the unique ability to source meat from Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand, directly from the producers. We decided that we wanted to be able to offer these products in the States. The partners decided to take this concept one step further and have a dedicated retail space specifically designed around these organic meats, a unique concept here in the states. The first of these locations is scheduled to open in Westport at the beginning of June. Read More
2017 Spring/Summer Fairfield County Farmers Markets via FGFG Ingredients Features Farmers Market CT Farms Local Artisan Farm Fresh Local Farm CTbites Team April 25, 2017 Farmers’ markets in Fairfield County, CT will begin opening in May and early June and we will update the listings below (from 2016) with 2017 information as it becomes available. Here are the markets updated so far via our friends at Fairfield Green Food Guide.New Canaan opened April 22Shelton opens May 6Norwalk Rainbow Plaza opens May 17Westport opens May 18Greenwich @ Arch & Horseneck Streets opens on May 20Fairfield’s downtown market that launched last year opens June 11 Read More
Products We Love: SmashMallows Found At Balducci's Ingredients Features Dessert Kid Friendly Kids Ingredients Homepage Stephanie Webster April 21, 2017 I'll admit, I'm late to the party on these 100% organic, all natural, crazy town delicious marshmallows. I stumbled upon SmashMallows at Balducci's today, but as it turns out, they have been written up by In Style, Cooking Light and even People Magazine, They are quite simply, the "Dom Perignon of marshmallows." Balducci's is currently carrying them in Mint Chocolate Chi, Toasted Coconut Pineapple, Strawberry & Cream, and Cinnamon Churo. However, if you look online, there are three additional flavors worth an order: Root Beer Float, Meyer Lemon Chia, and Espresso Bean. Read More
