Revisiting Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich Restaurant Greenwich Local Farm Special Dietary Needs Mexican Kid Friendly Amy Kundrat October 09, 2011 It may draw inspiration from the cantinas of New Mexico and the mid-century Americana of Rt. 66, but Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich is most deeply rooted in the soil of Connecticut. Locally sourced and organic ingredients have been a signature of Boxcar’s New Mexican-inspired menu for the past seventeen years well before Farm-to-Table was a claim to fame. With a weekly presence at the Westport Farmer’s Market and a green restaurant certification, the first thing you may notice upon arriving at this Greenwich restaurant are several small raised herb and vegetable garden beds filled with a variety of lettuces, herbs, tomatoes and peppers (depending on the season) that will invariably make it onto your plate. If you're as curious as I was, when I stopped by earlier in the growing season, an impressive lineup of lettuces included: Emerald Oak Lettuce, Mascara Lettuce, Lollo Bionda Lettuce, Lollo Rossa Lettuce, Gourmet Lettuce Mix, and Claytonia. Read More
Ad: Big News for Pinkberry Fans...Greenwich & More Restaurant Fairfield Greenwich Kid Friendly Dessert CTbites Team October 08, 2011 Attn. Fairfield County fro-yo lovers. Pinkberry has some big news and great new services coming to their Fairfield location! And if you reside further South, they've got something for you too. Downtown Greenwich store is opening soon. Curbside Pick Up For those times when you need your Pinkberry fix but you don't feel like braving the parking challenges of downtown Fairfield, let the fro-yo come to you. Yes…I kid you not. Just call in your order 15 minutes prior to desired pick up time and sidle (or idle) up to the curb. One of Pinkberry's friendly servers will happily walk your frozen dessert to your car. Read More
Oktoberfest: Wieners & Beer @ The Boathouse Restaurant Events Beer Stephanie Webster October 08, 2011
Barcelona Restaurant's Cocktail & Wine Events Schedule Restaurant Cocktails Wine Chat Wine Dinners Wine Tasting Stephanie Webster October 05, 2011 The Fall/Winter schedule for Barcelona Restaurant Group's wine and cocktail events has been released. You'll find it complete with education on wine pairings, tasting menus, and mixology 101 "Cocktail Classroom" evenings. These unique events allow guests to experience Barcelona more intimately in small groups designed to inform and tantalize. Get up close and personal with one of the many talented Barcelona chefs as well as Gretchen Thomas, Barcelona's Wine and Sprits Director. Check out the line up below: Read More
Oktoberfest Arrives at Shake Shack Restaurant Westport Burgers Amy Kundrat October 04, 2011 The Shake Shack is tackling Oktoberfest from October 7 through 16 with a special Bavarian-inspired menu of burgers, beers and custards. Here is a sneak peek of their Shacktoberfest menu: German-style Biers A regional Oktoberfest selection featuring a $12 option that includes a 25 oz. Shacktoberfest Stein and seasonal bottles for $8. Brat Burgers & Bratwursts The Brat Burger will feature a burger topped with split & griddled bratwurst with German-style slaw. Usinger's bratwursts will include a Shackmeister, a marinated cheddar brat and a Currywurst, a griddled and slices bratwurst topped with Shack-made curry ketchup. Read More
3 New Picks For Top Burgers: Greenwich to Westport Restaurant Norwalk Westport Burgers Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger October 04, 2011 Shake Shack Earlier this summer CTBites published my list of Ten Recommended Hamburgers from Greenwich to Westport. Subsequent to the article I received numerous suggestions, both here and through my e-mail. I want to thank all of the passionate hamburger lovers for some great options for me to try and I made every attempt to visit as many as I could. With summer now officially behind us, I wanted to report back and add three destinations to my list of Recommended Hamburgers from Greenwich to Westport. Read More
Chip’s Family Restaurant on Black Rock Tpke Fairfield Restaurant Brunch Fairfield Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Jessica and Rebecca Ryan October 02, 2011 The following is our first mother & daughter review. Jessica Ryan is in the 7th grade. Rebecca: The other day my mother, brothers and I went to try Chip’s, a new restaurant on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield (where Blockbuster’s was) for lunch. The restaurant was busy, sunny and clean. As soon as we walked in a waiter brought us to a booth by the window. The restaurant is spacious with lots of tables in the middle and booths all along the sides. There were a couple of large TVs hanging from the ceiling and we could see the kitchen from where we were sitting. Read More
Pancake Breakfast & Pop Up Farmers' Mkt @ Wakeman Farm Restaurant Farmers Market Local Farm kids activity Farm Fresh Kid Friendly Christy Colasurdo September 28, 2011 Got kids? Like pancakes? And bacon? And all things farm-y and fun? Come on down to an old-fashioned “Pancake Breakfast & Pop Up Farmers' Market," a family event at Wakeman Town Farm (134 Cross Hwy, Westport) on Sunday, October 2 from 9 a.m.-noon. It's a fun, fall $5 Pancake Breakfast and Pop-Up Farmers' Market on the farm, featuring an array of local vendors and craftspeople selling everything from artisanal foods to handmade crafts from an eclectic assortment of local vendors. (Rain or shine.) In addition to a country farm breakfast with pancakes, nitrate-free bacon and fresh maple syrup and coffee and juice, sponsored by Christie’s Country Store and Graze Delivered, there will be a host of local vendors and craftspeople selling their wares in a festive, farmers' market atmosphere. Read More
Brunch @ Sugar & Olives in Norwalk Restaurant Farm to Table Norwalk Organic Breakfast Lunch Kid Friendly Amy Kundrat September 25, 2011 The weekend morning meal. This sacred cow for many, consists of copious amounts of coffee, newsprint (for you digital hold-outs), and a healthy combination of carbs and protein. In addition to providing fuel for the errand-filled, kid-chaffeuring day ahead, brunch can also be one of the most frequently debated destinations of your weekend.Since they began serving brunch just a month ago, Sugar & Olives in Norwalk has easily moved to the top of my brunch list. House-made ingredients, a green certification and a happy space make Sugar & Olives the type of place you can drop-in with your friends, a gaggle of kids or simply fly solo and enjoy this most important of weekend meals. Read More
The Boathouse Does Dinner @ Millstone Farm in October Restaurant Farm Dinner Farm to Table Local Farm Stephanie Webster September 23, 2011 Chef John Holzwarth of The Boathouse at Saugatuck is coming to Millstone Farm in Wilton CT on October 4th and October 11th. These “Farm to Fork” on-site events feature Chef Holzwarth’s seasonal creations showcasing Millstone Farm’s well-recognized sustainable produce. Both dinner events will feature two sumptuous five course dinners including wine pairings with each course. Arrive at 6:30 for a tour of this pristinely beautiful farm, with Annie Farrell as your guide. It’s a great opportunity to meet chef Holzwarth and farmer Annie Farrell in action! Tickets are $85 per person and must be purchased at the Boathouse in advance by calling 203-227-3399. Read More
Road Trip: Stone Barns Harvest Festival Restaurant Road Trip Amy Kundrat September 22, 2011 The Stone Barns 8th Annual Harvest Festivities will take place on October 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Pocantico Hills, New York. Worth the short road-trip just over the border, this day will feature a mouth-watering line-up of food vendors including Skinny Pines pizza, Balthazar Bakery, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, and Stone Barns/Blue Hill at Stone Barns pork sandwiches; live music featuring Dan Zanes & Friends and Spuyten Duyvil; a Farmers Market with delicious food from local purveyors; workshops on food and farming; and more! See below for a complete list of vendors and more information. Read More
Macdaddy’s Macaroni and Cheese Bar in Monroe Kids Bites Restaurant Monroe Special Dietary Needs kids activity Comfort Food Kid Friendly CTbites Team September 20, 2011 And now a word from our 10 years old food critic.... Hey kids, guess what? Want to win a free Mac Daddy’s T-Shirt? Mac Daddy’s will give the first 10 kids to correctly guess the amount of macaroni boxes used to fill the pan on the wall (described below) a free t-shirt Contest ends on November 20th. Mention CTbites to enter. What do you think of when you think of macaroni and cheese? A small box of Kraft mac and cheese? Well… now I think of Macdaddy’s Macaroni and Cheese Bar, an amazing macaroni and cheese restaurant with at least 20 different kinds of macaroni. I had thought that Macdaddy’s was going to be bigger than it was (they can seat about 25 people) but that didn’t mean it wasn’t good. Macdaddy’s is a quick service restaurant (which means that you order at a counter and they bring the food to your table). Read More
Kouzina: New Greek / Mediterranean in New Canaan Restaurant Greek Mediterranean New Canaan Lunch Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger September 18, 2011 Brian Herlihy and Gina Douvas followed their passion for cooking by opening Kouzina, a Greek/Mediterranean restaurant in New Canaan featuring the best of their family recipes. This husband and wife team were raised in households where large family meals were a regular event (Gina in Astoria, Queens and Brian in Katonah), and each developed a love for cooking at an early age. After numerous trips to Greece with Gina, Brian fell in love with the cuisine and their vision took shape. After Brian retired from the Pound Ridge Police department their dream became a reality and in June the couple opened Kouzina on Forest Street in New Canaan. Originally envisaged as a specialty food store and market that would sell olives, olive oils (from Gina’s family farm in Patras, Greece), cheeses, artisanal breads and prepared foods; the project expanded and now features a restaurant. Read More
10 Questions with BSF Owner Kory Wollins Restaurant Chef Talk Darien Greenwich Burgers Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger September 16, 2011 One of the ultimate comfort foods, the Hamburger, has obtained main stream culinary acceptance during the past few years as evidenced by the inclusion of gourmet hamburgers on many restaurant menus and recently established restaurants dedicated to these gastronomic delights. On the forefront of this trend, Kory Wollins followed his dream and opened his first Burgers, Shakes & Fries on Delavan Avenue in the Byram section of Greenwich in 2007. The first time I entered the Greenwich location and spoke with Kory, we had an in-depth conversation about his product, his ambitions and our mutual love for great hamburgers. Years later I still thoroughly enjoy the BSF hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes at the Greenwich and Darien locations, and I have watched the passion that Kory brings to each of his restaurants. Read More
Sono Fall Restaurant Week Starts September 25th Restaurant Events Norwalk Stephanie Webster September 15, 2011
Road Trip: "Tapping Into Twain" Oktoberfest Sept. 23rd Restaurant Hartford Holiday Beer Stephanie Webster September 15, 2011 On Friday, September 23rd, the Mark Twain House will host their 4th Annual "Tapping Into Twain" Oktoberfest. This event features a selection of locally produced beers and artisanal ales paired with bites from local restaurants. This is the event the Hartford Advocate has called "absolutely, positively, without any doubt whatever, one of the best charitable events Hartford has beheld in quite some time." Breweries participating include Blue Point, Bru Rm/Bar, Cavalry Brewing, City Steam Brewery Café, Hartford Better Beer Co., HDI & Franklin Distributors, Hook & Ladder, Hooker Brewery, Maltose Express, Narragansett, Old Burnside Brewing, Southport SBC, Willimantic and Zok's Home Brewing, with more signing up every day. Read More
CTbites Hosts Live Chef Demos @ BBQ Festival Sept 24 Restaurant Events Stephanie Webster September 15, 2011 Listen up food lovers. CTbites has rounded up some of the area's top chefs for an afternoon of live cooking demonstrations, recipe tasting and general good times. On September 24th from 12-5pm come on down to the CTbites Demo Tent at Westport's Blues Views & BBQ Festival to meet: Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant in Sono; Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro's in Westport; Chef Helton DaSilva of Fairfield's Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar; Leticia Schwartz, author of The Brazilian Kitchen (recently on NBC's Today Show); and as a late breaking addition, Chef Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill. Plus, one lucky attendee will WIN a FREE Dinner for 2 @ leFarm Restaurant in Westport. Chef Demo Schedule 12:00 Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant 12:45 Chef Judy Roll of Tabouli Grill 2:00 Chef Helton DaSilva of Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant 2:45 Chef Pietro Scotti of Da Pietro's 3:30 Chef Leticia Schwartz, Author of The Brazilian Kitchen 4:30 GRAZE Home Delivery Read More
Vote YES for 3 New Restaurants on Westport's Waterfront Restaurant Stephanie Webster September 14, 2011 This just in via the The Westport News. Westporters-please support this proposal at the public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday Sept 15th in the Town Hall auditorium. "The west side of downtown Westport could soon be serving up a new menu of restaurants, if a zoning text amendment proposed by the owner of the downtown landmark, National Hall, is approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Greenfield Partners, a South Norwalk-based commercial estate firm that owns National Hall and several surrounding buildings, has secured three letters of intent to open new dining establishments on the west bank of the Saugatuck River, according to its land-use counselWilliam Fitzpatrick. Safita, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Fairfield, would open a new establishment at 6 Wilton Road, which once served as a fire house. Bartaco, a chain of Mexican restaurants, would open a new outlet at 20 Wilton Road, which formerly housed the Peter Coppola hair salon. The third restaurant in the National Hall complex would be sushi-themed and operate on the first floor of 12 Wilton Road, which overlooks the Saugatuck River." --Paul Schott Read the full article here. Read More
Farm-to-Chef Week Starts September 18th Restaurant Events Farm to Table Local Farm Stephanie Webster September 13, 2011 Participating Restaurant in Fairfield County Click here to view menus from all participants. Read More
Fairfield Cheese Company Classes Are Back in Session Restaurant Cheese Fairfield Specialty Market Stephanie Webster September 08, 2011 School is back in session, and I don't mean the kind that requires boarding a yellow school bus. I'm talking about an education involving terms like bloomy, soft-ripened, blue-vein, washed-rind, and brined. Fairfield Cheese Company's Fall/Winter cheese class schedule is out with a full offering for any level of cheese appreciation. Check out the full line up below: Read More
