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Locali Bar & Pizza Kitchen in New Canaan Rolls Out New Fall Menu...And It's Good

Restaurant Italian Pizza New Canaan

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

Executive Chef Mogan Anthony of Locali restaurant in New Canaan rolled out his fall menu, inspired by the fresh autumn ingredients, and invited CTbites to stop in and sample a few of his new culinary creations.

My favorite of the Small Plates was the “Shaved Local Cauliflower.” The thinly sliced raw cauliflower was tossed with pieces of Medjool dates, cashews, and drizzled with white Balsamic. The earthiness of the crispy cauliflower was beautifully complemented by the sweetness in the dates and the slightly tart balsamic. The cashews added additional earthiness and a delightful crunch.


Spotlight on The "Local Burger" @ Local Kitchen & Beer Bar in Sono... Delicious

Restaurant Norwalk SONO Burgers

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

In my continuous and unending search for great hamburgers in Fairfield County, I returned to SONO to sample Chef Dan Kardos’ latest version at LOCAL Kitchen and Beer Bar. Kardos is no stranger to my “Best of” list with previous version from both Harvest Supper in New Canaan and NOLA (at this same location) earning a spot. The interior of the restaurant has been transformed, with more woods and lights plus the rear room (never my favorite) was converted into a Bourbon Bar. The new décor gives a much hipper and fun feel.

Chef Dan’s latest version is named “THE LOCAL BURGER” and includes all natural, humanely raised beef, sautéed wild mushrooms, bacon, Swiss cheese, fronions and black pepper mayo, encased in a Wave Hill bun…served with French fries and a pickle.


Jax & Co. Opens in Sono, from the Owners of Mama's Boy: Breakfast, Lunch & To-Go Dinner

Restaurant Norwalk Prepared Food SONO Southern Breakfast Lunch

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

Whenever the owner of a restaurant that serves great food announces a second location, I am excited to see where this second venture will lead.  After hearing that Greer Fredericks, the co-owner of Mama’s Boy in SONO, was opening JAX around the corner on North Main, I couldn’t wait for my first visit. JAX opened a few weeks ago and currently serves a wide range of breakfast options, plus a tremendous selection of creative sandwiches at lunch. It is also placing the final touches to its soon to be released take-away dinners, and awaiting the delivery of its ice cream machine.

Located just south of the SONO theatre, the interior is completely redesigned, accented with a red painted art nouveau ceiling and lots of wood throughout…it is definitely the sister restaurant to Mama’s Boy.


Black Rock Farmers Market Throws a HARVEST HOOTENANNY Oct. 25th

Ingredients Restaurant Bridgeport Farmers Market

Stephanie Webster

The Black Rock Farmers' Market is throwing a party to celebrate the closing of the market for the 2014 season. Go shop the market on October 25th from 9-1pm, and then stay for an afternoon of celebration at their Harvest Hootenanny featuring local food, local breweries, and live music, from 1-5pm. Musical guest will be Black Rock's own Oh, Cassius!

Hootenanny Event Schedule 

  • Pig Roast (sponsored by Walrus + Carpenter)
  • Beer Tasting for Charity (Two Roads Brewery and other local breweries)
  • Lounge Area (sponsored by B:Hive)
  • Bonfire
  • Bouncy Obstacle Course
  • Dunk Tank (sponsored by Stoked Progressive Smoke Shop)
  • Haunted House (sponsored by St. Ann Academy)
  • "Corn Hole" Bag Toss Game (sponsored by B:Hive)
  • Live Music from Bedlam Brothers 
  • Square Dancing led by Bill Fischer, the Dance Caller

Restaurant Re-Boot: Bistro 7 In Wilton CT

Restaurant American Farm to Table Wilton

Lou Gorfain

Seven is Breno Donatti’s lucky number.    His restaurant, “ Bistro 7”  is located on Highway 7 in Wilton.  “Seven is God's favorite number,” he told us, “And I also got the inspiration for Bistro 7 in the 7th district of Paris in a place called ‘Cafe Central.’”

Well, hopefully we won’t jinx anything by dubbing his re-programed farm–to-fork café in Wilton as  “Bistro 7.1.”   

With a new chef, sous chef, general manager, and a reimagined food and beverage menu,  Donatti has updated his operating system, and from what we tasted at a recent Grand Reopening,  the app is not just new, but vastly improved: less complicated and well-priced.

We began with a Roasted Root Veggie Bisque, blended with slow cooked carrots, butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potato, root spices, and garnished with a bacon chip.   Breno claims it’s even better than his award winning Butternut Squash Bisque and we don’t disagree.


Heirloom Hosts Gluten Free Dinner with Del Posto's Executive Chef Mark Ladner

Restaurant Gluten-Free Pasta New Haven

CTbites Team

Heirloom in New Haven will be hosting a gluten free dinner with guest Chef Mark Ladner of Del Posto NYC and Iron Chef fame on Monday, October 13 at 7:30 pm. Seats are $125 per person, which includes food, wine, tax & gratuity. The evening has limited availability with only 34 seats, credit card reservtions are required. Please call 203-503-3919.  

Earlier in the day at 4 pm, Chef Ladner will be joining Pasta Flyer in New Haven for a talk at St. Anthony's Hall.


2014 Greenwich Food & Wine Festival: Best Eats of Culinary Village

Restaurant Greenwich Wine + Food Festival

Jeff "jfood" Schlesinger

This year’s Greenwich Food and Wine Festival was held from Thursday through Saturday, September 26-28, with the final day the beneficiary of a breathtaking location overlooking the harbor, temperatures in the 80s, and a cloudless sky. With the main tent offering liquid libations and food, other areas emitting smoke as the precursor to burgers, pork and ribs, a grass parking area for numerous food trucks and the CTbites' Blogger Lounge shadowing the main stage where Alabama would perform in the evening, it was ripe for a perfect culinary adventure.

I arrived early to wander through the main tent, stopping at each of the booths to have a quick chat with the chef and sample their creations. From crudo to bisque to steak, some were delicious and deserve special mention. These were the favorites:


Q's Restaurant: Vietnamese PHO & BBQ in Norwalk

Restaurant Chinese Delicious Dives Norwalk Soups Vietnamese

Sarah Green

What's PHO lunch today? As autumn quietly slinks in, there's nothing like a truly authentic PHO to ease us into the chill that awaits. Head on over to Q's Restaurant at 172 Main Street in Norwalk (the old Valencia Luncheria spot) for the real McCoy. Recently opened (about 3 months and counting) and charmingly tiny, Q's is the love child of husband and wife duo Charles Eaton and XiaoNing Liu. Eaton, a Vietnam Vet, met Liu (a native of Old Nanking Province in China) while he was serving a tour of duty in Asia. Together, they have brought a small menu featuring Pho as well as other Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine to their wee, little kitchen. 


13 Pumpkin Treats & Cocktails To Enjoy This Fall in CT

Features Restaurant Holiday Kid Friendly

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Fall is officially here… and nothing embodies the season as perfectly as the pumpkin!  Many of CT’s best restaurants, eateries, and specialty stores are celebrating the arrival of autumn with pumpkin-inspired treats.  For fun for the whole family, Chips serves up pumpkin pancakes; Ferris Acres Creamery is serving "Pumpkin Pie" ice cream (pie crust included); while the over 21 crowd can sip on homemade pumpkin vodka at Darien Social, or a Spiced Pumpkin cocktail at Napa & Co. 

  1. Darien Social, (Darien): Housemade Pumpkin Vodka
  2. SONO Baking Company, (Westport, Norwalk, Darien)  Pumpkin Cookies, Pies & muffins
  3. SBC, (Milford, Branford, Southport)  Pumpkin Crème Bruleé
  4. Ferris Acres Creamery, (Newtown) Ice cream specials include: Pumpkin, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pumpkin Cookies and Cream - with crushed Oreos, Pumkpin Pie, Oh Snap - pumpkin w/ crushed ginger snaps
  5. Stew Leonard’s, (Norwalk, Danbury, Newington) Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt
  6. The Schoolhouse, (Wilton) Kabocha Squash Soup
  7. Fresh Market, (Westport) Pumpkin Salsa

Westport Restaurant Weeks October 5th - 19th...Now w/ Cocktails!

Restaurant Restaurant Week Westport

CTbites Team

Westport Restaurant Week is here again...now with 2 weeks! It just keeps getting better, so get out of the house and let one of these great restaurants do the cooking for you.

Each of the participating venues will be offering a Prix Fixe meal, and this year, there is a flexible pricing program to further enhance the experience. Lunches will be $15, $20 or $25, Dinners $25, $30 or $35 and Brunch, if offered starting at $20, its up to each restaurant to set their fixe.

Also new this year is the addition of Specialty Cocktail venues. So enjoy a pre dinner drink or a night cap at one of these fine establishments.

VIEW THE FULL LIST OF PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS BELOW. Just click on a name or logo to see what is being offered. 


Napa & Co. Offers Fall Wine Series

Restaurant Education Wine Dinners Wine Tasting

CTbites Team

Napa & Co. continues its Fall Wine Series, offering overviews of several distinct regions of the world from California to South Africa. The brainchild of Sommelier and Owner Mary Schaffer, the series will feature guest speakers, wine tastings plus a few selections by Chef Adam Truelove.  To reserve your spot to any, or all, of these events contact Napa & Co. at 203-353-3319 or e-mail them at info@napaandcompany.com

Monday, October 6th - A TREK THROUGH SOUTH AFRICA. Enjoy exceptional selections from producers Hamilton Russel, Boekenhoutskloof, Stark Conde, Spice Route, Southern Right and Kanonkop paired with 3 small plates. $55pp (plus tax and gratuity) 

Monday, October 20th - SPANISH INQUISITION! The exceptionally deep wines of Rioja will be the centerpiece of the evening. Enjoy 6 wines and 3 small plates. $50pp (plus tax and gratuity).


Shake Shack's Shacktoberfest Menu On Tap October 3-12 @ Westport & New Haven

Restaurant Holiday Westport New Haven Burgers

CTbites Team

The best of the wurst is almost here! Shake Shack’s 9th Annual Shacktoberfest is on tap from Friday, October 3rd through Sunday, October 12th.

As is the case every autumn, Shake Shack’s highly anticipated Oktoberfest-inspired festival celebrates good food, drinks and friends—the Shack way! Get ready for special-edition biers, bratwursts, burgers, and frozen custard treats at both Westport & New Haven locations. 

Shacktoberfest is the only time of year to snag a commemorative Shake Shack Bier Stein for $10.00 (25 oz.). Filled to the brim with your choice of Brooklyn Brewery’s brisk, malty Oktoberfest beer or their very own ShackMeister Ale, the hefty glass stein is yours to keep and just $7.00 to refill throughout Shacktoberfest.

An Evening with Mark Bittman at Yale on October 6

Restaurant Author Chef Talk

Amy Kundrat

Photo c/o MarkBittman.comMark Bomford, Director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project will lead a conversation with author and New York Times columnist Mark Bittman on October 8, 2014 from 6 to 7 pm. The talk will take place at Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona, 1 Prospect Street in New Haven. This event is hosted by the Yale Sustainable Food Program.

The talk is being hosted in conjunction with the release of his new book, How to Cook Everything Fast: A Better Way to Cook Great Food, Bittman is speaking at Yale and will be on-hand following the talk to sign books.  


5th Annual Connecticut Cheese & Wine Festival 2014

Ingredients Restaurant Cheese Festival Wine Tasting

CTbites Team

The 5th annual Connecticut Cheese & Wine Festival, a celebration of local artisan made foods & wines will take place at Hopkins Vineyard, 25 Hopkins Rd in New Preston, on Saturday, October 18, 2014, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This event will feature locally made handcrafted cheeses, boutique wines and specialty foods and crafts from some of the Northeast’s top producers. This varied celebration, with the special wine and food pairings, promises to be the artisan food event of the year.


Garelick & Herbs Opens in Saugatuck: Prepared & To-Go In Westport

Features Restaurant Prepared Food Specialty Market Breakfast Lunch Dessert

Jessica Ryan

It’s been just over a month since Garelick & Herbs opened its newest, and second Westport, location in the Saugatuck section of Westport with the familiar food favorites and a slightly more industrial vibe than its other locations. It's the most recent food establishment to open just below the new luxury condominiums, sharing the small section of town with Craft Butchery, The Whelk, and Saugatuck Sweets.

Many favorite dishes from the other locations are available, including an array of bright and beautiful salads (a crowd pleaser is the ever popular Kale and Quinoa). Also tempting are their prepared fish, chicken and meat entrées. Numerous pre-packaged pastas, sauces, soups and salads, as well as their selection of breads and cheeses are ready for purchase, whether to the beach or for a quick easy dinner. Their same, dangerously decadent, selection of sweets grace the counter by the register. For customers looking for a sandwich, Garelick offers Paninis, breakfast sandwiches and omelets. The space includes a large, brightly lit, dining area with plenty of comfortable seating, plus an e and coffee bar, more baked goods and delicious oatmeal; or enjoy outdoor seating.


Two Roads Brewing Hosts First Connecticut Brewers Festival October 6th

Restaurant Brewery Festival Beer

CTbites Team

As a prelude to CT Beer Week (October 13-20), over 20 breweries from around the state will be converging a week early on Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford for the first ever Connecticut Brewers Festival on Monday, October 6th from 6-9 p.m. Over 20 breweries will be in attendance with only 250 tickets available for festival-goers.

Tickets are $25, which gets patrons a pint glass commemorating the event as well as unlimited three ounce pours of some of their favorite CT beers. The event is 21+. All proceeds to this event benefit the Connecticut Brewers Guild. 

Food Trucks include: LobstercraftLocal Meatball and Bounty Burger.

Connecticut, like most places around the country, is seeing a boom in craft beer. In 2011, there were only a handful of breweries and today, over 25 breweries are operating within the Nutmeg State with more and more opening every month. 


Friday Froth: Oktoberfest Was Born In March

Ingredients Restaurant CT Beer Oktoberfest Beer

James Gribbon

I'm forever tempted to geek out in FrothHop varieties from New Zealand, Gemini astronauts on labels, fat tankers, coolships - I'm curious about everything, and I'll drink most of it once. Today I'll attempt to make a few points, mention beer early, then get out. Here we go: 

Oktoberfest is not a style of beer. In fact, it has more to do with a horse race than anything we drink. 

Most beer drinkers have heard the basic origin story: On October 12, 1810, crown prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen and everyone in Munich was invited to party on the fields in front of the city gates, which have been known as Theresienwiese, or "Theresa's meadow" ever since. Everyone had a great time, and you know damn well there was some beer involved, but the highlight of the party for everyone but the non-royals (probably) were the horse races which closed the jubilation. It was the desire to have the horse races again the next year which lead to Oktoberfest becoming an annual tradition.


New Canaan Nature Center Hosts Harvest Festival w/ Beer, Music & More

Restaurant Festival Beer

CTbites Team

On October 4th New Canaan Nature Center will be hosting their third annual Harvest Festival from 7-10pm.  This event is a fundraiser for the Nature Center, and is also the party everyone loves to attend but doesn’t want to host anymore.  Boots, jeans, and a jacket in the meadow with beer, a bit of wine, music, and food for one ticket price.  A local band called the Jazzholes will be performing, and Half Full Brewery and Two Roads Brewery, will be coming to serve party go-ers. 

There will be a wide variety of beer and wine to choose from and some great eats.  Last year, vendors pouring beer and wine included Half Full, Two Roads, Estrella, GW Beer, Berkshire, DogFish Head, Widmer, Murphy’s and Charter Oak along with 3 liquor stores pouring a selection of wines and a few signature cocktails. This year they will also have a selection of gluten free labels.

For more information about the location/time/etc.: http://www.newcanaannature.org/programs/adult/index.php

Chef Speaker Lineup Announced for the 2014 CTbites & Serendipity Blogger Lounge at Greenwich Wine + Food Festival

Restaurant Greenwich Greenwich Wine + Food Festival

CTbites Team

CTbites is pleased to announce the schedule for the CTbites & Serendipity Blogger Lounge at the Greenwich Wine+Food Festival on Saturday, September 27, 2014, co-hosted with the event's presenting sponsor, Serendipity magazine. The lounge will host the CTbites & Serendipity Chef Speaker Series, a schedule of 13 regionally and nationally recognized chefs who will take part in a Q & A with editors from Serendipity and CTbites. Food bloggers, writers, and photographers are welcome to visit the tent, meet the chefs, and listen to the guest speakers. Speakers will be interviewed by CTbites' honarary team member Chef Matt Storch.  

CTbites Chef Speaker Series

12:15 pm Aaron Sanchez

12:45 pm Anne Burrell

1:15 pm Adam Richman

1:45 pm Geoffrey Zakarian

2:15 pm Christian Petroni

2:45 pm Fritz Knipschildt

3:00 pm Geoff Lazlo

3:15 pm Joel Viehland

3:30 pm Michael Young

3:45 pm Bill Taibe

4:00 pm Jean-Georges Vongerichten

4:30 pm Mixology Panel: Gretchen Thomas, Jeff Marron, Adam Patrick