It's A Woman's World: Greer Fredericks, Restaurateur & Owner, Peaches

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CTbites Team March 29, 2018

Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us.

Our new series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.

Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow.

How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature Greer Fredericks, Owner of Peaches in Norwalk. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com.

Giveaway! WIN FREE TIX to East Coast Brew Festival June 16th

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Stephanie Webster March 28, 2018

GoodWorks Entertainment presents their second annual craft beer festival. From the same people that brought you Flavour Beer Festival, get ready for EAST COAST BREW FESTIVAL. ECBF will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 2 PM until 5 PM at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company (70 Sanford Street in Fairfield, Connecticut).

CTbites is GIVING AWAY 2 FREE TICKETS to East Coast Brew Festival. To win, tell us WHY YOU NEED TO GO in the comments section below, and make sure you are a CTbites Newsletter Subscriber!

Nibble: CT Food Events For March 31-April 6

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 28, 2018

April is National Grilled Cheese month, and Fairfield Cheese Company is celebrating with a class called “Beyond Kraft Singles: Grilled Cheese.” Join them on Tuesday April 3 from 7-9pm. It costs $50 per person.

Jesup Hall is launching their new Happy Hour Tuesday April 3rd. Dimitrios Zahariadis from Litchfield Distillery and Highland Brass Company will be joining Craig Ventrice behind the bar serving specialty cocktails, snacks, burgers and more! The Happy Hour will run Tuesday-Friday from 5-6pm.

Food and drink meets art at Brother Jimmy’s on Tuesday April 3. The New Haven location is extending their happy hour specials and hosting a Paint Night from 7:30-9:30pm. $25 and tax includes the canvas, easel, paint, brushes, and apron.

Brewport is honoring First Responders on Tuesday April 3 from 3:30-5:30pm. Show your badge and get some pizza on the house.

On Friday April 6, Chef Joel Viehland is teaming up with Pam Yung, Louise Bannon, and Cortney Burns for a “Friends of Swyft” collaboration dinner. Swyft is located at 3 Maple Street in Kent and reservations can be made online through Resy.

Mrs. Leonard’s Naked Ham with Maple Pecan Bacon Glaze Recipe

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Stephanie Webster March 27, 2018

Stew Leonard’s Naked ham is sourced from local farms in Pennsylvania and is antibiotic and hormone free. Mrs. Leonard loves to serve her Easter ham with a sweet glaze that includes maple syrup and brown sugar, making this dish a delightful combination of sweet and salty. She has shared her recipe below, but don't feel like you need to save this dish for Easter. Ham is great any day!

Anaya Sushi & Ramen: Slurp Worthy Noodles (And More) Served At All Hours

Restaurant New Haven Ramen Noodles Asian Japanese Homepage

CTbites Team March 25, 2018

Anaya Sushi & Ramen has been serving its hungry New Haven crowds (and Yale students) since it opened back in 2015. CTBites.com reported on the venue when it was just three-months-old, highlighting its all-you-can-eat sushi and touching on its soon-to-come late-night ramen house.

Now, two years later, this venue has become a staple in the restaurant community. With its substantial all-day sushi menu (and after-hours ramen delights), casual vibe, and friendly service, owner Soraya Kaoroptham (who is also the mastermind behind Noodle House) and her team seem to have gotten it right.

Food Rescue US Hosts Food for All Fundraiser April 25 with 20+ Chefs

Features Events

CTbites Team March 23, 2018

Food Rescue US, the technology-fueled, direct-transfer food rescue organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in America, is thrilled to present their signature fundraising event, Food for All. Food for All has become one of Fairfield County's most popular strolling, eating events and this year features the hottest restaurants and artisans on the local dining scene. Exclusive Cocktail Hour (5:30pm-6:30pm) tickets are $250 and include access to private pre-event cocktails and food presented by Chef Bill Taibe of Kawa Ni, Jessup Hall and Whelk. Tickets to the cocktail hour also cover general admission for the rest of the evening. General Admission tickets are $125. Tickets can be purchased here.

Featured Restaurants:

Kawa Ni, The Spread, Knot Norms Catering, Village Social, Match Burger Lobster, Taproot, Abigail Kirsch. Amis Trattoria, Harlan Haus, Bar Zepoli, Bobby Q’s, Beach House, Flinders Lane, My Myx Kitchen, Roger Sherman Inn, Saltwater Sono.

Friday Froth: Taking New England Out Of Hazy IPAs

Features Beer CT Beer Ingredients

James Gribbon March 23, 2018

Lately I've been doing some studying up on hops, which is - naturally - why I'm going to start this week's column off by being mad at yeast. I am comprehensively sick and tired of unfiltered IPAs; exhausted and at my wit's end trying to find an existing beer I can rely on to not look like milky pond water upon its exit from the can. Unsightly floating clumps, and my beer burning my throat, aren't even the biggest irritations. The worst is the style has had, until just now, "New England" in its name. Thankfully this week the Brewers Association has officially renamed it "Hazy or Juicy IPA." The BA's Beer Style Guidelines are effectively the AP style book of beer writing, and they've relegated the defacto descriptor of juice-bombs to the backseat. Hooray for the BA, and death to trub, amen.

It's A Woman's World: Bloodroot's Noel Furie & Selma Miriam

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CTbites Team March 22, 2018

Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us.

Our new series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.

How'd they do it? Read on. This week, our focus turns to Noel Furie and Selma Miriam, Owners of Bloodroot feminist restaurant. Have a suggestion on someone you’d like to see featured? Email steph@ctbites.com.

Norwalk Now: Norwalk Businesses Unite To Bring You The Best of Norwalk (sponsored post)

Features Norwalk

CTbites Team March 22, 2018

Introducing Norwalk Now: Norwalk Now is a collaborative marketing group comprised of Norwalk businesses who have come together to bring you their city – in real time. Founder, Linda Kavanagh shares the vision behind this exciting new marketing collective.

Every time I crack an egg open I can’t resist the temptation of putting forth my only-funny-to-myself impersonation of Julia Child a la “The French Chef -Elegance with Eggs” episode. She makes a mundane omelet worthy of an elegant dinner with an “added green salad, crusty bread, and white wine.” From the black and white TV cooking show days of this culinary grande dame to our current day food culture.

A visit to the coastal community of Norwalk and the restaurants of Norwalk Now proved to be a great place to illustrate the abundance of egg-centric preparations, a-typical and otherwise, finding their way onto our plates.

Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of March 24 - April 1

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 21, 2018

On Monday, March 26, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana will kick off its "Good Neighbor Day" program. Each restaurant will donate 10% of all lunch and dinner sales made on March 26 to a deserving community partner.

Fairfield Cheese Company presents “Goat-a-Palooza” on Thursday March 29 from 7-9pm. $50 includes a tasting of different kinds of goat cheeses as well as wine pairings. Watertown Gridiron's 1st Annual Wing Competition will go down on Monday March 26! 7 local restaurants will compete to see who makes the best wings. Come by between 5pm and 9pm, taste some wings, and vote for your favorite. Tickets are $13 per person and children 5 and under are free.

On Tuesday March 27, Marina Marchese of Red Bee Honey will be at the Trumbull Library to discuss her seventeen year long journey into beekeeping and honey. Guests will have the opportunity to taste Red Bee honey, purchase her books, and hear from her. The event is free, but register online to guarantee seating.

Flavors of Connecticut is an annual culinary gala that spotlights 35 of our states hottest chefs and restaurants. This year, it will take place on Tuesday March 27 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. Edward Allen of Foxwoods Resort Casino will be the honorary chef alongside a line-up of local talent.

Chef Brian Lewis' OKO Japanese Restaurant Opening Soon!!

Restaurant Openings Westport Japanese Homepage homepage

Stephanie Webster March 16, 2018

Exciting news from Chef Brian Lewis and his entire team. Chef Lewis' new Japanese concept OKO will be opening soon

From Lewis: “I have been really inspired by Japanese cooking techniques, culture and ingredients for a very long time, studying and layering Japanese influences into my cooking for many years, but it was the introduction of the Okonomiyaki at The Cottage that was my real ‘a-ha’” moment in defining the direction for my next restaurant.

Introducing the Okonomiyaki, a savory, Japanese pancake filled with seasonally-inspired ingredients, was a whimsical addition to our menu - Japanese street food with some rarefied touches. Our guests absolutely loved this dish and it quickly became a Cottage favorite, which will likely stay on the menu as a Cottage Classic.

50+ Restaurants for Easter in CT: 2018 Edition

Restaurant Holiday Special Occasion

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 16, 2018

Even though snow’s been in the forecast, spring is actually on its way and Easter is right around the corner! Connecticut restaurants are celebrating the occasion with prix fixe menus, traditional dishes, brunches, buffets, and more. Click here to see all of the egg-cellent options… and don’t forget to reserve ASAP so some-bunny doesn’t beat you to it!

Hub and Spoke, Bridgeport: On Wednesday March 28, get into the Easter spirit at Hub & Spoke in Bridgeport. The Easter bunny will make an appearance for dinner at 4pm.
Homestead Inn, Greenwich: Dine on a 3 course Easter prix fixe menu at The Homestead in for $85 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point, Old Saybrook: They will serve an Easter Brunch from 10am to 4pm.
Harbor Lights, Norwalk: Harbor Lights in Norwalk will have a three course prix fixe Easter Dinner for $49 per person, plus tax, gratuity, and drinks.
Anthony’s Ocean View, New Haven: At Anthony's Ocean View, enjoy Easter brunch with seatings at 10:30am, 11am, 1pm, and 1:30pm or come for supper at 3:30pm or 4pm. Choose from a meal in the dining room or reserve a private family suite.
Madison Beach Hotel, Madison: The Wharf at The Madison Beach Hotel will serve Easter brunch from 10:30am-3:30pm. They'll have salads, breads and pastries, omelet and carving stations, entrees, house made desserts, and more. It is $54 per adult, $20 for children 6-12, and free for kids under 6.

Stew Leonard’s Chocolate Bunny Milk is BACK March 20th

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CTbites Team March 16, 2018

Yup...It's back for Easter. A half-gallon glass jug of Stew’s Chocolate Bunny Milk will be available for $5.99 starting on March 20, 2018 at all six Stew Leonard’s locations. Stew Leonard’s signature farm fresh milk is mixed with creamy milk chocolate to create a sweet, irresistible chocolate milk that tastes just like a classic chocolate Easter bunny. Stew Leonard’s milk is delivered fresh to our stores from award-winning dairy farms in upstate NY and is free from artificial growth hormones (rBST) and antibiotics. The milk will only be available for a limited time.

Nibble: CT Food Events for Week of March 18-25

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 15, 2018

Woodbury Restaurant Week is here! It takes place from March 19-25 and includes Al’s Best Pizza, Carlito’s of Woodbury, Carole Peck’s Good News Café, The Charcoal Chef, Constantine’s, The Curtis House Inn, John’s Café, Market Place of Woodbury, The Olive Tree, Papa’s Main Street Deli, San Remo, The Split Rail, The Woodbury Brewing Company, and The Woodbury Diner. .

Stew Leonard’s Norwalk store is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt Eggs-Travaganza starting at 4 pm on Monday, March 19. Children under 9 will be given a map of Stew Leonard’s and a bag to collect eggs from costumed characters throughout the store, including Wow the Cow, Cynthia Chick, and Daphne Duck among others.

South Avenue Butcher in New Canaan continues their Butchery Classes on Tuesday March 20. Mike The Butcher will teach you everything you need to know about the animal, as well a knife skills, techniques, and recipes.

It's A Woman's World: Red Bee Honey's Carla Marina Marchese

Features Interview Chef Talk Interview

CTbites Team March 14, 2018

Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us.

Our new series, “It’s A Women’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.

How'd they do it? Read on. So far, we've highlighted Silvia Baldini, the first female chef in Fairfield County to win “Chopped,” This week, our focus turns to Carla Marina Marchese, founder of Red Bee Honey in Weston. Have a suggestion on someone you’d like to see featured? Email steph@ctbites.com.

Visit Clarke Now and You May Win a Day with Chef Lidia Bastianich

Features Kitchen Gear

CTbites Team March 13, 2018

Clarke, New England's Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen, is pleased to announce a unique offer for homeowners who make their first visit to a Clarke showroom between now and May 1, 2018. This offer is designed to inspire homeowners who are considering Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances to take the next step in their exploration. When you enjoy your first visit to a Clarke showroom in Boston Seaport, Milford, Mass. or South Norwalk, Conn., during March or April, you will be entered into a drawing to spend a day on the television set of Chef Lidia Bastianch on May 17th.

No Leftovers Jamaican Cuisine Now Open at Former Swanky Franks Location

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Andrew Dominick March 11, 2018

Throw me into the mix of longtime Norwalkers who were shocked and saddened when the iconic Swanky Franks abruptly closed less than a year ago. What’s done is done. I’ve come to grips with the notion that I’ll be forever sour that I can’t order a ripper with chili and a pile of fresh cut fries heavily drizzled with ketchup. I grew up eating there so I’m entitled to hold onto that nostalgia. That doesn’t mean I won’t support what’s there now.

About six months after Swanky’s called it quits, a banner appeared on the front of the building. It advertised a new roadside joint called No Leftovers featuring Jamaican food. When No Leftovers opened at the start of 2018, I noticed the parking lot was usually full, or close to it, multiple times throughout the day. That’s a good sign. And seeing how I really like jerk chicken, I knew had to check it out.

Ken Tuccio Teams Up With CTbites for "FOOD & DRINK" Podcast Launching May 17

Features Podcast Openings

Stephanie Webster March 11, 2018

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new podcast series only on CTbites! Starting May 17th Ken Tuccio is joining the CTBites family when he begins hosting FOOD & DRINK, a CTBites Original Podcast!

Ken Tuccio first gained popularity as the host of Welcome To Connecticut, a weekly podcast which focused on conversations with unique personalities in the state of Connecticut. He also served as host of the documentary series The Local Drinking Show with WTNH News Channel 8 and the morning drive show First Thing Fairfield County with 95.9 The Fox.

Beginning on May 17th Ken Tuccio will bring his brand new show, FOOD & DRINK, to CTBites. This show will feature in depth personality driven conversations with the most successful and interesting personalities in the culinary and beverage world. Award winning chefs, successful restaurateurs, popular breweries and wineries, as well as other individuals with unique ties to the food world will all sit down with Ken Tuccio for long form conversations that focus on their life, career and passion for what they do.

50+ Restaurants & Bars for St. Patrick’s Day in CT: 2018 Edition

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson March 10, 2018

Corned beef! Guinness! Carbombs! Let’s be honest, March 17 is as much about the delicious food and drinks as it as about St. Patrick. Connecticut restaurants, bars, and venues will be serving up plenty of Irish-themed specials in honor of the holiday. Get out your green, and head to these 50+ spots!

Tigin Irish Pub, Stamford: Tigin is always St. Patrick's Day headquarters, and this year they are shutting down the area behind the pub for a giant block party! There will be live bands, outdoor bars, Guinness, and Irish whiskey. less
BJ Ryan’s, Norwalk: St. Patrick's Day is a weekend long affair at BJ Ryan's in Norwalk. On Saturday March 17 they'll serve up corned beef and a full Irish menu. On Sunday they'll host a recovery brunch until 3pm.
New England Cider Company, Wallingford: On March 17 from 10am-12pm, partake in a St. Patrick's Day Brunch at New England Cider Co. The meal will showcase barrel-aged and cask ciders alongside Irish classics like Shepherd's pie, Irish sausage, cabbage, potatoes, 12 hour smoked corned beef, and more.
O’Neill’s, South Norwalk: O'Neill's in Norwalk always puts on an epic St. Patty's Day bash. This year, they promise an Irish breakfast, drinks, Irish dancers, bag pipers, and live music all day.

WIN FREE TIX to Ruth Reichl & Sam Kass at Westport Public Library + Q&A With Moshe (Creator of FLEX Experiences)

Features Events Giveaway

Fairfield County Foodie March 10, 2018

Wanna WIN FREE TIX to meet culinary luminaries Ruth Reichl & Sam Kass at The Westport Public Library? We are giving away 1 ticket to enjoy celebrity lunch with Sam Kass, former Obama White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition ($150) and 2 tickets ($75) to hear a Q&A with gourmet guru Ruth Reichl. The former editor of Gourmet Magazine and best selling foodie author.