It's A Woman's World: Kristin Eddy, Pastry Chef for Millwright's, Porron & Piña, & Cook And The Bear Features Interview Chef Talk Stephanie Webster January 22, 2019 Our 2018 series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ was devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who forged their own paths in culinary fields long dominated by men. In 2019, we continue to celebrate trailblazing women throughout the state of CT. 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 Kristin Eddy, Pastry Chef for Tyler Anderson’s Millwright's, Porron & Piña, and The Cook and The Bear. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com. Read More
Milestone Restaurant Opens in Georgetown with Menu That Covers All The Favorites Restaurant Redding Georgetown Openings pizza Comfort Food Homepage Pizza Jessica Ryan January 20, 2019 Milestone Restaurant is redefining the idea of a neighborhood gathering spot offering made from scratch, simply prepared food with bold flavors and classic cocktails that are served up in a stylish yet understated setting. Drawing inspiration from the unique character of the area (the restaurant is on the site of a former lumber yard) owners Peter and Andi Fine aspire to do more than serve great food. The restaurant has been designed to be not only a welcoming gathering spot, but also to showcase fun and unique food events. (Stay tuned and we’ll keep you posted!) Read More
"Maritime with a Twist:" Adult Play Time w/ SoNo Restaurants & Breweries @ The Maritime Aquarium (sponsored post) Features Events CTbites Team January 18, 2019 Save the Date for "Maritime with a Twist," an ADULT ONLY party hosted by the Maritime Aquarium on Thursday, February 7th from 6-9pm! The evening will feature the a great lineup of restaurants (view list below) from South Norwalk alongside local brew pubs and distilleries. This upbeat celebration for adults 21+ also allows guests to enjoy the Aquarium's newest attractions including the incredible expanded jellyfish area! Live jazz will be provided by The Damon Grant Project . Purchase tickets here: $40 ($35 for Aquarium members) Read More
Governor’s Inauguration Ball: A Festive Taste of Connecticut Features Events Kristin L. Wolfe January 17, 2019
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for Week of January 20-27 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 16, 2019 The Connecticut Real Ale Festival takes place on Sunday January 27 at Brewport in Bridgeport. All casks are prepared expressly for the Connecticut Real Ale Fest. Tickets are $45 and include entry, a collector’s glass, and two 5 oz. samples and two slices of Brewport’s famous pizza. On January 22, Amis Trattoria will host the distilling pros from local vodka company, Cylinder Vodka, for an interactive cocktail making and tasting class. On January 23, These Guys Brewing Company in Norwich hosts a Beer v. Wine Dinner. Owners Ray and Becka are pitted against one another to come up with the best pairing for each of the four courses to be served. The event lasts from 6-9pm and costs $80 per person. Oak Haven Table & Bar will hold a “2018 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection with Boss Hog & Michter's 20 Year” on January 24. Read More
Newtown's Maple Craft Works With Breweries & Distilleries To Make Award Winning Maple Syrup Ingredients Features Ingredients Local Artisan Local Farm Dessert Connecticut Magazine January 15, 2019 Connecticut Magazine features a great local vendor who skillfully combines maple syrup and local distilleries. When people try Maple Craft Foods’ bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup for the first time and taste the all-natural sweetness of the Vermont syrup layered with subtle smoke and caramel flavors imparted by aging in bourbon barrels, their reactions are often visceral, Dave Ackert says.Watching new fans “ooh” and “ah” their way through this tasting is the best part of the job for Ackert, who owns the Newtown-based company along with his wife Eve, father Paul, and friend Bill Begany, of Begany Design.Bourbon barrel maple is the company’s flagship product, and though it does not contain alcohol, it is the offspring of the burgeoning craft beer and distilling industries in Connecticut. Read More
Chef Billy Grant's Restaurant Bricco in West Hartford Still Tops The Lists Restaurant Italian West Hartford Hartford County Lunch Brunch Homepage Frank Cohen January 13, 2019 Some restaurants transcend time and location, destined to linger in collective memory for decades after their passing. From the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and ’OOs, Basel’s, Robert Henry’s, Roomba and Ibiza, respectively, are still fondly remembered by longtime New Haven residents. Of all the eateries currently operating in the foodie Mecca that is West Hartford, the one destined to linger longest in memory is probably Restaurant Bricco, which chef-owner Billy Grant opened in 1996 at the tender age of 29.Italian Restaurant Bricco is not Grant’s sole contribution to the Greater Hartford culinary landscape, however. Situated just around the corner in WeHa, Grants Restaurant & Bar, which opened in 2000, has tempted diners with a modern bistro ambiance, elevated American comfort food and spectacular dessert making, while Bricco Trattoria, which opened in Glastonbury in 2010 and has been a boon to the communities east of the Connecticut River, follows a blueprint similar to that of Restaurant Bricco. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events For Week of January 13-20 Features News even Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 11, 2019 The Schoolhouse invites you to a Pinot Noir wine dinner on Wednesday, January 16. Taste 5 elegant Pinot Noirs: one sparkling, 2 from leading producers on the West Coast, and 2 gems from France. The evening will be led by Tyler Colman, Ph. D.. who heads the wine program at their sister restaurant, Parlor Pizza. Thursday January 17 marks the Greater Hartford International Pinot Noir Festival in Hartford. Hosted by Max Downtown and sponsored by Gillette Ridge Wine and Spirits of Bloomfield, it takes place from 5:30-7:30pm. It is $45 per person. On January 14, Doro Restaurant Group hosts its first ever food crawl! Enjoy globally-inspired prix fixe menus at Treva, Zohara, and Àvert. It starts at 6:30pm. On January 17, Terrain Cafe will welcome relaxed and stylish cookbook author Colu Henry to celebrate her gorgeous new book, Back Pocket Pasta, over an amazing meal. Read More
Milkcraft Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream, Opening in New Haven in Spring! Restaurant New Haven Openings Dessert ice cream Kid Friendly CTbites Team January 10, 2019 From the made-to-order ice cream billowing with liquid nitrogen clouds and those crazy waffle-like Bubblecones, to the waiting line of people all abuzz and happy customers donning their blue cookie butter ice cream tongues, Milkcraft continues to make its mark on Connecticut’s local and adventurous food enthusiasts. The first Milkcraft opened in Fairfield in the spring of 2016, with a second location popping up in West Hartford one year later, and now a third location marks the brand’s 3-year anniversary with the addition of their soon-to-be-open New Haven locale. Read More
Guide To Healthy Eating in Connecticut 2019 Features healthy Best of CT Juice Bar Paleo Gluten-Free Special Dietary Needs Specialty Market Vegetarian Vegan Homepage April Guilbault January 09, 2019 80% of New Year’s resolutions don’t make it to February. Yeeks. Sorry. Not to start our 2019 Healthy Eating Guide off on a negative foot or anything. Are you determined, though, that this will be the year that you finally cut the junk, cut the excuses, and buckle down so you don’t have to move that ol’ belt buckle? We thought so and therefore, we’d like to give you a leg up on throwing that 80% statistic to the ground and showing it who is boss. When you surround yourself with the healthy stuff, it makes it easy to enjoy the healthy stuff, so that said, we’ve got a nice long list of inventive, delicious, inspiring spots that are serving up food that will help you cruise into February with your head held high. Read More
At Gaudí Tapas and Wine, Dreams Come True via CT Magazine Restaurant Spanish Tapas Openings Connecticut Magazine January 08, 2019 Connecticut Magazine recently sited Gaudi Tapas and Wine as one of their favorite restaurants for 2018. We thought you should take a look…and taste. Saray Ruiz saw something in the little house-like building off Route 37. The one with the small parking lot and everyday architecture. The one others drove by thousands of times without a second glance.I’m going to open a restaurant there one day, she’d tell her twin sister, Noemi Ruiz, and anyone else who would listen to her dream. “It’s not going to happen,” Noemi would say.At the time, a few years back, the spot was home to a Mexican restaurant. Saray had a feeling that would change and thought the cozy spot could host a restaurant inspired by her childhood in Lleida, a small town in the Catalonia region of Spain, within driving distance of Barcelona. This past fall, when she and her once-skeptical twin opened Gaudí Tapas and Wine, her dream became a reality.And what a dream it is. Read More
Chef Dan Kardos Opens Oar & Oak in Stratford...And It's Damn Good Restaurant American Stratford Lunch Burgers Cocktails Openings Homepage Andrew Dominick January 06, 2019 A few years after opening Liberty Rock Tavern in the Devon section of Milford, Chef Dan Kardos now has his sequel. A stone’s throw from Sikorsky—and 10 minutes from Liberty Rock—is Kardos’ new concept, Oar & Oak. For Stratford residents, there’s that “Oh, yeah…” moment, but if you’re not from around there, the restaurant’s name is a play on words—it’s in Stratford’s Oronoque neighborhood. Much like Liberty Rock, Oar & Oak is very much focused on the area’s locals. “I want it to grow slowly, and become a neighborhood hangout,” Kardos said. “It used to be the original Parker Eatery—a favorite around here—so we freshened it up and gave it a new look.” The woodwork, brick walls, hanging lights, and periwinkle/grey/white tones in the space contribute to Oar & Oak’s casual, come-as-you-are vibe. Read More
Eric Felitto of The Chelsea and The Tasty Yolk Conquers Chopped! Features Events Celebrity Chef Andrew Dominick January 05, 2019 Just before the holiday season, there was a loud roar in Downtown Fairfield, and it had nothing to do with townspeople getting set for a hiatus from work. The cheers and applause was all for local chef Eric Felitto, who crushed the competition on The Food Network’s popular show, Chopped.The at-capacity viewing party for Felitto’s episode was held at The Chelsea, where he has been the executive chef since mid-2013. At the screening, locals made noise for Felitto while watching him on a 100-inch projection screen, and they witnessed him cook to one of his strengths…breakfast. Read More
The 10 Best Places for Dessert in Connecticut via Best Things Connecticut Features Restaurant Best of CT Dessert Bakery Kid Friendly Homepage CTbites Team January 04, 2019 We just had to share this great article from Best Things Connecticut, highlighting the 10 Best Places for Dessert in Connecticut. It’s a solid list. Check it out. If you find yourself craving something sweet or really need to treat yourself after a tiring day, don’t worry as the Nutmeg State has numerous places to grab a decadent treat. Look at the glorious array of colorful baked goods behind the glass counters, place your order, and sink into a cozy spot to enjoy anything from cupcakes to Italian and French pastries to traditional German sweets. With a little cup of coffee or tea to balance out the sweet, you’ll sure be feeling refreshed in no time. Read More
Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for January 7-13 Features Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 03, 2019 AMG Catering kicks of its Winter Classes with “A Tribute to Anthony Bourdain – Global Journey of Appetizers” on Tuesday January 8. The menu includes Shrimp and chorizo “bites,” Tuna “poke,” Greek meatballs with Tzatziki sauce, and Mini Jamaican beef patties. It costs $90 per person and runs from 7-9 pm. Beginning January 9, B.GOOD will roll out its new winter seasonal menu. It includes a Citrus & Avocado Salad, Maple Roasted Carrots and a Mocha Protein Smoothie. Stew Leonard’s of Newington will have a Rainbow Madness Culinary Class for Toddlers on Monday January 7 and again on Saturday January 12. Kids ages 2-5 will make rainbow cupcakes and rainbow marshmallow dream bars. Along with that, each child will paint a rainbow canvas to take home. Read More
Max Burger: New 2019 Menu w/ Killer Burgers + Creative Additions! Restaurant Burgers Hartford County West Hartford Comfort Food Lunch Kid Friendly Homepage Kristin L. Wolfe January 02, 2019
Ren Dumpling & Noodle House: Soup Dumplings & More in Wilton Restaurant Norwalk Chinese Noodles Kid Friendly Delicious Dives Take Out Lunch Homepage Nancy Kleeger December 30, 2018 If you already have a bevy of Chinese menus with sauce stains in your house that no longer excite you, Ren Dumpling & Noodle House in Norwalk may just become your new “go to.” Tucked in the corner of a vast shopping plaza in Wilton, Ren Dumpling & Noodle House seems to be far from overlooked. This cozy and clean joint was bustling with hungry customers dining in and picking up takeaway. Full disclosure: I lived in Hong Kong for five years, therefore, with five years experience consuming copious amounts of dumplings under my belt, my curiosity was piqued although my expectations may have been skewed. Ren isn’t all about the dumplings, however. In fact, the rest of the menu showcases an impressive amount of options you would see on most Chinese menus, with the addition of the odd Thai or Vietnamese dish or two, which seems to be standard these days. Read More
Rise Brewing Co: Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Made in CT Ingredients Features Ingredients Coffee Brewery CTbites Team December 26, 2018 Years of drinking bland and commonplace cups of coffee began to take a toll on Connecticut natives and founders of RISE Brewing Co., Hudson Gaines-Ross, Grant Gyesky, Jarrett McGovern, and Justin Weinstein. In 2014, they decided to take matters in their own hands by hitting the drawing board in their New York City apartments. Bean after bean, one roast and cold-brewing method after another, they finally created a cold brew coffee, making them the founders of RISE Brewing Company. Traversing the concrete jungle with their product, they asked experienced mixologists if it was the real deal. One day, in a Brooklyn café, the espresso machine broke; RISE cold brew came to the rescue, and was a hit amongst the customers. The product became available for purchase in July of 2017. Read More
CT Chefs Cook Holiday Dinner for the US. Navy on Submarine Galley Features Events CTbites Team December 25, 2018 On December 28th the New London Naval Base will be visited by a fleet of talented chefs who have come together to say Thank You For your Service, the best way they know how; by preparing a BBQ Extravaganza! This holiday celebration is the brainchild of Chef Plum (Restaurant Road Trip, Food Network, Hallmark Channel) who has gathered his fellow chef friends to create a scrumptious and entertaining “chow time” event for the men and women who serve our country. Read More
Top 100 Restaurants in CT for 2018 Restaurant Features Best of CT Homepage Stephanie Webster December 23, 2018 From Granby to Madison, Kent to Killingly, good eats abound in our beautiful Nutmeg State. It was our task for Hearst Publishing this year to determine the top of the heap, the creme de la creme and the cherries on top of this statewide sundae. So, after an abundance of hours honing in on the gems, we now offer to you our Top 100 restaurants in Connecticut! This list was created for our co-branded Top 100 Dining & Drinks guide we create for Hearst Media. The establishments on this list are not necessarily new, but they do happen to represent the very best CT has to offer for 2018. Our hope is that you enjoy exploring new flavors, maybe discover a new corner of the state that you haven’t visited before, and make memories with new culinary experiences. And hey, please add your favorites in the comment section if they don’t happen to appear on this list. Connecticut is truly brimming with deliciousness. Note: Limiting this list to 100 was challenging for the team. We lacked the bandwidth to include all of our favorite “delicious dives: and “hidden gems,” but you can find those on CTbites.com. Read More
