Friday Froth: Experimental Brewing at 12% Brewing Project in North Haven

Features Ingredients Beer CT Beer Brewery North Haven

James Gribbon February 07, 2020

Baker of Black Rock: Outrageous Custom Cookies and Confections

Features Bakery Dessert Cookies Cakes Custom Cakes Black Rock Homepage

Stephanie Webster February 06, 2020

Julia Preis is the Baker of Black Rock. Sure, there may be other bakers in the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport, but none like Julia. I knew this to be true long before I invited her to my home to demo the technique behind her stunning cookies and cakes. Full disclosure…I had quietly stalked her Instagram account for roughly six months, and you can do the same at @bakerofblackrock. The cookies were tiny edible works of art, seemingly too beautiful to eat, and each displayed a unique personality through accomplished craftsmanship. Her wall of cakes, fruit pies and cupcakes created eye candy that could only make you want to pull up a chair and dig in.

But what did they taste like? I had to find out.

It's A Woman's World: Celebrating The Trailblazing Females in CT's Culinary Industry

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Stephanie Webster February 05, 2020

On March 2nd, CTbites and Terrain will host “It’s A Woman’s World: A Celebration” honoring and celebrating the many inspiring and trailblazing females in Connecticut’s culinary industry. Ladies…It’s about time.

From chefs and farmers, to photographers and beekeepers, we're tipping our hats to the females who are molding the CT food industry, and making sh@# happen. The evening will include a panel moderated by on-air personality Marysol Castro, (journalist, PA announcer for the METS, and CTBites podcast host), great food, drinks, awards, and of course, plenty of time to mingle and meet the women in our community as well as the ladies who appear on the list below, our Top 20 Most Influential Woman In CT Culinary Industry. We can’t wait to meet you. Purchase your $25 ticket here and read on because we need YOUR participation in selecting 5 of the women below to win awards for “Most Inspiring & Influential Women in the CT Culinary Scene,” at the event.

Interview with Chef Ben Robinson of Below Deck Talks Cooking, Yachting, and Future Plans

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 03, 2020

It may be called Below Deck, but Bravo’s nautical reality series is riding high. The original show just wrapped on its seventh season, following the adventures of 49 yachties and hitting the 100 episode mark along the way. Its success has inspired two spin-off shows: Below Deck Mediterranean, which has been on for four seasons, and the brand new addition to the franchise, Below Deck Sailing Yacht.

Despite the constantly changing crew, Chef Ben Robinson has become a familiar face. He’s served up delicious food from the galley on 4 seasons on Below Deck and most recently stepped in to save the day on Below Deck Mediterranean. While he achieved fame from reality television, he is a true chef who started cooking at the age of 5. CTBites had the opportunity to sit down with him at the Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Fest to chat about his culinary start, his time on the show, and his exciting plans for the future.

80 + Restaurants for Valentine’s Day in CT: 2020

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 03, 2020

Move over Santa! With the holidays in the rearview, cupid is coming to town. Valentine’s Day falls on Friday February 14th and Connecticut Restaurants and Caterers are serving up “sweet” deals to make sure that you and your special someone have an evening to remember. Here are 80+ places where you can go for a romantic night out.

10 Things—or Tapas—We Loved About Mezón Restaurant in Danbury

Restaurant Latin American Peruvian Mexican Danbury Tapas Homepage

Stephanie Webster & Andrew Dominick February 02, 2020

For nearly a decade, Mezón Restaurant has been thought of as one of Connecticut’s premiere Latin eateries by word of mouth and its seen its fair share of media recognition—they are fresh off Connecticut Magazine Reader’s Poll wins for Best Latin in Fairfield County and the runner-up for Best Latin in the state. And that’s saying something considering they didn’t even know they were nominated and because of that, they didn’t publicize it.

Four years ago, our own Lou Gorfain sang Mezón’s praises after a small tasting of ceviche, pan seared pulpo, Dominican fried chicken, and churros. But everything food deserves an update, especially considering there’s a new chef at the helm, an obviously newer menu, and a haven for craft cocktails.

Oh, and I’m pretty sure Lou and Kristin are the only ones at CTbites who have been to Mezón. For Stephanie and me, we uttered the same thing, “I’m embarrassed I hadn’t been here before.”

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for February 2-9

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson February 01, 2020

ZINC New Haven’s Annual Champagne and Oyster tasting takes place on Thursday February 6. They are pouring 4 sparkling wines, selected by sommelier Michael Egan, for this special event.

The month of February is Voyage Month at L’escale. Every week, travel the world by feasting on a menu inspired by a different country. From February 3-9, they’ll highlight Mexico. The two course lunch is $25.20 and the 3 course dinner is $45.20.

Flights and Bites comes to Basso Café in Norwalk on Tuesday nights. Mediterranean small plates will be paired with a flight of wines.

Join the Chef Team from Terrain Cafe and Amis Trattoria, Westport for a six week teaching and tasting culinary journey as they share creative, delicious recipes and stylish presentations.

The Stand Vegan Cafe in Fairfield Attracts Hard-Core Vegans — And Many More (via Dan Woog's 06880)

Restaurant vega Juice Cleanse Juice Bar healthy Vegetarian Gluten-Free Fairfield

CTbites Team January 30, 2020

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Debuts NEW Meatball and Ricotta Pizza!

Restaurant Pizza New Haven Danbury Fairfield

CTbites Team January 29, 2020

Breaking Pizza News! It’s not often that the legendary Connecticut-based Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana debuts a new pizza, so when this classic New Haven-style, coal-fired pizzeria does, it’s a really big deal. Pepe’s has recently started serving its latest master piece, the Meatball and Ricotta pizza crafted with 100% all natural meatballs, ricotta cheese, crushed Italian tomatoes, mozzarella, grated pecorino Romano and drizzled with olive oil.

Taco Daddy Hosts Royal Rumble Competition: $5K Prize!!

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Stephanie Webster January 28, 2020

Want a front seat at the most fun Taco Tuesday competition event in CT? Taco Daddy is giving away $5k to the prize time winner of 3 elimination rounds in their Royal Rumble competition, the first of which is going down on February 11th. Oh, guess what….I’m going to be judging, so bring your A game people.

This Taco Tuesday event series will feature some talented chefs (we’ll let you know who later), and home cooks. There are two ways to get involved in this event.

1. Watch & Eat. Tickets are $100 per person, can be purchased here. Guests will be served food and unlimited drinks with their purchase of a ticket!

2. Compete! Do you think you have what it takes to be a part of this competition? The Taco Daddy team is looking for foodies, home cooks, and even professional chefs from all walks of life to compete for a grand prize of $5,000! To nominate yourself or someone you know, click here –@TacoDaddyStamford – comment on the post and include why you think the nominee would do well. More info here.

Recap: Good Times at Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Fest 2020

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 28, 2020

Where can you mingle with celebrities, taste delicious wine, sample craft beer, get free swag, feast on tasty food, try your luck at slot machines, and dance to hits from a DJ? This ISN’T a trick question and there IS an answer. And that answer is the Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Fest.

On January 25 and 26, I had the pleasure of attending the weekend long festival on behalf of CTBites. 2020 marked the seventeenth year of the Mohegan Sun Wine & Food Fest and seven years since I first attended in 2013. A great deal has changed since its inception. This year commanded a plethora of A-list chefs and had an array of events to supplement Saturday’s Grand Tasting.

"Healthy PlanEat" Creates App for CT Shoppers to Order Ingredients from Local Farmers....Help Them Raise $$

Features Technology Local Farm CT Farms Sustainable healthy

CTbites Team January 28, 2020

Healthy PlanEat is a CT food startup that exists to help re-energize the connection between communities and local farms so people can have a healthy and sustainable diet. It's founder, Rosemary Ostfeld, is an environmental scientist who built the Healthy PlanEat website where people can order food from local organic farms to pick up at the farm, farmers market, or pop-up pick-up points. This fall, a pop-up was run at Kidcity Children's Museum in Middletown and was a great success - "I love the fact that I can get local, fresh, and organic food. I am supporting local farmers in my community and the prices are much more reasonable than the grocery store" said customer, Diana C.

Hoodoo Brown BBQ Introduces Tex-Mex Tuesdays

Restaurant BBQ Tacos Mexican Ridgefield

Andrew Dominick January 27, 2020

Every now and then Hoodoo Brown BBQ goes off their standard menu for special smoked meat theme days. Occasional Whole Hog Sundays, Prime Rib Thursdays (and French Dip Fridays if there are leftovers), and Taco Tuesdays are just some of the drool-inducing days the Hoodoo Crew has come up with over the years. From Taco Tuesday, though, something else was born…Tex-Mex Tuesday.

“We did Taco Tuesday for three months with one special taco on the menu to get our creativity flowing,” says Hoodoo general manager Chris Sexton. “It felt like an afterthought because people would get one or two tacos, and we’d maybe sell 10-15 the whole night, but we know that we do things better when we do them bigger.”

World-Class Chef Dan Giusti is Giving School Lunch a Gourmet Overhaul (Starting in New London CT)

Features Kids Celebrity Chef Education News

Connecticut Magazine January 24, 2020

Dan Giusti was not used to failing in the kitchen.

At 29 years old he had been named the head chef at Noma in Copenhagen, making him a de facto high priest of fine dining. As the leader of the kitchen of one of the world’s most critically acclaimed restaurants, he was tasked with executing owner and executive chef René Redzepi’s vision and making sure the culinary dreams of those who had spent years and months planning their visit to Copenhagen to dine at Noma came true. Giusti was good at this.

But three years into the job, Giusti walked away to tackle the seemingly never-ending enigma that is school lunch. With Redzepi’s blessing and investment, Giusti founded a new company called Brigaid that sought to put skilled chefs at the helm of cafeteria kitchens in schools across America. The idea was “getting chefs who would never choose to do this work to do this work,” Giusti says.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for January 26 - February 2

Events Features Events News Wine Dinners

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 23, 2020

The 6th Annual Great Mac And Chili Challenge takes place indoors at the new SoNo Collection in Norwalk CT on Sunday January 26th from 11am – 3pm.

On Monday January 27, Mezon Tapas Bar & Restaurant invites you to a Wine Dinner featuring JM Fonseca Wines. $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity) includes a 5 course meal and wine pairings.

Mondays are Wine Down Mondays at Artisan Restaurant! Get half off wines $100 or less.

Square Peg Pizza, The Mystic Cheese Company, and Black Hog Brewing Co. are all teaming up on Monday January 27. The delicious, fun event will take place at Square Peg Pizzeria in Glastonbury. There will be free prize giveaways, pairings, education, and great local CT food and drink.

30+ CT Restaurants & Bars for the Super Bowl: 2020 Edition

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 21, 2020

On Sunday February 2nd, the Chiefs and the 49-ers will be facing off in Super Bowl 54! The game time action is great, but so are the foods that accompany it! Wings, pizza, ribs, subs… which is your MVP?? These Connecticut restaurants and bars have eat-in and take-out specials to keep you satisfied as you cheer on your team.

Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for Week of January 19-26

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Emma Jane-Doody Stetson January 19, 2020

The 6th Annual Great Mac And Chili Challenge takes place indoors at the new SoNo Collection in Norwalk CT on Sunday January 26th from 11am – 3pm.

Say Cheese! Fairfield Cheese Company invites you to Cheese 101, where you can get down to the basics over tasty cheeses . It runs from 7-9pm and costs $50 per person.

In honor of National Cheese Lover’s Day, Heirloom Restaurant is hosting an Artisanal Cheese Tour January 19-26th, daily 4pm to close.

Taco Daddy Cocktail Naming Contest: WIN FREE DINNER FOR 2 @ Taco Daddy!

Features Contest Cocktails Giveaway

Stephanie Webster January 19, 2020

Game on! We're back with another cocktail naming contest. WIN FREE DINNER FOR TWO AT the uber-fun taco mecca, TACO DADDY in Stamford. Here's How...

Review the ingredients list below.
Get creative! Enter YOUR original Cocktail Name in the comments section under this post.
If your Cocktail name is selected, it will be featured on their cocktail menu & you will receive a FREE DINNER FOR 2 at Taco Daddy.

Meet Leo Kelly, The 6 Year Old "Shirley Temple King"

Features Kids Kid Chefs Interview Homepage

Stephanie Webster January 17, 2020

Leo Kelly, a 6 year old first grader in Fairfield CT has dreams of becoming “King,” well, the Shirley Temple King that is. Leo aspires to be the childhood arbiter of all things Shirley Temple (yes, the popular childhood beverage) , and he is making his way around Fairfield County doing just that. You can find him on Instagram at @theshirleytempleking, so heads up local restaurants owners. Time to get your Shirley Temple game on fleek.