Filtering by Tag: Pasta,Greenwich

Columbus Park Trattoria: A Stamford Italian Favorite Gets A New Look

Restaurant Stamford Italian Lunch Pasta

Jessica Ryan February 15, 2021

Last week I had the privilege of revisiting an old favorite, Columbus Park Trattoria. It’s been many years since I’d eaten there, for no reason other than I had been sticking closer to home. But with the Coronavirus in full swing, travel opportunities so limited, and the ease of traveling on I-95 these days, I have started taking to the road for mini adventures and in search of a good bite to eat – and I’ve been encouraging others to do the same in effort to support our restaurants.

What’s resulted is the discovery of wonderful, new to me, places that previously would have not have been on my radar and the rediscovery of some old loves. Although food will always be the focal point, the simple act of dining out is really so much more, it’s an experience – something we seem all to be craving.

MOON Opens in Greenwich: Japanese Omakase + European Fine Dining

Restaurant Openings Greenwich Japanese American Sushi Fine Dining Cocktails Homepage

Jessica Ryan February 07, 2021

Moon is the newest restaurant to grace Greenwich’s illustrious restaurant scene offering a mixed culinary concept featuring an immersive cocktail experience, and an authentic Japanese Omakase experience. The upscale eatery boasts an interior with influences from both Asia and Europe. Sleek lines, natural elements of woods, stone and glass grace the interior offering an atmosphere that is sophisticated, elegant and welcoming.

Amis Trattoria Westport Shifts Towards Lighter, Fresher, More Fun Approach

Features Restaurant Italian Westport Outdoor Dining Pasta Homepage

Andrew Dominick October 07, 2020

When Jessica Bengston quietly took over the executive chef reigns at Amis Trattoria in July 2019, she’ll tell you bluntly that “most of the people that work here didn’t even know what the hell ‘Amis’ meant.”

“Amis” or “ami” translated from French means “friends.” And there’s a flashy new “Amis Means Friends” neon sign that pops in dining room near the chef’s counter to proudly stress that mantra.

But French, Amis is not. It’s an Italian-ish concept that’s changing its stripes.

“We didn’t change much the first few months when I took over because we were in transition—we weren’t sure if we’d rebrand or close,” Bengston says. “We thought about changing the name and even considered making it Italian tapas but COVID happened, so we scrapped the idea of shared small plates.”

Bengston—who also serves double duty as the executive chef at Terrain—mentioned that the team at Amis is trying to move on from what the concept was under the previous culinary team that included well known Philadelphia chefs Marc Vetri and Brad Spence. After URBN (that owns Urban Outfitters, Terrain, and Anthropologie) made a deal to acquire Amis and Pizzeria Vetri restaurants, both Vetri and Spence departed the company not long after.

After figuring out what a new ethos would look like, Bengston, plus a new culinary director and new team members, decided to lighten up the menu.

Chef Stephen Lewandowski Is Back, Cooking Exceptional Fare at Townhouse in Greenwich

Restaurant Openings Greenwich American Lunch Take Out Fine Dining Homepage Seafood Pasta Private Party Outdoor Dining Patio

Jessica Ryan September 22, 2020

At Townhouse, contemporary meets traditional not only in décor, but in cuisine as well, where color and layers are just as prevalent in each carefully prepared dish. The menu takes simple fare and elevates it to the next level, layering flavors, colors and textures from around the world, delivering dishes that are nothing short of superb.

This should really come as no surprise and one would expect nothing less with the trifecta of excellence at the restaurant’s helm. Chef Stephen Lewandowski (formerly of the Harlan restaurants, Tribeca Grill and Gotham Bar & Grill) has teamed up with longtime friend Drew (Nierport of Tribeca, Nobu & Batard), and Director of Operations Dana Cifone (formerly of Duoro, Starr and One Group) to create an experience of distinction that is multifaceted.

Don't Miss The MIKU Sushi Pop-Up at Tony's At The Jhouse

Restaurant Features Openings Pop-Up Dinner Sushi Japanese Italian Greenwich Homepage

Jessica Ryan September 11, 2020

About a year ago I was invited to a press event at Tony’s at the J House in Greenwich, Connecticut which I covered for CTBites here. So when we were recently invited back to experience the new Miku Sushi Pop-up I was delighted.

The owners of MIKU SUSHI K Dong, and Chef Steve Chen, have created a special partnership with Tony Capasso, managing partner at Tony’s at the J House, to launch an all-new “elevated” sushi bar at the upscale steakhouse.

The MIKU x Tony’s pop-up is led by Executive Chef Joe Liu, former head sushi chef at Tao and Masa in Manhattan. The special menu features many of MIKU signature rolls as well as two new rolls, exclusive to Tony’s. The Tony Roll is made with bluefin toro, avocado, scallion and spicy lobster salad, and J House Roll with king salmon, avocado, wasabi sesame and spicy yellowtail.

Garden Catering in Old Greenwich Opens Pop-Up Seafood Shack

Restaurant Seasonal Seafood Greenwich Garden Catering News Lobster Roll

Andrew Dominick August 26, 2020

Nuggets, cones, a Hotsy, and…LOBSTER ROLLS?!

That’s what’s been happening this summer at the O.G. Garden Catering location at their pop-up “Clam Shack,” where you can crush one of, or both versions of a lobster roll; Connecticut style, served warm with drawn butter or Maine style, served chilled, tossed in a mayo-based dressing with chopped scallions. Each is served on a buttered-and-griddled Martin’s Potato Roll.

And there’s more.

The Clam Shack’s expanded seafood menu includes a sizeable shrimp po’boy slathered with a homemade spicy remoulade, a New England shrimp salad roll, and a battered-and-fried clam strip roll. Clam strips are also offered as a platter with fries and coleslaw or just the strips in a one pound serving.

Grigg Street Pizza Opens in Greenwich with Artisan Sourdough Pies

Restaurant Features Greenwich Homepage pizza

Andrew Dominick August 20, 2020

Right off the busy Greenwich Avenue, is Grigg Street. There’s not much on it besides an independent bookstore, The Perfect Provenance’s parking lot, a soon-to-open coffee shop, and a basement level space that previously housed Lord of the Pies. The white tiled walls of the subterranean restaurant remain. But now they’re partially decked out with Jimi Hendrix, The Sex Pistols, and Pearl Jam posters that go along with the current residents’ eclectic, mostly rock playlist, a perfect soundtrack for Matthew Watson and Jon Corbo as they pound, stretch, spin, and roll dough at Grigg Street Pizza.

Pizza making is a switch up for the two longtime friends and Greenwich residents, who were formerly partners in the string of Corbo’s Deli locations. After the sold their part of the deli business they wanted to continue working together. “We missed that face-to-face interaction,” Watson says. “I’m making your food. I want that. We yearned for that feeling again.”

With pizza, they’re getting that again. But make no mistake, Grigg Street Pizza is no run-of-the-mill corner slice shop. Call it artisan if you want to. The philosophy here is quality ingredients and local ingredients whenever possible, using a few vendors, and to make everything, or damn near everything, in-house. “Nothing is coming out of a bottle. We’re making our salad dressing. We want everything to be legit,” Watson reveals.

Corbo interrupts to praise his friend. “This man can cook,” he says about Watson (who’s a French Culinary Institute grad). “I wanted to be a part of that. I don’t think anything we make, or very few things we make, have more than 4-5 ingredients. We want to let that shine.”

Some of those quality ingredients? Bianco DiNapoli Tomatoes for their red sauce, homemade mozzarella, and house-ground fennel sausage should you opt for it. A few drizzles to entice you and enhance your pie include habanero-garlic infused honey and roasted Chile de árbol hot oil.

And pizza, obviously, is the star of their show. Specifically…sourdough pizza. Each pie is full-sized, cooked in a gas oven, and spun carefully for an even char and well doneness. What they’re achieving here with the mother-based dough, with no commercial yeast, and naturally leavened for three days is a lightness that doesn’t make you feel too full. It’s crispy. It’s got a little chew.

MIKU SUSHI Launches a Pop-Up Sushi Bar at Tony’s At The J House in Greenwich

Restaurant Sushi Pop-Up Bar Pop-Up Dinner Greenwich Openings

CTbites Team August 13, 2020

The owners of MIKU SUSHI on Greenwich Avenue, K Dong, and Chef Steve Chen, have partnered with Tony Capasso, managing partner at Tony’s at the J House, to launch an all-new “elevated” sushi bar at the trendy boutique hotel, J House, in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The MIKU x Tony’s pop-up is led by Executive Chef Joe Liu, former head sushi chef at Tao and Masa in Manhattan. Chef Liu trained uber master sushi Chef Daisuke Nakazawa, featured in the documentary film, Jiro Dreams of Sushi alongside world-renown master sushi chef, Jiro Ono.

The menu soft-launched this week and features almost a dozen of the MIKU signature rolls including two new exclusives, Tony Roll made with bluefin toro, avocado, scallion and spicy lobster salad, and J House Roll made with king salmon, avocado, wasabi sesame and spicy yellowtail.

Cavatappi with Carrot Pesto and Lemon Arugula by Sue Smith, Prime Health Style

Features Recipe Recipe Vegetarian Pasta

CTbites Team August 13, 2020

What’s cooking people? The Westport Farmers’ Market and Sue Smith from Prime Health Style, have a great vegetarian recipe for the pasta lovers out there. Cavatappi is the Italian word for corkscrew, hence the name of this spiral-shaped, macaroni-like pasta. It’s ideal for use with a thick sauce, here paired with a zesty carrot pesto. This vegetarian recipe creates a tasty and satisfying summer one-dish meal, or can be served as a side dish. See notes below for easy vegan and gluten-free substitutions.

Local Spotlight: Vita Cacciari of Vita Pasta Lab + Virtual Italian Cooking Classes

Features Interview Cooking Classes Pasta Italian Noodles

Andrew Dominick June 18, 2020

If not for my friend Micaela, I might have never met Vita Cacciari. Micaela sent me a text one night after she attended a pasta making class at Wakeman Town Farm. She asked if I knew of any commercial kitchen spaces so the woman who teaches these classes could have more options in the area. Micaela’s text, in regard to “the woman,” were of high praise; amazing, hard worker, and nice person were all phrases she used to describe Vita. “She’s Italian” was another.

A slew of photos, video, and a website link followed. I browsed Vita’s site for her cooking class business, Vita Pasta Lab, and was instantly curious. I like to cook. I like to learn. I LOVE pasta. And Vita’s pasta looked stunningly beautiful.

Chefs At Home Recipes: Pantry Pasta from Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho

Recipe Features Video Recipe Recipe Video Pasta Chef Talk Homepage

CTbites Team April 18, 2020

In our NEW “Chefs At Home” Cooking Series, we asked local CT chefs to help our readers find cooking inspiration in every day pantry items. Executive Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho of Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill (Fairfield and New Haven) and Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill (New Haven) has a wonderful recipe for Pantry Pasta to kick off this series. Enjoy!

Blackstones Steakhouse: It's Not Just for Carnivores

Restaurant Steakhouse Steak Southport Norwalk Greenwich Stamford Homepage

Jessica Ryan February 09, 2020

It’s interesting that with all the restaurants to grace our local communities – from the sushi to the noodles, the vegetarian and vegan, the French, Mexican, Italian, Indian and Asian, to seafood – that we don’t have many steakhouses. So when I was invited to attend a media dinner at Blackstones Steakhouse last week I was quick to respond.

With locations in Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk and Southport, Blackstones is a name you should know – even if you’re not a meat eater. Each restaurant is slightly different in style and menu. The Southport location is reminiscent of the old world steakhouse.

La Taqueria Opens in Greenwich: Killer Tacos & More

Restaurant Mexican Greenwich Tacos Lunch Openings Fast Casual

Andrew Dominick January 05, 2020

If you turn onto Greenwich Avenue and blink, there’s a chance you blew right by La Taqueria, one of the street’s newest additions where tacos are front-and-center.

Before we dive into the stellar tacos at La Taqueria, you should get to know some of its backstory. That all starts with chef/owner Dennis Lake, who, like his restaurant, is a newcomer to Greenwich as a resident, but not as a stranger entirely. Years ago, he was a sous chef at Restaurant 64 before it was The Ginger Man.

Chef's Tasting at The Spread Greenwich with Chef Carlos Baez

Restaurant Chef Pop-Up Dinner Chef's Tasting Greenwich

Stephanie Webster November 06, 2019

Let’s be real. Dining out is always a treat. You don’t have to clean up afterwards, and if you’re like me, the menu at almost ANY restaurant is going to surpass what’s going on in my own kitchen. However, if you’re a diner who appreciates experiencing the mind of chef who is executing dishes that are inspired by the season, an “aha” moment, or a desire to experiment, a Chef’s Tasting is the way to take dining to the next level.

It was with this in mind, that I attended Chef Carlos Baez’ monthly Chef’s Table Tasting Dinner, held on the last Thursday of every month at The Spread’s Greenwich location.

Veteran Chefs Drew Nieporent & Stephen Lewandowski To Bring New Concept To Gabriele's in Greenwich

Features Restaurant Openings Greenwich Celebrity Chef

CTbites Team October 09, 2019

This just in…A star studded team of Industry veterans will be bringing new life to Gabriele’s Restaurant in Greenwich CT. The Church Street staple will be undergoing a redesign in early 2020 that will bring a new concept and cuisine to downtown Greenwich.

The partners on the venture include Stephen Lewandowski of Harlan Restaurant Group and Dana Cifone, the current head of operations, and formerly of Starr Restaurants, The One Group NYC, and Douro of Greenwich.

Stephen will be working with his longtime colleague and friend Drew Nieporent of Myriad Restaurant Group best known for Nobu, Tribeca Grill, and Bâtard, who will be acting as an advisor throughout the project.

Geoff Lazlo Hosts Dinner Series at Greenwich Botanical Center

Features Pop-Up Dinner Greenwich Caterers Catering Events

Andrew Dominick September 17, 2019

If you were fortunate enough to try Geoff Lazlo’s food at Mill Street Bar & Table—or at The Whelk and LeFarm prior to that—you know to expect fresh, seasonal food from the restaurant chef turned private chef and caterer. With his latest endeavor, Geoff Lazlo Food, he’s popping up at venues all over Fairfield County and beyond. These days you’ll catch Lazlo flashing his skills at places that practice and preach sustainability like Mike’s Organic Delivery, The Hickories, Millstone Farm, and he even returned to cook at one of Gramercy Tavern’s 25th anniversary alumni nights where he was a sous chef for four years.

Little Beet Table Opens in Greenwich: Healthful, Veggie Forward, & Gluten Free!

Restaurant healthy Vegan Vegetarian Gluten-Free Greenwich Openings Brunch Lunch Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe August 19, 2019

The LBD. The Little Black Dress. It’s the item in a gal’s closet that never disappoints. It fits, it’s classy, not too overstated, but makes the fresh statement, “I’ve arrived.”

Well, guess who has arrived in Greenwich? The LBT. Little Beet Table. It too is classy, not too overstated, and undeniably fresh.

Following its successful predecessors in New York and Chicago, and under the esteemed direction of chef and culinary director Matt Aita (Rouge Tomate, Daniel, Jean Georges), Little Beet Table is amping up what it means to offer fresh, wholesome delicious food. From brunch to lunch and dinner, to cocktails and snacks, LBT puts a real twist on traditional sweet and savory bites and does it all gluten-free. As one of the first exclusively gluten-free restaurants around, Little Beet Table is on top of their game when it comes to unearthing tasty, healthy alternatives for the gluten-based dishes most of us crave, but some of us can’t or shouldn't have.

The Perfect Provenance’s Café 47 Hosts Exceptional Monthly Dinner Tasting

Restaurant Greenwich Pop-Up Dinner

Andrew Dominick July 30, 2019

Exclusivity when dining out has a way of making us feel special. The smaller, the better. It’s like being part of a special club. It’s cool knowing that at that very moment, in a space half the size of a normal living room, that you and 20 people are the only ones that get to take part in an intimate dinner.

Most often the problem is that “exclusive” equates to “EXPENSIVE.”

That brings us to Greenwich! Wait, before you think this is going to be some $150 per person affair, you’re so very wrong.

What if I told you that there’s a great four-course tasting menu offered on the first Friday and Saturday of every month for $65?

If eating out is your thing, I bet you’d be intrigued. What am I saying? It’s Fairfield County, of course eating out is your thing.

Would it be crazier if I mentioned that it goes down at a luxury lifestyle boutique store? And that it’s BYOB? Bet you didn’t see those swerves coming.

MIKU Sushi Opens in Greenwich-World Class Seafood at the Top of the Ave

Restaurant Sushi Openings Greenwich Lunch Seafood Homepage Japanese

Lou Gorfain July 07, 2019

K Dong is beaming. Not because his newly minted MIKU Sushi Restaurant in Greenwich has just opened to strong word-of-mouth and packed houses. Nope, his delighted smile is the result of a diner’s one-word reaction to the Tuna Tartare:

“Ethereal.”

That diner is me and I am quite impressed… as well as surprised. In most restaurants, TT has become a boring culinary meme — over sauced, over spiced, and overworked. K Dong’s version is totally understated. Garnished with micro greens, the crimson slices crown a mound of vividly green avocado, which sits on a gossamer of Yuzu and a whisper of wasabi. Rather than overwhelming the delicate flesh, like so many tartares, the sauce and spice enhance the pristine flavor of the Bluefin. Yep, this dish is, indeed, “Ethereal.”

Chocoylatte Gourmet Opens in Downtown Cos Cob, Greenwich

Restaurant Openings Bakery Chocolate Coffee Greenwich Cos Cob Dessert

CTbites Team July 02, 2019

Downtown Cos Cob will be a lot sweeter with the much-anticipated grand opening of Chocoylatte Gourmet on Monday, July 8. The desserts & coffee shoppe, located at 121 E. Putnam Avenue will open its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 11am.

Chocoylatte Gourmet will offer an array of handmade freshly baked desserts, cookies, pastries and assorted fine chocolates made with the finest ingredients available in the market. Every treat will be prepared from scratch, every day and handcrafted on-site. For those with dietary sensitivities, the desserts & coffee shoppe will also offer gluten-free and lactose-free goodies, and promises to maintain the same high-quality ingredients baked with thoughtfulness and care. Guests will also enjoy recipes containing less sugar, no trans fats, non-GMO ingredients, no preservatives, no chemicals, no artificial preservatives, no artificial sweeteners, and no artificial flavors.