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The Westport Farmers' Market Is Back for the 2021 Summer Season with 50+ Vendors

Features Ingredients Farmers Market Westport Healthy Eats Farm To Table Farm Fresh Ingredients Farm Stand Local Artisan Bread Bakery Food Truck

CTbites Team

The need to eat strikes in many different forms. Craving something healthy? At The Westport Farmers’ Market, you can grab some freshly grown produce to satisfy that yearning. Want something refreshing? Stop by the handmade popsicle stand to cool down. How about something sweet? Head to the various artisan bakers selling freshly baked pastries and bread.

After a brief intermission from the end of their winter season back in March, the Westport Farmers Market has reopened to serve the community fresh produce, baked goods and everything in between. Open Thursdays from 10-2 on Imperial Avenue in Westport, the market is something you will not want to miss.

With over 50 vendors determined to provide market-goers with healthy and fresh products, Westport residents can look forward to grabbing organic, local ingredients to prepare a healthy meal, or even a pre-made breakfast or lunch… after visiting all the other vendors…of course.

Visit the Westport Farmers Market to enjoy goods from any of their over 50 vendors or check out a few of our favorites below!


The Daily Cafe & Eatery Opens In Greenwich from Aux Delices' Debra Ponzek

Restaurant Greenwich Breakfast Lunch To-Go Grab-n-Go Comfort Food Vegetarian Openings

CTbites Team

After opening Aux Delices and making the eatery a household name in Fairfield County, why wouldn’t Debra Ponzek want to open a new cafe to accommodate the busy shoppers, commuters and local Greenwich residents with the perfect place to grab a quick bite?

Located in the heart of Greenwich Avenue, Daily Cafe and Eatery serves the Greenwich community seven days a week with grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items, made with fresh ingredients catered to accommodate the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Ponzek and her team officially opened their doors on May 5 on the Avenue, which was their ideal location.


Raphaël’s Bakery Opens in Greenwich with Authentic French Baked Goods

Restaurant Greenwich Openings Bakery Dessert Baked Goods

Camille Vynerib

At CTbites, we like to feature the voices of food lovers of all ages. Please welcome a new writer from Staples High School, Camille Vynerib.

This winter break I was unable to go on vacation due to COVID-19. However, the instant I walked into Raphaël’s Bakery in Greenwich, this snowy morning, I found I was able to catch a glimpse of France. The wonderful smells that immediately hit me as I opened the door, the beautiful pastries, and the delicious hot cocoa and baked goods, all were a treat to the senses.

Amidst the pandemic, Raphaël’s Bakery has brought an authentic French experience to Greenwich, Connecticut. Raphaël, a third-generation baker born in Brittany, France, and his wife Charlotte Dequeker finally had their dream become a reality when they opened their doors this past December.


Kissaki Opens In Greenwich with An Outstanding Sushi Experience

Restaurant Sushi Seafood Japanese Greenwich Omakase Openings Homepage

Jessica Ryan

Kissaki has finally come to CT…Greenwich to be exact. The high end boutique sushi chain has earned accolades from Eater, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Crains, to name a few. Most recently the upscale and wildly popular sushi eatery shot into the spotlight on Page Six when comedian Jimmy Fallon left a $400 tip at the Watermill NY location. CTBites is thrilled to announce the restaurant’s Connecticut debut.

Kissaki is the latest in a slew of sushi and omakase joints now calling Greenwich home, but none, so far, has what this has - it’s got chutzpah. The Greenwich venue marks the restaurant’s 5th location after The Hamptons, Long Island City, The Bowery and Columbus Circle. There are plans for further expansion in the near future.


MOON Opens in Greenwich: Japanese Omakase + European Fine Dining

Restaurant Openings Greenwich Japanese American Sushi Fine Dining Cocktails Homepage

Jessica Ryan

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.


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

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

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.


Kneads Bakery Café Opening in Westport Sept 5th: Artisan Bread, Breakfast & Lunch

Restaurant Breakfast Lunch Bakery Bread Local Artisan Pastries Dessert Coffee Homepage

Maddie Phelps

In his grandmother’s tapas restaurant in Dallas, a young Daniel Moreno grew up hidden away in the kitchen, learning, listening while cultivating a dream of becoming a chef. Over a thousand miles away in Connecticut, a young Brittany spent her days baking for her family, guided by the dream of running her very own bakery one day. Now married, Daniel and Brittany Moreno’s dreams have turned into a reality as they open Kneads in Westport.

With coffee, sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries and, of course, bread, Kneads offers a fresh, diverse “chalkboard” menu that features 100% whole grain organic flour. And, with a heavy focus on local products within a simple, cafe format, this husband and wife duo hope to bring a newfound appreciation of milling to town.


Garden Catering in Old Greenwich Opens Pop-Up Seafood Shack

Restaurant Seasonal Seafood Greenwich Garden Catering News Lobster Roll

Andrew Dominick

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

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

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.


Our Search For The Best Bagels in Fairfield County CT

Features Restaurant Best of CT Bagels Breakfast Brunch Specialty Market Bread Bakery Homepage

Jessica Ryan

I felt compelled to write this after noticing the same Facebook posts over and over again from recent New York transplants. “Where can I find the best bagels?”

I’d add my two cents and then watch as rows and rows of comments filled my screen. I’d silently cheer or jeer along. Yes!! No! Oh god no, no, no – just no! And with this I decided that I was going to find the best bagels locally.

As a native New Yorker I know a thing or two about bagels. Even though New York City is the Bagel Capital of the World, not all New York bagels are good. I’m looking for those bearing a rich caramel color with a slight sheen that yields the slight crackling crunch when you bite into it, followed by a really good chew.


Blackstones Steakhouse: It's Not Just for Carnivores

Restaurant Steakhouse Steak Southport Norwalk Greenwich Stamford Homepage

Jessica Ryan

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

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

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

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

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. 


Hartford Baking Announces NEW Location In Glastonbury!

Restaurant Bakery Local Artisan Bread Openings Glastonbury Hartford Dessert Lunch Coffee

CTbites Team

Hartford Baking Company announces a new location in Glastonbury! It's expansion time! Hartford Baking Company is delighted to announce that they will be adding a third retail location in January of 2020. The new cafe will be located at 400 Hebron Ave. in Glastonbury, CT, and will have the same vibe, menu, and bread selection of the two current West Hartford locations.


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

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.