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Filtering by Tag: Sandwich,Greenwich

Bona Bona Ice Cream in Port Chester Launches Savory Bites Menu + Boozy Milkshake Bar

Features Ice Cream Interview Restaurant Ice Cream Milkshakes Bona Bona Ice Cream Bona Bona Port Chester Westchester Greenwich

Andrew Dominick

Those who are newly familiar with Nick Di Bona’s namesake Bona Bona Ice Cream should know he’s not just an ice cream man.

It’s no surprise that Di Bona’s small batch Italian interpretation of American ice cream has taken off. Nutella S’mores, Italian Rainbow Cookie, and Key Lime Pie are a few, but throw in Bona Bona’s signature toasted meringue topping, and it’s not only delicious, it’s highly photographable.


Haven Hot Chicken Opening in North Haven...With Norwalk Next!

Features Openings Fried Chicken Fried Chicken Sandwich Lunch To-Go Sandwich

CTbites Team

Haven Hot Chicken, which brings Nashville Hot Chicken and “Not Chicken” to the area as one of the first fully dedicated Nashville Hot Chicken concepts in New England, today announced that it will be opening its fourth location in North Haven, Connecticut.  Located at 146 Washington Avenue, the 1200 square foot location will feature the brand’s signature menu of crispy, crunchy, juicy, spicy, delicious chicken and vegetarian options ranging from Country (not spicy) to Haven (extremely spicy), along with their beloved fries, sides and seasonal limited-time offerings.  Having recently celebrated the second anniversary of its first location in New Haven, Haven Hot Chicken opened its Orange location in June 2022, and will be opening soon in Norwalk, CT.


My Favorite Dish: Rosina’s Raviolo al’ Uovo

Features Interview Restaurant Pasta egg yolk ravioli Greenwich Byram Rosina's Greenwich Rosina's fresh pasta Homepage Chef Chefs Chef Talk

Andrew Dominick

I’ll be the first to admit that since Rosina’s opened, it has become my toxic trait. And I mean that in the best way possible. I’ve eaten there for dinner, I’ve attended several happy hours and one industry night, and I’ve celebrated a birthday there.

Full transparency, Jared Falco, Rosina’s co-owner and executive chef, is a good friend of mine. I’d like to say I go so often to visit him, and that is partially true, but Jared, I’m sorry, it’s for the pasta. Still love you, bro!


Neil’s On Wheels Serves Up Tasty Smash Burgers and Chicken Sandwiches in Greenwich

Features Interview Food Truck Neil's On Wheels Greenwich Rye Burgers Smash Burgers Fried Chicken Fried Chicken Sandwich Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Cruise down the more residential part of Glenville Road in Greenwich and if it’s the right day, you’ll run into a cutoff where Neil Moore parks his food truck.

If you don’t blow right by it, park your car. Do it. Right now.

It’s where you’ll find Moore’s namesake truck, Neil’s On Wheels, griddling smash burgers and deep frying chicken thighs so big that they hang way off the Martin’s Potato Roll.


Cluck Cluck: 7 Questions with Ben Pote of Wildacre Rotisserie in Greenwich

Interview Restaurant Chefs Chef Talk Local Chef CT Chef Fast Casual Chicken Vegetarian Greenwich Family Friendly

Andrew Dominick

In June 2022, Wilton resident Ben Pote opened Wildacre Rotisserie, a new fast casual concept whose signature is an expertly roasted heirloom chicken and an overall menu that’s all about freshness and quality.

This “Cali-style” chicken joint isn’t only bird-focused, though, as it’s got plenty in terms of vegetarian options—including a whole roasted za’atar seasoned cauliflower.


Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Opens in Greenwich

Interview Restaurant Ice Cream Ice Cream Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Van Leeuwen Van Leeuwen Greenwich Openings Greenwich

Andrew Dominick

Hey, Greenwich! Here’s a scoop for you!

The popular ice cream brand, Van Leeuwen, whose humble beginnings were as an ice cream truck in New York City, has just opened a scoop shop on Greenwich Avenue.

Owned by brothers and Greenwich natives Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen, who, if we’re really getting technical about their ice cream origin story, actually started in their hometown as the two rented a Good Humor truck to drive around and sell ice cream in for two summers beginning in 2002. And they’re both pretty stoked to not only be back in Greenwich, but to have opened their first suburban storefront.


Old Mill Grocery & Deli: Rescued and Reopened in Westport

Features Interview Restaurant Westport Deli Sandwich Sandwiches Pizza Beach Eats Openings Old Mill Grocery The Granola Bar Homepage

Andrew Dominick

On the heels of a slick renovation at their Rye, NY location, The Granola Bar founders, Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily are at it again. This time, however, their focus is in Westport. No, not at their flagship of TGB, but in the Compo Beach area at Old Mill Grocery & Deli.

Old Mill, though, is a very different venture for this dynamic duo. But before Mountain and Noorily could put their magic touch on this neighborhood gem, a lot had to happen.

First, the building that was built in 1919—which had been many iterations of Old Mill and a few Elvira’s in an over 100 year span—needed to be saved after the owners up to last year, Betsy and Hal Kravitz, moved out of Westport, putting a longtime neighborhood favorite at risk of being purchased and demolished for what likely would have been another beach area home.


Arden’s Opens in Rowayton with Beautiful Seasonal Breakfast & Lunch Menu

Restaurant Homepage Rowayton Openings Breakfast Lunch Farm Fresh Local Farm Coffee Sandwich Eggs

Jessica Ryan

It’s Nantucket meets the Mediterranean. Arden’s, Rowayton’s newest eatery, is a community cafe offering up simple seasonal fare that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Inside the beachy décor is minimalist with hints of flea-market vintage finds. You’ll find antiquated oyster tins, vases filled with vibrant fresh flowers, beechwood furniture, a curated marketplace with specialty gourmet food items, locally fabricated linens alongside local honey, assorted spices, hot chili oil in beautiful glass jars, ceramics and other wonderful finds. Wonderful, whimsical floppy rattan shades resembling oversized straw hats hang from light fixtures overhead. Arden’s welcomes you in immediately with a warm embrace that doesn’t want to let you go.

Stay a while and linger over a simple menu of salads, sandwiches and toasts. While the concept is simple the recipes are elevated using ingredients from several local purveyors including Wilton’s Millstone Farm and Darien-based Flour Water Salt Bread, Nit Noi Provisions and Ilse coffee. Ingredients matter at this health-forward café. At the helm of the kitchen is Moises Aguilar formerly with Southend Backend. Here he is tasked with delivering the ultimate flavor profile from the simplest of ingredients which he has clearly mastered.


Brian Lewis Opens Second Location of The Cottage in Greenwich

Features Interview Restaurant Greenwich Homepage Brian Lewis Openings American Fine Dining Cocktails

Andrew Dominick

Brian Lewis officially has two pair. It’s generally a foldable poker hand, but when it comes to his successful restaurants OKO and The Cottage, that’s a very good thing for the rest of us.

The opening of a second location of The Cottage gives Lewis his fourth. OKO times two in Westport and Rye, plus his flagship of The Cottage in Westport.

But an exact facsimile of Westport it is not.

First off, it looks different. Grayish tan wooden tables and chairs, hues of power blue, wooden beams, and beachy décor are reminiscent of relaxed Cape Cod vibes. It’s also bigger. The dining room, the bar, the kitchen are all more spacious than Westport.


Toasted Oat Café Opens 2nd Location: Now in Newington & Canton

Restaurant Breakfast Sandwich Breakfast Coffee Canton Newington Comfort Food Lunch American Egg Sandwich Eggs Sandwich

Carly Terzigni

In an endless sea of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks, it’s always refreshing to stop by a local cafe for breakfast and a cup of coffee. Combine with that a charming spot on Main Street and you have a recipe for a quintessential Connecticut morning – and that’s exactly what we found at Toasted OAT Cafe on Main Street in Newington.

If you’re fond of Toasted OAT Cafe in Canton which first opened its doors in 2018, then you’re in for a treat: a second location in Newington has opened in 2022, bringing their popular Packed Bowl among many other breakfast and lunch favorites to a second location in Connecticut. Just like Canton, the vibes are relaxed and welcoming.


Michelin-Starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten Opening Happy Monkey Restaurant in Greenwich Spring 2022

Features Openings Greenwich Celebrity Chef

CTbites Team

Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will debut his first restaurant in Connecticut in late Spring 2022. Located on the iconic Greenwich Avenue, Happy Monkey will showcase Latin cuisine with a Jean-Georges flair, enchanting guests with adventurous flavors and ever-changing, sustainable offerings served in a casual, fun atmosphere.

Admired for his acumen as a Michelin-starred chef, tastemaker and businessman operating 40+ acclaimed restaurants around the globe, Jean-Georges has envisioned a convivial, contemporary restaurant and bar with Happy Monkey. The menu embraces the freshest, locally sourced, seasonal produce, featuring Latin influences across shareable snacks, small and large plates, crudos, salads, tacos and more.


Lovebird Gluten Free Fried Chicken + More Opens in Fairfield

Restaurant Fried Chicken Fried Chicken Sandwich Fairfield Sandwich Lunch To-Go Fast Casual Gluten-Free Special Dietary Needs Homepage

Jessica Ryan

There’s a new fried chicken restaurant in town and it’s not like any other.

Last summer Lovebird opened its first Connecticut eatery at 2385 Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield on the heels of four successful Pennsylvania restaurants (Blue Bell, Bryn Mawr, Doylestown and Newtown.)

Stephanie Wilson Paulson, a long- time friend of founder John Ordway, decided to bring the restaurant to Connecticut and thought Fairfield to be an ideal location.

Lovebird is unique in that it is a celiac-friendly, gluten-free* restaurant that describes itself as a high quality chicken restaurant changing the way fried chicken is done, and redefining the way people are eating fried chicken. Free of GMO's, antibiotics, and unpronounceable ingredients, Lovebird uses only Gerber’s Amish Farm cage-free chicken for their made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and quinoa bowls, with vegetarian and vegan options. Diners shouldn’t overlook their sides, crispy Brussels, fried pickles and mac and cheese, all – of course – gluten-free!


Wildacre Rotisserie to Debut in Greenwich (via Hey Stamford!)

Restaurant Openings Chicken To-Go Take Out Lunch Cos Cob Greenwich Mediterranean Gluten-Free

Hey Stamford!

Wildacre Rotisserie, a new fast casual rotisserie restaurant, will make its debut in Greenwich, CT in Spring 2022. Led by former Starbucks and sweetgreen culinary leader and Fairfield County resident Ben Pote, the restaurant will bring a fresh take on traditional rotisserie to Cos Cob. The concept of the eatery, both in cuisine and design, is inspired by California with a thoughtfully curated menu that offers something for everyone.

Rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted cauliflower are at the heart of the menu, complemented by entree-style salads, plant-forward sides, and sauces that are made in-house daily, with thoughtful pops of flavor throughout. The chicken, for example, is rubbed with bay leaf, oregano, and fennel pollen, giving it an herbaceous, savory flavor, while the whole-roasted cauliflower is sprinkled with za’atar, a Middle-Eastern herb blend. Wildacre’s salads are hearty enough for lunch and dinner, or to eat alongside a whole roasted chicken or cauliflower. Guests can order a la carte or select a bundled meal, which offers the choice of either a rotisserie chicken or slow-roasted cauliflower main plus two sides and two sauces. Side dishes range from french fries to roasted brussels sprouts, and the majority of the menu is gluten-free. The California influence shows up throughout the menu, which features ingredients like fennel pollen, meyer lemon, and avocado, and flavors inspired by Mediterranean, Central American, and Asian cuisines.

Read the complete article on Hey Stamford!


Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Salsa Macha with Figs Recipe (Westport Farmers' Mkt)

Recipe Recipe Sandwich

CTbites Team

There is nothing more comforting than a crispy and gooey grilled cheese sandwich. You can make this even more interesting with the addition of some salsa macha with figs to complement all the cheesy goodness with some spicy and smoky flavor. I like to use a combination of cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, Fontina and Provolone.

The secret to the crispy bread is using a great sourdough bread like the Wild Yeast sourdough bread from Wave Hill breads, and then add some mayonnaise to crisp up the bread on the griddle. —Lorenza Arnal of Alma Mexican Foods in conjunction with The Westport Farmers’ Market

Enjoy this recipe for Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Salsa Macha with Figs.


Pho Fans Opens In Darien with Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

Restaurant Vietnamese Darien Take Out Lunch Kid Friendly Asian Noodle Soup Pho Sandwich Homepage

Jessica Ryan

Pho Fans, Darien’s newest eatery is a family-run Vietnamese restaurant which opened just a couple of months ago and has already created quite the reputation for itself. The name suits this restaurant well – as those who enter will all quickly become fans! The Connecticut location is the second of the same name; the first is located in Huntington, NY. Vietnamese food is known to be one of the healthiest cuisines with minimal use of oils and dairy. As a result, flavors are light, fresh and balanced. Pho Fan relies on generations-old family recipes that translate well to the modern, health-inspired American palate. Their focus is on health and nutrition while delivering delicious food. You won’t find anything artificial or any additives whatsoever in their food.


Nit Noi Opens in Cos Cob with Unique Broth Bar Concept & Divine Dumplings

Features Restaurant Openings Asian Bone Broth Dumplings Greenwich Healthy Eats

CTbites Team

Nit Noi has just opened in Greenwich’s Cos Cob? The Greenwich Free Press has the full scoop.

This month a new retail food establishment, Nit Noi, opened at 3 Strickland Road in Cos Cob with a unique proposition: a broth-based menu with a Thai twist, plus a variety of hand-folded dumplings.

North and Jillian Shutsharawan, a husband and wife team who opened their first Nit Noi location in Norwalk in 2017, explained that Nit Noi means ‘a little bit,’ in Thai.

North and Jillian Shutsharawan at the Nit Noi location in Cos Cob. March 4, 2022 Photo: Leslie Yager

While many people think of broth as a building block for recipes, broth has become a new food category in itself, and Shutsharawans said their slow simmered broths are unlike anything store bought. They are both nourishing and filling.

The idea for a broth type business emerged during a trip North and Jillian took to Colorado.

“All the restaurants were chowder or chili,” North said. “Lots of meat and potatoes.”

“By that point brodo had become a big thing in the city,” Jillian said, adding that Chef Marco Canora had successfully established the concept at his East Village restaurant, Hearth, where he opened up a takeout window just for hot cups of broth.

“Our broth is different,” Jillian added. “Ours is Thai style, so we use different herbs and different types of bones. The production is completely different.”

“My mom has a great noodle soup recipe,” said North, who was born in Bangkok. His family moved to New York when he was six.They later moved to Norwalk, where he met Jillian in high school.

Read the complete article here.


Haven Hot Chicken Opening 2nd Location in Orange CT

Restaurant Openings Orange Fried Chicken Sandwich Fried Chicken Sandwich Not Chicken Vegetarian Comfort Food To-Go Fast Casual

Stephanie Webster

Haven Hot Chicken, which brings Nashville Hot Chicken and “Not Chicken” to the area as one of the first fully dedicated Nashville Hot Chicken concepts in New England, has announced its opening of a second location in Orange, Connecticut. Located at 550 Boston Post Road, the 1400 square foot location will feature the brand’s signature menu of crispy, crunchy, juicy, spicy, delicious chicken and vegetarian options ranging from Country (not spicy) to Haven (extremely spicy), along with their famous fries and seasonal limited-time offerings.(Read our review of their New Haven location here.)


Chef Geoff Lazlo Opens The Country Table in Greenwich

Features Restaurant Specialty Market Sandwich Breakfast Sandwich Eggs Egg Sandwich Lunch Breakfast Prepared Food To-Go Kid Friendly Grab-n-Go Homepage

Stephanie Webster

The Country Table recently opened its doors in the Glennville area of Greenwich, but the story behind this new popular eatery started roughly 25 years ago. Greenwich residents, Geoff Lazlo and Greg Oshins have known each other since childhood, and this concept has been in the works since the age of 10, when the highlight of their day was scouting the best deli sandwiches in the Greenwich area (shout out to their beloved Rinaldi Country Deli, still in business today). The search for the best sandwich was a strong part of their culture, deeply nostalgic, and the driving force behind this new brick-and-mortar extension of Geoff Lazlo Foods.


Ruby & Bella’s Opens in SaksWorks on Greenwich Avenue

Restaurant American WIne Cocktails Openings Greenwich Burgers Ladies Who Lunch Homepage

Andrew Dominick

You may not be able to purchase a Polo shirt or a pair of khakis at 265 Greenwich Avenue any longer, but you can set up shop and work remotely there, or you can host a meeting, attend an event, take a yoga or HIIT class, and have a sit-down dinner all under one roof.

What was Ralph Lauren is now SaksWorks, a membership-based work meets life concept. With its flagship in Saks Fifth Avenue and a second in Brookfield Place, SaksWorks Greenwich is part of the company’s expansion that will soon follow with locations in Manhasset and Eastchester in the vacant Lord & Taylor.

We’ll let you decide if this concept or if membership is for you. If it is, and if it isn’t, you can still visit the Greenwich location membershipless (totally aware that isn’t a word) for a cup of coffee, lunch, or dinner.

What’s common in all SaksWorks is an anchor restaurant of some sort. In the case of Greenwich, that restaurant is Ruby & Bella’s, named after owner Richard Baker’s dogs.


Bianca in Greenwich Opens From Owners of Popular NYC Italian Restaurants

Features Interview Restaurant Italian Greenwich Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Greenwich Avenue is booming with new restaurant openings.

Last year, “The Ave” saw an influx of Asian cuisine with the additions of Kissaki, Moon, and Hinoki. In 2022, Ruby & Bella’s just quietly opened up and a second iteration of Brian Lewis’ The Cottage should arrive shortly.

The latest, though, is Bianca, an Italian restaurant that’s not planning on serving pizza, chicken parm, or spaghetti and meatballs any time soon.

Bianca comes to Greenwich by longtime friends and former Naples, Italy countrymen, Rosario Procino and Raffaele Ronca, both of whom have extremely popular restaurants in Manhattan. Procino is a partner at Ribalta, the lauded Neapolitan pizza joint that’s always a good time, while Ronca owns two successful classic Italian restaurants, Rafele, in the West Village and in Rye.