When it comes to food trucks, Connecticut is on a roll! New outstanding mobile eateries are constantly popping up, offering a variety of cuisines and unique experiences. Here is our guide to Connecticut’s best food trucks- and it’s bigger and better than ever!
It’s all about Tiki Tuesdays in Stamford! You and 5 other people can board the Tiki Taxi at The Crab Shell restaurant for a 30 minute spin around the harbor while listening to our tropical soundtrack and enjoying whatever you bring to drink. Price includes a complimentary Hawaiian Lei as well as our cooler loaded with ice and cups for your favorite beverage (BYOB).
For four weeks this season, Oyster Club presents “Summer Nights,” an outdoor pop-up restaurant at Stone Acres Farm. Dine outdoors under the stars amongst summer blooms in the historic formal gardens. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from June 18 through July 11, Oyster Club Executive Chef James Wayman and team will present a four course menu with a welcome cocktail, centered around a different theme.
Bar Rosso in Stamford is now open on Mondays! Join them for happy hour from 3-6pm and wine bottle specials after 6pm.
It’s hard to believe it’s June- and Father’s Day is right around the corner! Although restaurants have been given the green-light to resume indoor dining on June 17th, many of Connecticut’s eateries and caterers are still offering delicious takeout, curbside, and delivery options for Dad. Here is a guide to some of the Father’s Day specials that you can find across the state.
Hoodoo Brown BBQ is bringing back its Hoodoo Barbeque School just in time for “Summer School.” Everyone who had their class cancelled due to corona will receive a special email with an early access code and get first shot at BBQ school. Stay tuned to their Facebook and social media platforms for details!
Millwrights in Simsbury now offers brunch from 11am - 3pm! The three course prix fixe meal is $29. See the menu here.
Terrain Café in Westport has reopened! The new limited hours are Friday 9-8, Saturday 9-8, and Sunday 9-4.
Sign up now for the Caseus x Ordinary Food and Booze Pairing Class! On June 26, Jason, Tom, and Tim take you on a virtual culinary experience that you are sure to remember. Pickup the ingredients on 6/24 or 6/25 and tune in on the 26th! It is $45.
On Monday June 15, join Wakeman Town Farm for an online talk entitled “How to Bring Biodiversity Back to Your Yard and Gardens.” $10 suggested donation. You will receive a Zoom link to let you into the talk, which takes place from 7-8pm. Sign up here.
“Opening a restaurant demands a fervent love of the business… and because of that love restaurants have historically proven far more resilient than many other small businesses,” writes John Mariani in a recent article for Forbes. We are overjoyed that on Wednesday May 20, Connecticut restaurants can begin opening their doors per the governor and the state’s reopening plan. Things may look a little different at first- outdoor dining only, reduced capacity, spread out tables, and in some cases limited hours- but we are thrilled to return to our favorite local eateries. Here is a guide to restaurants reopening on May 20. Please let us know if you know of anyone not on the list. Please note that we are trying to keep up with updates, but these details are subject to change. Please call your favorite restaurants ahead of time to confirm.
If you’re missing in person cooking classes or simply want to spice up your usual repertoire, Connecticut caterers, chefs, restaurants, shops, and bartenders have the perfect solution: virtual classes! Want to bake a cake? Mix up a cocktail? Cook a savory meal? Get private instruction? Do it as a group? There are opportunities for all of it! Here is a guide to virtual experiences in Connecticut.
Mother’s Day is Sunday May 10th, and extra challenging times call for extra special celebrations. Connecticut restaurants will help you treat Mom to a wonderful day with pick-up and delivery brunches, lunches, dinners, chocolates, desserts… and even spa treatment and flower add-ons!
Check out our list of 50+ CT Restaurants and Caterers for Mother’s Day 2020.
We may be stuck inside, but Connecticut restaurants and caterers are helping us travel south of the border with their Cinco de Mayo packages! Some places like Bartaco and Wakeman Town Farm are bringing the fiesta into your home with virtual events while others are offering delicious cuisine and all the fixings to make your own margaritas! Are you ready to party? If the answer is “si!” check out our guide below.
It’s crazy to think that Top Chef is in its SEVENTEENTH season! In that time, it’s amassed 59 Emmy nominations and welcomed chefs from all across the country, including Connecticut’s own Tyler Anderson. This year, the show is bringing back something near and dear to fans’ hearts: the All Star Season! CTBites got to sit down with Top Chef All Star’s first champion, Richard Blais, at the Mohegan Sun WineFest. Since claiming the title, he’s gone onto host his own podcast, make an array of TV appearances, participate in Chef demos across the country, and judge the very show that he competed on. Here’s what he had to say about life beyond cooking, his fitness routine, how to stay active on the road, Top Chef, and so much more.
Trips to the grocery store are becoming increasingly difficult. In addition to the risks associated with heading out into the crowd, shelves are picked over and ingredients are low. In order to make premium foods more accessible, some Connecticut restaurants and food wholesalers are making their meats, produce, and other staples available to the public as groceries. We have compiled this guide to let you know which restaurants have grocery programs and which wholesalers are now offering their goods to the public.
After weeks of being cooped up at home, you may be looking at ways to pass the time and explore your creative side. Fortunately, Connecticut restaurants, bakeries, and caterers are here to the rescue with fabulous DIY options to bring their delicacies into your kitchen. Sweet tooths and kiddos can partake in all kinds of cupcake and baking kits while the 21 and over crowd can get all of the ingredients to make their own restaurant worthy cocktails. There are also pizza kits, pasta kits, and more. Check out our full guide here!
We may have to stay indoors, but the Easter bunny is ready to hop on over! Easter arrives on Sunday April 12, and Connecticut restaurants are making sure that you can still enjoy the holiday to its fullest with delectable to-go meals. From a la carte to family-style to catering to heat and serve, there are options to meet every need. Check out this list of 20+ places and let us know if you hear of any other places with tasty Easter meals
This year, Passover begins on April 8 and continues through Thursday April 16. Although Connecticut restaurants are still closed for their dine-in operations, restaurants and caterers across the state are still offering tasty to-go and delivery options for Passover meals.
With restaurants forced to suspend their dining-in options and others closing their doors completely, COVID-19 has left many in the service industry without work. In order to help, several restaurants have come up with fundraising relief efforts to help those laid off in this crisis. From GoFundMe pages to gift card incentives, here is a guide to how you can help beloved local restaurants and their employees during these tough times.
On July 18, Chef Frederic Kieffer of Artisan Restaurants and L’escale comes to Wakeman Town Farm for an Intimate Chef’s Dinner. Dine on four courses of seasonal, local fare served in Tim's Kitchen. Guests are welcome to stroll the Farm's organic gardens and visit our animals before sitting down. The menu will be inspired by the best of what's available that week from the farm’s farmer/fisherman friends. Tickets are limited and the event is BYOB, so feel free to bring wine, beer or your favorite libations. Glassware and openers provided.
Chop Shop Cooking Classes continue on Wednesday July 17 with Summer Party Bites. The menu includes heirloom tomato bruschetta w/feta pesto, lobster quesadillas w/black bean mango salsa, cucumber cups w/feta, roasted peppers and olives, buffalo shrimp w/herb ranch dressing, and BBQ chicken wontons w/bleu cheese dip.
Terrain Café invites you to a Farmers' Market Dinner on July 18. Meet them on their patio for an al fresco dinner in collaboration with the Westport Farmers' Market. This three-course, plant-based meal will highlight fresh ingredients from local partners and purveyors to be enjoyed with a view of their newly expanded blooming nursery. Reservations are required. $75 per person. Cost includes three-course dinner, a welcome cocktail, and passed appetizers.
After taking a small summer break, Ordinary in New Haven is open once more. Join them Monday July 8.
Guilford Mooring hosts a Lobster Bake on Tuesday July 9. Feast on a meal of 1 ¼ Lobster, shrimp, mussels, steamers, sweet sausage, corn on the cob, Red Bliss Potatoes, and NY Cheesecake. (There are also options for land lovers and children!) It starts at 5pm and costs $55 per person.
On Thursday, July 11, Mystic Aquarium’s Conservation in Action series presents an evening of culinary education and exploration with Eating with the Ecosystem. Mystic Aquarium’s Main Gallery is the perfect backdrop for a night of cocktails and local sustainable seafood. Admission includes a delectable presentation, sustainable and adventurous seafood appetizers from the cookbook Simmering the Sea: Diversifying Cookery to Sustain Our Fisheries, plus one complimentary cocktail, wine or beer of your choice. $28 per person or $50 for two online in advance.
Carbone’s Kitchen (Bloomfield) and Carbone’s Prime (Rocky Hill) have launched “Summer Maine Lobster Nights.” Offered every Monday-Wednesday in July and August, the menu includes your choice of Shrimp Bisque or Garden Salad, a 1 1/4 lb. Steamed Maine Lobster with Roasted Potatoes and Native Corn on the Cob, and Summer Berry Shortcake. This taste of summer is being offered at $32 per person, beverage, tax and gratuity not included.
Oyster Club in Mystic now has a cocktail lounge pop up every first and third Monday night of the month. On Monday July 1, guest bartender is Joshua Perez of Milk & Honey and brand ambassador for REAL MCCOY RUM is premiering Real McCoy 14-Year-Aged limited-edition rum, the first release in the state of Connecticut.
On Tuesday July 2, Stew Leonard’s in Danbury invites tots to a Firecracker Cupcake/Rice Krispies Toddler Class. Each child will decorate four cupcakes and two Rice Krispies Treats in red, white and blue. The class is for ages 2-5 and takes place at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
On Tuesdays at The Spread Norwalk, enjoy $1 oysters all night! Plus, join them for Happy Hour from 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, located on the waterfront in New Haven, is hosting an Independence Day Eve Celebration on Wednesday, July 3, featuring live music and highlights of the West Haven Fireworks viewed from the Deck. Reservations for dinner service will be available until 10:00 p.m. (inside tables only). Tables on the deck will be available for dinner only on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to make a reservation, visit their website or call (203) 787-3466.
In honor of National Margarita Day on February 22nd, join Harlan Publick, Evarito's, Cantiki, El Segundo, Tablao Wine Bar & Restaurant and Saltwater Sono for a Margarita Crawl! Enjoy $5 House Margaritas all day long at each location! ($8 Premium Margaritas will also be available.
Learn how to cook Indian food with Chef Prasad on Saturday February 23, 2019 @ 1 PM. Dishes include Hyderabadi, Biryani & many others. Limited Seating…Email reservation only to chef@chefprasad.com.
Barcelona Wine Bar in Stamford hosts an “I Dream of Summer Suckling Pig Dinner Party” on Thursday 2/21 from 7-10pm. Chef Michael Lucente ic cooking up a suckling pig roast, tapas, and serving them with sangria & cocktails to match. Tickets are $40.
Artisan West Hartford is unveiling two new “O’Keeffe Cocktails and Cuisine,” in support of The New Britain Museum of Art and Architecture’s new Georgia O’Keeffe installation (running February 22-June, 2019). Sample the gorgeous “Cocktail Art” at Artisan on Thursday, February 21st from 4:30pm-6:00pm at an “O’Keeffe Cocktail Party”.
On Monday July 23, Bistro on Main in Manchester presents a 5-Course to honor the late Anthony Bourdain, a well-renowned chef, author, and travel expert in the food industry.
The Guilford Mooring has launched a Monday Lobster Bake, offering customers a 1 ¼ pound lobster, red potatoes, Littleneck clams, mussels, peel-and-eat shrimp, and an ear of corn – all enjoyed from the restaurant’s waterfront location.
Join Millwright’s in Simsbury for their 6th Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday July 25. The special 8 course tasting menu costs $95 per person, plus and tax and tip. As an anniversary special, you can also get a $10 gift card for every $50 gift card purchased.
ARTISAN Restaurant, Tavern and Garden in West Hartford will reveal its private label of Rosé wine at an inaugural garden party on Thursday, July 26 from 5-7pm. Guests can enjoy Artisan Rosé wine, a craft cocktail, a 2-hour buffet, and a DJ for $25 per person.
Millstone Farm’s Summer Soiree Dinners with Chef Geoff Lazlo continue of July 26. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6pm followed by dinner, both of which use fresh ingredients from the farm. The meal is family style and BYOB.
Barcelona’s West Hartford location invites you to “A Seafood Dinner with Chef Tony” on Thursday July 26 from 6:30-9pm. The evening features a whole roasted swordfish collar, a raw bar, crispy tapas from the sea, and wine pairings. Tickets are $65.
Each week CTbites features upcoming events, new menus and food happenings. Starting Monday, July 9, Mecha Noodle Bar SoNo will debut a Tiki-inspired cocktail menu! They promise drinks that are “less sugary through the use of green juices and vinegars.”
