Chef Bick Brings the Farm Back to the Table at Holbrook Farm in Bethel

Before your dinner begins, make sure to check out the custom made drinks! Photo from http://somethingsfishycatering.com

Executive Chef Michael Bick of Some Things Fishy Catering is back at it again.  This Sunday at 4pm at Holbrook Farm in Bethel, he’s putting on another great farm to table event.  Yes, this is the same 2012 OmNomy winner of Best Special Event because of the great food, the passion for all things local, and the beautiful outdoor dining right on the farm that make up each and every special dinner that Chef Bick has planned.  Tickets are $75 and go fast so you’ll want to get your reservations by calling up (203) 722-2444 or e-mailing michael@somethingsfishycatering.com.  This farm to table dinner is BYOB, so you’ll definitely want to bring some liquid fun to celebrate the start of summer.  Check out friend’s blog, Local Food Rocks, for two different reviews…first an experience at Butcher’s Best and a dinner on Holbrook Farm.

Here are the details:

Captain Lawrence Taps Into a Cure and Hosts Pig Roast – Elmsford, NY

Ready for two weekends of events at Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Elmsford, just over the border in New York?  Of course you are…dumb question!

This Saturday, 6/22, marks the return of Captain Lawrence Brewing Company’s annual pig roast.  The fun goes on for six hours straight from 12-6 pm and is $40 per person online or is $50 at the door.  Your ticket purchase includes entrance to the pig roast, beer, music, cornhole, bocce, and even transportation from the Port Chester, Tarrytown, and North White Plains train stations.  Music will be provided by Rebecca Haviland & Whiskey Heart, Evan Watson’s Old Orchard Band, and Brooklyn Sugar Company.  The roast pig and other BBQ goodness will be provided by Village Dog of Tarrytown at an additional cost, but remember that your entrance fee gets you tastes of classic CLBC brews as well as some great new ones.  Think of it this way:  after just 7 brews, you’ve already made up the cost.  Besides, you’ll be helping raise money (Project Barn Raiser) for Hemlock Hill.  Buy your tickets here:  http://clbcpigroast.bpt.me.  Just a few notes:  you can park off of Executive Boulevard because they’ll be closing up their parking lot so people can hang out and chill.  You need to be 21 or older to attend and need to bring valid ID.

Oh Dio Mio, Zeppoleme! Killer Coffee, Sandwiches, Zeppole + More in Port Chester, NY

Bacon, chive, and ?? zeppole

Aye, paisanos, have we got a new spot for you to check out! We’re talking ’bout Zeppoleme, right on Main Street in Port Chester, walking distance from our part of Greenwich (uh oh, we’re in trouble). Ever since we saw the sign a few months ago, we’ve been dreaming about the zeppoles we’d enjoy on, oh, say EVERY Sunday morning, starting with this past Sunday when they opened up shop!

Lucky for Kristien’s parents, they just so happened to be in town when they opened…which was the perfect way to round out our weekend of gorging. See just two nights before we had taken the rents out for dinner at Bar Sugo and feasted like the good Italians we are.  But back to Zeppoleme…

Immediately, we were happy to see how cute and cozy the interior is. Lots of dark wood tables and rustic tones make Zeppoleme chill, relaxing, and comfortable. Plus, if you’re feeling like it would be nice to eat outside, check out their pretty outdoor garden dining that they share with sister restaurant Nessa next door. Eh, you gonna get to the food? Psshhhh, here are the basics:

Could Fairfield Cheese Company be the big cheese this year?

Hmm…what’s that smell?

Oh, it’s just the 4th Annual Cheesemonger Invitational being held in Long Island City this year.  Yeah, that’s where that holy aroma of cheese is coming from.  On June 29, 56 cheesemongers from across the country will do battle to see who’s the big cheese…literally.  And, in the trenches that day you will find Chris Palumbo and Laura Downey, co-owners of Fairfield Cheese Company.  “We have worked hard during the past four years to put Fairfield Cheese Company on the map, and the invitation to compete helps to solidify us as a preeminent shop in the area and the country,” said Chris in a recent press release.  Attendees will not only be able to witness the epic cheese battles, but they’ll be able to graze (or pit out) on a smörgåsbord of cheese prepared by last year’s winners.

So, how exactly do 56 cheesemongers battle?  Well, everything is broken down into four separate rounds:

Pork in the Park BBQ and Food Festival Piggifies the New Mill River Park in Stamford

Bob LeRose can’t seem to sit still or remain inactive.  He first brought Bobby Q’s to Westport and quickly stacked up awards, smoking out the competition at contest after contest.  From there, he organized and built up one of the best events in the state:  Blues, Views & BBQ.  Then, Bobby took BBQ in Fairfield County in a whole new direction with the creation of Bar Q, tapas style BBQ in Downtown Stamford.  And, just recently, he opened up Bobby Q’s Pit Stop in Old Greenwich with his cousin Joey Boucher, serving up BBQ, burgers, chili, and dogs.

For the average, ordinary person that might be too much to handle in just a few years, but we’re not talking about anyone average.  We’re talking about Bob LeRose, whose veins run rampant with BBQ sauce.  He’s taken it to an all new level now with the creation of the first ever Pork in the Park, happening July 13 (11-8 pm) + 14 (11-6 pm) in the brand new Mill River Park in Stamford.  You can think of Pork in the Park as a similar kind of experience to Blues, Views & BBQ, but Bob shared with us that this festival will have a stronger focus on food.  And, a portion of money made from the event is going directly to help the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program and the Mill River Collaborative.  Here are the details that Bob shared with us:

Beer Review: Ryan and the Beaster Bunny – Eviltwin Brewing in Stratford, CT

Our last brewview focused on St. Lawrence Brewery’s St. Vincent’s Dubbel and now we’re back for some more.  And, we’re back with something pretty awesome.  We have a saison from Eviltwin Brewing that started in Denmark and has made its way to America.  But, their approach is completely different than other overseas breweries.  They are brewing their award-winning beer at some of the best breweries across the country using their established methods and recipes.  Well, wouldn’t you know it, but there is plenty of room at the massive Two Roads Brewery in Stratford for beer production from other companies?  So, let’s look deeper into Ryan and the Beaster Bunny and Eviltwin Brewing and why they just might take over America, one brewery at a time.

Beer: Ryan and the Beaster Bunny

Brewery:  Eviltwin Brewing (and here’s their site in Denmark)

Latte Art Competition and Live Music @ espresso NEAT in Darien

It’s officially summer in Darien when espresso NEAT opens their beautiful outdoor patio.  So, what better way to kick it off than with some live music and a contest to prove your worth?  We’re talking about Doug Allen live outside of NEAT and a latte art competition.  They’ll begin the signup for competitors on 6/20 at 6 pm and the first pour will happen at 7 pm and go until 9 pm.  Check their FB page and their site because they might be offering an online sign-up for those who can’t make 6.  Each entry costs $5, but that money will be going directly to help the victims of the devastating Oklahoma tornado.

Harbor Brew Fest Returns to Harbor Yard w/ More Brews and Food Trucks Galore

Beer beer beer beer,

beer beer beer beer,

beer beer beer beer,

buh buh buh buh buh buh…

BEER!

Harry’s is not only a sponsor of this great event, but Renzo (beer god extraordinaire) helps get all the breweries there!  We love Harry’s!

Ah, such lovely songs have never been heard before.  And, chances are, you’ll be singing beer’s praise quite a bit at the 2nd Annual Harbor Brew Fest at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport.  While the event isn’t happening until September 28 from 12-5, tickets are going on sale next Friday, 6/21.  Get your tickets fast because last year’s event sold out part of the way through the event, and you’ll definitely want to get your hands on one of the very limited Brewer’s Special tickets (see the ticket descriptions below).  See, now that’s why you need to get yourself in gear and make sure to get your tix right away on the 21st.  Now, let’s go through why this year’s event is going to be even better and more successful than last year’s:

Take a Tapas Tour @ Artwalk 2013 in Stamford Downtown

Stamford ArtWalk Map 2013…click through for a zoomed in view

There’s always something great going on in Downtown Stamford, ya know?  Whether it’s restaurant weeks, charity events, their yearly outdoor sculpture exhibitions (this year it’s “Downtown Abstractions”), Santa gliding down a building, or Alive @ Five, Downtown Stamford is the place to be.  And, now we have another reason to love Stamford:  the first ever ARTWALK that’s starting Friday (6/14) and goes into Saturday, 6/15.  ARTWALK 2013 will feature 95 artists from the Northeast who are presenting their art in various styles and mediums.  This weekend event is free to the public and if you’d like a copy of this map, just register at the ARTWALK booth on Spring Street.  Time it perfectly by going to the opening celebration on 6/14 @ 5 pm, have some refreshments, and join many of the artists, gallery owners, local business owners, and restaurateurs…then pick up the map!

Most of that art that’s on display will remain up for viewing at restaurants and businesses until July 7, so even if you can’t make this event, you’ll have another chance for viewing.  Plus, if you really love something, you can purchase it!  In addition, there are special events (full list here) and exhibits up for you to check out:

Why you need to go getta some Vanchetta…a rolling rotisserie food truck

Take a gander at this custom built truck…

There are food trucks and then there are food trucks, serving up hand crafted, custom made, awesome food. We’re not talking about your standard street food fare, we be talking ’bout Vanchetta, a rolling rotisserie truck that had its soft opening last week in Stamford. When we broke the news to everybody, people were excited…even the owner, Andy Dolan, who said he was a big fan of our blog but was trying to keep things quiet and take things slowly (oops, sorry for that man).

Well, now that it’s public knowledge, we’re ready to share our experience…