Ginger Man + Coalhouse Celebrate American Craft Beer Week

Two of our favorite spots to get brews and grub in Fairfield County have lots of fun ahead for American Craft Beer Week.  ACBW kicks off today, 5/13, and goes until 5/19.  The focus of the beer week has always been on smaller batch brews, a focus on fine details, and more of a hands-on approach to beer.  Now, it’s no coincidence that Ginger Man in Norwalk and Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford live and breathe this philosophy year round, but you know they have to step up their game (is that possible?) to celebrate American Craft Beer Week.  It’s kind of like the Super Bowl of the beer world.

Coalhouse Pizza is featuring a week of tap takeovers:

Flights at Coalhouse Pizza in Stamford CT

Monday, 5/13:  Sebago

Tuesday, 5/14:  Half Full (see a full week of special Half Full events here)

Wednesday, 5/15:  Harpoon

Arik Bensimon Joins LeFarm, Carlos Baez Takes over The Spread

Rich, fatty, earthy…excellent pork belly atop French lentils at The Spread

Life’s kind of strange, isn’t it?  Chef Bill Taibe who started LeFarm and The Whelk became very well known in Connecticut when he cooked at G/R/A/N/D in Stamford, he started his own spot called Relish Food & Wine, and especially when he took Napa & Company to new heights.  When he left Napa in 2009, a chef named Arik Bensimon came in and took the reigns.  He was a chef who had received major praise from his experiences at Le Cirque and Picholine in NYC and La Panetiere in Rye.  LeFarm was born soon after.  And, from day one, Executive Chef Arik Bensimon made a name for himself again at Napa & Company plating food with heart, soul, and reverence for local food.  We were treated to an amazing dinner that Chef Arik prepared and we were really blown away…course after course.  Then this past summer we found out that Chef Arik had left Napa & Co and we all wondered…what was he up to next?  Well, he took Fairfield County by storm a second time by becoming Executive Chef at The Spread in Norwalk.  Again, we had a meal there and we really loved Arik’s rich and hearty dishes that were sprinkled with simple complexity, and vowed to come back time and again.

Local duck egg with black truffle at Napa & Co

And, now onto the life is strange part.  Chef Arik Bensimon has left The Spread and is now Executive Chef at LeFarm in Westport, owned by Bill Taibe.  We wish lots of great success to Arik and we’re so happy for him.  He’s the kind of guy who deserves the best.  Being Executive Chef at LeFarm, for him, will be a perfect match and can only push LeFarm to even greater culinary heights.  Seriously…make your reservations now.  You’re not going to be able to get in the door.

The Best Warm Weather Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Fairfield County

Doesn’t that just call out, “summer”?

Dan’s jotting down some notes, I’m taking the pics

Om nom nom nom hot dog nom nom nom

Winter is only one season, but why does it seem so long?  Perhaps this year we can blame it on Punxsutawney Phil who promised an early end to winter, but lied?  Yeah, never trust a rodent, that’s what momma always said.

But, look, we’re beyond it all now!  The weather has turned, we’re at the start of spring, and we can actually feel the sun’s warmth.  By now, you’ve probably already lit up the BBQ and cooked up a storm.  And, you’ve probably been thinking about eating out(side) at a restaurant to enjoy the great weather.  So, we decided to put together a nice list of restaurants in the area that we like that have either al fresco (outdoor) dining or open air dining.  Perhaps you have an amazing restaurant to add that we missed?  Let us know!  Taco Bell doesn’t count, though. ;)

Enjoy the beautiful weather people…you earned it!

Bethel

Ecco rooftop bar/eatery on top of La Zingara (added by N)

Bridgeport

Save Some Serious Dough with Restaurant.com

Our obsession with Restaurant.com (not Restaurants.com) started years ago when we’d shell out $5 and get a $50 pass to restaurants.  The amount of money we saved was awesome and we continue to check this site when we want to save some major dinero.  We use it for local restaurants and especially when we’re on vacation and want to find a quick, inexpensive meal.

Chef’s Special Roll, Crispy Melt Goat Cheese Roll, and Crunchy Wasabi Tuna Roll at Bambou in Greenwich

It works pretty easily:  enter the city and state where you want a certificate then select the restaurant.  The most common option that you’ll see is pay $10 for a $25 certificate, but sometimes there will be bigger incentives like $20 for $50, $30 for $75, or even $40 for $100.  Before you purchase your certificate, just make sure that there aren’t any terms of the agreement that won’t work for you such as, “Only includes lunch,” or “No dinner on Saturday.”  Also, pay close attention to the fine print because some have an order minimum or some include a tip into the amount of the bill automatically.

Hold Your Table and Get Some Cash Back with OpenTable

One of the first things we do when we’re looking for a restaurant to hit up is check to see if it’s on OpenTable.  In just a few clicks you can see lots of restaurants in your area that are taking reservations.  From there, you can click on a restaurant, enter in your party size and time, then you’re on your way to booking your table.  You could even play restaurant roulette and enter a party size, date, and time and see which restaurants in the area have tables nearby.

Dino Poutine is killer, unique to Dinosaur Stamford

Recently, we used OpenTable to get ourselves some nice seats at Bar Sugo in Norwalk and Dinosaur Bar-b-que in Stamford.  Plus, we can’t tell you how easy this site makes vacation planning.  And, wouldn’t you know it, Dan’s Prius has OpenTable built into it?

When you show up for the reservation, make sure you give your name and they check you in before you find your seat.  At most restaurants you’ll earn 100 points for each time you show up and dine out.  There are even some restaurants on the site that will earn you 1,000 points for honoring your reservation.  When you reach 2,000 points you’ll be sent a $20 gift certificate usable at any OpenTable restaurant.

Here are just some of the OpenTable restaurants that you could hit up in just Connecticut:

Look Out! Bar Sugo Opens 4 Lunch + Brunch – Norwalk, CT

•••

Brace yourselves.  Are you anchored down?  Good, let’s forge ahead.  Bar Sugo in Norwalk is opening up for lunch and brunch and will soon have outdoor seating.  Yeah, we know…that’s awesome.  Lunch (from 11-4) will start on April 1 (not a joke, punks) and will feature much of the same dinner menu, but they’ll also be adding some panini, more salads, and a burger.  Oh, but to call it a burger is selling it short.  It will be a house dry aged Ox Hollows Farm beef burger with red onion jam, gouda, rosemary mayo, and a Sport Hill farm egg on top, served on housemade brioche.  Chef Pat and co. will also be offering cold fried chicken with crispy speck and pickled mustard, too.  

Brunch (11-3) starts off on April 7 and Pat promises that it will be like a brunch that you’ve never experienced before.  We’re talking about old Italian countryside kind of brunch, unlimited bellinis, and special dishes such as lemon pancakes with lemon custard and lemon butter or Sport Hill farm eggs and pork belly from Millstone.  

2nd Annual OmNomys Celebrates 2012′s Best Food in Fairfield County

Last year we brought you the 1st Annual OmNomys:  awards that celebrated the Best in Food in Fairfield County.  Well, we couldn’t just let another year go by without giving out a new set of awards, could we?  No, we can’t.  That’s why we’re writing this post. But first, a quick refresher course on the OmNomys:

• We only select restaurants that we’ve been to in 2012, so it’s important to remember that the restaurants here are not necessarily the best EVER, but the best we had in 2012.

• If you don’t like this list, that’s cool…whatevs.  It’s just our favorites of 2012.  You’re welcome to create your own or comment below and let your love of local restaurants show.

Best Ambiance: Dolce Cubano, Stamford

Sleek and sexy red leather (like Zaza) can be found throughout Dolce Cubano, one of Stamford’s newest hot spots.  Combine that with a chill bar (inside and outside) and waterside dining and you’ve got the perfect spot to hit up. Don’t forget the fireplace, either.  

Best Asian:  Bambou Asian Tapas & Bar, Greenwich

We don’t typically eat much Asian and have cut back on our sushi intake for 2012.  That being said, we’ve had some decent sushi, but a recent meal at Bambou was quite impressive.  The sushi rolls were very creative, especially a roll that featured goat cheese, mango, and salmon wrapped in a crispy spring roll.  Also, the steamed veggie dumplings were some of the best that we’ve had with nice chunks of fresh vegetables wrapped up in a thin layer of rice paper.  And, the desserts (which isn’t typical for an Asian restaurant) were fantastic.

Best BBQ Sides:  Bar Q, Stamford

We love the concept behind Bar Q, owned by Bob LeRose of Bobby Q’s in Westport:  tapas style bbq.  Well, along with a bbq menu to sample in small doses, you can get some great sides and fixins’ to go with your meat.  Some of our favorites are the chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, fiesta cornbread, hush puppies, baked jalapeno poppers, and mac & cheese.  Although we were torn about our first visit, each visit thereafter seems to get better.

Best BBQ Meat:  Dinosaur Bar-b-que, Stamford

Although Dinosaur Bar-b-que is a newcomer to Connecticut, they’ve been pumping out awesome bbq for years at their other locations.  The pulled pork is tender and juicy, the brisket is smoky with that perfect pink smoke ring, and the ribs are juicy and delicate, coming off the bone with a slight tug. And their chicken wings, well… see that section below. 

Best Beer Selection:  The Ginger Man, Norwalk

With more than 50 beers on tap, The Ginger Man in the heart of SoNo is a great place to hit up.  When you’re there, check out their creative specials, different each night and be sure to also try their monthly beer dinners.

Where to Eat Before, During, + After the UBS Parade Spectacular in Stamford

Click through to check out a ton of info on the parade

Are you ready?  Thanksgiving is just about a week away!  Yup, it’s time to load up on turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gobble your way to a food coma.

But, Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food and Black Friday.  Actually, it’s about celebrating with family and having lots of fun.  There will be lots of that going on this coming weekend in Stamford during the UBS Parade Spectacular.  This huge parade is a sight to see and is definitely a tradition for Nutmeggers and nearby New Yorkers.  While you can see the balloons being inflated on Saturday from 3-6 pm at the corner of Hoyt Street and Summer, the high flying action goes down on Sunday, 11/18.  The parade will begin at noon, starting off on Summer Street, then will wind its way down to Broad then Atlantic.  You’ll want to find a parking spot pretty early, so don’t wait until the last minute.  Ya heard?

Nomworthy Bites of Connecticut Food News, Volume 1: Zombies, Dinosaurs, Dogs, Parrots, and Pumpkins

You know, sometimes there’s just so much going on around Fairfield County that there just isn’t enough time for us to create individual posts for each event.  We are just two people, but we want to get the news out and spread the word about openings, deals, discounts, events, and everything else food related.  Yes, we have been updating our Events calendar pretty well, but we think it’ll be easier to check out what’s fresh and fun in the 203 with little nummy and yummy bites of goodness.

Enough chitter chatter, let’s start:

Danbury

On October 6, crawl or limp on over to the 1st ever Apocalyptic Rocktober Zombiefest at Ives Concert Park.  Entrance is $10 and that gives you access to “killer” live music from Pat Horgan & Thunder Road, food and brews, a zombie beauty contest for men and women, a thriller dance party, a screening of “Night of the Living Dead,” a “silent but deadly auction” (not the sbd you’re thinking of), and even a raffle for a dream vacation for just $10 a pop.

Norwalk

Chef Arik Bensimon’s, formerly of Napa & co in Stamford, has been working hard on opening his next venture:  The Spread.  It’ll be located at 70 N Main Street.  We wish Arik and his associates the best of luck, though with combined skill like that, you don’t need it.  Follow them on FB for updated info. 

Pat Pascarella , owner of Cortina Pizzeria (formeraly Pizzeria Rosso) has opened up his dream restaurant, Bar Sugo, at 102 Wall Street in Norwalk.  On the menu?  Six different versions of meatballs, fresh housemade pasta, and lots of small plates such as prosciutto wrapped polenta fries.  Let the noming begin on October 5th!

Win Big and Eat Cheap at the 2012 Fairfield Restaurant Week: 10/14 – 10/20

Ah, the anticipation and excitement that this will bring.  From October 14 – 20, you’ll be able to take part in Fairfield Restaurant Week.  This, dear OmNomivores, is a restaurant week different than ones you’ve experienced before.  First off, you have an amazing variety of top class restaurants participating.  Secondly, you’ll have a chance to check out old favorites or even some of the newer restaurants in town like Bodega Taco Bar, Martel, and The Chelsea.  Also, this will be pretty light on the wallet with lunch at $10 or $15 and dinner for just  $20 or $30.  Some places might even throw in some other kind of discount or special, just for you.  How about $10 for a case of stingers from Colony Grill?  Sold!

But, let’s get down to things now.  As if eating out on the cheap isn’t enough, you’ll have a chance to win a pretty amazing prize.  This is all you have to do: