Ever read the results of a contest that asks people to select the best food in your city or Connecticut and wondered, “Um, how did this happen?” Sometimes the “best-ofs” are just so far off…but, look, they can be right on too. It all depends on how the contest is organized. Well, we just found out about a nationwide contest that was looking for the best chefs. Best Chefs Americas decided to take a fresh approach and allow chefs, culinary professionals, and food enthusiasts to take surveys (over 5,000, actually) about great chefs and great food in their area. Using this information, Best Chefs Americas was able to create a list that’s up on their page and is also available in book form. The first edition of Best Chefs Americas will also share culinary trends and ingredients that were highlighted during these interviews. The limited edition book is available on the Best Chefs Americas site for $75, but if you’re not willing to fork over the dough, you can still see the winners from Connecticut here, organized by city from Bloomfield-Woodbury. Congratulations to all the chefs who were recognized by fellow chefs. This list also serves as an amazing to-eat list of places in Connecticut, too. Amazing.
Who are you happy to see on this list and who do you wish made the list (help to nominate them too)?
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. ;)
Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market is helping sponsor the 2nd Annual Taste of Black Rock. We’ve talked about this neighborhood before, how we lived there, and how the community is so amazing. Well, you’ll definitely want to check out what Taste of Black Rock has to offer this year.
The event will be held at The Burroughs Community Center on March 2 from 7:30-10 pm with tickets costing just $25. The proceeds from this event will help The Burroughs Community Center to keep being a community sanctuary and blessing. If you haven’t heard of The Burroughs Community Center, it’s their mission to, “Provide the residents of Bridgeport with program opportunities and facility resources for the purpose of promoting individual growth and community cohesiveness. We fulfill this through our direct services and by collaborating with community and facility partners. We also do this by connecting people requesting information, programs or forms of aid with agencies in the Greater Bridgeport community.”
Your ticket will get you tastings of some great Connecticut microbrews that Renzo (beerologist extraordinaire) from Harry’s is super excited about:
Here we go…restaurant weeks are starting to pop up again. Don’t you love how they seem to show up just at the right time, when things seem the bleakest? While the Darien one doesn’t run for exactly a week, it still goes from Sunday, 2/24 until Friday, 3/1. That’s still some good quality time to get on down to Darien and check out some restaurants for a nice price. You know the spiel: pay a set amount of $, get a prix fixe 3 course meal. Always a nice deal. We have all the restaurants involved for you with our ratings if we’ve eaten there, but we don’t have the costs yet. We should be getting those soon, so when we do, we’ll update this.
Please click through to see the full map on the Slice of Saugatuck page.
Right by the water in Saugatuck you’ll find three streets that form a giant triangular “slice” of life for Westporters and Connecticuters. Railroad Place is to the north, Riverside Avenue by the water is to the west, and Franklin Street is to the-wait for it…east. Whether you want to go out for some food, check out the variety of wine, beer, and liquor, or find something exciting to do, this area of Westport isn’t lacking one bit. And, to help you see this and to celebrate it we have the Second Annual Slice of Saugatuck!
You’ll be able to check it out on Saturday, 9/15 from noon to 3 pm by only paying a measly, tiny, incomprehensible $5 at one of the festival entrances. Just think about it: $5. 5$. Five dollar entrance. If you got that joke, you’re as lame as us, btw. Well, what do you get in return for that $5? First of all, you help to raise money for Homes for Hope/Gillespie Center Food Pantry. Secondly, to put it bluntly, your own little slice of heaven. Free food samples, free wine and liquor samples, free live music, free rides on a kayak, learn how to fly fish, take a tour of their historical fire house, stock up on discounts/coupons, watch a Tae Kwon Do demonstration, check out all the local shops, and–yes–more.
Although Half Full Brewery, based out of Stamford, isn’t open for tours and tastings yet, you shouldn’t let that stop you from trying their Half Full Bright Ale. Conor and co. from Half Full will be hitting up three restaurants in Stamford tonight. They’ll be talking ’bout Half Full, the beer, and about their flagship Bright Ale. For more info, check their site and also check our first article or our second detailed run through of Half Full with Conor himself.
If you can’t make it tonight, don’t worry. The Bright Ale will be on tap at these spots, so make sure to come on by and try things out. Also, keep up with Half Full and us to find out more about the opening that should be happening pretty soon. Here’s a map that Half Full is maintaining that lists off restaurants where you can get the good stuff:
Wanna dine out on the cheap in the heart of Stamford, The City that Noms? Well, you’re in luck because Stamford Tables presents another great dining event from August 20 – September 3: Stamford Summer Restaurant Weeks. Like previous restaurant weeks, you’ll have a chance to have a healthy lunch or dinner for your kids at $6.95 or $9.95 at participating restaurants ( * restaurants above aren’t participating). Also, if you’re one of the first 3,000 Summer Restaurant Weeks nomers, you’ll get a coupon for a free medium popcorn when you buy a movie ticket at the Avon Theatre. Plus, if you’re sportin’ a MasterCard, pay for your meal and they’ll help you to Stand Up to Cancer by donating a cent, up to $4,000,000. Menus, as they are added, are here.
Well, let’s get down to the nomworthy deets:
Kristien’s classic burger at Station Eats, all loaded and ready to go
Food is king in America. Look, we need it to live. We need it to grow. We need it to get energy so that we can go out and conquer the world. The problem, though, is when we consume more energy than we expend. That calorie gap leads to weight gain and, on a nationwide basis, leads to the fattening of Americans.
Big Food, an exhibit being shown until December 2, 2012 at theYale Peabody Museum of Natural Historyshows this in many shocking ways with illustrations, visuals, and more. As to some of the causes of the obesity epidemic in America, the exhibit gives a few:
Towns and cities that are overrun with fatty, processed, unhealthy, and “quick” food
Bigger portions than needed
As you go through the exhibit, you’ll see the ways that we can help to make a change in our own diets. You’ll also have a chance to evaluate your own eating habits and see what you and your loved ones can do to make good, positive, healthy changes. For a quick preview of how we can make a difference as a society, check out the video at the top of the page. We’ve also gathered events from the Yale Peabody Museum page that would be great to check out in relation to checking out the exhibit. Get planning andmake a commitment now for healthy eating by voting online!
Big Food Related Events for the Rest of the Year
AUGUST
Saturday, August 25 from 10am to 4pm: Summer’s Last Roar– free, day-long family program with door prizes, food tastings, and health and exercise-related presenters. Free
SEPTEMBER
Early fall 2012 (date and details TBD): New Haven Food Summit (planning underway)
OCTOBER
Monday, October 8 at 11am, 1pm and 3pm: Ratatouille – film screening, rated G, 111 min., Disney/Pixar. Museum Admission Required.
Friday, October 12 at 12:30pm: Yale Family Weekend lecture. With Jeannette Ickovics, Ph.D., Professor at the Yale School of Public Health, Director of Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE) and lead curator of Big Food. Free.
Saturday, October 13 from 10am to 4pm: Fiesta Latina– free, day-long family celebration, this year with a food and health theme.
Wednesday, October 24 time TBD: International Food Day program
Thursday, October 25 at 5:30pm. Lisa Sanders lecture. With Lisa Sanders, M.D., Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Medicine and author of the Diagnosis column for the New York Times Magazine. The John H. Ostrom Program Series.
NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 3 from 10am to 3pm: Indigenous Peoples Day – day-long family program about indigenous South American cultures with a focus on food and diet. Museum Admission Required.
The Yale Peabody Museum
170 Whitney Avenue (Corner of Sachem Street)New Haven, CTMonday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday Noon to 5:00 pm
Admission Fees
$9.00 Adults
$8.00 Senior citizens 65 years and over
$5.00 Children ages 3 through 18, College students with ID
$4.00 Group admission*
The museum offers free individual admission on Thursday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:00 pm during the months of September to June. Groups of 8 or more require advance reservations.
* To receive this reduced admission,groups must make a reservationat least 2 weekdays in advance. Group admission is only available with a written confirmation brought to the Museum at the time of the visit.
Admission is free to Peabody Museum members, and Yale ID holders.
Yup yup, you read that right. Offshore Pour, a craft beer boat cruise. Suds have been rounded up by Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market in Fairfield and grub’s being provided by Bobby Q’s Bodacious BBQ. Brews ahoy from 1-4:30 pm at Veteran’s Park, but doors open at 12 pm on June 16.
Once you’re on the Island Bell, you’ll be able to eat BBQ to your heart’s content, drink down some of the best craft brews, listen to some badass live tunes, take a cruise around the Long Island Sound, and you’ll even get to take home your own souvenir tasting glass. Here are the beers that will be available:
Tickets are $59 or $75 if you buy the day of the event, June 16. Proceeds will benefit Fairfield Theater Co. so make sure to get your tickets and get your friends to go, too.
You need to be 21 or older to go and come with a valid ID. Don’t bring your pets, don’t bring your children, and don’t bring your boo hoo grumpiness. Bring an empty stomach and an unquenchable thirst!
You’ll be able to check it out on Saturday, 9/15 from noon to 3 pm by only paying a measly, tiny, incomprehensible $5 at one of the festival entrances. Just think about it: $5. 5$. Five dollar entrance. If you got that joke, you’re as lame as us, btw. Well, what do you get in return for that $5? First of all, you help to raise money for 
Although 
Dan and Kristien Del Ferraro
