Drink + eat up at The Beer Garden @ Harbor Point to put an end to hunger in Fairfield County

The hopping (get what we did there?) Beer Garden @ Harbor Point has been open for just a few weeks now, but it’s probably one of the busiest places around the city.  And, props to them, because they are hosting a fundraiser for Community Plates.  We’ve talked about this great organization before (and their recent expansion into New Haven), but to recap they rescue food that would have been wasted from restaurants, supermarkets, and other places, then deliver that food to local shelters and food banks.  Believe it or not, this is a completely volunteer driven organization, so you have to imagine that funding for what they do isn’t easy to come by.

Eat ice cream and help your furry friends too at Bliss in Cos Cob

Isn’t Google AWESOME?

We haven’t even entered the dog days of summer yet and it’s already redonkulously hot.  90 degrees and we’re not even in June yet?  Psshaww.  Well, look any good Nutmegger, you’ve learned how to deal with the heat.  You get to the pool, you hang out where the air-conditioning is so pumped up you see various meats hanging up and icicles forming on people’s noses, and you, of course, hit up your local ice cream shops.  Yes, it’s pretty easy just to buy the little (or HUGE) containers of ice cream at the grocery store, but there’s something so much more satisfying about heading out to the shop, picking out your flavors, then getting your cone, cup, sundae, shake, or whatever frozen concoction you’re in the mood for.

One ice cream shop in Cos Cob has an even sweeter deal for you, though.  Every Wednesday in June (and possibly all summer if it’s well received), Bliss Ice Cream will donate 30% of its profits to two local organizations helping animals.  They have done this before with singular events, but this is quite the effort with a whole month of fundraising.  The two organizations they are helping are PAWS (rescuing homeless dogs and cats and finding them loving homes) and Adopt a Dog, both important organizations that can really use the money to help protect dogs and cats in the community.

Something Wild This Way Comes: Wine, Beer, + Food Safari Fundraiser at Beardsley Zoo

Feeling a little bit wild?  Are you hungry like the wolf?  Parched enough to drink gallons of brews and wine by lapping them up with your tongue?  If this is the case, then we’ve got the perfect event for you:  Beardsley Zoo’s Wild Wine, Beer & Food Safari 2013.  This year the rumpus happens on Saturday, June 8 from 6-9 pm.  Click here to get your tix at either 1 for $55, 4 or more for $50 each, or pay $60 at the door…assuming there are any tickets left.  And, if you’d like a special experience and would love to really give back to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, you can buy a “Behind the Scenes” VIP ticket for $100 which gives you special experiences with animals from 4:30-5:30 before the event even begins!

Like last year (it was very successful and very well attended), there will be plenty of food, wine, and beer (both international and local) to go around.  And, when you’ve had your fill of food and drink, you can trollop or gallop around the zoo, checking out some of the exhibits and the animals (some areas will be blocked off).   So, as for food, you can have the yumminess of:

Haitian Food’s the Focus of Eat for Equity Stamford’s June Event, Benefiting Haiti Marycare

One of the best things to come to Stamford recently was Eat for Equity, an organization run by awesome people that brings the community together over great food to make a difference.  And, as you may remember from our previous posts, they create dinner experiences every other month and, wouldn’t ya know it, the next event is just around the corner.  On Saturday, June 15 from 7-10 pm, you’ll be helping Haiti Marycare while having some authentic and killer Haitian food.  If you’re not familiar with this charity, they are a non-profit that, according to Eat for Equity, “Operates a primary healthcare clinic and two schools in partnership with Haitian organizations, as well as initiating community projects ranging from clean water, agricultural programs to micro-loans. Their mission is to work with local partners to improve lives through child and family health programs, education and community development.”

Here is just some of the food for you to enjoy:  fried plantains, rice and beans, and chicken stew.

Please check out the event page and RSVP before June 8 so they have an accurate headcount of people who will be there.  When you arrive, you don’t need to worry about giving in a ticket…they’ll have your name on a list.  While the Eat for Equity events are always free, they do suggest a donation of $15-$20 per person.  There will be some drinks there, but you should certainly feel free to bring some brews or wine to share.  Hey, the more the merrier!  Because there will be alcohol, only people 21 or older are allowed to attend.

Haiti Marycare June 2013 Dinner for Eat for Equity Stamford

June 15, 7-10 PM

Suggested $15-20 donation

97 Wedgemere Road

Stamford, CT 06905

Get your tickets by checking out the Eventbrite site.

 

Meet Your Neighbor: A Taste of Port Chester w/ 34 Restaurants!

Awesome grilled wings at Coals

When we lived in Rye Brook, we’d often travel into Port Chester and check out some great restaurants like Q, Sonora, or try the countless restaurants that were serving up ceviche.  Now that we’re in Greenwich, we’re even closer to Port Chester, so we travel in quite often and have discovered one of our favorite places:  Coals.  Well, we’re excited to share the third annual A Taste of Port Chester, 2013.  This event is taking over nearly the entire downtown area of Port Chester on June 2 from noon to 3:30 pm with registration beginning at 11:30 am.

Step Out for Stepping Stones with Wine, Brews, and Bites

Update:  unfortunately, Step Out has been postponed.  We’ll give you more info when we get a new date.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk is a fun place to be, especially if you’re a kid…or a kid at heart.  They have an amazing amount of exhibits for children all the way from birth to 7 and up, they provide educational classes, they are always up to something new like Dinosaur Revolution, they have tons of events, and they are a favorite stop for schools.  Fun like this isn’t easy to provide, so that’s why Stepping Stones is holding their 8th Annual Step Out Wine & Food Tasting fundraiser.  This vital (and tasty) event is being held in partnership with our friends over at the Young Professionals Network of the Business Council of Fairfield County.  Here are all the details for you:

Taste of the Nation New Haven 2013 Vows No Kid Hungry

No Kid Hungry.  That’s the rallying call of Share Our Strength, an organization put together to wipe out childhood hunger.  And, with about 105,000 (13%) of children under 18 in Connecticut being food insecure, you can see how important this organization is.  One of their major fundraisers across the country is called Taste of the Nation that feature local food, chefs, and drinks.  And, we just so happen to be lucky enough to have a Taste of the Nation taking place at The Omni Hotel at Yale in New Haven on 5/22 from 6-9 for regular ticket holders ($85) or 5-9 for VIP ticket holders ($150).  The money will not only benefit Share Our Strength, but it will also benefit Christian Community Action, Connecticut Food Bank, End Hunger Connecticut, and the local chapter of No Kid Hungry Connecticut.  So, not only will you be helping to end childhood hunger, but you’ll also have some great music, treats, and drinks.  Here are the details:

• Honorary Chef Chair Chef Jacques Pepin will be on hand.
• The Elizabeth Dellinger/Tony Dioguardi Duo will be entertaining all our guests in the Grand Ballroom.
• VIP Tickets holders can listen to an Evening Of Song with Tanya Leonard with Derek Monahan on guitar.
• Restaurants will be delighting…
  • 116 Crown
  • Barcelona
  • Bella Bella Gourmet
  • Box 63 American Bar & Grill
  • Bridgewater Chocolate
  • Briq Restaurant
  • Brownson Country Club
  • Caseus Fromagerie Bistro
  • Cask Republic
  • Chocopologie
  • Claire’s Cornercopia
  • Cooking Matters
  • Fig Cooking School
  • Gelato Giuliana
  • Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill
  • Heirloom @ The Study
  • Ibiza
  • Ibizia Tapas Wine Bar
  • John Davenport’s
  • La Cuisine Cafe, Market & Catering
  • MIKRO Beer Bar
  • Oaxaca Kitchen
  • Parallel Post at the Trumbull Marriott
  • Savvy Tea
  • Shake Shack New Haven
  • SONO Baking Company
  • Thali & Thali Too
  • The Farmer’s Cow
  • Wheelers Market-Café & Restaurant
  • Willoughby’s
  • Winvian (VIP only)

Greenwich Library Book Sale Weekend Party, Food Truck Takeover + More

After we had moved into our new place in Greenwich in December, one of the first things we did was head over to The Greenwich Library on West Putnam Avenue.  We got our library cards and explored.  We saw thousands upon thousands of new books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, computers, help desks, an art gallery, and even an art loan program.  Plus, we loved just gathering up our CDs and books on Ireland and checking ourselves out…nice and simple.  Having all of these great features, hosting awesome events and programs, and keeping up the library isn’t easy at all, so The Greenwich Library is hosting a Book Sale Weekend from May 17-19.  Books (and more) will be on sale including audiobooks, biographies, children’s books, DVDs, cookbooks, fiction, romance novels, young adult literature, and more.  Here are the Book Sale Weekend details:

May 17, 5-8 pm:

Special Book Sale Preview Party for $100.  That gets you early access to the books that are on sale and let’s you in on a fun party with food from Burke Catering, Barcelona, and Whole Foods Market Greenwich.  And, yes, there will be drinks…espresso NEAT will be pouring coffee and espresso, there will be wine and liquors from Horseneck Wines & Liquors, and there will be plenty of drinking of the library’s signature “Book-tini” cocktail.  Guests will also get a chance to meet with antique book appraiser Ken Gloss who is a frequent appraiser on Antiques Road Show.  Ken will appraise up to five books and documents for free as part of your entrance fee, plus you’ll be able to hear Ken talk about “Is There Value in Your Old and Rare Books?” in the Cole Auditorium.  Tickets can be purchased by going here https://greenwichlibrary.ejoinme.org/booksalepreviewparty or contacting Sarah Falvo at (203) 622-7957.

May 18, 9 am to 4 pm:

Get a Taste of Westport’s Best Bites and Drinks: 2013

It’s time again for Taste of Westport (we covered this event last year, too).  What’s great about this event is that you get to taste some of the best food that Westport has to offer and you do good at the same time.  Taste of Westport will be on May 2 from 6-9 pm at the Westport Inn and will cost $75 prepaid or $80 at the door.  You can get your tickets easily by going to the purchasing page or calling (203) 226-7895 x144.  Proceeds are being donated to Clasp Homes of Westport and even more will go to Clasp through silent auctions.  Here’s a little bit about Clasp, from their website:  “Our mission is to provide homes and opportunities for people with autism and other developmental disabilities.  We offer high quality personalized services that enhance each person’s independence, dignity, and continued growth.  As a non-profit community organization we are dedicated to increasing public understanding of the people we serve and their ability to be contributing members of the community.”  

Now back to the food…but, we’re not talking about just great restaurants.  Michele’s Pies, the award-winning and Bobby Flay-throwdown-winners, will be on hand.  Plus, there will be lots to drink like Beaver Beer, local Onyx Moonshine, and even more provided by Black Bear Wines & Spirits, Crystal Rock, and Green Farms Spirits.  Here is all the info.

Restaurants

SBC and Garden Catering Raising $ for Local Muscular Dystrophy Camp and ALS Research

Southport Brewing Company

Last year we told you about something special that Southport Brewing Company does.  They have a special “Help Line” that you can ask for.  You’ll get to pick any of their house brews, but just for asking for the “Help Line” you’ll be donating .50 to a charity that they have chosen.

The two charities that they are currently collecting for (.25 per beer goes to each charity) goes until the end of June and are near and dear to us.  The first charity is ALS TDI who is working hard to wipe out ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  According to their site, “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to paralysis, due to the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. There is no known cure for the disease…the average patient survives only 2-5 years following diagnosis.”  The second charity is Camp Promise East who hosts a summer camp each year for people of all ages with muscular dystrophy.  The collection of funds for both charities is going on now until the end of June, so if you’re having some SBC brews, remember to ask for the “Help Line.”  You’ll be helping out big time.

Garden Catering

And also Garden Catering of Old Greenwich is helping raise money again, too.  They’ll be donating a portion of their sales to the same two charities on May 22 from 2 to 7 pm.  They’ll be donating 10% of all in-store sales and will donate 20% of all gift card sales.  You know what that means?  Yup!  Plenty of birthday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween, Groundhogs Day, and any other holiday where you get presents for the people you love.  Or, maybe you’ll just hoard them for yourself to make that next trip to Garden Catering a bit easier?