CT Food News Vol. 40: BBQ Beast Mode, Tasting Dinners, Events, Fests, Restaurant News, Beer Talk + More

What a beautiful warm weather week that it’s been, huh? We’ve got plenty of things for you to do, festivals to check out, special dinners to attend, news and restaurant openings to stay on top of, and some general beer talk for the CT beer geek. We’re your one stop shop . . . see ya next week with more! 😉

Events, Dinners + More 

5/14-17 Make sure that you’ve entered our contest to win a pair of tickets to the Ninety 9 Bottles Craft Beer Festival. 

5/15 Stop by Green & Tonic in Cos Cob to meet up with Mike’s Organic Delivery service. They’ll be there from 11:30-1:30 and will be showing off their farm fresh fruits and veggies. If you sign up there, you’ll get a killer deal by using coupon code GTSEASON. You can also arrange for pickup at the Darien or Cos Cob locations.

5/15 Hoodoo Brown BBQ in Ridgefield opens for the first time at 6 pm! Oh yeah . . . check out our detailed preview to see why we’re so excited.

5/15 Happy Hour launches for the first time at Bear’s Smokehouse in Hartford which was just named #1 BBQ in CT by Thrillist. Check it out from 11-close with $4 cans or bottles and $5 drafts of Connecticut beer. Plus, 10% of Friday’s sales are going to K9s for Warriors!

5/19 Stop by City Steam Brewery at 7 for an Iron Bartender Competition. Contestants will have 10 minutes to make the best cocktail using beer and will not only win some great prizes, but will also be featured on their June drink menu. There’s no cost to enter or watch, but that doesn’t stop City Steam from giving some killer deals like $2 off all pints, $4 well drinks, and 20% off food.

5/19 Sip on six different Halter Ranch wines that are paired a duo of tastings for all six courses. So, do the math on that: 6 wines and 12 bites for just $50, including tax and tip! It all goes down at Strada 18 in Norwalk in conjunction with Gene Zimmerman of Halter Ranch and Nicholas Roberts Fine Wine of Darien. The night begins at 7, so get your seat before they are gone by calling them at (203) 853-4546. 

5/20 Stony Creek has teamed up with Westbrook Lobster for a six course dinner that features Dock Time, Cranky, Snowhole, Little Cranky, Sun Juice, and Crimsang paired with some great dishes like an IPA Shrimp Ceviche and Lemon-Caper Seared Scallops with Zucchini Noodles. Tickets are $50 per person and the event starts at 6:30.

5/20: Come by to Sugar & Olives in Norwalk from 7-9 for their Vegetarian or Bust cooking class. You’ll learn to make dishes like Quinoa Paella, farro, and risotto and will get tips on prepping and using leeks, fennel, and springtime greens. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased here. A cocktail is also included, so drink up!

5/21 Stumble on down to Match in SoNo from 4-7 to check out Happy Hour with the Imperial Shaker. That means there will be some throwback inspired cocktails, a summer nibble menu, and live music from Love Russell. 

5/21 Maybe you’re not running in the Stamford Boys & Girls Club 5k, but you can party afterwards! Just head to the Waterfront at 15 Harbor Point Road starting at 7 and going until 10. Jump the Gunn will be performing starting at 6, too. In addition, you know you’ll want to eat, so check out some food from Sign of the Whale, World of Beer, Crab Shell, Dolce, and Paloma!

5/21 It’s Art About Town in Westport! Check out their Opening Night Street Party from 5:30-8:30. At that time, Main Street will be closed off to cars and will have street performers, live music, demonstrations, and plenty of places to sit outside and eat. And, when you go to certain businesses around town, you’ll see art up for display and purchase all the way up until June 21.

5/26 Learn to make (and take part in) ceviche and cocktails at Barcelona Greenwich. Food and drinks are $30 with tax and tip extra. To get your spot, call ’em up at (203) 983-6400. 

6/2 Chef Pat Pascarella at Bar Sugo is hosting five course Italian Wine Dinner starting at 6:30. Tickets are $99 per person or $175 per couple. Get your reservations by calling (203) 956-7134. More info can be found here.

6/7 Bar Sugo is also hosting Hogs & Hops from 12-6 which includes unlimited craft beer on tap, cans, and bottles paired with as much roast pig and sides as you can eat! Tickets are $99 and can be purchased here.

6/14 Check it: the Flag Day Corn Hole Tournament and Pig Roast at Black Hog just got even more awesomerest! That’s cuz Hardcore Sweet Cupcakes will now be on hand, too!

6/27 Tickets went on sale yesterday for Road Jam Fest at Two Roads. There will be live music, food trucks, and . . . oh yeah . . . beer! Entry is $25 which includes your first pint of beer! 

Restaurants and Food News

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery (you know the ones where the girls dress in skimpy plaid skirts) has their eyes set on Stamford and Danbury for openings. No news on specific locations yet, but we feel like they’ll probably take the old Rodizio Grill spot in Stamford.

Retale.com recently rated the Top 10 Food-Friendly States and CT landed at the #5 spot!

Nothin’ But Bars will soon be on sale at Target! WOW! Major props on this one!

Chef Francois Kwaku-Dongo joins David’s Soundview Catering of Stamford as their Executive Chef. Chef Kwaku-Dongo recently worked at The JHouse in Greenwich and received many great reviews. Congrats!

Fleisher’s Westport (used to be Saugatuck Craft Butchery) now delivers! Find them on Seamless or GrubHub and feed the need with a menu full of salads, sandwiches, sides, and burgers.

Ridgefield High School students are helping out at The Hickories farm. Recently, they began their work by planting lettuce. It’s great to see CT’s young people getting involved in the community and learning the importance of agriculture and farms. 

Beer

5/15 Steady Habit Brewing releases their new pale ale, Techno Viking. In addition, they’ll have some new Coalesce DIPA on tap

 

5/16 Stop by Stony Creek Brewery in Branford from 12-3 for their Little Cranky Release Party. Entry is $5 or $0 if you’re a Mug Club Member. In addition to their new session IPA, they’ll have Whole G Bakery, NoRA Cupcakes with some Stony Creek flavored cupcakes, live music, and an art exhibit.

 

6/6 OEC Brewing is celebrating their first year in brewing starting at noon with 11 draft lines full of wild and sour beers. In addition, they’ll have some bottles releases and even will have Billy’s Barbecue on hand to feed ya silly.

 

We were pleasantly surprised with the seasonal release of Lights Out Stout from Charter Oak. Well, they are back for some more, but this time with their Lights On Summer Ale. You’ll find it in stores by the bottle and also at your favorite watering hole via draft.