A peek inside the vault at Cask Republic SoNo (Review)

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The news came as a shock to many people when Ginger Man SoNo  announced it was closing its doors. But quickly after the shock came relief when the owner, Christian Burns, shared the reason why: they wanted to refresh the darker and more compartmentalized Ginger Man into something brighter and more open. And with that change they wanted to bring a fresh, new menu, and a name change to go along with it. The new name was one we were all familiar with: Cask Republic, which is the same Cask many have come to know and love in Stamford and New Haven.

Craft Beer vs. Pub Grub @ The Crafty Monk – Black Rock (Review)

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After checking out the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Utica Comets game with our friends John and Jenn (we won’t tell you who we were rooting for), we left with a thirst and hunger. We had lots of ideas in our heads with so many restaurants right in the Black Rock area, but since we felt like getting a few good brews, we decided to hit up The Crafty Monk. It’s located where The Field used to be. When we lived in Black Rock, we were regulars there . . . well, before it turned into a night club and a party scene. But, the original owners are back and turned it into a beer-filled gastropub.

Speaking of beer, there was a nice variety of styles, a solid focus on CT beer, and just good craft beer in general with 40 on tap and 30 in bottles or cans. Dan was hoping to get a taste of Firefly Hollow’s Train’s Best ESB that had just won 1st place in the International Beer Competition, but they were out . . . but our waiter (who happened to be Kristien’s former client) came to the rescue by telling us that their Cone Flakes DIPA was on tap. Score!

Okay, onto the food. What you see is what you get: it’s offical pub grub with a variety of apps and entrees. We decided to do a little of both to get a taste of what the food was all about. Up first were the fried pickles. The breading wasn’t too thick and had some nice herby notes to it, while the pickles were nice and juicy with each bite. But, they don’t expect you to eat ’em just like that, nope: you get three housemade sauces. There was a Wasabi which was our favorite with a nice spicy kick, there was the Black Pepper which was light and refreshing, and the Chipotle that was smoky with a nice little kick. They also have Cajun, Curry, and Pesto if you dig that style. 

Up next were the wings, which come in buffalo, bbq, garlic parmesan, and orange chili-glazed flavors. We weren’t really sure what to get, but our server suggested we try this new combo that people have been asking for: buffalo garlic. Both flavors worked very nicely together, with neither taking over too much but blending in well. The skin was a bit crispy, but we would have liked more crunch. The meat, though, was plenty juicy which we think is just as important as that crispy skin.

Then our sandwiches hit the table after a few more brewskis. John had the Pulled Pork with an artisanal baguette which he liked, but it wasn’t anything that amazed him . . . just your typical kinda pulled pork sandwich. Dan had the Merry Monk Burger which he ordered medium rare, but it came out a medium well. But, even still, it was pretty juicy with a nice, rich and fresh flavor. The chipotle aioli added a nice smokiness and the egg added a fatty savoriness to it. With those burgers came some, of course, house cut fries. They were plenty crispy, but needed a little more salt to really bring out the flavor more.

Kristien ordered the turkey burger which came out super juicy. The jalapenos that you get to load on to your own delight (or demise) were spicy and added a nice contrast. But, we either didn’t taste the cranberry or they forgot it. Maybe because of this or something else, we felt like the turkey burger needed something else. So, Kristien and Jenn added some of the Black Pepper aioli from before and that definitely helped.

From all our brews and snacks at the game, we were stuffed and ended there. But, we felt like we had a good handle on The Crafty Monk. It’s a solid spot to go if you want to sit at their massive bar, order some nice craft beer, and watch a game on TV. In terms of food, there were definitely some inconsistencies in almost all that we had. We’d say if you go here with expectations of the standard pub grub experience you’ll be fine, but the beer definitely wins out here.

The Crafty Monk

Noms: 3.25

Cost: $$-$$$

Address: 3001 Fairfield Avenue

                Bridgeport, CT

Mura Ramen + Gastropub Pop-up in Mt. Kisco w/ Chef Anthony from Locali in New Canaan

Chef Mogan Anthony of Locali in New Canaan at his Mura Ramen + Gastropub Pop-up! Picture from Mura Ramen Facebook page.

Most people relax when they go on vacation, but that’s not true of everyone. Quite often, we see chefs take holy pilgrimages to countries that inspire them and guide their cooking. Some might travel to Italy to learn the art of pasta making, some might visit France to learn how to make the most perfect pastries, and some might travel to the Far East to delve deeper into the world of ramen.

Barcade, the Arcade for Adults, Is Coming to New Haven with Brews and Old School Gaming

Fall can’t come soon enough because that’s the scheduled opening of Barcade New Haven. Now, what is Barcade exactly? Think of it like this: it’s one part American craft beer bar with one part retro, classic arcade, and one part American pub grub mixed in for good measure. They started up in Brooklyn back in 2004, and have expanded to Jersey City, Philly, and St. Mark’s Place . . . and they have set their sights on New Haven.

New Restaurants, Craft Cocktails, VIP Party @ 4th Annual Food for All Fundraiser for Community Plates

It’s no coincidence that Community Plates‘ annual fundraiser is called Food for All because that’s exactly their goal:  food for all people.  While we have written about them many times on our blog, we’ve done a few runs, we guest bartended at Bistro 7 in Wilton to help raise some vital funds, and also helped to organize a fundraiser at Coalhouse Pizza with Gerard, the need to help out and eradicate hunger in Fairfield County and beyond still remains.  That’s why they’ve organized the 2014 Food for All event, happening this year on 10/2 at the Darien Community Association.

Helping make things awesome this year at the VIP Reception featuring light bites and a cocktail party from 6-7 ($100 and includes the Main Event) is the always fabulous Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning.  Then, starting at 6:30 and going until 8:30, check out the Main Event ($50) that includes some of Fairfield County’s best and newest restaurants.  Also, new this year, are killer cocktails from restaurants who embrace cocktails and house some amazing mixologists.

Here’s the info:

Craft Cocktails from Local Restaurants

Bailey’s Backyard

Cask Republic/Post 154

Match

Mama’s Boy Southern Table & Refuge

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Restaurants (as of 8/11/14):

Azuca Bistro Latino – Stamford

Back 40 Kitchen – Greenwich

Bravo – Stamford

Brick + Wood – Fairfield

Craft 260 – Fairfield

Gastro Bar – Stamford

Hana Tokyo – Fairfield

Johnny Utah’s – Norwalk

Little Barn – Westport

Little Pub – Greenwich

Local Kitchen + Beer Bar – Norwalk, Fairfield

Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters – Trumbull

Sign of the Whale – Stamford

The Granola Bar – Westport

Walrus & Carpenter – Bridgeport

Washington Prime – Norwalk

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We hope you can make this great event that not only helps to make a huge difference in people’s lives, but is also a great time.  When we went last year, we tried so many new restaurants, had a chance to meet up with fellow writters, and had some nice moments with the chefs and owners who were there supporting Community Plates.  The goal this year is to raise at least $75,000…and, with the way people were so generous last year, we don’t think this will be a problem at all.  If you’d like to learn more about Community Plates, please check out our original post, see the “About” section below, and visit them at the Westport Farmers’ Market on 8/28 from 10-2 pm.  Also, feel free to send us any questions via e-mail.

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Event Details:

Thursday, October 2, 2014

VIP Reception + Main Event: 6-7 PM, $100

Main Event: 6:30-8:30 PM, $50

Darien Community Association

274 Middlesex Rd, Darien, CT 06820

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About Community Plates

Community Plates is committed to ending food insecurity in America.  Recognizing the problem as a matter of logistics, not a lack of food, the organization established a volunteer-driven, technology fueled method for transferring surplus food to those in need.  The simple process includes food donors (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, bakeries and other food-service establishments), food runners (individuals who pick-up and deliver donated food) and receiving agencies (e.g., soup kitchens, pantries, etc.).  Scheduling is made easy with the web and smartphone enabled Community Plates’ GoRescue technology powered by WhenToManage, which received the 2013 Computerworld Honors Program 21^st Century Achievement Award for human services.  Since Community Plates was founded in 2011, more than 700 volunteers have rescued food that equates to 4.9 million meals to date.  Launched and headquartered in Fairfield County, CT, Community Plates also operates in New Haven, CT, Albuquerque, NM and Columbus, OH with plans to expand to four more markets in 2014.  For more information or to get involved visit:  http://communityplates.org.

Where Soccer Hooligans Go to Watch the FIFA World Cup in Fairfield County

Ready ter celebrate de FIFA Warrld Cup?  Yeah, we nu yer are an’ yer better believe we’re ‘elpin’ ter feed yisser addicshun wi’ a list av sum deadly places ter to watch de games, draink sum Guinness, draink sum Guinness, an’ draink sum Guinness.  Yeah, they ‘av grub too, but you’ll want ter make sure yer can draink sum Guiness.  That’s whaen de soccer ‘ooliganism begins an’ people a go from rabid fans ter rabid beasts who ‘eadbutt supporters av opposin’ team, gettin’ bleedin foreheads, soon ‘eadin’ back ter draink sum Guinness.

Say what?

SoNo Restaurant Week 2014: Classics and New Digs Like Local, Johnny Utah’s, Quartino, and Mama’s Boy

June 8-13, 2014

SoNo Restaurant Week is back from June 8-13 and this year, there’s some fresh meat (literally and metaphorically speaking) as well as some of your favorite spots to check out.  First, let’s go through the new spots like Quartino Trattoria Vineria which has taken over where Bacchus used to be, Johnny Utah’s which has taken over Black Bear and is putting a lil’ bit a country into SoNo, Sweet Lucy Lynn’s which was John Dough’s and Archie Moore’s, and Local Kitchen & Beer Bar (30 brews on tap) which is a reboot of NOLA and a sister restaurant to the Fairfield location.

Celebrate CT Beer Week with Todd from CT Pour Tour at these nearby spots

The Pitmaster Challenge, in all its glory!

Yes, we know it’s American Craft Beer Week.  Everybody’s been advertising it, everybody’s been talking about it, everybody’s been hyping it up, but how about we show some local love, too?  Share the fact that it’s CT Beer Week (5/12-5/18), share your favorite Nutmeg brews, drink some, support local business, local crafters, local brewers.  Do it right, son! ;)

Branford, New Haven, and Stratford Restaurant Weeks Hit Mid-April

We told you about the 1st Annual Stratford Restaurant Week at the start of the week, but you’ll be happy to know that there are lots of other options for branching out and trying new spots throughout the middle of April, too.  So, let’s break these restaurant weeks down in order from Branford, to New Haven, and then to Stratford:

April 6-12, 2014

First up is Branford Restaurant Week, make sure to enter for a $25 gift card good at any of the participating restaurants.  Secondly, check out the selection of restaurants that will feature specials, deals, and prix fixe menus.  Third of all, don’t forget about Stoney Creek and Thimble Island breweries, both in Branford.  Make a day of it!

Deals on Meals: 2014 Wilton Restaurant Week Features 19 Spots

Here we go, OmNomivores…it’s just about time for the 2nd Annual Wilton Restaurant Week!  19 restaurants all vying for your attention with deals on prix fixe meals from March 10 through March 16.  Not too shabby of a selection, huh?  From Italian, to Modern American, to Southwestern, to Mexican, to French, and to even the sweeter side of things, Wilton Restaurant Week’s gotcha covered.