Pearl East Reopens at 323 Hope Street in Stamford

(From left) Ivy Bacher and Chef Ye will host the Grand Reopening of Pearl East on Thursday, August 13 at 5:30, 323 Hope Street, Stamford. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration. For details, visit http://www.pearleastct.com or call (203) 973-0072.

After a fire that broke out at Pearl East on Summer Street in Stamford, owners Bee (Ivy) Bach and Chef Ye were without a restaurant. And, the people of Stamford were without one of their favorite choices for dependable Chinese and Japanese. Comments poured into their Facebook page, offering sympathy and talking about how sad they were. But, people breathed a sigh of relief when they announced that they would, indeed, reopen.

Well, OmNomivores, that time is here! That’s because on August 13, Pearl East will officially reopen at their new location: 323 Hope Street in Glenbrook! The Grand Opening Party starts at 5:30 and will have a ribbon cutting at 6 that features Stamford Mayor David Martin and CT State Representative William Tong.

And, while you’ll still see many of your old favorites on the menu when you stop by, you’ll also notice some new soon-to-be-favorites, too. That’s because Chef Ye (with legit kitchen experience in Hong Kong) has updated the menu with dishes like “Flounder Filet with Ginger and Scallion,” the “Duck Crepe,” and the “Sizzling BBQ” which is a combination of filet mignon, shrimp, and veggies served on a banana leaf.

Prices range from $14-22, so that’s a very affordable sweet spot to hit, but if you stop by on Grand Opening Day, you’ll get 20% some of the menu items whether you eat there or take out. In terms of hours, check them out from 11-10 pm on Monday-Friday, 12-11 pm on Saturday, and 12-10 pm on Sundays. Plus, fret not: they’ll still have deliveries to Darien, Greenwich, and Stamford, so make sure you have (203) 973-0072 saved in your contacts. ;)

---

Pearl East

323 Hope Street

Stamford, CT

(203) 973-0072

 

 

Fresh Spin on Latin Food @ Aji 10 – Norwalk, CT

Sure, we’ve said it like a million times, but we’ll say it again just in case you forgot: Latin food is our favorite. We can never get enough. So, when we had the chance to visit the recently opened Aji 10 in Norwalk and talk with Executive Chef David Soto, we jumped on it.

What’s cool about Aji 10 is their menu is not just your typical Latin food. Nope, Chef Soto’s fresh spin is called Nikkei, which is a popular fusion of Peruvian and Japanese food. The reviews of this new approach to Latin food in Fairfield County have been quite positive, so we had high expectations for our dinner. Let’s get into it . . .

Chef David Soto brings Latin food with a unique twist to Norwalk with Aji 10

Executive Chef and owner David Soto and Sous Chef Erick Omar Soto. Photo from Aji 10’s Facebook.

Even though we’re both Italian, if we had to narrow down our favorite cuisine it would undoubtedly be Latin American. Whether it’s ceviche, lomo saltado, rope vieja, mofongo, arepas, tacos, and so on, we just can’t get enough. So you can only imagine how much we’re drooling here as we fantasize about the menu at Aji 10, a brand new Latin restaurant at the border of SoNo and East Norwalk, located at 10 Wall Street.

Photo from Cristiano Dos Santos

Opened just a few weeks ago on January 23, the former sous chef at Paloma and Executive Chef at Baang and Splash, Chef David Soto, has created a killer menu that features Latin American foods and Nikkei, a popular fusion cuisine of Japanese and Peruvian you can’t find anywhere in Fairfield County. Not only that, but Aji 10 also brings the first-ever (that we can think of) Pisco bar to the SoNo dining scene, which features the much-loved spirit in Peru and Chile. So, what’s Chef Soto’s story, what makes him an awesome addition to SoNo, and what are some of the best dishes to order off the menu? Take a look . . .

For that traditional Hibachi experience, check out Hana Tokyo in Fairfield, CT

We have to admit, we don’t get out for Hibachi very often. Ok, very often is an understatement . . .  we’ve actually only ever been once before in our entire lives, just a few years ago. Sure, it can be kitschy, but with the right group of people and a fun, talented Hibachi chef, a little kitsch can be a whole lotta fun! I mean where else can you see a knife and fire show, get food thrown at you, and have alcohol poured directly in your mouth without getting kicked out? And while you’re not going to get a fancy gourmet meal served in tiny portions on exquisite plates, you sure can get yourself some tasty, traditional Asian favorites that fill your belly for hours to come! So it was for these reasons we were excited to take Hana Tokyo up on their offer to enjoy their Hibachi experience with a couple of friends of ours.

Matsu for Monster Good Sushi – Westport, CT

When we lived in Westport back in ’04, we became rabid sushi eaters. A typical week saw us picking up or getting sushi delivery at least twice a week. You might say we had a problem, though we’re sure Matsu Sushi didn’t think so since we usually got it from them! They were not only conveniently located right down the street, but their sushi was always fresh and delicious.

But, it’s been a loooong while since we’d been, so long in fact that we hadn’t realized that when we were invited to check out Matsu, that this was the restaurant we had always ordered from. Quite a happy coincidence!

Parking was very easy across the street at the Library (which we *think* is legal after hours, but we can’t be held accountable if not, lol). That particular night we had the pleasure of dining with one of the owners, Paul Teoh and his partner. They took us through their menu, their history, sushi culture, and seemingly every single dish on their menu.

So let’s dive in…

The 2014 OmNomys: Celebrating the Best in Food in Fairfield County

Well, here we are, already at the end of 2014. Man, how time flies. But fret not friends, because the end of another year means another celebration of the best of the best in Fairfield County. That’s right, it’s time for the 4th Annual OmNomys! By now most of you know how this works, but for those of you new here, this is a list of the best that we’ve experienced in 2014… NOT necessarily the best EVER in Fairfield County. If your favorite spot or food didn’t make it on here, maybe it was on our list back in 2011, 2012, or 2013… and if not, let us know so we can check it out in 2015! 

So, without further ado, here we go:

Best Ambiance: Cask Republic, Stamford

With not one, but two fireplaces, Cask Republic has a warm, rustic, and down-homey kind of vibe going on. It’s hard to think of a chill spot with more class. It’s the perfect place to meet up with friends, have some drinks (from which there are many to choose), and try out some great gastropub grub.

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!

Fine Food for a Cause: Benefit Dinner for Stamford YMCA and Children’s Health

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As adults, we can pick and choose what kind of food we’d like to eat. Maybe we eat healthy all week, but decide to treat ourselves once a week. Or, maybe we get a few quick take out meals because we’re just so busy. But, there are plenty of people in the world and even here in Fairfield County who don’t have much of a choice.  Time after time, studies have shown that lower-income families often purchase unhealthy food because it’s cheaper, easier to access, and keeps everybody in the family fed.  Unfortunately, these fatty, processed, and preservative laden foods lead to obesity and major health problems.  And, nowhere is this more seen than with children who are growing, developing, and are incredibly susceptible to obesity.

Lots of people have taken stands on this issue such as Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave who fought tirelessly to let food stamps work (and work better) at farmers’ markets. Lawmakers, too, are taking steps to kill off trans fats, and make school lunches healthier too.  And, there is also a group of people, restaurants, and organizations that are coming together to help out locally, too. You can be a part of this just by simply attending Fine Food for a Cause at the Palace Theatre in Downtown Stamford on 1/27 starting at 6:30. The night of music, food, awards, a live auction, and celebrity guest appearances all will be in place to help raise money for the Stamford YMCA. With the money raised they will bolster their youth development and healthy living programs and build a youth/teen wing.  The center of this new extension to the YMCA will be a teaching kitchen that will be used to help teach healthy and nutritional cooking techniques and recipes to teenagers and families.

Tickets for Fine Food for a Cause are $150. And there are different levels of sponsorship for individuals and businesses, too, if you’d really like to get more involved.

Now, onto the night itself…

• There will be a four course meal that includes food and desserts from:
  • Barcelona
  • bartaco
  • Bar Q
  • Columbus Park Trattoria
  • David’s Soundview Catering
  • Forever Sweet Bakery
  • napa & co.
  • Quattro Pazzi
  • Sushi Village Caterer
  • Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes
  • Tabouli Grill
• There will be cocktails, too, so you can schmooze.
• Learn about honorees Madhu Mathur, MD, MPH and Tom Sanseverino.
• As we mentioned, there will be plenty of live music and you’ll have a shot at some amazing items that you can bid on during the live auction.
• The night will be hosted by Stamford resident Chris Hansen of Dateline NBC.

We’ll be there and we hope to see you there, too.  Even if you can’t make it, consider a donation or helping out with a sponsorship.

Fine Food for a Cause

Date: 1/27/14

Time: 6:30 pm

Place: The Palace Theatre

Address: 61 Atlantic Street

                 Stamford, CT

Westport + Weston, Greater Valley, Milford, Fairfield, West Haven, and Connecticut Restaurant Weeks Info and Listings

Restaurant weeks are about exploring new places, trying new restaurants, and saving mucho dinero.  Lucky for us, there are always restaurant weeks here in Connecticut.  In October, alone, there are 6 special weeks.  So, let’s look at all the restaurants that are taking part in the Westport + Weston, Greater Valley, Milford, Fairfield, West Haven, and the statewide Connecticut restaurant week.

Westport + Weston:  9/29/13-10/12/13

Lunches for $10 or $15, dinners for $20 or $30

23 participating restaurants (info here)

323 Main Restaurant & Bar ($15/30), Acqua Ristorante ($15/30), Arezzo Ristorante ($15/30), Artisan ($15/30), Blue Lemon ($15/30), Cru Restaurant & Lounge ($15/30), DaPietro’s ($15/30), Matsu Sushi ($15/30), The Mumbai Times ($10/$20), Pink Sumo Cafe ($15/30), Positano’s Trattoria ($15/30), Post 154 ($30), The Red Hen at the Westport Inn ($15/$20), Rive Bistro ($15/30), Rizzuto’s ($15/30), Sakura Japanese Restaurant ($15/30), Spotted Horse Tavern ($15/30), Tabouli Grill ($15/30), Tarantino’s ($15/30), Tavern on Main ($15/30), Tarry Lodge ($15/30), Tengda Asian Bistro ($30), Terrain Garden Cafe ($15/30)

Local Restaurant Creates Dish in Honor of Westport Little League

The Westport Little League Roll, from Matsu Sushi’s FB page

Before we lived in Black Rock, we lived on the Saugatuck River in Westport.  And, at that time, we were seriously obsessed with sushi.  Not that we aren’t still in love with the good stuff, but we’ve toned it down a bit.  Seriously, we were eating sushi at least twice a week.  And, most of the time that we had sushi, we’d order it from Matsu Sushi in Westport.  Not only is the restaurant awesome inside, but we always had great rolls and a great time there.