Bodega Taco Bar Resurrects Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday that’s celebrated November 1 and 2 of each year, is a time for people to pay their respects and remember loved ones who have died. But, even though there are reflections about those who have been lost, it’s more of a celebration of life and the spirit that they’ve left behind in the world.

Keeping with that theme of celebration and remembrance, Bodega Taco Bar in Darien and Fairfield is bringing back their popular Dia de los Muertos party on November 1. In addition to muetro-fying Bodega up, you’ll also be able to check out food specials and drinks made Roca Patron tequila. (If you’ve never been to Bodega, they do tequila right, with an amazing menu. Maybe order a flight?) There will also be plenty of things to do like kids face painting and tattoo art during lunch or even learning how to create traditional sugar skull decorations used to honor the dead.

Bodega Taco Bar Brings Food Truck and Catering to Connecticut!

Soon on the Bodega taco truck!

Update:  we talked with Mario at Bodega and he dished all about the new truck.  The plan is to have the truck out every day, whether they are catering, hitting up an office building, a very hungry location, or at an event.  They’ll be equipped for tacos, burritos, and more.  Finally, you can fulfill your dream of having your very own burrito party!  Oh, and you just might see the truck in as few as two weeks…

Yeah, we nearly burst like a piñata when we heard the news…Bodega Taco Bar, located in Darien and Fairfield, will be launching a food truck and a catering biz starting this April.  Umm, yes please!  It’s hard to beat those tacos, oh, and we’ve had nearly every single one they serve.

So, if you want a lil’ bit of taco nirvana, call ’em up at (203) 259-TACO.

Commence Noming: Darien Restaurant Week 2014: Feb 2-6 and Feb 9-13

Because of the TWO snow storms, Darien Restaurant Week has some new added dates:  2/9-2/13!

Darien is back with another restaurant week from February 2 through February 6.  This time around, the choices are pretty eclectic with some new spots:  we’re talking about Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Bodega Taco Bar, Cesco’s Trattoria, Chuck’s Steakhouse, Coromandel, Darien Social, Estia’s American, Jimmy’s Southside Tavern, Meatball & Company, Rory’s Restaurant, Scena Wine Bar, Tengda, The Goose, and The Melting Pot.  

Let us count the ways we love thee, Bodega Taco Bar – Darien, CT

Dan says the scorpion doesn’t taste like chicken at all…how exactly did he find this here at a taco bar?

 

Let’s be honest. It’s rare to find a restaurant that expands into multiple locations and still manages to amaze at all of them. Could Chef Michael Young and Chef Luis Chavez keep making the amazing food that we first bragged about devouring at Bodega Taco Bar in Fairfied, and now Bodgea Taco Bar in Darien? Would they be able to keep the Mexican beach food kicking, full of bold flavors, and bring it?  In short, hell freaking yes…and here are the reasons why based on a recent press dinner that we attended:

Uno: Drinks

We had our fair share of drinks, trying almost every cocktail on the menu.  One of the most refreshing drinks is the Figure 8, a cocktail made with Cabo Wabo anejo, rosemary, fig preserves, ginger, and O.J. This is a summer drink if we ever seen one!  It was excellently balanced with the right amount of liquor and just the right taste of rosemary.  Another drink we loved is the Bodega Girl, mixed with Corralejo reposado, strawberry-cilantro mash, and lemon juice.  This was oh so berry-licious and the cilantro added a nice fresh bite too.  Kristien could’ve had 10 of them!  And Dan’s favorite was the spicy as hell Tomalito!  Lastly, Kristien ordered the Bodega Surprise that included a scorpion from the bottom of the reposado.  While most of us at the table were afraid of the scorpion, Dan placed it on his tongue long enough for a pic and even took a nibble.  Doesn’t taste like much, actually.

Master Fall Soups + Holiday Treats w/ Nicole Straight of Marcia Selden Catering

You are no chef if you can’t properly put together a warm and comforting bowl of soup.  And, no, a can of Campbells or Progresso won’t cut it.  That’s because soup is a complex beast, full of layers of flavor, bases, differing textures, and varied cooking techniques and times.

To help you perfect this art, you’ll need to stop by to see Nicole Straight of Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning.  She’ll be at the Darien Community Association on 11/12 from 12:30-2 pm, showing how to make perfect fall soups.  Tickets are $90 for members or $100 for non-members.

Wicked Good Fun @ 2013 Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival

You must be out of your gourd if you’re thinking about missing the Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival this year!  This annual event in Darien is on October 5 and runs from 10 am to 4 pm.  Here are some reasons why you just want might want to take the fam down to Tokeneke Elementary School for some fun:

Food

• Burgers, Shakes, & Fries (om nom nom)
• Heights Pizza (sister restaurant to our beloved Nick’s in Stamford)
• Upper Crust Bakery and Cafe (we’ve always wanted to try)
• Newman’s Own Lemonade stand!

Win Grilled Cheese for Life and $10,000 for Charity with Cheeseboy

Cheeseboy’s Tomato and Basil. I’m in love.

Since they began in Boston in 2009, Cheeseboy has sold well over a million grilled cheese sandwiches.  That’s two million pieces of bread, countless sticks of butter, and a few million cheese slices.  And, with the opening of the Cheeseboy at the 95N service area in Darien (95S is on its way too), you have to believe those numbers will keep growing and growing.  With so much success, Cheeseboy thought long and hard about how to give back to all the fans of their grilled cheese sandwiches.  And, what they came up with very well might change your life:

We’re talking ’bout one of the gooiest contests to have ever existed!  The winner will get to pick a charity to receive $10,000 and will win a free grilled cheese sandwich, once a week, for life.  All you need to do is answer, “What would you do for a million grilled cheese sandwiches?”  The contest goes until August 31, 2013 and asks you to answer that question in 200 words or less.  All you need to do is head over to www.GrilledCheeseForLife.com then share your thoughts.  According to a recent press release, “Entries will be judged on their creativity in response, appropriateness, and viability of their charitable initiative.”

And, we’ve got something else great to share.  There are five runner ups for this contest too and they will receive a free grilled cheese sandwich once a month for a year.  Of course you’ll want to win a lifetime supply, but the consolations prize ain’t too shabby, now is it?

We wish you luck…and may the cheese be with you.

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Darien Hosts Fundraiser for Stamford Fire Safety Foundation

We were staying at a hotel, visiting Kristien’s family for Christmas.  Our everyday routine ensued when we woke up:  Kristien hits the shower and gets ready.  Dan plays Angry Birds and other video games on the iPad, Dan takes a quick shower, Dan gets ready, then Dan plays more video games while Kristien keeps getting ready.  But, Christmas of 2011 was nothing like an everyday experience.  We saw friend’s posts on Facebook about a horrible fire that had broken out, ripping the family apart and destroying the Badger’s house on Shippan Avenue in Stamford.  We felt helpless being so far away and we were heartbroken hearing more about this tragically fatal event as the day went on.

And, it’s with horrible accidents like this that the Stamford Fire Safety Foundation was created.  Their mission is to provide smoke and CO2 detectors to people in Stamford so that people have faster reaction times during emergencies.  Here are some startling facts and statistics from UL:

Latte Art Competition and Live Music @ espresso NEAT in Darien

It’s officially summer in Darien when espresso NEAT opens their beautiful outdoor patio.  So, what better way to kick it off than with some live music and a contest to prove your worth?  We’re talking about Doug Allen live outside of NEAT and a latte art competition.  They’ll begin the signup for competitors on 6/20 at 6 pm and the first pour will happen at 7 pm and go until 9 pm.  Check their FB page and their site because they might be offering an online sign-up for those who can’t make 6.  Each entry costs $5, but that money will be going directly to help the victims of the devastating Oklahoma tornado.

Darien Will Soon Have Balls: Meatball and Co. Opening Soon!

Darien has definitely been shaping up as a culinary destination with the recent additions of Estia’s American and Bodega, as well as the solid Scena Wine Bar & Restaurant.  And, it’s about to become even better sometime near the end of May or the beginning of June when Joe Criscuolo opens up Meatball & Co. at 23 Tokeneke Road.    We’ll get to the food in a sec, but first some background info on Joe.  Joe and Matt own and operate Pizza Post in Greenwich that’s putting out some awesome pies (we had a Clams Casino on Saturday that was killer) and food.  They make their own meatballs and sausage and they are BYOB.  Joe and Matt took over the shop from their father who started Pizza Post  in ’72.  And, now Joe’s giving the reigns over to his brother Matt as he starts his own business which has always been a dream of his.

Okay, that’s enough background…we know, you want the details.

Why Meatballs?

Joe had been thinking of starting his own restaurant for quite a while and always wanted to do something different.  He was particularly inspired after visiting The Meatball Shop in NYC and seeing what they were doing.  “The area is super-saturated with pizza places, so I wanted my restaurant to be accessible to all and to be different,” Joe told us.  “I wanted to feature comfort food, and I wanted it to be great.  And, the meatball is such a great vehicle to present with.  You can really do anything with them, from veal piccata, to Asian inspired, to sausage and brocoli rabe, and more.”