CT Food News Vol. 41: Memorial Day Weekend, CT Beer News, Markets, Deals + More

It’s just about Memorial Day weekend, people! So much to do, see, and eat . . . And you best believe we’re giving you the freshest, newest bites of news regarding restaurants, dinners, events, and breweries here in CT. For things already covered (we don’t want to bother you with old, repeated news), check last week’s post and our most current blog posts. We’ve got the most extensive and helpful calendar info that you’ll find anywhere else!

Dinners, Deals, Happy Hours + Events

5/21 There’s a Spring Fling going on at Luxe in Westport 2night from 7-10. There will be drink specials, live music, new and exciting wines, and passed small plates. Spring Fling at Luxe in Westport tonight. 

5/21 Local SoNo is hosting BeerBQ tonight for their 1 Year Anniversary! They’ll have slow smoked ribs and a crazy lineup of brews for you to down including Dogfish Head 61 and 120 Minute, Goose Island Ogden and Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout, Bluepoint No Apologies, Heavy Seas Phantom Ship, and Founders Centennial. In addition, check out their Insta to enter for a $25 gift card. 

CT Food News, Vol. 23: Cheese Month, OktoberYES, Garlic Ice Cream, Beer, Trux + More

Course 1: Halibut and shrimp sangria ceviche

Mooove yo’self fast to the FCC party!

Aside from the recent rain, we’ve had a beautiful start to fall here in Fairfield County. So, it’s only right to take advantage of fairs, festivals, and events that are taking place outside. The weather is just right…not too hot, not too cold…just right. Maybe keep those Uggs in your closet. Actually, on second thought, throw out your Uggs.  Yeah. And after you throw them out, check out all the great things going on in the 203 and beyond! 

Events and Dinners

10/4 Java Westport will be donating 15% of all sales on World Animal Day to International Animal Rescue. They help to rescue and rehabilitate suffering animals. Drink up, eat up, and put up…

10/5 The Beer Garden SoNo’s Oktoberfest has been moved from 10/4 to 10/5 due to the crazy rain that we will be doused with. To make it up to ya, they’ll have a HUGE screen where you can watch football, drink brews, and chow down on some food. 

10/5 Going to Sunday School was never this awesome…LUXE Modern Wine & Cocktails in Westport will be teaching you all about the perfect wines as fall hits us. Stop in or call up (203) 349-5039 to reserve your spot. Tix are $40 per person.

Epic “Farm-to-Trumbull” Dining Series with Chef Dean James Max at Parallel Post

Parallel Post (you first heard about them through us back in October) has done an excellent job of breaking the typical expectations of hotel restaurants.  Not only are they offering more than sandwiches, burgers, and fries, they are also breaking the mold with farm to table dining that has been receiving excellent reviews and feedback.  We’re very excited to share with you that Chef Dean James Max, the man behind 3030 Ocean in Fort Lauderdale, Amp 150 in Cleveland, Asador in Dallas, Brassiere in the Grand Caymans, Latitude 41 in Columbus, and Parallel Post will be hosting a series of interactive dining experiences.  Appropriately enough, these meals will be put together by Chef Max (a James Beard Nominee) using seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients.  Seafood will come from Norm Bloom & Sons of Norwalk and Foley Fish in Boston, meat will be provided by Ox Hollow Farm in Roxbury, cheese will come from Coach Farms in Pine Plains and Beltane Farms in Lebanon, and the greens will come from Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens in Westport.

The four part dining series will be small and intimate and will provide you with a chance to talk with and get to know Chef Max and his inspiration behind each meal.  The series (30 seats available) kicks off on 4/27 at 7 pm, and continues on 6/22, 9/21, then finishes off with a 200 person day time event on 8/18.  For $75 (tax and tip aren’t included) you’ll get a cocktail and some small bites to start things off and to stretch your stomach out.  Then, you’ll have a bountiful farm-to-table family style dinner with wine pairings, too.  Finish up your meal with an “all-you-can-indulge” dessert bar.  Ummmm, yes please.

(Buck) Wild Game and Paired Wine Dinner at Bar Rosso in Stamford

Many restaurants have embraced multi-course menus with wine pairings.  The chefs have a chance to be creative and put together amazing dishes that normally aren’t on the menu.  The sommelier or person in charge of the wine pairing, also gets to go wild, and think about what would make the best flavor combinations.  Even if you’ve been to tons of these great food events, you’ve probably never been to one like Bar Rosso has planned.  Yes sir, they have planned a five course dinner that features wild game and has a thoughtfully chosen glass of wine to go with each.  Their First Annual Wild Game Dinner is behind held on March 6 and starts at 6 pm.  You’ll need to RSVP by 2/27 by e-mailing or calling them up at (203) 388-8640.  Tickets are $120, tax and gratuity are not included.

Let’s go through the menu: