We Take Down the Cocktail Menu @ the New South End Uncorked—New Canaan, CT

Or was it that the Cocktail Menu took us down? Yeah, once you see what we sampled, you’ll probably bet on the latter.

The day we visited was a big day in New Canaan—not only was the farmers’ market going on, but it was also their annual sidewalk sale. As we worked our way through the maze of people we found South End Uncorked chef and owner Nick Martschenko cooking up some lamb merguez to give passerbys a first tastes of what his restaurant would be like. “Do you want to try one?” he asked Dan. It didn’t take much convincing at all and the order was in. The sausage was spicy, had a ton of deep flavors, had just the right amount of lambiness (you know what we mean), and had a fresh contrast with the tzatziki sauce on top.  We thought, if this is what the food will be like, we’re in! But, we’re not here today to talk about food. Nope. So let’s get to it. 

We went inside to check out the new spot and what they did with it since we’d been there last when it was Harvest Supper. You first go down the alley to go in the side entrance (make sure to snap a shot in the selfie mirror, btw) and then you enter in the side door. As you walk in, the completely open kitchen with a 4 seat chefs table is off to your left as is the bar. Then, throughout the restaurant there are rustic and rich tables and high tops. All around, it’s warm and cozy for a small spot. It’s a place where you could imagine yourself hanging out all day in or just coming by for a few drinks and bites. 

Chocolate, Wine & Food Lovers Evening 2015 Sweet Deets + Ticket Giveaway

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and, you know what that means: yup, time for the annual Chocolate, Wine, & Food Lovers Evening! This year it’s going down on 2/5 from 6-9 at The Marriott Hotel & Spa in Stamford. This event has been held as a way to not only help people find the best drinks, food, and desserts in Fairfield County, but to also give attendees a chance to pick up some great gifts at the Valentine Boutique or via silent auctions. But, the real heart of the event is the cause: 100% of the proceeds go directly to Shelter for the Homeless, a Stamford-based organizaton that serves Lower Fairfield County by “[P]roviding temporary housing to homeless men, striving to obtain permanent supportive housing and services for men and women tailored  to meet their relevant needs, and empowering people to help themselves achieve their greatest level of self-sufficiency.”

Last year was so much fun, we talked with so many great people, ate so much great food and tried out so many new restaurants, drinks, chocolates, and cupcakes that it was well worth it. Tickets are just $60 and can be bought here, by calling (203) 406-0017, or online/at the door for $70 after 2/4.  

Spiked Seltzer: OmNomCT’s New Go-to Warm Weather Drink

West Indies Lime, their flagship “brew”

We had our first sips of Spikedseltzer from Boathouse Beverage at the Greenwich Wine & Food Festival this past October.  Our first impression of these new drinks was, wow…they can be dangerous.  While they are technically considered a beer and weigh in at 6%, you’d never know that either was true.  Spikedseltzer is technically called a beer because of the fermentation process of carefully selected sugars that it undergoes, though they don’t use any barley, wheat, hops, or other typical brewing ingredients.  Because of this, Spikedseltzer is gluten-free and it’s also low carb, netting just 5g of carbs per bottle.

Taste of Westport: a night of food + drinks to raise money for CLASP

Taste of Westport is back with their annual fundraiser that directly benefits CLASP, a nonprofit that provides homes and services for adults with autism and developmental disabilities.  This year there’s an amazing variety of restaurants and drink providers including spots in Westport and all over Fairfield County.  The event happens on 5/1/14 from 6-9 pm at Westport Inn right in Westport.  Tickets are $75 prepaid via PayPal or by contacting Robin at (203) 226-7895 or $80 at the door.  Once there, taste some food, drink some wine, sip on some cocktails, and try to win some of the great silent auction items that are up for grabs.

Here are 26 delicious reasons to come to Taste of Westport this year:

Vinny’s Backyard Goes Pink to Raise $ for Breast Cancer Treatment + Support – Stamford, CT

There are a bunch of things that we miss so much after moving from Stamford to Greenwich…and one of those things happens to be Vinny’s Backyard right in the Springdale area of Stamford.  While you might look at Vinny’s from the outside and think it’s nothing too special, once you try the wings you will be enlightened, brothers and sisters.  We consistently rank Vinny’s wings (Original, Sweet & Sour, BBQ, Chipotle, General Tso’s, Garlic Parmesan, or Sweet Thai Chili) as one of our favorites in the area, plus it’s a great place to try out one of their cracker-thin pizzas or to even straddle up to the bar and have some brewskis.  

Not that you need permission from us to hit up Vinny’s because it is a favorite local spot, but you’ll definitely need to come by April 24, 2014 from 5 pm until 1 am for a special fundraising night.  Vinny’s will be donating 25% of all beverage sales directly to the CT chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  The money raised will help to provide women with mammograms, education, and assistance with breast cancer treatment for those who can’t afford it.

Barcelona SoNo Turns Spanish Farmers’ Market for La Vida del Mercat

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the open air markets that are dotted all around Spain.  Just a few years ago, we were able to check out La Boqueria, a huge Spanish market with stalls filled with juices, fresh fruit, meats, spices, cafes, pizza places, bars, and so much more.  It was really a dizzying experience, but we were definitely in heaven with the variety of foods that we had around.  We both agreed that if we had something like this near us, we’d be there every single week.  

 

Well, wouldn’t you know it, but Barcelona in SoNo is bringing some of this vibe back with their own version of the Spanish farmers’ market with “La Vida del Mercat” on April 16 at 7 pm.  They’ll be featuring some local food, brews, and drinks, while also highlighting some of Barcelona’s favorite imports from Spain and Europe including cheese, wine, and meats.  And, if you desire something a little more substantial than just nibbles here and there , there will be some specially crafted dishes using produce from the Westport based Speckled Rooster Farm to nom away on.  All of this awesomeness comes together for just $40 per person (sign up here), quite a deal considering everything you’ll get with descriptions from a recent press release:

The One Where We Guest Bartend at Bistro 7 to Benefit Community Plates

Literally behind the stick at Bistro 7 while guest bartending

To say that we were both nervous about guest bartending at Bistro 7 would be a gross understatement.  What if someone ordered a cocktail we had never heard of, what if we put too much vodka, gin, or rum into the shaker?  The possibilities were endless, but our fears added up a bit when we got behind the bar.  Amanda, the bartender at Bistro 7, took us through where the bottles of white were, where the reds by bottle and glass where, where the vodkas were, where the rums were, where the premium liquor was, which glasses to use for soda, water, cocktails, wine, and beer, where the water tap was, how to pour the perfect pint, how to pour a glass of wine, how to fill out order tickets, where to put dirty dishes, where to find the napkins and utensils, where to find the spoons/soup spoons/forks/knives, and how to pick up the food at the kitchen window.  Woooooh.

Start Mardi Gras Early with Local Music, Food, and Drinks at 9th Annual BlackRock Rocks Mardi Gras Fundraiser

It can be argued that three of the finest things in life are music, food, and drink.  Well, who are we kidding?  Those definitely are the finest things…

And it’s with this awesomeness that we present to you the 9th Annual BlackRock Rocks fundraiser event!  Check out Acoustic Café, Fire Engine Pizza Company, Tautog Tavern, or B.R.Y.A.C., order some drinks (or focus on the drink specials!), watch some shows, and devour some NOLA inspired dishes at each location.

Food Trucks, Shopping, Snacks + Holiday Cheer @ Greenwich Holiday Stroll 2013

Click through to see a zoomed in version of the map to plan out your Greenwich Holiday Stroll

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…in Greenwich.  More specifically, the most wonderful time of the year is this Saturday from 10-6 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm.  During both days you’ll have a chance to get some major deals at local businesses, devour food from some awesome food trucks, sample wine and mulled cider, nom away on some treats, listen to music, take part in activities, and so much more.

Because all we ever think about is food, let’s start there:

Both The Local Meatball and Pizza Luca will be parked near the C. Parker Gallery at 17 East Putnam Avenue.  They’ll be there on Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from noon to 5.

Oh, but that’s not all kiddos!  There will be a food truck village!

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.