Talk about taking catering to the next level. Fairway went all-out to accommodate one Stamford bachelor, who worked with the store to coordinate a sneak-attack proposal on his lovely lady.
Archive for 2011
Chocopologie seeking permanent home in Greenwich?
Greenwich chocoholics rejoice!
Word on the street is Chocopologie is hoping to stay more than just a few months in Greenwich, where the the Norwalk-based chocolatier opened a pop-up shop last week.
The temporary location is scheduled to purvey decadent treats at 30 W. Putnam Ave. until Easter, but we hear Chocopologie is seeking a permanent residence in Central Greenwich. Here’s hoping the signature truffles and unusual flavors like earl grey or lavender ganache are here to stay.
Celebrate the season with “Taste of Chanukah”
Jewish Family Services of Greenwich invites singles 55+ to light the menorah with plenty of tasty treats Dec. 20 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich.
Celebrate the holiday of lights with wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts at the fifth annual cocktail party and “Taste of Chanukah.” The event, part of JFS’s Meet & Mingle program, which targets singles 55+, kicks off at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $36 prepaid by Dec. 15 or $45 at the door. Tickets may be purchased by check payable to Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, 1 Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830, or by calling Tatiana at 203-622-1881 with credit card information. For more information, email jfsmeetandmingle@yahoo.com.
Chocopologie opens Greenwich pop-up shop
A little birdie (AKA our friends over at CTbites) tells us Chocopologie opened a pop-up shop Thursday at 30 W. Putnam Ave. in Central Greenwich.
The temple of chocolately decadence, an offshoot of the original Chocopologie Cafe in South Norwalk, is set to grace the Post Road through Easter. So rest easy, they’ve got you covered for Valentine’s Day.
UPDATE:
The store is apparently hosting a grand opening event from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday with cava (not champagne?) and chocolates (duh).
Here’s the invite:
The Big E: Fully focused on fried food
ABOVE: Bloomin’ onions are a Big E staple. Though a gigantic onion, battered and deep-fried, is certainly a dangerous treat anywhere else, at New England’s bastion of gluttony, this is just about the tamest fried treat you’ll find.
Yesterday was apparently National Greasy Foods Day. I shouldn’t be surprised that is a real thing, but I am. I can’t think of anything that more directly honors that sentiment than the annual pig-out fest at West Springfield’s The Big E.
The Big E is a lot of things. Agricultural fair. Shopping mecca. New England pride display. Playground. Concert venue.
To some, more than anything, The Big E is a place to eat. Trust me on this, I’ve been going to The Big E as far back as I can remember. I even worked at the exposition’s Lost People Center for several years in high school.
There has always been a panoply of food vendors at the fairgrounds, but the culinary landscape has really changed in recent years. I present, as evidence, some of the best (and worst) fried treats at The Big E in 2011:
Not pictured: Fried Oreos, fried butter.
Don’t worry, if dunking something in batter and sticking it in hot oil isn’t your thing (why are you reading this?), there are plenty of more rational options; everything from pierogi to pizza. One of my favorite options is the Maine baked potato, but be prepared to wait in line for it.
The fair is over for the year, but will return in 2012 from September 14 to 30.
Celebrate fall with apple spice pancakes
The problem I always have with apple picking is my physical inability to consume the huge amounts of apples I bring home.
This year is no different, but I decided to actually put some of the beautiful empire apples I picked up at Granby’s Bushy Hill Orchard to use by making some simple apple spice pancakes. This recipe is adapted from our own Chris Preovolos’ mom’s pancake recipe.
This recipe will serve two to four diners, depending on how hungry you are (that probably means two).
WHAT YOU NEED:
1 large or 2 small apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1½ cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
A pinch of nutmeg
2 eggs, separated
2 cups buttermilk
¼ cup melted butter
WHAT YOU DO:
1. Mix the dry ingredients.
2. Mix the wet ingredients, minus the egg whites (save those for later).
3. Mix the wet into the dry.
4. Whip the whites to a soft peak and fold them into the batter.
5. Fold apples into the batter.
6. Drop onto a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat; brown on each side, making sure to leave enough time for the apples to soften and the centers to cook.
7. Top off with any combination of butter, warm maple syrup, confectioner’s sugar, or freshly whipped cream and serve with hot mulled cider.
I have to say, I was stunned by the difference a little cinnamon and nutmeg made to the flavor of the recipe. I still have plenty of apples hanging around, so I’ll probably be making a lot of pancakes this week.
The one thing I’d do differently if I didn’t have fresh apples handy would be to use Granny Smith apples, as I prefer the tart flavor. I may also try adding a little lemon zest to the recipe.
Rizzuto’s coming to Stamford
10/11/2011
RIZZUTO’S WOOD-FIRED KITCHEN AND BAR: 1980 WEST AVE., STAMFORD
Route 22 American Restaurant in the Shop Rite plaza on Stamford’s West Side closed a while back and a Rizzuto’s will take its place.
This is good news from the weird shopping center where residents of Old Greenwich and the West Side mingle; Rizzuto’s which has locations in Westport, Bethel and West Hartford, receives good reviews.
I’m assured there will be an official announcement in the coming week, but for now, check out our review of the Rizzuto’s Wood-Fired Kitchen and Bar in Westport.
–CP
BELOW: Rizzuto’s in Westport.
Countdown to the Greenwich Food + Wine fest
You heard about it here first. Now here’s all you need to know about the inaugural Greenwich Food + Wine Festival, coming up in less than three weeks!
Also, don’t forget about Eating Greenwich & Port Chester, a week-long event Oct. 16 to 21 that will offer prix fixe, a la carte and wine pairing menus, in addition to other deals in the neighboring municipalities.
Serendipity magazine will host the first Greenwich Food + Wine Festival to benefit the Breast Cancer Alliance Oct. 22 and 23 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. The weekend event will feature more than 60 food, wine and spirit experts, BBQ Grill Masters, Sunday brunch specialties, celebrity book signings, private-event tents and live performances by Rusted Root, Entrain and Sister Hazel, among others.
Guests will enjoy special presentations by celebrity guests Jacque Pépin, Michel Nischan, Graham Elliot, Stephen Asprinio and Joy Bauer as well as hosting chefs Jon and Laura Brennan of Plum Pure Foods and Rui Correia of Douro, (both in Greenwich). Featured local chefs include Debra Ponzek of Aux Délices (Greenwich), Justin M. Warner and Lynn Saathoff of CB5 Restaurant Group LLC (Greenwich), Rodney Kirton of Empire Terrace (Yonkers, NY), Bryan Gilmour of 121 Restaurant and Bar (North Salem, NY), Scott Quis of Barcelona (Greenwich; Fairfield, CT; South Norwalk, CT; Stamford, CT) and Jeremy McMillan of Bedford Post (Bedford, NY).
There will be a Grand Tasting Gala Oct. 22 with live music and samplings from the region’s finest restaurants, as well as a live performance by Natasha Bedingfield.
Festivities will be held from noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 22 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 23. For more information or to buy tickets, visit serendipitysocial.com or call Serendipity at 203-588-1363. For information on sponsorship opportunities, ask for Molly Galterio.
