Parallel Post in Trumbull CT - Fall and Winter 2015

Parallel Post for the Fall and Winter Holidays!

There are some fun things going on in Trumbull CT at Parallel Post at the Trumbull Marriott this holiday season.

Let's start with everything Pumpkin!

November Pumpkin-Infused Plates:

Enjoy some flavorsome pumpkin infused plates including:

• the body-warming Pumpkin Soup with Sugar Pumpkin ($8) 
• the heavenly Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Ice Cream ($6)

Parallel Post is serving both throughout the month of November.

And let's not forget Thanksgiving at Parallel Post!

Thanksgiving Menu:

Enjoy our Thanksgiving Day buffet from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., featuring items such as Acorn Squash and Apple Soup; Rosemary, Coriander Crusted Pork loin; Ox Hollow Herb Roasted Turkey and savory Gravy; Chocolate Bourbon Bread Pudding and more.

Tree Decorating and a Visit from Santa

Festive Christmas Tree Decorating Event, Saturday, December 5 from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.:

Enjoy a complimentary gathering as we decorate the Parallel Post Christmas Tree, sip and savor samples of BootlegGreg's new seasonal hot cocktail creations. Children will be treated to hot cocoa, roasted s'mores on our open fire pit, a meet 'n greet with Santa Claus along with cookie and ornament decorating stations.

And the culminating event of 2015 - Farm to Trumbull!

Farm-To-Trumbull, Thursday, December 10 at 7 p.m.:

Parallel Post hosts the final event of their 3rd annual three-part culinary dining series, Farm-To-Trumbull. Inspired by the season, the holiday-themed event provides an intimate experience for thirty guests led by Executive Chef Chris Molyneux and Chef de Cuisine Erik Waybright.

Parallel Post Restaurant

180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull CT 06611

Phone/Reservations  203-380-6380

Located in the Trumbull Marriott - Merritt Parkway

On the Web: http://parallelpostrestaurant.com/

Like them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/ParallelPost

Follow them on twitter: https://twitter.com/ParallelPostCT

 visit www.parallelpostrestaurant.com for more information

Parallel Post’s menu is conceptualized with the philosophy that sustainability, and natural products and responsible farming, are key components in ingredient selection.  Offering a bold and flavorful menu featuring modern American cuisine with Northeastern regional flair, Parallel Post at the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway brings an unseen level of quality and creativity to the culinary landscape of Trumbull, Connecticut. The intimate, yet casual eatery uses seasonal, local ingredients prepared with contemporary, healthy techniques. Parallel Post serves breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; lunch Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and dinner daily from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

For more information please visit www.ParallelPostRestaurant.com or call 203.380.6380.

Carvel Ice Cream Stores for Holiday Cakes

If you're looking for a fun dessert treat for upcoming holiday get togethers and parties, look no farther than your local Carvel Ice Cream Store!

It's that great time of year when Carvel outdoes themselves creating HOMEMADE on premise cakes and treats perfect for any holiday occasion.

I was recently invited to visit a Carvel to sample a holiday cake and went to the nearest one to me in Milforrd CT.

Some of my favorites are the delicious ice cream cakes they make for the holidays!

Let's start with the Christmas Tree Cake

The Christmas Tree Cake at Carvel features layers of freshly made vanilla and chocolate ice cream separated by a layer of chocolate crunchies, and covered in icing that recreates a lush green Christmas Tree.

The Snowman Cake is also adorable!

The Snowman Cake at Carvel is made with layers of fresh vanilla and chocolate ice cream separated by a layer of chocolate crunchies, and covered with white icing with blue, green and red icing on top.


Also available are a Santa Cake and a Hanukkah Cake, both made with layers of both vanilla and chocolate ice cream separated by layers of chocolate crunchies.

Also available are Lil’ Snowmen Novelty Treats (not pictured) – These take-home treats feature delicious freshly made soft serve ice cream and are decorated to look like adorable miniature snowmen.

I purchased the Christmas Tree cake and I know it will be the hit of  the Holiday Party!

Carvel Ice Cream stores are found nationwide

To find a Carvel Ice Cream Store near you click here ===> http://www.carvel.com/find-a-shoppe/

Find them on the web http://www.carvel.com/

Follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CarvelIceCream

Follow them on Instagram http://instagram.com/carvelicecream

Follow them on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarvelIceCream

Disclaimer: I received a gift certificate to Carvel to facilitate this review.However, all opinions are my own.

Whole Foods Market at Bishops Corner West Hartford CT for Holiday Recipe Ideas!

Every year I mull over the same predicaments! What to serve for holiday dinners!?!? 

Not necessarily the ones where the entire family gathers on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but appetizers and dinners that I can serve for friends dropping in for casual dinners and get-togethers!

Thankfully, I don't have too far to look for inspiration.  Great ideas can be found in my local Whole Foods Market. Unfortunately, for me, that's about a 40 minute drive to the Hartford/Glastonbury area from my hometown of Branford CT!

But as I was lamenting the fact that they're not right around the corner from me while I was there last week , Whole Foods Corporate tweeted me that they are always looking for new locations to open!  How's that for active listening to their consumers???

So, if you would like the great folks at Whole Foods to consider opening in an area near you, here's where you can make your recommendation ==>  bit.ly/1iXTJAJ 

At the event I recently attended at Whole Foods Market in Bishops Corner West Hartford CT, many of their culinary experts gathered to give us some great ideas for all the upcoming holiday soirees!

And I also got to meet up with some local bloggers I've been following, Carrie from Poet in the Pantry, Allie from VitaTrain4Life, Erica from Erica: Thoughts of an Organic Mama , Jess from Foodette Reviews, and of course, Wendy and Greg from Connecticut Lifestyles Magazine.

I started with some of their savory ideas. My favorite was the Crispy Risotto Ball served on a bed of pureed sweet potato, prepared by Chef Bryce. So crispy good and delicately fried on the outside, with soft and creamy risotto on the inside. Then I swirled a few bites into the sweet potato puree to take me right straight into holiday heaven food bliss! So good and this would be a great appetizer or side dish to serve at any holiday party.

Chef Bryce's Crispy Risotto Ball

My favorite inspired protein of the evening was the Grilled Lamb. I'm a little sheepish (PUNNY) to admit that I've never prepared lamb at home, although it is something I always order when I'm out. However, Chef Devlin furnished me with a recipe that just might get me over my trepidation of preparing it!

Devlin prepares rack of lamb

And Devlin also showed a simple yet creative way to display your lamb when serving it. Simply mound it up on a stack of grilled vegetables surrounded by some simple holiday decor! Recipe for the Rack of Lamb HERE.

For seafood we were treated to some of Craig's lobster tails and some bacon wrapped shrimp and scallops. Did you know that you can purchase party packs of bacon wrapped scallops and shrimp at Whole Foods?

What a great idea! Pop them in the oven with no fuss while you mingle with your guests!

Then I moved on to some of the sweets! We were able to sample some Bourbon Pecan Pie, Dairy Free "Cheesecake" , Chocolate Biscotti (Recipe HERE), and Cocoa Oat Truffles (Recipe HERE)!

Clockwise, L-R
Top L: Dairy Free Cheesecake, Top R Cocoa Oat Truffles
Bottom R: Chocolate Biscotti, Bottom L: Bourbon Pecan Pie

To cap the evening off with a beverage, we sampled a great alternative to the traditional heavy and rich eggnog! This one is called Almond-Nog, and it's quite light in consistency because of the Almond Milk, but still has that nice holiday flavor.

As you can see they used a banana as a thickener. I think when I make it I'm going to use a frozen banana to make it almost milkshake-like. YUM! And healthy too!

Almond-Nog

Thanks to Whole Foods in Bishops Corner West Hartford CT for the wonderful holiday cheer and inspiration!

Look for great events at YOUR local Whole Foods Market! 

Incredible specials, a calendar of events, cooking classes, holiday magazines, and more!

For more pictures from this event visit the Home Place Facebook page HERE!

What's on your holiday menu this season?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!