Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Food For All 2014 to benefit Community Plates in Fairfield County CT


Get your tickets now for FOOD FOR ALL 2014 to Showcase  Fairfield County’s Newest Restaurants and Top Bartenders in a Benefit to Support the Fight to End Hunger on Thursday, October 2, 2014



Community Plates, the technology-fueled, direct-transfer food rescue organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in America, prepares for their signature fundraising event, “Food for All”. The event highlights the organization’s goals for the coming year and celebrates its accomplishments; and there is much to celebrate.

Executive Director and Co-Founder of Community Plates explains, “Community Plates is already responsible for picking up and delivering almost 4 million meals at a value of over $6 Million to food insecure people in Fairfield County.  We’re focused on meeting the need of 110,000 people right here who struggle to know where their next meal is coming from. He notes,  “The Food for All 2014 fundraiser is our kick-off for our next food rescue season. It’s a lot of fun, the food is amazing, and we do a lot of good in the process.”

 Food for All features the area’s newest restaurants showcasing their signature dishes.  An added highlight this year is a series of Craft Cocktail Bars presented by Fairfield County’s most innovative bartenders. The celebratory evening begins with a VIP cocktail reception (6-7 PM) featuring Marcia Seldon Catering, followed by the main event (6:30-8:30 PM) which will include featured restaurants, libations, music, dancing and more.  Tickets are can be purchased: www.communityplates.org/FFA14

 Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about Community Plates and their newly developed GoRescue application, the organization’s award-winning web and smartphone enabled interactive food rescue scheduling tool which connects food-service organizations that gather and donate food that would otherwise be wasted; to food runners, who give of their time to pick-up and deliver food donations; to the receiving agencies that ensure donated food gets to those in need throughout the community.



Event Details:

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Darien Community Association

274 Middlesex Rd, Darien, CT 06820

VIP Reception: 6-7 PM, $100

Main Event: 6:30-8:30 PM, $50

More Info: www.communityplates.org/FFA14


Featured Restaurants (as of 8/11/14):

Azuca Bistro Latino – Stamford

Back40 Kitchen - Greenwich

Bravo – Stamford

Brick + Wood – Fairfield

Craft 260 – Fairfield

Gastro Bar – Stamford

Hana Tokyo – Fairfield

Johnny Utah's – Norwalk

Little Barn – Westport

Little Pub - Greenwich

Local Kitchen + Beer Bar – Norwalk, Fairfield

Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters – Trumbull

Sign of the Whale – Stamford

The Granola Bar – Westport

Walrus & Carpenter – Bridgeport

Washington Prime – Norwalk


Craft Cocktail Bars / Featured Bartenders:

Bailey’s Backyard

Cask Republic / Post 154

Match

Mama’s Boy



About Community Plates

Community Plates is committed to ending food insecurity in America.  Recognizing the problem as a matter of logistics, not a lack of food, the organization established a volunteer-driven, technology fueled method for transferring surplus food to those in need.  The simple process includes food donors (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, caterers, bakeries and other food-service establishments), food runners (individuals who pick-up and deliver donated food) and receiving agencies (e.g., soup kitchens, pantries, etc.).  Scheduling is made easy with the web and smartphone enabled Community Plates’ GoRescue technology powered by WhenToManage, which received the 2013 Computerworld Honors Program 21st Century Achievement Award for human services.  Since Community Plates was founded in 2011, more than 700 volunteers have rescued food that equates to 4.9 million meals to date.  Launched and headquartered in Fairfield County, CT, Community Plates also operates in New Haven, CT, Albuquerque, NM and Columbus, OH with plans to expand to four more markets in 2014.  For more information or to get involved visit:  http://communityplates.org.

Big Book Club Luncheon with Jane Green and Dorie Greenspan at the Bee and Thistle Inn

Join the wonderful folks from the Big Book Club for a lunch and learn at the Bee and Thistle Inn in Old Lyme CT! Sponsored by The Day - Connecticut.


Meet two amazing authors, cookbook author Dorie Greenspan, and inspirational writer Jane Green.

When: Saturday, August 23 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Where: The Bee and Thistle Inn, 100 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371

Information: $45 ticket price includes lunch and dessert at the beautiful Bee and Thistle Inn. Books will be available for sale by Bank Square Books of Mystic, CT.

Tickets available HERE

Welcome and book signing by award-winning cookbook author, Dorie Greenspan

Dorie is the author of Baking: From My Home to Yours,  Paris Sweets: Great Desserts From the City's Best Pastry Shops, and Around My French Table, and MORE!

Keynote Speaker: Jane Green

Jane Green is the author of fifteen bestselling novels which are mature stories of real women dealing with obstacles that forever change our lives, from the blissful to the tragic, and all told with her trademark wit, wisdom, and compassion. Her newest is no exception. Tempting Fate is her riveting, heartrending, and ultimately hopeful new novel, praised by Kirkus as “a Scarlet Letter for the 21st Century.”

Jane wrote Family Pictures while sitting by the fireplace at the Bee & Thistle Inn. “I booked myself into the Bee & Thistle for a self-imposed writing retreat,” Green says. “They were actually closed, but the owners opened it up for me, and I spent every day sitting in a large wing chair by the fire writing. It was peaceful, beautiful, and the perfect environment to allow me to lose myself in my characters for five days. I actually managed to finish my book in that wing chair, and hugely look forward to doing it again soon.”

Don't miss this wonderful event on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the Bee and Thistle Inn, and experience the special place where Jane found her inspiration for Family Pictures.
 
 
For more information visit the Big Book Club at http://www.thebigbookclub.org/lunch-jane-green-bee-thistle-inn/

Monday, August 11, 2014

Cask Republic Stamford Opens A Pop Up Patio


You heard right!  There's a pop up patio at the Cask Republic in Stamford CT!


While the outdoor space next door to Cask Republic at 131 Summer Street prepares for a new restaurant to be added to the downtown dining scene, Stamford’s go-to place for comfort food, craft beer and cocktails has taken over the space and added “outdoor seating” to their offerings for the duration of the summer and fall months ahead. 


Full dining menu and service can be enjoyed on Cask’s beautiful patio furniture amid the bustle of “Little Summer Street’s” restaurant row. 


The Pop Up Patio seats 40 – reserve your table now for happy hour, lunch or dinner.  http://caskrepublic.com/ 191 Summer Street, Stamford, CT

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana to Open in the Greater Boston Area





You've heard the rumors, now here's the real deal!

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, a third-generation owned and operated pizzeria, touted as a “New Haven Institution”, has entered into an agreement to acquire the space that is currently operating as The Fireplace (since 2001) in Brookline, MA. Fireplace Chef / Owner Jim Solomon, who hails from New Haven and is a huge fan of Frank Pepe’s pizza, released a statement  on July 29, 2014 announcing his departure from the 1634 Beacon Street restaurant and his plans to focus on his thriving catering business.

For Frank Pepe’s, this is an opportunity to answer the public’s call to open a location in the Boston area and for the business to grow its family of Napoletana style pizzerias that patriarch Frank Pepe began nearly 90 years ago in 1925. The Frank Pepe team is thrilled with the prospect of joining the booming culinary scene that the Washington Square neighborhood of Brookline has become known for.

“With so many great pizza places here, the bar has been set extremely high,” says Gary Bimonte, the grandson of Frank Pepe who, along with members of the Frank Pepe family, continues to run the business to this day, “We’re excited to have Bay State pizza lovers try our pizza. Can there ever be enough good pizza in the world?”

Frank Pepe’s is beyond thrilled over the enthusiasm and support from their Connecticut customers and equally excited about the outreach they have encountered from eager Boston based fans, many of whom hail from CT or who make a Frank Pepe stop along their routes between New York and Boston. 

So now the real work begins. From now until the end of the year, the Frank Pepe team will be developing and submitting plans for their coal-fired pizza restaurant to the town and upon approval, hope to begin construction and the behind the scenes process of opening their new location. Once the dough rises and all goes according to plan, the Greater Boston area can look forward to a Summer 2015 opening of what The Daily Meal has deemed “The #1 Pizza in America (October 2013)” and TIME Magazine hailed as “The 13 Most Influential Pizzas of All Time (May 2014)”.

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Sunday, July 27, 2014

The Annual Potato and Corn Festival in North Branford CT


The North Branford Potato and Corn Festival (PoCoFest) returns for its 13th year!


Running from July 31st to August 3rd 2014 
at the 
Tototek Valley Park and Augur Farm
298 Forest Road, Rt. 22, Northford CT

Festival Hours
Thursday and Friday: 4pm to 11pm
Saturday: 9am to 11pm
Sunday: 9am to 6pm

Sponsored by the North Branford Parks and Recreation Department, the annual Potato and Corn Festival is a fun-filled family weekend! The festival started as a one-day affair back in 2002, and has since grown to a four day week-end spectacular festival with over 25,000 attendees.

Here's an abbreviated agenda of what's happening over the weekend

ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS

Thursday July 31st
4:00 pm to 11:00 pm Food Vendors and Craft Vendors
4:00 pm to 11:00 pm Amusement Rides
4:00 pm to 10:00 pm DJ Anthony Esposito under the Food Tent
5:00 pm NBHS Select Chorus and the National Anthem Main Stage
5:00 pm Kaylee and Carissa Duo Main Stage
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Cinnamon Sky - Tent Stage

Friday August 1st
4:00 pm to 11:00 pm Food Vendors and Craft Vendors
4:00 pm to 11:00 pm Amusement Rides
4:00 pm to 10:00 pm DJ Anthony Esposito under the Food Tent
5:00 pm Kenny Arauljo from the Voice and Lauren Celantano Acoustic Duo Tent Stage
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Car Show with DJ
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm The Rubber Band - Main Stage
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm Gear Junkies Main Stage

Saturday August 2nd
9:00 am to 11:00 pm Food Vendors and Craft Vendors
8:00 am to 6:00 pm Tractor Pull
9:00 am to 11:00 pm Amusement Rides
11:00 am to 7:00 pm Hayrides
9:00 am to 10:00 pm DJ Anthony Esposito under the Food Tent
1:15 pm to 2:15 pm Pete & Chris Amusements Kids Show - Tent State
2:30 pm to  3:00 pm NBHS Cheerleaders Tent Stage
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Vocal Productions - Main Stage
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm G Network - Main Stage
7:00 pm  to 9:00 pm Mass Conn Fusion - Main Stage
9:00 pm Fireworks

Sunday August 3rd
9:00 am and 9:30 am 1K Tator Trot and 5K Spud Run/Walk
9:00 am to 6:00 pm Food Vendors and Craft Vendors
9:00 am to 5:00 pm DJ Anthony Esposito at Food Tent
10:00 am to 1:00 pm Motorcyle Show with DJ
11:00 am to 5:00 pm Hayrides
11:00 am to 12 noon The Mediums - Main Stage
Noon to 1:00 pm Mark Abelli Common Ground Main Stage
1:00 pm to ??? Cow Chip Raffle
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Kerry Boys Main Stage
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Dudley Farm String Band Main STage
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Dan Tressler and Friends  Main stage
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Little Ugly Main Stage
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Squeezebox Stompers Main Stage

$20.00 Ride Wristband for Thursday
$25.00 Ride Wristband for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

CONTESTS AND GAMES

Thursday, July 31st
6:00 pm Wheelbarrow Race - all ages please bring a partner
6:30 pm Potato Peeling - adults
7:00 pm Hula Hoop - all ages
7:30 pm Jump Rope Run - all ages

Friday August 1st
5:00 pm Three Legged Race - all ages bring a partner
5:30 pm Jump Rope Run  all ages
6:00 pm Corn Husking - children
6:15 pm Corn Husking - adults
6:30 pm Corn Eating - children
6:45 pm Corn Eating - adults
7:00 pm Pie Eating - all ages
7:30 pm Potato Sack Race - all ages

Saturday August 2nd
11:30 am Potato Peeling Contest - adults
Noon Corn Husking - children
12:15 Corn Husking - adults
12:30 pm Corn Eating - children
12:45 pm Corn Eating - adults
2:30 pm Sponge Bucket Game - For Ages 5 and Younger
3:00 pm Potato Toss at Mr. Potato Head - all ages
4:30 pm Pie Eating - children
5:00 pm Pie Eating - adults
6:45 pm Jump Rope Run - all ages
7:00 pm Hula Hoop - all ages
9:15 pm Fireworks - Seating in the Upper Field

Sunday August 3rd
Noon  Mashed Potato Making - adults
12:30 pm Jump Rope Run - all ages
1:00 pm Sponge Bucket Game - Ages 5 and Younger
1:30 pm Hula Hoop - All ages
3:00 pm Mashed Potato Toss - All ages - bring a partner
4:00 pm Pie Eating - children
4:00 pm Pie Eating - adults

Parking ETC
A free shuttle will be available Thursday Night, Friday Night, All Day and Evening Saturday, and All Day Sunday from the NBHS Parking Lot at 654 FoxonRoad and the Stanley Willimams Parking Lot at 1332 Middle Town Avenue

There will be $10.00 General Parking, $10.00 Handicap Parking
and a $15.00 Premeir Parking available on side. Free Parking for North Branford Residents with a valid NB Drivers License.

DISCLAIMER:
All time and events subject to change
Home Place is not responsible for errors in information, times, or costs.





Monday, July 21, 2014

Greenwich Food+Wine Festival Returns September 25th--27th 2014

The 2014 Fourth Annual Greenwich Wine+Food Festival returns on Thursday September 25th through Saturday, September 27th!


And once again this FABULOUS Three Day Event will Benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

This year there will be more than 100 Participating Restaurants and Vendors

Here's all the information you need

What
The fourth annual GREENWICH WINE+FOOD FESTIVAL presented by Serendipity to benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, will be taking place Thursday, September 25th through Saturday, Setember 27th at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park Greenwich, CT.

When
September 25th through the 27th (See below for agenda of events)

Where
Sherman Baldwin Park, Arch Street, Greenwich, CT

Schedule of Events (see more below)
Thursday   September 25,    6:30pm   to  9:00pm:    Top Bartender Challenge
Friday       September 26,    6:30pm   to  10:00pm:   Most Innovative Chefs Gala
Saturday    September 27,   12:00pm  to 10:00pm:   Culinary Village Event

Thursday
Top Bartender Showdown (Thursday): Thursday evenings Official Weekend Kickoff brings the first annual Top Bartender Showdown!  The area’s best bartenders will create the most epic cocktails to be crowned the Serendipity Top Bartender. The evening’s proceeds and wine and food-themed silent auction will benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

Friday:
Most Innovative Chefs Gala (Friday):  The 2014 Most Innovative Chefs Gala with special guests Geoffrey Zakarian and Jean-Georges will take place on Friday, September 26. Serendipity 2014 Most Innovative Chef winners, plus Jean-Georges, will serve an incredible tasting menu. Experience their ingenuity and inventiveness first hand!
Most Innovative Chefs (Friday Only): Devin Bozakaya of Bedford Post, Gustave Christman of Fortina, Adam Truelove of Napa & Co., David Snyder of Char, Christian Petroni of Fortina, Samantha Eichenberg of The Dessertist, Nancy Roper of Truck, Giorgio Giachinto of Da Giorgo, Nick Martschenko of South End, Forrest Pasternack of Baileys Backyard, Ryan Fibiger of Saugatuck Craft Butchery, and Anthony Goncalves of 42.
This enchanting evening will also include elite wines, premium liquor, and an exclusive auction.
==>Friday evening there will be a live musical performance by Marshall Tucker Band

Saturday
Culinary Village (Saturday):  Saturday, September 27th will feature “The Culinary Village” from 12-5pm with Celebrity Chef & Sommelier Demonstrations, Celebrity Book Store & Signings, 100+ food, wine and spirits tastings and “The Taste of the South” from 3-10pm with the Fourth Annual Burger Battle judged by Celebrity Chefs, Beer Garden, BBQ Pit Masters Tasting Tent, Food Truck Corner, a special ticketed event: Aaron Sanchez’s Tostadas & Tequila.
Ambassador Chefs (Saturday Only): Rui Correia of Douro Restaurant, Clifford Crooks of BLT Steak, Rafael Palomino of Bistro Latino, Eric Gabrynowicz of Restaurant North, Frederic Kieffer of L’Escale, Fritz Knipschildt of Chocopologie, Eric Korn of Good Life Gourmet, Tim LaBant of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale Restaurant, Debra Ponzek of Aux Délices Foods and Bill Taibe of LeFarm & The Whelk.
==>Saturday evening there will be live music by world renowned artists Alabama!.


Added Bonus - Who Will Be There
• Suni Unger, Founder and CEO of Serendipity magazine
• Representatives from The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
• Marshall Tucker Band (Friday evening only)
• Alabama (Saturday evening only)
• Jean George (Saturday only)
• Geoffrey Zakarian (Saturday only)
• Aaron Sanchez (Saturday only)
• Gretchen Thomas (Saturday only)
• John Stage (Saturday only)
• George Reisch (Saturday only)
• Marc Stroobandt (Saturday only)
• Chef/Performer Neil Fuentes of “The Sensational Singing Chef” (Saturday only)

Where can you get tickets:

Online at http://greenwichwineandfood.com/tickets/


CONTACTS: For Tickets: www.greenwichwineandfood.com or 203-588-1363


About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is a community dedicated to providing “a different kind of healing” to children and their families coping with cancer, sickle cell anemia and other serious illnesses. Through summer sessions and family weekend programs at the Camp in Ashford, Connecticut, and year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics throughout the Northeast, the Camp serves more than 20,000 children and family members annually. All services are free of charge.


About Serendipity
Serendipity is a lifestyle magazine celebrating family discoveries and unexpected moments for readers throughout Fairfield and Westchester Counties and beyond, covering relationships, goodwill, health, style, food, travel and more. The publication is distributed bi-monthly and enjoys a readership of more than 90,000. For more information, visit www.serendipitysocial.com.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Greek Food? Greek Diner! The Townhouse Diner in Branford CT

Every now and then you just have a hankering for some Greek Food.

You know the flavor profile I mean...that briney delicious Greek and Mediterranean flavor profile.

Greek cooking traditionally consists of using organic cheeses, oils, fruits, nuts, grains, legumes, and vegetables. This is because Greece's climate is perfect growing for olive trees. And their cooking involves a creative use of spices, garlic and other herbs such as oregano, basil, mint, and thyme. Proteins include lots of seafood, as most of the Greek coast boasts fishing villages, and their inland communities use goats, lamb, whole roasted pigs, chicken, and beef.

I typically get my dose of Greek sampling at the yearly Greek Festival held in Orange CT (This year held Labor Day Weekend Aug 29, 30, 31, Sep 1, 2014 12 noon to 10 PM (Fri. Sat. Sun.) 12 noon to 8 PM (Mon.) - See more at: http://www.saintbarbara.org/our_parish/odyssey_festival/)

But because I was in the mood NOW - I headed over to my local Greek diner, The Townhouse Diner in Branford CT to partake in some hearty Greek food!

The Branford Townhouse Diner


I started with Townhouse's version of a Greek Salad made with icy cold shredded lettuce, crumbled feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, thinly sliced red onions, and a few Greek olives, served with a crisp vinaigrette dressing.

 Townhouse Greek Salad

For my meal, I ordered the Gyro Deluxe (with fries and salad). I loved that the sandwich was served open face, so I could assemble it the way I like! I broke up the block of feta cheese, and pulled apart the tomatoes and onions, so that whole pieces wouldn't come out with every bite I took!

Townhouse Diner Gyro

And here's what it looked like after I assembled it. I did have to ask for extra Tzatziki Sauce.
Gyro at Townhouse Diner

What I didn't like was not having the deli paper that often times comes with a Gyro to help keep the excess sauces and juices from dripping out. Luckily, a nearby waitress came to my rescue by bringing extra napkins. (And got a good chuckle out of my Tzatziki covered face!). No pictures please!

And of course, for dessert, I had a nice wedge of Baklava

Baklava at Townhouse Diner

This was a little more dense and less syrupy than I'm used to - but the delicious combination of nuts, honey, and flaky light pastry came shining through. Just look at that fork full of flavor below!

Baklava

So if you're like me, and get a hankering every now and again for some delicious Greek Food - head to your nearest diner to satisfy the urge and craving.

About the restaurant / diner. They've been in Branford for almost 20 years, and relocated to the "pretzel" area in 2011. The outside property and grounds are well kept and maintained. The inside, maybe not so much, as the aisles were full of crumbs and tiny bits of papers ignored by most of the employees. Eventually, about 20 minutes after we were seated, one waitperson did carpet sweep the area.. Note to restaurants and staff everywhere. Please don't seat customers until the entire area is cleared, table, chair,  AND floors included! It only takes a second to tidy up!

This was my first visit to the Branford Townhouse...and in spite of my floor complaints, I'll definitely be back. It's just a little pet peeve of mine.

Branford Townhouse Diner
18 North Main Street (Route 1)
Branford, CT 06405
203-481-0550

Open 7 Days A Week
M-S 7AM - 11PM, Sunday 7AM-10PM



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


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Do you have a favorite Greek dish?

Do you have a soft spot for your local diner?

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


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