Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week runs from Friday, February 22 to Sunday, March 3, 2013, featuring participating restaurants with three-course prix-fixe dinner menus for $30 and lunch specials for $15. A $2 parking voucher after 5pm will be available for select lots. For additional information or to see a full listing or participating restaurants and their menus, click here. -guest contributor
Seawich Sandwich Shop (1207 Main Street, Branford) is the latest creation of one of my favorite restaurateur teams: Suzette and Arturo Franco-Camacho. Their latest place, opening February 11, is "sandwiched" between their other restaurants Tacuba Taco Bar and Waterhouse. The Seawich Sandwich Shop will be serving make your own sandwiches with 25+ toppings and homemade dressings, plus paninis, grilled cheese and some ready-to-go sandwiches and housemade soups. They'll also have smoothies (almond/coconut/soy milk with fresh fruits/proteins- green juices, etc), plus take home, prepared meals to go! When the restaurant opens, it will begin with only lunch hours 11:30 - 3, and hopes to expand into dinner. Stay tuned for additional [...]
I'm fortunate to say that my travels through Europe have been extensive. As a person with a genuine love of skiing and mountain towns (I used to live in Park City), I lamentably had never had the opportunity to ski Europe's famed Alps, that was at least before this past holiday season when I had the memorable chance to do so for the first time! A short trip schedule meant we had only 2-days of skiing (and 2-nights of dining) to enjoy, so our agenda needed to be tightly planned. We embarked on an extensive search for the best Alps skiing experience that could be accomplished with limited time. After [...]
The 2013/2014 National Tour of the new musical THE ADDAMS FAMILY, based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, will make its New Haven premiere at the Shubert Theater, New Haven, February 1–3, 2013. The four performances — Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 2:00pm & 7:30pm and Sunday 2:00pm — are sponsored by Lexus of New Haven. This magnificently macabre new musical comedy brings the darkly delirious world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and, of course, Lurch to spooky and spectacular life. Tickets are now available online at shubert.com, by phone at 800-228-6622 and at the Shubert Box Office (247 College Street, [...]
I can't believe how much food I sampled recently at the new Home restaurant in Branford (in the space formerly occupied by Foe: An American Bistro). Owner Jared Schulefand had invited me and special correspondent Robbin Seipold to try his new place. Within minutes, I learned that Jared also hailed from Hamden and attended Ridge Top Club in North Haven. Small world. Jared wanted to share the highlights of his menu, so he began by serving us a bowl ($5.50) of his Turducken Chili topped with cornbread croutons, made from ground turkey, duck stock and cherry-pepper-and-onion stuffed chicken sausage from New Haven's Napoli. Jared likes using local products. Next he [...]
Lenny & Joes's slipped into the space formerly occupied by Leon's (and Rusty Scupper before that) on the water in New Haven around the corner from Long Wharf Theatre. I stopped by this week for a quick dinner before heading to the world premier of Laura Jacqmin's "January Joiner: A Weight Loss Horror Comedy" on Stage II, now through February 10, 2013. Expect the same great seafood and friendly service that you're familiar with from Lenny & Joe's on the shoreline. Don't miss the perfectly seasoned creamy clam chowder (made so with only a splash of milk); it's chock full of clams and potato chunks ($3.95 a cup). Also fabulous [...]
Atwood Café, a downtown American bistro, is now serving “Flutes & Frites” every Monday from 5 pm until close. For $10.00 per person, a fizzy flute will be accompanied by a trio of specialty fries and dipping sauces created by Executive Chef Derek Simcik. In addition to bubbles, patrons can expect to see (and taste) lots of sea salt, parmesan and aioli. The Atwood Café is located adjacent to Kimpton’s Hotel Burnham, at 1 W. Washington Street, Chicago; 312-368-1900 For more information click here.
San Francisco Restaurant Week runs Wednesday, January 15 through Friday, January 31, 2014, featuring over 100 restaurants and offering two or three-course lunch menus for $18.95 and/or three-course dinner menus for $36.95. For additional information and list of participating restaurants, click here.
Judies European Bakery at 63 Grove Street, abruptly closed in late December. They ended their distribution to area grocery stores as well. Citing “the continued downturn of the economy,” the closing came as quite a surprise to customers who have enjoyed Judies' soups, sandwiches and breads for the last 15 years. Rumors are that they may re-open elsewhere under a different name, but nothing has been confirmed. Submitted by special Correspondent Robbin Seipold
South Carolina Restaurant Week runs through Thursday, January 9 to Sunday, January 19, 2014, featuring a variety of restaurants and offering menus at special prices. For additional information, click here.
California Restaurant Month runs for the entire month of January, 2013, offering dining promotions that feature gourmet prix-fixe menus with wine pairing opportunities. California Restaurant Month destinations and promotional dates are as follows: Northern California: Berkeley - Berkeley Restaurant Week Jan 15 - 22, 2013 El Dorado County - El Dorado Epicurean Jan 20 - 27, 2013 Manteca – Manteca Restaurant Week Jan 14 - 20, 2013 Marin County - Marin County Restaurant Month Jan 1 - 31, 2013 Napa Valley - Napa Valley Restaurant Month Jan 1 - 31, 2013 Oakland - Oakland Restaurant Week Jan 18 - 27, 2013 Redding - Redding Dining Days Jan 13 - 26, 2013 Sacramento - Dine Downtown Restaurant Week Jan [...]
The Boat House Cafe (formerly Jenelle's) is officially open, Monday - Friday 8am -2pm and Friday & Saturday 8am -3pm! It is located on the Quinnipiac River, where you can dine in or take out. The cafe features breakfast -- served all day!, lunch and coffee. There's outdoor seating and free parking. Boat House Cafe at the Quinnipiac River Marina 307 Front St. New Haven. 203-624-2233 Special Correspondent Robbin Seipold
Make Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood your home away from home for the holidays! Chef Anthony Keene from Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood has curated an enticing three-course feast that brings to life the tradition and spirit of Christmas. The festive menu includes, among other items, Roasted Chestnut Soup, Tuna Carpaccio, Liberty Farms Duck Breast, Butter Poached Lobster, Roasted Organic Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing, Bûche de Noel, and Eggnog Crème Brûlé! Christmas Eve reservations from 5:00pm – 10:00pm; Christmas Day reservations from 11:30am – 10:00pm at $95 per person. For additional information, click here. Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood Hotel 1020 N. San Vicente [...]
Although lots of people love dining at Jeffrey's, I'm not one of them. The service is good, the food not bad — it's just that the chef tries too hard. The perfect way to describe Jeffrey's entrees is with the Yiddish word "ungapatchka," — busy, over-done with excessive elements. With so many ingredients, the flavor of each gets lost. First, let me back up to our appetizer. We shared a braised chicken quesadilla ($11) with black beans and melted mozzarella served with salsa, guacamole and creme fraiche. Plebeian. Skip this. My pan-seared artic char (See if you can find it in the photo!) was tender and succulent ($28.50). It was [...]
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF) will host the Seventh Annual Lemon Ball, presented by Volvo & the Toys“R”Us Children’s Fund with support from CIGNA, on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 6:30pm at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street. The Lemon Ball is an evening of cocktails, dinner, raffle provided by Govberg Jewelers, silent and live auctions and entertainment bringing together supporters of the Foundation’s mission – a cure for all kids with cancer. Liz and Jay Scott, the parents of the late Alex Scott, will co-chair the gala with Mary Stengel Austen and Peter Austen. Mary Stengel Austen serves on the Board of Directors for the [...]
Since my friend Claire had a gift coupon for Sloppy Jose’s a Mexican restaurant in Milford, we met there for dinner. While perusing the menu, we nibbled their fresh tortilla chips and decent salsa while we sipped on a glass of (slightly watery) sangria. We both chose from the specials menu — she had the moist blackened swordfish in a black bean sauce served with rice and an overcooked squash-onion medley ($15.95). I chose the slightly overcooked and dry tilapia ($15.95) encrusted with tortilla chips, chipotle and lime, topped with a not-so-fresh avocado and pepper salsa and served with black beans and rice. The swordfish would be the better choice. [...]
Early this fall, Bite of the Best special correspondent Robbin Seipold wrote about the opening of Yolanda’s Bistro in the space formerly occupied by the Central Steak House on Orange Street. I decided to try it for brunch. As you walk through the door, you are greeted warmly by Yolanda welcoming you into her new restaurant as if it were her home. You can't miss the brightly lit open kitchen as you enter the restaurant. We started with Bloody Mary's, that needed a bit more Tabasco for a kick even though the restaurant uses their mix, $8 (heavy drinkers note: bottomless available for $17.50) I was with my friend who [...]
Chef Rafael Palomino just opened Bistro Latino, a new restaurant in Greenwich, CT. It is a contemporary restaurant, bar and event space, framed by dark wood flooring and wine rack panels throughout, located in the former Greenwich Tavern restaurant, which had been Chef Palomino’s American restaurant since 2010. The chef now returns back to his Latin roots, transforming the space into a convivial respite, offering authentic Spanish cuisine bathed in Chef Palomino’s picante style, resulting in a truly original cuisine utilizing only the best ingredients. The restaurant is open 7 days – lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch. For more information, click here. Bistro Latino 1392 East Putnam Avenue Greenwich, [...]
Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood has unveiled a menu exclusively focused on sharable small plates. The menu, created by Chef Anthony Keene, remains dedicated to contemporary Western European cuisine with subtle Asian influences, reinterpreting the award-winning recipes of Gordon Ramsay. Complementing its more accessible à la carte menu will be a less formal approach to service, redesigned uniforms and a more upbeat social atmosphere. The restaurant is open daily for dinner from 6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. For additional information, click here. Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood Hotel 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd. West Hollywood, CA (310)358-7788 - guest contributor
After walking around Midtown we stopped at Cypress Street Pint & Plate for an early afternoon snack. We were just up for enjoying a nibble with glass or two or wine while listening to the weekend music. I recommend the three, tender 2-bite meatball sliders topped with fresh arugula and parmesan shreds ($9). Instead of fries, we ordered the trendy Canadian dish of poutine -- fries smothered in roasted turkey gravy and cheese curd. We asked Cypress to make ours using their house fries in lieu of the menu state tots ($6.5). Quite filling. To round out our snack, we ordered the chopped Caesar salad that — in addition to [...]
