Restaurants - WCCT

Spicy Food Challenge #5: Szechuan Cuisine from New Haven's Taste of China

By Alison Geisler — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:04:00 EDT

For the first time in my life, I had real, authentic Chinese food, not the American-ized stuff we're so used to. Not that I don't love what's on the majority of Chinese restaurant menus I've come across, but the food at New Haven's Taste of China on Chapel Street is delicious and seems to be made out of real food.

A Culinary Excursion to Catalunya From West Hartford

By Emily Pickelson — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:40:00 EDT

Sometimes a meal is just a meal, and sometimes it’s an educational experience that will elevate the palate with new flavors specific to regional cuisine. The latter was the case at Barcelona’s recent Catalunya dinner – part of a series of evenings designed by Executive Chef, Alex Feldman, to highlight the diverse culinary offerings of Spain. Nestled in the northeast corner of the country, the Catalan region of Spain boasts its own distinct language and food style: which is heavily influenced by the coastal area’s spectacular seafood, as well as the lush country side of the area. For $35 (with an additional cost for a wine flight tailored to the flavors of the meal), we were treated to a perfectly balanced, four course meal which celebrated the traditions of Catalunya through the flavors of its food.

Great Places For Mussels in Fairfield County

By Elizabeth Keyser — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:15:00 EDT

Tasty and filling bivalves abound

When a group of friends got together for lunch recently in Greenwich, we grew silent as we looked at the menu. None of us wanted to spend a lot of money. What to order? My friends chose pizzas and salads. But when my mussels arrived, everyone let out an envious breath.

Black Rock Vintners Produces Quality Wines From an Unlikely Location

By Marc Ferris — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:10:00 EDT

The grapes are grown elsewhere but the fermentation takes place in Black Rock

The labels on the bottles of red wine crafted by Black Rock Vintners depict the Fayerweather Lighthouse, which stands at the mouth of Black Rock harbor. The company's white wines carry a more modern drawing of the landmark lighthouse, visible across the waters off the tony neighborhood near St. Mary's by the Sea.

Where To Get a Burger A Caballo (a.k.a. With Egg) in Connecticut

By Alison Geisler — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:40:00 EDT

A fried egg atop a burger is a thing of beauty

Every month has some kind of national food designation attached to it. And it seems like every day is national cheese-covered something day, or blank-on-a-bun day. As we gear up for the unofficial start of summer and grilling season, we celebrate National Burger Day on May 28. But May also happens to be National Egg Month. Eggs and ground beef don't commingle constructively in many cases, but where they really shine is at their simplest: A fried egg laid on top of a ground beef patty.

Cicada Invadas

By Alison Geisler — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:23:00 EDT

We welcome our new insect overlords

So, by now you've probably heard something about this cicada business that's supposed to start like any second now. These little dudes who've been buried in the ground for the last 17 years are just about ready to wriggle up to the surface and get it on in the trees for like a month. But we hear cicadas every year, so what's the big effing D this year?

Ordinary in New Haven Offers Old-Timey Charm

By Alison Geisler — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:05:00 EDT

Local restaurant guys breathe new life into a beloved spot

Ordinary

What Goes Into Making New Potato Chip Flavors?

By Chris Burns — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:15:00 EDT

Potato chips might be the most popular snack food in the United States. According to a 2010 report by the National Academies of Science, Americans spent over $7.1 billion on potato chips in 2009. That's $2 billion dollars more than the U.S. government spent on investments into energy research and development.

"The Fruit Hunters" Looks at the History and Politics of Fruit

By Austen Fiora — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:15:00 EDT

Playing tonight in New Haven and later this week in Hartford

The Fruit Hunters

Creative Dishes and Musical Masterpieces at the Bushnell

By Michael Hamad — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:25:00 EDT

HSO director Carolyn Kuan (pictured), no doubt after watching too many episodes of Iron Chef, dreamed up a terrific idea: why not invite area chefs to create new dishes based on musical masterpieces? Participating area restaurants include Firebox, Max Downtown, Peppercorn's Grill, Pond House and Salute; sample Stonington sea scallops inspired by Brubeck, rosewater sabayon after Faure, a very Verdi tagliolini and two other exciting new entrees. Visit hartfordsymphony.org for more info.