Month: September 2019

Savor Lobster: a fun foodie event at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

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Sample delicious bites of lobster and other sustainably sourced seafoods on Sun., Sept. 22 as TownVibe publications and The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk host an adults-only event  named Savor Lobster.

This special foodies event, from 3 to 6 p.m. in The Maritime Aquarium, also will feature samplings of wines and beers from area retailers and breweries, as well as a celebrity-judged “best bite” contest. Chef Matt Storch, winner of Food Network’s “Chopped” and owner of Match Burger Lobster in Westport, Match in South Norwalk and Nom Eez in Bridgeport, will be judging the contest along with blogger and food critic Andrew Dominick of popular site “Food Dudes,” and CT Bites contributor Kristin Wolfe.

TownVibe, publisher of six award-winning magazines, is organizing Savor Lobster.

Attendees of the event  can devour tasty bites of lobster prepared by the area’s best purveyors; sip craft cocktails by local favorite SoNo 1420 as well as wine and beer from local distilleries, breweries and suppliers.  And there will music provided  by Star 99.9’s onsite DJs.  As a bonus the aquarium will be open to all to explore.

Participating food brands include LobsterCraft of Fairfield, Lobster Hut Hamden, Tarry Lodge of Westport, D. Myles Chef & Catering, and EP Experience Catering. Poppy’s Cheesecake of Bridgeport will be among the retailers serving up sweets.

Tickets for Savor Lobster are $40 and include the lobster bites, drink samples, sweets and Aquarium galleries. Full-size food portions and drinks will be available for purchase.

Please note that The Maritime Aquarium will close to the public at noon on Sept. 22.

For tickets and more information, visit savorlobster.com.

Town Vibe is the publisher of of high-quality lifestyle magazines, digital products, and culinary experiences for the areas most sophisticated, savvy, and sensible readers. TownVibe’s six award-winning magazines including Fairfield, Ridgefield, Wilton, Bedford, Litchfield and Berkshire.  Learn more at www.townvibe.com.

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Savor Lobster at  Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

10 North Water Street   Norwalk, CT 06854

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Greenwich Wine and Food Festival returns September 20th and 21st with great food, chefs, and a concert!

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The must attend food and wine festival is back ! The 2019 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival presented by PepsiCo, benefitting Food Rescue US and the Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation Foundation, returns for its ninth year Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21 to the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, CT. It’s not just a foodie event, it’s a party that ends with an evening concert featuring recording artists, Little Big Town.

The Opening Night Gala presents “The Big Easy” honoring Martha Stewart (Friday) for her contributions to the culinary, entertaining and lifestyle worlds, in addition to the 2019 Serendipity Most Innovative Chefs.  The evening, hosted by Gary Dell’Abate and Rob Burnett, will showcase the culinary and music scene of New Orleans, featuring the cuisine of this year’s talented chefs, as well as a number of Festival Ambassador Chefs, accompanied with cocktails and carefully curated wine and beer selections.

 

The full-day Culinary Village event (Saturday) offers tastings and samples from more than 300 food, wine, spirits and product vendors.  Guests will enjoy culinary and cocktail demos by celebrity chefs and national/local talent, celebrity book signings, the 8th annual Burger Battle, the 6th annual Top Bartender Showdown presented by Ketel One, chef interviews in the Celebrity Green Room, Beer & Burgers, Ultimate Taco!, The Tailgate, Lawn Games presented by Tanqueray and live performances on the Pepsi Music Stage by Michael Franti & Spearhead and Little Big Town.  The LIFEWTR VIP Tent will offer VIP ticket holders private bars, secluded seating areas, a private concert viewing area, priority parking and a special VIP Ambassador Dinner.  The Lawn + Stage Table Dinner, a separate ticketed event, includes a Cocktail Party with celebrity talent, a four-course seated dinner with table service from Chef Carlos Baez (El Segundo, Norwalk, CT and The Spread, Greenwich and Norwalk, CT) .

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This is a must attend event that takes place in beautiful Roger Sherman Baldwin Park right on the water in Greenwich harbor.  So bring your thirst and your appetite for this fantastic festival.

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Festival Concert Stage

For more information on the schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.greenwichwineandfood.com.

WHEN:           Friday, September 20, 7:00pm to 10:30pm  and Saturday, September 21, 12:30pm to 10:00pm (12:00 pm early access for VIP ticket holders)

WHERE:         Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, 100 Arch Street, Greenwich (Walking distance from the Greenwich Metro North Station; Shuttle Service will also be provided) By car take exit 3 (Arch Street) on Interstate 95 and turn right at the bottom of the ramp.

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Last of The Red Hot Lovers: Neil Simon’s classic comedy now at the Ridgefield Theater Barn

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The classic Neil Simon play “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” is now playing at the Ridgefield Theater Barn through September 28th.   This comedy which was first staged on Broadway in 1969 was the recipient of four Tony Award nominations.

 

The play is in three acts with each act  featuring Barney Cashman, (Duane Lanham) a  married forty something  year-old owner of a seafood restaurant.  Barney is afraid he is missing out on the sexual revolution of the 1960’s . In the space of several months, he invites three different women to his mother’s Manhattan apartment in an attempt to have an afternoon of extramarital fun.  Each scene involves a different woman, and the Barney learns quickly that the sexual revolution may not be his cup of tea.

His first encounter is with Elaine Navazio (Paulette Layton) who he meets in his restaurant.  Elaine we find is in an open marriage and is quite comfortable with having extramarital affairs.  Elaine is put off by Barney’s sexual  ineptness and his inexperience with affairs as well as his  desire for a meaningful encounter.  The exchange between the two is  quite comical as his inexperience is represented by not having cigarettes or the right alcohol on hand.    Barney decides this lifestyle is not for him.

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Paulette Layton and Duane Lanham

In Act Two, we are back in the apartment months later and Barney has now met a young actress Bobbi Michele (Kate Patton) in the park.  He soon finds his young friend is really not what he expected.  Even though he is now prepared with booze and packs of cigarettes, young Bobbi just wants to talk about herself, her career and smoke pot, which she encourages Barney to try.   She is quite the contrast to the amorous Elaine from Act One.

In Act Three the tone of the play turns a bit darker and deeper as it probes into morality.  Here we meet Jeanette Fisher (Linda Seay) who is the wife of a good friend.  Barney has learned that Jeanette’s husband has been carrying on an affair for some time and convinces her that her own affair will even the score.  But from the moment she walks into the apartment it is clear that Barney’s plan of an afternoon of sex is not what he imagined.  Jeanette does not know why she really is there, does not want cigarettes or alcohol and her exaggerated body language and running away from Barney is not only comedic but lets the audience and Barney know that this is not what she wants.  She does want to find people that are kind and who are “decent”.   It is in this dialogue which is so different from the previous Acts that Barney comes to an awakening that everything he really needs is waiting at home.

Duane Lanham was wonderful as Barney and we love his physical style of comedy and his hysterical facial expressions.  He is one of our favorite actors at the Barn, having seen him in Wreck the Halls, Rumors, and the hysterical  Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.  We loved  Paulette Layton, Kate Patton, and Linda Seay, and they are  all very funny actors playing very different roles.  Well done ladies.   The opening night crowd agreed with rousing applause for the cast and crew.

The play was directed by Michael Ferrara  who as a young boy acted in Neil Simon’s  The Gingerbread Lady.  Though the play is now 50 years old, it subject of morality and truth is still relevant today.

The Ridgefield Theater Barn is a small intimate space.  Theater goers are encouraged to bring food and drink to the theater to enjoy prior to the performance.

for tickets and information:

https://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/tickets/

Ridgefield Theater Barn

37 Halpin Lane
Ridgefield CT 06877

tel. 203.431.9850

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Party like its 1979 at “Disco Nights” at the Capitol Theater, Friday Sept. 13th

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disco port chesterIts time to shake your grove thing!  The Capitol Theater in Port Chester NY will be hosting Turn Back the Cap , 1970s “TheDisco Nights”.  It should be a fun evening of music at this iconic theater which was recently voted best Music Space and best Event Space for 2019 by Westchester Magazine.    The event takes place Friday  September13th. Doors open at 6:30 and show starts at 8pm

From the producer of the Back to The Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl and Party Rock – ML Presents brings you “The Disco Nights“. Feel the vibrations of the bass & “Everybody Dance” like it’s Studio 54. Break out your disco clothes  from your storage and throw down your greatest Soul Train moves. The show will be jamming from start to finish with your favorite grooves- Chic, Donna Summer, The BeeGee’s & so much more… it’s Saturday Night Fever all over again!

The Disco Nights line up includes incredible vocalists Alessandra Guercio, Jerome Bell and Adam Bastian from “American Idol” and “The Voice”. Backed by one of the tightest bands and veterans of the New York City music scene. Our Musical Director and Billboard charting superstar JJ Sansaverino on guitar, Stanley Banks on the bass, Etienne Lytle and Patrick Firth on the keys, Damon DueWhite on the drums, and Danny Sadownick on Percussion.

So come on out to the Capitol Theater and boogie down!  Must be 18 or over or be accompanied by a guardian.

For tickets and information:

http://www.thecapitoltheatre.com/event/1871403-turn-back-cap-1970s-ft-port-chester/

The Capitol Theater

149 Westchester Avenue  Port Chester NY

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UnWined Wine Bar: unwind at this hip wine bar and kitchen in Somers

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We are often asked about new places in our area to dine. Recently we enjoyed a visit to UnWined Wine Bar & Kitchen located in Somers.

Longtime Westchester resident, Stephanie Small of Waccabuc and Brian Moss of Somers are also the owners of Uncorked Wine & Spirits, located next door. The wine bar, which opened in 2018, is bringing new energy to the area’s dining scene. This wine bar features a full menu, along  with an extensive wine list — it’s a real hidden gem! The owners have brought a hip urban vibe to customers in the area seeking such a venue.

UnWined Wine Bar & Kitchen  features more than 30 wines by the glass, wine by the bottle, creative cocktails and a variety of small plates. The small plates are an eclectic mix of cuisines, and compliment the extensive wine list.  Wines cover most of the major wine regions including Europe, California and South America. Prices start at just $9 per glass.

The interior of the wine bar includes a beautiful multi seat curved marble bar, seating options that include pub tables, high backed banquettes, wooden tables reclaimed from centuries old wood, and Edison bulb lighting.  The overall effect creates a fun and hip atmosphere.

Menu items cover a wide array of dishes — such as creative salads, seafood, flat breads, small plates, steak and plenty in between. Some of the items we sampled are as follows:

Tiny Tuna Tacos, not really a taco but rather sushi grade tuna with avocado served on a wonton crisp.

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Tiny Tuna tacos ( actual serving is 3 on a plate)

Caramelized Peaches and Chorizo is an interesting dish served in a small square iron skillet and brushed with a honey glaze.  Its blend of flavors was quite unique and satisfying.

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Peaches and Chorizo

Grilled Flatbread: with three on the menu we sampled two, including one with stracciatella, prosciutto, arugula and pesto with a light balsamic glaze.  Great for one or to share with friends. The other flatbread was the Charred broccoli with mozzarella, ricotta and red pepper flakes. The crust was thin and toasty and was the perfect complement to the toppings.

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Flatbread

Un Lobster Roll was one of the larger items we sampled and has  a twist on the classic lobster roll! It featured fresh chunks of lobster served on a thick slice of buttered brioche toast and topped with watercress. The brioche toast really set this roll apart from other lobster rolls we have dined on elsewhere.

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Un Lobster Roll

IPA Battered Fish and Chips will satisfy your appetite with fresh pieces of cod that are battered and fried and served with hand cut chips, along with a side of chipotle remoulade.

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IPA Battered Fish and Chips

There are plenty of options on the menu with three salads, numerous sides and some interesting dishes — we will be sure to try the next time!  UnWined Wine Bar offers a unique experience and is great for date night, or girls night out.  Out for a drive or apple picking near by, then UnWined is the perfect spot to cap off your day.  The small plates encourage you to sample a variety of different dishes, and the fantastic wine selection will allow you to create the perfect pairing.

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UnWined Wine Bar & Kitchen

Somers Commons Shopping Center

80 Route 6 ( right next door to UnCorked Wines & Spirits)

Baldwin Place, NY 10505

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