Harvest Cider Dinner at the National in Greenwich on Nov. 14th

November 7, 2016November 7, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

A fun food experience comes to Greenwich Ct. on November 14, 2016. The Harvest Cider Dinner featuring Downeast Ciders will be held at The National restaurant in Greenwich. The National which opened in 2015 is owned by Geoffrey Zakarian celebrity chef, author and star of several shows on the Food Network.

The dinner which is a culinary event which coincides with Greenwich Restaurant Week will be a true experience including the best of Autumn with a seasonal feast paired with cider from Downeast Ciders of Charlestown, Massachusetts. This will be a three course meal that is expertly prepared and served in the beautiful setting that is The National.

The dinner is $68 per person.

The menu is as follows (subject to change)

First Course
Bibb Lettuce & Lolla Rosa Salad
Blue Cheese, Fennel, Apple, White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Chicken Liver Mousse
Persimmon-Citrus Chutney, Fennel Cracker
Connecticut Burrata
Artichokes, Rapini ,Green Olive Vinaigrette

Mains
Wood Grilled Pork Shoulder
Heirloom Polenta, Spiced Apples, Apple Cider Jus
Pan Roasted Chatham Cod
Butternut Squash, Pomegranates, Five Spice
Wood Roasted Chicken
Wild Rice, Kale, Cured Cabbage, Natural Jus

Dessert
Local Honey Mousse
Mulled Wine Gelee, Almond
NTL Apple Pie Granny Smith Apple, Cranberry, Malted Vanilla Ice Cream

This is a great opportunity to dine at a fantastic restaurant. For more infomation:

Reservations available on The National website, by calling 203-861-6851 or by emailing reservations@thenational-ct.com. Menu items subject to change.

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The National

376 Greenwich Avenue Greenwich Ct tel: 203-861-6851

web: http://thenational-ct.com/

November 14, 2016 starting at 5pm

Greenwich Restaurant Week Returns November 11-20th

October 25, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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November 11-20 2016 marks the return of Greenwich Restaurant Week presented by Moffly Media. Foodies have a fantastic opportunity to try over 30 different participating restaurants. The restaurants will be having special promotions with many having special Price Fixe menus. It is a fabulous opportunity to try a new restaurant or revisit one of your favorites.

Greenwich Restaurant Week kicks off with an Opening Night Party on Thursday November 10 from 6pm to 9pm at The J House in Greenwich. The party will feature tasty tapas and bites from 30 different beverage and food sponsors. In attendance will be Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian who will be signing his new cookbook, and Kathy Lee Gifford who will be showcases her Gifft line of wines by pairing them with dishes prepared by Chef Conor of J House . Tickets to the party are $75. Part of the proceeds benefits the ride service, TAG.

For restaurant week the participating restaurants from the area are: Applausi Osteria, Aux Delices, Back 40 Kitchen, Beach House Cafe, Bella Nonna, Bistro V, Blackstones, Bistro 47, Char, Coast, East End, Elms Street Oyster House, Fortina, Gabrielle’s, Harvest, L’escale. Le Fat poodle, Le Penguin, Little Pub, Lugano,Mediterraneo,Meli-Melo, Old Greenwich Social Club, Polpo, Tarry Lodge, Terra, The Ginger Man, Tredici North, The National, The J House, Winfields and Wuji.

This week only comes once a year so check the website for deals for each participating restaurants. See you there!

for tickets and more information

http://greenwichrestaurantweek.com/

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Camelot: a fresh adaptation of the classic musical at Westport Country Playhouse

October 19, 2016October 19, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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The legendary musical “Camelot” featuring Tony Award winner Robert Sean Leonard is currently being staged at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport Ct. The musical is based on the novel “The Once and Future King”by T.H. White, which retells the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The musical Camelot which opened on Broadway in 1960 and written by Lerner and Lowe starred Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet. It was the recipient of four Tony Awards.

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The story involves King Arthur of England and his ascent to the throne. There he wants to create a new society of men, where differences are not settled by battle and war, but by courts of law. He wants to bring peace to the land and creates a brotherhood of Knights whose mission it is not to bring war but to spread out and do good and noble deeds. Camelot is born and with it is the idealism of a better world. It is in this setting that King Arthur meets and weds Guinevere, and later is joined by Sir Lancelot. It is this relationship that becomes a love triangle and threatens the very foundation of Camelot.

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The current production is a fresh and innovative look at the classic musical. The entire production has been streamlined from the original and the story moves along easily during the 2 hour performance. I have seen other productions of Camelot which are heavier and slower paced. This production seems lighter, fresh and breathes new life into this classic. Almost all the Lerner and Lowe songs are present in the production. As part of the thinning of the story, some of the better known characters such as Merlin are absent.

The performances by the actors are superb! Robert Sean Leonard as King Arthur is magnificent and it is no wonder he is the recipient of several Tony nominations and a Tony Award. He brings a bounty of emotion to the role which was felt by the audience especially at the end of Act 2. Britney Coleman is delightful as Guinevere, as her acting and amazing vocal talents light up the stage. Excellent performances were also given by the rest of the cast including Stephen Mark Lukas as Lancelot and Patrick Andrews as Mordred. A wonderful job by David Lee who adapted the book, and Mark Lamos for his direction. The cast was greeted by an enthusiastic standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance.

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Performances run through November 5th 2016.

for tickets and more information including videos:

http://www.westportplayhouse.org/

Westport Playhouse

25 Powers Court Westport Ct

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From the creator of House of Cards: “Farragut North” at the Ridgefield Theater Barn

September 14, 2016September 14, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

Playwright Beau Willimon, the creator of “House of Cards” (Netflix hit series), delivers a powerful and timely play about the inner workings of presidential campaign. The work was influenced by his own personal experience of working on both US Senate and Presidential campaigns.

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Farragut North premiered in 2008 at the Atlantic Theater Company in New York and would become the basis for the screenplay for the motion picture “Ides of March“. That screenplay was written by Willimon, George Clooney and Grant Heslov (The Monuments Men). The play has now come to the Ridgefield Theater Barn and will be performed through October 1, 2016

The play is set during a presidential campaign in the days leading up to the Iowa Caucuses. The audience meets many of the main characters in Scene One including Stephen (Jack Tynan) they young and blindly ambitious press secretary, his boss Paul (Fred Rueck) the seasoned campaign manager, Ida (Julie Zelman) the crafty and ambitious New York Times reporter who will do whatever it takes for a story, and Ben (Ryan Wenke) the young reserved staff assistant who is kept at a distance by his seasoned superiors. We learn in this scene both the intrigue and the behind the scenes tactics of a national campaign and how the campaign can manipulate the press and craft the candidates message to serve its needs.

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Scene Two of Farragut North is a critical scene where Stephen meets secretly with Tom (Steven A Miller) who is the Campaign Manager of his rival. In the meeting in a quiet restaurant outside Des Moines, we learn the dirty secrets of misinformation and poll manipulation by the other candidate. The crafty Tom leads Stephen to believe that his candidates campaign is all but over and he should jump ship and join his team. Stephen who is both young and ruthlessly ambitious has had his life turned upside down by these revelations and he begins to question his own future.

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The political intrigue and games continue for the rest of the play with the appearance of Molly (Margaret Fegan) who is a young amorous intern who is learning more than just national campaigns. It is her interactions with Stephen that brings to light issues of loyalty, fidelity, betrayal and honesty both on a personal level and in the campaign.

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There are excellent performances all around and direction by Cathy Fitzgerald Linder is first rate.

NOTE: The play contains adult language and subject matter and is not suitable for minors.

Tickets: $24 ( a real bargain!!) $20 for seniors, students and veterans

Seating in the 70 seat theater is Cabaret style at tables and doors open 1 hour before showtime. You can bring your own food, wine and snacks to enjoy prior to the show.

For tickets and information:

Ridgefield Theater Barn

37 Halpin Lane Ridgefield Ct

http://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/

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Johnny Utah’s: Southwest food and fun comes to South Norwalk

September 14, 2016September 14, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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The South Norwalk, Ct. (SoNo) scene is known for its dining, shops and galleries. Along Washington Street which is the epicenter of the SoNo revival is an interesting spot that is quite different from the rest of its neighbors. Johnny Utah’s is a new bar and restaurant featuring barbeque, fun drinks, a mechanical bull, country music and even line dancing on the weekends.

The menu features an affordable barbeque and southwestern inspired menu. Amazing burgers (10 oz)start as low as $5.00, alluring cocktails, unique chicken wings, and over the top milk shakes are some of the items that will draw your attention to this fun dining experience.

Starters: try the Philly Egg rolls with shaved Philly steak onions and cheese served with Johnny’s Barbeque sauce. It was crispy and full of flavor. We followed that up with Pickle Chips, which are lightly battered and fried and served with a chipotle mayo on the side. It is an interesting combo of flavor and texture.

Philly Steak Eggrolls

We also tried a sampler of chicken wings, a staple in many bars today. There are several types available and we sampled the BBQ, a very hot and spicy sriracha, and the unusual peanut butter and jelly wings served with fluff as a dipping sauce. The wings were crispy and not soaked with grease and were quite tasty.

Pickle Chips

Chicken wing sampler with the PB and J Wings

Main: Burgers are a mainstay here and the big 10 oz beef patty served on a brioche bun is both large and filling. Prices start at a bargain price of $5 for a naked burger and then go up as you add toppings. To build your own burger you have the choice of adding an assortment of cheeses, onions, mushroom, peppers, fried egg, and much more. Fries are extra. We sampled a burger with swiss and a slice of fresh avocado which was delish. Ribs are also a favorite on the menu and despite the lack of an on site smoker the ribs were soft and tender. They are available in 1/4 ,1/2,3/4 and full racks.

Burger with swiss and avocado on a brioche bun

Cocktails: along with the regular assortment of beer there are some interesting cocktails. Try the Johnny Utah, a blend of Bacardi rum, coconut rum, Captain Morgan spiced rum with pineapple and cranberry juice. This drink was sweet, tropical and quite potent without being overpowering. For the real adventurous try the signature “bull bowl”. The Buckin’ Berry is a real crowd pleaser as it served in a huge oversized cocktail glass with Smirnoff vodka, sourberry lemon vodka, homemade lemonade, blueberry vodka and blue curacao. The drink is then garnished with a popsicle! As the bartender pours the drink you watch it bubble and steam rises from the glass! It is very sweet and served with 4 straws for you and your friends to enjoy.

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Dessert: Johnny Utah’s offers some amazing milk shakes to cool down the barbeque and hot wings you may have eaten. There are several to choose from and we shared the decadent chocolate milkshake with a huge brownie on top.

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The interior is composed of dark wood, and two rooms with two full bars, a small elevated stage, tables for dining, and of course the mechanical bull ring. If you are going to dine, they are open for lunch and we dined at 6pm and the restaurant was lightly occupied. I understand later in the evening Johnny Utah’s draws quite a crowd looking to enjoy the cocktails, line dancing and music. A fun place to sample a southwestern cuisine and atmosphere not usually found in our area.

Johnny Utah’s

80 Washington St Norwalk Ct. 203 299 0711

http://www.johnnyutahssono.com/

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Arezzo Ristorante: fine waterfront Italian dining in Westport

July 31, 2016July 31, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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If you want a Tuscany inspired dining experience then you must try Arezzo Ristorante in Westport Connecticut. The restaurant is set alongside the Saugatuck River with gorgeous waterfront views. Diners can choose to eat inside in the covered sun deck, or on the open air patio complete with umbrellas and an outdoor bar.

There is a newly renovated interior with stone archways, stucco walls and charming dark wood beams. The bar inside is also inviting with dark leather accents and rich wood details.

Fun and innovative cocktails

The menu has quite a selection with dishes finished in the high heat of the wood burning oven. There are delicious homemade pastas, unique pizza selections and fresh fish, chicken and meat dishes from which to choose. For the salad lover there are many choices from seasonal produce and fun creations such as roasted beets, pistachios and shaved artichokes.

Pasta Tasting: Orecchettie with sausage, Gnocchi, and Seafood Risotto

Antipasto

Eggplant Crustini

Watermelon Salad

Tuna Tartare

Entree selections include dishes for all tastes such as Filet Mignon, Melanzane al forno (Eggplant), various chicken and veal dishes, as well as seafood delights such as Branzino, Fisherman’s Stew (scallops, shrimp, and calamari in a tomato broth with fennel) and more.

Halibut aqua pazza with clams, mussels in a cherry tomato broth

There is also an delightful selection of desserts including fruit tarts, brulees , tiramisu and gelato.

Tiramisu

The view from the outdoor patio is fantastic and the overall ambiance is perfect for dining al fresco on a warm summer evening. For a real Italian restaurant experience, check out Arezzo Ristorante in downtown Westport. Delicioso!

Arezzo Ristorante/Bar

5 Riverside Ave Westport Ct 203-557-9375

http://www.arezzowestport.com

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Best of the Gold Coast Party! A party not to miss !

July 25, 2016 / I On The Valley / Leave a comment

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A great party is coming on July 28th 2016 to our area. The Best of the Gold Coast party is the celebration of the summer that you cannot miss! The Best of the Gold Coast celebrates the finest restaurants, chefs, creative talent and businesses from the Gold Coast of Connecticut.

At the party there is a fabulous mix of fine food, drinks, cocktails, entertainment and more. The winners of the Best of the Gold Coast are chosen by the readers and editors of all 5 magazines published by Moffly Media (Greenwich, Westport, New Cannan-Darien, Stamford and Fairfield Living magazines).

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The main categories are best “Food and Drink”, “Living and Home” and “Style and Beauty”. In other words, the party celebrates the best of everything.

So come out for a night of fun, because it only comes once a year!

When: July 28th 2016 from 6pm to 9pm (General Admission at 7pm)

Where : Hilton Stamford – 1 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902

Tickets :Exclusive pre-party “Behind the Velvet Rope” entrance at 6:00 pm — $100

General Admission: $65 enter at 7pm

To purchase tickets and for more information on the party and Moffly Media’s outstanding magazines:

http://www.bestofgoldcoastct.com/b/Best-of-the-Gold-Coast-Party-2016/

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