Now Open in Fairfield: Tasti D Lite AND Pinkberry

Fairfield is now the home of not one, but two new 'ice cream' shops.  They amazingly opened practically the same week, and from the buzz I hear around town, have already developed cult-like followings.  Both are chains better known in other parts of the country, but particularly in New York City.  Tasti D Lite actually opened it's doors in NYC in 1987 and has been popular ever since.  Pinkberry, a relative newcomer to the scene,  began in California in 2005, but has also become extremely popular in NYC.

The similarities between the two are many---both tout a healthier alternative to ice cream.  Both are relatively low-calories; a small serving of Tasti D Lite will run you between 70-100 calories, where the same small serving at Pinkberry is 100-140 calories (depending on flavor).  They each have a dizzying number of variations and fresh toppings. However, that's where it ends---the flavors are really entirely different.

Tasti D Lite, located in the Staples Plaza (which seems like a poorly selected location, in my opinion), is ice cream made from non-fat milk, so it actually tastes like ice cream, and is surprisingly creamy considering there is less than 3% butterfat (most ice creams have up to 10%).  Pinkberry, in a comparably fantastic location right on the Post Road in Fairfield, is actual frozen yogurt with live cultures, and it tastes tangy like yogurt.  So, it is really a matter of personal choice---you are either more of an ice cream person or a yogurt person (I won't tell you which I am). 

Both have a fairly limited number of actual flavors being swirled (no "31 Flavors" here), but have a lot of topping choices. Tasti D Lite had Chocolate,Vanilla, Red Velvet, and Oreo-Peanut Butter "on tap" as they said, but also has at least a million flavor combinations they will make for you right there (which blends in various toppings and flavored syrups).  Pinkberry also had the traditional chocolate and vanilla, plus mango, pomegranate, coconut and pumkin (seasonal).  The toppings ranged from freshly cut fruit, toasted nuts, granola, and then more sinful options like chocolate chips and even rainbow sugar cereal.  I have to admit that in both shops I was a little overwhelmed with too many choices. 

I think because of Pinkberry's great location (right next to Colony Grill) and the media blitz it received, business has been gangbusters.  There has been a line out the door every single time I've passed by.  The times I've been to Tasti D Lite have been a little off-hours, but it wasn't enjoying the luck as it's downtown competition (but is at least three times the physical size).  But, as people get out to try both, I have a feeling people will start showing their allegiances...you either like yogurt or you don't.  But if you don't, then you have to be willing to drive a little out of the way if you want that lower-cal alternative to Dairy Queen.

You never can have enough ice cream....so I wish them both the very best of luck!

Learn more about Tracy's Connecticut cooking classes or find her recipes on her Season To Taste blog.

Post Road Food Finds in Fairfield

Today marks the opening of the much anticipated Colony Grill on the Post Road in Fairfield (in the former Fairfield Stationers space). I, for one, cannot WAIT to go, as I'm still thinking about that delicious 'hot oil pie' I had in the original Stamford location a couple months ago. If you've never experienced the hot oil pie, do not let the name turn you away. The thin crust pizzas drizzled with a spicy 'hot oil' are to die for! NY Rangers captain and Olympian Chris Drury is one of the owners...so keep your eyes peeled!

I also tried Gofer Ice Cream last night, also on the Post Road (next to Fin Sushi). They have lots of hard ice cream flavors (including Cookie Monster--a neon blue ice cream with cookie dough, sure to tempt your kids and stain their insides), plus soft serve, including a fat-free, no sugar-added option called Gofer Lite, which is surprisingly creamy and tasty. The Post Road was in dire need of a kid-friendly ice cream shop ever since Baskin Robbins closed several years ago. Gofer to the rescue!

A little further down the Post Road, The Beach Cafe re-opened as The Shack Hometown Grill, which has a more streamlined, barbeque-inspired menu. Despite the great space, the Beach Cafe's menu was all over the place and never found it's niche. The Shack is a great family-friendly re-incarnation, and the bar scene is definitely hopping after-hours. I've gone a few times with my kids and everyone was happy (and they ALSO happen to have Cookie Monster ice cream on the kiddie menu---go figure).

Also soon to open are the Old Post Tavern (on the corner next to the Community Theatre), and The Greenhouse Grill (in the former Sarabande location on Unquowa Place). Unlike "Main Streets" in other towns, Fairfield is doing an excellent job of keeping lots of restaurants coming in, which makes for a much livelier downtown scene after the stores and banks have closed for the evening. Keep up the good work, Fairfield!

For more information on my Connecticut cooking classes, check out The Secret Ingredient Cooking School website, or my Season to Taste blog for everyday recipe ideas!

Restaurants: Crumbs Bake Shop, Westport, CT

Over the summer while I was window shopping at the Westport Tiffany's something off the beaten path caught my eye. Nestled behind Tiffany's and across the street from the Westport Public Library lies a (relatively) new confectionery mecca, Crumbs Bake Shop. Crumbs is a chain featuring gourmet cupcakes and has several locations in the Tri-State area, including the new spot in Westport, plus New Canaan and Stamford (and MANY in New York City). They also have shops in California, but the rest of the country will have to wait for such luxury.

The store sells coffee and other drinks, plus cookies, brownies and other baked goods, but the cupcakes are clearly the centerpiece of the shop. They are huge and beautiful! They are sold individually ($3.75 for the large, gourmet cupcakes, $2.50 for the smaller plain ones), or in "Taste Packs" which include a dozen mini cupcakes. They are not cheap, but they really do make quite a splash.

Chocolate lovers will be in heaven with favorites such as "Brownie", "Oreo", "Blackout" and "Fudge Chocolate Chip"---as I was with "Squiggle" which is a homemade version of my favorite old-school Hostess creme-filled cupcakes. Those looking for something a little different will enjoy the "Cosmopolitan", "Key Lime Pie", "Fluffernutter", or "Red Velvet". However, I found the chocolaty-flavored cupcakes to have much richer flavor and better moisture.

Crumbs cupcakes are huge and really very pretty. I think anyone would be thrilled beyond belief to receive these as a hostess gift, or they'd be a gorgeous alternative to cake for any occasion. Pricey, yes, but very impressive!

Crumbs Bake Shop

40-44 Post Rd

Westport, CT 06880

203-226-1000
Hours:

Mon - Tues: 8:00am - 9:00pm, Wed - Thurs: 8:00am - 10:00pm, Fri - Sat: 8:00am - 11:00pm, Sun: 8:00am - 9:00pm

Top photo from Crumbs.com

Ommegang: Belgian-Style Beer Brewed in NY

On a recent trip to visit my family in upstate New York, we decided to finally take a tour of the Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown. Mind you, the brewery has been there for years, but I'm not sure what on earth took me so long to get there!

Ommegang began brewing in Belgium in 1549. In 1997, it opened a US microbrewery on a former hops farm right outside of Cooperstown. Recently, Ommegang was "upgraded" to a regional brewery, and distributes its beer all over the United States.

Driving up to the beautiful, huge, cream colored Belgian barn-style buildings, you feel like you're in Napa. Luckily for us, a tour was just beginning as we arrived, so we jumped right in and began learning about the Belgian brewing process. We started in the "kitchen" room where all the ingredients are mixed at the beginning of the process, and followed it all the way through to the bottling room, then to the fermentation room where the bottled beer sits at 85 degrees for two additional weeks before getting shipped out to distributors. Unlike other beers which have a limited shelf life, Ommegang beers actually improve with age, like fine wine. In fact, the brewery has been leasing "cave space" in the nearby Howe Caverns, but will soon be digging "a great big hole" (as described by our adorable tour guide) on the brewery property to simulate their own cave-aging conditions. The guide assured us that their beer is great to drink right away, but true beer connoisseurs may prefer the taste of the aged brews.

Then it was tasting time!! In all, we tried six beers. We started "light" and tried the Belgian white Witte (my favorite), with flavors of orange peel and coriander. We then moved on to golden Hennepin, the "rich ruby brew", Three Philosophers (cherry undertones), the ambers Biere du Mars (my friend's favorite) and Rare Vos, and finally, Chocolate Indulgence (nicknamed "Obamagang" because it was rolled out at inauguration time earlier this year). We also tasted a few cheese spreads made with beer...the blue cheese variety was the best of the bunch.

The beer is bottled both in traditional 12 oz bottles, or 750ml corked bottles (the same size as a bottle of wine). We opted for a case of the 12 oz Witte bottles, but they also have variety packs available in both sizes.

If you ever find yourself in upstate New York near Cooperstown, definitely check out Ommegang. Not only do they brew some fantastic beers, but the brewery is in a beautiful setting, which they invite you to enjoy with a picnic.

Ommegang beers are available in Fairfield at:

SUPER DISCOUNT WINES & SPIRITS, 525 Tunxis Hill Cutoff.

Photos from http://www.ommegang.com/

Restaurants: Eating Out In South Norwalk, CT

South Norwalk is one of my favorite places in Fairfield County. It has the vibe of a fun New York neighborhood...but is much closer to home and you can actually park your car! All summer I've been sticking closer to Fairfield, but over the weekend we celebrated our anniversary with a great night out in SoNo.

It had been a while since we ventured down the Turnpike, and I was surprised to see lots of changes. For those of you who are looking for a fun outing, definitely check out what's happening in South Norwalk!

There are lots of good places to grab pre- or post-dinner drinks. We enjoyed martinis at The Loft, but the Rouge Wine Bar (both on Washington Street) also looked promising. Lots of the bars and restaurants have either sidewalk seating or open-air tables, where you can watch the world pass by on a warm night. When it was time for dinner, we headed across the street for a wonderful meal at Match (also on Washington Street), which is always packed, so be sure you make a reservation! Same goes for Pasta Nostra (Washington St.), Barcelona, and Kazu (both on North Main Street), which are all fantastic and were equally as packed that evening. Reservations are definitely recommended at each of these places.

For a more casual meal, try Burger Bar (fab burgers right next to the movie theatre), Brewhouse, SoNo Seaport Seafood, or The Ginger Man. Other places I noticed that looked worth a return trip were Coromandel Indian Bistro, Osetra Oyster Bar, Strada 18 Apizza e Vino, and Pane e Panini (lunch).

I also made a note to mention the new Tribeca Coffee House (in the former space of Stone Cold Creamery on North Main Street), Caffeine (Washington Street), and Chocopologie (South Main Street) where you can grab coffee, desserts, or even a light meal.

South Norwalk has a lot to offer for an afternoon stroll, an evening out with friends, or date night with your other half. I've barely scratched the surface, because there are many, many more eateries to discover! Next time you're looking for a great eating destination, hop on the Turnpike to exit 15 and discover South Norwalk for yourself!

To learn more about Tracy's Fairfield-based cooking classes, go to:

http://www.thesecretingredientonline.com/

For Tracy's recipes, check out:

www.twolia.com/blogs/season-to-taste

Food Openings in Fairfield, CT

I just took a walk down to the newly expanded Brick Walk Promenade, and am very excited about the food happenings in Fairfield! Lots of yummy openings on the horizon....



Amore Bakery is set to open later this week and will feature cakes, cupcakes, biscotti, and a selection of baked goods from SoNo Bakery in South Norwalk. This well-located bakery will be a welcome addition to Fairfield Center!



Pizzeria Molto Mozzarella and Wine Bar plans to open the first week of September. The space is fabulous---with high, red upholstered booths, old-fashioned tiled floors, a long bar, and high ceilings. It's very urban-chic! The owners tell me they have a full liquor license on the way and can't wait to open in a few weeks.



Flipside Burgers is scheduled to open September 1st, in the former Flying Dish space (which has been redesigned and redecorated). This new burger joint looks to be a great place to grab a burger alone or with the kids, but without feeling like you're eating at a chain. The chef/owner also owns Mediterranean Grill in Wilton.


All of the above restaurants are located in the Brick Walk, Post Road, Fairfield, CT.


AND.....
I've just added new classes to my fall line-up of cooking classes at The Secret Ingredient Cooking School---be sure to check them out at:
www.TheSecretIngredientOnline.com !!!