Darien Cheese & Fine Food

Whenever we have guests over, there's always a platter of cheese, charcuterie, olives, and crackers on the table. Making these platters are easy, especially if you have cheesemongers to help you select what to get. Don't know a good one (or two)? May we recommend Ken Skovron and his wife Tori of Darien Cheese & Fine Foods located in the Goodwives Shopping Complex in Darien, CT. They opened this store in 1986 and have been helping their customers find the right cheese. They don't just make a recommendation, they give you a sample and talk about the various cheeses they sell.

Sample extra virgin olive oil in these slabs of marble

First taste: Rodizio Grill opens in Stamford

Picanha - Top Sirloin

Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian steakhouse chain, has taken over the former 7,100 square foot location of Houlihan's, located on 5 Broad Street in downtown Stamford, next to Target.

The new restaurant is owned by the same people who brought the Melting Pot restaurant to the area: James Layfield, tristate area franchisee for Melting Pot Restaurants, along with Edward Zislis, Renee Torres and Basel Al-Nammari, owners of other Melting Pot locations.

Here's a taste of what's in store for you.

First stop, the salad bar. Grab a plate and try some Brazilian staples, like Feijoada, a traditional Brazilian black bean stew with chunks of meat in it, over rice and top it with some Farofa, yucca flour. There is also an assortment of cold salads and hot items, like couve, shredded collard greens with bacon, or bure de patata, creamy whipped potatoes.

Served at your table are even more appetizers, including Banana Frita (small chunks of cinnamon-glazed bananas), Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese bread made with yuca flour and cheese), and Yuca Fries.

And now...where the fun begins...

Smashburger opens in Ramsey, NJ

Smashburger opened its ninth New Jersey location on March 14th at 984 Route 17 North in Ramsey. The Ramsey opening also marks the 150th location for the brand nationwide. Smashburger brings its juicy burgers that are smashed fresh and served delicious, along with its Haagen-Dazs® shakes, great sides and regional menu items crafted to please local palates to its third Bergen County location. 

New Jersey Smashburger with fries

600th Post Cookbook Giveaway

Can you believe it! After 6 years of blogging, I've finally hit my 600th blog post. To celebrate, I'm giving away 2 cookbooks to one lucky reader: New American Table by Marcus Samuelsson and Giada at Home by Giada De Laurentiis.

Fairway Market's Be-Your-Own-Barista Class

Giorgio Milos, Master Barista

illy barista will host a 'Be-Your-Own-Barista Class' on Saturday, March 17^th  2pm at the Fairway Stamford store. During the 60-minute session, learn how to prepare, store, and taste coffee like the pros. The presentation and demonstration will be led by Giorgio Milos, Master Barista at illy caffe. The course costs $20, but you'll get a gift bag containing illy and Fairway coffee-related items valued at $50! Reserve your spot now, because the course is limited to a maximum number of 20 people. To purchase a ticket, call customer service at  (203) 388-9815.

Fairway Market of Stamford
699 Canal Street
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 388-9815
www.fairwaymarket.com

Recipe: Fried Shrimp

Fried shrimp is an easy dish to prepare, especially when you're limited on cooking time. The hardest part of preparing this dish is peeling the shrimp and keeping the tails in tact, but then again, you can always get shrimp that is already peeled and deveined. For this recipe, I like to use extra large shrimp, about 16-20 count. (16-20 count means there are 16 to 20 shrimp per pound). Though, large shrimp would work well.

Westport & Weston Restaurant Week

Westport & Weston Restaurant Week returns for 2012, starting Sunday, March 25 thru Friday March 30, 2012. Participating restaurants will offer a special prix fixe lunch and dinner menu throughout the entire week. Lunch is priced at $15.12 and Dinner is $30.12.

Price Points $15.12/$30.12

• River House Tavern
• Blue Lemon
• DaPietro's Restaurant
• Matsu Sushi
• Oaxaca
• Rizzuto's
• Splash Restaurant & Bar
• Tarantino's
• Tarry Lodge
• V Restaurant And Wine Bar
• Bobby Q's 
• Coromandel 
• Tabouli Grill

Price Points $30.12 (dinner only)

• Acqua Ristorante 

For more information, visit www.westportwestonchamber.com.

Choice Eats happens March 13th

The Village Voice's fifth annual tasting event, "Choice Eats," will be taking place at the 69th Armory on March 13. Eighty-three handpicked restaurants of different cuisines from all five boroughs featured in The Village Voice are represented, along with complimentary craft beer pairings, wine and liquor beverages.

Only guests ages 21 and over admitted.

Tickets are priced at $50 for general admission and $80 for VIPs.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit choiceeats.villagevoice.com.

The Village Voice's 5th Annual Choice Eats Tasting Event
Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
VIP Hour: 5:30 - 6:30PM
Main Event: 6:30 - 9:30PM
The 69th Armory at Lexington Avenue
68 Lexington Ave @ 26th Street, NYC