CTbites Top Eats of 2014

In terms of eating, the CTbites team of writers, photographers, and chef friends have managed to sample and savor more than most. 2014 has been a stellar year for restaurant openings as Fairfield County and the surrounding areas continue to draw great culinary talent.  Instead of coming up with a top ten list, they have asked the CTbites extended family to share some of their most memorable meals and dining experiences this past year.

Following are some of thier favorite meals and restaurants of 2014. I have chosen to highlight favorites by Jeff Schlesinger and Nick Martschenko because they are local to New Canaan. For the full list click HERE - South End is mentioned many times!

Jeff Schlesinger, Editor at Large

Appetizer - Harlan Social’s Artichoke Muffaletta. It pairs a glass jar filled with an artichoke / olive salad (with tons of other ingredients) with a scoop of the wonderfully creamy Stracciatella di Burrata.

Appetizer – The Whelk’s Green Goddess Deviled Eggs made me a believer that this dish can rise to spectacular levels. The fried oyster and pickeled onions separates this version from any other.

Burger - The Walrus + Carpenter burger is a shoe-in to make my top burger list in a few months. A crisp char, flavorful grass-fed meat with Bourbon onions separated this rendition from the rest, an incredible burger.

Food Truck- Vanchetta’s Porchetta sandwich was outstanding. Great rotisserie pork with slaw, provolone, red onion marmalade…all hitting the palate simultaneously.

Meat Entrée – South End’s Pork Chop Scarpariello, a >1” chop with a few hot peppers, chunks of hot and sweet sausage, some incredibly flavorful potatoes and broccoli rabe and you have the perfect meat entrée.

Meatballs – How can you pass up the meatball sampler at Bar Sugo? Each is delicious by itself and together are fantastic.

Pizza – Locali’s “The American X-Butcher” grabs this spot. The dough was perfect with toppings that include DOP tomatoes, bacon, Vidalia onion, potato slices and topped with organic farm eggs. It was exceptional.

Sandwich –JAX & Co.’s Cubano. The combination anchored by incredible pulled pork was outstanding, and the spicy mustard really kicked up the heat.

Soup - Match’s pho ga was delicious. It was deep in flavor, the sriracha added a touch of spice and the hoisin the delightful umami. This was one great bowl of pho.

Taco – The pork taco at Rincon Taqueria is an easy winner. The shredded pork was one of the best braised pork dishes I have tasted and could easily be served as an entrée.  

Not in Fairfield County…a special call out is required for the Luigi Bianco pizza at Fortina in Armonk. Start with a perfect crust and add some burrata, robiolona, and parmesan cheeses and then take it to pizza stardom with the swaths of black truffle. Wow!!

Nick Martschenko, Chef at South End

Thank you both for wanted to include me.  Pretty cool!  Here are some of my favorite things that I put in my mouth in 2014!  Sorry they are not all new but definitely memorable to me.  

Locali, New Canaan...Anything Chef Mogan makes is delicious, especially there sides and salsa

Mecha Noodle Bar, Fairfield..Chicken Ramen but you need to have it with the Chashu-Roasted Pork Belly

Gelatissimo, New Canaan....Pistachio Gelato

Acme, NYC....There Chicken and Egg dish is just ridiculous

No. 9 Great Jones, NYC

Brodo, NYC....Marco's Ribolitta soup and all of his bone healing Brodo's.  Only in NYC can something like this work.

N
Submitted by New Canaan, CT

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