Chowdafest Showcases CT Magazine Award Winning Restaurants

Chowdafest, Presented By Stop & Shop, Showcases Recent Connecticut Magazine Award Winning Restaurants

Ridgefield's own Bernard's Restaurant ranked best in four categories: overall excellence, French restaurant, bistro and brunch. They were also ranked as the second most romantic restaurant and for having the second best wine selection

Many of Connecticut Magazine's 2014 Reader's Choice Award Winning Restaurants will be putting their talent and reputation on the line at this year's Chowdafest competition on Feb. 2. Among them is Bernard's of Ridgefield, voted best overall restaurant in the state. The magazine surveyed their readers in 35 categories and Bernard's ranked best in four categories: overall excellence, French restaurant, bistro and brunch. They were also ranked as the second most romantic restaurant and for having the second best wine selection.

"I think people will be surprised to see a French restaurant in the competition and the fact we're entering a classic New England clam chowder" said acclaimed chef and co-owner Bernard Bouissou. "We are looking forward to competing in Chowdafest against the great chefs and restaurants in our state".

Other magazine award winners include The Spread in Norwalk recognized as the best new restaurant and appetizers in the state. They also came in second for overall excellence and cocktails plus ranked as third best brunch. The Spread will be showcasing their culinary talent in the creative chowder category at the competition.

Chowdafest will also feature Fairfield's Mecha Noodle Bar voted as best Asian restaurant and second best "hidden gem". "Mecha Noodle Bar adds a dynamic new element to Chowdafest. There's a void in great Asian cuisine and we are excited to see them in the competition" said Stephanie Webster, CT Bites.com food blog founder and editor in chief.

Also spicing up this year's Chowdafest competition is Tikkaway Grill in New Haven which was recognized as the third best Indian restaurant in Connecticut and will be competing in the soup & bisque category. Super Duper Weenie of Fairfield won second place for best road food and will be entered in the new traditional category exclusively for Manhattan and Rhode Island chowders. The Wood 'n Tap restaurant from Orange, who is competing in the traditional New England clam chowder category was recognized as the third best family dining experience.

Of course, these restaurants will be up against steep competition as this year's Chowdafest competition features a total of 32 entries from 29 restaurants including: Bistro 7 (Wilton), Brennan's Tap Room (Norwalk), Brewhouse (Norwalk), Cask Republic (New Haven, Stamford), Close Harbour Seafood (Planstville), Donovan's (Norwalk – defending New England clam chowder champion), Guvnor's Brewery (Norwalk), High Tide Gourmet (Madison), Indigo by the Water (Milford), Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale (New Haven), Liquid Lunch (Shelton, Milford), Mansion Clam House (Westport, 2x champion), Old Post Tavern (Fairfield), Parallel Post (Trumbull), Post 154 (Westport), Rory's (Darien), Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood (Rowayton), Southport Brewing Company (Southport, Stamford, Brandford, Milford – 2x champion) and Taven on Main (Westport)

Chowdafest is the premier culinary competition in Conncecituct and second largest such event in all of New England. It's an annual fundraiser benefiting Connecticut Food Bank where attendees sample decadent chowders, soups and bisque, then rate each soup which determines the winners. Admission is just $12 adults and $5 for kids 6-12. Save $2 per adult ticket with an advanced purchase at any New Haven and Fairfield County Stop & Shop location.

Chowdafest will be held Feb. 2, from 11am to 3pm at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard conveniently off exit 27 on I-95 in Bridgeport. This zero waste event is presented by Stop & Shop and sponsored by The Farmer's Cow, FIAT of Fairfield County, World Centric, Cracker Barrel, Sierra Nevada Brewery, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Chabaso Artisan Bakery, Frontier Soups, Victoria Fine Foods, Westminster Crackers, The Trumbull Marriott, Star 99.9, CT Bites.com, Omnon.com, HamletHub.com, Sustainable America and Clarke, New England's Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen.

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Submitted by New Fairfield, CT

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