Christina Collins

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Where Feast & Merriment abounds” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_dropcaps style=”fancy-style” background_color=”#727272″]T[/mk_dropcaps][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1539276684447{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]apas is my favorite style of eating. Small plates of deliciousness of all kinds intended to share- what could be better? On any given Sunday, you can find me at Barcelona in Stamford, CT with a bottle of Rioja and surrounded by cured meats, cheeses and tapas. And I will stay there all-day-long.

I actually love Barcelona on any day or night of the week, but Sundays is my personal favorite because their wine list is 50%. What makes this deal even sweeter is that Barcelona has the best wine list of any restaurant in the area. At most other restaurants the problem is which wine to choose because they are all mediocre and highly overpriced, even at 50% off! Here, the problem I run into is which one not to choose. The wine at Barcelona is well curated and it does not go unnoticed.

Okay, enough about wine. Lets talk about the food. The menu has a few consistent items that you can always count on like the manchego and jamon croquettes and the meatballs, but they change the menu frequently with the seasons and this keeps it interesting for us regulars. The food here has never disappointed me and I’ve eaten here well over 30 times.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1539809173864-68638fdc-f504-4″ include=”2809,2813″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1523045914292{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Barcelona is a great place to go with friends, on a date or even by yourself if you are like me and like to saddle up to the bar. It’s also a fantastic spot for Sunday brunch with unequivocally the best Bloody Mary bar in town.  (Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday.)

I recommend Barcelona for anyone who enjoys great Mediterranean inspired tapas food, mainly with origins from Spain, excellent wines and sherry’s, and a lively, yet rustic, ambiance. The only downside to Barcelona is the same as everywhere in Stamford- the parking isn’t great, but if you take an Uber your night just got better with door to door service![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Recommended for:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_custom_list style=”mk-icon-ok”]

• Bloody Mary Bar: You won’t find a better one around.
• Sunday Wine Down: 50% off bottles all day on Sunday.
• The Food: The food is fantastic.

[/mk_custom_list][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”large” url=”https://www.barcelonawinebar.com/location/stamford/” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#e69b10″ btn_hover_bg=”#4c4c4c” btn_hover_txt_color=”#ffffff”]Visit Barcelona’s Website[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_media_grid initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1539809173866-c6f6b4c7-244e-3″ include=”2814,2817,2812,2813,2811,2818,2810,2807″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Meat matters” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1544735085677{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]I have so much I want to say about why we should all be buying our meat from independently owned, professional butcher shops and not run of the mill, “B” grade grocery stores. But I’ll save my soap box speech for another post. But it relates to why I recommend Crisfield’s Prime Meats as one of Westchester’s best local butcher shops.

Family owned and operated for as long as I have been a Sound Shore resident, the meat here speaks for itself. They specialize in high quality meats and they butcher them expertly. John, the owner, is always happy to talk to you about recommendations on cuts or how to cook something. It’s not uncommon for me to walk in to buy a simple chicken and getting side tracked and walking out with something totally unplanned like Heritage pork chops or a crown roast.

One of my absolute favorite things at Crisfield’s are the house blended “Super Burgers.” After having one of these, it’s actually hard to have another burger anywhere. They don’t always have them so call first to ask.

Crisfield’s also has a good selection of speciality sandwiches and house made foods. Among my favorite prepared food item is their fresh baked ham. It is SO good. I’ll go ahead and say it’s the best ham I have ever had. Sometimes, I don’t even bother with a sandwich- I just order a few slices and it doesn’t even make it home. So good.

Conveniently, they also have your necessary produce, sauces and other supplies you need to pull off a delicious meat focused meal. And if they don’t have something you need to round out your meal, you can always pop over to June & Ho, just across the street, to get what you need. Doesn’t get better than that!

Although I believe there is nothing better than supporting family owned and operated local business, what makes Cristfield’s stand out is the thing I care about most- commitment to quality and customer service.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Recommended for:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_custom_list style=”mk-icon-ok”]

• All things Meat: Everything from fresh chicken breasts to speciality cuts that are hard to find
• The Super Burger: Just trust me on this one
• House cooked Ham: I don’t know how they do it, but they make the very best ham.

[/mk_custom_list][vc_custom_heading text=”Not recommended for:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_custom_list style=”mk-icon-ok”]

• A Bargain: You have to pay a premium to shop at Cristfield’s.

[/mk_custom_list][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1523112694730{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Visit Crisfield’s at:

61 Purchase Street
Rye, NY 10580

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The best of the best

Greenwich cheese company is by far, my most favorite market to shop in. When I’m having a bad day, off I go. Because let’s be honest here- cheese makes everything better.

Along with sister Fairfield cheese company, Greenwich cheese company, is hyper focused on quality, artisanal products. This includes their carefully selected and sourced cheeses, as well as the accoutrements such as jams, pickled fruits and vegetables, olive oils, pastas and more. Owners Laura and Chris take great care in making sure customers are getting exactly what they want when they shop here, which is why you are offered a taste of each cheese before you commit to purchasing, and each piece is cut to order. It’s a real foodie’s dream to be able to try before investing, in most cases, over $25.00 a pound. I have discovered some of what are now my favorite cheeses at this shop all because staff encouraged me to try this, or that.

Speaking of staff, they are all incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. With each cheese you select, they will tell you about it including where it comes from, if it is raw or pasteurized, aged or young, what type of milk, and perhaps a comparison or pairing note. The more questions you ask, the more answers you receive. They are as committed to the transaction as you want them to be. It’s truly unique. As someone who loves talking about food in great detail, I really enjoy interacting and learning from them.

One of the many things I applaud Greenwich cheese company for doing is carrying a large selection of raw milk cheeses which are nearly impossible to find in a traditional grocery store. Raw milk cheeses are full of healthy bacterias and complex nutrients, and yes fat. However, pasteurized cheeses are nothing but fat. The pasteurization process kills everything that a raw milk cheese delivers to you. I really enjoy supporting the small farms that still produce cheese in the traditional way, and these are the cheeses that are typically raw milk cheeses. They are soo much better for you and frankly, they are just typically better quality cheeses.

Another one of the many things I love about this artisanal cheese shop is cheese school! Cheese classes are offered in both their Cos Cob and Fairfield, CT locations. Laura and Chris are committed to providing cheese education and do so, not just through every transaction, but through offering classes throughout the year. I have attended several classes and plan to attend many more. I learn so much every time I go. (Granted I’m a foodie nerd and love this stuff.) If you live in the 914 / 203 area, I highly recommend checking out their class offering. It’s a fun thing to do alone or with a foodie friend. And usually a few pairings of wine are involved, which never hurts!

Finally, I can’t end this post without talking up their gift boxes which have become my favorite client gift or to take to a friend’s house as a hostess gift. They come artfully packaged in crates and I really, really care about packaging. I won’t send corporate gifts, or any gifts really, that are not packaged creatively and with care. The gift becomes very impersonal, very quickly. Packaging sets the tone for the gift and Greenwich cheese shop gets that. The raves reviews I get from clients and friends don’t hurt 🙂

Well, now that I spent the last hour writing about how much I love this place, I think I’ll take a ride and go get myself some cheese! See you there!

Recommended for:

• Top quality cheeses: Artisinal cheeses from around the world.
• Charcuterie: Carefully selected and sourced charcuterie to accompany any cheese platter.
• Education: With a goal to teach people about cheese, the Greenwich cheese company offers a wide array of small group classes.
• Platters & Gift boxes: Impressively curated cheese platters and gift boxes are available.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”My Second Home!” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_dropcaps style=”fancy-style” background_color=”#727272″]I[/mk_dropcaps][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1544735477006{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]spend more time than I care to admit at June & Ho. The obsession started back in 2005 when I was living in downtown Rye, NY and could walk there. They have known me by name ever since and the obsession is still going strong in 2018. The place hasn’t changed in the least since the first time I walked through the doors. But that should tell you something- they have a good thing going.

June and Ho specializes in speciality sandwiches, homemade soups, and high quality, pre-made foods. The homemade dishes line almost the full length of the store offering everything from Beef Bourguignon to Edamame Salad and everything in between. Although I cook most of my food from scratch, I definitely take advantage of the prepared foods by June & Ho when I am in a pinch or on the run.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1546301279214-d8ce3061-9e97-9″ include=”2621,2620″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1544735768574{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]I shop here at a minimum once a week and my basket is typically full of fresh produce, fresh herbs, a container of ratatouille from behind the counter, fresh made English muffins, a few containers of soup, and whatever else looks good that day. They also serve great coffee, and I rarely leave without ordering one.

Above all else, what I love the most about June & Ho is that I can walk into this one place and get everything I need to turn around a simple, or a special occassion meal, in one stop. Yes, I pay for the convenience. But I’m okay with it because I know I can trust the food that I am buying and I am glad to be supporting a local small business that consistently delivers on quality. It’s hard to find any place that delivers as consistently as June & Ho.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Recommended for:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_custom_list style=”mk-icon-ok”]

• Fresh Produce & Herbs: The produce here is always fresh and the herbs are well packaged.
• Fresh Fish: June & Ho has an impressive selection of fresh fish.
• Prepared Foods: Great for homemade style foods when you can’t cook yourself.
• Speciality Items: You can find delicious treats from all over the world that you can’t find in a traditional food store.  Everything from a selection of caviar and truffles to sauces and dips.
• Fresh baked bread and bakery items: Baked on premises, you can pick up a fresh baguette and a homemade dessert.

[/mk_custom_list][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1523039411258{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Visit June & Ho at:

70 Purchase Street
Rye, NY 10580

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A culinary experience fit for a special occassion” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_dropcaps style=”fancy-style” background_color=”#727272″]L[/mk_dropcaps][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1539790660164{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]a Panetiere is simply amazing. It is not for everyone and it is definitely more suited for special occasions and splurging. Although, I am sure they have a fair share of loyal patrons who have the luxury of visiting more often than just on a special occasion. For the rest of, we’ll have to wait for a special anniversary, or perhaps a raise. But if you enjoy food as much as I do, it will be worth it.

Visiting La Panetiere is more like visiting a home. Well, perhaps more like visiting a beautiful, country side mansion. The experience begins when you first arrive and a polite valet is there to take your keys from you and escort you to the front door. You’ll walk under gently lit grape vines and into the main entryway where the hostess will greet you quietly.

There are several rooms that you could be seated in, however regardless of which room or on what floor you are seated in, you will immediately feel transported to the French countryside. Traditional wooden hutches and artwork line the walls, and tables are surrounded by chairs with with wooden armchairs to make you so comfortable that you’ll be forced to surrender to the evening.  The tables are set beautifully with traditional french patterned plates and settings.

After being seated, a lovely French server asked if we’d like a glass of champagne to start.  Having not looked at the dink menu yet, we didn’t know what we would be getting, but the champagne they served us was dry, full of bubbles, and simply a delightful way to start our evening at La Panetiere.  Having enjoyed the champagne so much, I had a second glass, whereas Brett opted to go with a Bordeaux that led him to quote, “I have never tasted a wine that good.” That’s a bold statement.

The menu is unwaveringly French and not suited for picky eaters. Thankfully, this is not a problem for me. It lends itself to the seasons, leaning heavily on game in winter months and vegetables and poultry in the summer months.  I began my culinary experience at La Panetiere with poached oysters with leeks, which simply melted in my mouth, and had the most delicate flavor I have ever experienced. If someone didn’t know how to ‘taste’ I don’t believe they would have liked them – that is how delicate they were. But I LOVED them. Brett began his meal with the smoked salmon and it was mind altering. I didn’t know smoked salmon could taste like this. It was silky, savory, salty and just a tad sweet. It was so, so, so good and I wish I could have stolen his plate for myself and ordered another one to go.

In between courses, we were asked if would like to order a soufflé for dessert because they are made to order and take some time to prepare and bake. Having not had diner yet, we were unsure if we would want dessert. So they said to us, “Then you wait and see, and if you want one after your meal, you enjoy staying with us for a while more while it bakes.” I was in no rush for my time at La Panetiere to end, so this sounded like a wonderful option and made me feel that they were not rushing us in any kind of way.

For dinner, I ordered the duck, served med-rare which was the only way they will serve it. I actually asked for a medium cook on the duck and our server just shook his head and denied me, so I said, “okay, med- rare it is!” Like my oysters, the duck was delicate and wonderful! The meat was incredibly tender and cooked to perfection. I understood immediately why the chef would only serve the duck at one temperature, which was the right temperature for this meat to reach perfection.  Brett ordered the Veal Shank for his main course. The flavors of the veal were much more bold than the duck and was again, cooked to perfection. While the meat certainly fell off the bone, it still somehow maintained its integrity. This is difficult to achieve. Every bite of this meal was remarkably satisfying.

We couldn’t resist the appeal of the that soufflé and so we decided to go for it. We were offered a choice between Chocolate and Grand Marnier. We went big with the Grand Marnier. The first bite left us speechless and e found ourselves staring into each other’s eyes with a look that screamed “O.M.G. are you tasing this?” at each other. It was so light, and so full of the most incredible flavor, that we literally couldn’t find words. We just sat in silence, eyes wide, mouths full and shaking our heads in disbelief at how good this was. I dare say, it was one of the best things I ever ate. I remain speechless over this soufflé.

I love when a place has the opportunity to transport you to somewhere else, even if just for a few short hours. It creates a whole experience beyond just dining. La Panetiere transported me to the countryside of France without having to leave my neighboring village. Here you can enjoy a quiet, slow meal, where no detail goes unturned, and quality is never compromised.

After this first meal, I had the wonderful opportunity to return to La Panetiere for other special occasions and never once has it disappointed. In fact, I have come to fall in love with it more and more with each return visit.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Recommended for:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_custom_list style=”mk-icon-ok”]

• Special Occasions:  Worthy of a celebration
• Romantic Dinner: Perfect for two
• Refined Palates: Taster’s delight

[/mk_custom_list][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”large” url=”www.lapanetiere.com” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#e69b10″ btn_hover_bg=”#4c4c4c” btn_hover_txt_color=”#ffffff”]Visit La Panetiere’s Website[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Simply Italian.” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″][mk_dropcaps style=”fancy-style” background_color=”#727272″]T[/mk_dropcaps][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1544743427508{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]I don’t usually find myself struggling to find words. But as I sit here attempting to share my thoughts on Cafe Silvium, I realize that I am struggling with where to start. I think it’s because I am still in a state of disbelief and unable to focus all the things I want to say. Why a state of disbelief? Because for one, I can’t believe how amazing it is, and for two, I can’t believe I only recently discovered it. That then leads me to how angry I also feel for having only learned about Cafe Silvium this year. (That would be the great year of 2018.) Clearly, I am working through some culinary emotions here.

My first attempt to go to Cafe Silvium was a total failure. I was scheduled to meet some friends for dinner and someone suggested we try Cafe Silvium. I checked out the reviews and decided I was excited to try it. It was a Monday night, we were 4 people, and no one stopped to think we would need a reservation. Ummmm…. we were wrong! We arrived and found out quickly that not only did we need a reservation, but they literally couldn’t seat us all night! This is not an uncommon situation- it turns out they have a full house on most nights. The staff were so polite and told us they hoped we would return soon. Unfortunately, we ended up at a sub-par Italian restaurant down the street from Cafe Silvium and depressed. We wanted what we couldn’t have! (But at least we had each other. Shout out to my BFFs!)[/vc_column_text][mk_blockquote font_family=”none”]In Italy you are taught how to savor simplicity and embrace hospitality. This is also true at Cafe Silvium.[/mk_blockquote][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1544743434842{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]What happened next? Well, I came home with my mind swirling with the images and smells of Cafe Silvium.  I knew I wouldn’t rest well until I experienced what all the fuss was all about. So I woke up the next morning, waited patiently until they opened, and promptly called to make a reservation! That Thursday at 8:30pm, I walked in and I knew I had found it, finally. The best local Italian restaurant. Cafe Silvium serves homemade, well made, delicious, classic Italian food. And I love it.

From the moment you are seated you feel as welcome as if were invited into someone’s home for dinner. Everyone from the maître d’e, to our server, to our table neighbors were kind, attentive, relaxed and helpful. I was immediately transported back to our time in Italy where we visited places that taught me how to savor simplicity and embrace hospitality.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ item=”2387″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1544743514643-6427d318-556a-6″ include=”2993,2992,2991,2990″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1544742946377{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Everything we ordered that first night and each time we returned since has been fantastic. The menu is impressively large, which usually, I do not like because it typically indicates that a restaurant is more interested in quantity over quality and also typically indicates that the chef doesn’t have a style of his own. However, Cafe Silvium is not to be included in this assumption. The menu is large, but focused on homestyle, tasty, well made Italian dishes. The food is clearly cooked with love and every dish they serve feels like the most important dish on the menu. This includes the delicious white bean salad served to you as you are seated, alongside a basket of focaccia.

We’ve enjoyed a wide variety of the menu since we started going to Cafe Silvium and we have enjoyed everything to the point of craving. Of course, I have my favorites which include the Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, Eggplant Rollatini, Braised Boar Shank with Gorgonzola Sauce and the Sole Francese (also available with other fishes such as Grouper). There is nothing I have had that I didn’t like, but I would likely not get the lasagna again. It was a bit runny, or loose, and the noodles were more aldente than I like. But that is a matter of lasagna preference, and I simply prefer my own.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Recommended for:” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23e69b10″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][mk_custom_list style=”mk-icon-ok”]

• The Food: It is the best, classic, Italian food.
• Service: The customer service is always fantastic.
• The Menu: The menu offers something to delight everyone.

Note: Reservations are only available to parties of 6 or more on Friday and Saturday nights. Closed on Sundays. [/mk_custom_list][mk_button dimension=”flat” corner_style=”rounded” size=”large” url=”https://www.cafesilviumct.com” target=”_blank” align=”center” bg_color=”#e69b10″ btn_hover_bg=”#4c4c4c” btn_hover_txt_color=”#ffffff”]Visit Cafe Silvium’s Website[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1544736907298{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

371 Shippan Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902

[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid item=”2387″ initial_loading_animation=”none” grid_id=”vc_gid:1544743514646-76d80ca1-9682-7″ include=”2996,2998,2999″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Fine Cheese Co. Walnut Honey Crackers

These Walnut, Honey & Olive Oil Crackers by The Fine Cheese Co from Bath, England are one of the best foodie discoveries I have ever made. There are simply perfect with some of my favorite soft cheeses, such as my most beloved Harbison Cheese from Jasper Hill Farm and Vermont Creamery’s Coupole. The crackers are perfect for holding up to the creamy consistencies of these wonderful cheeses and their rich, buttery flavors. These crackers have taken my cheese tastings to a whole new level and my palate is so grateful for it!