Rodizio Roundup

Streets of Stamford kicked butt in his write up of the excellence that was the pre-grand opening of our newest meat-tacular restaurant, Rodizio Grill, but I'll add my 3.5 cents and say that it was well worth the trip.

The basic concept is that you have this powerful little dowel with a red end and a green end. Turn the green end up, and you are flooded with a table full of meat. Steak, chicken, creatures wrapped in other creatures - delicious (if not kosher). Turn the red end up, and they give you a breather. You can also enjoy appetizers and a very generous salad bar. Their definition of "salad" is something to love - it includes hot dishes, rice, black beans and other deliciousness. Needless to say, you will not leave hungry.

It is fantastic that the giant hole that Houlihan's left has now been filled, and Rodizio is a solid choice. Guests at my table included me, my husband and our newborn - this was his first restaurant experience, and blissfully, everyone survived. Restaurant patrons had no need to fear us - the joint was jumpin and it was too loud to be bothered by babies. Our son was on good behavior too, and although we juggled the baby between the meat flood, we all had a good time. That being said, I think this place is made for a slightly bigger group. The ladies next to us were flirting with the cute waiters, joking, laughing and generally having a fantastic time. The big size of the place, the big size of the helpings, the social nature of how the food is served - it's perfect for a big night out with a boisterous crowd. And fussy babies won't turn heads either - also good to know!

Here Today, Bobby Flay

  

Celebrity chef, Bobby Flay, was in our backyard today profiling Stamford's newest addition to the culinary scene - on wheels!  It's the MELT Mobile (Veterans Park/Landmark Square - across from Old Town Hall), and it's all about grilled cheese. Stamford Plus has some nice coverage about the new rolling resto. You can also read about it on the Lunchbreak Chronicles and Omnom CT. What I can give you are a few shots from the event today. Above is the MELT truck on the scene and below is Bobby Flay guiding it into a parking spot to get his show on the (virtual) road. 

BE ON TV TONIGHT

I just read a Facebook entry from DSSD saying Bobby Flay will be out in front of Lucky's from 6:30 to 8:30 - free food and maybe 15 minutes of fame! Go check it out!!!

What are you doing this weekend?

We are doing the most exciting thing imaginable - our taxes. Here are a few ideas that you might find slightly more appealing:

- Rock some tacky green duds at the St. Patrick's Day Parade which starts at noon on Saturday, marching first down North Street and south on Bedford then west on Main. You can see pictures from past events here.

- Check out two cool events at the Audubon Center in Greenwich. On Friday there's a Slow Food Potluck and Full Moon Hike from 6:30 to 10pm. If you bring a potluck item for between 4-6 people (local or organic if you can!) and pay ten dollars, you can enjoy a lovely evening of great food and a moonlit hike. RSVP by calling 203-869-5272 x239. On Saturday, there's a Family Bird Watch from 1-2pm. You can see birds that stayed local and those returning from warmer climates as well as help report numbers to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. RSVP by calling Ted at 203-869-5272 x230.

- Fairway Market (699 Canal St) has a special event on Saturday. Food experts Peter Romano (Produce Director), Steve Jenkins (Cheesemonger), Tony Maltese (Seafood Director), Ray Venezia (Master Butcher), Benny Lanfranco (Master Roaster - aka, coffee!) and other food pros will be sharing their foodie know how and offering samples from 11am-3pm. For example, sweets to sample include cookies such as Chocolate Sea Salt, Dulce de Leche and Apricot. Demos, samples, all sorts of free goodies - what's not to like?

Restaurant Week! Underway NOW!

Warm up with Winter Restaurant Week :-)

Girls Gone Well

photo from rosmary, flickr.com

I'll confess that I've never made my way to the Stamford Jewish Community Center (corner of Newfield Avenue and Vine Road), but there's good reason to change that come March 15.

From 8:30am to 1:15pm and again from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, they are hosting an event called Women Living Healthy in 2012.

It will cost you nada, and includes a full slate of events to put a spring in your Spring. Most of the events require that you sign up in advance (see below), so get on it!




8:30am to 1pm
Health Screenings for a host of health risks: cholesterol, glucose, pulmonary function and cardiac risk. There will also be chair massages and mammograms at the Mobile Wellness Center (call 203.276.5990 for appointments). 
8:30am to 9:15am
Fitness Classes: TRX circuit and meditative yoga. Space is limited and sign-up is required (call 203.322.7900). 
8:30am to 9:15am
First County Bank Lecture: Building the foundation for financial wellbeing. 
9:30am to 10:15am
Fitness Classes: Feldenkrais (I had to look that one up...) and Hip Hop.  Space is limited and sign-up is required (call 203.322.7900).  
9:30am to 10:30am
Stamford Hospital Panel: Women's Health Concerns: Span of Life for Women featuring Daryl Weiland, MD, OBGYN; Fran Ginsberg, MD, OBGYN, fertility and reproductive endocrinology; Donna-Marie Manasseh, MD, breast surgeon. 
10:45am to 11:30am
Fitness Class: The Miracle Ball Method. Space is limited and sign-up is required (call 203.322.7900). 
10:45am to 11:45am
Stamford Hospital Panel: Genetics & Nutrition: Being in-the-Know -- Erin Ash, genetic counselor; Darlene Negbenebor, MD, gastroenterologist; Lynda Mezansky, MS, RD, CDN; and Joseph Feuerstein, MD, director of integrative medicine. 
11:45am to 12:30pm
First County Bank Lecture: maximizing your finances for a healthy future. 
11:45am to 12:30pm 
Fitness Class: Active Yoga. Space is limited and sign-up is required (call 203.322.7900). 
11:45am to 1:15pm 
Food Demo presented by Sugar and Olives. 
12:30pm to 1:15pm 
Fitness Class: Feldenkrais. Space is limited and sign-up is required (call 203.322.7900). 
5:30pm to 7:30pm 
Health Screenings for cholesterol and glucose. 
5:45pm to 6:30pm 
Fitness Class: Zumba Plus. Space is limited and sign-up is required (call 203.322.7900). 
6:30pm to 7:15pm 
First County Bank Lecture: achieving financial independence; investment strategies for retirement and risk management. 
7:30pm to 8:30pm 
Dale Atkins Lecture: Finding and Sustaining Wellness: It's all about balance -- followed by book signing of "Sanity Savers: Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life." Event sponsors are First County Bank and Stamford Hospital. 

Event sponsors are First County Bank and Stamford Hospital.