Expect Authentic Italian Cuisine at Cesco’s Trattoria

Celebrate a special occasion at Cesco’s Trattoria in Darien, one of the region's best kept secrets for authentic, rustic Italian cuisine. Chef and owner Aldo Chiamulera grew up in northern Italy and named the restaurant after his grandfather.

A Certified Green Restaurant, Cesco's relies on local, organic and seasonal ingredients wherever possible. Start with the baked clams or the tortellini soup. Pasta is available in full and half portions for those that want a traditional Italian meal of pasta and a main course. Try the Chianti Spaghetti with broccoli rabe and sausage. Favorite main courses are the braised short ribs with polenta, halibut beurre blanc with spinach and artichoke hearts, and veal ossobuco. Cesco’s is known for satisfying portions that won’t leave you feeling stuffed.

Cesco’s exudes charm with old world-inspired decor like brick archways, ladder back chairs, and hardwood floors. White linen table cloths add elegance and sophistication.

Cesco’s Trattoria
25 Old Kings Highway North
Darien, CT 06820
(203) 202-9985
www.cescostrattoria.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cescos-trattoria-darien

5 Household Uses for Borax

Are spray bottles filled with various cleaning solutions stealing your valuable cabinet space? Consider streamlining your cleaning routine by using borax, a naturally occurring white mineral more aptly known as sodium tetraborate. This eco-friendly powder can be used in many applications throughout the home, from cleaning and deodorizing to DIY bouncy balls for the kids. Here are a few uses for borax:

1. Laundry Booster
Add one-half cup of borax to your washing machine to help boost the effectiveness of your regular detergent.

2. All-Purpose Cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with two tablespoons borax and two of cups hot water. Use the solution to clean countertops, kitchen appliances, sinks, and cookware.

3. Bathroom Cleaner
Remove soap scum and hard water deposits by combining one cup borax and 1/4 cup lemon juice to create a paste. Apply the paste to your sink and tub using a damp sponge, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. To apply borax in dry form, you can store it in an empty parmesan cheese shaker for easy sprinkling.

4. DIY Dish Detergent
Save money by making your own powder dishwasher detergent. Simply combine one tablespoon borax and one tablespoon baking soda.

5. Make Your Own Bouncy Balls
Here's a fun, educational activity for the kids: Combine borax, glue, cornstarch, food coloring, and water to make your own bouncy balls. (Find the complete instructions here.) While borax is an all-natural product, you still need to remind your kids that it's not for eating. Be sure to keep your box of borax out of the reach of children.

Borax and 25 Ways to Use It [Apartment Therapy]
25 Household Uses For Borax [Homesessive]
Uses of 20 Mule Team® Borax [Mule Team Borax]
30 Little Known Uses for Borax [One Good Thing]
How to Make a Borax Bouncy Ball [Creative Bug]
Borax Changed My Life! [Stacy Makes Cents]

Silvermine Arts Center: Buried Treasure

Silvermine Arts Center is an exceptional cultural hub — truly one of New Canaan’s most interesting and diverse places to feed your head.

Sculptor Solon Borglum moved to the area in 1908 and just a decade later the Silvermine Guild of Artists was founded. The Guild now consists of over 300 professional artists and five gallery spaces, as well as a School of Art that passes skills and concepts along to both amateurs and professionals. The Arts Center is one of Fairfield County’s most-visited cultural institutions, with a gorgeous 4 1/2 acre campus and excellent facilities. The classes presented here are diverse, ranging from traditional mediums like painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media.

The Center also hosts an Art Partners program that places working artists into elementary school classrooms around the New Canaan area. Even if you’re not looking to take a class, don't miss the impressive work on display in the galleries.

Silvermine Arts Center
1037 Silvermine Road
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-5617
http://www.yelp.com/biz/silvermine-guild-arts-center-new-canaan

Bistro Bonne Nuit: A French Bistro in New Canaan

Fine dining is on the menu at Bistro Bonne Nuit. The cozy New Canaan bistro is perfect for a romantic date night or special occasion. Enjoy a gourmet dinner full of delicious French fare. Start with an appetizer like the Foie Gras, Tomato Tart Tatin, or Roasted Heirloom Baby Beet Salad. Try the signature dish, the Cassoulet de Castelnaudary with lamb, Duck confit, garlic sausage, and flageolet beans. The menu may not be large but it has a nice mix of dishes like Salmon, Maine Lobster, Sea Scallops, Boeuf (a grilled NY steak with crispy onion ring bundle), and Arugula Chicken. Make sure you save room for a delectable dessert like the creme brulee. Service is friendly without being overbearing. If you can't eat in, take out is available.

Just a short trip from Stamford Corners Apartments, Bistro Bonne Nuit is open seven days a week. Reservations are recommended.

Bistro Bonne Nuit
12 Forest Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-5303
http://www.ctdiningandeventsguide.com/restaurants/bistrobonnenuit1.php
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bistro-bonne-nuit-new-canaan

Marly’s Bar and Bistro: Great For Any Occasion

Marly's Bar and Bistro in Wilton offers an elegant bistro menu in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. It's an agreeable place for any occasion including family dinner, casual dates, catching up with an old friend, or a business lunch. The menu focuses on American classics like tasteful burgers and wraps along with steaks and chops. Regulars recommend the barbecue glazed salmon with a sweet potato puree, basmati rice pilaf, squash noodles and chili citrus vinaigrette. Their signature dish is Marly’s Famous Bolognese with oriechiette pasta and topped with fresh ricotta cheese. Enjoy your meal with a glass of wine or a well crafted cocktail. Prices are reasonable, especially considering the sophistication and quality of the dishes. Friendly staff welcome everyone like a regular.

Marly's features live acoustic guitar Tuesday evenings and offers a kids movie night every Sunday, with a new release movie, popcorn, kids meal and ice cream for $10 per child. It's just minutes from Stamford Corners Apartments — check it out!

Marly's Bar and Bistro
101 Old Ridgefield Road
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 834-2000
www.marlysbistro.com
www.yelp.com/biz/marlys-bar-and-bistro-wilton

Hearty Chili Recipes to Try This Fall

Few things taste better on a chilly fall day than a warm bowl of hearty chili, but your staple recipe may start to get a bit old after a few seasons. Here are three tasty new chili recipes that are equally as comforting but a bit more creative.

All-American Chili [myrecipes.com]
Whether you use it to top grilled hot dogs or to eat right from the bowl on a cold afternoon, it doesn’t get more all-American than this chili recipe. Ground sirloin and hot Italian turkey sausage give this a flavorful, meaty taste, while a hefty splash of merlot makes a delicious secret ingredient that your guests are sure to ask about.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup [allrecipes.com]
Add a Mexican flair to your usual chili with this hearty chicken taco soup made entirely in the slow cooker. Serve it topped with sour cream, green chilies, tortilla strips, or healthy avocado for even more flavor.

Turkey and White Bean Chili [marthastewart.com]
If you prefer a chili that’s a bit lighter than most, this recipe is the perfect choice. Lean turkey and mild white beans are the base ingredients, but jalapenos and ground cumin give it that slight kick that you love about spicy chili.

Peter’s Weston Market: Gourmet & Specialty Foods

Peter’s Weston Market is a small independent grocer offering gourmet and specialty foods in the Weston Shopping Center. Known for their friendly customer service, they have a wide selection of high quality products, including organic and gluten free items. Their deli slices offers sandwiches with fresh sliced meat. Peter’s has a prepared foods buffet with hot items. Stop in for a quick and delicious home-made meal to go.

Peter's Weston Market
190 Weston Rd
Weston, CT 06883
(203) 227-2066
www.westonshoppingcenter.com/petersmarket.php
www.yelp.com/biz/peters-weston-market-weston

Get Rollin’ at Sushi Coshi

Sushi Coshi offers fresh pan-Asian favorites and many creative sushi rolls. Their menu is large and features over 30 house and specialty rolls. Customer favorites are the signature Sushi Coshi roll piled high with crunchy seafood and special sauce and the “sex on the beach” with a hints of mango and cucumber to complement lobster salad. There are many vegetarian options including the sweet potato roll and vegetable udon noodle soup. Conveniently located in the Wilton Executive Campus, Sushi Coshi offers great lunch deals, there are many entrees to choose from which come with a soups or salad for around $10. Don't miss the Korean specialities like bibimbop and bulgogi.

Take out is available, and free delivery with orders over $30.

Sushi Coshi
15 River Rd
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 761-6770
www.sushicoshi.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-coshi-wilton

Happy Labor Day!

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day!

A “Passion For The Pepper” at Vintage Salsa and Rotisserie

Vintage Salsa and Rotisserie is conveniently located in the Wilton train station and provides quick Mexican inspired meals for commuters and families on the go. The family business started by bottling fresh and smooth salsas and selling in regional independent grocers. There are several varieties of Vintage salsa that feature a specific pepper that imparts its unique heat. In addition to their bottled salsas, Vintage’s train station cafe serves moist rotisserie chicken and Mexican-American favorites with slow cooked pork and beef. They take pride in offering a convenient meal, and most customers choose the family “a-go-go” meals – you choose your meat and Vintage provides all the fixins’ like beans and tortillas for a simple and delicious Mexican meal. They sell a variety of imported Mexican sodas as well as their own baked goods like cupcakes and cookies. In addition to take out and dine-in, they also offer free delivery. Vintage opens early for commuters with grab-and-go breakfast burritos, muffins and coffee.

Vintage Salsa and Rotisserie
7 Station Rd
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 957-3200
www.vintage-salsa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/vintage-salsa-and-rotisserie-wilton

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