Kona Grill: American & Asian Fusion Cuisine

Kona Grill offers one of Stamford’s most popular happy hours, featuring half price appetizers and drink specials. In nicer weather the large outdoor patio draws a cocktail drinking crowd – try the hibiscus martini. The bar also shakes up several low-calorie drinks like the cucumber mojito. Regulars love the generous portions and tasteful decor of this national Asian-American fusion grill.  Many come to snack and flat breads with traditional American flavors and are a customer favorite.  If you’re looking for Asian flavors try the sushi rolls, and if you like it spicy, the Picasso roll is their hottest roll with yellow tail, jalapeno, and three hot sauces. For a main dish, try the macadamia nut chicken or the avocado chicken club.  There are plenty of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options as well. 
 
Kona Grill
230 Tresser Boulevard
Stamford Town Center
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 324-5700
www.yelp.com/biz/kona-grill-stamford

How To Tell If Pineapples and Avocados Are Ripe

While fruits like bananas and peaches show telltale signs of being ripe, other fruits can be a little trickier to read. Case in point: pineapples and avocados, two gems from the produce department that seem to go from underripe to spoiled in the blink of an eye. Here are a few tips to help pick pineapples and avocados at their peak.

Pineapple
Choosing one of these spiky bromeliads at their peak can be tricky. While some say that green pineapples can actually be ripe, your best bet is to seek out fruit that's 1) uniformly golden yellow and 2) doesn't show any signs of deterioration, i.e. leakage,  wrinkled skin, mold, or browned leaves. The base of the pineapple should smell sweet and mild.

Avocado
Unlike pineapples, avocados continue to ripen after being harvested, which means that avocados that are underripe at the market will continue to ripen at home. That said, skip overripe avocados—avocados that are wrinkly and mushy to the touch. An avocado at its peak will yield slightly when pressed, while an underripe avocado will be very firm. A perfectly ripe avocado should be consumed within a day or two. Miss the ripeness window? A slightly overripe avocado makes great guacamole!

A Guide to Choosing a Ripe Pineapple [NY Times]
Pick & Buy Hass Avocados [Hass Avocados]

Public Domain/Public Domain

The Sundance Cafe and Wine Bar: Stop In and Recharge

The Sundance Cafe and Wine Bar offers impeccable coffee and quality food. The menu contains a fantastic assortment of baked goods, ready-made panini sandwiches, and fresh soups and salads. All of the coffee is carefully chosen to ensure a world-class product, and the same can be said for the wine. With numerous options representing a range of price points, it's easy to find the right glass or bottle to accompany your meal or help you unwind. The wine smoothies make a unique addition to the menu, as well. Refresh with combinations like mango riesling and melon chardonnay, or make your own combination! The inside is very cute, and there's outdoor seating for when the weather is nice. Whether you're sitting down to a meal or a cup of coffee, The Sundance Cafe and Wine Bar is always a great choice.

 
105 Broad St
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 252-2333
 
 

Season’s Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season with all the warmth and splendor this time of year has to offer. Happy Holidays!

Vinny’s Backyard Restaurant: Pizza and So Much More

Vinny's Backyard Restaurant serves up some of the finest pies in town, specializing in thin crust pizza that is all the rage among Stamford diners. Whether you are just grabbing a drink at the bar or indulging in an epic feast, you are sure to love all that Vinny’s has to offer. Start off your meal with one of Vinny’s tasty appetizers. Spicy Calamari offers a little kick thanks to the inclusion of cherry peppers, while the Clam Chowder is served New England-style. Feel free to build your own pizza or choose from Vinny’s many specialty pies. These include Barbecue Chicken, Hawaiian, or White Clam with mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. Vinny’s also serves up one mean burger, with toppings like wasabi dressing, mushrooms, and melted Swiss cheese.

Vinny's Backyard Restaurant
1078 Hope Street
Stamford, CT 06907
(203) 461-9003
http://www.vinnysbackyard.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vinnys-backyard-restaurant-stamford

City Limits: Order Up Variety

By creating a wide menu of sophisticated dishes, City Limits takes the traditional American diner and turns it into something new. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it has an enormous selection of dishes made from scratch, all of which are made with only the highest quality ingredients. Whether you're visiting to have a big plate of pancakes, an incredible spiced Chilean sea bass sandwich, or a hefty pork chop, City Limits has you covered. If you have a sweet tooth, there's also a brightly lit case full of cakes, pastries, and baked goods of all sorts to tempt you. You can even go onto the website and make your order online! With an incredible array of high quality dishes, City Limits might become one of your new preferred dining spots.

135 Harvard Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 348-7000

Three Great Online Gift Guides for Any Occasion

These impressive online gift guides aim to answer the age-old question, “What do you get for the person who has everything?” Full of unique housewares, beautiful jewelry, and the latest tech items, these handy guides recommend items that any loved one will adore.

Cool Hunting
Cool Hunting is a website devoted to the latest, most exciting happenings from all around the world, and their expansive gift guide reflects that same aesthetic. Full of classic, timeless pieces like mid-century light fixtures and quirky, modern items like bitmap blankets, the Cool Hunting Gift Guide will surely give you the inspiration you’re looking for to find that perfect gift.

Real Simple
Real Simple aims to simplify gift giving by creating a comprehensive guide full of lists for every type of person. From their 20 Unique Gifts for Tech-Lovers list to their 13 Gifts for Pets list, you’ll find the perfect present for each of your loved ones.

Fab
Fab provides special deals on cool, unique items on a daily basis, so their gift guide just expands on this incredibly curated selection. The Fab Holiday Gift Shop features beauty products, kitchen supplies, smartphone accessories and tons of Star Wars-themed trinkets, all separated into personalized categories to make your shopping even easier.

Tiernan’s Bar and Restaurant: Live Music and More

Featuring live entertainment and an expansive drink and food selection, Tiernan’s Bar and Restaurant is a great place to spend a night on the town with friends and loved ones. Happy hour runs daily and offers diners deals on both drinks and food. Friday and Saturday nights feature many terrific local bands, perfect for blowing off steam after a long work week.

The menu boasts a number of delicious bar eats, like Coconut Shrimp with pineapple and mango dipping sauces and Fried Calamari with spicy marinara on the side. Tiernan’s also offers many tasty pizzas, including a barbecue chicken pie and a margarita pie. Entrees include burgers and sandwiches along with specialty dishes, like the Chicken Curry and the Beer Battered Fish and Chips with homemade coleslaw.

Tiernan's Bar and Restaurant
187 Main Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 353-8566
http://www.tiernansbar.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tiernans-bar-and-restaurant-stamford

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Today we pay tribute to the men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom. Thank you, veterans!

Sandwich Maestro: Music to Your Taste Buds

Offering a variety of breakfast and lunch items, Sandwich Maestro features deli selections made from the freshest, most wholesome ingredients. Breakfast includes a host of delicious pastries, such as muffins, scones, and croissants. Other items include a fresh fruit salad, classic oatmeal, and even quiche for heartier appetites. Lunch offerings are just as tasty. You can customize your sandwich from top to bottom, choosing everything from the bread and fillings to the fresh veggies and sauces. Or go with something already on the menu, like the Roast Beef and Swiss Sandwich with housemade pesto mayo or the Smoked Salmon Bagel Sandwich with apple wasabi. Sandwich Maestro also offers a special on the sandwich of the week, which comes with your choice of soup or salad. Consider Sandwich Maestro when choosing a caterer for your event or business meeting. 

Sandwich Maestro
90 Atlantic Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 325-0802
http://www.sandwichmaestro.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sandwich-maestro-stamford

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