It only took a 75 years, but Connecticut Moonshine is back!

Onyx Founders: Adam von Gootkin and Peter Kowalczyk

More excited I could not have been upon recieving an invitation to visit a local distillery that has recently begun production of an authentic moonshine based on original recipes. Adam and Peter were gracious enough to meet with me and show me where the magic happens. Where you ask? In an 18th century woolen mill in Manchester naturally, what could be more ideal? Moonshine, apparently has a long history of being made in Connecticut. Who knew? Since the founders of Onyx are both history lovers, the local angle was a particular draw and aided in their conviction that the state needed a distillery to call its own. During our conversation, I was struck by the amount of research, pride and preparation that these guys had taken in their journey to launch this spirit. From the wooden cork in the bottle, the charter oak emblazened on the label and the knowledge of moonshine production and arrest stories gleaned from old Hartford Courant articles, these guys impressed me.

But what about the moonshine? I have to say, I really needed to know what exactly went into making this spirit as my friend had taken to sharing lore with me, such as going blind from distilling in poor stills. After hearing however that there was only distilled Connecticut water, honey and corn in the product, I decided I could risk it. The taste has been likened to a flavored vodka, whiskey or even tequila. Honestly though, it is just straight up delicious. Add ice and swirl is my recommendation.

Now where to find moonshine should be your next question, as it was mine. While the founders are actively promoting, they have already been able to secure 25 locations where you can go and grab a bottle. You can expect the price point to be between $23-$25. There are several restaurants: Garnish Bistro (Bristol); South Tavern (Glastonbury); Wood N Tap (Hartford); The Stone and Paddle (Manchester) and Crown and Hammer (Collinsville). I am hoping that we see a few more places in Hartford, but that's just cause I am partial! The list of liquor stores that are carrying it are on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/OnyxSpirits?sk=app_4949752878

Not that this is needed for Onyx Moonshine, these are some common folk tests for ensuring the quality of moonshine:

1. "Pour a small quantity of it into a spoon and set it alight. The theory was that a safe distillate burns with a blue flame, but a tainted distillate burns with a yellow flame. Practitioners of this simple test also held that if a radiator coil had been used as a condenser, then there would be lead in the distillate, which would give a reddish flame. This led to the phrase, "Lead burns red and makes you dead."
2. "Another test used for moonshine is for "proof". A small amount of gun powder is poured into a dish with the moonshine. It is ignited, and if the mixture starts to flame it is "proofed". In other words, if it burns, then it contains plenty of alcohol. But if it does not burn, then the moonshine has been diluted. (Note that this only proves that the alcohol content is at least 57% ABV.)"

Cooking It Up! at The Hartford Public Library's studio kitchen

Enjoy a free drink if you are a Hartford resident - TONIGHT!

Yep, that's what I read and that is what I am spreading to all you blog readers today. If you are a Hartford resident, the new Russian Lady on Ann Street is giving you a free drink on the house, and a chance to come and tour the new space before their grand opening. Talk about showing some love to the city! Just show up there between 6pm and 8pm tonight and be prepared to show your ID to prove that you are indeed a resident and not a poser.

The only thing that would make the opening of the Russian Lady better for me is if they were able to recover the statue that used to grace the building's rooftop. My friend and I have been discussing this and feel quite certain that we were not imagining it when we saw the iconic statue in a lobby of a New York city building in the wee hours of the morning. It would be truely amazing if it were returned. That's all I am saying.

Address: 191 Ann Street, Hartford, CT
Website: www.TheRussianLadyHartford.com

October 10th-October 16th means that CT Restaurant week is back!

What better incentive is there is dine out of your comfort zone and try a new restaurant than a promise of a 3 course meal for $20.11? None that I can think of. The website that keeps track of all the varying RW (Restaurant Week) Menus, and dates of events got my attention this time around by listing that there are 90, yes, you read that right...90 restaurants participating in the state. Phew, that's alot of places to chose from. Personally, the Vegetarian Paella offered at O'Porto has my name written all over it. Mmmmmm.

Check out the participating restaurants and their menus here: http://www.connecticutrestaurantweek.com/connecticut-restaurant-week/

And for the heck of it, check out the info on these other upcoming events while you are there:

•Eating Greenwich & Portchester 10/16 – 10/21/2011

•Mystic Restaurant Week 10/28 – 11/5

•West Haven Restaurant Week 10/17 – 10/23/2011

Don't forget either that New Haven Restaurant week is right around the corner, Nov 6th-Nov 11th. Check out the info and menus here: http://www.infonewhaven.com/restaurantweek

A foodie adventure at El Mercado (part 1)

Truely one of my favorite things to do is to explore. Combining my love of exploration and food is a completely logical paring, and one place that always satisfies me is the supermarket and food court of El Mercado on Park Street in Hartford. It will take an entirely separate post and other pictures to detail the wonders of the supermarket to you, so for now I will just tell you about my dinner. The food court has four separate restaurants, which are Mexican, Dominican, Peruvian and Columbian. For many years I have been limiting myself to the Mexican and Dominican counters because I just loved the food and hadn't gotten around to exploring the others. Today my friend suggested that we head to the last counter and try the Columbian, since he knew the owners. I happily agreed and was really delighted with the experience.  



After noshing on some empanadas that were stuffed with potatoes and beef, and were delightfully golden and crispy, and enjoying my passion fruit milkshake, my food came. I had decided on trying a dish that consisted of chicken, rice and beans, and plantains. Our server brought the chicken out on a sizzling pan that was lined with sweet plantains. The chicken was flavorful, slightly crisped, and DELICIOUS! The rice and beans were equally tasty and my challenge became how to get a bite of each item at the same time to enjoy the flavors together. 

I couldn't get a picture before the eyes were eaten!

My friend ordered the Sea Bass, and it came on a bed of lettuce accompanied by fried green plantains. The plantains that came with my dish were the yellow plantains that are sweeter and softer. The Sea Bass had been seasoned, scored to let the moisture out as it cooked and then deep fried. The fish is served in it's entirety, no filets here...so if you order seafood be advised that you need to be aware that yes, it does come with the head, tail, and bones. Many cultures prefer to prepare their seafood in this manner and it makes the meat very tender and juicy. In the end, the portions were so enormous that I had to take mine home and I am sure that it will serve as both my lunch and dinner tomorrow! Oh did I mention that on top of all this food, we were given a salad too???? I think that it would have taken 2-3 hungry people to get through my meal alone. 

A few tips to keep in mind if you decide to visit: 1. The menu is written in both Spanish and English, a huge advantage for adventurous diners. 2. Ask the server if you can sit in the separate dining room, the portions are so large that you may need the space afforded to you by a booth, versus sitting at the counter. 3. Cash is almost always the preferable and easiest way to pay for your meal. 4. The marketplace, while open early for the restaurants that serve breakfast, normally closes around 6pm...so plan accordingly! 


Location: 704 Park Street (Corner of Park Street and Babcock Street)