Cooking It Up: Hartford, Health and History

Head to the Hartford Public Library in downtown Hartford on Saturdays from 10:00 am. – 11:30 a.m.

December 17 – City Steam Brewery will demonstrate how to make healthy finger foods for your holiday parties and fun non-alcoholic beverages (registration now open)

January 21 – Feng Asian Bistro (registration opens in December)

February 18 – Black-Eyed Sally’s (registration opens in January)

March 31- Vaughan’s Public House (registration opens in February))

Hartford Public Library and its Hartford History Center present Saturday morning cooking demonstration programs combining good food, good health and fond memories. Each program features a chef from a Hartford restaurant known for its ethnic cuisine. The chef prepares well-loved, heart-healthy recipes from the restaurant kitchen, while nutritionist Sharon Mierza helps audience members to make their own favorite recipes heart-friendly. Former CPTV producer/host, Nancy R. Savin, hosts this appetizing program and leads the discussion on the Hartford food and dining landscape, in the past and now. The programs are filmed and will be broadcasted on Hartford Public Access TV and available online at www.hcc.hplct.org starting mid-December 2011. Free and open to the public, registration required – you can register by calling (860) 695-6295, or visiting online at www.hplct.org and going to the library’s Events Calendar.

4th Annual New Haven Green Drinks Event with guest speaker Colin Caplan

COME CELEBRATE OUR 49th EVENT AND FOUR YEARS OF GREEN DRINKS EVENTS IN NEW HAVEN!

Wednesday November 16, 2011- 6 to 8pm
Zafra Cuban Restaurant and Rum Bar, 259 Orange St. (just North of Elm St)
Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar: Cuban food with a flair. The only rum bar in Connecticut and the most rum types in New England. Amazing food presentation and a creative cocktail menu that will keep you coming back for more. Daily drink specials and weekly live entertainment in a cool Caribbean vibe. Thank you to Zafra’s Manager, Kam Tom, for having NHGD.
T: (203) 859-5342. See http://www.zafrarumbar.com/Page_5.html for directions

Our lively speaker will be Colin Caplan at 7pm.
Colin M. Caplan is a New Haven native who cultivated his love and passion for the Elm City through his work in history, architecture, community engagement and writing. Colin authored four books on local history and architecture. Recently, after a brief stint in Los Angeles, Colin launched Taste of New Haven Food & Drink Tours to help the City’s image and economy while making a new cultural destination for tourists - www.tasteofnewhaven.com.

Don’t miss our one and only 4th Annual New Haven Green Drinks’ Event. Bring your friends. It’s FREE.
See you there and Cheers!

Website: http://www.greendrinks.org/CT/New_Haven
New Haven Green Drinks is an award-winning monthly environmental social event to get to know what and who is going "Green" in New Haven County; Meeting every 3rd Wednesday of the Month from 6 to 8pm somewhere fun in the New Haven area. Suggestions for free and "green" event locations are welcome.

Return of the Midweek Hangover at Bocca Rossa

Ah, Tuesday nights. How I have come to love thee.  Why you might ask am I asking you to leave the comfort of your house and trudge out into the not always pleasant fall/ winter weather on a weekday night? What better reason than to relax with a nice bottle of wine and wash away the stress of the beginning of the week? And for half price? 


Personally I think the New England notion that  we are supposed to suffer all week long without any fun and try to squeeze in everything into a weekend that flies by in the blink of an eye is just plain obnoxious. Hence why I began my quest of locating the best midweek deals around the state. It seems to be a much more cultured and balanced way to approach life to find ways to enjoy oneself all week long! 


Regardless of my personal philosophies and rantings, Bocca Rossa is definitely the place to situate oneself on a Tuesday evening. The atmosphere is dark and sensual. House and lounge music linger in the background, and the kitchen serves accompaniments such as bruschetta, and other tasty morsels. Of course Tuesdays are not the only night to visit, here are some other nights and other reasons:

Mondays/ Wed / Fridays: Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 pm with $3 appetizers, $5 house martinis, $10 flights of 3 wines, and $3 pints. 
Thursdays: Soulful Thursday happy hour
Saturday: House music all night long
Sunday: Closed (unfortunately)


Address: 942 Main Street, Hartford, CT
Phone: 860-522-6222
Website: http://boccarossawinebar.com/

Free Thanksgiving Preparation Technique classes at William Sonoma

Hurry up and call your local William and Sonoma store to sign up for technique classes on all things Thanksgiving! 

Sunday & Monday, Nov. 6th, 7th

The Perfect Turkey

Let us be your guide to preparing the perfect turkey—a moist, flavorful showstopper! Learn how to select a turkey, what brining is and does, the secrets to roasting and tips for carving like a pro.

Sunday & Monday, Nov 13th, 14th

Thanksgiving Sides & Stuffings

While the turkey may take center stage, it’s the side dishes that often steal the show. Learn the basics of preparing delicious potatoes, savory stuffings and other impressive sides.

Sunday & Monday, Nov. 20th, 21st 

Williams-Sonoma All-Star Thanksgiving

It’s not too late to add an amazing side dish to your menu. This final Thanksgiving technique class features our favorite recipes plus last-minute tips to make your holiday truly special and stress-free.