Taste of Manchester Three Weeks Away!

The 8th Annual Taste of Manchester is only three weeks away. On Tuesday, May 9 from 5:30-9, participants will sample a variety of foods from Manchester's eateries in this popular pub-crawl style event. 

Click on the links below to read about some tried-and-true favorites that are returning to the TOM 2017 to share their favorite tastes with locals and visitors alike:

Mike's Pizzeria

Steve's Bagels

Hartford Road Pizza

Hungry Tiger

Tickets for the event tend to sell out, so go to the TOM WEBSITE where you can sign up as a volunteer, get more information and buy your tickets today.

Taste of Manchester: Steve's Bagels

As part of the Taste of Manchester 2016 Marketing Committee, Amy has volunteered to write short features on the participating restaurants and share them via our blog here.This year's Taste of Manchester will be held TOMORROW from 5:30 to 9 p.m. See the TOM webpage, Facebook page, or Twitter @TastyTownCT (#TOMCT2016) for more information.

New York native Steve DiGiorgio has brought New York style bagels to the City of Village Charm. He opened Steve's Bagels in the former Sugar Shack on Center Street at the end of 2015, and Manchester residents have been talking about it since.

Steve's Bagels are made on site daily, in batches throughout the day, so they are always fresh. It takes 18 hours to complete the process - from making the dough to letting it proof to rolling, kettle-boiling, and finally, baking the bagels. Popular flavors include the everything bagel, cranberry orange bagel, and the French toast bagel (which is a cinnamon-raisin bagel drizzled with molasses and sprinkled with brown sugar). There are seasonal/holiday specials such as rainbow swirl bagels for Easter and green bagels for St. Patrick's Day. And Steve is always trying out new flavors. 

Need a schmear for your bagel? Steve's makes 14 flavors of cream cheese, like cinnamon walnut apple, bacon, and blueberry. The flavor combinations are endless!

Steve's is also a deli, with Boar's Head meats and cheeses which can be made into sandwiches using rolls or bagels for bread. You can design your own sandwich or choose from one of Steve's signature specialties, like the customer fave Queen Leslie (low sodium turkey, bacon, mayo and lettuce on an Asiago pesto bagel). These are served with chips and a pickle. Their sandwich salads (tuna, chicken, egg salad) are made in-house. There's a new pepperoni-stuffed bread that employees say they "can't keep in stock."

A lovely woman named Carol handles the non-bagel baking, so Steve's offers homemade cookies, muffins, banana bread, and other goodies. There are also bags of bagel chips that come in various flavors.

This year is Steve's Bagels first year joining the Taste of Manchester, so those few residents who haven't gotten to taste Steve's NY-style bagels yet will be able to tomorrow night at the 7th Annual Taste of Manchester. 

Steve's Bagels is located at 150 Center Street. Their phone number is 860.432.2223, and they are open daily. Check their website here for hours and the menu. You can call in or fax orders and pick up orders at the convenient drive-through. Corporate accounts and delivery are available.

Taste of Manchester: Mike's Pizzeria

As part of the Taste of Manchester 2016 Marketing Committee, Amy has volunteered to write short features on the participating restaurants and share them via our blog here.This year's Taste of Manchester will be held on Tuesday, May 10th from 5:30 to 9 p.m. See the TOM webpage, Facebook page, or Twitter @TastyTownCT (#TOMCT2016) for more information. 

Mike's Pizzeria

New to town, and to the Taste of Manchester this year, is Mike's Pizzeria, which is located at 267 East Center Street. Owner Matt Barry opened the pizzeria last July as a tribute to his late grandfather, Mike Massaro, who owned a pizza place in Manchester for decades.

A Tribute to Mike Massaro

Barry remembers growing up helping his grandfather at his shop, folding boxes and learning how to make the dough. He says his mother always knew one day he'd own his own pizza shop. When the space opened up, he knew it was his turn to make the pizza. 

One friendly staff member at Mike's counter

Mike's is known for its wide variety (over 30 different types, not including build-your-own) of pan pizzas. The pizzas are cooked in a special rotating oven that can fit up to 40 pizzas at a time on stones that are heated to 480 degrees. The house pizza is a customer favorite, as it pleases both meat and veggie lovers with toppings of mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sausage and hamburger. Another popular choice is the "Big Mike," Mike's version of a Big Mac, which is covered with thousand island dressing (special sauce), grilled hamburger (for that flame-grilled flavor), pickles, onions, mozzarella cheese and then topped with lettuce after being cooked. You barely miss that sesame seed bun. 

The secret to Mike's pies? This oven!

Mike's serves pizza by the slice, and these slices are huge, cut to equal one quarter of their 16-inch pie. Daily choices (cheese, pepperoni) are available as is a daily special slice, which is usually something concocted that day on the whim of the chefs. 

Pizza topped with extra mozzarella, pepperoni and hamburger

Besides pizza, Mike's serves a variety of grinders, in 8-inch and, for the super-hungry, 16-inch sizes. Their meatballs are made in-house, and sausage-and-peppers can be made with a choice of hot or sweet sausage. Calzones are stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella and the customer's choice of toppings. Stuffed breads like sausage and spinach or eggplant are also available and are served with marinara sauce on the side. A variety of appetizers (like 9 flavors of wings, fried ravioli and potato skins), salads and wraps rounds out the diverse menu, making it sure to please every palate.

Sweet Chili Wings

Barry is happy to be continuing his grandfather's tradition and serving delicious hot pizzas and more to the folks of Manchester. He makes sure the business supports local groups, like Manchester High sports teams, and is pleased to be involved in local events such as the Taste of Manchester. This year, Taste of Manchester participants can enjoy a taste of Mike's pizza and stuffed breads. 

Mike's Pizzeria is located at 267 East Center Street. They are open daily for takeout and delivery, with a couple of tables for eating in. Their phone number is 860.432.0002. You can find their hours, menu, and more at their website or Facebook page.

It's not too late to buy tickets to this year's Taste of Manchester! Click here for info.

Taste of Manchester: Lucky Taco

As part of the Taste of Manchester 2015 Marketing Committee, Amy has volunteered to write short features on the participating restaurants and share them via our blog here.This year's Taste of Manchester will be held on Tuesday, May 12th from 5:30 to 9 p.m. See the TOM webpage, Facebook page, or Twitter @TastyTownCT (#TOMCT2015) for more information. 

If you are a Connecticut taco fan, you’re undoubtedly familiar with Flaco, the Lucky Taco truck, which rambles around Bushnell Park on weekday afternoons. But if you’re not free to chase food trucks in the afternoon, it’s no longer a problem. Lucky Taco Cantina and Tap Room is now open on Main Street in Manchester. And they are participating in their first Taste of Manchester this year. Taco lovers rejoice!

What's on tap today?

The space, for a long time a local breakfast joint, is narrow and long, and is separated into two parts - restaurant and bar. The bar is dimly lit, as a bar should be, with a few high-top tables perfect for snacking or having a libation while waiting for a booth. There’s a full bar, yes, but we suggest indulging in something different. Lucky Taco carries over a dozen different tequilas (including some house-made tequila infusions), and makes margaritas with Connecticut’s own Ripe fresh juices and fresh fruit purees. They also have a wide variety of local and craft beers on tap.

Infusions

The restaurant is bright and cheery, evoking thoughts of warm Southern weather. Booths line one wall; a counter and the kitchen lines the other. Lucky Taco specializes in what they call “Tex-Mex comfort food infused with other worldly delights.”  As far as “Tex-Mex” goes, the menu offers a few of the standard Mexican-style dishes, particularly among the appetizers (nachos and quesadillas), salads (taco salad), and soups (chicken tortilla). But the worldly delights do entice, particularly with the inventive taco and burrito options. There are 14 different types of tacos and 15 different styles of burritos at Lucky Taco, so you’re sure to find one that tickles you. 

Lucky Nachos

Portabella Fajita Taco

We found the menu section called "Tacos Around the World" to be particularly intriguing. Here you'll find global favorites like Kung Pao Chicken, Island Jerk Pork, Thai Chicken and Chorizo, all stuffed, taco-style, into flour or corn tortillas. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and even breakfast tacos on their breakfast menu.

Island Jerk Pork Taco (with Mango Pico de Gallo)

Black Bean, Tomato and Cheese Burrito

Daily dessert specials vary, but this silky flan, smothered in a light caramel sauce, was a crowd-pleaser. All Lucky Taco menus can be found on their website. They even cater!

Flan

Come sample Lucky Taco's Tex-Mex fusion fare at The Taste of Manchester 2015. Then visit them at 829 Main Street in Manchester. They are open Tuesday-Wednesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Closed Mondays). Their phone number is 860-432-2274. 

UPDATE: CONGRATS TO LUCKY TACO FOR BEING CT NOW'S BEST BURRITO OF 2015!

About the Taste of Manchester 2016

Perhaps you read the recent post on Mike's Pizzeria and your interest was piqued. What is the Taste of Manchester and how does it work?

The Taste of Manchester is a single-night fund-raising event that supports the Manchester Dog Owners Group and is run entirely by volunteers. Your ticket offers you the opportunity to explore, in pub-crawl fashion, the flavors of Downtown Manchester, and support the local businesses in the City of Village Charm.

Each participating business will have a "Tasting" area set up either at their own location, or at one of the joint locations on Main Street, where they will offer a taste of their menu items. You can start anywhere along the route, and travel by foot or take one of the shuttle buses that will be available. Visit as many businesses as you like, but make sure you end up at the Army & Navy Club for the after-party and raffle drawings! 

This year's event will be held on Tuesday, May 10th from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. All the information you need, from purchasing tickets to finding out more about the participating restaurants to volunteering for the Taste of Manchester, can be found at one or more of the following sites:

Website: http://tasteofmanchesterct.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TASTEOFMANCHESTERCT

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tastytownct

Twitter Handle: @tastytownct  

This year's hashtag: #TOMCT2016

Get those tastebuds revved up and ready by reading about a few of the 2016 Taste participants below, and BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!

Hartford Road Pizza

The Hungry Tiger

Top Shelf Brewing Co.
La Bamba
Lucky Taco
La Via Del Gusto

Taste of Manchester: La Via Del Gusto

As part of the Taste of Manchester 2015 Marketing Committee, Amy has volunteered to write short features on the participating restaurants and share them via our blog here.This year's Taste of Manchester will be held on Tuesday, May 12th from 5:30 to 9 p.m. See the TOM webpage, Facebook page, or Twitter @TastyTownCT (#TOMCT2015) for more information. 

La Via del Gusto on Broad Street

Think you need to go to Franklin Avenue to purchase great Italian meats, cheeses, espressos and pastries? Think again. In the Strano Bakery building on Broad Street, you'll find a hidden treasure - La Via del Gusto, an Italian cafe, bakery, deli and market, right here in Manchester, CT. The Italian name means "The Way of Taste," and this business is Manchester's way to the old world tastes of Italy. They will be participating in the Taste of Manchester 2015, their second year. 

Owner Claudio makes a cappuccino

Frothy, sweet, and delizioso!

CAFE: Business owner and ever-the-welcoming-host Claudio makes a mean espresso, or a cappuccino, if you prefer. Sip on one as you listen to Italian music and browse the multiple pastry cases in search of the choicest accompaniment to your caffeine fix. And speaking of pastries...

Fresh Bread

Creamy, crunchy cannoli

Lobster-Tail Pastry

BAKERY: One step into the building and the tempting aromas give it away -- La Via del Gusto specializes in freshly baked Italian breads and rolls, flaky pastries such as ricotta-stuffed sflogliatelle and cream-filled "lobster tails," cannoli (plain or chocolate-dipped) and assorted Italian cookies. All of these can be ordered in individual servings or by the dozen (pastries) or pound (cookies), to eat in the cafe or to take away. Just like their deli items...

Italian Cheeses

Sweet Sopressata, Sharp Provolone, Scamorza Garlic Bread, and Meatballs in sauce 

- the at-home feast of foods we bought at La Via del Gusto

DELI: Italian meats, like prosciutto, capicolla, salami and sopressatta are among the deli choices at La Via del Gusto. But what is meat without cheese in the old world? Parmigiano-Reggiano, scamorza, Grana Padano, provolone - take your pick. You're sure to find one that is crumbly, stinky, salty, smoky, or nutty enough to suit your needs. If you need a quick breakfast or lunch sandwich, look no further. Claudio's Classic Italian Combo is the way to go - ham, Genoa salami and sopressata with your choice of cheese, veggies, and special housemade roasted pepper cream, or any other combination for a grinder or panini you can think up, will be magnificently stuffed with freshly sliced Italian-style formaggi and carni.   

Serving up a hefty sandwich

MARKET: La Via del Gusto also has a market area with shelves overflowing with imported pastas of every shape, bottles of olive oil and vinegar, tomato sauces and other Italian specialty items. They also sell their own items such as meatballs, spaghetti sauce, soups and more. Which means you can buy the best ingredients to make your dinner from scratch, or get that dinner ready-made to simply heat and eat. 

Oils, vinegars, tomatoes, sauces

 Homemade Meatballs are vacuum-packed and ready to heat 'n eat

Pastas of every shape

So, Manchesterians, next time you are craving the culinary delights of Italy, rather than wrestle with traffic on I-84 into Hartford, keep it truly local and travel "the way of taste" to La Via del Gusto. 

The Menu

La Via del Gusto is located at 255 Broad Street, in the old Strano Bakery Building. They are open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Their phone number is 860-432-2122, and you can eat in the cafe, take items to go, and/or purchase catered platters and trays.  

Taste of Manchester is Tomorrow!

The 5th Annual Taste of Manchester is upon us! Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 13th) from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., as long as you have a ticket, you can sample all the flavors @TastyTownCT has to offer.

To help you plan your evening, go here for a map with a list of participating restaurants and locations, as well as what they will be offering. 

Be sure to get a door prize ticket at each restaurant you visit. Prizes will be drawn at the end of the event in the Army Navy Club on Main Street. Visit the 4 Golden Ticket locations (Antonio's, Hungry Tiger, Main Pub and Rocco's - who have participated for all five years) for a special door prize ticket.

And go here to check out the restaurants we featured here at A Couple in the Kitchen.

See you tomorrow night. Tweet your evening along with us @TastyTownCT #TOMCT2014. 

Taste of Manchester: Top Shelf Brewing Company

As part of the Taste of Manchester 2014 Marketing Committee, Amy has volunteered to write short features on the participating restaurants and share them via our blog here.This year's Taste of Manchester will be held on Tuesday, May 13th from 5:30 to 9 p.m. See the TOM webpage, Facebook page, or Twitter @TastyTownCT (#TOMCT2014) for more information.

You’ve heard of the microbrewery. But did you know there are breweries that create even fresher, more seasonal, more specialized beers? These are known as “nanobreweries,” and there is one right here in Manchester, Connecticut, located in the old mills on Hilliard Street. It's Top Shelf Brewing Company.

Top Shelf (motto "Drink Local!") was opened last fall by friends Mike Boney, Joe Frost and T.J. Lavery whose goal was to bring to Connecticut the nanobrewery experience that is so popular around the rest of the nation. We stopped in recently to chat with Mike about Top Shelf.

As Mike explained, Top Shelf offers about 15 different beers that rotate on a seasonal schedule. Each beer is brewed as a double batch which makes about 80 gallons. Much of this is available at the brewery for tastings (Fridays from 4-7 and Saturdays from 12-4), purchase at the brewery in bottle or by the growler, or, as of this spring, on tap at local restaurants such as All Stars Sports Bar and Hartford Road Cafe, both in Manchester. Speaking of Hartford Road Cafe, this is where you can sample Top Shelf during this year's Taste of Manchester on May 13th! 22-ounce bottles can be found at local liquor stores as well, although Mike tells us they will be transitioning to six-packs this summer. Something to look forward to!

We thought about describing all of Top Shelf's beers for you, but the batches go so quickly this post would be old news before it was published. So we'll let you know that the current beer selection can be found on the Top Shelf website as well as their Facebook and Twitter pages. 

We CAN tell, you, though, that the spring/summer brews, to be sold in a 2-to-3-month limited release, sound amazing. There's "Anytime Stout," "Double IPA", "Silk City Saison," and one in particular that is calling Amy's name, "Strawberry Basil." Sounds refreshingly summery!

Be sure to hop the Taste of Manchester bus down to Hartford Road Cafe to welcome Top Shelf Brewing Company to the Silk City and sample some of their nanobrews. Tickets for the Taste of Manchester are going fast, so get them now if you haven't already. We'll see you then! 

And remember - Drink Local!