The 18th Annual Taste of Stamford is a Thing of the Past . . . But What a Taste it Was

The sweet delights at Sono Bakery's table

The 18th Annual Taste of Stamford has come and gone, and with it went fond memories of a myriad of culinary bits to tempt the palate. With twenty-eight different restaurants / providers / businesses in attendance, the Stamford Plaza Hotel & Conference Center’s Ballroom was overflowing with guests and food alike.

Many local Stamford businesses represented in style as throngs of people came to get a taste of the offerings and enjoy live music with Paul Lacano and the Cocktail Shakers. From crepes to cocktails, fish tacos to muffaletta Bruschetta, petit filet mignon sandwiches to pork tenderloin baked with almond crust . . . there was something for everyone.

Participating Restaurants/Businesses

• Café D’zur
• The Capital Grille
• Coffee Distributing Corp.
• Corporate Culinary
• Crystal Rock Water
• David’s Soundview Catering
• DiMare Pastry Shop
• Dichello Distributors, Wine & Spirits Division
• Ducky Life Tea
• Fairway Market of Stamford
• Grade A ShopRite
• Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center
• Italian Center of Stamford
• Kona Grill
• Mitchell’s Fish Market
• Morton’s – The Steakhouse
• Nestle Waters North America
• SBC Downtown
• The Saltwater Grille
• Sam’s American Bistro/Stamford Marriott Hotel
• Shelly’s on the River
• SONO Baking Company & Café
• Stamford Plaza Hotel & Conference Center
• Stamford Wine & Liquors
• Tappo Restaurant
• Telluride
• Vinny's Backyard Restaurant

While there were many delicious nibbles to be had, there were a few standouts that tempted me enough to go back for seconds. Telluride’s Braised Free Range Chicken Dumplings (although at room temperature which made them lose just a little bit of their luster) were excellent. And though I’m not normally a red meat eater (however, from a culinary standpoint, I do try it on occasion to get a feel for the flavors), the Sam’s Mac and Cheese with Braised Short Ribs from Sam’s American Bistro/Stamford Marriott Hotel was an enticing blend of mouthwatering flavors.

Since I’m in an affirming frame of mind, I will gladly say that I had not one, not two, not three, but four of the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes from Morton’s – The Steakhouse. Yes, they were that good. The Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center scored very high points with their Seared Scallops on Polenta Cake, Tomato Bisque Shooters and the Truffle Grilled Cheese Sandwich. When it came to appearances, the Stamford Plaza Hotel & Conference Center had a pleasant display of their Tacos and various accompaniments.

Homemade Hazelnut Chocolate

Of all the treats that passed through my welcome lips on this night, the one that left me reeling and actively talking about it two days later was from a recent addition to the Stamford culinary scene: Tappo Restaurant. The Homemade Hazelnut Chocolate cubes that were arranged on the table were comforting, mind-blowing, indulgent and luscious—everything, and more that chocolate is supposed to be. This decadent dessert doesn’t appear to be a part of Tappo’s regular dessert menu, but it really should be. Seriously.

There were also plenty of spirits, coffee and tea to choose from, as well as an abundance of sweets from purveyors like DiMare Pastry Shop, SONO Baking Company & Café, to name just a couple.

So much food . . . so little time. The two hour extravaganza seemed to end all too soon, but I can rest easy knowing that next year I can do it all over again. More restaurants. More culinary delights. And many more chances to bask in it all.