Stamford, CT October 2024

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER – FOOD AND DRINK ISSUE

Welcome to the October edition of Stamford City Lifestyle, where this month’s issue celebrates one of life’s greatest pleasures: food and drink. I am beyond excited to share with you an array of content designed to inspire, entertain, and elevate your culinary experiences.

At Stamford City Lifestyle we are dedicated to bringing you the finest in lifestyle content, and this issue is no exception. Whether you’re a food enthu siast, an aspiring home chef, or simply someone who enjoys the occasional indulgence, we hope this edition provides you with plenty of inspiration.

Food and drink are so much more than sustenance—they are a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection. In this issue you will find a great Fall recipe from one of Stamford’s preeminent caterers, Nikki Glekas. We provide healthy eating and dietary tips from Pure Conditioning’s Dan Pachter. A new contributing writer, Eva Glassman, talks about the importance of slowing down, community and locally sourced food. In our Personal Spotlight feature, we introduce you to the husband-and-wife team that owns one of Stamford’s oldest and finest restaurants and catering venues.

October is National Menopause Month, and our own Jacqui Justice provides nutritional advice for women.

October is also a great time to get outdoors and experience the brilliant display of color.

I hope you find as much pleasure in reading this issue as we did in putting it together. Here’s to savoring the flavors of life, one page at a time!

Bon appétit and cheers,

SHAPIRO, PUBLISHER

October 2024

PUBLISHER

Marty Shapiro | Marty.Shapiro@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Laurie A. Guzda | laurie.guzda@citylifestyle.com

AREA COORDINATOR

PJ Kennedy

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Eva Glassman

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jacqui Justice, Sarah Bamford, Marty Shapiro, Eva Glassman, Nikki Glekas, Laurie A. Guzda, Jermyn Mayfield

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Reid Dahill / Building and Land Technology, Laurie A. Guzda

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

Not

Pre-Market Your Home by Listing As a Compass

• Quickly Test Your Price Without Risk: Get feedback on pricing and positioning first as a Private Exclusive before bringing it to the public market

• Soft Launch Before Being Market-Ready: Private Exclusives allow you to market your home to buyers prior to investing time or effort into preparing it for the public.

• Generate Buzz: Build early demand for your home before it hits the public market. Just like a movie trailer, a Private Exclusive signals to buyers that something is coming, weeks or months in advance.

Suzette Kraus

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

SK Homes Team at Compass suzette.kraus@compass.com M: 914.582.2551 | O: 203.309.6712 skhomesteam.com | compass.com

69 Broad St, Stamford, CT 06901

• Maintain Your Privacy: Your privacy is valuable. Private Exclusives ensures that photos and floorplans of your home are only shared with Compass agents and their qualified clientsdetails are not visible on public home search websites.

• Launch Your Listing Twice: Private Exclusive creates two separate opportunities to launch your property: first on Compass.com, and then later when the listing goes live on the MLS and aggregate sites.

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1:

3:

Sweet Treats

A FUN FALL VARIATION ON A FAVORITE GREEK DESSERT.

ARTICLE BY NIKKI GLEKAS

This is one of my most-watched episodes on YouTube. Follow the instructions as directed and you’ll have the most delicious Loukoumades you’ve ever tasted! Feel free to try other fruits. This method will definitely work well.

Apple Loukoumades

• 1 Apple, peeled and diced

• Prepared dough

• 4 cups of vegetable oil for frying

• Cinnamon

• Honey

For the Dough:

• 1 cup lukewarm water

• 2.5 teaspoons active dry yeast

• ½ tsp coarse salt

• 1 tsp granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup whole milk

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

1. In small bowl mix water, yeast, salt and sugar for about 10 minutes until it starts to bubble and is fully dissolved.

2. In a medium mixing bowl whisk together milk, eggs and vegetable shortening. (Vegetable shortening will be in small pieces.)

3. In a large mixing bowl add flour and make a well. In the well, add yeast mixture and gradually add egg and milk mixture while stirring together the dough. The dough should be well combined and have good elasticity. Dough will be very sticky and appear lumpy.

4. Cover dough with kitchen towel and set aside in warm place for 1.5 hours.

5. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or a deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature.

6. Peel the apple and dice it into small pieces. You can adjust the size of the apple pieces to your preference, but smaller pieces will cook faster and distribute more evenly in the loukoumades.

7. Take your prepared dough and gently fold in the diced apple pieces. Make sure the apples are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

8. To make loukoumades, you'll take small portions of the apple-infused dough and shape them into small balls or fritters. You can use your hands or two spoons to form them. Ensure they are compact and well-shaped.

9. Carefully place the shaped loukoumades into the hot oil. Be cautious not to overcrowd the pot as it may lower the oil temperature and affect the frying. Fry in batches if needed. The loukoumades will puff up and turn golden brown. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to gently turn them in the oil so they cook evenly.

10. Once the loukoumades are golden brown and cooked through, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the hot oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. While they are still warm, dust them with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

11. Drizzle the loukoumades with honey for that classic sweet finish. You can be as generous with the honey as you like, depending on your preference for sweetness.

12. Apple Loukoumades are best when served warm, so dig in while they are still fresh and delightful.

For more: www.nikkiglekascollective.com

APPLE LOUKOUMADES

Experience the ART of Coffee in Three of Stamford’s Favs

Coffee Houses Delivering More Than Good Coffee

Coffee House ++ best describes these creative and innovative roasters as they provide added artisan offerings of foods, jewelry and clothing. Indulge all of your senses with a great cup of java.

ARTICLE BY MARTY SHAPIRO

HUMBLED COFFEEHOUSE

Located on Hope Street in the Springdale district of Stamford, Humbled Coffeehouse focuses on good coffee, artisan baked goods and the pleasures of hanging out. The dream of Dawn Vaccaro and her two adult children became a reality when Humbled opened its doors in 2021. The establishment has gained a loyal and diverse customer base who praise the cafe for its menu and ambiance. Dawn also opened a stylish boutique right next door, called House of Humbled, which offers a range of products from clothing and jewelry to home goods, gifts, décor, pantry items and more.

MODERN LOVE COFFEE ROASTERS

Modern Love Coffee Roasters, a micro-batch roaster and cafe on High Ridge Road in the Bull’s Head section of Stamford, provides some of the best locally roasted and thoughtfully sourced coffee and tea in Stamford. The drinks at the café are complemented by a menu of meats, cheese, and produce, in addition to pastry and bread. The sister store, Modern Love Cheese & Provisions, just a few doors away,  has a well curated selection of items from cheese, charcuterie, oils, vinegar, duck fat, elk sausage - items not easily accessible at most nearby grocery stores and shops.

BONJO

COFFEE ROASTERS

Bonjo Coffee Roasters is a distinguished coffee roastery with a storefront on Elm Street designed to showcase the rich tradition of Italian-style roasting. Bonjo’s passion for excellence is reflected in every batch, carefully crafted to bring out the best in each bean. At this coffeehouse, customers can experience the full spectrum of their specialty coffees and blends, each meticulously roasted to highlight its unique characteristics. To elevate the coffee experience, Bonjo has introduced a one-of-a-kind mixology menu, where expertly crafted beverages blend their premium coffee with innovative flavors. At Bonjo, you can taste the art of coffee, perfected.

LOCALLY GROWN FOR FLAVOR, COMMUNITY AND Environmental Impact

THE JOYS OF COOKING AND RESOURCING LOCAL AGRICULTURE.

ARTICLE BY EVA GLASSMAN

With the internet on everything from our phones to our refrigerators, we are constantly inundated with information and notifications. We all know we need to slow down, but what does that mean exactly, and where does one start?

For me, it started with food. When I was in college, I joined a Co-op where my housemates and I established weekly meal plans, chore structures, and house meetings to manage our responsibilities. We became curious about food sustainability and buying local, so we connected with an organization that worked with farms in the area to sell and deliver their goods online. It got us all thinking: Where does our food come from? We adjusted our meals to highlight what was available locally. It forced us to get creative, appreciate our options, and treat them well.

“Quite frankly, we have lost most of the connections that we have to our food sources,” says Lisa Monachelli, Director of Education at Heckscher Farm. “We go to the grocery store to get our food and don’t really think much about the hows and whys of growing it and where it came from. [...] Creating a reconnection with our food sources is vital for educating consumers and to support the wonderful local agriculture in our backyards.”

At the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Heckscher Farm has been giving the Stamford community a place to “relax and enjoy a slower pace of life” since 1955. With its 10 acres of active farmland, the farm has ample educational opportunities for people of all ages to get closer to local food production.

CONTINUED >

“There are very few things that people connect with more than food.”

“Even if people can replace some products with locally-grown, it makes a huge difference to the local farmers and producers, as well as the environment,” says Monachelli. “For instance, grocery store garlic very often travels all the way from China. Connecticut farmers grow many different types of amazing garlic that doesn’t have to travel so far.”

What I learned at the Co-op was simple yet revelatory. We became a community built on trust, shared responsibility, and care. While we worked together, we weren’t doomscrolling or worrying (too much) about our schoolwork or the news. I was focused on things with real, immediate impact on my life and the lives of others. None of it made me feel overbooked; it actually slowed down my life. It was a brush with an ancient, long-forgotten truth: food and community is everything and, indeed, worth our time.

Local food initiatives have always been about more than just growing healthy food. “There are very few things that people connect with more than food,” says Peter Novajosky, Farm Manager at Stamford’s Fairgate Farm.

“Food culture, the memories and emotional attachments to foods, the seasonality of waiting for summer tomatoes or the first asparagus to come out of the ground in spring, and the flavor and satisfaction that can’t be matched by anything you can buy at a grocery store... these are life-changing things when you learn to appreciate them.”

Fairgate Farm is a nonprofit with a mission to increase access to delicious, nutritious, local food for the Stamford community. They offer volunteer and educational opportunities for individuals, schools, and other organizations.

“Supporting local food initiatives builds community, increases food security for yourself and your neighbors, and strengthens your local economy,” says Novajosky. We all have the power, right now, to slow down and invest more time in ourselves, our food, and our communities.

Spread the word, start your own garden, or volunteer at a local farm,” suggests Novajosky. “Food needs to be grown but it also needs to prepared, cooked, distributed, rescued, donated, composted, etc. There are so many ways to take part in your local food system.”

-

Peter Novajosky, Fairgate

Farm

JoAnn & Sal Latorraca

Personal Spotlight - Owners at The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s

Names: JoAnn & Sal Latorraca

Age: 59

Occupation: Owners at The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s

The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s opened October 1987 as one of Stamford and Darien’s premiere Steakhouses. Since then, the restaurant has grown to include an award-winning event space. JoAnn and her husband Sal Latorraca offer guests a timeless experience in a genuine, warm atmosphere perfect for special occasions, corporate events, or even a family night out. JoAnn’s father, Giovanni, opened his first restaurant in 1977. From there JoAnn and her husband Sal Latorraca began to use the same gift for great food in their recipes when creating memorable events. The Latorraca Family has remained one of the area’s more beloved special event venues and restaurants for 38-plus years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE STAMFORD COMMUNITY?

We love that Stamford is a small city yet a big town! We’ve stayed connected to people we’ve known for years but also find great

pleasure in meeting new people. There is a sense of belonging here, a strong community. We grew up here and consider ourselves lucky to have raised our 4 boys here.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE DISHES/DRINKS IN THE STAMFORD AREA?

At the restaurant we’re huge Belle Glos fans, the best Pinot Noir that goes well with our long-bone steak topped with fried onions. Order it rare, charred on the outside - yum!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIDDEN GEMS IN STAMFORD?

I think more people need to know about the local community of theatre. Curtain Call on Newfield Ave has been entertaining the Stamford residents for so many years with 10 to 12 full-scale productions a year. Besides the great talent, it’s primarily a voluntary organization.

FAVORITE QUOTE OR PIECE OF ADVICE?

It really does take a village.

BY

Healthy Lifestyle Guide:

ARTICLE BY DANIEL PACHTER @BODYBYPURE

Calories in, Calories out? All calories are not created equal.

1,000 calories of “Skittles” and 1,000 calories of grass-fed steak do not have the same macronutrient or micronutrient profile, glycemic effect, effect on appetite, mood and energy.

Quality, quantity, and frequency of calories all play a major role in whether you burn glucose or fat for fuel and whether your cells have the raw materials needed for repair.

Here are three tips to consider for fat burning over sugar burning:

1. Focus on eating more nutrient dense food - whole foods vs processed foods (whole eggs instead of cereal or a bagel for breakfast) - eat fruit instead of drinking fruit juice - sweet potato baked with butter or avocado oil instead of French fries fried in seed oils

2. Intermittent fasting - Skip meals periodically burning through carbohydrate stores to start burning body fat for fuel.

3. Eat a higher protein and good fat diet, limit refined carbs (bread, pasta, sugar) and favor fats like avocado, coconut, olive, butter and beef tallow instead of margarine or vegetable oils.

The Royal Green

ARTICLE BY JERMYN MAYFIELD

The Royal Green is a modern American steakhouse featuring certified black Angus beef - mouth watering, tender and cooked to perfection. The barrel cut filet mignon and the New York sirloin strip steak stand out as guest favorites. Enjoy with their delicious cornmeal dusted fried onions and don’t forget to add the truffled Maderia sauce.

The full menu offers a variety of choices for all tastes including fresh seafood, pasta, and poultry.

Start your meal with the popular, Maryland crab crumble appetizer. This delicious plate is a seamless fusion of Maryland lump crab, roasted Jersey corn, and crowned with a cornbread crust.

To complete this culinary feast, savor the classic crème brûlée.

Located at Sterling Farms on Newfield Avenue, this relaxed and inviting restaurant caters to a variety of tastes and preferences. So, the next time you are looking for a great Stamford dining experience, consider The Royal Green.

AN EXCEPTIONAL STAMFORD DINING EXPERIENCE AT STERLING FARMS

The menopausal transition, which can last anywhere from 4 to 10 years, has gotten quite a bad rap and for good reason. Fluctuating hormones starting in perimenopause can cause a constellation of symptoms, leaving us frustrated and confused as we struggle with belly fat and bloat, stubborn hormonal weight gain, unpredictable mood swings, low energy, brain fog, hot flashes and bouts of insomnia - zapping our energy and our self confidence.

SH E D DING YOUR MENOPAUSALMIDDLE

THE SECRET TO NATURALLY BALANCING YOUR HORMONES FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, SLIMMER AND SYMPTOM-FREE TRANSITION.

ARTICLE BY JACQUI JUSTICE, MS FUNCTIONAL NUTRITIONIST @JACQUIJUSTICE

The solution to reducing or even eliminating these symptoms is to focus on shedding belly fat and bloat, the infamous menopausal middle. Our diets and stress levels have the biggest impact on our ability to do this. Here are 5 of my Top Dietary and Stress-Reducing Hacks for shedding that menopausal middle and feeling like yourself again:

Hydrate: flush out excess bloat, rev your metabolism and boost your energy. Aim to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water/day.

Eat for your hormonal response to food: prioritize protein, healthy fats and fiber-rich fruits and veggies. Minimize refined carbs, sugar, unhealthy fats and alcohol.

Feed your gut with hormone-balancing probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods: Consider taking a probiotic supplement and digestive enzymes.

Cleanse your liver (your fat-burning and hormone-regulating organ): avoid toxins in your food and environment. Consider doing a formal detox yearly.

Nourish your hormone-balancing adrenal glands: eat 3-5 protein-rich meals throughout the day, prioritize sleep and focus on stress reduction. Take 4 deep breaths every hour to lower cortisol.

Hormones are our most powerful messengers. When they change, we need to change with them. The above tips will result in a happier, healthier, and slimmer symptom-free transition.

PALETTE OF AUTUMN

A Symphony of Colors on Nature’s Canvas

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURIE A. GUZDA

Peak leaf peeping usually occurs for Stamford near the end of October. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the breathtaking spectacle, where vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold blanket the landscape, sooner. Head north on the Merritt Parkway for great pumpkin picking and fresh apple cider. Silverman's Farm in Easton, Lyman's Orchards in Middlefield and Beardsley's Cider Mill in Shelton are some of our favs.

at Stamford Museum & Nature Center

October 5, 2024 — January 5, 2025

An exhibition like no other! Explore and discover cutting-edge dinosaur research by American Museum of Natural History paleontologists and other leading scientists from around the world.

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS OCTOBER 2024

OCTOBER 6TH

When I Was

Your Age – USA

The Italian Center 1620 Newfield Avenue, Stamford CT | 7:30 PM

With generous support from

Twin Protoceratops Models

Twin models demonstrate this dinosaur’s unique frills. Scientists have developed new theories about why they sported these features. © AMNH

T. rex Leg Cast

This cast shows the full-size leg of a Tyrannosaurus rex. that would have weighed between 11,000-15,500 pounds with skin and flesh on its huge bones. © AMNH

This groundbreaking exhibition explores how paleontologists today are using an incredible array of new technologies — from bioengineering computer software to CT scans — along with new discoveries and new ideas to investigate and reinterpret many of the most persistent and puzzling mysteries of dinosaurs, such as what they really looked like and how they actually moved and behaved, as well as the complex and hotly debated theories of why — or even whether — they became extinct.

stamfordmuseum.org/dinosaur

Joe Avati has a razor sharp wit and his observations are not only deadly accurate but extremely relatable to his growing international audiences. Joe Avati is, without doubt, one of the world’s most loved and successful comedians of his generation. Suitable for all ages. https://www.showpass.com/ joe-avati-stamford-ct/

OCTOBER 7TH

Scripts on Tap

The Palace Theatre | 7:00 PM

“Lying to Spielberg” Written by Bill Nabel. Produced and Directed by Lynne Colatrella. An aging holocaust survivor makes speeches about his story.  But when a young man knocks on his front door and says he’s his son from a one-night stand he had during the war, all of his secrets, lies and truths, past and present, collide.

OCTOBER 22ND

The Avon Theatre Honors

Michael Douglas

The Avon Theatre | 6:00 PM

The Avon Theatre honors acclaimed actor and producer Michael Douglas as the recipient of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. The fundraising event features live performances by special guests, creating a magical, intimate evening in The Avon’s historic main theater.  Tickets are extremely limited and can be purchased:https:// events.readysetauction.com/avon/ honorsmichaeldouglas

COLUMBUS PARK, appetizers, homemade pastas, fresh fish and great wine list. A fun and fashionable location where the food and sevice are exceptional.

COLUMBUS PARK, centrally located in downtown Stamford, boasts of its extraordinary appetizers, homemade pastas, fresh fish and great wine list. A fun and fashionable location where the food and sevice are exceptional.

COLUMBUS PARK'S small-to-medium sized private parties such as corporate affairs, rehearsal dinners and family events. Columbus Park Trattoria will help to make your party unforgettable at a cost which is surprisingly affordable.

COLUMBUS PARK'S private dining room can accommodate 64 people. Specializing in small-to-medium sized private parties such as corporate affairs, rehearsal dinners and family events. Columbus Park Trattoria will help to make your party unforgettable at a cost which is surprisingly affordable.