Changing Seasons, Changing Dishes: New Fall Menu at Bistro 7 in Wilton, CT

Now that fall is underway and the leaves are changing, there are new offerings on Bistro 7 Wilton's menu! As usual, the menu reflects what is available locally and seasonally.

New items on Bistro 7's fall menu: butternut squash soup, BBQ chicken chowder, crispy kale pizza, speck and herbed sweet potatoes, kale smoked caesar salad, organic wild arugula salad with butternut squash, hazelnuts, pancetta, and hazelnut dressing, seafood risotto, and braised short ribs.

I haven't tried all the new items, but here's a recap of the ones I can offer opinions on. (Note: dishes pictured are tasting portions)

BBQ chicken chowder: This was rich, thick, and smoky. I loved it. Perfect for a cool fall evening, and thick enough to dip crusty bread into to soak up every last bit!

Butternut squash soup: Rich and creamy, with parmesan shaved on top, which I thought was an interesting unexpected choice, but I really enjoyed the background flavor that it added.

Organic arugula salad with pancetta, butternut squash, and hazelnut dressing: An interesting combination of flavors! Slightly bitter arugula, smoky pancetta, and the nutty sweet tang of hazelnuts, which added a nice crunch, too. The butternut squash isn't even necessary, though it's good.

Seafood risotto with scallops and shrimp: By far my favorite dish out of the ones I got to try. It's creamy but not heavy or cheesy, and the seafood is really bright and fresh. The scallops were tender, which is often not the case when they're mixed in with other ingredients (and get overcooked). 

Braised short ribs with mashed cauliflower and steamed carrots: I'm not generally a meat eater, but this was buttery tender and fell apart on my fork. Amazing flavor! The mashed cauliflower was a new experience; I tend to favor potatoes, but I could barely tell the difference because the texture was so similar. 

There are also new desserts, including a bananas foster cheesecake and a pumpkin mousse topped with butternut squash seed brittle. Give either one a try - you won't be disappointed. I dislike bananas, and I dislike mousse...yet I liked both of these desserts. Go figure!

A Night Out in Ridgefield Connecticut: Art, Wine, Nachos, and Live Music!

All too often I hear people complain that there's nothing to do around Fairfield County. While it can be difficult to find activities at first, a small effort reveals a myriad of options every single night. My recommendation is to plan your night as an "activity crawl" - a bar/event/restaurant hop. It's the best way to try out new places without committing, and meet lots of new people in one night. In a small area like Ridgefield/Redding/Bethel/Danbury, the key to finding out what's going on is by having as varied a network of acquaintances as possible. Remember, everyone wants to go out and find interesting activities as much as you do! So never be afraid to engage new with new people. The only downside is that it's hard to have a totally free night, so be prepared to spend some money. It's worth it though, and mixing free events with dinners out and ticketed parties is a good way to keep your spending under control. Plus, there are tons of happy hours around the area.

Last night was a great night out and about in Ridgefield! I caught some photos along the way.

6:45pm: Opening reception for new exhibit "Wonderland" at Seven Arts Gallery in the Georgetown region of Ridgefield. Really cool art, a great space, and an opportunity to meet other people who enjoy the local arts scene. Plus free wine is always a plus!

8:00pm: Drinks at Bistro 7 down the road about 1/4 mile. It was hopping! We were lucky to snag a spot at the bar, and just stayed for one drink. Miles to go before I sleep! This is a great spot during the week if you're looking to take advantage of happy hour. It's half price tap beers, wine, and cocktails from 4-6pm, plus half off their awesome bar menu. It's class on a budget!

8:50pm: The Hideaway in downtown Ridgefield for a couple beers and shared nachos. It was pretty dimly lit so I didn't get a nacho shot, but they were delish. Great beer list and really good food. It was much quieter than Bistro 7, and there were some families having late dinner. Another spot with a good happy hour starting at 3pm on weekdays. 

9:45pm: The Bayou in central Ridgefield. Cajun themed restaurant/bar. Pretty small. Nice live music, but WAY TOO LOUD for my tastes. We couldn't hear each other. However, everyone else seemed very happy. They definitely draw people in who are there specifically for the music. They also have a good happy hour during the week. 

A terrible picture! But a good band, Lefty.