Food & Drink, Restaurants & Bars
Cooking advice for Thanksgiving turkeys

Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely — Advice from Darien Health Department

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Some advice on keeping your Thanksgiving food healthy — information passed on by Mindy Chambrelli, a registered sanitarian at Darien Health Department:
Last year, more than 46 million turkeys were carved and eaten at Thanksgiving. Turkey is typically accompanied by a host of side dishes and desserts, making the Thanksgiving meal by far one of the largest meals most people will cook all year.  Please do so safely and remember NO need to wash the bird, place it directly into the roasting pan! Fresh or Frozen? Fresh Turkeys

Allow 1 pound of turkey per person. Buy your turkey only 1 to 2 days before you plan to cook it.

Books & Authors

Cooking Simply: Online Presentation From Two Cookbook Authors Thursday Night

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With Thanksgiving around the corner, Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore are presenting an online program that simplifies the art of cooking. Founding editor of New York Times Cooking Sam Sifton and cookbook author Dawn Perry will discuss their latest cookbooks: The New York Times Cooking No-Recipe Recipes and Ready, Set, Cook. Learn how to cook intuitively and confidently, whether you are serving up a regular weekday meal or a holiday feast. — an announcement from Darien Library

This event is co-sponsored by Barrett Bookstore. If you would like to add to your cookbook collection, please visit their website.

Business
Darien Commons prospective rendering

Darien Commons Development in Downtown Noroton to Open Stores in Fall 2022, Apartments in Spring

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Federal Realty Investment Trust says Darien Commons, its business/residential development being built in downtown Noroton Heights, will have new retail and restaurant tenants opening doors within 18 months, with some by the fall of 2022. Apartments can be reserved this coming January, and they should be available this coming Spring, the company says. — an announcement from Federal Realty
Timeline
A recent announcement from Federal Realty included these elements relating to timing that Darienite.com presents here as a single timeline:

—January 2022 — pre-leasing for apartments

—Fall 2022 — new stores begin to open

—”Within the next 18 months” (up to late February 2023) — other stores will open

— In Spring 2022, apartments are expected to be ready for occupancy, a publicist for Federal Realty said. When complete, Darien Commons will feature over 110,000 square feet of retail space and 122 apartments. Apartments for lease will have a range of sizes from studios to two-bedroom homes with secure, underground parking.

Food & Drink, Restaurants & Bars
Em Sauter beer expert at Darien Library

Non-Traditional Food and Drink Pairing of Four Beers With Cheeses Presented in Oct 7 Webinar

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Adventurous food lovers, rejoice: Darien Library is thrilled to present a delicious program exploring a non-traditional food and drink pairing. It’s a webinar, so you won’t even need a designated driver. You can get the beers and cheeses at Darien stores. — an announcement from Darien Library

Advanced Cicerone, author, and cartoonist Em Sauter will join Darien Library at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, to walk through the pairings and share her pairing advice.

Art Darien 2021
Art Darien poster Grove St Plaza 2021

Sixth Annual ‘Art Darien’ Outdoor Art Fair Is a Little Different This Weekend at Grove St Plaza

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The popular Darien fall tradition – Art Darien was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but it’s back this weekend at Grove Street Plaza — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday. — an announcement from the organizers

“I have been rebuilding the art event to make sure the event will be safe and comfortable for everyone even during the pandemic,” said artist Nobu Miki, the organizer of the two-day event, which is free. Artists used to bring their display setups and stay at their spots all day. This original idea was inspired by the famous artist colony, Montmartre Paris, and Nobu loved it. But she invested and purchased outdoor display panels this year to create a smoother visitor flow.

Darien Parks and Recreation Department 2021
Weed Beach Festive Night 2021

Picnic to Music at the Final Weed Beach Festive Night of the Summer

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Dinner tickets are no longer available, but you can still reserve picnic tables for the final Weed Beach Festive Night of the summer today, Friday, with gates opening at 5 p.m. (Weed Beach will close to regular beachgoers starting at 2 p.m.)

— an announcement from Darien Parks and Recreation Department

If you didn’t already pre-purchase dinners through Nikki Glekas Events (which will be served at 6 p.m.), you can bring your own picnic or get food and beverages from the Beach Grill concessions, which will remain open throughout the event. Festive Night features music from the Darien Community Band and local favorite Kenny Weiss. The Darien Community Band, now celebrating its 75th year, plays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Kenny Weiss, will follow from 6:30 to 8 p.m., when the event ends. If the event has to be cancelled, the rain date is Saturday, Aug. 28.

Community Organizations

Abilis Expands Special Needs Services in Darien With Four Programs This Year, More Expected

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Abilis, a nonprofit that serves people with special needs and their families, will be expanding programs and services in Darien, starting with four programs in the areas of job training, life skills, employment and housing. — an announcement from Abilis

Abilis is now accepting applications for two programs: Abilis LEAP Transitions Program, which helps people acquire life skills, as well as Project SEARCH, a 10-month internship at the Darien YMCA to provide job training. Two other programs are still in the works: Sometime later this year Abilis will open Darien Library Café. Later this summer and early fall, the organization will run the supportive living program for 12 new, large studio apartments on East Lane, as part of the Corbin District project. “Having these four initial Abilis programs, and more to come, in the Darien community, will only strengthen our ability to help more individuals with disabilities or special needs,” said Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis.

Food & Drink, Restaurants & Bars
Cover How to Grill Vegetables

Learn Grilling Tips in a Thursday Webinar With Steven Raichlen, Author of ‘How to Grill Vegetables’

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Darien Library presents a sizzling event just in time for grilling season. International TV personality, author, and chef Steven Raichlen will discuss his latest cookbook How to Grill Vegetables: The New Bible for Barbecuing. — an announcement from Darien Library

With recipes for smoke-roasting a head of cauliflower, hay-smoking lettuce, plank-grilling eggplant parmigiana, and more, attendees are bound to find something new to try this summer. This virtual event will take place at 7 p.m., tonight, Thursday, June 10. Register here.

Business
Health Department Inspection Ratings Restaurants 11-17-17

Two Darien Restaurants Get Worst Grade, ‘C,’ in Latest Health Inspection Reports

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Two Darien restaurants received a “C” rating, the worst grade in the town’s A/B/C ratings system, in the inspection reports released Thursday by the Darien Health Department. The department released health inspection reports for 10 food-serving establishments on Thursday for inspections that took place from Sept. 21 to 30. In addition to the two “C” ratings, five inspections resulted in an “A,” another three received a “B.” Keep in mind that a food-serving establishment with a history of good ratings may occasionally get a poor inspection rating, occasionally the best do, and every restaurant normally gets a few things wrong.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Community Dinner for a Cause Community Fund of Darien Fall 2020

You Can Place an Order by 4 PM Wednesday for Community Fund of Darien’s ‘Dinner for a Cause’

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The Community Fund of Darien invites you to join others in dining “together” at home on Saturday, Oct. 3 for TCF’s fourth ‘Community Dinner for a Cause’ event. But to join in, you’ve got to place your order by 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the TCF website. The fundraiser supports programs to strengthen the Darien community.

Business
Health food 01-13-17

Worst Health Inspection Rating — ‘C’ — for Two Darien Establishments in Latest Reports

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A restaurant and a retirement home in Darien received “C” ratings, the worst grade in town Health Department’s A/B/C ratings system, in the inspection reports released Thursday by the Darien Health Department. Meanwhile, a retirement home that previously received a “C” rating has now received an “A” and a perfect 100 score in its latest inspection. The department released health inspection reports for 11 food-serving establishments on Thursday for inspections that took place from Sept. 4 to 9. In addition to the two “C” rating, five inspections resulted in an “A,” another four establishments each received a “B.”

Business
Health Department Inspection Ratings Restaurants 11-17-17

‘C’ Rating for Darien Retirement Home in Latest Health Inspection Reports

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A Darien retirement home received a “C” rating, the worst grade in town Health Department’s A/B/C ratings system, in the inspection reports released Thursday by the Darien Health Department. The department released health inspection reports for nine food-serving establishments on Thursday for inspections that took place from Sept. 4 to 9. In addition to the “C” rating, three inspections resulted in an “A,” another five received a “B.” Keep in mind that a food-serving establishment with a history of good ratings may occasionally get a poor inspection rating, occasionally the best do, and every restaurant normally gets a few things wrong.

Business
Health Inspection Certificate

‘C’ Rating for One Darien Restaurant in Latest Health Inspection Reports

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One restaurant in Darien received a “C” rating, the worst grade in town Health Department’s A/B/C ratings system, in the inspection reports released Thursday by the Darien Health Department. The department released health inspection reports for four food-serving establishments on Thursday for inspections that took place from Sept. 4 to 9. In addition to the “C” rating, two inspections resulted in an “A,” another received a “B.” Keep in mind that a food-serving establishment with a history of good ratings may occasionally get a poor inspection rating, occasionally the best do, and every restaurant normally gets a few things wrong.

Business
Health food 01-13-17

Most Recent Darien Health Inspection Reports of Town Restaurants

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Here’s how Darien restaurants and other food-serving places fared in the latest inspection reports, released Thursday by the Darien Health Department. The department on Thursday released five reports of inspection visits from Feb. 14 to March 7. Of those, three inspections resulted in a “B” rating and two more received an “A.” No establishment was rated “C.”