Silvermine Market on the New Canaan/Norwalk Line

Went to the Silvermine Market in New Canaan (right on the Norwalk line in Silvermine) this Sunday for breakfast.  It is such a cute little building, you begin to forget that you are right in the middle of suburbia.  It is also a fairly cheap eat, as you order at the register, so no waiter service (but there is a tip jar at the register).

The food is good but I would not classify it as great (my opinion).  That being said, this is one of my favorite places for meeting up with friends for breakfast or just tea.  The seating area is wonderful, the staff is very nice and the ambionce is great .  It is also right across the street from the Silvermine Art Center; you may have to park in their parking lot as the small lot in front of the Market does fill quickly.  Of course, you can also check out the gallery at the Silvermine Art Center or pick up a brochure for a variety of classes for adults and children.  http://silvermineart.org

Silvermine Market hours are 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Saturday and Sundays, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Starting again mid-September, The Market is open for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays and it is BYOB.

For their menu and more information and directions, go to: http://www.silverminemarket.com

Part of the outdoor seating area

The view from our table with window bench.

French Toast!

Great Sunday Morning at Elephant's Trunk in New Milford

Had a great morning at Elephant's Trunk in New Milford.  Even though Saturday had rained quite a bit, plenty of vendors were there Sunday morning.  We saw everything from antique and mid century modern furniture to military uniforms to Halloween costumes.  A few vendors were selling beautiful mums, perrenials and house plants.

If you go, you have to get the fresh made doughnuts, get the cinnamon and sugar, and go to the "Sausage Guy" table.  His stuff is delicious!

Entrance fee is $2 for anyone older than 10 years old.  If you arrive before 7:00 a.m., it is $20 - for the serious "flea marketer".

For directions and information, go to: http://www.etflea.com/_/Home.html
There is also a Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elephants-Trunk-Flea-Market/221862391163607

Check their website and/or Facebook page if you are unsure if they will be open due to weather, usually posted by Saturday evening.

Go to a Brewery Tour in Stratford At Two Roads Brewery

I have not been to Two Roads Brewery in Stratford but my husband went and he thought it was great!  For $5 he had a tour of the brewery, some samples and then was able to go into the Beer Garden where you can order beer from their "beer truck" and Food Trucks are in the Beer Garden to serve food.  It was a great night out.

As mentioned, tours are $5 and if you have a group of people going, you need to call ahead of time to let them know.  They will not allow in party buses that just show up.  Anyone under age 21 or pets are not allowed in the brewery.

Brewery tours are Friday night at 6:30 p.m., Saturdays at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5:00 pm. and Sundays at 1 and 3:00 p.m.  The brewery also has a private room available for parties and events.  Go to their website to see their food truck calendar, to help plan your visit.

For information, please go to: http://tworoadsbrewing.com

The website lists all upcoming events, like their upcoming Ok2berfest, September 27-28th which will have live music and food trucks.  Tickets must be purchased in advanced at $15 each and 21 and older only.  To purchase tickets, go to: http://tickets.beerfests.com/events/17625

You can check on their website as to where to buy Two Roads Beer.  We discovered it at our local Trader Joe's.

Norwalk Oyster Festival - Joan Jett!

So, I'm not the biggest fan of the Norwalk Oyster Festival.  To me it felt like it kind of went down hill in the last five years.  The $12 admission fee adds up with a family, the crafts were no longer very good (just an opinion) and the food court lost a few regulars (Where did you go Norwalk Ski Club?!?!).  So, I haven't been in a couple of years but...Joan Jett will be playing on Saturday night!  I mean, that's kind of cool.  Very retro 80s act and yes, I love Rock 'n Roll!  There will be other entertain on Friday Night (Scott Stapp of Creed) and Sunday during the day, but I'm really only interested in Saturday night.  Admission is $12 and includes the entertainment.

For information, go to: http://www.seaport.org

It will hopefully be worth the trip.  I haven't had a Pizza Fritta in a long time.

Food Trucks at Veterans' Park in Stamford

In Stamford and looking for a nice place to eat, without spending too much?  Head over to Veterans' Park where every week day from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., food trucks will be serving some great food.  There is also live music for your entertainment.

The schedule for Veterans' Park is listed on the website: http://stamford-downtown.com/events/truck-in-the-park/#.VAYnJktW139

I wouldn't rely on the schedule though, better to rely on the food truck twitters feeds, which are below:







Bounty Food Truck: https://twitter.com/Bountyft
The Poutine King: https://twitter.com/ThePoutineKing1
Valencia Luncheria: https://twitter.com/ValenciaTruck
Melt Mobile: https://twitter.com/Melt_Mobile
Lobster Craft: https://twitter.com/LobsterCraft
The Firehouse Grill: https://www.facebook.com/FDChefs  (This is a FB page, not on Twitter)
Bodega: https://twitter.com/BodegaTacoBar
Maddy's Food Truck: https://www.facebook.com/Maddysfoodtruck
Have A Ball: http://haveaballnyc.com  - website, truck will be coming soon

I have not added Taco Loco as it appears they are no longer on the schedule.  Another schedule change we saw today at the park is Bounty Food Truck was on the schedule for Mondays.

 

This is the regular Poutine from The Poutine King.  The picture may not look pretty but this Canadian dish was excellent.  Fries, brown gravy and cheese curds (the truck says cheese but they are cheese curds).  Best Poutine ever?  No, that was had in New Brunswick of all places.  However, better than any I had in Montreal this year, and I tried a lot of Poutine in Montreal.

The Valencia Luncheria Beef Picadilla Empanada.  Its bigger than it looks, was delicious and only $3 - and really more than enough for lunch.

Veterans' Park in Stamford is on Atlantic Avenue, behind the Stamford Mall.

Greenwich Audubon

Went to the Greenwich Audubon for a walk in the woods and do some bird watching.  What a beautiful facility, right in Fairfield County.  The landscape is amazing with native plants everywhere to attract birds and butterflies.  I have to admit that we didn't see too many birds but I presume this was due to the Red Tail Hawks circling over the fields.   We did see a bird in the parking lot I've never seen before.  A very pale yellow bird with a black mask covering the eyes.  Still trying to look it up online.

The grounds at the Greenwich Audubon are free to the public and there are a few trails through the woods.  Walking through the woods feels like you are in a much more remote area.  It is a walk, not a hike, and dogs are not allowed.  There is a lake and many wetland areas with Bird Blinds for bird watching.  It is very peaceful with a few exceptions of small planes over head going to Westchester County Airport.

The Educational Center at Greenwich Audubon was not open when we went but I have been there in the past.  Its only a few dollars to get in and has a great little museum as well as educational information about birds and the environment.  If you are a teacher or leader of a cub scout/brownie group - call the center about hosting events for your group.

A great place to go with a picnic out on the lawns and then go for a walk through the woods.

For more information, go to: http://greenwich.audubon.org

The Fields








 
The Woods

The Lake