On a cold winter night, Jay and I met up with other food bloggers for an event at The Cask Republic on Summer Street in Downtown Stamford. It was a Tuesday and the bar and restaurant were packed. That was a sign it was going to be a great night.
Left: Rye Manhattan; Right: French 75
After we were seated by the fireplace, we ordered a cocktail each after studying their menu which featured drinks made with bourbons, whiskeys, and more. I tried the refreshing French 75 made with Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin, brut champagne, simple syrup and fresh squeezed lemons. Jay had a Rye Manhattan, a delicious concoction of Redemption Rye Whiskey, sweet vermouth, Woodford Reserve spiced cherry bitters and a Luxardo maraschino cheery. Jay favored The C-R Project more – could it be because their ingredients were aged in their own oak barrels for 3 weeks?
Dinner began with a small cup of the Spiced Butternut Squash Soup. Amuse bouche is what I thought of as I took a sip. Spicy. Comforting. Smooth. Each sip was full of rich flavor, and texture from the foam and maple glazed pepitas sprinkled on top.
Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
The next dish to arrive was the Smoked Short Rib Meatballs with IPA BBQ glaze and crumbled Maytag bleu cheese. Executive Chef Carrion sears the meat first before placing them in a grinder, locking in the juices and the flavor. The meatballs were excellent, with a great texture. The meat was delicious and savory. I loved the buttery, creamy gorgonzola that was sprinkled on top, and the peppery arugula that accompanied the meatballs.
Soy Glazed Chicken Wings
Everyone stopped their conversations when a plate of Soy Glazed Chicken Wings arrived at the table. Mixed in a jalapeño ginger-lime sauce, each bite had a kick to it. The meat was moist and full of flavor (key for a good wing).
Bacon Popcorn
If I could buy the Bacon Popcorn in bulk, I would. The popcorn was popped in bacon fat and topped with chunks of bacon.
Tuna Tartare with Clown Shoes Clementine
The next set of dishes we sampled were paired with a great beer that complemented each dish. The first entrée that arrived at our table was the Tuna Tartare which was paired with Clown Shoes Clementine, a Belgian Witbier. The tartare was light and refreshing with a dressing of sesame-soy and oranges. The fish was fresh and had a bright, clean taste. I give it to the folks at CR for an excellent beer pairing. Clementine was light-bodied and crisp.
Slow Roasted Wild Canadian Salmon
Slow Roasted Wild Canadian Salmon was one of my favorite entrées served with a Belgian-style IPA from Blue Point Brewing Company. Laid on a bed of butter beans, tomato and little onions rests a perfectly cook fillet of salmon topped with a green crust made of panko and herbs.
Kale Salad
The Kale Salad was great. Yes, it’s all about kale these days, but Cask Republic does it right with radicchio, lentils, cranberries, walnuts and a creamy ginger vinaigrette.
Bar Fries Tasting
The Bar Fries Tasting is new on the menu – added in early February. Served on a wooden board are three preparations – Asian style with nori, truffle and French aioli, and Mexican-style with adobo vinegar. My favorite was the adobo vinegar – a little sweet, sour, and salty.
Dry-Aged New York Strip
I usually don’t drink a stout when having steak, but this combination was pretty good: Founders Brewing Company Imperial Stout and Dry-Aged New York Strip served with braised kale, ham and cheese croquettes, and tomato jam.
Chocolate Espresso Creme Brûlée
For dessert we had the Chocolate Espresso Creme Brûlée paired with Willet Distillery Rowan’s Creek Bourbon. The bourbon had a zesty orange flavor. Their creme brûlée was one of the best I’ve had. The espresso brings out the sweetness of the chocolate. It’s rich and decadent.
The bar
Private Room in Cask Republic
Hours had gone by, and there was still a big crowd at CR. It’s already a hit amongst the locals and is a neighborhood gem. If you are in Stamford, we highly recommend stopping by, even if it’s just to try their small plates with a drink. Cask Republic is participating in Stamford Restaurant Week which runs until March 3rd. It’s the perfect opportunity to try some of their best items, with price points starting at $20.14 for lunch, and $30.14 for dinner.
Cask Republic
191 Summer Street
Stamford, CT 06901
Tel: 203-348-2275
www.caskrepublic.com
