Delinquent much? I’m alive and well, just buried in work. I’m coming up on one year of working in dual media markets, which has its share of challenges, but plenty of rewards. Even when the days stretch to the 15 or 16-hour mark.

Monday was one of those. I put in a full  9 hours in Springfield, stopped home to change quickly and immediately headed to Hartford for the Frog Hollow Social Club gathering at Firebox, which I’d agreed to cover (and shoot) for the Courant. A collaboration between Firebox’s chefs and managers, the unique tasting event – held on a night where the restaurant is normally closed – was worth the extended workday.

Full photo gallery here: Hartford Courant

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It’s hard to do pizza in Connecticut, particularly if you’re new to the scene. There’s such a rich history of pizzerias in the Nutmeg State, a series of intense, nationally (internationally?)-known rivalries that eventually became the stuff of Food Network and Travel Channel programs.

So, by doing pizza with bourbon, Kevin Wirtes and Rich Garcia of Krust set themselves apart from the pack. See full article and photo gallery here.

I had a fantastic time getting to know these first-time restaurateurs, who opened their cozy Middletown pizzeria in mid-January to rave reviews. Pizzaiolo Garcia is firing pies in 800-degree wood-fueled heat, and bourbon expert Wirtes answers with more than 150 bottles of brown liquor and a list of cocktails, both classic and inventive. It’s an exciting spot. If you can grab a seat by the bar, it’s even more of an experience, as Wirtes is likely the one to make your drink (and counsel you on selections, should you need assistance or advice.)

The owners met several years ago at The Hartford, and bonded over their shared dream to someday open a restaurant. While many simply daydream in their cubicles, they buckled down and wrote a business plan – and saw it through.

Krust is part of the revitalization of Middletown’s North End, branded as “NoRA” (North of Rapallo Avenue.) They join established businesses Eli Cannon’s Tap Room and O’Rourke’s Diner, along with the booming NoRA Cupcake Company co-owned by longtime Eli’s manager Carrie Carella. Big things are happening in the Forest City. Get down and see for yourself.

Krust is at 686 Main Street in Middletown. It’s open Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Closed Mondays. Information: 860-358-9816 and krustpizzabar.com.

LG at work. (Photo by Nick Caito)

Thanks, Nick Caito, for taking this photo at the Sun WineFest Saturday.

This is what I look like when I cover food events, apparently. After three full years of this work, I’m surprisingly adept at juggling a DSLR camera, notebook, purse, digital recorder and wine glass all at once. Don’t ever let anyone tell you multimedia journalists don’t work hard for the money.

Also refer to: How To Successfully Cover Awesome Food Events (June 10, 2011)

Welcome to my latest food fixation. If you’re looking for smoked salmon in your local grocery store anytime soon, sorry. I ate all of it.

It all started when we sought out a hearty breakfast for our first day of wine tasting in Sonoma last September, and I opted for the hotel’s horribly overpriced bagel-and-lox plate in an attempt to avoid a redux of our 2010 trip. [In a nutshell: I couldn't drink Zinfandel for more than a year after a hazy - and later Technicolor - afternoon. Let that be a lesson to you. Pace yourself in wine country, kids. And always eat first.]

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