Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
******************************************************
1) "Do you swear your Nonna makes the best meatballs, risotto, or pasta dish you've ever tasted? Now’s your chance to prove it—and honor her culinary legacy." In celebration of the Netflix film NONNAS, Chef Anthony Caturano is calling on families across the region to submit their favorite Nonna-approved recipes for a unique dining experience: “The NONNAS Dinner.” This series of special events will bring the warmth of Nonna’s kitchen to three Sunday gatherings this fall, and your recipe could be featured on the menu.

Chef Anthony Caturano will personally review submissions and select standout dishes to be served at one of three events held at Prezza (October 5), Tonno Gloucester (October 19), and Tonno Wakefield (October 26). Selected contributors will receive two complimentary tickets to the dinner and will be recognized by name on the official menu. "This is a heartwarming opportunity to spotlight family traditions, honor generations of love through food, and connect with a broader community over shared heritage."

To enter, visit prezza.com/nonna and submit your recipe along with a short story about what makes it special. Submissions are open now and must be received by September 1, 2025.

2) Somaek, a Korean restaurant in Boston, is excited to announce a takeover event with Hana Makgeoli, happening on July 19th. Hana Makgeolli, a Brooklyn-based producer of artisanal Korean rice wines (also known as sool), has been dedicated to honoring Korean heritage through deeply rooted brewing traditions since their launch in 2020. The teams are excited to come together for a collaborative evening featuring the signature Somaek tasting menu, thoughtfully paired with selections of sool from Hana Makgeolli.

Tickets begin at $80 and reservations can be made through Resy. If you would like to participate in the special event menu, please add “Hana” to your reservation notes after booking. There are two seatings, at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM, and spots are limited.

For late night-cravings, Hana Makgeolli will also have specialty cocktails and banchan snacks available at Temple Records Bar, the Japanese-inspired vinyl bar and listening room next door until 12 AM. 

Impressions of Posto & Pizza: Now At Assembly Row

A delicious Roasted Garlic Pizza that could also protect you from an army of vampires! I recently enjoyed such a pizza at an old restaurant in a new location, and I look forward to dining there again very soon.  

Chef Joe Cassinelli is the owner of the Alpine Restaurant Group, which currently includes Posto (an Italian restaurant, located in Somerville), the Painted Burro (Mexican cuisine, with locations in Waltham, Somerville, Harvard Square and Brookline), and the Burro Bar (Mexican cuisine, in Boston). Posto first opened in 2009 in Davis Square, Somerville, and recently they relocated to Assembly Row in Somerville. 

I first dined at Posto fifteen years ago, in August 2010, although I was already familiar with the Italian cuisine of Chef Cassinelli, who had previously been the Chef de Cuisine at L’Andana, an Italian restaurant in Burlington, which had been one of my favorite restaurants (but which is now closed). I was impressed with Posto's cuisine, from its Neapolitan pizza to its killer pasta, and it earned a spot in my 2010 List of Favorite Restaurants. Over the subsequent years, I continued to dine at Posto and it continued to earn a spot on my year-end Favorite Restaurant lists. 

With the advent of COVID, and restaurants being forced to close for a time, I didn't dine at Posto for several years. When Posto recently relocated to Assembly Row, I stopped by for lunch, hoping that the quality of the food hadn't changed. I found that the pizza and appetizers were just as good as ever, and I'm excited to return, to enjoy more of their menu options.  

The restaurant is good-sized, with a lengthy bar, and what appears to be a private dining room. There's also patio dining available. The Menu includes Antipasti (such as Carpaccio, Bruschetta, Meatballs, and Calamari), Insalate (from Caesar to Caprese), Pasta (such as Bolognese, Carbonara, and Short Rib), Carne e Pesce (such as Ribeye Steak, Tuscan Seafood Stew, and Swordfish), and Pizza (both Red and White). There are 8 variations of both the Red and White Pizzas, which are Neapolitan style pizza that follow the rules and guidelines of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. 

Juan Gabriel Pérez, the Executive Chef at Posto, possesses over 15 years of experience in making Neapolitan pizzas. It was recently announced that Pérez had placed 54th in the Best Pizza Awards, whose website states: "It’s the only accreditation platform that stays true to culinary standards, free from commercial agendas. Our mission? To break down barriers in the pizza world and spotlight authentic craftsmanship, bold innovation, and diverse voices that are shaping the future of this iconic dish." This is the third year that Pérez has competed in this competition, and he received his highest ranking ever. 

Talking about Pérez, the Best Pizza Awards website stated, "As Executive Chef at Posto Boston he’s praised for his creative flair, seasonal ingredients, and dough innovation. With over a million followers worldwide, Juan blends tradition and modernity, earning a global reputation for craftsmanship and passion that honours pizza’s authentic roots."

For lunch, my dining companion and I started with an appetizer of Arancini, made from crispy arborio rice, lemon, and oregano, accompanied by a spicy sweet & sour tomato sauce. We received five arancini, with a nice, crispy coating and a flavorful and tender interior, with hints of lemon. The arancini were enhanced by the tasty tomato sauce, which was mildly spicy and well balanced. The sauce is also great for dipping bread. 

Another appetizer was the Burrata, which includes prosciutto di parma, watermelon, truffle honey, aleppo pepper, sea salt flakes, and microgreens. The addition of the sweet watermelon chunks was such a great choice, helping to balance the salty prosciutto and the creamy burrata. All of the ingredients worked well together, a nice blend of textures and flavors. A perfect summer dish and a great way to start your lunch or dinner. 

We then selected one of the White Pizzas, the Roasted Garlic, made with bacon, mozzarella, roasted garlic, parmesan, oregano, and aleppo pepper. Wow!! I've never seen more garlic on a pizza, large and plump cloves of roasted garlic. I love garlic so this was quite impressive. The thin-crusted pizza had a nice char, and the crust was also both crisp and chewy. The crunchy bacon was a nice addition too. I previously enjoyed many pizzas at Posto, and it was clear that the quality hadn't diminished an iota. 

I'm very pleased I checked out the new location of Posto and strongly encourage all of my readers to dine there as well. There's plenty on the menu to cater to diverse appetites, and the pizza is some of the best in the area. You can check out their new Happy Hour, which is held in their bar & lounge, Monday-Friday, from 2pm-5pm. All Appetizers are Half-Priced, which gives you a great opportunity to experience some of their menu at a great discount. And I'll be reporting back on my future visits to Posto too. 

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
******************************************************
1) Wednesday, July 16, marks National Hot Dog Day and the Silhouette Lounge – an Allston hangout for locals and students – will honor the occasion, from 4pm-1am, by serving up $1* hot dogs all day while supplies last. The Sil also is here to remind everyone about their once-in-a-lifetime offer: free links for ink.

Here’s how it works: Get permanently tatted up – keep the body part PG-13 – with any Sil-related insignia (inspired by its logo, signature art like the winged rat, its namesake, etc.) and your indelible love will be rewarded with a free hot dog per visit for life.

And these aren’t just any hot dogs, these are “Sil Dogs” – all-beef franks nestled in their buns served with packets of ketchup, mustard, and relish – that pair beautifully with the Sil’s free popcorn. BONUS: Be one of the first 50 to order up a PBR Lite and your Sil Dog will be on the house. PBR also will be in the house to gift lucky ones with PBR t-shirts and swag.

*Limit of one (1) $1 hot dog per person with the purchase of a beverage on July 16.

Non-Rant: Choosing A Celebratory Restaurant

Which restaurant should you choose for a celebratory occasion, from a birthday to an anniversary?

The answer isn't always easy, and will depend on many different factors, from price to cuisine. It's a question I've often seen asked on numerous forums, and a question I've been asked by many people. I want to offer ten restaurant suggestions, which will fit a variety of needs, places which I find to be consistently good and definitely worthy of your patronage. These are places I especially love, and which  I've also recommended to many others. 

I also want to note that my list only includes restaurants located outside of Boston. There are plenty of lists of Boston restaurants, but far fewer for those outside of it. In addition, this list is far from comprehensive, but is more just a curated selection of some of my favorites. 

When considering where to celebrate your special occasion, there's a number of questions you should ask yourself, to help narrow down the possibilities. How much do you want to spend? Do you want to splurge, or be more economical in your choice? Will your celebration be for breakfast, lunch or dinner? How many people will be celebrating with you? Is there a specific type of cuisine that you desire? Are you looking for a more intimate venue? Will you be accompanied by children? Does anyone in your group have any dietary restrictions? Do you want an excellent wine list or a large selection of beers on tap? And there's even more questions you can ask as well.

As you consider these questions, and others, here's my top suggestions:

Nick & Andy's (Danvers): Sometimes, you want a breakfast celebration, and my top choice for such would be Nick & Andy's. The food is fresh, delicious and there's plenty of variety. Try their fresh-baked muffins (grilled) or hash browns (those shredded potatoes which are tougher to find locally than home fries). I love their Chicken & Waffles. Prices are reasonable and service is very good. 

Nightshade Noodle Bar (Lynn): For a splurge, Nightshade offers inventive and delicious French/Vietnamese inspired-cuisine, with their own unique spin, in multi-course tasting menus. Its wine and cocktail program is also excellent. It's a more intimate spot and one of my Top Four Favorite restaurants. As it's very popular, try to make reservations as far ahead as possible. However, if you follow them on social media, you will learn when they have last minute available reservations. 

A Tavola (Winchester): For a more intimate spot for dinner, and which serves excellent Italian cuisine, check out A Tavola. Their home-made pasta is superb, and you can also find some intriguing and delicious specials, from chicken fried quail to duck wings. Their Italian cuisine is as good as anything you'll find in the North End and they are also one of my Top Four Favorite restaurants. Their wine list concentrates on Italian wines, and there are many very good choices. And they have regular wine dinners and special events which are well worth attending too.  

Il Ponte (Woburn): Another more intimate spot for dinner, which also serves excellent Italian cuisine, is Il Ponte. Everything is made from scratch, including their home-made pasta and Neapolitan pizzas. Like A Tavola, the Italian cuisine at Il Ponte is as good as anything you'll find in the North End and they are also one of my Top Four Favorite restaurants. Service is excellent and everyone that I recommend dine here has loved it. I'll be celebrating a special occasion here this weekend. 

Tambo 22 (Chelsea): For a splurge, and a more unique cuisine, check out this Peruvian restaurant. It's also a more intimate spot, and should impress your celebrants. The food is delicious, interesting, and hearty. They also have a full drinks program, including numerous Peruvian spirits and a variety of Pisco Sour cocktails. 

The Bancroft (Burlington): Also for a splurge, and for either lunch or dinner, the Bancroft is one of my favorite steakhouses. I've dined there most often for lunch for special occasions, and those lunches have always been excellent. Steak may be their speciality but you'll find plenty of other delicious dishes, from Fried Clams to a Duck Confit Sandwich. 

Pellana Prime Steakhouse (Peabody): Pellana is another classic steakhouse, a place to splurge, with an excellent wine list. Sure, you could easily go to one of the chain steakhouses, but these more independent places will surprise you with their quality. They are also open for lunch. 

Row 34 (Burlington): For both lunch and dinner, this is a great spot for fresh seafood, from oysters to tuna credo, from fried clams to lobster rolls. Their lunch menu even has an excellent Tuna Melt! They also have a very good wine list and creative cocktails. I've celebrated here a number of times, for both lunch and dinner.

Clam Box of Ipswich (Ipswich): For more of a casual seafood spot, I'd opt for the Clam Box, which is my favorite clam shack on the North Shore, providing such delicious, fresh fried seafood. I love their fried clams and their fried scallops are some of the best I've ever tasted, so sweet and tender. Plus, on Fridays, they often have fried lobster tails, such a decadent treat.  

Prince Pizzeria (Saugus): This restaurant has existed on Route 1 for 60 years, and is a place I've been going to since I was a child. It's a large, casual spot for pizza and Italian cuisine, and its tasty pizza is basically its own unique and delicious style. You can easily book a large celebratory party, at a reasonable price. It's a very family friendly spot, and everyone from children to adults love pizza so it's a great choice for all.

What are some of your favorite celebratory restaurants?

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
******************************************************
1) Join Row 34 in Burlington for a special culinary experience celebrating the best of New England's local waters. Chef Jeremy Sewall—renowned for his commitment to responsible seafood—has partnered with Michael Xu, founder of Tackle2thePeople, to bring you a thoughtfully curated dinner series featuring a progression of locally caught seafood at its seasonal peak. 

Each evening will highlight a multi-course menu designed by Chef Sewall, showcasing a variety of fresh catches from the region. Michael Xu will be on hand to share the stories behind the seafood—how it was caught, where it came from, and why responsible sourcing matters. It’s a rare chance to enjoy a delicious meal and deepen your appreciation for the ocean's bounty. 

The dinner will be held on two different nights, July 17 and August 7, each night starting at 6pm

Tickets are $150 per person inclusive of food, beverages, taxes, fees, and gratuity. Seats are limited—reserve your spot HERE and experience the taste of summer, straight from the sea.

2) For more seafood fun, check out a special Bluefin Tuna Dinner at Tonno, in Wakefield, on Wednesday, July 23, at 6:30pm. There will be a multi-course dinner featuring fresh, off-the-dock bluefin tuna accompanied by live demonstration by Chef Anthony Caturano butchering a full tuna.

The dinner menu includes:

First Course: Tuna Belly Crudo, fennel, radish, cucumbers, pickled red fresno peppers, chive oil, blood orange vinaigrette
Second Course: Tuna Tartare, chive oil, crostini
Third Course: Lumache Pasta, seared tuna, tomato, black olives, capers
Fourth Course: Grilled Tuna Steak, heirloom tomatoes, fennel puree, chive oil
Dessert: Strawberries, mascarpone whipped cream, balsamic glaze

Cost: $165 per ticket + tax (which includes gratuity). Dinner also includes one reception Spritz, but all other beverages are a la carte. Make your Reservation HERE.