Thursday, February 11, 2016

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.
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1) On Thursday, February 18, from 8pm-12am, Beat Brasserie, located in Cambridge’s Harvard Square, presents a very special tribute to the late great David Bowie. An award-winning artist, actor and pioneer, Bowie paved the way of modern music. To honor his legendary career and influence, Dennis Brennan and Jim Haggerty bring together a group of outstanding performers to take the stage at Beat Brasserie for a memorable tribute. The evening will feature food and drink specials and live, spontaneous performances from a variety of singers and musicians, all of whom will express the intimate and important influence that Bowie has had on both their work and music today.

While enjoying the music, guests are welcome to a full dinner with selections such as Smoked Salmon Blini ($12), a potato pancake with dill and parsley sour cream, Roasted Cape Cod Diver Scallops ($28) with creamy polenta, sunflower romesco and broccoli rabe, and Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs ($25) with mustard spaetzle, duck fat cipollini onions. Pair the meal with one of the 36 artisanal American wines on tap from the Beat’s state-of-the-art tap system including exclusive selections such as the Qupe Vineyard, Chardonnay (2013) or the Pietra Santa Winery, “Estate Sangiovese” (2010). Prices vary on wine selections on tap.

To make a reservation, please call 617-499-000
No cover charge, cash bar. Reservations recommended.

2) With this year’s calendar featuring an extra day, Legal Sea Foods is giving everyone the chance to get an extra lobster with its Leap Year entrée special, “An Extra Day, An Extra Lobster,” on February 29.

The one-day special offer will showcase two, one-pound steamed lobsters and a choice of two sides for $29, available only on the 29th day of this month. For the other 365 days of the year, lobsters are only served individually at Legal Sea Foods. The current market price of a one-pound lobster is $25.95.

The twin-lobster two-for-$29 offer on 2/29 will be available all day at all Legal Sea Foods restaurants (excluding airport locations). Other concepts, including Legal C Bar, Legal Harborside and Legal on the Mystic, will be on-board as well.

Adding another day to winter might not appeal to most people, so we jumped at the chance to treat everyone to an extra lobster this Leap Year,” said Roger Berkowitz, President and CEO of Legal Sea Foods. “We’re doubling down on the occasion and looking at it as the gift of an extra day to enjoy lobster and all seafood.”

The quadrennial promotion features a choice of two side dishes from the following list: French fries, onion strings, brown rice, broccoli & cheese, cole slaw, seaweed salad, jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, baked potato, and jalapeño cheddar polenta (selection may vary by restaurant).

3) Last October, I reviewed a Nikkei cuisine cookbook, lamenting that there weren't any local restaurants which offered this cuisine. Well, that has changed. At Tico, Chef Michael Schlow is now offering a special, late-night Nikkei menu, fusing Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. This new menu starts February 11 (today) and will be served Thursday to Saturday, from 10pm-1am. In addition, the famous Schlow burger, which used to be at Radius, is also on their late night menu.

Some highlights of the new Nikkei menu include:
Deviled Eggs with Uni, Chiles, and Tempura Bits
Quick Tuna Ceviche with Soy, Chiles, and Masago
Local Scallops w/ Lemongrass, Chiles, Crispy Garlic
Hamachi Tartare with Spicy Aji-Miso and Two Texture Rice
Shrimp and Octopus "Sunonmo" with Tigre de Leche
Mussels w Roccoto, Coconut Milk, Cilantro, Red Onion, and Lime
Short Rib Gyoza with Panca, Sesame, and Toasted Onion
Sanguche of Pork Belly, Spicy Fennel, and Aji Amarillo
Homemade Noodles w/ Pork, Soft Egg, Green Onion, Chile Paste, and Cashews
Crispy Tempura Bok Choy with "Miracle Sauce"
Platter of Boneless Fried Chicken with Scallions, Crushed Peanuts, and "Numbing Sauce"

I'll be checking out their new Nikkei many next week and am already looking forward to what I want to order.

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