Rant: Restaurant Intimidation?

Last week, I dined at Ribelle, a restaurant that a famous food writer recently criticized, stating: "I left there feeling brow-beaten." He felt intimidated and bullied by the restaurant? GQ writer, Alan Richman, opposes what he labels as "egotarian cuisine," where chefs allegedly cook for their own desires rather than that of their customer. These chefs combine seemingly disparate ingredients, and Richman believes this leads to failure more often than not.

In his article, Richman bashed several restaurants, including Ribelle, a relatively new restaurant in Brookline owned by Chef Tim Maslow. He stated: "I ordered one dish after another, idiotically hoping the food would get better." Locally, Ribelle has garnered many raves and accolades for its cuisine. Boston Globe writer Devra First reviewed Ribelle, awarding it four stars, only the second restaurant she has awarded such a high rating. It was also selected as the Globe's Restaurant of the Year. When I spoke to a number of my food friends about the restaurant, I heard plenty of raves, and really no complaints.

Would I fall on Richman's side, or those locals who loved Ribelle? Would I feel intimidated by the restaurant? At the very least, I didn't expect to feel brow-beaten.

Frankly, I don't understand how Richman could have felt intimidated by Ribelle, or why he had such disdain for its cuisine. Accompanied by my good friend Adam Japko, we ordered the Pieno di Degustazione, a 9 course tasting menu priced at $89. I agree with Richman that some of the ingredient combinations on the menu seem unusual, that they are not the norm at many restaurants. However, where Richman uses this as a basis of his criticism, I see it more as an exercise of the chef's creativity and inventiveness. Just because a combination of ingredients hasn't been done before doesn't mean it doesn't work well together. The test of this creativity is always the taste, and I believe Chef Maslow has succeeded.

For both Adam and I, Ribelle impressed, and we felt that it was one of the best meals we had tasted in the Boston area. I think the combinations of each dish generally worked very well together. For example, the Sweetbreads, Coppa, Sage Brown Butter and Celery Root was sublime, simply amazing from the first bite to the last. It is the type of dish I would want to order every time I dined at Ribelle because it was so fantastic.

The pasta dishes, from the Mafalde to the Agnolotti del Plin also were excellent, and I would love to try their pasta tasting menu. Even the Salsify, Black Truffle, Onion, Fennel and Trout Roe (a more unique combination) was delicious.

To me, all of the dishes signified a chef that knew what he was doing, a creative soul who could bring great taste to life in unique new ways. Is the chef cooking in part to please himself? Sure, as I feel it is a personal challenge of the chef to blend such seemingly disparate ingredients into a delicious dish. However, the chef also knows that he must please his customers or his restaurant will fail. And in this case, the chef succeeds on both levels. Did I feel brow-beaten? Not in the least.

There was nothing all all that seemed intimidating. I felt it possessed a more casual, neighborhood feel, with a welcoming ambiance due in part to its open kitchen and communal seating. The servers were all personable and attentive. Did Richman dine at a different restaurant? I just don't understand his criticisms.

So who do you trust? A writer for a national magazine, or local food writers? Have you felt intimidated by Ribelle? Or are you one of the fans of this restaurant, someone who will return time and time again to sample its tasty cuisine?

Tuesday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a special Tuesday edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting wine and food items that are upcoming. So much is going on in the food/wine world during the next month.
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1) Get ready to “party like its 1989” at the Beat Hôtel’s first annual 1980’s Time Warp: New Year’s Eve Celebration on December 31. Guests will be transported back in time to the decade of excitement and thrills from 9pm-2:30am when not-your-average 80’s cover band SAFETY takes the stage along with special variety show guests including Drag Diva Madge of Honor and the Solid Gold Circus Performers. This extravaganza for mature adults and grown-up punks will dance all night as SAFETY brings us back to the future and belts out the new wave and dance hits of Blondie, The Smiths, Madonna, Devo, the Go Go’s, Talking Heads and Culture Club.

Executive chef Rebecca Newell will be serving up a buffet of hors d’oeuvres and desserts served in a cocktail setting including favorites such as Crispy Tuna Springrolls, Smokey Chipotle BBQ Spare Ribs, and Grilled Artichoke & Octopus Skewers. The bar team will pour libations from Hennessy Cognac and Tito’s Handmade Vodka and guests can cheers the New Year with champagne from Domaine Chandon and Moët & Chandon. 

The cost is $115 per person with food buffet or $75 per person without buffet. Both ticket options include admission and entertainment. There is a cash bar all evening. Tickets/reservations are available by visiting www.beathotel.com

2) The Beehive is hosting a Christmas concert featuring local Christmas repertoire specialist Bailey Cunningham and team on Tuesday, December 17. From 8pm-12am, guests can enjoy the beautiful sounds of their favorite holiday melodies while enjoying food and drink throughout the evening. The evening’s entertainment will be led by Bailey Cunningham playing all those favorite holiday tunes to get the feeling of Christmas in the air. In the kitchen, chef Marc Orfaly will serve delicious dishes from The Beehive’s dinner menu such as braised pork osso buco with sweet & sour cabbage and German potato salad ($24), exotic mushroom lasagne with spinach & pomodoro sauce ($22), duck au poivre with kimchee fried rice & apricot chutney ($27) and seafood fra diavolo with lobster, shrimp, whitefish, artichoke and linguine ($29). The Beehive’s bar team will also be serving their highly acclaimed cocktails such as the seasonal cranberry winter mojito made with gosling’s black rum, drunken cranberries, fresh mint and lime ($12.50), and the arroyo made with silver tequila, illegal mezcal joven, agave nectar, black balsam currant and lime juice ($13) all evening long.

Music from 8pm-12am, Dinner from 5pm-12am, Bar open until 2am.
No cover charge, cash bar, reservations recommended.
For dinner reservations or for more information please call 617-423-0069

3) Join Tim Maslow of ribelle and Strip T's and James Mark of North in Providence for a special Chinese dinner on New Year's Eve. The two chefs, who previously worked together at Momofuku in New York City, have created a five course meal to be served family-style to tables of eight (8). A lucky number in Chinese culture, each table of 8 does not necessarily have to be one party; rather the teams from ribelle and north encourage diners to enjoy this New Year's Eve dinner with friends both new and old.

The Menu:
First Course: North
Hot and pungent soup + lobster, country ham, crab paste, dried scallop, shan tofu
Second Course: north & ribelle
Zhajiangmian + dry aged ham ragu, femented beans, spicy cucumbers, buckwheat noodles
Sizzling Fried Rice + scrambled egg, sesame, soy, oysters, oyster mayo
Third Course: ribelle & north
Shanghai Pan Fried Noodle + pickled turnip, smoked miso, egg yolk, preserved porcini
Skate Wing Tomahawk + ginger scallion butter, burnt cabbages, steamed rice
Fourth Course: north & ribelle
Crispy Sweet Potatoes + fermented black bean mash, Chinese chives, young kale, beer brined roots
Peking Duck + scallion pancakes, cucumber, hoisin, fermented hots
Fifth Course: ribelle
Ginger Cake + black sesame ice cream, blood orange curd, nori

*Due to the nature of this dinner, allergies and dietary restrictions may not be accommodated. No substitutions.

Tickets are $180 per pair and includes food, tax, and tip (refunds only available if reservation is canceled by Friday, December 27th). Beverage pairings and other beer, wine, and specialty cocktails are available a la carte.
5% of ticket sales will be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Reservations must be made through Eventbrite; however, once tickets are sold out, names will be taken for the wait list through ribelle's reservation line: (617) 232-2322.
Available seatings include: 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm, 10:30pm

4) For the third year in a row, The New Center for Arts & Culture will host The 3rd Annual Moo Shu Jew comedy dinner event on Christmas Eve, inspired by the Jewish family tradition of spending Christmas Eve in a Chinese restaurant. Celebrity comics from primetime’s most popular late-night talk shows and comedy specials, including Steve Calechman (who will host), Dana Eagle, Scott Blakeman and Lenny Marcus, will perform Jewish-inspired stand-up while guests enjoy a four-course dinner (no shellfish, no pork!).

Moo Shu Jew was created and produced by Cory Kahaney, a regular on the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Steve Calechman is a stand-up comedian based in Boston. He has also appeared alongside actress Sandra Bullock in the popular romantic comedy, The Proposal, and is a contributing editor for Men’s Health magazine. Dana Eagle is a stand-up comedian who has appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, on Comedy Central and Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen, where she became a contributing writer. ​Scott Blakeman has performed his progressive political humor around the world, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam. He has made more than 30 national television appearances, and was the warm-up comedian for The Late Show with David Letterman. Lenny Marcus has been a stand-up comedian for over fifteen years and is currently a regular performer in every major comedy club in New York City. He performed on various late night shows including The Late Show with David Letterman, NBC’s Comedy Showcase with Louie Anderson and MTV’s The Jim Brewer Show.

When: Tuesday, December 24 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: China Pearl Restaurant, 9 Tyler Street, Boston
Cost: $75 Adults, $45 Young Adults (39 & under) in advance. Ticket prices include four-course dinner, (no shellfish, no pork!).
To purchase, visit www.newcenterboston.org.

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) Connecticut pop-up venture, [oink], is taking over the kitchen at Ribelle in Brookline for three nights in late February. Titled the “CT Chef Takeover”, the collaboration dinners are meant to give the city of Boston a taste of what Connecticut chefs are up to. The dinners will be different menus each night and will be 5-7 course tastings ranging from $65-$85.

The chefs collaborating with [oink]‘s Craig Hutchinson and Alex Lishchynsky will be Matt Wick of River Tavern on February 23rd, James Wayman of Oyster Club on February 24th, and Tyler Anderson of Millwrights on February 25th.

Ribelle owner/chef Tim Maslow and [oink] co-chef Craig Hutchinson worked together while opening Ribelle in 2013. Hutchinson became the first Chef de Cuisine of Ribelle and the restaurant received the coveted “four stars” from the Boston Globe. Since then Maslow has gone on to win Food & Wine’s Best New Chef award. Maslow offered the restaurant to Hutchinson as he will be in Montreal at a food festival for those 3 nights.

Menu’s have yet to be written and tickets go on sale soon, however these dates and chefs have been finalized.

2) On Wednesday, February 10, Tony Maws will welcome Chef Deuki Hong and writer Matt Rodbard to The Kirkland Tap & Trotter for a one-night-only event celebrating the soju-slamming, pepper-pounding, kimchi-everything adventure that is Koreatown: A Cookbook (Clarkson Potter/Publishers; on sale February 16, 2016). For two years, co-authors Hong and Rodbard gathered recipes, stories, in-the-moment photos, and thoughtful interviews from Korean American neighborhoods all across the country to comprise their portrait of a culture in Koreatown. With a penchant for global comfort foods, killer wood grill to complement the flavors of Korean barbeque, and convivial atmosphere, Kirkland is the ideal place to kick-off the cookbook tour.

DINING OPTIONS:
--Option 1: Guests can book seats at one of Kirkland’s communal tables and enjoy a family-style dinner and discussion with Hong and Rodbard, as they dig into dishes such as marinated and grilled Korean-style Beef Short Ribs; and, Kimchi and Bacon Fried Rice with Gochujang Butter. The evening includes dinner, a complimentary welcome cocktail, and a signed copy of Koreatown for $48.00 (exclusive of tax and gratuity).
--Option 2: The Kimchi and Bacon Fried Rice will be on the menu at Kirkland for any/all to enjoy that night, in addition to the restaurant’s a la carte menu. The cookbook will also be available for purchase for $30.00.

TICKETS: Advanced online ticket purchase is required for dinner at the communal table: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feast-to-celebrate-the-debut-of-koreatown-a-cookbook-tickets-20933491637.
Space is limited, and guests are encouraged to book ASAP.
Seatings at the communal table are 6:30pm and 8:30pm. The Kirkland bar and dining room opens for a la carte dinner service at 5:30pm.

3) I'm back with a couple more restaurants which will have snow emergency specials this winter. During declared snow emergencies in the city of Boston, Coda will be offering a grilled cheese and tomato soup special. Variations may include braised beef grilled cheese among other flavors. Also during declared snow emergencies in the city of Boston, Pastoral Artisan Pizza, Kitchen, and Bar will be offering its margherita pizza with a select beer, normally priced at $24, for $18 at its bar.

4) Beginning February 1, Tryst, located in Arlington, will launch its all new pop-up concept, “Covengno” every Sunday through Tuesday from 5pm-10pm. Convegno, translating roughly to mean “tryst” in Italian, is Chef Turano’s new Italian-inspired menu which will be offered in addition to the regular menu every Sunday through Tuesday. Guests can choose from three pasta dishes including: hand cut tagliatelle with shrimp, olio santo, garlic and lemon; stuffed pasta with Sunday gravy; Roman Style Gnocchi with roasted winter vegetables, toasted pine nuts & brown butter; and orecchiette with house made chicken sausage with rabe & chilis. Each dish is $18 and will be served with a house-made to go cannoli.

Every few months Chef/Owner Paul Turano plays around with his concept. From his popular AFC, “Arlington Fried Chicken” to T’s BBQ joint, T’s Clam Shack and most recently T’s Taco Bar, each concept represents a fun trend in dining that Chef Turano and his team want to experiment with.

“We like to take everyday items and play with them at the restaurant. Sometimes I think you need to pay homage to where a dish comes from, but sometimes you simply need to use the concept as a vehicle to push the concept further,” said Turano.

Convegno will launch February 1 and will be available through spring 2016 for both dine-in and take-out.

5) Osteria Nino will be opening its doors to welcome San Valentino at 3rd Ave in Burlington. Throughout Valentine’s Day weekend, this authentic Roman kitchen will be dishing out a collection of treasures from the local seas in addition to a decadent dessert.

To start, executive chef Walace Benica will serve Oysters & Shrimp with mignonette and cocktail sauce ($15). For the pasta course, there is Lobster Pappardelle with tomato and prosecco broth ($26) and the main course is a Prosciutto Wrapped Monkfish with beet risotto ($26). To end the romantic evening with something sweet, there is a Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake with chocolate covered strawberries ($10).

Osteria Nino’s all-Italian wine list has extensive sparkling options by the glass and bottle, including prosceccos, rosés, moscatos and franciacortas. Highlights include the Vigne di Alice sparkling rosé ($11/45); Sul Lievito DOCG Adami, a bone-dry prosecco with small lively bubbles ($40); and Barone Pizzini DOCG Brut, a pinot noir structure rounded out by chardonnay and bubbles ($60).

WHEN: February 12-14
For reservations please call (781) 272-1600

6) Lydia Shire alongside executive chef Simon Restrepo and executive sous chef Alex Pineda now are dishing out a seasonal menu brimming with wintertime’s most comforting tastes at Scampo. Italian for “escape,” Scampo is providing diners with a winter retreat laced in delicious flavors and warm hospitality.

To whet your appetite, there are a series of new starter courses. In the “Handmade Breads” category, there is the Roti, served with or without chili, cumin lamb meatballs ($5/10) and Hot Flaky Moroccan Flatbread with petit Moroccan salad bites ($10). On the pizza side, there is a Long Cooked Broccoli & Speck with sweetened ricotta and spicy pecans ($19) and White Pizza with truffle cheese, mushroom duxelles and a Vin Santo and fig preserve ($25). The Winter’s Chestnut & Roasted Garlic Soup is poured tableside over crisped duck leg confit ($16) while the Scampo Twice Fried Chicken ‘Paddles’ sees a trio of wings served up with sweet potato tempura ($15).

For sea treasures, there is the Manila Clams Limoncello steamed with hot oil sashimi of Shire’s signature “#1 tuna” and Hamachi ($21) and Brown Butter Crab Cake with Peekytoe Maine crab, English mustard and pomelo aioli ($21). Other new appetizers include Beef Tenderloin ‘Minute Steak’ with duck fat fried gaufrettes, quail egg and caviar ($24) and Hungarian Mangalica Prosciutto with crushed Marcona almonds and hot tangerine soufflé ($36). From the signature mozzarella bar, there are a duo of newcomers: Mozzarella with Prosciutto & Warm Black Truffle Gougere, black radish and pineapple crema ($26) and Beef Sirloin Carpaccio with fried artichokes, zested winter citrus and Aleppo pepper ($21).

The “Handmade Pasta e Risotti” offerings have been refreshed to include Pear & Pecorino Ravioli with grilled trevisano and warm potato ‘butter’ ($18/28); Preserved Tomato Tortelli with crisped skate wing, garlicky toasted hazelnuts and saffron aioli ($19/29); Handmade Whole Wheat Bigoli with baby lamb ragu, giant yellow raisins and pale celery leaf chiffonade ($19/29); and, Wild Rapini Rissoto with grilled “Greek style” quail, skordalia, dill and burnt lemon ($24).

For reservations, please call (617) 536-2100

7) Alpine Restaurant Group’s Posto will be offering guests limited-time only dinner specials in addition to their regularly available menu on Valentine’s Day weekend.

The specially added dishes are as follows:
Antipasti
Scallop Crudo with preserved lemon, celery hearts and meyer lemon vinaigrette
Root Vegetables with wood-roasted vegetables, pickled carrots and herbed yogurt chardonnay vinaigrette
Entrée
Love Letter Raviolis with beet and ricotta filling, mint and shaved parmesan
Ribeye Tender with Yukon gold puree, foie gras and black truffle madeira sauce
Risotto with parsnips, grapefruit, thyme and parmesan
Dolci
Dark Chocolate Cake with chocolate mousse and raspberry port coulis
Napoleon with marsala zabaglione and raspberry mousse

WHEN: Saturday, February 13, from 5pm-11pm; Sunday, February 14, from 4:30pm-10pm
To make reservations, please call (617) 625-0600

8) Saloon will welcome Cupid to Davis Square this Valentine’s Day weekend. On Saturday and Sunday nights, executive chef Shayne Nunes will dish out two nights of specials laced in comfort that are designed to complement Saloon’s 120 rare whiskey selections.

On Saturday evening, Chef Nunes’ will dish out a customizable three-course prix fixe menu with optional whiskey pairings and the items also will be available a la carte. Appetizer options include Fried Oysters with kimchi tartar sauce ($12) or Honey Glazed Baby Carrots with pistachio-basil ricotta and crispy parsnips ($9). For entrees, there is Stout Braised Short Rib with roasted rainbow carrots, cauliflower puree and pickled red onion ($26) or Sweet Potato Gnocchi with chanterelle mushrooms, baby kale, parmesan and maple cream ($21). For a taste of decadence, there is an Espresso Molten Lava Cake with brûléed banana and hazelnut ice cream ($7) or Clementine Panna Cotta with citrus curd and roasted pistachio crumble ($7).

On Sunday evening, appetizer specials include the Chipotle Vanilla Butter Poached Lobster Tail with Applewood smoked bacon, clementine, frisée and avocado crème ($18) and Roasted Beets with mesclun and chicory greens, pistachio and a goat cheese fritter ($12). Chef Nunes has designed two entrees, a Pan Roasted Filet Mignon with truffle whipped potatoes, crispy shallots and mushroom demi-glace ($38) and a Sweet Potato & Red Quinoa Hash with chanterelle mushrooms, baby kale and lemon-maple ricotta ($18). For those with a sweet tooth, there are a duo of desserts: Espresso Molten Lava Cake with brûléed banana and hazelnut ice cream ($7) and Clementine Panna Cotta with citrus curd and roasted pistachio crumble ($7).

COST: Saturday: Prix fixe available for $40 per person or $65 with whiskey pairings; specials also available at a la carte pricing. Sunday: Specials available at a la carte pricing.
For reservations, please call (617) 628-4444

9) Chef/Owner Will Gilson and the Puritan and Co. team invite guests to join them for a night of all things sparkling wine at their upcoming Bubble Rumble. The winter counterpart to Puritan and Co.’s popular summertime wine rumble event Rosé Rumble, Bubble Rumble will offer guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the best bubbles in Boston like a true insider.

Taking place on Wednesday, February 10th, Bubble Rumble will showcase a variety of sparkling wines for guests to taste, discuss, and learn about while enjoying bites from Chef Will Gilson and the Puritan and Co. team.

The night will feature two, separately ticketed sessions- one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased here: http://bit.ly/bubblerumble2016.

Thursday Sips &Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting wine and food items that are upcoming. **********************************************************
1) This New Year’s Eve guests can wine, dine and ring in 2015 at Pier 6, in Charlestown. On Wednesday, December 31, 5pm-1am, guests are invited to a special New Year’s Eve dinner celebration. This year Pier 6 is offering two special New Year’s Eve options that are sure to satisfy everyone.

From 5pm-10pm, guests can relax and enjoy a New Year’s Eve dinner. Pier 6’s Executive Chef Adriano Silva will be serving a special 3 course, prix fixe dinner, which will include dishes such as French onion soup with gruyere and croutons, swordfish with acorn squash, roasted cauliflower and apple puree, and rib-eye steak with rosemary fingerling potatoes, Swiss chard, and beer mushroom gravy. The prix fixe menu is available for $55 per person and will be served in addition to the regular menu. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 617-337-0054.

Pier 6 is continuing the festivities with its “Finale New Year’s Eve Party.” Starting at 9pm, top 40 and hip-hop dance music from DJ Matty D will be playing all night long. Guests can take a break from partying to fuel up on delectable hors d'oeuvres and bar snacks served from 9PM to 11PM, and throughout the evening they can sip on draft beers, wine or signature cocktails as they countdown to the New Year. When the clock strikes midnight say goodbye to 2014 and ring in 2015 with a complimentary champagne toast and a spectacular view of the fireworks show over Boston Harbor. Fireworks begin at 12am and the bar is open until 1am. Early bird tickets are $40 for the first 50 attendees. Afterwards tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance by visiting http://thefinale15.eventbrite.com.

2) When customers begin pounding on your front door weekend mornings, begging you to open up, you know that it’s time to offer brunch. Menotomy Grill & Tavern now offers a weekly-changing blackboard menu of brunch items, served every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm. Proprietor Billy Lyons has lined up some cool live jazz to complement the Tavern's warm stone fireplace and coppery bar.

Executive Chef Mark Thomson (formerly of CHEZ HENRI) offers:
* The Monte Cristo: The ultimate hangover reliever. Challah French toast filled with smoked pork shoulder and ham, gruyere, apples and onions –
* Cream Cheese-Stuffed French Toast with Mixed Berry Compote –
* Southern Fried Chicken, Buttermilk Biscuit, Sausage Gravy –
* Seasonally-inspired Omelets and Quiches
* Classic Eggs Benedict
* Huevos Rancheros

Menotomy Grill also pours its “secret family recipe” Bloody Mary, along with hefty 20-ounce draught beers from its list of 40 varieties, including Battle Road 1776 Tavern Ale … Slumbrew Attic & Eaves … Wormtown Be Hoppy IPA … and Allagash White.

3) Tim Maslow of Ribelle & Strip T's and James Mark of North in Providence are teaming up once again to host a special New Year's Eve celebration in Washington Square, This year, join them for a French-inspired nine-course dinner prepared by the two Momofuku alums. Beverage pairings featuring fine & rare wines also available. Only 100 tickets will be offered for this dinner.

THE MENU (subject to change)
first
Canapes
second
Crudo
third
Caviar
fourth
Vegetable
fifth
Biqsue
sixth
Foie Gras
seventh
Lamb
eighth
Cheese
ninth
Dessert
take home
A special treat from Ribelle & North

Tickets are $175/person, $250/person with pairings (excludes tax & gratuity).
Tickets can be purchased only online — https://nyeribellenorth.eventbrite.com.

The fine print:
If you have friends with the same reservation time as you, give them a call, and they'll make sure you're seated together.
All beverages will be available ala carte and charged separately (unless a ticket is purchased for beverage pairing).
Due to the nature of this dinner, they are unable to accommodate fish, shellfish, and gluten allergies.
Please call Ribelle at 617-232-2322 for questions.

4) On Wednesday, December 31, from 10pm-1:30am, Legal Harborside will celebrate New Year’s Eve under the stars at Liberty Wharf this year. Hosted atop the roof in a glass-enclosed space, it is the closest one comes to being in a snow globe. At this celebration bidding adieu to 2014 and welcoming 2015, revelers will delight in the picturesque winter scene – complete with Legal Harborside’s cozy, copper-clad fireplace – and will eat, drink and be merry with a bird’s eye view of First Night’s midnight fireworks overlooking Boston Harbor.

In addition to being supplied with festive noisemakers and hats, tickets to this sky-high soiree include a live deejay and a midnight toast with Moët & Chandon "Imperial" Brut NV bubbly. Legal Harborside will also offer table reservations to this year-end celebration.

COST: General admission: $75 per person Reserved couch/table: $550 per group (up to six people)

Tickets and tables may be reserved online. Tickets purchased are non-refundable and have no cash value. Limited tickets and table reservations are available. Access to the event will only be granted to guests with a ticket receipt and 21+ ID. Guests may order select a la carte items from Legal Harborside’s rooftop menu up until 12am.

5) Pastoral owners George Lewis and Todd Winer invite guests to Pastoral for an afternoon of helping those in need during the holidays. Pastoral invites guests to celebrate the holidays while helping a worthy cause this Sunday, December 14, from 4pm until 6pm. With the donation of a new or slightly worn children’s coat, guests will be offered complimentary food and beverages. Coats will be donated to Cradles to Crayons in time for the holidays. Tickets to the Pastoral For Parkas holiday party are available by logging onto www.eventbrite.com “Pastoral for Parkas”.

For more information and reservations, please call (617) 345-0005 or visit www.eventbrite.com “Pastoral for Parkas”

2014: Favorite Restaurants & My Top 50

What were some of my favorite restaurants of the past year?

Let me continue the lists of my best recommendations and favorites of 2014. I have already posted my Top Ten Wine lists, my Favorite Wine Related Items & Favorite Spirits and Drink Related Items. Now, I want to concentrate on my Favorite Restaurants of the past year.

This is certainly not a complete list but it is more a sampling of memorable restaurants I have experienced and/or posted about over the past year. You will even find a few Favorites from outside Massachusetts as I traveled a little bit this past year.

Top Restaurant Experience: Though I have had some excellent dining experiences in the Boston area this past year, my top dining experience this year took place in Connecticut at Miya's Sushi, a sustainable sushi restaurant. From the best Tatsu-age I may have eaten to a Maki roll with Crickets, the cuisine delighted and intrigued me. Their infused Sakes are interesting and tasty, and they also make cocktails with Sake and beer. Chef Bun Lai is personable and humble, charitable and intelligent, and has a true passion for healthy and sustainable food. In addition, you'll find this restaurant very affordable. Miya's Sushi garners my highest recommendation, and I can't wait to return there for another wonderful experience.

Favorite Restaurant Comeback: After being closed for a few months due to a massive flood, AKA Bistro reopened, and there was much rejoicing. Located in Lincoln, AKA Bistro is one of my favorite suburban restaurants, offering excellent French bistro fare and Japanese cuisine. They have new items on their menu, such as the delectable Spicy Steamed Clams In A Jar. During Restaurant Week, they offered their own dining special, which was an excellent value. I'm so glad they have reopened and strongly urge all my readers to dine there.

Favorite New Restaurant: Chef Michael Scelfo now has his own restaurant, Alden & Harlow, in Harvard Square,, and it has garnered many well-deserved raves. Using a small plates concept, Scelfo has exercised his creativity to produce one tasty and intriguing dish after another, from Sikil Pak to Chicken Fried Rabbit. There is something for everyone, from vegetarians to carnivores, and the menu changes frequently, so there is always something new to try. They also have an excellent drinks program, from delicious cocktails to an excellent and diverse wine list. Highly recommended, you must check out this restaurant.

Favorite New Brookline Restaurant: Innovative and delicious, the cuisine at Ribelle, in Brookline, was impressive. The Sweetbreads, Coppa, Sage Brown Butter and Celery Root was sublime, simply amazing from the first bite to the last. It is the type of dish I would want to order every time I dined at Ribelle because it was so fantastic. The pasta dishes, from the Mafalde to the Agnolotti del Plin also were excellent, and I would love to try their pasta tasting menu. The combination of ingredients, flavors and textures of each dish worked very well together. To me, all of the dishes signified a chef that knew what he was doing, a creative soul who could bring great taste to life in unique new ways. Their wine list is also impressive, with a diverse selection of many intriguing wines.

Favorite New Inman Square Restaurant: At Puritan & Co., even their simple bread rolls are addictive. Again, there is plenty of creativity in their cuisine, though much still seems familiar. The Pan Seared Striped Bass was cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of sear to add a crunchy texture to the exterior. The Scallop Tartare, in lettuce cups, was simply prepared but impressed with its fresh, clean flavors. It too possesses a well constructed wine list which should delight any wine lover.

Favorite Mexican Restaurant: With two restaurants in Massachusetts, in Burlington and Chestnut Hill, Besito is leading the way with higher-end, authentic Mexican cuisine, that still remains very affordable. You can start with one of their many a tequilas, maybe in a margarita, or try some mezcal, I've eaten here numerous times, tried many different dishes, and everything has pleased me, from their Ceviche to their Salmon Manchamanteles. With most items costing under $20, anyone can enjoy this cuisine. And make sure to save room for dessert, as they are decadent treats.

Favorite Union Square Restaurant: The owners of T.W. Food opened a second spot, Bronwyn Restaurant, and the quality remains as high as their first restaurant, though the cuisine is much different. Bronwyn serves more German and Eastern Europeean cuisine, from killer Spatzale to house-made Pierogi. Their drinks program is interesting, with a cool wine list and an extensive beer selection. I'm looking forward to my next time dining here.

Favorite Suburban Restaurant: The Boston area doesn't have a monopoly on excellent restaurants. The Blue Ox ,in Lynn, is a great neighborhood spot with a talented chef. You'll find of delectable comfort food, from fried pickles to chicken wings, but also more elevated cuisine like Duck Breast and Grilled Swordfish. Their cocktail program is excellent, using many local spirits, and the wine list will also please. With its reasonable prices, and fun atmosphere, this is suburban restaurant you need to seek out.

Favorite Western Massachusetts Restaurant: Though I rarely dined out in the western part of the state, I did so a few months ago on my return from New York. Mostly by luck, I stumbled upon Alpamayo, a Peruvian restaurant in Lee, and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and offerings there. It certainly seems like an authentic Peruvian spot, and I even enjoyed cuy, aka guinea pig. It was a relatively small spot, but definitely worth checking out, as all of the dishes we enjoyed were tasty, and reasonably priced.

Favorite Japanese Restaurant, Las Vegas: Hands down, my dining experience at Abriya Raku was one of the best Japanese meals I have experienced anywhere, and not just in Las Vegas. From a lengthy and exciting Sake list, with extremely low price mark-ups, to its fresh sushi and diverse Robata selections, this restaurant impresses and amazes. I even enjoyed their home-made Tofu! For years, it wasn't a well-known destination, but its popularity has grown so now the media talks about it frequently. All of its raves are more than well deserved. It is a highly recommended restaurant if you visit Las Vegas.

Favorite Chinese Restaurant, Las Vegas:: With hand-pulled noodles and soup dumplings, the Beijing Noodle No.9 offers plenty of compelling cuisine, including one of the best Kung Pao dishes I have ever tasted. It has a lengthy menu, with something to please all tastes, and you can even watch them pulling noodles in the front window. It is a bit pricey but the quality of their fare is high so you can understand the prices, especially for a restaurant within a casino. 

Favorite High-End Restaurant, Las Vegas:In Vegas, you have many options for high-end dining, though not all will necessarily please you. At Sage, in the Aria Hotel, I think you'll thoroughly enjoy your dining experience. Excellent service, cuisine, and wine, all combine to create a perfect evening. Two of the wines from this dinner ended up on my Top Ten lists this year. From the Roasted Veal Sweetbreads to the Bacon-Wrapped Iberico Pork Loin, the food thrilled my palate. It helped to be dining with some great friends, but even without them, the meal would still be rave worthy.

Most Anticipated Restaurant Opening: Chef Peter Ungár is a highly skilled chef, who I believe is one of the best in this area, and has remained beneath the radar for many diners in the Boston area. I have previously enjoyed a number of exceptional dinners at his Dining Alternative Chef's Table events. Next year, he plans to open his own restaurant, the Tasting Counter, a 20-seat experimental spot, “To bring you closer to the creation of fine natural food, served in harmony with fine natural wine.” I eagerly look forward to this opening, to experience more of Chef Ungár's cuisine, and hoping he garners more well-deserved attention.

The Passionate Foodie's Top 50 Restaurants
In addition to the Favorites listed above, I've compiled a list of my own Top 50 Restaurants, those Massachusetts places where I'm sure to always have a delicious meal, whether a casual breakfast or a high-end French dinner. These are the places I seem to recommend the most to others, including some places where I dine on a regular basis . Many of these places have been listed on prior Favorite Lists, some for multiple years, and are all worthy of recognition and recommendation. This is not a list of the "Best" restaurants, but my own personal favorites and you can find my reviews of these spots on my blog.

Bedford
Flatbread Company

Boston
The Beehive
Coppa
Erbaluce 
Gourmet Dumpling House
Island Creek Oyster Bar
JM Curley
L'Espalier 
Mooo
Myers & Chang
Nebo
Oishii 
Prezza
Saus
Shojo 

Taranta
Toro
Troquet

Brookline
Fugakyu
Ribelle

Taberna de Haro

Burlington
Besito
Chopps American Bar & Grill

Cambridge
Alden & Harlow
Craigie on Main
Flat Patties
Puritan & Co.
Tampopo
T.W. Food
Tupelo

Ipswich

Clam Box

Lee
Alpamayo

Lincoln
AKA Bistro

Lynn
The Blue Ox

Malden
All Seasons Table
Oya Cuban Cafe 

Medford
Bistro 5

Melrose
Spice of Melrose

Saugus
Iron Town Diner

Somerville
Bergamot 
Bronwyn
Dali
The Painted Burro
Posto.

Stoneham
Fusion Taste
Taste of Siam
Three Amigos

Wellesley

Blue Ginger

Woburn
Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe
Taipei Tokyo

What were some of your favorite restaurants this year?

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.
**********************************************************
1) The Alpine Restaurant Group is pleased to announce the opening of The Burro Bar in Brookline. This is Chef/Owner Joe Cassinelli’s fifth venue behind Posto, The Rosebud American Kitchen and Bar, The Painted Burro and Osteria Posto in Waltham. This new neighborhood dining destination will be located in the heart of Brookline’s Beacon Street in the former Ribelle space.

“Brookline is such an exciting and vibrant neighborhood and we are thrilled to introduce the Painted Burro’s sibling restaurant, the Burro Bar to the restaurant scene,” said Joe Cassinelli. “The inspiration for the concept came from the evolution of what the Painted Burro has become in Davis Square. We want to invite our loyal guests and new friends to join us on another adventure, one that blends authentic Mexican techniques with our local bounty in an atmosphere with first class hospitality in a comfortable setting.”

The menu is crafted by Chef/Owner Joe Cassinelli and the front of the house will be overseen by General Manager Helen Israel. The beverage program has been carefully curated by Alpine Restaurant Group’s Director of Operations, Alec Riveros. Inspiration for the menu comes from regions of Mexico such as Baja, Oaxaca, Vera Cruz and the Yucatan with splashes from South America. The modern approach to cuisine with a respect for tradition is exemplified throughout dishes where ingredients and local produce take center stage.

The menu includes a selection of Bocaditos (small bites) such as Mexican Street Corn off of the Cob, Roasted Beets with Morita Dressing and Goat Cheese, Spice Green Beans in a Smoked Shrimp Mole and Enmoladas. There is also a section of Classicos which stem from the Painted Burro’s signature menu items, such as the Guacamole El Mero Mero, Nachos Con Chorizo and the Chicken Tamale Ahogada. The seafood section, Del Mar, includes Charred Octopus, Snapper and Scallop Ceviche and Grouper Con Coconut. There is a selection of Queso Fundidos that includes selections of Chorizo and Roasted Apple, Squash and Cauliflower and Nopale and Poblano Rajas. Tacos will be the star of the menu with more than half a dozen options, including: Baja Fish Tacos, Beef Tongue, Short Rib Double Stack, Chicken Liver and Gulf Shrimp Diablo.

The beverage program at the Burro Bar embodies The Painted Burro’s dedication to eclectic tradition. A tequila list with over 100 bottles that are handpicked and “Burro tested and approved” are featured and available in 1 oz. or 2 oz. tastings or in their Margaritas which showcase the pure flavors of the tequila. There will also be 40 Mezcals, making it one of a handful of Mezcal Bars in the Boston area.

The Burro Bar will be open for dinner nightly at 5pm until 1am and in the near future, it will open for Sunday brunch.

2) On Tuesday, February 7, Bar Boulud will debut a three week Pop-Up Chocolate Shop featuring a selection of handcrafted cocoa confections from Pastry Chef Robert Differ. Available to pre-order and select preferences at pick-up, these decadent desserts will be beautifully packaged and ready to gift just in time for the Valentine holiday. Available through February 28th, Chef Differ’s specialty sweet selections will include:

Assorted Embellished Cupcakes
--Red Velvet (rich cream cheese frosting)
--Chocolate Fudge (dark chocolate frosting, plunged in ganache)
--Birthday Cake (pink bubblegum frosting)
“Shades of Chocolate” French Macarons
--Ivory (zest of orange essence)
--Milk Chocolate (crunch of praline)
--Dark Chocolate (coffee truffle)
--OMG Chocolate (hint of licorice)
Handcrafted Bonbons (flavors may change and additional flavors may be available)
--Peanut Brittle
--Dark Chocolate Espresso
--Aged Rum & Vanilla
--Raspberry Lychee
--Honey-Hazelnut
--Fresh Mint
--Classic Cocoa dusted with 72% dark chocolate
Le Petite Gâteau (dark chocolate devil’s food cake layered with truffle, crème de cocoa and creamy chocolate mousse, engulfed in even more chocolate)

As a sweet enhancement, Bar Boulud will also host a chocoholic tasting menu exclusively at the Pop-Up Shop Counter, available during lunch and dinner service. Sit at one of the counter’s seven seats and indulge in a variety of sweet treats, which can be ordered individually or as a tasting flight. Additionally, guests can cozy up with a cup of Chef Differ’s featured hot cocoa - Almond Joy Chocolat Chaud, warm milk chocolate finished with creamy coconut, toasted almonds and a housemade coconut marshmallow; also available with cordial enhancement.

Please note: online orders must be placed with a minimum 48-hour advance notice.

For more information or to place an order, call 617-535-8800 or visit Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-chocolate-shop-at-bar-boulud-tickets-31170103619

3) Michael Serpa, executive chef/owner of Select Oyster Bar in Boston's Back Bay announces "Bistro Mondays." Available from 4:30pm-9:30pm, fFor $33, guests can enjoy a special prix fixe menu.

Faroe Islands Salmon Tartare (mustard dressing, crispy capers, radishes)
or
Smoked Bluefish Toast (blood orange marmalade, roasted fennel)

Frisée Aux Lardons (smoked bacon, sunnyside egg, toasted breadcrumbs)
or
Roasted Brussels Sprouts (heirloom apples + pomegranates)

Maine Mussels ‘à la Normande’ (shallots, white wine, herb toast)
or
Peekytoe Crab Pappardelle (toasted hazelnuts, lemon, parsley, cracked pepper)

{add 1 dozen island creek oysters +$12}
by the dozen only, max 3 dozen, only with prix fixe

Drink these: 
Cour-Cheverney Phillipe Tessier $55
Trousseau Jean-Luc Moullard ‘Côtes du Jura’ $60

4) Il Molo, the North End neighborhood spot for seafood with an Italian accent, is launching a brand new Sunday brunch service kicking off on Sunday, February 12. Il Molo will be open at 11:00 AM with executive chef Pino Maffeo offering dishes from the new brunch menu as well as inventive and also classic cocktails that diners expect to sip with brunchy fare, mixed up by bar manager Luke Collier.

“We’ve been getting amazing feedback from our dinner and lunch service, so we couldn’t wait to start brunch,” says Donato Frattaroli Jr, who is co-owner along with his father Donato Frattaroli. “We are going to offer our customers a brunch that will give them a reason to wake up in the morning!”

The new Brunch menu includes Starters that follow in the ‘serious seafood’ vein that Il Molo is known for, like Smoked Salmon Toast with Sour Cream & Onions, and Mini Lobster Rolls served Warm. There will also be a selection of Brunch Breads: Honey Pecan Sticky Buns; Butter Croissants; Raisin Pecan Rolls w/ Maple Butter. Brunch Plates will include a fairly wide array of dishes based on traditional brunch but with a clearly Maffeo twist, like the TBE – Tomato, Burrata and 2 Poached Eggs with Pesto Hollandaise; the Lobster Benny – Farm Eggs, Maine Lobster, Hollandaise; and Blueberry Griddle Cake – Maine Blueberries, Maple Syrup, Powdered Sugar. There is also a selection of Sides, which include Lobster Hash. All brunch items are under $20.

And because brunch, no matter how good it is, is never complete without cocktails, Luke, Il Molo’s Bar Manager will be debuting his special brunch cocktail menu which includes the Rise & Shine – Irish Cream, Artisanal Coffee and Fresh Whipped Cream and the Peruvian Huevos & Jamon – Pisco, Egg White, Lime, Sugar, Bacon Crumble; as well as takes on the more traditional Mimosa and Bloody Mary.

Brunch will be served every Sunday, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

5) Owners Filippo and Phil Frattaroli, guest chefs Antonella and Domenico Santacroce, and the Lucia Ristorante team invite guest to join them for a special Abruzzese cooking class and dinner.

On Tuesday, February 7, at 5 p.m., Antonella and Domenico Santacroce, guest chefs visiting Lucia from Italy’s Abruzzo region, will be teaching a special cooking class at Lucia Ristorante focusing on Abruzzese cuisine. Following the cooking class, guests will feast on their creations paired with Lucia’s exceptional house wines.

The menu will include:
Sagne e Fagioli: an Abruzzese version of Pasta e Fagioli with homemade pasta and beans from Sulmona
Chitarrina all'abruzzese: chitarra pasta with a tomato and lamb sauce
Pallotte Cacio e Ova: cheese (Caciocavallo from Abruzzo) and egg pallotte
Pizzelle: thin, anise-flavored cookies originating in Abruzzo made with authentic handheld irons directly on the stove

Tickets cost $75, not including tax and gratuity, and can be purchased by calling Lucia at (781) 729-0515.

6) I recently mentioned the opening of Bistro Duet, a modern French dining experience in one of Arlington's most iconic buildings--the former Arlington Five Cent Savings Bank. Bistro Duet reunites InterContinental Hotel, Boston alumnae Cyrille Couet and Wayne Duprey.

Bistro Duet is now announcing the start of their weekend "Bistro Brunch", which will run from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm every Saturday & Sunday. You can begin your brunch with Financiers, Muffins or their Baker's Basket (an assortment of pastry). You can the move onto items such as a Salade Croquant de Jardin or a Banana Nutella Tartine. Or opt for the Crispy Duck Confit Waffle, a Croque Monsieur, Moules Frites, or Baked Eggs Ratatouille. Most of the dishes cost less than $14 and would be a good way to start your weekend.

For reservations, please call Bistro Duet at 978-863-8848

2015: Favorite Restaurants & My Top 50

What were some of my favorite restaurants of the past year?

Let me continue the lists of my best recommendations and favorites of 2015. I have already posted my Top Wine lists, Favorite Wine Related Items & Favorite Spirits, Cocktails & Drink Related Items. Yesterday, I posted my Favorite Restaurant Dishes of 2015 and now I want to address my Favorite Restaurants of the past year as well as my Top 50 Restaurants.

This is certainly not a complete list but it is more a sampling of memorable restaurants I have experienced and/or posted about over the past year. You will even find a few Favorites from outside Massachusetts as I traveled a little bit this past year.

This is also a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. But all of the items here have earned my strong recommendations and I hope you will enjoy them as well. For more Restaurant reviews, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

Top Restaurant Experience: Though I enjoyed some excellent dining experiences in the Boston area this past year, my top dining experience took place at Tasting Counter in Somerville. Chef Peter Ungár opened his restaurant in July, which I had eagerly awaited, and it has received many well-deserved raves from other reviewers too. The cuisine is inventive, appealing and absolutely delicious. The setting is cool and intimate, a twenty-seat counter where you can also watch the chef and kitchen staff preparing your food. I consulted on their Sake program & they now possess the largest Sake menu of any non-Asian restaurant in the Boston area. I highly recommend you check out Tasting Counter and expect that in 2016, Chef Peter Ungár's name will be on everyone's tongue

Favorite New Restaurant: So many interesting restaurants opened this year, so this wasn't the easiest decision to make. But, Ciao! Pizza & Pasta, which I reviewed Quality Food In A Small Package and An Update, is deserving for multiple reasons. First, its food, including wood-fired pizzas, house-made pasta, and paninis, are high-end quality and quite tasty, but at very reasonable prices. It is a small place, mostly takeout but with a handful of chairs at a counter, yet it doesn't skimp on anything. And it is located in Chelsea, enhancing their neighborhood, and could be the start to a culinary surge in Chelsea. It hasn't received much press yet but I'm sure you'll be hearing much more about in 2016. Get there now and find out why it earns my highest recommendation.

Favorite Bar Restaurant: Beneath Davis Square in Somerville, you'll find Saloon, a killer whiskey bar that also has an excellent food menu. Duck Wings to Lamb Merguez Sausage, Chicken Fried Rabbit Leg to Short Rib Pot Pie, and much more. It is elevated comfort food, perfect accompaniments to cocktails and whiskey. The menu changes on a regular basis so you can try new dishes all the time. And with over 120 Whiskies on their list, you'll need to fill your belly with some of their delicious food to soak up all that compelling alcohol.

Favorite Suburban, High-End Italian: Though it has only been open about a month, Osteria Posto in Waltham has already made its mark as an Italian steakhouse. From killer appetizers like Sweetbreads Marsala and Burrata, to delicious pasta like Agnolotti Dal Plin atop Goat Bolognese and Mafaldine, there is much Italian to enjoy. And their Steaks, like the tender Cap Steak, will also satisfy your more carnivorous cravings. Top notch service, an excellent cocktail & wine program, and an elegant ambiance, will all combine to make your dining experience memorable. It's open for lunch and dinner so make the trek to Waltham.

Favorite Suburban, Mid-Level Italian: Another compelling new restaurant this year, located in Burlington, is Osteria Nino. Reasonably priced, this Roman-inspired restaurant offers an ever-changing menu of scrumptious pasta dishes, delicious pizzas, hearty sandwiches, and much more. Enjoy dishes like Cacio e Pepe, Gnocchi with Lamb Ragu, and Bacon Pizza. With an all-Italian wine list, there are many interesting choices available, and their bar also produces some tasty cocktails. I lunch here on a regular basis and it remains consistently good. With all the new restaurants in Burlington, this is one that should be at the top of your list.

Favorite New Sandwich Restaurant: Though they have an extensive  breakfast and lunch menu, the specialty at Tasty On The Hill, located in Medford, is the Francesinha, a traditional Portuguese sandwich, especially in the Porto region. They serve six variations and I've enjoyed three of them so far. These are hearty sandwiches, topped by a tangy, savory tomato-based sauce and served with house-cut French fries. The Traditional is a meat-lovers fantasy, made with five different meats, from steak to bacon. If you want less meat, go for the Bacalhau, which only has salt cod. They even have a Vegetarian option. These sandwiches are unique in the Boston area and I highly recommend you try one.

Favorite New Inman Square Restaurant: As a long-time fan of Bergamot, I was excited when their sister restaurant, BISq, opened in Inman Square. Chef Dan Bazzinotti is creating some inventive and delicious food, including a roast leg of lamb which was silky tender and bursting with flavor. The restaurant also has a fascinating wine list, a cool cocktail program, and will satisfy your thirst, no matter what your taste. It is small and intimate, with a casual and fun atmosphere, and you need to visit to enjoy a compelling culinary experience.

Favorite New Burger Joint: New to Woburn, WuBurger will also be opening a second location in Inman Square in the near future. The Woburn location is reminiscent of an old-fashioned diner and they offer excellent burgers, reasonably priced and fully customizable. You can get one or two patties, with your choice of toppings, or you can try one of their other sandwiches or hotdogs. Get a side of Waffle Fries or a cup of meat Chili, and then end your meal with Richardson's ice cream. Fast, casual, and inexpensive, this is a great place for lunch or dinner.

Favorite Hotel Restaurant: Hotel restaurants sometimes are seen as lesser places, and that reputation is partially deserved, but there are a number of exceptions, such as Chopps American Bar & Grill at the Burlington Marriot. The menu is diverse, the dishes are prepared well, and their drinks program is excellent. Enjoy a thick steak or silky tuna, a dry-aged burger or a meat-covered pizza. Whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Chopps has you covered and it will show that hotel restaurants can produce culinary wonders.

Favorite New Maine Restaurant: The Velveteen Habit is a fine dining tavern, having taken over the old Arrows space. It impressed me, from its excellent cocktail program to its tasty & well-made cuisine, from its intriguing wine list to its impeccable service. Their dedication to providing much of their own produce from their garden and their reliance on many local purveyors is admirable. Portland is well known for its excellent restaurants but you don't have to drive that far. Instead, take a shorter drive to The Velveteen Habit and experience their cuisine & drinks program. You won't be disappointed.

Favorite New Maine Restaurant Neighborhood: Kittery, Maine is most known for its outlets, but it needs to be better known for its intriguing Foreside neighborhood which is becoming an interesting culinary destination, just across the river from Portsmouth. Enjoy Ramen and Pork Buns at Anju Noodle Bar, buy locally sourced meats at MEat Butcher Shop, and savor the light and flaky Crullers at Lil's Cafe. There are other restaurants in this neighborhood you can experience too and you should spend some time exploring this up and coming area.

Favorite Connecticut Restaurant: Miya's Sushi, a sustainable sushi restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut, remains my favorite spot. You can feel good about the food, which is both sustainable and nutritious. You won't be disappointed with all the tastes and flavors within each compelling dish. Make sure to save room for dessert too, at least a single bit worth of room for its Seven Deadly Sushi. It remains a very affordable restaurant and will continue to be so. Chef Bun Lai deserves every accolade and rave he has received and it garners my highest recommendation.

The Passionate Foodie's Top 50 Restaurants
In addition to the Favorites listed above, I've compiled a list of my own Top 50 Restaurants, those Massachusetts places where I'm sure to always have a delicious meal, whether a casual breakfast or a high-end French dinner. These are the places I seem to recommend the most to others, including some places where I dine on a regular basis. Many of these places have been listed on prior Favorite Lists, some for multiple years, and are all worthy of recognition and recommendation. This is not a list of the "Best" restaurants, but my own personal favorites and you can find my reviews of these spots on my blog.

Boston
The Beehive
Coppa
Dumpling Cafe
Erbaluce 
Island Creek Oyster Bar
L'Espalier 
Myers & Chang
Nebo
Oishii 
Prezza
Saus
Shojo 

Taranta
Toro
Troquet

Brookline
Fugakyu
Ribelle

Taberna de Haro

Burlington
The Bancroft
Besito
Chopps American Bar & Grill
Osteria Nino

Cambridge
Alden & Harlow
BISq
Craigie on Main
Flat Patties
Puritan & Co.
Tampopo
T.W. Food
Tupelo

Chelsea
Ciao! Pizza & Pasta

Ipswich

Clam Box

Lincoln

AKA Bistro

Lynn
The Blue Ox

Medford
Bistro 5
Tasty On The Hill

Saugus
Iron Town Diner

Somerville
Bergamot 
Bronwyn
Dali
The Painted Burro
Posto
Saloon
Tasting Counter

Stoneham
Fusion Taste
Taste of Siam
Three Amigos

Waltham
Osteria Posto

Woburn
Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe
WuBurger

What were some of your favorite restaurants this year?

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.. **********************************************************
1) Boston’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry, a Culinary Event for a Cause, returns on June 9. A number of Boston area’s chefs, restaurateurs and mixologists will join forces to help end childhood hunger. Share Our Strength Founder and CEO Billy Shore; Taste of the Nation’s Distinguished Chef Council which includes: Gordon Hammersley, Tony Maws, Joanne Chang, Jodi Adams, Jason Santos, Andy Husbands, Michael Scelfo, Mary Dumont and Brian Poe.  

Some of this year’s participating restaurants include: Lincoln Tavern, Belly Wine Bar, Craigie on Main, Abby Lane, Tremont 647, Bistro du Midi, Bergamot, Alden and Harlow, Sweet Cheeks Q, Ribelle, Loyal Nine, TRADE, Tico, West Bridge, Davio’s, Grill 23, Harvest, 80 Thoreau and Fairstead Kitchen.

Proceeds from the event benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America. Led by a distinguished Chef Council, Boston’s culinary tastemakers will provide guests with bite-size fare, craft cocktails, and desserts of all kinds. One in five children in this country struggles with hunger, including more than 270,000 kids in MA. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger in this nation by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. In 2014, Boston’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry raised $123,000 to help feed children in need more than 1,230,000 healthy meals.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9, from 7pm to  9:30p,  VIP Admission starts at 6pm.
WHERE: Cruiseport Boston, One Black Falcon Avenue, Boston
COST: Tickets are $95 for General Admission and $150 for VIP admission. Tickets can be purchased by logging onto www.nokidhungry.org/boston.

2) Puritan & Company Wine Director, Peter Nelson, is changing things up a bit with a dine-around and sip-around event for the next Wine Wednesday which takes place on Wednesday, July 1st. Guests are invited to say “Yes Way, Rosé!” where they can mix, mingle and sample at this celebration of the pink-hued wines.

Passed appetizers and small plates will be paired with a selection of 15 Rosé wines to make this event a little more special than most. This is a perfect way to taste a bunch of Rosé and find your favorites for the summer.

Tickets are $65 and can be reserved by calling 617-615-6195 or logging onto www.picatic.com/roserumble.

3) Do you love cheese? And really, who doesn't? The American Cheese Society is holding Cheese Camp 2015 in Providence, Rhode Island, from Wednesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 1. This is a large educational conference and world-renowned cheese competition, and this is the first year in almost ten years that it has been held in New England. There is much for the cheese industry and food professionals but there are also events that will appeal to the general public.

Check out the Festival of Cheese, which is open to the public on Saturday, August 1, from 7pm-9pm, and will feature over 1600 American artisan cheeses that were entered in the 2015 Judging and Competition. In addition to all of these cheeses, guests will also get to try a wide array of specialty accompaniments from preserves to chocolate to wine and craft beer. All guests will get a commemorative wine glass and cocktail plate. Tickets are $60 per person, with all proceeds going to the American Cheese Society’s cheesemaker scholarships.

All of the remaining cheese will be sold at the Cheese Sale on Sunday morning from 9am-1 pm. Entry is free, and will be a great opportunity to purchase rare artisan cheeses from across the country at incredible prices.

Individuals or groups can also volunteer from July 23 through August 2, 2015. Volunteers can assist with many aspects of ACS’s events, including but not limited to: volunteering with the renowned ACS Judging & Competition; assisting at the Conference registration desk; preparing cheeses for educational tasting sessions and sponsored events; and helping to set up the Festival of Cheese .

Volunteers receive an official “ACS Cheese Camp Counselor” t-shirt, a ticket to the Festival of Cheese on Saturday, August 1 ($60 value), and any meals that coincide with their shift(s). Volunteers may purchase additional tickets to the Festival of Cheese at a discount. Shifts vary in length. Volunteers must be age 18 or older.

Sign up to volunteer for ACS Cheese Camp 2015 in Providence at www.shiftboard.com/cheesesociety.
For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact Jeff Yeager at 720-328-2788 or jyeager@cheesesociety.org.

Friday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a special Friday edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.. **********************************************************
1) Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7, from 3:30PM – 5:00PM as Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro hosts “Sparkle VIII,” an event billed as “…an afternoon of fashion, food & fun.” The event will bring together people from around Greater Boston to sip cocktails, enjoy light fare and finger foods, and view the latest styles during an afternoon charity fashion show to benefit Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women.

This year’s special guest hosts will be Erica Corsano, lifestyle editor and social columnist at The Boston Herald, and Jenny Johnson, co-host of NESN’s “Dining Playbook.” Modeling the latest summer fashions will be editors, producers, writers and on-air talent from some of Boston’s most prominent media outlets. Graciously donating their time to this year’s event will be: Nelly Carreño, meteorologist for NECN, Sean Donovan, social media maven aka “BostonMo,” Cheryl Fenton, freelance lifestyle magazine writer and Digital Editor for Boston magazine's Weddings, Jacqueline Houton, editor of The Improper Bostonian, J.C. Monahan, co-anchor of WCVB-TV's “NewsCenter 5 at 5:00” and "Chronicle," Lisa Pierpont, editor of Boston Common magazine, Bree Sison of WBZ “This Morning,” Janet Wu, anchor/reporter for WHDH Channel 7.

The all-inclusive $30 admission price is not only a front row seat to the afternoon fashion show, set in communal seating to encourage gab and gossip, but also includes: gourmet hors d'oeuvres, (1) cocktail provided by Brockman’s Gin (full cash bar also available), an exclusive “Sparkle VIII” discount giving attendees 15%-20% off at all participating vendors, and a complimentary gift bag filled with goodies galore. A percentage of proceeds from the event will go to Rosie’s Place.

Tickets are required and can be purchased by calling Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro at 617-723-7575 or visiting sparkle8.eventbrite.com. Tickets are non-refundable. This is a 21+ event.

2) Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation takes place on Tuesday, June 9, and has a stellar lineup of Chefs and restaurants that will be participating. More than 70 restaurants will join SOS Founder Billy Shore to participate in one of the year’s hottest culinary events. The annual tasting event will feature the city’s top chefs, sommeliers and mixologists united for a cause: making sure all children in this country get the healthy food they need, every day.

Some of This Year’s Participating Restaurants Include:
- Lincoln Tavern
- Belly Wine Bar
- Craigie on Main
- Abby Lane
- Tremont 647
- Bistro du Midi
- Bergamot
- Alden and Harlow
- Sweet Cheeks Q
- Ribelle
- Loyal Nine
- TRADE
- Tico
- West Bridge
- Davio’s
- Grill 23
- Harvest
- 80 Thoreau
- Fairstead Kitchen

Proceeds from the event benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America. Led by a distinguished Chef Council, Boston’s culinary tastemakers will provide guests with scrumptious bite-size fare, craft cocktails, and desserts of all kinds. One in five children in this country struggles with hunger, including more than 270,000 kids in MA. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger in this nation by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9, 7pm-9:30pm
VIP Admission starts at 6pm
COST: Tickets are $95 for General Admission and $150 for VIP admission. Tickets can be purchased by logging onto www.nokidhungry.org/boston.

3) On Friday, May 1, Shake Shack® kicked off its 4th Annual Great American Shake Sale benefiting No Kid Hungry®. The Great American Shake Sale is a company-wide cause marketing initiative taking place May 1-31 at all U.S. Shake Shacks (excluding stadiums and airports). The goal is to raise awareness and funds for No Kid Hungry in its effort to end childhood hunger in America, where 1 in 5 children do not have consistent access to adequate food.

Throughout May, Shake Shack guests who donate $2 or more to No Kid Hungry will receive a card for a complimentary hand-spun shake—valued at $5—redeemable on their next visit. One hundred percent of donations will benefit No Kid Hungry.

Thanks to the incredible support of its guests in 2014, Shake Shack surpassed its goal to raise $300,000 by more than $38,000. This year, Shake Shack’s new goal is to raise $350,000. If reached, Shake Shack will achieve the significant milestone of donating a total of $1 million to No Kid Hungry in the four years since the launch of the Great American Shake Sale.

Donations to No Kid Hungry help connect children to the healthy food they need through essential nutrition programs like school breakfast, summer meals and classes that educate low-income families on how to cook healthy, affordable foods. Just $2 can provide kids with 20 meals. If Shake Shack reaches its goal to raise $350,000 this year, that’s 3.5 million additional meals for hungry children in America.

4) Now in its 18th year, Chefs in Shorts brings together a group of the area’s top culinary talents who fire up the grills and create their favorite dishes during this expansive outdoor, summer-in-the-city barbeque hosted at the Seaport World Trade Center. Join some of Boston’s best chefs for an evening of grill-offs, desserts, beer, wine and fun to benefit Future Chefs, a local nonprofit focused on first careers in the culinary arts.

WHEN: Friday, June 19, from 7pm-9:30pm
COST: $80 per person (includes admission with complimentary beer, wine and culinary tastings)
TICKETS: Tickets now available online at: https://chefsinshorts.eventbrite.com.
MORE INFO: This event is 21+ and requires proper identification.
BENEFICIARY: Future Chefs’ mission is to prepare urban youth in Greater Boston for quality early employment and post-secondary education opportunities in the culinary field and to support them in developing a broad base of transferable skills as they transition into the working world.

5) Leave the cooking to Prezza this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, from 4pm-9pm, and treat her to an escape in Italy – sans passport. In addition to serving the regular menu focused on Old World-style cuisine, Owner & Chef Anthony Caturano will be dishing out seven specials at his famed North End eatery.

To start, there are Fried Clams (fennel and caper remoulade sauce - $16), Eggplant Parmigiano (basil, roasted tomato and mozzarella - $14) and Buffalo Mozzarella (tomato, basil and aged balsamic - $16). For the pasta course, Chef Caturano will serve up Gnocchi (San Marzano tomatoes and basil - $18) and Linguine (clams, ramps and butter - $18). There also will be two special entrees, Veal Saltimbocca (crispy prosciutto, sage, roasted potatoes and broccoli rabe - $26) and Chicken Parmigiano (tagliatelle and San Marzano tomatoes - $26).

For reservations, please call 617-227-1577

2014: Favorite Food-Related Items

What were some of my favorite food-related items of the past year?

Let me continue my collection of lists of my best recommendations and favorites of the past year, 2014. Yesterday, I provided a list of my Favorite Restaurants of 2014 and now I want to address my favorites for other Food-Related Items, from markets to books, from donuts to candy. This is certainly not a complete list but it is more a sampling of memorable matters I have experienced and posted about over the past year.

This is also a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. But all of the items here have earned my strong recommendations and I hope you will enjoy them as well. For more food-related items, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

Favorite Food Trade Event: For the fourth year in a row, I have selected the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) as my favorite. It is a massive trade event, a three day event showcasing purveyors of seafood and related vendors. You'll find tons of free seafood samples and learn plenty, from sustainability to cooking. Plus, the New England Food Show is held in the same venue, offering samples of food, drink and even alcohol. The Seafood Show is an engaging event and I wrote twenty posts about the show this year. It also helped that I won the 4th Annual iPura Tweet & Blogfest for my coverage. The Seafood Show is compelling on many levels and I look forward to attending the next SENA in March 2015.

Favorite Food Magazine: For the fourth year in a row, Lucky Peach easily prevails as my favorite. This quarterly magazine is eclectic and irreverent, with fascinating articles, essays, recipes, and more. I eagerly devour each issue when it is released and its quality has remained consistent. It entertains and educates, as well as providing much for reflection. If you love food and are not reading Lucky Peach, then shame on you.

Runner-Up Favorite New Food Magazine: A quarterly magazine, the Modern Farmer is a fascinating look at the connections between us and the foods we eat. Farmers all over the world take center focus, and the articles are informative, thought provoking and and practical. I've read several of their issues so far and it has consistently offered much of value to any food lover. It is a more serious food magazine, but it isn't pretentious. Another must read.

Favorite Food Book: The Tastemakers: Why We're Crazy for Cupcakes but Fed Up with Fondue by David Sax was a thought provoking look at food trends and provided me topics for three Rants: Lazy Food Writers, Eating With Your Ears, and Lazy Chefs, Written in an easy manner, it provides plenty of interesting information, and also makes you think more closely about a variety of food issues. All food lovers, and especially food writers, should check out this book.

Runner-Up Favorite Food Book: The Language of Food, by Dan Jurafsky, explains and expounds upon various food-related words, as well as examining the role of words in everything from menus to restaurant reviews. It is part history and science, psychology and etymology. If you love food, it is an excellent read, one which will intrigue and interest you, as well as make you think of food in different ways. And it too fueled three different posts, Rant: Sex Drugs & Restaurant Reviews, The Origins of Ceviche, Tempura, and Fish & Chips, and Rant: Menu Secrets & Sacrificing Choice.

Favorite Food Contest: An epic Sushi Battle pitted Chef Tim Cushman of O Ya against Chef Hisayoshi Iwa of Sushi Iwa in Japan in three rounds of sushi creation. I was fortunate to be one of the judges for this event which was televised for a Japanese station. Each chef had their own distinctive style, and both created compelling sushi so it was extremely difficult to select a winner. In their own way, both chefs made winning dishes, being true masters of their craft. Once the show airs, I'll try to provide a link so everyone can watch.

Favorite Cheese Shop: When it comes to cheese, the suburbs reign supreme with the Concord Cheese Shop, which commonly stocks 150-200 cheeses, including many local cheeses. The staff is very knowledgeable and passionate about their cheese, and they are always seeking out new cheeses for their stock. Besides all that cheese, they also carry a variety of other gourmet foods as well as wines and beers. It is an excellent destination for many reasons.

Favorite Beef: This year, wine from Uruguay made a major impact on my taste buds, and another Uruguayan product thrilled my palate too, Del Terruño Beef. Free range and grass fed beef, this was a delicious meat, tender and flavorful, with a nice gamey taste. This is a beef for any meat lover, especially those seeking cattle that have been raised well and sustainably. It is available locally and I strongly recommend you find some to enjoy.

Favorite Restaurant Meat Dish: I've long been an advocate of eating rabbit, especially as it is such a nutritious meat. Chef Michael Scelfo has created an exceptional comfort food dish, his Chicken Fried Rabbit at Alden & Harlow. A perfectly crispy coating holds a pate-like mix of rabbit and pork belly, and it is simply decadently delicious. Bursting with flavor, as well as some umami-goodness, it will transform anyone into a rabbit lover.

Favorite Offal Dish: At Ribelle in Brookline, their Sweetbreads dish, with coppa, sage brown bitter and celery root, was sublime, simply superb from the first to the last bite. A great combination of flavors and textures, I almost wanted to order a second dish just to enjoy more of it. This is also a dish that almost any food lover would savor, if they simply tasted it, and didn't worry that it is an organ.

Favorite New Condiment: A group of students from the Harvard Business School created their own version of gochujang, an important Korean condiment, which they have named Korean Summer Sauce. Their sauce is made from red pepper paste, honey, plum extract, sweet rice wine, garlic, sesame oil and soy. I enjoyed the taste of this condiment, its savory flavors, with a mild spiciness, a hint of sweetness, and some umami goodness. It is a versatile sauce, and belongs in your kitchen.

Favorite Unusual Food: This category is a tie between the Insects I ate at Miya's Sushi and the Guinea Pig I enjoyed at Alpamayo. At Miya's, I savored a Cricket Maki roll as well as Nine Spice Sashimi with crispy black soldier fly larvae. Tasty and sustainable, insects are eaten all over the world, though many Americans still shy away from eating them. Guinea Pig is a Peruvian staple, and it does remind me of chicken, with mild white and dark meat. Expand your culinary horizons and try something more unusual for dinner.

Favorite New Seafood: At Miya's Sushi, I enjoyed much more than just the insects, and was also introduced to a new seafood, Cannonball Jellyfish. Rather than a gelatinous texture, it was more springy like a gummy bear, and almost had a crispness to the exterior. It was surprisingly tasty, and is now added to my list of favorite seafoods. Not all jellyfish is the same.

Favorite Restaurant Desserts: Every dessert I have eaten at Besito has been delicious and compelling, from their Pastel de Chocolate to their Tres Leches Cake, from their Pudin de Chocolate to their Churros. They taste homemade and will please any sweet tooth. Many restaurants do one or two desserts well, but it is harder to find a restaurant that does all of their desserts well.

Favorite Chips At the Boston Wine Expo, I sampled Pasta Chips, oven baked crackers made from pasta. There are five different flavors including Alfredo, Marinara, Spicy Tomato Herb, Garlic & Olive Oil, and Sea Salt. I was impressed, and nearly addicted, with these chips, which were thin but sturdy, had appealing flavors and a nice crunch. The Garlic & Oil was one of my favorite flavors, with a strong garlic taste, though I also very much liked the Alfredo, which had a prominent cheese kick. The chips are strong enough for even a thick dip, though I like them just the way they are.

Favorite Chicken Wings: At Red Heat Tavern, their Mesquite Smoked Wings, with a sweet Thai chili sauce, are slow cooked during the day in their unique Josper Oven, and then later crisped up prior to being served. Honestly, these were some of the best wings I've tasted in some time. There was a delightful crispiness to the outer skin, and plenty of tender meat inside. The sweet, and slightly spicy, taste was accompanied by a nice smokiness, all of the flavors blending together harmoniously. I could easily eat these wings by the dozen and they receive my highest recommendation.

Favorite Tofu: Tofu? Yes, I haven't been a fan of tofu in the past but I have been converted, or at least have found a compelling tofu. At Abriya Raku, a Japanese restaurant in Law Vegas, they make their own Tofu, which was smooth and creamy, with a clean taste rather than some of the bland, rubbery tofu I have had elsewhere. Their homemade tofu makes for an excellent palette for a variety of ingredients and tastes, and I would order it again and again.

Favorite Food Issue: Once again, one of the most important, and sometimes controversial, food issues I addressed this year was seafood sustainability. I have tried to cover a variety of issues, seeking to delve behind the science and rhetoric. The importance of this matter cannot be underestimated, but it is sometimes difficult to get to the truth behind the issues. In July, I started posting a new Seafood post on nearly every Tuesday, and will continue to do so through 2015. You can find links to many of my latest Seafood posts here.

Favorite Fake Food Controversy: In this age of social media, when April Fool's Day comes around, it seems everyone is aware of it so it is difficult to get away with a prank. It takes lots of planning and strategy to be able too fool people on this day. This year, I posted a prank, my The Great Purple Debate, which was able to fool some people. It helped that I laid some groundwork earlier in the week, posting some teasers and hypothetical questions. It will be even tougher to get away with another prank in 2015, but I'll try again.

What were some of your favorite food-related items this year?