Friday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a special Friday of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.
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1)  In a few weeks, chef-owner Jeff Fournier of 51 Lincoln restaurant in the Newton Highlands, will climb a ladder, fill a basket with fresh greens, herbs, tomatoes and berries, lower it to his kitchen door on a pulley, and keep on cooking.  With advice from experts at Boston’s last working farm (Allendale Farm), Jeff will soon be fulfilling his locavore fantasies. Growing produce steps away from the kitchen means peak freshness, savings, and no carbon footprint. Irrigated beds and a shade trellis for the 1,800 sq ft roof garden is under construction, and Jeff is hoping that his budget can support a small greenhouse for seedlings.

51 Lincoln also has begun serving weekday lunch, from 11:30am-2pm on Monday to Friday. Salads (3), sandwiches (5), pastas (4) and entrees like Roast Pork Tacos and Salmon over Quinoa are priced from $7 to $16.

During the month of May, they will offer 26 different recipes for soft shell crab during 26 nights of dinners (closed Sundays). You'll find dishes ranging from Cajun (on a Po’ Boy with BBQ Collards) to Chinese (tempura’d with sticky rice and mirin braised bok choy) to Calabrian (fra diavolo with homemade tagliatelle). Market prices.

2) 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar does not usually serve brunch but once a year Chef Antonio Bettencourt opens for brunch in honor of his first inspiration to enter the culinary arts, his mother. The special brunch is served à la carte with three courses to choose from. Guests can enjoy Chef Bettencourt’s take on brunch classics such as: Eggs Benedict with poached eggs, pancetta, brioche and hollandaise ($15.00) and Brioche French Toast with house-made brioche and vanilla roasted apples ($13.00). Diners can also make a distinct departure from the brunch norm and dine on delights such as: Hache featuring wild mushrooms, potatoes, pancetta and black truffle with poached eggs & brioche ($14.00) or Sformato with Parmigiano, haricots verts, roasted hazelnut vinaigrette & baby field greens ($9.00).

Pair your selections with from-scratch cocktails from 62’s Mixologist Jeremy Bogert featuring items such as: Nectar of the Gods made with Prosecco, fresh mint and lime, the 62 Sangria made with seasonal fresh fruit, or enjoy an Elderflower Mimosa or a classic Kir Royale all for $10.00 each.

Mother’s Day Brunch will be served on Sunday, May 8th, from 11am-3pm, reservations are required and can be made by calling 978-744-0062.  The restaurant will also be open for dinner on Mother’s Day from 5pm-9pm with Cocktails until 10pm.

3) The Beehive in Boston’s South End calls you south of the border on Thursday, May 5th, as they celebrate Cinco de Mayo with their annual event featuring live music and food & cocktail specials. Kick the night off with dinner as you listen to exciting Jazz-infused Mexican music by Aquas-Aquas with Rafael Alcala. Keep the night going with a special performance by a nine piece Mariachi band, Mariachi International from 10pm-2am. Mexican appetizers, entrées, desserts and cocktail specials will be served all night.

Appetizer:
Fresh Guacamole, Charred Tomatillos, Corn Chips $11
Shrimp & Chorizo Quesadilla, Salsa Verde $12

Entrée:
Mexican “Fall Off the Bone” Roast Pork, Warm Tortillas, Rice & Beans $20
Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos, Slaw, Salsa, Mexican Corn on the Cob $20

Dessert:
Mexican Chocolate Coconut Flan $8

Cocktails:
Classic Patron Margarita $10.50
Patron Strawberry Margarita $10.50
Patron Red Sangria Mexicana $10.50

The Beehive is open from 5pm-2am.  There is no cover charge and dinner reservations are highly recommended by calling 617-423-0069. Sombreros welcome!

4) Butter Café and Bakery located in Walpole, will be celebrating Easter this year by giving its customers a free order of homemade marshmallow peeps with every order placed for the upcoming holiday. Customers merely need to mention that they’d like their free peeps when placing their custom order by calling 508-668-2123. This special is available now until April 23rd (orders must be placed on or before 4/23/2011). 

Recipe: Butter Café and Bakery Homemade Peeps (Makes about a pound)

Ingredients:3/4 cup light corn syrup
1 cup cold water
3 envelopes plain gelatin
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of Salt
Colored Granulated Sugar

Directions:
--Prepare a 9 x 13 x 2 inch pan by covering the pan lightly with shortening.
--Place a half a cup of cold water in a bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the surface of the water and reserve.
--Put the corn syrup, sugar, salt and a half cup of water in a heavy medium size pan on low heat. Stir mixture until the sugar is dissolved and it starts to bubble.
--Cover it for about 3 to 4 minutes to make sure that the sugar crystals on the sides of the saucepan melt. Uncover and turn up the heat to medium high heat and insert a candy thermometer into the mixture.
--Boil the syrup without stirring. When the temperature reaches 240 degrees take off the heat.
--Pour the syrup into the gelatin mixture. After all the syrup has been added, turn the mixer to high and beat it for 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture is really white. Now add the Vanilla.
--Pour the mixture into the pan and smooth it out. Let it sit at room temperature uncovered overnight.
--The next day, sift the colored granulated sugar onto a cutting board and turn the pan over in order to remove you’re soon to be Peeps. Tap the stiffened Marshmallow out of the pan and remove.
--Use your favorite “animal –like” cookie cutter and shape your peeps. Dip the cut sides of each strip into sugar to coat then cut each little bit. Shake to get rid of the extra sugar.

Rant: Traveling to Wine Country

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

There are various levels of understanding all subjects, including wine. Your wine knowledge may derive from a book, an instructor, or numerous tassting.  Or you might travel to a wine region to gain further knowledge and understanding. That type of comprehension has been on my mind for the past week as I have explored the countries of Argentina and Chile.

Though it may seem self-evident, it bears stating to ensure clarity: Visiting a wine region will likely deepen your understanding of wine.  To meet the wine makers, to walk through their vineyards, to immerse yourself in the region's culture, all can contribute to a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the area and its wines.  To have the opportunity to question the staff of the winery, to obtain answers to matters which might have previously confused or puzzled you, can be invaluable. A winery's website may present their brief history and philosophy, but that is most often only the bare bones.  There is much richer detail to be found by speaking directly to the people of the winery.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

I have been learning plenty about Argentina and Chile. I have observed the lands, the vines, the soils, even spending a little time harvesting grapes in both countries. I have watched, and participated in, traditional dances, such as the tango, in both countries. Though not directly related to the wine, it is a valuable cultural experience, helping me to gain a better understanding of the people of the region.  And obviously I have been drinking many wines, including some which are not available in the U.S.  So many special experiences which cannot be equaled by merely reading a book. 

I strongly encourage all wine lovers to visit wine regions, so that you can gain a better comprehension and knowledge.  Wine writers are especially urged to do so, to give you a better perspective on wine regions.  Travel can be a great experience, one to broaden anyone's horizons.  You could visit a Caribbean island, and sit on the beach all day relaxing.  Or you could take a more educational vacation and visit places such as Spain, Italy, Paso Robles, or Argentina, and explore their wines, cuisine, and more. If wine is your passion, then such a journey should call to your heart.

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener

Before you visit a wine region, be sure to do some prior research, so that you are not a blank slate when you arrive. You can then arrive with more informed questions, ones that cannot be answered simply by visiting the winery's website. When you get to the region, be proactive, asking questions, participating in as much as you can. If you are offered the opportunity to experience something different, like harvesting grapes, then take it. Try new foods, learn local customs, and have fun.  Seize the moment and squeeze every ounce of knowledge out of your trip.

There is no need to worry if your traveling budget is limited, just seek out wine regions and wineries more local to you. Every state in the U.S. now produces wine, and are likely within driving distance of at least a few of them. That will give you options, and then you can save up for a larger trip out of the country, or even just to a different state across the country from you.  For example, Massachusetts has 25+ wineries, and many wineries from the rest of the New England states are only two to three hours away.  The New York wineries are a slightly longer trip, but still very doable.

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quiestest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

Upon my return home this week, I will have the seeds for many fascinating stories about Argentina and Chile. Though I have a few days remaining in Chile, I suspect they will be as compelling as the prior days I have spent in South America. And I will share the fruits of my travels with my readers in the coming weeks.

If you have visited a wine region, do you feel that it led to a better understanding of the region and its wines?

Mendoza: A Positive Initial Impression

Between Saturday and Sunday, I spent nearly twenty four hours in airports and on planes as I traveled from Boston to Mendoza, Argentina.  Most of that travel was uneventful and relatively painless, except for all the long hours it took.  But, there was one highlight, flying over the Andes Mountains between Chile and Argentina, part of which you can see above.  With my window seat, and clear weather, I was able to observe the Andes in all their breath-taking grandeur.

Though after a recent Twitter discussion with a couple of vegan buddies, it was hard not to think back to the book and movie Alive, where a plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes, and some of the survivors resorted to cannibalism.  A bit morbid and gruesome (Ok, maybe more than a bit). But my flight had no problems and I safely landed in Mendoza.

After a short ride from the airport, we arrived at the Park Hyatt Hotel, a quite grand and elegant place. It has Old World charm but modern amenities, and you won't be disappointed staying here.  We ate lunch outside on their patio, Fred and I sipped rose at their wine bar/store, and even gambled in their casino.  In comparison to many U.S. casinos, it is fairly small, with a handful of table games and a bunch of slot machines. But limits are low, such as blackjack where you can play a hand for 10-25 pesos, about $2.50 to $6.00.  I have broken even so far so that is not too bad. It sure beats losing.

The hotel really knows how to make you feel welcome, and these lovely ladies manned the entry on Sunday.

Across the street from the hotel is the Plaza Independencia, a large, beautiful park which forms a busy center for the city. It seems that people are in the park all day and night, relaxing, walking, playing games, and more. There was an artisan fair on Sunday, kind of a flea market of sorts, though many of the vendors were selling new items.  Lots of jewelry, leather goods, incense burners, knives, and toys. 

There are a number of fountains in the park which appear to be popular spots to sit near.  Surrounding the sides of the park are a number of shops, cafes and restaurants, and there were some fast food vendors in the park as well.

The weather has been perfect, sunny and not too hot, with slightly cooler nights, though nothing where I needed a jacket.  And the weather should remain about the same for the rest of the week too. Even walking around the vineyards and wineries was very pleasant in this weather. But, the weather has delayed the harvest by a couple of weeks. 

Though this trip is sponsored by Winebow, a wine importer and distributor who represents several producers in Argentina, we are seeing far more than just Winebow clients.  In fact, about half the wineries we will visit are not Winebow clients. Their intention is to promote Argentina wine as a category, and not just their own client's wineries. For example, both of the wineries we visited on Monday are not Winebow clients. This has helped give us a more balanced view of the region, and I respect Winebow for arranging us to visit those wineries.

Much of our first day in Mendoza was free time, to relax and recuperate from our long flights.  But for dinner, we all walked a couple blocks to Francesco, an Italian restaurant, where we dined and drank wine with several winery representatives. The antipasto, pictured above, was a highlight, especially the fried olives. We got to drink several different wines, from a Zuccardi Torrontes to a Tomero Petite Verdot, a tease for the more in-depth tastings we would do the rest of the week.  Overall, I enjoyed all of the wines, and a couple were even impressive. The winery people were all quite personable, jovial and informative.  It was a nice, informal way to get an initial impression of them, as well as their wines. We even got to taste some Argentina olive oil, which was also impressive, especially that made with the Arauco olive.     

It has been a pleasure as well to reconnect with my friend Fred, and meet for the first time numerous other wine writers. Overall, it has been a very good group of people, and their combined knowledge and experiences have enhanced the trip.  We all have our own unique perspective on wine, and it is always beneficial to hear those perspectives, as they can positively impact our own.  Plus, we have had plenty of non-wine related conversations as well, from zombie flicks to CAFOs, from pets to favorite restaurants.

It is Monday night as I write this, after quite a full day visiting two wonderful wineries, and devouring some incredible food, from homemade empanadas to mounds of grilled meat.  I won't say much about Monday yet, except we have met some amazing people, tasted many glasses of interesting wine, and have learned plenty about Argentina and wine.  I already have taken many pages of notes, so you can look forward to numerous additional posts about my experiences in Argentina.

And I did get to eat a new animal as well!

Bound for South America: Argentina & Chile

The carnivore in me is looking forward to the fine beef of Argentina, to dining on an abundance of grilled meats. I also suspect I will enjoy plenty of fresh seafood, from the Pacific coast, while visiting Chile.

(And if you have not realized it yet, yesterday's post about the Vegan wager was an April Fool's joke. Bring on the meat!)  

Today, I'll board a plane for a long flight to the Southern Hemisphere, to the countries of Argentina and Chile. I'll be journeying to this region as part of a journalist wine trip, with nine other writers from across the country.  We will first stay in Argentina, and then later travel to Chile.  This will be my first time to this region, and I look forward to my explorations. 

Mendoza is "a place of almost supernatural beauty."--Maricel Presilla

In Argentina, we will be staying in the city of Mendoza and our intinerary includes winery visits to Zuccardi, Bodega Vistalba, Renacer, Catena, Nieto, Alma Negra, and Alta Vista. The first Spanish colony in Argentina was established in 1536 at Buenos Aires by Pedro de Mendoza, but was soon abandoned due to the ferocity of the Querandi Indians. Then in 1553, the first city, Santiago del Estero, was established by Francisco de Aguirre. The people though desired a priest and one was sent to them, Juan Cidron, who is often considered the father of the Argentina wine industry. It is said that Juan came to the city with a cross in one hand and vine shoots in the other. Interestingly, the city of Mendoza is not named for Pedro who established the first colony. Rather, it was named for the governor of Chile, Don Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza.

"In Chile, you lift up a rock, and instead of a lizard out crawls a poet or balladeer."--Isabel Allende

In Chile, we will be staying in the city of Santiago, and our itinerary includes winery visits to Terra Noble, Cousino-Macul, Leyda, Vina Ventisquero, and Valdivieso. Vines came to Chile even earlier than in Argentina. A priest, Francisco de Carabantes, is said to have brought the first vines in 1548. The city of Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, and the early settlers of Chile had to deal with the fierce Mapuche people.  Even the mighty Incan Empire had been unable to conquer the Mapuche.

As can be seen, priests led the efforts in these countries to plant vineyards, and the wine was used primarily for sacramental purposes.  This echoes many other wine regions around the world, where priests and other religious members were some of the first to maintain vines and produce wines.  

I am sure we will taste a wide gamut of wines, including whites, reds, roses, sparkling wines, and dessert wines. Malbec, Torrontes, and Carmenere will be common, as well as numerous international varieties. As I have discussed before, there is evidence that wineries in Argentina may be paying much more attention to matters of terroir, producing wines of place.  That is an exciting thought.  Both Argentina and Chile seemed to recently explode onto the world wine scene, despite having a history of wine extending over 400 years. In a number of respects, their wine industries are relatively new, yet show much potential. 

There is at least some free time allotted to us so I will be able to explore some of the area on my own. For one, I want to seek out some of the indigenous drinks of this region, such as chicha, caña, mate and pisco. In Argentina, there is a vodka made from Malbec which I would love to try. Argentina is also making some artisan grappas.  And there should be plenty of exciting cuisine.

It will be a splendid adventure, exploring two countries I have never visited before. I will be away for about two weeks so my blog posts might be limited during this time. But I hope to return with many new stories to relate.

A Month Of Hell Begins

This is going to be one of my toughest months ever and I really need some support.

First, a little background. I enjoy playing chess and am a pretty good player. I don't get to play face-to-face often enough, usually playing against the computer. My primary live player is my good friend Jeremy, who I have known for nearly ten years, but unfortunately he lives quite a distance away in Burlington, Vermont. So, we only end up playing about once every three months or so. Our last game was about a week ago, though it had been almost seven months since the last one.

Jeremy tries very hard, but he loses to me about 90% of the time.  The only time he ever wins is if he plays White, and he still ends up losing most of those games too. We usually wager on the games, minor stakes, because I feel bad about taking too much from Jeremy. Jeremy is a great sport about it and never complains or whines.

Now Jeremy and I are also significantly different in our dietary habits.  Jeremy is an avowed Vegan, and has been for almost eight years.  If you know me, you understand I have more of the proclivities of a carnivore. So Jeremy often cringes when he reads my blog, like at my recent post on eating rabbit which especially bothered him. Despite being Vegan, he is still a very good friend.

Well, at our recent chess game, Jeremy wanted to raise the stakes and offered quite an interesting wager.  If he lost, then we could go to any restaurant of my choosing and I could order for Jeremy. So, I could select a Brazilian rodizio, where skewers of meat are brought nonstop to your table, and Jeremy would have to eat all that meat.  Or I could select a restaurant that served rabbit.  But, if I lost, I would have to eat Vegan for an entire month.

Now, that wager seems a bit unbalanced, one night versus an entire month. But, you have to consider my winning ratio.  Plus, I was White in this game, and Jeremy had yet to ever win a game as Black.  My chances of winning this bet were very high, so I didn't have much worry of ending up a temporary Vegan. Thus, I accepted the wager and the game began.

For Jeremy to make this bet, I figured that he thought he had some ace up his sleeve.  I usually play Queen Pawn openings, so it seemed likely he had spent the last seven months trying to work on the best defense possible. So why not shake up things and try a King pawn opening instead? That might be able to thwart his plans.  But it ended up being a major mistake.

My King Pawn openings were rusty and I ran into trouble early in the middle game. I had to wonder if that was Jeremy's plan all along, to try to move me away from a Queen Pawn opening. Despite my troubles, I thought that at worst I could push for a draw.  But that was not to happen either. As the end game began, I knew my fate. I tipped my king in defeat, my hand slightly shaking, knowing I could not avoid checkmate. 

I am a man of my word, and always pay my wagers. I somehow lost this chess game, this bet, and now my hell has begun. One month of eating Vegan: no meat, no dairy, no eggs, no fun. Vegetables and fruits are my companions in April.  This is going to be extremely difficult for me, one of the hardest challenges I have ever faced. Dining out is going to be miserable. Even my wine consumption is going to have to be drastically modified, finding those few Vegan wines out there.  I bet I will lose plenty of weight. 

May 1 can't come soon enough.