Thursday, February 6, 2025

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
******************************************************
1) Dine Out Boston will take place from February 23-March 15, three weeks of dining specials. And here are some participating restaurants which might interest you.

Abe & Louie’s: A two-course prix fixe menu ($32) for weekday lunch. For starters, choose between a mushroom soup with fresh clams, bacon, potato and thyme, or a Boston bibb salad with goat cheese, tomato, cucumber and vinaigrette. Entrée options include marinated steak tips with garlic aioli and hand-cut fries, or miso baked cod with ginger carrot puree and shishito pepper. 

Atlantic Fish Co.: A weekday lunch menu ($32) with a choice of three appetizers – littleneck clams, shrimp ceviche, or a kale salad – as well as a trio of entrees: a smoked salmon BLT with lemon-dill aioli and dill chips; blue crab pasta with squid ink, toy box tomatoes, saffron and lemon; and miso-glazed haddock with wasabi mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. 

Bistro 5: A three-course dinner menu ($55) with a choice of four appetizers--Calamari, Organic Greens, Beef Carpaccio, or Involtino--and a choice of four entrees--Gnocchi, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Maine Lemon Sole, or Stuffed Chicken. 

Coach Grill: A three-course dinner menu ($65) available Sunday through Friday. To start there is cheddar and broccoli soup, or a bibb salad with candied pecans, cinnamon apples, bleu cheese crumbles and lemon vinaigrette. The entrees are penne alla vodka with prosciutto and English peas in a tomato-cream sauce; marinated steak tips with whipped potatoes, green beans and natural jus; or chicken Milanese with arugula, lemon and shaved parmesan. For desserts, a choice of limoncello raspberry cake with raspberry compote and vanilla ice cream, or banana cream pie with chocolate shavings. 

Select Oyster Bar: They offer six dishes, for both lunch and dinner, and for Lunch you can choose any 2 courses ($36) or any 3 courses ($55), and Dinner is any 3 courses ($55). Courses include Yellow Fin Crudo, Sardine Toast, Beet Salad, Maine Lobster Chowder, Sugar Pumpkin Risotto, and Dijon Crusted Hake. 


Tuesday, February 4, 2025

A Tavola Wine Dinner: Wines For 2025

It was a packed house last Wednesday night at A Tavola, in Winchester, for a delicious wine dinner event, "Wines you should know of and should be drinking in 2025." Chefs Joe Carli (pictured above on the right side) and David Paige created and prepared a superb multi-course dinner while Ciro Pirone (pictured above on the left) of PSP Global Wines presented the four intriguing wines paired with the various dishes.

A Tavola was one of my Top Four Favorite Restaurants of 2024, and their wine dinners are always a treat. And Ciro, a friendly and humorous person, always presents an excellent selection of Italian wines, that pair well with the cuisine. I went home from the dinner, fully sated and fully pleased with everything I'd consumed. 

The evening began with a cocktail, the Grinta Spritz, which is made with Grinta Amaro, lemon, and Prosecco. Grinta Amaro is a digestif made in the Piedmont region of Italy, produced with a variety of local herbs and roots. The Grinta Spritz possessed a tasty herbal element, with hints of bitterness and citrus notes. A refreshing start to the meal.  

With the cocktail, we snacked upon some thinly sliced Soppressata and 32 month-old aged Parmigiano. I enjoyed the flavorful Soppressata but it was the aged Parmigiano which really stood out to me. The texture, with its crunch, is appealing, along with flavors of hints of spice, dried fruits and strong umami. 

The first wine of the evening was the 2022 Bocale Trebbiano Spoletino, a white wine made from 100% Trebbiano Spoletino, which is a different type of Trebbiano than many have experienced before.  the grape is grown in the region of Umbria, The winery was established in 2002, although the family has roots in the area for over one hundred years. The term "bocale" refers to "a two-liter mug of wine or olive oil," and the name has been used by the family for many years. Their vineyards are sustainably farmed. 

The wine matures on the lees for several months, and sees only stainless steel. It was a fascinating wine, with complex and intriguing flavors, including citrus and stone fruit, with a strong herbal streak and hints of saline. A very unique tasting wine and its flavors seem to evolve over time in the glass. Highly recommended, especially considering it commonly retails for under $20. 

The Trebbiano Lemon was a pleasant pairing with the lemon and parsley Arancini, in a Green Goddess aioli. A nice crispy and light exterior, hiding the more creamy interior, with the acidity of the lemon providing a nice balance. 

The next wine was the 2021 Federico Ferrero Barbera d'Alba, produced by a winery whose roots extend back over 200 years, although the modern winery was established around 2002. A fine Barbera, with a rich body, plenty of red and black fruit flavors, good acidity, low tannins, and a pleasing finish.

The next dish was Hand-Rolled Pici, topped by a San Marzano tomato crema and basil. The Pici, which originated in Tuscany, is like a fatter version of spaghetti. The name "Pici" is said to derive from the term "appiciare," which refers to the technique of forming the long, thicker pasta. The Pici had a nice, thicker taste, with a delightful light tomato crema. It was a heartier dish with the Pici, and a nice pairing with the Barbera. 

My favorite wine of the evening was the 2019 Torrevento Castel del Monte Bolonero, produced by a winery whose history extends back about 100 years. The winery practices sustainable farming practices. This wine is a blend of 80% Nero di Troia and 20% Aglianico, which ages for about 8 months in stainless steel. Nero di Troia is a lesser known grape from Puglia, whose origins may extend back to the ancient Greeks. However, it's said to produce quite delicious wines and is said to be deserving of much more attention.

The wine was silky smooth, with a complex melange of flavors, including ripe plum and black cherries, accented by spice notes and savory herbs. Restrained tannins, excellent acidity, and a lingering, satisfying finish. Pure deliciousness and highly recommended, especially considering it commonly retails for only around $15. 

This wine was also paired with my favorite dish of the evening, Braised Texas Boar Cacciatore and Yukon potatoes. The dish was loaded with meaty pieces of tender boar, with a compelling blend of a variety of spices. I've long been a fan of boar, and it's a popular dish in a number of regions in Italy as well. Hearty and delicious, this was a perfect dish for a chilly evening, and the wine was a nice choice for the pairing. 

The final wine of the evening was the 2011 Il Moro di San Giovanni Supertuscan, a blend of 40% Cabernet France, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Petite Verdot. Their vineyards were planted in 2003. The wine ages in French barriques, both New and Old, for about 10-12 months. The wine is bigger and bolder than the previous reds, but still much more restrained than you might expect. It's a well balanced wine, with a complex blend of flavors, from black and blue fruits to savory spices, to hints of leather and a touch of earthiness. An impressive wine that calls out for a hearty dish. 

And such a hearty dish came, with the Barbera Braised Short Rib & Roman Gnocchi. The amply-sized hunk of extremely tender and flavorful short rib was an excellent pairing to the Supertuscan. you only needed a fork to break up the short rib, and each mouth-watering taste was a pure delight. The Roman Gnocchi was something different for me, as it looks more like polenta, but is made with egg, and thus has a touch of a more custard-like texture. It was delicious and I appreciated this more unique addition to the plate.

Overall, this was another amazing wine dinner from the team at A Tavola. At $110 per person, you received an ample portion of delicious dishes, four excellent wines, and a tasty cocktail. A good value considering the quality and quantity of everything. A Tavola is consistently excellent, which is a major reason why it's one of my Top Favorites. 

Keep an eye on their Calendar for future wine dinners, and I'll note that they may hold a BBQ dinner in March. I attended their last Bourbon & BBQ dinner, and it was a superb experience. Or just stop by A Tavola any time for dinner.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Rant: Wine, Not Just For Fine Dining

When you decide to open a bottle of wine with a meal at home, is it most often when you're having a fine meal such as a Filet Mignon, a Pork Loin or Chicken Marsala? Do you ever have wine with pizza or a burger? How about with fast-food or snacks like a bag of potato chips?  

It seems wine is much less often an accompaniment in the latter two circumstances, yet there's no reason it must be that way. Wine is such a versatile beverage that you can find wines to pair with basically any type of food. And that wine can enhance even the most basic of foods. Plus, it can be such fun to find an excellent and unexpected wine pairing.

For example, over the weekend I drank an Amontillado VORS Sherry (which has an average age of at least 30 years old). At $50-$65, this isn't an inexpensive wine, and you'd expect it to be paired with a more luxurious dinner. However, I paired it with a burger, stuffed with blue cheese, and some blue-cheese flavored potato chips. It ended up being a delicious pairing, the blue cheese and the Sherry working very well together. 

For regular potato chips, Sparkling Wine, such as a nice Cremant, Cava or Champagne,  is often a very good pairing. When's the last time you drank bubbly with chips? If you've never done so, you should try it and I suspect you'll be surprised at the results.  

Wine can pair with everything, and there's no reason to ignore it as your beverage choice even if eating something as simple as a Big Mac or slice of pizza. Pairing wine with fast food or snacks will also help to demystify wine, to make it much less an "elite" drink. Just treat wine like any other drink. Make it a part of any meal. Experiment with it, matching wines with different foods to see which makes the meal even better.

Forget wine snobbery and drink wine with all types of food.

Friday, January 31, 2025

Ristorante Serena: First Impressions

Winchester has recently seen the openings of several new restaurants, from Thai to Ramen. One of the newest spots, which just opened in January, is Ristorante Serena, an Italian restaurant which was previously located in Maplewood Square in Malden. It now occupies the spot of the former Mitho Restaurant

Ristorante Serena was originally opened in 2006 by Chef Giovanni Longo, who was born in Crotone, Italy, and came to the U.S. in 1996. Chef Longo had studied cooking in Italy and when he came to the U.S., he worked as an executive chef at Ristorante “Il Faro” in Medford Square. In 2006, he decided to open his own restaurant, which he named after his daughter, Serena. I had dined at the Malden location several times, enjoying my experiences, but I hadn't been there in several years so I was curious about its new location.   

As you step inside the restaurant, there's a small bar, and I'll note they have a full liquor license. 

The main dining area is in the back, and it has an intimate feel. The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, and I recently stopped by for lunch. I like the fact they are open for lunch as some of my favorite Italian spots are only open for dinner, and sometimes you just want Italian for lunch. 

The Lunch Menu has plenty of options, including 6 Appetizers ($11-$19), such as Tuna Tartar and Calamari Fritti; 4 Bowls/Salads ($12-$16), such as Insalata Calabrese and Farro Bowl; 2 Soups ($12), such as Pasta e Fagoili; 6 Sandwiches ($14-$19), such as a Burger, Chicken Parmesan, and Meatball; and 11 Entrees ($20-$34), such as Chicken Parmesan, Salmone alla Griglia, and Lasagna. The Dinner menu is expanded, with plenty additional options, especially with Entrees. 

We decided to begin our lunch by splitting one of the Entrees as our appetizer. The Covatelli Al Ragu ($22), consists of "Fresh made covatelli pasta with Bolognese sauce, topped with whipped ricotta cheese." They make some homemade pasta, such as ravioli, tortellini and lasagna, but they also have some dry pasta, like their penne. The covatelli were firm and tender, and the Bolognese sauce was flavorful and hearty, enhanced by the creamy ricotta. Quite delicious and I'd definitely order this dish again. 

The Eggplant Parmigiana ($20) consists of "Eggplant cutlets with Marinara sauce topped with Mozzarella & Parmigiano cheese served with penne." My dining companion loves eggplant and was quite impressed with this amply sized dish. The eggplant was tender and flavorful, enhanced by the marinara sauce. 

I opted for the Chicken Saltimbocca ($24) which is "Stuffed with ham & mozzarella cheese, sautéed in a Sherry wine sauce over linguini pasta." There were two good-sized pieces of chicken, stuffed with plenty of ham and cheese, and the chicken was tender and tasty. I very much enjoyed the wine sauce and the linguine was cooked nicely al dente. 

Service was excellent and, overall, I was very pleased with the restaurant. The food is as good as I remember, and it makes for a great choice for lunch. Prices are reasonable, especially considering the size and quality of the dishes. I'll be returning here and recommend my readers check it out as well. 

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
******************************************************
1) For Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14th, from 4pm-10pm, Post 1917 is offering a special prix fixe menu for $125 per person with an optional wine pairing for $45 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Post 1917’s Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu includes:

First Course: Choice of 1
Crab Cakes: Colossal Crab, Cajun Lobster Sauce
Wedge Salad: Bacon, Blue Cheese
Oysters (6): Traditional Sauces
Seafood Tower for 2: Additional $75
Main Course: Choice of 1
Chicken Parmesan: Pan Fried, House Marinara
Halibut: Macadamia Nuts, Frangelico Butter, Fingerling Potatoes
10 oz Brandt Filet Mignon: Strip $12, Ribeye $14, Sauces $6/Lobster Tail $25
Eggplant Parmesan (V): Pan Fried, Whipped Ricotta, House Marinara
Sides: Shareable/Choice of 1
Mashed Potato
Brussel Sprouts
Street Corn
Mac and Cheese: Add Lobster $14
Dessert: Choice of 1
Tiramisu (GF)
"The Cake" Coffee Cake Cheesecake 

You can make a Reservation HERE.

2) For Valentine’s Day, from Friday, February 14th, to Sunday, February 16, Zuma Boston offers an Valentine’s Day Omakase experience at $195 per person, including delicate dishes such as Wagyu Tataki, Prawn and Black Cod Gyoza, Zuma Special Sushi and Sashimi, and Roasted Lobster with Shiso Ponzu Butter, followed by Zuma’s famed deluxe dessert platter to end the romantic night. The ambiance will be enhanced by live music, a DJ, and special touches like red and pink roses given to guests by staff, along with a themed step-and-repeat to capture each romantic moment. 

Valentine’s Weekend at Zuma will also offer guests a special Valentine’s Brunch Buffet on Saturday, 2/15 and Sunday, 2/16, including a lavish display of hot, cold, raw, and sushi offerings. Guests can choose from two special brunch packages: the Classic Brunch for $95 per person (buffet-only) or the Valentine’s Brunch at $125 per person.

To reserve a table, please visit their website here.

3) Panda Fest, a vibrant celebration of Asian culture, cuisine, and community, is making its Boston debut this year! Originating in New York City in 2024, Panda Fest decided to expand and is bringing its exciting and immersive experience to Boston's City Hall Plaza from Friday, May 2nd to Sunday, May 4th, 2025. Prepare for three days of delicious food, captivating performances, and panda-themed fun. Tickets will go live Monday, February 3rd at 10am. 

Panda Fest will feature over 60 Asian food vendors offering more than 200 varieties of Asian street food, alongside 15 merchandise vendors and numerous cultural performances. Attendees will also enjoy panda-themed activities and merchandise, including a giant inflatable panda. As a family-friendly event, children under six can attend for free (with a complimentary headband), while children aged six and up require an adult ticket. Pets are welcome too, provided they meet the event's guidelines.

"There is a surge in the interest and love for Asian food and culture, and we noticed that it’s hard to find a dedicated platform in Boston to celebrate this. That's why Panda Fest was created. It's intended to be an experiential festival where people can taste authentic Asian cuisine and immerse themselves in the rich culture and traditions," says Biubiu Xu, Founder of Panda Fest. "I am thrilled to invite everyone to what will be one of the largest celebrations of Asian food and culture in Boston." 

The festival will run from Friday, May 2, to Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Boston City Hall Plaza. Event hours are as follows:
Friday, May 2nd: 4pm-10pm; Saturday, May 3rd: 10am-10pm; Sunday, May 4th: 10am-8pm 

Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Pricing options include:
Early Bird (ends 2/23/2025): $9
General Admission: $13
VIP: $25

General Admission tickets include single entry, access to all vendors, cultural performances, and panda-themed activities, as well as two free gifts: a customized Panda pin featuring Boston and a headband. VIP tickets include all General Admission perks, plus an additional gift—a Boston-themed panda bag.

The festival has a small bag policy, with security checks at the gate if necessary. Smoking, vaping, and certain items, including skateboards, weapons, and illegal substances, are prohibited. While parking is not available on-site, attendees are encouraged to plan accordingly.

4) Prezza, located in the North End eatery, launches ‘Prezza Aperitivo,’ a weekly initiative with smaller portions to be enjoyed ahead of your entrée. The word ‘Aperitivo’ originates from the Latin phrase ‘aperire’ which means “to open.” This Italian tradition is intended to stimulate your stomach before your entrée - and what better place to take part in Aperitivo than Boston’s Little Italy?

The ‘Prezza Aperitivo’ menu will feature a selection of appetizers including the following:
· 3 Fried Oysters with cherry pepper aioli
· White Anchovy Crostini with cherry tomatoes, Calabrian chili, white wine, butter
· Seasonal Flatbread with mushroom, roasted onion, and fontina
· Tartare Taster which is beef tartare crostini, and tuna tartare cucumber rounds
· Focaccia with whipped ricotta, olive oil, olives and roasted pepers
· Spicy Sopressata with provolone, Castelvetrano olives with calabrian chilis and slivered almonds
· Shrimp ‘Scampi’ Fried Polenta with olive tapenade
· Creamy Parmigiana Polenta with Bolognese sauce

The full menu can be found here. This menu is available Tuesday through Friday, weekly 4-5 PM. 

5) Speed Rack, the first and only all-women+ bartending competition benefiting breast cancer-related causes, is officially headed to Boston for New England Regionals. On Monday, March 31, between 20 and 25 of the region’s most talented bartenders will go head to head in a series of timed challenges at Royale Boston. Rated on accuracy, taste, and presentation by local guest judges, the fastest and most skilled participants move ahead until one winner remains. The winner from each of six regional events will go on to compete at the National Finals on July 20, held annually at The Republic in New Orleans, LA ahead of Tales of the Cocktail.

Founded by spirits industry veterans Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix nearly 14 years ago, Speed Rack aims to highlight leading female-identifying bartenders across the globe, with 100% of proceeds going directly to breast cancer education, prevention, and research. The organization has raised over $1.75 million dollars in the fight against breast cancer since inception, with a goal of breaking $2 million during its current season.

Interested bartenders can now sign up to compete through February 17 via this link.