Chez Henri: Summer Events

Chef-Owner Paul O'Connell of Chez Henri has scheduled some delicious and fun events for the summer.

June: Tasting the Latest in Biodynamic Wines

Chef-Owner O’Connell was an early proponent of biodynamic wine and has had them on the wine list at his Harvard Square bistro since 2006. He is adding several new ones he’s impressed with.

To give diners a taste of the latest advances within this specialized organic category, O’Connell, along with his bar manager Rob Kraemer, and Dave Mitchell of Violette Wines, will host a Biodynamic Wine Dinner on Thursday, June 24 at 7pm PM. Cost is $65 for four courses of organic food and four wines, including:

“Les Mures,” a red blend from a small producer in Provence whose name means wild blackberries, and a truth-seeking California grenache rose’ called “La Verdad.”

The menu :
* Ceviche of Wild New England Seafood (welk, periwinkles, scallops, flounder)
* Nettle Gnocchi with Ben’s foraged mushrooms and all-natural ricotta
* Allen Farm Pork (Chilmark), Tabor Farm Veggies (Chilmark); Cheddar Grits
* Wild Rhubarb and Almond Napoleon

July: Return of The Latin Dinner Series

This series of $39, three-course prix fixe menus -- on hiatus for the last three years -- shows O’Connell’s range as a chef, as well as his insatiable curiosity about the cuisines of the Americas. Details about specific dishes are forthcoming, but countries to be explored are:

Colombia and Venezuela, July 1 thru 18
Argentina and Brazil, July 18 thru 30
Peru, August 1 thru 15
Mexico and Central America, August 15 thru 30

August: O’Connell Joins Bon Appetit for “The Cadillac Challenge”

O’Connell and another Boston chef (TBD) will compete in a two-day cook-off of summer recipes, with complimentary samples for all.

This Bon Appetit magazine sponsored event takes place at The Natick Collection on August 14 and 15 from 9 AM til 6 PM. There is no cost.

September: Chez Henri Celebrates Its Quinceanero (15th Birthday)

Following a very brief shut down for renovations, Chez Henri will kick off its gala 15 Year Birthday (known as a quinceanero in Latin America) with a series of blowout dinners featuring “alumni” chefs who have gone on to fame and fortune after leaving the Chez Henri kitchen. Guest cooks will be named soon.