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1) One of my favorite chefs, Peter Ungár of The Dining Alternative, is currently working at a restaurant in Paris, the Le Grand Véfour. You can read about his initial experiences there on his own blog. It is a fun and educational read, and he has posted numerous photos as well. Follow his blog and read about his future adventures as well. He is already an excellent chef, and I very much look forward to his return to the local area to see how his cuisine has changed.
2) During the month of October, Fleming’s is urging everyone to “Drink Pink For The Cause!” by indulging in their new specially created cocktail: Stoli Bombshell. Created by Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar’s Director of Wine, Marian Jansen op de Haar, the Stoli Bombshell is a pink “skinny” concoction created in honor of October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to benefit the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.At only 99-calories, the Stoli Bombshell combines Stoli Vanil Vodka, fresh raspberries, raspberry preserves and freshly squeezed lime juice before it is served straight up in a martini glass. During the month of October, 100% of the sales for each Stoli Bombshell will benefit the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, which supports finding a cure for breast cancer and advancing access to care for all, regardless of one’s ability to pay.
RECIPE
Ingredients
1.25 oz: Stoli Vanil Vodka
1 oz: Fresh Lime Juice
.5 oz: Sugar-free syrup
.5 oz: Sugar-free raspberry preserve
1: Fresh raspberry
Method
Shake all ingredients in a martini shaker with ice; strain into a martini glass; garnish with a fresh raspberry
WHEN: Available during the month of October during normal operating hours.
COST: $11.95
3) This weekend, Smolak Farms, located just north of Boston in North Andover, opens their “Antique Apple Orchard.”About 6,000 apple varieties that once grew on American farms are now gone. In 1992, Michael Smolak planted what he refers to his “Antique Orchard” to help preserve some 20+ varietals including: Chenango Strawberry, Sops of Wine, Cox Orange Pippen, Sheepnose, Smokehouse, Rhode Island Greening, Fameuse Snow, Golden Russet, Winter Banana, Spitzenberg, Seek No Further, Red Stayman, Granny Smith, Yellow Newton, Lady, Pink Pearl, James Grieve, Baldwin and Wolf River.
Smolak Farms is the only apple farm in Massachusetts to carry these varieties. So make a trek just minutes north of Boston to wander and gather antique apples for $30 a ½ bushel or $20 a peck.
4) A “Haunted Happening” will take over Legal Sea Foods on October 26th. In honor of Halloween, Legal Sea Foods will host a spooktacular “Legal Holiday” in Park Square’s striking 10,000 bottle wine cellar. Legal Sea Foods invites you to their one night event, featuring small plates and Halloween-themed sips:FIRST COURSE
Scallop Ceviche
Hesketh “Scissor Hands” Riesling, Clare Valley, 2008
SECOND COURSE
Wild Salmon with Mushroom Ragout
Casillero del Diablo Pinot Noir, Casablanca, 2009
THIRD COURSE
Carmel Apple Bread Pudding
R.L. Buller “Solera” Muscat, Victoria, NV
WHERE: Legal Sea Foods - Park Square Wine Cellar, 26 Park Square, Boston
WHEN: Tuesday, October 26th from 6:30pm – 8:00pm
COST: $30 per session (includes tax & gratuity)
Reservations required by calling: 617.530.9392. For online reservations, visit: http://www.legalseafoods.com/Restaurants/Boston-Park-Square
Your Thursday Sips and Nibbles have given me a rant: Ok I get it, breast cancer awareness uses pink as symbol. But does every drink for women have to be pink and sweet and so freakin' girly? This one's even worse because it throws "skinny" into the mix with sugar-free syrups.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that Fleming's is making these donations, but seriously, you'd have to pay me to drink that sickly sweet lookin', artificially sweetened thing.
How about a nice Jack Rose instead? Grenadine, fresh lemon or lime juice, and applejack. Pink and pretty and actually delicious.
Oh, and I second your endorsement of Peter's blog. It's a great and informative read.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary!
ReplyDeleteSweet is unfortunately still very popular for cocktails. I would prefer more savory myself and the idea of the Jack Rose sounds good to me. I have ranted about that before, and several of the commenters did prefer sweeter drinks.
I think I'm actually more offended (using that word lightly - hardly about to launch a boycott or anything) by the idea that a breast cancer fundraising drink has to be sickly pink *and* sugar-free. Oy.
ReplyDeleteI get that people have different tastes and my savory may be someone else's undrinkable. I think part of the problem is that sweet drinks more easily mask bad bartending skills. A well-crafted cocktail, like a Vesper perhaps, actually requires a bartender who cares about the quality of the drinks they make.