Wednesday Sips & Nibbles

I am here with a special Wednesday edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular Thursday column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.
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1) As part of a series of celebratory events marking their 10-year anniversary, the Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro is offering “A Decade of Decadence” a 10-day journey featuring special dishes and drinks marking the culinary highlights from the past decade. The journey begins Saturday, November 27 and continues until Tuesday, December 7, pausing only on December 2nd (their anniversary date) for a special champagne dinner.  Each night’s special will be offered in addition to the regular menu and reservations are recommended by calling 617-723-7575.

10 Years of Culinary Review 2001-2010

2001: Saturday, November 27th
An ode to the great Thomas Keller- featuring "Coffee and Donuts" $9

2002: Sunday, November 28th
Return to comfort foods- Chicken Pot Pie $20

2003: Monday November 29th
"Atkins Friendly" 14 oz Wolfe's Neck Farm Strip Steak with Roasted Garlic Creamed Spinach $33

2004: Tuesday, November 30th
The Molten Chocolate Cake $9

2005: Wednesday, December 1st
A celebration in "Fusion" Ahi Tuna Tartare with avocado, and soy sesame vinaigrette $14

(*Please note: Thursday, December 2nd will feature a four-course champagne dinner to commemorate the anniversary date)

2006: Friday, December 3rd
A BHHB take on Molecular gastronomy- Long Island Duck Breast, cooked sous vide, with Roasted Chestnuts, Baby Turnips, and Apple Foam $29

2007: Saturday, December 4th
A Tasting of Desserts in Miniature $9

2008: Sunday, December 5th
Crispy Confit of Vermont Pork belly with Lentil Ragout and Cider Sauce $12

2009: Monday, December 6th
Maine Lobster Mac and Cheese $28

2010: Tuesday, December 7th
All things local and cured- Country Terrine of Vermont Rabbit with House Pickled Vegetables $14

Pair your culinary journey with the "appropriate" wine & spirits of the year.  All selected wines & cocktails are only $10.

2001: Cosmopolitan- “Sex and the City,” Second Season Episode “The Chicken Dance”
2002: Shiraz
2003: Merlot - the year before it got trashed in "Sideways"
2004: Pinot Noir- “Sideways” became a hit in theaters
2005: Mojito
2006: Pomegranate Martini- POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice
2007: Malbec
2008: Fantasy Infusion
2009: St. Germain
2010: Old Fashion/Manhattan

2) Want something new for the holidays?  The Ashmont Grill, located in Dorchester, offers a special cocktail recipe for the holidays: Black Cherry Manhattan. This recipe will make enough for a party, which makes it very appropriate for the holiday season.

Ingredients:1 cup dried black cherries
¼ cup whole black peppercorns
one bottle bourbon, any brand

Directions:
Stir ingredients together in a glass jar with a cover. 
Allow to rest in a cool, dark place for 5-7 days.
Drain solids from liquid using cheesecloth or a coffee filter.
Serve in a rocks glass over chipped ice.
If desired, garnish with a “lollipop” made of a dried cherry dipped in dark chocolate.

3) Black Friday and Cyber Monday are not just for retail shops.  Some Boston’s restaurants are joining in, offering their own special deals. 

Here are some examples of what local venues are offering:

Towne Stove and Spirits, Black Friday:
Towne Stove and Spirits will treat you to a signature complimentary Wood Grilled Margherita Pizza with purchase of entrée when you present a receipt in excess of $50 from The Shops at Prudential Center. Towne Stove and Spirits is also the only destination in the city to offer valet services during lunch service.

Haru Sushi, Black Friday & Cyber Monday:
From midnight through 11:59pm on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Haru Sushi will treat gift-givers to a complimentary gift card of their own. For every $50 purchased in Haru gift cards (available in-store or online at www.harusushi.com), Haru will reward you with an additional $10 gift card. ‘Tis the season of giving, and everyone deserves something this holiday season.

BOKX 109 American Prime, Cyber Monday:
From midnight through 11:59pm on November 29th, BOKX 109 American Prime in Hotel Indigo will be giving your gift cards a raise. For every $100 spent, BOKX 109 will bump the denomination up to $120.

4)  Tony Coturri of Coturri Winery is coming to town.  Coturri Winery, located in Glen Ellen, California, is very well known for being a model for organic wines. I am a fan of his wines and was very intrigued to learn that he is now also working to produce some wines in Texas.  So, on Saturday, November 27, from 4pm-7pm, I will be at The Spirited Gourmet in Belmontto meet Tony and taste a selection of his wines, including two from Texas. I have never had a Texas wine so this should be interesting, especially if Tonyis involved.  Why not come to Belmont and join me this Saturday.
List of wines for the tasting:

•2006 Coturri Sonoma County Chardonnay
•NV Coturri Sandocino
•2005 Coturri Charbono 'Testa Vineyards'
•2004 Coturri Pinot Noir 'Jewell Vineyard'
•2003 Coturri Zinfandel 'Bruschera Vineyards'
•2005 Cotes de Cailloux Chateau d'O
•2004 La Cruz de Comal "Cohete Rojo" - Texas
•2005 La Cruz de Comal "Cohete Rojo" - Texas
•1997 Coturri Assemblage