Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday 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) The Dorchester-Milton Restaurant Week is happening again, during the weeks of January 17-31.  Check the websites for each of the participating restaurants as they contain the details of the three-course, $30.11 dinner specials, which are available Sunday through Thursday evenings only.

224 Boston Street Restaurant
224 Boston Street, Dorchester
88 Wharf
88 Wharf Street, Milton
Abby Park
550 Adams Street, Milton
Ashmont Grill
555 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester
Blarney Stone
1505 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
dbar
1236 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
Ledge Kitchen & Drinks
2261 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
Tavolo
1918 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester

Advance reservations are appreciated but not required, and parking is plentiful and free at each restaurant.

2) Aura Restaurant and Chef Rachel Klein are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Boston Wine Expo with brunch and dinner.

First, Chef Klein pays homage to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region and visiting author, Harry Karis and his book, The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine Book, with a multi-course menu featuring accompanying wines from the area. Along with the cuisine, there will be a discussion with author Harry Karis. "A self-described “late-bloomer”, Mr. Karis was fortunate to begin drinking more exclusive and rare wines in his late 30s. He ultimately became focused on the quality Southern Rhone wines, especially Châteauneuf-du-Pape. He appreciated these wines and the different personalities and styles, all with a lush, exciting and exuberant quality. Delving deeper, Mr. Karis learned that all available documentation on these wines was incomplete and behind the times; he soon recognized an opportunity to write his book."

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Dinner Menu:

First Course:
Pine Nut & Roquefort Tart, Young mache, truffle-honey vinaigrette
Paired with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos Mont Olivet (blanc)
Second Course
Moulard Duck with Red quinoa, marcona almond, medjool dates, 5-spice
Paired with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Vieux Telegraphe
And Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Monpertuis, "Secret de Gabriel"
Third Course
Duet of Lamb: Braised lamb shank & roasted lamb loin, parsnip puree, prunes, shaved grana padana,
cinnamon olives, spinach
Paired with Cornas, Vielles Vignes, Alain Voge
Dessert Course
Almond Cake, Confit Thai chili and pineapple, Beaumes de Venise sabayon
Paired with Muscat Beaumes de Venise, Baumalric

During Boston Wine Expo weekend, Aura will feature a three-course prix-fixe menu with accompanying wines. The menu is offered Friday – Sunday, January 21st – 23rd at $55 per person, plus tax & service charge.

Prix-Fixe Menu:

First Course
Pine Nut & Roquefort Tart, Young mache, truffle-honey vinaigrette
Paired with Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc
or Sancere Pascal Jolivet Loire ‘08
Second Course
Moulard Duck, Red quoina, marcona almond, medjool dates, 5-spice
Paired with Lengs & Cooter Shiraz
Or Trefethen Meritage Double T Napa ‘06
Dessert Course
Almond Cake, Confit Thai chili & pineapple, Beaumes de Venise Sabayon
Paired with Moscato D’Asti Michele Chiaelo Nivole ‘07

On Saturday & Sunday, January 22nd & 23rd, Aura is offering a buffet brunch, complete with a glass of Champagne. The menu is offered from 10 am – 3 pm for $45 per person, plus tax & service charge.

Brunch Menu

--2 Egg Omelet, Breakfast potato, toast, choice of bacon, sausage, ham
--3 Egg Omelet (Egg whites available), choice of breakfast potato or young greens
Choice of: Spinach · Sausage · Ham · Bacon · Broccoli · Olives · Tomato · Basil pesto · Mushrooms
Roasted Red peppers · Caramelized Onion · American · Swiss · Smoked Cheddar · Boursin® · Cheddar
--Avignon Omelet (Wild Mushrooms, caramelized onion, Boursin® cheese, chicken apple sausage)
--Eggs Benedict, Canadian bacon, muffin, hollandaise
--Wild Mushroom Benedict, 2 poached eggs, brown sugar baked bacon, spinach, Porcini cream, spiced port & red wine reduction
--Steak & Eggs, Grilled skirt steak, herb & egg custard, arugula, creamy soy & Cabernet sauce
--Crab Omelet, Egg whites, Jonah crab, petite salad of mango, bean sprouts, Tiny tatsoi, ginger vinaigrette, Thai herbs
--French Toast, Brioche, vanilla custard, Vermont maple syrup
--Belgian Waffle, Brown sugar & bananas or strawberries & Chantilly cream
--Ricotta Pancakes, Apricot compote & Muscat wine

Reservations may be made by calling 617-385-4300 or opentable.com.

3)  Come to a culinary extravaganza to sip award-winning wine and sample delicious food from more than 50 of Boston’s most popular restaurants and some of New England’s favorite wineries at the 13th annual "Chefs Cooking for Hope." Hosted by the Friends of Dana-Farber, this event takes place Thursday, March 3, 2011, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at 125 High Street, Boston. Sample signature specialties from some of Boston's top chefs, including honorary chef, Mary Dumont, from Harvest Restaurant in Cambridge, MA. Admission is $100 per person and proceeds benefit adult and pediatric cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. For tickets call (617) 632-3909 or log on to www.dana-farber.org/friends-chefs. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

4)  On Saturday, February 5th, Chef Brian Poe of Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake will kick off the city’s first ever “Burrito Bowl.” This culinary competition will bring together some of Boston’s chefs to determine whose burrito creation reigns supreme. In honor of the following day’s Super Bowl XLV, each chef will create a signature burrito reflecting that of their favorite NFL team. Each burrito creation will be served up “bowl-style” and rated by attendees as well as special guest “referees” including; The Boston Herald’s “Burrito Boy” Josh Walovitch, UrbanDaddy Boston Editor, Dan McCarthy and TV Diner Hostess, Jenny Johnson.

Chefs in the running for burrito brilliance include; Corey Comeau of Stephanie’s on Newbury; Jose Duarte of Taranta; Andy Husbands of Tremont 647; Jason Hutchinson of Boloco; Erwin Ramos of Olé Mexican Grille; Jason Santos of Gargoyles on the Square; and, Brian Poe of Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake. The winning burrito creation will be featured at the Rattlesnake’s annual Super Bowl party the following day.

When: Saturday, February 5th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost:  $15 per person. Advanced tickets are available via credit card payment at Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake. Tickets the day-of the event will be available on a cash basis.

5) The Beehive is launching two new theme nights, on Sunday and Monday nights, as well as a new burger menu.

Blues Sundays: Starting Sunday, January 16th, The Beehive launches their all new “Sunday Night Blues Series” featuring an all-star house blues band led by 25-year musical veteran Keyboardist and Producer, Bruce Bears. Come down every Sunday night from 8pm-12am and hear some great blues.

Hearing Voices: Starting January 24th, The Beehive will kick-off their new singer spotlight series called “Hearing Voices” every Monday evening at 8pm showcasing some of the nation’s top vocal talent.

Burger Shop:  On Sunday and Monday nights, from 5:30pm-1am, The Beehive presents a menu of interesting burgers,  each served with frites.  The burgers include:

The Beehive Prime Burger ($14): With your choice of: Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Brie, Bacon +1 each
Alpine Burger ($14.99): Mushroom and Swiss cheese
Pepperoni Pizza Burger ($15.45): Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Pepperoni
Le Hambourgeois ($15.99): Truffle Aioli, Brie, Cornichons, Dijon, Baguette
Wedge Burger ($15.45): Blue Cheese, Bacon, Iceberg
Lone Star Burger ($15.45): Chili & Cheddar
Casbah Burger ($15.45): Feta, Harissa, Pickles, Yogurt-Cucumber Tzatziki
Aussie Burger ($15.99): Pineapple, Pickled Beets, Onion, Bacon, Fried Egg

As always, there is never a cover charge at The Beehive and reservations are recommended but never required. Call 617-423-0069 for reservations.