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) Towne Stove and Spirits is ready to put their new winter menu into practice, as created by Culinary Director Lydia Shire and Executive Chef Mario Capone. The revamped carte du jour at Towne will refresh some signature dishes while adding in some future classics. Towne Stove and Spirits features an eclectic menu with cuisine spanning the continents, with Shire and Capone’s inspired creations conveniently denoted by their respective world flags.

For “starters,” Towne Stove and Spirits will offer the following new options: Clams (1/2 dozen baked littlenecks with croutons, watercress, garlic and Pernod butter - $17); Crisp Semolina Flatbread (Venetian with warm goat cheese, crema & sauce pomodoro - $12); Zucchini ‘Tangle’ (French fried with crisped calamari, sweet & hot pepper pot - $18; $28); Ravioli (Pierogi with potato & ricotta, smoked lamb riblets - $18); Soup (Apple & celery root with chestnut flan - $12); and, Scallops (Day boat with chili roasted pork belly, sugarcane skewered, taro mash, tart yuzu - $21). In addition to Towne’s signature Lobster Popovers ($6 per piece), Shire and Capone now serve up the following preparations: Lobster Tail (Bacalao + beets - $12/tail); and, Lobster Cheddar Toast (with hot teacup of bisque - $14).

Moving onto the “ocean + wood fired” section of the menu, the culinary team at Towne is proud to unveil: Cod “Bullet” (with lobster ravioli in Thai broth, Kaffir lime leaves - $32); Swordfish (Winter’s crisped Maine Shrimp, speckled heart grits, smoked shrimp butter - $31); and, Lobster Tails (Wood grilled, family style with lemony grilled rosemary mousseline or garlic + green chive butter – market price). Towne Stove and Spirits is also featuring new “carnivore + wood fired” options, including: Chicken (1/2 ROTO, Senegalese w/ manioc, yucca and spicy peanut - $24); Double Kurobuta Pork Chop (with sweet potato sformato, toasted pecans & bruleed mini marshmallows - $30); Sirloin (16 oz. prime dry aged, simply grilled or peppered “au poivre” - $26; w/ grilled lobster tail – market price); and, Tomahawk Rib Steak (hand cut & sizzling with Towne steak sauce – market price for two, three or more).

For “sides,” Towne Stove and Spirits will now dish out the following: Colombian Rice (Crisped shredded beef, green onion, cilantro & achiote - $10); King Oyster Mushrooms (Garlicky & wood grilled on whole grist polenta with or without roasted marrow - $12); and, Cauliflower (whole head, golden roasted with golden raisin, pine nut & parsley ‘picada’ - $11).

2) Mohegan Sun has plenty of offer for Valentine's Day and here is a sampling of what you can find. You can get more information by calling 1-888-226-7711 or checking their website.

Dining Offerings: 
At Birches Bar & Grill, a special Valentine's Day 3-course meal will be offered both Sunday and Monday beginning at noon. Start the meal off with either Soup du Jour or the Birches House Salad, followed by Surf & Turf featuring an 8 oz. Sirloin Steak with two Seafood Stuffed Shrimp, Chef's Vegetable and Rice Pilaf. And no meal is complete without dessert. Guests will enjoy "Love Thy Chocolate" a Molten Chocolate Heart Cake with Wild Strawberry Mousse on a Strawberry Coulis painted plate. Price is $29.95.

Michael Jordan's Steak House has a special 3-course meal planned.  Begin with a Prosciutto Caprese consisting of Fresh Mozzarella with Heirloom Tomatoes, Roasted Red Pepper & Crumble Blue Cheese tossed in Chianti Vinaigrette, followed by a 32 oz. Tomahawk Steak for two that offers Long Bone Prime Aged Rib Eye Steak dressed up with Worcestershire Reduction and Elephant Roasted Garlic. The dessert will be Long Stemmed Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate Ganache. The meal includes a complementary bottle of Cataregia Gran Reserva Tempranillo wine and is served at $149 per couple.

SolToro Tequila Grill is also having the celebration go all weekend long with a Surf and Turf Valentine's Day special. The delectable platter will feature an N.Y. Strip Loin, Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Biarnaise, Wild Mushroom Pilaf, Jumbo Shrimp, Veracruzana Sauce, Chorizo and Jalapeqo Cornbread. This special can be purchased for $29.95 or for two at $57.95

Jasper White's Summer Shack will be serving up a weekend long Valentine's Day special that includes an Oyster, Clam & Shrimp Raw Bar Platter for two. The entrie specials feature either a Surf & Turf option for two which includes Grilled Lobster & Steak Tips or a Whole Steamed Sea Bass for two with Starch & Veggies. Dessert is Bananas Foster for two. This holiday special will run from February 12th - 14th.

Hotel & Spa Specials
Guests looking for something a bit more intimate can enjoy one of Mohegan Sun's special hotel packages. The new "Get Lucky" hotel package feature plush accommodations for a one night stay, an intimacy kit including oils, massaging relaxation tools and more. In addition, guests get a cozy meal for two at Lucky's Lounge which includes a gourmet pizza and two domestic beers of their choice and a $10.00 free bet voucher, per person. The rate for this special starts at $192.00. Couples looking to book should mention code PTGLK.

This Valentine's Day, couples can also take advantage of a romantic getaway with Mohegan Sun's "In Love" package which includes VIP check-in and a dozen Chocolate Covered Strawberries delivered to your room while being greeted with rose petals. In addition, the package includes two martinis at Leffingwells Martini Bar and a couple's massage. This special night can also be capped off with one free in-room movie as well. This package is based on double occupancy and starts out at $520 total.

Elemis Spa will also be running an "In Love" spa treatment that includes a 50-minute couple's massage, a couples lite lunch and a Visible Brilliance Facial for her & Urban Skin Cleanse Facial for him. The total for this package is $625.00 and the duration is two hours and thirty minutes.