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) On Saturday, August 20, celebrate the kick-off of the first annual North Shore Wine Week at the Wine ConneXtion located in North Andover. From 12pm-5pm, sample wines specially paired with cuisine from participating North Shore Wine Week restaurants including Brasserie 28, 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar, Tuscan Kitchen, Burtons Grill, and Oregano Pizzeria and Ristorante.

Mix and mingle at this complimentary event while sampling local culinary treats such as handmade pizza, grilled calamari, smoked king salmon, signature pasta dishes and much more. The Wine ConneXtion will be pouring some of the best wines on the market, and offering some of the most amazing deals. RSVP is required to the VIP reception and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP to VIP@northshorewineweek.com

Sponsored by Northshore magazine, in conjunction with NECN’s TV Diner, Red White Boston, Quarterly Review of Wines, the North Shore Dish and the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, North Shore Wine Week seeks to celebrate the North Shore as a premier destination for great wine and food.

North Shore Wine will run from Sunday, August 21 through Saturday, August 27, with North Shore restaurants and wine stores joining together to hold the first annual North Shore Wine Week including: 15 Walnut, 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar, Alchemy Café and Bistro, Alfalfa Farm Winery, Beacon Hill Wine Shop, Black Cow Tap and Grill(Newburyport), Bonta Restaurant & Grill, Brasserie 28, Bistro 45, Burtons Grill, Busa Wine & Spirits, Café Escadrille, Ceia Restaurant, China Blossom, Finz Seafood & Grill, Grand Trunk Old World Market, Grapevine Restaurant, Ithaki Mediterranean Cuisine, Joe Fish Seafood Restaurant & Bar, Joseph's Trattoria, Keon's, Kappy’s Fine Wine & Spirits, Latitude 43, Loretta Restaurant, Masa Restaurant, Nathaniel's at Hawthorne Hotel, Oregano Pizzeria Ristorante, Orzo Restaurant, Pamplemousse, Pellana Steakhouse, Salem Waterfront Hotel, Samuel's at The Andover Inn, Savour Wine and Cheese, The Loft, Tuscan Kitchen, UrbanWine Project, Wild Bites, Wine ConneXtion, and Yella Grille.

2) All Star Sandwich Bar will offer a Global Street Foods menu from September 6 thru 30 with featured sandwiches (and more) in rotation every few days. These sandwiches are priced from $9.95-$11.95.

Vietnam
Banh Mi of Soy-Tangerine Glazed Salmon with Avocado, Carrots, Cucumbers, Sesame Spinach and Sweet Potato-Sriracha Aioli on Grilled Baguette
Greece
Gyro of Yogurt & Citrus Marinated Grilled Chicken with Sheep’s Milk Feta, Tomatoes, Onions and Tzasiki Sauce on Grilled Flat Bread
Santorini, Greece (vegetarian)
Oregano-Infused Tomatoes with Feta , Baby Spinach and Eggplant Pesto on Rosemary Focaccia
Mexico
Torta of Honey-Pasilla Chile Roasted Pork Loin with Queso Blanco Fondue, Grilled Chorizo, Shredded Iceberg Lettuce, Fried Poblano Peppers, Crema Mexicana and Salsa Verde on Grilled Telera Bread
Korea
Kalbi (back by popular demand from 2010) of BBQ Braised Short Ribs with House-made Kim Chee, Crispy Won Tons, Fried Egg and Wasabi-Yuzu Ranch Dressing on Black Pepper Brioche.
China
Chinese 5 Spice Slow-Roasted Baby Back Rib with Soy-Plum Glaze, Crispy Daikon Slaw, Ginger- Shitake Tapenade and Miso Aioli

3) A Taste of Roslindale will take place on Thursday, September 22, from 6:30pm-9pm at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, located at 39 Belgrade Avenue in the heart of Roslindale Village. Hosted by Roslindale Village Main Street, the event will feature samples from 21 of the area’s restaurants. From haute-cuisine nibbles to authentic ethnic fare, there’s a little of everything Roslindale’s award-winning culinary scene has to offer.

Best of all, the event supports a fitting cause: all proceeds benefit two longstanding community organizations, the Roslindale Food Pantry, serving families in need in the Roslindale area, and Roslindale Village Main Street, a volunteer organization, which has received national recognition for its work in revitalizing the business district. Taste goers will also enjoy live music by one of Boston’s top performing jazz artists, the Patrice Monahan Quartet. A live and silent auction, raffle and cash bar will also be part of the fun.

Participating eateries include: Bangkok Café, Bel Lounge, Birch Street Bistro, Blue Star Restaurant, Boston Cheese Cellar, Brickhouse Café, Café Rialto, Corrib Pub & Restaurant, Delfino Restaurant, Dunkin Donuts, Fornax Bread Company, Himalayan Bistro, Jimmies Ice Cream & Sandwiches, Masona Grill, MJ’s Sub & Pizza, Pleasant Café, Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken, Redd’s in Rozzie, Seven Star Street Bistro, Sophia’s Grotto, Sugar Baking Company & Restaurant, and West on Centre.

Tickets are $30 per person / $35 at the door, if available For more information and tickets, please call Roslindale Village Main Street 617-327-4065 or visit http://www.roslindale.net/taste/