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 Tuesday, October 11, The Melanoma Foundation of New England, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support and build awareness surrounding melanoma, presents: Shades of Hope, their their third annual gala at the InterContinental Boston. Bill Rodgers, a Marathon legend, will serve as the evening’s guest of honor for his extraordinary contributions to the cause. NECN’s TV Diner host and KISS 108’s Matty in the Morning Show co-host Billy Costa will auction off a series of luxury items including a one-week stay at Squaw Creek in Lake Tahoe, CA, an exclusive wine tasting in the comfort of one’s home, a five-night summer stay at a five-bedroom residence in Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, and an opportunity to be TV Diner’s “Diner for a Day.”

This year, the organization will unveil an unparalleled golden-themed event in the Abigail Adams Ballroom where supporters will don cocktail attire and accents reminiscent of the precious metal to exhibit solidarity for the cause. The room will be decked in the glittering tone to illustrate nature’s brightest force as well as the
Foundation’s mission and will be complemented by golden-themed cocktails and treats. The Melanoma Foundation of New England will also introduce the Wall of Hope this year, an inspirational and interactive montage showing the many faces of those affected directly and indirectly by melanoma.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 11. VIP Reception: 5:30pm – 6:30pm. General Reception: 6:30pm
COST: VIP Reception: included in Silver, Gold, Platinum and Premiere Sponsorship packages
General Reception: $150 per person
HOW: To reserve tickets or sponsorship packages, kindly contact the Melanoma Foundation of New England at: (978) 371-5613, shadesofhope@mfne.org, or visit: www.mfne.org

2)  On Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18, from 10am-4pm, all are invited to Smolak's Farm for a weekend of activities, including a chance to meet Johnny Appleseed who will be sharing his legendary tale and posing for photos in the orchards while helping children spread their very own apple seeds! The Bridle Path Orchard will be open to pick varieties such as Cortlands, Macoun, Golden Delicious, Imperial Red, Red Delicious, Northern Spy, Gravensteins, Macintosh and Mutsu apples, as well as Smolak’s very own varietal which are filled with various prizes from Smolak Farms Farm Stand & Bakery, and scattered throughout the farm. Entrance to the Apple Festival and apple-related activities are free for all!

After you’re done picking apples, families are invited to join in on the Children’s Farm Festival where you can visit the new animal petting area, take a hayride around picturesque farm, play with peers at the children’s play area, and ride a wide selection of rides that will be set up all weekend. Admission to the Children’s Farm Festival is free for adults, and children’s general admission begins at $3.00. Parking is free all weekend long.

3)  On Thursday, September 22, The Beehive will be hosting their second “Armenian Night” - featuring cuisine, libations and entertainment highlighting Armenian culture. It’s an evening with wide appeal for all with musical performances by the Musaner and Nor Quartet, and Armenian food specials prepared by Executive Chef Rebecca Newell such as deluxe mezze platters with assorted salads, char-grilled lamb chops with basmati rice and bean pilaf paired with apricot martinis to name a few!

This evening is brought to you in partnership with Hamazkayin-Boston, an Armenian educational and cultural society based in Watertown. It aims to nurture and celebrate the cultural heritage of the Armenian community in the Greater Boston Area by cultivating and promoting local, national and international Armenian artists and engaging the youth and young professional in local communities to raise interest and awareness toward and educational and cultural issue.

Performance Schedule: Yerevan Quintet from 7:00-8:30pm and Musaner from 8:30pm-12:00am

Musaner is a musical project directed by composer and pianist Ara Sarkissian. With regular performances at The Beehive, this uniquely evocative musical group encompasses original folk music compositions and arrangements from Armenia. Folk instruments from Armenia blend with the traditional language of a jazz band to create a new and original sound. While some compositions evoke the post-modernism of European composers, other arrangements rely on rhythmic and harmonic elements to stay close to the character of the original folk material. Performers include: Ara Sakissian/ Composer & Pianist; Ken Field/flute; Todd Brunel/clarinet; Daniel Bennett/saxophone; Martin Haroutunian/dap, zurna, pku, parkapzuk, duduk and shvi; Fabio Pirozzolo/percussion; Roberto Cassan/accordion; Bake Newman/bass; Gary Fieldman/drums.

Nor Quartet plays a contemporary take on traditional Armenian and Bulgarian folk melodies organized by modern jazz musicans Karen Kocharian and Ara Sarkissian.

WHEN: Thursday, September 22. Live Music from 6:30PM-1:00AM, Food & Drink from 5:00PM-2:00AM
INFO: No Cover charge, Cash Bar, Reservations Recommended by calling 617-423-6969

4)  From October 15-16, American Seasons on Nantucket celebrates the 3rd annual Hogtoberfest, a weekend-long culinary event centered on butchering and eating a whole, locally raised heritage-breed pig. Chef Michael LaScola of Nantucket’s American Seasons and Chef Matt Jennings of Providence’s The Farmstead and La Laiterie head back East to prep for Hogtoberfest, a Nantucket weekend of pure porcine pleasure. Armed with Berkshire-Tamworth pigs hand-raised on Nantucket’s The Faraway Farm, Michael and Matt (a three-time Cochon 555 champ) deliver a celebration designed to induct amateur pork fans into the ranks of true connoisseurs. The weekend itinerary includes:

Saturday, October 15: 
‘This Little Piggy’ Carving Demo – 10am, $15
Enjoy a back-of-house demo, led by Michael & Matt, on butchering an entire pig from snout-to-tail. Each low-on-the-pig cut earns a place on American Seasons’ dinner menu throughout the weekend.
Beer Master Class – 1pm, $25
Brewmaster Jeff Homer of Cisco Brewers demonstrates how pork & beer is truly a match made in heaven with a tasting that pairs craft brews with pork delicacies.
‘All Things Pork’ Dinner – starting at 5:30pm
Pig out on a range of pork specials during dinner service along with wines from American Seasons’ 500+ all-American wine list, including hard-to-find small production wines by the glass, as well as bottle-only artisan beers and pork-inspired cocktails.

Sunday, October 16
‘Three Little Nantucket Pigs’ Cocktail Hour – starting at 5:15pm, $15 ($10 with dinner ticket)
Sip a sampling of Three Little Piggies – Nantucket-inspired cocktails like the ACK Mojito, Cranberry Bog Martini and Raised in the Fog – made with Bully Boy spirits from Boston’s first craft distillery. Cocktails are paired with pork-packed hors d’oeuvres.
‘Ode to Pig’ Dinner – starting at 6:30pm, $110 ($120 with cocktail hour ticket)
Michael & Matt join forces to create a hog-heavy five-course dinner (plus snacks!). Each dish is paired with craft beer and selections from American Seasons’ extensive, all-American wine list.

RSVP: Please call 508-228-7111 for reservations, times and pricing. Space is limited.