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)  Joslin Diabetes Center’s High Hopes Gala and World Diabetes Day Celebration promotes awareness and raises funds for diabetes clinical care programs and ground-breaking research initiatives at Joslin Diabetes Center. This fabulous black-tie event, established in 1999, benefits Joslin Diabetes Center’s High Hopes Fund, which supports the Center’s greatest needs in research, education and clinical care. The High Hopes Gala 2011 will honor Carol Meyrowitz, CEO of the TJX Companies, Inc.

The evening will include a lively cocktail reception, exciting silent and live auction, a raffle for a brand new 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet donated by Herb Chambers, and performances by 2011 Gala Musical Artist Crystal Bowersox, a national recording artist and American Idol runner-up.

An astounding 285 million people worldwide have diabetes and that number is growing at alarming proportions. Joslin is working toward a cure, and a future without diabetes

WHEN: Saturday, November 19, from 6pm-Midnight
WHERE: The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
For information on the High Hopes Gala or to purchase tickets:
Email: highhopes@joslin.harvard.edu
Phone: 617-309-2531

2)  Nightlife impresarios Ace Gershfield and Salvatore Boscarino (6one7 Productions), alongside longtime friend and Red Sox front office executive Kellen Benjamin, are gearing up to celebrate their birthdays again in a fete fit for kings proving that good things come in “threes.” At the third annual “Casino Royale” event on October 15th, revelers will join the guests of honor at Boston’s State Room, thirty-three floors above street level, while overlooking Boston’s picturesque skyline in the perfect setting to capture the decadence of Sin City. “Casino Royale” will provide an exclusive performance-with-a-cause with proceeds to benefit The Home for Little Wanderers’ newest initiative, The Third Century Campaign, a $23 million dollar fundraising effort to provide a vastly improved therapeutic living and learning environment for some of the most vulnerable children in its care.

6one7 Productions has lined up a star-studded black-tie gala for the third consecutive year. Having donated over $30,000 to The Home for Little Wanders after last year’s event, 6one7 Productions will step it up another level this year by incorporating their latest business venture, Urban Legend Events, into the creation and execution of the soiree, alongside sponsors Urban Legend Events, Stoli Vodka and William Grant & Sons, have summonsed the essence and flavor of Sin City in a night-with-a-cause promising to line the Roulette-and-Blackjack-tabled affair with entertainment, a glitzy auction and unrivaled company.

Revelers will begin their jetsetter experience at 8pm where they will receive their gaming chips while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and themed libations. As the Vegas-style entertainment begins, supporters will be able to peruse the silent auction items and live gaming tables and also partake in a live auction boasting unparalleled experiences not to be recreated. The top three chip leaders will be rewarded with a multitude of prizes including signed sports memorabilia, tickets to sporting events, spa packages at Mizu and a Status Ride luxury car rental, to name a few.

To gain VIP access to this black-tie star-studded bazaar, guests are kindly asked to make a $150 donation to The Home for Little Wanderers. Tickets to the event include gaming chips, a four-hour premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and a dessert bar. RSVPs and table reservations may be made by visiting: http://casinoroyale3.eventbrite.com/.

3)  Beginning mid-October, Bin 26 Enoteca celebrates its 5th anniversary with a selection of $5 small plates and wine pours (plus a craft beer option). Designed to let the wine take center stage, Bin 26’s anniversary menu features a range of glasses alongside simple, Mediterranean-influenced dishes.

Small Plates
Saffron Risotto Balls
Bruschetta with Charred Scallion & Hazelnut Pesto
Bruscheta with Whipped Ricotta, Peppers Agrodolce & Pancetta
Zucchini Carpaccio
Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Marinated Olives

Wine & Beer
Ca' Furlan Cuvee Beatrice Prosecco, Veneto, Italy NV
Procanico/Grechetto/Malvasia, Bin 26 Enoteca Solare Bianco, Umbria, Italy, 2009
Savignon Blanc, Fournier, Vin de Pays de Loire, France, 2009
Sangiovese/Merlot, Bin 26 Enoteca Solare Rosso, Umbria, Italy, 2009
Tempranillo, Altanza Domino de Heredia, Rioja DOCa, Spain, 2008
Reading Premium Lager

COST: $5 each for drinks and small plates.
WHEN: For 26 days, from October 17-November 11
Monday-Thursday, 12:00 PM-10:00 PM
Friday, 12:00 PM-11:00 PM
Saturday, 11:00 AM-11:00 PM
Sunday, 11:00AM-11:00 PM

4)  Those craving late night eats can now visit 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar located in Salem. Starting Thursday, September 29, and continuing indefinitely, 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar will be launching their new Late Night Bar Menu available only in the lounge every Thursday – Saturday from 10pm-11pm. Chef Tony Bettencourt will be offering a series of his small plates for only $4 each. The special late night menu will always be evolving letting guests try many standard favorites as well as small plate items that are only available during this time slot. Some items available are as follows:

Arancini Arborio rice fritters with mozzarella, tomato confit & basil Normally: $7
Chickpea Fritters Deep fried chickpea fritters & date compote Normally: $7
Mushrooms Pickled trumpet royale mushrooms, sea salt & extra virgin olive oil Normally: $7
Polpette Beef, pork & ricotta meatballs, pomodoro & soft polenta Normally: $9
Crudo Yellow fin tuna with citrus zest, wild fennel pollen, sea salt & extra virgin olive oil Normally: $11 -
Zucchini Blossoms Crisp-fried, stuffed with crab & ricotta with preserved lemon Normally: $12
Pork Belly Confit pork belly, spicy red cabbage salad with thai chile pepper and cilantro Normally: $9
Crostini Whole milk ricotta, black mission figs & chestnut honey Normally: $ 8
Baccala Potato and house-made salt cod fritters with lemon-caper aioli Normally: $7