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 November 7, from 7pm–9:30pm, The Culinary Guild of New England teams up with Island Creek Oyster Bar for a modern take on the Southern Italian tradition passed down through generations and celebrated around the world, the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Historically served on Christmas Eve after a 24-hour fasting period, today the feast serves as a celebration of food bringing together friends and family and typically including dishes such as salted cod, calamari, and a variety of shellfish.

During this reinterpreted holiday feast, the evening will begin with a Smoked Fish Station and Raw Bar as well as a variety of passed seafood hors d’oeuvres. Chef and Owner Jeremy Sewall will conduct a live cooking demonstration and discuss with guests proper seafood preparation, local and seasonal seafood options and the significance of seafood during the holidays.

Smoked Fish Station: House-Smoked Salmon, Trout and Sturgeon
Raw Bar: Island Creek Oysters and Duxbury Little Necks
Passed Hors d’oeuvres:
Jonah Crab Beignets with Smoked Paprika Aioli
Roasted Sugar Pumpkin and Shrimp Bisque Shooter
Tuna Crudo with Olive and Basil Relish
Demo and Tasting:
Maine Lobster Stew with Fall Vegetables and Sherry Cream
Seared Scallops with Citrus and Chive Risotto
*Wine pairings will be provided by Lower Falls Wine Company.

Cost: $55 members, $70 non members
Where: Hotel Commonwealth, 500 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (Kenmore Square)

2)  On Saturday, October 22, from 12pm-5pm, the Wine ConneXtion, located in North Andover, is hosting its annual complimentary Grand Tasting featuring food paired by Chef Tommy Grella of the Next Food Network Star, and his most recent project, Prelude Restaurant in Methuen. The Wine ConneXtion will be pouring more than 50 exclusive, hand-selected wines from all over the world, and offering all of them at a special, one-day discounted price. Chef Grella will be serving up culinary treats such as signature pasta dishes and much more as a first look inside his restaurant, Prelude, which will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, October 26.

3)   This month, Haru will debut a new festive treat to welcome the autumn season: Japanese Pumpkin (kabocha) Tempura. Available as an addition to the fall specials menu, the Japanese Pumpkin Tempura comes with four pieces to an order and is served alongside a house honey mustard sauce.

Haru is also unveiling a new specialty cocktail this month, the Silk Lantern, which luxuriously combines Calpico, light sake and soda and is garnished with lychee.

These new additions are available during the month of October for $6 each.

4)   Melissa's Main Street Bistro, in Stoneham, is holding a Wine Dinner on Sunday, October 23, at 6pm.

Menu:
Welcome Wine – Wild Horse Viognier
Mixed Greens tossed with a Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, Heirloom Tomatoes, Crumbled Goats Cheese
~Wild Horse Chardonnay~
Butternut Squash and Sage Ravioli, Caramelized Cinnamon Apple,
Sage Brown Butter Sauce
~Wild Horse “Unbridled” Pinot Noir~
Mixed Grill of Lamb Chop, Chateau Tenderloin & Duck Sausage
Potato Gratin, Cider Braised Greens
Finished with a Black Pepper Demi Glace
~Bogle Phantom~
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Cinnamon Whipped Cream, Caramel Sauce

Cost: $60 per person, Non-Drinking Price $45 (Tax and Gratuity Excluded)
For Reservations, Please call Melissa at 781-438-7243