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)  Boston magazine announces its second annual Taste event on Monday, November 14 to be held in the setting of Boston’s Museum of Science. This culinary event will showcase cuisine and cocktail selections from 30 of Boston and Cambridge’s hottest restaurants.

Taste attendees will have the chance to savor bites from some of the city’s most esteemed chefs, sip creative cocktails from top mixologists and socialize among fellow foodies. Proceeds from the delicious dining event will benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank.

“The fall dining season is a time so many Bostonians look forward to, and with that, we are delighted to host our second annual Taste event,” said Rick Waechter, President, Boston magazine. “Boston has become such a culinary hub and we are proud to offer an event that spotlights the best of the best for one night, all together under the same roof,” he added.

Participating restaurants include: 80 Thoreau, Alma Nove, Asana, BABYTRAIN barBARq, Bambara, Bistro du Midi, Blue, Inc., Catalyst, Dante, Eastern Standard, El Centro, Grill 23, Harvest, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Legal Harborside, L'Espalier, Market, Myers + Chang, O Ya, Ole Mexican Grill, Pigalle, Post 390, Posto, Rialto, Sel de la Terre, Stella, Storyville, Sweet Cheeks and Wolfgang Puck Catering.

Taste will be held from 8pm-10:30pm with a VIP hour starting at 7pm, on November 14. Ticket costs are $150 for VIP admission and $95 for general admission and can be purchased by visiting: http://www.bostonmagazine.com/taste

2)  Every Monday from 8pm-12am, join The Beehive’s for Irish Music Mondays, a relaxed, informal night of traditional Irish and Celtic music, food and of course, libations. This weekly seisún (from Irish Gaelic), or pub session in which musicians gather together to play traditional Irish music, is headed by 25-year-old Scotland-native, Maeve Gilchrist who will grace The Beehive’s stage each week with a rotating cast of Irish/Celtic musicians. At only 25, Maeve Gilchrist has been credited as an innovator on the Celtic Harp due to her uniquely chromatic use of the instrument.

In true Irish fashion, guests can enjoy the Monday night performance over food & libations from the regular menu as well as rotating weekly specials that highlight regional Irish fare such as fish and chips, lamb stew and grilled Scottish with bubble & squeek from Executive Chef Rebecca Newell. Reservations are recommended and can be done by calling The Beehive at (617) 423-0069.

3)  On Thursday, November 24, from 1pm-10pm, Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro will prepares a multi-course holiday feast. The cost is $55 per person with an Optional Wine Pairing for an additional $29. A 20% gratuity will be automatically added to your bill. Reservations are highly recommended.

Thanksgiving Day Menu
Appetizers
* * *
Pumpkin Bisque, Almond Brittle, Pumpkin Oil
Autumn Greens Salad, Chèvre, Pepitas, Pomegranate
Duck Confit, Grilled Radicchio, Sultanas, Fennel
New England Shellfish Stew, Oysters, Littleneck Clams, Guanciale, Fresh Herbs
Country Pâté, Assorted Pickles, Mustard and Baguette
Paired with 2010 Domäne Wachau, Grüner Veltliner (Austria) or 2009 Château Pesquié Les Terrasses Rouge (Rhône Valley, France)

Entrees
* * *
Free Range Turkey Roulade, Sage and Chestnut Dressing, Mashed Fingerling Potatoes, Gravy and Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Faroe Island Salmon, Brussels Sprout Ragout, Parsnip Mousseline
Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder, Cider Braised Celeriac, Frisée
Braised Beef Short Ribs, Pearl Onions, Farm Carrots, Rutabaga
Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Brown Butter, Kabocha Squash, Kale, Pecorino
Paired with 2006 Kinton Syrah (Santa Barbara County, California) or 2009 Château Moncontour Vouvray (Loire Valley, France)

Desserts
* * *
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
Pecan Pie
Chocolate Mousse Torte
Selections of Farmstead Cheeses
Paired withN/V Yalumba Muscat “Museum Reserve” (South Eastern Australia) or N/V Quinta de Noval 10 Year Porto (Douro, Portugal)

* * *
Holiday Accompaniments for Two ($6 each)
Green Bean Casserole, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Herb Roasted Butternut Squash

4)  Bistro 5 will treat its guests to the flavors of Italy’s rarest and dearest truffle, the Alba Truffle, with a special tasting menu throughout November. Known for its enticing, intense and aphrodisiac scents, the truffle is a fruit with a varied flavor profile depending on where it is grown, and Alba is its most coveted harvest location. With this being an extremely tough truffle season for the country, the Alba Truffle is even less common and a lot more costly this year. Chef Ettore has decided to continue with his most popular tasting, however, keeping the prices unchanged and taking a personal hit in order to showcase a true delicacy he is passionate about.

This menu will be available every Tuesday through Saturday, from November 1–November 31, from 5pm-10pm. The 3-course menu is $45 per person; $65 with wine pairings plus tax/gratuity. The 5-course menu is $65 per person; $90 with wine pairings plus tax/gratuity.

The tasting menu is available with or without wine pairings, and menu selections will include:

Chestnut Bisque (Sauteed Wild Mushroom and Black Truffle Coulis)
2008 Acrobat, Pinot Gris, Oregon
Pumpkin and Foie Gras Souffle (Taleggio Fondue)
2008 Snoqualmie, Riesling, Columbia Valley
Pheasant Sous-Vitto (Swiss Chard, Kimball Farm’s Parsnip Puree)
2008 Vigneti Zabu ‘Il Passo’, Nero d’Avola Blend, Sicily
Cabello de Angel (Spaghetti Squash, White Chocolate Cup, Zavaglione and Truffled Honey Ice Cream)
2009 Sarocco, Mascato D’Asti