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. **********************************************************
1) Continuing the monthly A Taste of Italy tour, A Tavola introduces its new menu from August 1-18, Tuesday through Saturday, from 5pm-10pm, Featuring a three-course dinner, Chef Vittorio Ettore takes guests on an educational and culinary tour through his favorite regions of Italy. He explains his techniques and inspirations throughout the meal, giving his guests not just a taste of Italy, but also a complete culinary experience of the chosen region.

This month, Chef Ettore leaves the mainland for the island of Sardegna. Positioned in the heart of the Mediterranean between Spain and Italy, this month’s menu draws inspiration from both east and west. The menu features Sardinian favorites such as Malloreddus, a smaller gnocchi made of semolina rather than potatoes, and Botarga, a dried fish roe that is traditionally used as a condiment. Inspired by the nearby Spanish region of Catalonia, Aragosta alla Catalana features a Spanish-influenced lobster dish typical of Sardegna. The three-course meal closes with the island’s traditional dessert, a sweet cheese ravioli known as Sebadas.

The full menu consist of:
--Malloreddus, Arselle e Botarga (Sardinian Saffron Semolina Gnocchi, Clams and Botarga)
(Cured Mullet Fish Roe)
--Aragosta alla Catalana (Warm Lobster, Wright Locke Farm Heirloom Tomatoes, Red Onions, Basil and Lemon)
--Sebadas (Crispy Ricotta Ravioli, Lemon Zest, Honey and Pistachio Gelato)

In addition to this three-course dinner, A Tavola is now offering Saturday Lunch. The more refined menu features familiar dinner favorites as well as new lunchtime options. Rucula Salad, Pasta Bolognese, Porchetta Sandwiches, and Grilled Margherita Flatbreads are just a few dishes that Chef Ettore brings “to the table” for lunch. The daytime menu still embodies A Tavola’s rustic approach to Italian cuisine, representing their commitment to serving eclectic Italian dishes with fresh, local ingredients.

Cost: Pre fixe Sardegna menu is $49 per person; each course is also available A la Carte – Appetizer is $15, Entrée is $29, and Dessert is $9.
Reservations are welcome by calling 781-729-1040

2) Legal Sea Foods will celebrate its 4th annual Oyster Festival returns this fall. From September 19 through October 16, Legal Sea Foods restaurants will celebrate everything oysters via menu features and special events.

“Our oyster bars are a hallmark of our restaurants,” observed Roger Berkowitz, President and CEO of Legal Sea Foods. “And no longer should oysters be just the favorites of gastronomes. We want to educate all our guests and encourage experimentation. We’d like everyone to share the belief of the idiomatic saying, ‘the world is your oyster.’”

Special events will be held at various Legal locations and will include: Shellfish Shindig, a ‘shuckout’ of $1 oysters at Charles Square’s vast outdoor Terrace Bar (September 23 from 2-4pm; a la carte pricing); Oyster Brewhaha, a four-course oyster and craft beer dinner at the Kendall Square location (October 2 at 6:30pm; $65 per person); Sip Slurp and Sup, a trio of small plates paired with oyster-friendly wines hosted in the Park Square location’s 10,000 bottle wine cellar (October 3 at 6:30pm; $45 per person); and, the grand finale event, Mollusk Mania, an “everything oysters” party featuring a raw bar of eight varieties and four passed appetizers on the all-weather rooftop at Legal Harborside (October 7 from 2-4pm; $40 per person).

3) Haru’s Boston location is celebrating its 5th Birthday with a special summer sweepstakes that comes neatly packaged: mystery envelopes. Beginning today through October, Haru will celebrate this milestone by offering their loyal patrons and friends a chance to win prizes.

To play, simply visit Haru in Boston from August 1 through October 1 to receive your mystery envelope (while supplies last). DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE. On your next visit to Haru Boston on or before October 20th (must be a different day than when mystery envelope was received), present the still-sealed mystery envelope to a manager to see what treasure awaits. Will it be a $10 Haru gift certificate? A complimentary sushi roll? A $100 AMEX gift card? Or even the grand prize of $500 in AMEX gift cards? Everyone “wins.” Even guests who don’t win, win: holders of non-winning envelopes will receive a gift of a complimentary order of edamame. And the more you frequent Haru Boston, the more envelopes you can collect so come often and come hungry (subject to limit of one envelope per person/household per twelve hour period).

No purchase necessary. Must be 18 or older. Most participants will receive complimentary order of edamame. Odds of winning a prize are 1:11. Subject to Official Rules posted at Haru Boston and available at www.harusushi.com.

4) Post 390  invite you to come sink your teeth into a dog, a Pearl hot dog that is. Post 390 is hosting an indoor BBQ every Sunday-Wednesday in August from 5-7pm featuring all of your summer favorites including savory bbq chicken, fresh oysters, pulled pork sliders served with slaw and pickled watermelon rind and Pearl hot dogs. Each menu item is offered for under $3 apiece. Wash it all down with the bar's signature Gn'T - beefeater gin mixed with fresh lemongrass and house-made lemongrass tonic water and bitters.

Menu: $3 Pearl All Beef Hot Dogs, $3 BBQ Chicken, $3 Pulled Pork Sliders, $1 Oysters & More