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) For 20 years, Taste of the NFL has been working to kick hunger at their annual charity event held on the eve of the Super Bowl. On September 12, past Taste of the NFL participant and restaurateur Steve DiFillippo (Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse; Avila Modern Mediterranean) will team up with the organization and some of Boston’s top chefs to host a kickoff event benefitting the Greater Boston Food Bank.

This evening features gourmet bites paired with pours from famous California vineyards such as William Hill Estate Winery, Louis M. Martini Winery and MacMurray Ranch. Participating chefs include: Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse’s Rodney Murillo (preparing gnocchi Bolognese); Olé Restaurant Group’s Erwin Ramos (preparing beef barbacoa tacos); Deuxave’s Chris Coombs (preparing duck liver pate); Restaurant dante and il Casale’s Dante de Magistris (preparing chilled melon soup with prosciutto crumbles); Pigalle’s Marc Orfaly (preparing smoked trout fried rice with Chinese sausage, yellow leeks, Thai chilies and peas); and, Stella’s Evan Deluty (preparing salmon tartare with wasabi, soy and ginger). Guests will also be introduced to the 2013 Taste of the NFL program. All proceed of the evening will be donated to support the Greater Boston Food Bank in its fight against hunger.

Where: Galleria Atrium (adjacent to Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse), 10 St. James Avenue, Boston
When: Wednesday, September 12 from 6pm – 9pm
Cost: $25 per person
Tickets: Tickets to this event may be purchased at: www.tasteofthenflkickoffdavios.eventbrite.com

2) On September 13, at 6:30pm, Legal Harborside will team up with Christina Turley, National Sales Manager for Turley Wine Cellars, for an exclusive four-plus-course wine dinner. "A popular California wine producer with wineries in Templeton and St. Helena, Turley wines are often recognized as some of the best old-vine red Zinfandels in California with fruits sourced from vineyards dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Turley Wine Cellars also boasts a two year waiting list for new recipients into their wine club."

This menu will be presented as follows on Legal Harborside’s scenic second level overlooking Boston Harbor:

HORS D’OEUVRES
fried oyster, preserved lemon, caper aioli
razor clam ceviche,* yuzu, fava bean, heirloom radish
curried mussels, thai basil foam
Schramsberg "Blanc de Blancs," North Coast, 2009
FIRST COURSE
grilled swordfish (braised romano beans, three-bean kalamata vinaigrette)
Turley "Old Vines" Zinfandel, California, 2010
SECOND COURSE
torchon of foie gras (luxardo cherries, chocolate brioche)
Turley "Ueberroth Vineyard" Zinfandel, Paso Robles, 2007
MAIN COURSE
charred northeast family farms flat iron steak (smoked tomato-cipollini onion jam, red wine demi-glace)
Turley "Cedarman Vineyard" Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, Napa, 2009
CHEESE COURSE
beecher's flagship reserve, valdeón
Turley "Hayne Vineyard" Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, 2007

Cost: $115 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
Reservations can be made by contacting 617-530-9470

3) On August 26, from 11am-3pm, Belkin Family Lookout Farm is hosting NECN’s TV Diner. Some of Greater Boston’s best chefs and restaurants will gather together for a day of food, family, fun and memories. The 2nd Annual Family Food Fest will include cooking demos, tastings, entertainment, children’s activities, hayrides, contests and more! NECN and TV Diner are proud to support local farms, like Belkin Family Lookout Farm, with farm-to-table foods.

Tasting stations and product sampling from the top restaurants and food vendors in the Boston area, such as:
o Salvatore’s – Wild Mushroom Risotto
o Mangia - Pizza
o Tasty Burger - Charbroiled patty w/ American cheese barbeque sauce and caramelized onions
o Friendly’s - Ice Cream
o Glynn Hospitality - Mahi Mahi with a fresh mango salsa and homemade potato chips
o Fresh City - Caesar Salad
o Brasserie Jo - Pressed Watermelon w/ dehydrated olive, pickled goat cheese & chorizo vinaigrette
o La Nina - Cheese Quesadilla & Cheese and Ham Quesadilla
o Bryantville - Meatloaf
o Captain Parkers - New England clam chowder
o Piantidossi - Gourmet Breads served with imported oils
o Michele’s - Gourmet Popcorn

Beer and wine tent…for the adults! Entertainment. Kids’ play area, farm animals, face painting, hayrides, contests and more! Pick your own seasonal fruits from the farm

Where: Belkin Family Lookout Farm 89 Pleasant Street South, South Natick
Admission: $30.00 per adult in advance (www.necn.com/foodfest or www.aceticket.com),                                 $40.00 per adult at the door (Children 10 years old and under are free!)