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 Month celebration promotes awareness and raises funds for vital diabetes clinical care programs and groundbreaking 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. Joslin Diabetes Center is pleased to recognize Team Joslin Boston Marathon Runners as 2013 High Hopes Gala Honorees for their outstanding passion and commitment to Joslin’s mission.

The evening will include a lively cocktail reception, exciting silent and live auction, a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl XLVIII, and live entertainment by one of the region’s top party bands, K2, who will be performing a mix of dance favorites from Sinatra to Black Eyed Peas.

An astounding 347 million people worldwide have diabetes and that number is increasing in alarming, epidemic proportions. Joslin is working toward a cure, and a world without diabetes and its complications.

When: Saturday, November 23, from 6p.m.–Midnight
Where:: The Westin Copley Place 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston

For information on the High Hopes Gala or to purchase tickets: Email: Kevin.Hudson@joslin.harvard.edu or call them at 617-309-2512

2) Taste of the Nation Boston, the annual tasting event hosted by Share Our Strength to benefit its No Kid Hungry campaign initiative, has created a "Food Fight" event series that pits two chefs against each other to battle it out for the best dish under the guidelines of a fun and creative theme leading up to the major event on April 29, 2014.

On Tuesday, November 12th, the second "Food Fight" will take place between Tremont 647 and Belly Wine Bar at Lincoln Tavern in South Boston. For $20, attendees can sample complimentary pizza and bites from Lincoln, each of the chefs' dishes (theme this event is New England fare), two sponsored cocktails courtesy of KEEL Vodka, and vote for the winning dish. Attendees will also receive special discount code to purchase Taste of the Nation Boston tickets.

In September, the inaugural "Food Fight" between Hungry Mother and West Bridge catered to a sold out crowd of over 75 who crowned the former's Chef Barry Maiden the winner by only a few votes. The “Food Fight” event series will continue through Spring 2014 and spotlight Myers + Chang vs. Lincoln Tavern (1/14, Southern Comfort Food) and Coppa vs. a yet to be determined opponent (3/11, Spice Trade Route: Africa to Europe). Lincoln has generously donated their event space and food to these four "Food Fights," and a portion of ticket proceeds directly benefit Taste of the Nation and Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 12th, 7-9pm 
WHERE: Lincoln Tavern, 425 W Broadway, South Boston
INFO/TICKETS: http://ce.strength.org/boston

About Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign: No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through Cooking Matters. This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities.

3) The Beehive will be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Day dinner, featuring a traditional a la carte Thanksgiving menu on Thursday, November 28. The Beehive will host exquisite live jazz performances from Maxim Lubarsky, Jamie Stewardson and Tammy Scheffer all day long.

THANKSGIVING MENU 2013

STARTERS
Parsnip Soup with Spicy Pumpkin Seed Pesto 11
Kale, White Bean & Sausage Soup 11
Roasted Beet Terrine, Fromage Blanc, Candied Walnuts 12
Tuna Tartare, Soy, Seaweed, Flying Fish Roe 17
Baby Back Spare Ribs 13
Foie Gras Terrine, Artichokes, Duck Confit, Armagnac Plums 14
Baked Crab Cake, Celery Root Slaw, Jalapeños Aioli 14
Chopped Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette 11
Simple Salad with Red Wine Dressing 10

MAINS
Roast Organic Turkey 32 (Wild Mushroom & Truffle Stuffing, Country Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprout, Chestnut & Pea Salad, Fresh Cranberry Sauce, Herbed Gravy)
Roast New York Strip* 38 (Country Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprout, Chestnut & Pea Salad, Peppercorn Jus)
Lobster Braised Halibut* 36 (Root Vegetable Medley & Lobster Broth)
Wild Alaskan Salmon* 32 (Lentils, Glazed Carrots, Roasted Beets, Sesame-Carrot Sauce)
Grass Fed Rack of Lamb* 42 (Country Mashed Potatoes, Root Vegetable Medley, Mustard Shallot Sauce)
Spinach, Spaghetti Squash & Tomato Lasagna 27
Vegetarian Thanksgiving 27 (Wild Mushroom & Truffle Stuffing, Country Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprout & Pea Salad, Root Vegetable Medley, Glazed Carrots, Roasted Beets, Fresh Cranberry Sauce)

LITTLE PILGRIM’S
Kid’s Turkey Dinner 18
Pasta with Butter & Parmesan 10
Crispy Chicken Dinosaurs with Frites 10

Menu Subject to change

Hours of Operation on Thanksgiving Day, November 28: 11am-2am
Traditional Menu: 11am-12am. Leftovers menu: 10pm-12am.
Performers: 11am-2:30pm Maxim Lubarsky; 3pm-7:30pm Jamie Stewardson; 8pm-12am Tammy Scheffer

Cost: À la carte pricing for dinner, no cover charge for entry.
Reservations recommended by calling 617-423-0069 or visiting www.beehiveboston.com

4) The 2nd Annual Boston Taste of the NFL and Kick Hunger Challenge will take place on Wednesday, November 13, from 6pm-9pm at Davio’s Boston. Join TNFL Chef representing the New England Patriots and owner of Davio’s, Steve DiFillippo, along with special celebrity guests for an unforgettable night that will benefit The Greater Boston Food Bank. This special evening will feature wines from E&J Gallo Wineries, food tasting of signature Davio’s dishes such as the kobe meatballs and pesto gnocchi and each guest will receive DiFillippo’s new book, “It’s All About the Guest: Exceeding Expectations in Business & in Life, the Davio’s Way,” his new fast-paced and story-driven memoir (retail $26.95).

The event will take place at The Atrium of Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse located in Boston’s Back Bay Reservations are required for this event by visiting: www.daviosbostontfnl.eventbrite.com

COST: $50 per person. Price includes entrance to the event, as well as a signed copy of It’s All About the Guest.

5) As the leaves have changed, so has the seasonally-driven menu at Kendall Square's restaurant, Belly. The new offerings include:

Arm + A Leg ($62 per person for groups of 4-12 people; 48-hours’ notice required) 
A Four-Course Whole Duck Feast: Courses include Salad Lyonnaise (tea-smoked duck bacon, frisee, hazelnut vin, poached duck egg), Blanquette of Duck Offal (buccatini, pecorino, sherry, mushrooms), Whole Roast Stuffed Duck (sourdough, apples, chestnuts, lentils + sautéed Brussels), Duck Fat Popover (ginger ice-cream, candied orange).

S’mores (Free on Halloween with food or beverage purchase; beginning November 1st S’mores are $4/ person)
Beginning on Halloween night, Belly takes to the patio to tend an open-top fireplace with a dual purpose: fighting low temperatures and treating guests to free s’mores! The home-style treats are made with house-made graham crackers + marshmallows, along with various chocolate options to meet diners’ chocolaty desires.

Fondue ($14 per person for groups of 2-6 people; 24 hours’ notice required)
Beginning on Friday, November 1, Belly says arrivederci to their Fried Chicken + Orange Wine and welcomes warm fondue back to the Square for fall. Fromage aficionados to the core, the Belly team looks for any excuse to dip, smear + dunk carbs, fruit + veggies into melty, gooey cheese (a decadent Alpine cheese combo of Spring Brook Farm Reading Raclette, Emmentaler + Gruyere, at that!). Alpine wine pairings are available for purchase. Online reservations can be made here: http://fondue.youcanbook.me

6) On Tuesday, Novermber 12, at 7pm, at  L’Espalier, Fromager and Mâitre d’ Louis Risoli collaborates with Pastry Chef & Apiarist Jared Bachelor and Wine Director & Sommelier Lauren Collins to bring you the latest Cheese Tuesday from L’Espalier. Jared Bachelor is not only the Head Pastry Chef of L’Espalier but is also a seasoned apiarist. With a vast knowledge on honey, Jared tends to primarily Italian honeybees in the backyard of his New Hampshire home.

Once a month, Louis Risoli hosts the wildly popular Cheese Tuesday at L’Espalier, providing easy commentary, while sommelier Lauren Collins describes the wine. Cheese Tuesday combines wine and cheese in a casual night featuring a three course dinner with paired wines, followed by a grand cheese tasting and musical entertainment. Louis Risoli concludes the evening with an original, cheese inspired sing-a-long to the tune of a pop culture song. One of his renditions being: Don’t Stop Bleu Cheesin’ to the tune of Don’t Stop Believing by Journey. “Cheese & Honey” will guide guests through a balancing act as Louis Risoli and Jared Bachelor demonstrate how different types of honey can enhance the mildest cheeses and even tame the wildest ones. Working side by side, Louis and Jared have collaborated to pair six combinations of local honeys and cheeses to entice even the most discerning guest. WHEN: Tuesday, November 12 7:00 p.m. WHERE: L’Espalier 775 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02199 (617) 262-3023 http://www.lespalier.com