Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting wine and food items that are upcoming.
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1) Bistro 5, in Medford, is celebrating the Feast of The Seven Fishes from Tuesday, December 17 to Saturday, December 21.

Menu:
Warm Seafood Salad
 (Mussels, Scallops, Octopus,
 Fennel, Mint, Kumquat Vinaigrette, and Garlic Crostini
)
2012 Aragosta, Vermentino, Sardegna
Stuffed Squid
 (Panko Crumbs, Red Peppers, Olives, Heirloom Tomato and Clam Broth)

2012 Le Salse, Verdicchio, Matelica
Lobster & Black Tagliatelle (Leeks and White Asparagus)
2011 Five Rivers, California
Fluke
 (Mustard Seeds, Celery Root Puree 
and Broccoli Rabe)

 2012 Burlotto, Dolcetto d’Alba

Cost: Five Course: $75 per person, Three Course: $55 per person
Wine Pairing: Five Course: $25 per person, Three Course: $20 per person

Call Bistro 5 for Reservations at 781-395-7464

2) On Saturday, December 28, from 1pm-5pm, the experts at The Wine ConneXtion in North Andover will pour a parade of carefully selected wines at its complimentary “Champagnes & Sparklers” tasting. Whether planning to watch the ball drop on TV with take-out Chinese or countdown to 2014 dressed in their gala best, guests will be sure to find a wine fit for their budget and party plans. Champagne aficionados and novices alike are invited to kick off the celebrations a few days early and taste a selection of The Wine ConneXtion’s favorite bubbly.

Free to the public. Please note: Must be 21 or older.

3) On January 15, at 6:30pm, Legal Sea Foods in Park Square will host a wine dinner with Lemelson Vineyards. This Oregon-based vineyard produces complex yet elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris wines. Legal Sea Foods will team up with Lemelson Vineyard’s winemaker, Anthony King, to host a four-plus-course dinner featuring signature cuisine paired with King’s selections from Lemelson’s vine.

The menu will be presented as follows:
HORS D’OEUVRES
Scallop* Sashimi, Pomegranate, Pisco Coriander Vinaigrette
Petit Smoked Salmon Napoleon, Lime-Dill Crème Fraîche, Toast Points
Stuffed Crimini Mushrooms, Curried Leeks, Mini Peppers, Pine Nut Crust
Lemelson Dry Riesling, Willamette Valley, 2012
FIRST COURSE
Fragrant Hot Rainbow Trout (Tamarind, Peach Curry, Coconut, Lemongrass Rice)
Lemelson “Tikka’s Run” Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, 2011
SECOND COURSE
Herbed Chicken Rollatini (Chanterelle Mushrooms, Baby Spinach, Béarnaise Sauce)
Lemelson “Stermer Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2010
THIRD COURSE
Wood Grilled Arctic Char (Pork Belly Confit, Potato Gnocchi, Wild Oyster Mushroom Ragout)
Lemelson “Thea’s Selection” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2009
Lemelson “Thea’s Selection” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2011
CHEESE COURSE
Crawford Family Farm Vermont Ayr - Whiting, Vermont
Champlain Valley Creamery Organic Champlain Triple - Vergennes, Vermont
MouCo ColoRouge - Fort Collins, Colorado
Dark Berry Compote, Grilled Ciabatta Toast Points
Lemelson “Jerome Reserve” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2010

COST: $95 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
Reservation required by calling 617-530-9397

4) On Tuesday, December 17, Chef Jason Bond will host a one-of-a-kind multi-course truffle dinner at his Bondir restaurant in Cambridge. The evening will begin beside Bondir’s fireplace at 6:30pm, as canapés will be served in a warm and inviting environment. A sit down dinner will commence at 7:00pm, when guests will be served a magnificent dinner featuring four courses, each infused with black and white truffles. Each course will be paired with a selection from Bondir’s wine menu.

MENU:

Hors d’Oeuvres:
Raclette from the Fireplace with Mangalitsa Prosciutto
Truffle Tartine with Ricotta, Caramelized Onion & Anchovy
Truffled Pecorino Canederli
–Jo Landron, Atmospheres Brut, Loire, France–
Dinner:
Frisée au Lardon (Smoked Pork Rib, Alba Truffle Scented Quail Egg, Perigord Truffle Vinaigrette)
–2012 Schloss Gobelsburg, ‘Gobelsburger,’ Kamptal, Austria–
Raviolo con Uovo al Tartufo di Alba (Jersey Butter Sauce)
—2010 Olivier Merlin, Macon-La Roche Vineuse, France—
Poulet en Vessie Demi Deuil (Mushroom Ragú, Pommes Aligot, Pickled Wild Leek)
—2010 Chateau Maro de Saint Amant, Saint Emilion Grand Cru—
Citrus Sorbet (Tarragon and Campari)
Apricot Soufflé (White Truffle Ice Cream & Almond Dragées)
—2011 Selbach-Oster, Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, Mosel, Germany—

COST: $150 per person (+tax and gratuity).
Seating is limited and reservations are required by calling (617)-661-0009.