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. **********************************************************
1) Joslin Diabetes Center’s High Hopes Gala, to be held on Saturday, November 22, at 6pm, promotes awareness and raises funds for vital diabetes clinical care programs and groundbreaking research initiatives at Joslin Diabetes Center. This 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 honor Community Events Champions as the 2014 recipients of the Global Achievement Award for their exceptional contributions to and ongoing support of Joslin’s mission.

The evening, emceed by Dylan Dreyer, Weather Anchor for NBC’s Weekend TODAY, will include a lively cocktail reception, live entertainment by one of New England’s top bands, The Sultans of Swing, featuring American Idol semi-finalist Erika Van Pelt and exciting silent and live auctions. Auctioneer Robin Starr, VP/Director of American & European Works of Art at Skinner Inc. will conduct the live auction. Starr is also an appraiser on PBS’s Antique Roadshow.

The Merritt Levitan Youth Ambassador Award, renamed this year to honor the legacy of Merritt Levitan, will be awarded to Kelley N. Conley, a young adult passionate about helping others who are also living with diabetes. Merritt Levitan was an 18 year old scholar and athlete, who was a patient at Joslin and tragically killed last year while on a cross country bicycle trip. Conley will serve as ambassador for Joslin by advocating for diabetes awareness and educating peers throughout Boston about the mission of Joslin Diabetes Center.

For information about the High Hopes Gala or to purchase tickets, please contact Meghan Mongeau at Meghan.mongeau@Joslin.harvard.edu or at (617) 309-2512. Individual ticket price is $1,000.

2) Leave the pastry prep to the pros this year with help from Cape Cod-based, European-style bakery and café, Pain D’Avignon. Following the close of farmer’s market season, the Hyannis eatery pops up at Back Bay’s iconic Fairmont Copley Plaza, to sell party-ready treats in its only Boston-area location.

Beginning on Friday, November 21, and held each Friday through December 19, from 2pm-6pm, Pain D’Avignon will transform The Fairmont Copley Plaza’s tea court into a gourmet holiday farmer’s market complete with the hotel’s Christmas tree and festive décor.

Convenient grab-and-go options for time-crunched hosts and party-goers alike will include:
· Classic Italian Panettone
· Seasonal Pies
· Raspberry Streusel
· Buttery Croissants
· Fudgy Brownies
· Scones
· Famous Cranberry Pecan Rolls and Breads
· Baguettes
· Parmesan Crisps
· Housemade Potato Chips

Individual items range in price from $4.00 to $14.00. Customizable gift bags are also available for up to $60.00.

3) Truffle season has arrived and Bistro 5 in Medford is offering a compelling Truffle Tasting Menu. Bistro 5 is one of my favorite restaurants and Chef Vittorio Ettore has prepared an enticing menu for this event. The Truffle Tasting menu will be offered from Wednesday, November 12 to Saturday. December 3. You can order Three Courses ($55 per person), Five Courses ($75 per person), Truffles ($30 per plate), and Wine Pairings are also available.

The Menu, which will change accordingly with ingredients availability, is:

Chestnut Bisque
Roasted Quince, Foie Gras Bits and Truffled Crème Fraîche
Kampachi Crudo
Truffled Rice Cracker, Himalayan Salt, Lemon Zest and Black Truffle Puree
Raviolone
Giant Raviolo, Copicut Farm Egg Yolk, Truffled Ricotta, Roasted Pine Nuts and Mushroom Ragout
EVOO Poached VT Rabbit
Truffled Celery Root Gratin, Golden Beet Chips and Frisée
Cabello de Angel
Spaghetti Squash Preserve, White Chocolate Honeycomb and Truffled Gelato

For Reservations, call (781) 395-7464