Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.. **********************************************************
1) On July 28, from 10pm-1am, Bergamot Chef Keith Pooler will create a Whole Hog Roast pop up in support of his first Pan Mass Challenge ride that is taking place on August 2nd. Proceeds from the Bergamot Whole Hog Roast will benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Dana Farber and the Pan Mass Ride contribute to finding a cure, research and assisting family with the financial burdens.

The Whole Hog “Pop Up” is $20 per person and that includes all the food. The menu includes whole hog, barbecue black eyed peas, hominy slaw, potato salad and corn on the cob. There will also be a cash bar.

For tickets, please call 617-576-7700 or log onto Eventbrite.

2) Chefs Brian Poe and Douglas Rodrigues are debuting new brunch items at The Tip Tap Room.

Brunchers who “Want Eggs for Breakfast” will enjoy new additions like the Summer Vegetables & Herb Frittata (tossed greens, black truffle vinaigrette, home fries - $10.95); The Signature (three-egg omelet, mushrooms & vegetables, toast, home fries - $12.95); Lobster Scrambled Eggs (fines herbes salad, home fries, toast - $17.95); and, Skillet Roasted Scrambled Duck Eggs (duck confit, spring onion, petit potatoes, tossed greens - $11.95).

For “Throw Mine on the Griddle” cravings, there is Roasted Spring Onions & New Potatoes (bacon, pecorino cheese, black garlic ketchup - $9.95); Strawberry French Toast (Devonshire double cream, walnut crumble, rhubarb syrup - $12.95); Smoked Cheddar & Corn Griddle Cakes (corn butter, bacon, pomegranate, brown butter crisped eggs - $10.95); and, Corned Brisket Red Flannel Hash (black garlic, fried farm eggs, baby herbs - $14.95).

For those with a “Give Me Gluten” hankering, stomachs will be satisfied with additions such as the Fried Calamari (licorice glacé, preserved lemon yogurt, shishito peppers - $13.95); Biscuits & Gravy (buttermilk biscuits, pork sausage patty, lemon-thyme gravy - $10.95); Baked Open Face B.L.T. (thick toast, broiled Idiazábal cheese, fried egg - $11.95); and, Glazed Short Rib Grilled Cheese (Gruyère cheese, red kosho - $12.95).

Cocktail offerings poured during brunch include The Tip Tap Bloody Mary (Spicy pickles - $10); Violetta (vodka, violet liquor, fresh lemon, cava - $12); Bittersweet in Barcelona (Cocchi Rosa, cava, sugar - $12); Sangria (white peach or blackberry red - $8.50); and, The Three Doshas (ginger & lemon bourbon, lemon, honey, mint - $12). For thirst-quenching mocktails, the Cold Toddy (Ethiopian cold brew coffee, chicory - $6) and Rosemary-Yuzu Limeade (rosemary, lime, yuzu - $6) also will be served for those who prefer non-alcoholic libations.

The Tip Tap Room is open for brunch service on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 3:00pm.

3) On August 4, at 6:30pm, Legal Sea Foods in Chestnut Hill will host a South African wine dinner with MAN Family Vintners. Established in 2001, MAN is a dynamic South African winery dedicated to making wines that consumers enjoy drinking on a regular basis. As a family-run operation, MAN is on a mission to create real, well-balanced wines at an affordable price point. Their blends are distinctive and their modern-style blends seamlessly with a touch of Old-World elegance.

Legal Sea Foods will team up with MAN Owner & Winemaker, Tyrell Myburgh, to host an exclusive four-plus-course dinner featuring cuisine paired with his selections from the MAN vine. The menu will be presented as follows:

HORS D’OEUVRES
Seared Sea Scallops, Watermelon & Feta Salad, Arugula Oil
Poached Chilled Littleneck Clams, Tomato, Avocado
MAN Family Vintners Chardonnay, Coastal Region, 2014
FIRST COURSE
Shrimp Mulligatawny Soup (shrimp, curry, coconut milk)
MAN Family Vintners “Free-Run Steen” Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, 2014
SECOND COURSE
Seared Wild Salmon (frisée & red endive salad, goat cheese, dried cherries, lemon vinaigrette)
MAN Family Vintners Pinotage, Coastal Region, 2013
THIRD COURSE
Grilled Tuna Steak (gorgonzola whipped potato croquettes, wilted rainbow chard, raspberry-fig agrodolce)
Tormentoso Cabernet Sauvignon, Coastal Region, 2013
CHEESE COURSE
Manchego (apricot compote, hazelnut butter, dark chocolate shortbread)
Stark-Condé “Three Pines” Cabernet Sauvignon, Jonkershoek, 2011

COST: $65 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
Reservation required by calling 617-530-9392