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 September 23, at 7pm, Brass Union will host the next event in their “Brass Pair” series – a monthly pairing dinner where the Union Square eatery and lounge joins forces with local brewers, distillers, wine makers and sommeliers – for a night of interactive cuisine and beverage.

In this “Brass Pair” evening, Brass Union will team up with Ireland-based Glendalough Distillery for a savory five-plus-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Jonathan Kopacz with accompanying sips hand-selected by Glendalough’s Brand Manager, Donal O'Gallachoir and Brass Union’s Beverage Director Paulo Pereira. Guests also will have the chance to imbibe on an exclusive barrel-aged cocktail that soon will be available for purchase at Brass Union.

Chef Kopacz and Glendalough will present the menus as follows:

AMUSE
Whiskey Caramel Corn
Glendalough Double Barrel Punch
FIRST COURSE
Roasted Apricot, Goat Cheese, Savory Honey
Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey
SECOND COURSE
Grilled Quail, Cherry Mustardo
Glendalough 7 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey
INTERMEZZO
Grilled Grapefruit
Glendalough Wild Botanical Seasonal Gin
THIRD COURSE
Braised Lamb, Chickpeas
Glendalough 13 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey
DESSERT COURSE
Chocolate, Dark Fruit
Glendalough Irish Coffee

COST: $55 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
Tickets are available via EventBrite: brasspair9.eventbrite.com.
This event is reserved for ages 21+ with proper ID.

This sounds like a fantastic event and not enough restaurants do Whiskey pairing dinners. And where else can you find Whiskey Caramel Corn?

2) With several years of revitalization under its belt, Somerville’s East Broadway neighborhood is presenting the vibrant flavors of more than a dozen restaurants at the East Broadway Foodie Crawl on Tuesday, September 29, from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. East Somerville’s restaurant corridor features some of the area’s most authentic flavors and hidden gems. A ticket to this tasting tour gives its holder access to more than a dozen restaurants representing five continents and provides food samples and a glimpse of the experience at each.

The Foodie Crawl invites participants directly inside each participating restaurant for a walking and tasting neighborhood tour that sets it apart from other food events and festivals. The experience includes the sights and smells of Ethiopia, the tastes of El Salvador and the colors of Haiti, among many others. East Somerville’s beautiful streetscape provides outdoor seating and music and entertainment for more than 1,000 people enjoying the crawl.

This year’s event promises to be particularly exciting as it comes in the midst of the “This Is East” project that has rejuvenated the neighborhood, inviting residents to participate in the creation of artwork, video installations and other cultural projects that reflect the rich cultural fabric of the neighborhood.

All proceeds from the Foodie Crawl benefit East Somerville Main Streets, which is committed to building a safe, sustainable and prosperous multicultural community by developing a vibrant businesses district at the neighborhood’s heart.

Tickets for the Foodie Crawl are on sale now. You can buy them for $20 online and $25 at the door if there are still tickets available. Tickets are available here: http://eastsomervillemainstreets.org/foodie-crawl/foodie-buy-tickets/

The event has a rain date of September 30th.

3) On Monday, October 5, at 7pm, Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro (BHHB) invites guests to take a tour of Spain’s Rioja region during a four-course wine dinner featuring the culinary stylings of Executive Chef Lucas Sousa perfectly paired with four wines from Francos-Españolas Winery.

Cecilia Rait, proprietress and wine director of BHHB, and a representative from the winery will guide diners through the history, curiosities and nuances of each selection. Franco-Españolas Winery is one of the largest wineries in La Rioja. With almost 125 years of history and its exceptional location on the banks of the Ebro River, it produces some of the region’s finest wines.

This intimate adventure is set in communal seating to encourage conversation, laughter and fun. For $65.00 per person (tax and gratuity not included), guests are treated to four wines, a four-course dinner and Cecilia's and Tracy's good cheer, humor and expertise.

Reservations are encouraged as the event will sell out fast so please call 617-723-7575.

4) On September 28, at 6pm, The Tip Tap Room owners Brian Poe and Gordon Wilcox will host the 2nd annual “Chefs for Clefts” fundraiser at their Beacon Hill hotspot to benefit Massachusetts General Hospital’s Global Surgical Initiative. Funds raised from the charitable fête will directly assist Dr. Jay Austen’s missions that support children with facial deformities and cleft lips as well as burn victims in Colombia.

This festive “Night in Colombia” themed event will kick-off with Colombian music paired with complimentary Colombian-inspired cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres, as prepared by Brian Poe, including: Summer Corn & Cheese Arepas; Buenelos (stuffed with goat cheese and cinnamon sugar dust); Cassava Chips (topped with roasted lechona bits); Empanadas (topped with lime-infused purple cabbage relish); Traditional Fritanga o’ Picada Colombiano (patacones, chicharrón, papa criolla, chorizo, pork ribs, yucca frita & ají Colombiano sauce); and, Colombian Ceviche de Camarones.

Brian Poe (The Tip Tap Room; Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake; Bukowski Tavern – Cambridge; CLUCKIT!) and chef friends Andy Husbands (Tremont 647; Smoke Shop), Chris Coombs (Boston Chops; Deuxave), Douglas Rodrigues (The Tip Tap Room), Jason Heard (East Coast Grill), Jose Duarte (Taranta), Lydia Shire (Scampo), Mark O’Leary (Shōjo), Michael Scelfo (Alden & Harlow) and Rodney Murillo (Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse; Davio’s Cucina) each graciously have donated a three-course “dinner for ten” with wine pairings at their respective restaurants which will be up for bid during the live auction. Supporters also will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with some the City’s top culinary luminaries who will be present at this evening with a cause.

COST: General Admission (includes open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres): $50 per person in advance; $75 per person at the door
MORE INFO: To purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chefs-for-clefts-tickets-18142519765.
Additional donations for Massachusetts General Hospital’s Global Surgical Initiative will be accepted onsite or via EventBrite.

5) Join Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, E&J Gallo Winery and the Taste of the NFL in the fight against hunger. Since 1992, Taste of the NFL has raised over $22 million dollars for hunger relief agencies across the country to help kick hunger. Davio’s is proud to support hunger relief and by purchasing one of the selected wines listed below, meals will be provided to local food banks across the country by Gallo Wines (through December 2015).

Gallo’s “Wine-By-The-Glass” program includes more than 15,000 restaurants nationwide that support Taste of the NFL throughout the year. The wine program expands the local impact of Taste of the NFL’s presence in the San Francisco Bay Area leading up to Super Bowl 50 and the Taste of the NFL’s annual “Party with a Purpose®” event.

WHERE:
Davio’s Boston | 75 Arlington Street, Boston
Davio’s Foxborough | 236 Patriot Place, Foxborough
Davio’s Chestnut Hill | 55 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill
Davio’s Lynnfield | 1250 Market Street, Lynnfield

WHEN: Selected wines will be available at all Davio’s Massachusetts locations until December 2015

MENU
Starborough, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand | $12 5oz/$48 Bottle
MacMurray Ranch, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast | $12 5oz/ $60 Bottle
William Hill, Chardonnay, Napa Valley | $9 5oz/ $50 Bottle
Brancaia Tre, Tuscany, Italy | $11 5oz/$65 Bottle
Davinci, Chianti Riserva, Italy| $14 5oz/$70 Bottle
Ghost Pines, Red Blend, Napa/Sonoma| $16 5oz /$65 Bottle

6) On October 6, at 6:30pm, Legal Sea Foods in Park Square will host a seminar and wine dinner with Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Established in 1973, Phelps bought the 600-acre Connolly cattle ranch in Spring Valley and began planting vineyards and construction of a winery. Four decades later, the flagship wine, Insignia, is recognized as one of the world’s great wines. Joe became a leader in a remarkable group of entrepreneurs who launched a new era of excellence in California wine.

Legal Sea Foods will team up with granddaughter of Founder Joseph Phelps, Elizabeth Neuman to host an exclusive seminar and four-plus-course dinner featuring signature cuisine paired with her selections from the Phelps vine. The menu will be presented as followsr:

COLLECTOR’S SEMINAR
Six Vintages of Joseph Phelps “Insignia” (2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

HORS D’OEUVRES
Maryland Crab, Mango Salsa, Jalapeno Polenta
Seared Sea Scallop Tartlets, Sweet Chili Sauce, Crème Fraîche
Baked Oysters, Tarragon-Lime Aioli, Rye Toast
Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2013
FIRST COURSE
Pan-Seared Diver Sea Scallops (Anjou Pear, Zucchini Bisque, Squash Blossom)
Joseph Phelps “Freestone Vineyards” Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, 2013
SECOND COURSE
Grilled Cajun Yellowfin Tuna (Hen of the Woods Mushroom Couscous, Thyme-Balsamic & Apple-Onion Jam)
Joseph Phelps “Freestone Vineyards” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2013
THIRD COURSE
Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb (Tuscan Kale, Pearl Farro Salad)
Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2012
Joseph Phelps “Insignia,” Napa Valley, 2012
DESSERT COURSE
Roasted Pineapple & Coconut Tart (Crème Anglaise)
Joseph Phelps “Eisrébe,” Napa Valley, 2012

COST: $225 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
Reservation required by calling 617-530-9397