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)  Spice up the after-work hours every weekday from 5pm-7pm at Papagayo in South Boston with an all new Piñata Drop Party. Throughout the month of October 2015, guests will have the opportunity to take a whack at “Earl,” Papagayo’s soon to be infamous piñata, for a chance to win dinner for two and other prizes while enjoying tacos paired with a Maestro Dobel margarita of the day for only $15 per person (tax and gratuity not included).

Every Monday through Friday beginning October 5th, guests can choose from a variety of taco plates such as the Ahi Tuna Tacos with seared rare tuna, poblano-napa cabbage slaw, pickled beets and vinegar laced radish; Vegetable Tacos with chili tempura cauliflower, grilled scallions, pickled red onions and julienne cucumber, and the Conchinita En Pibil, steamed in banana leaf, orange-habanero salsa and cilantro. All taco plates come complete with a daily special margarita made with Maestro Dobel, the world's first clear, multi-aged tequila.

At 6:50pm each night, those that ordered the special will have the opportunity to step into the ring with “Earl,” on a first come, first serve basis, and smack the goods out of him. To make things even more interesting, those that want to take a whack will have to don “drunk goggles,” leveling the playing field for all. The winner that breaks the piñata will win dinner for two, but everyone that signs up to swing will receive swag.

Guests that order the piñata special will have the opportunity to sign up with their server or bartender upon placing the order. Note: Sign up is on a first come, first serve basis.

For reservations, please call 617-423-1000.

2) There is a new dinner series at BOND Restaurant|Lounge at The Langham, Boston. Inspired by the culinary team at The Langham’s interest in sustainability, the BOND 200 dinner series are planned specifically to pair with New England-sourced beers, wines and spirits, and features ingredients sourced from within a 200 mile radius of the hotel. Starting October 15 , BOND 200 will take place on the third Thursday of every month, featuring a 3-5 course prix fixe menu for $65 per person.

The first BOND 200 Dinner on October 15 will feature the vodka, rum, gin and whiskey from the Gloucester-based Ryan & Wood Distillery. Unlike most specialty dinners, instead of planning the menu and then pairing it with the right beverage, the BOND 200 series was planned around the alcohol pairings. Executive Chef Mark Sapienza and his Chef de Cuisine, Sean Morrison, have created an inventive menu for the first BOND 200 dinner featuring Ryan & Wood Distillery, pairing each course with a different local spirit.

Highlights include:
--Caviar on Late Harvest Corn Custard and Toasted Brioche paired with Beaufort Vodka;
--Gin-Cured Atlantic Salmon with Roasted Beets, Citrus and Fennel Salad, and Pumpernickel and Crème Fraiche paired with Knockabout Gin;
--Charred Barrel Oak-Smoked Duck Breast with Spelt, Confit of Leg and Coriander Roasted Heirloom Carrots and Hard Cider Gastrique paired with straight rye whiskey;
--Dessert of Baked Baldwin Apple and Spiced Walnut Cake with Candy Cap Mushroom Ice Cream, Rum Caramel, Dried Pomegranate and Cape Gooseberries paired with Folly Cave Rum.

Reservations are now being accepted for the first BOND 200 dinner on October 15 by calling 617-965-8765

3) underFIRE in the Back Bay is pleased to announce Street Taco Tuesdays--a delicious shoutout to Mexico's favorite fast food fare. Smaller and more portable than American-style tacos, underFIRE's street tacos will be priced at $2 and $3 dollars apiece as well as an $11 dollar all-you-can-eat option. Fillings will include braised short ribs, BLT, grilled chicken with chipotle crema, braised pork with tomatillo salsa and shredded pork with pineapple salsa.

In the spirit of true South of the Border street food, underFIRE has installed an authentic taco truck oven behind the bar. This compact cooking device allows the restaurant to make Street Tacos to order--literally before customers' eyes. That means tacos ala minutos--the freshest, most individualized tacos in the city.

For reservations, please call (617) 482-3473

4) Puritan & Co. Chef/Owner Will Gilson, Chef de Cuisine Alex Saenz, Wine Director Peter Nelson and the restaurant’s talented team are featuring Mas de Daumas Gassac wines for their upcoming wine dinner. Guests will enjoy a variety of the French wines including N.V. “Rosé Frizant” Pays de l’Herault, 2011 Mas de Daumas Gassac Blanc, Pays de l’Heurault 2013 Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, and a seasonal menu prepared by Chef de Cuisine Alex Saenz.

Tickets are $95 plus tax and gratuity, and can be reserved by calling 617-615-6195.

Puritan's wine dinners are very cool and tasty events and I highly recommend that you check out their next event!