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.
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1) On Tuesday, October 18, at 6:30pm, Legal Harborside will host a four-plus-course wine dinner with Laura Catena, owner of Catena Zapata. Located in picturesque Argentina, Catena Zapata is a family-owned winery distinguished by its pyramid-like design based on Mayan architecture. Founded in 1902 and owned today by Nicolás Catena and his daughter Laura, Catena Zapata is known as the prestigious pioneer of fine wine from Argentina and Nicolás is recognized as the vintner who revolutionized wine quality in Argentina.

The menu will be presented as follows:

HORS D’OEUVRES
Crispy Shicken Rillettes, Buttermilk
Shrimp & Corn Chowder
Uni Blini, Gold Sturgeon Caviar
Duck Crackling Cake, Bucheron
Catena Alta Chardonnay, Mendoza, 2014
FIRST COURSE
Butter Poached Monkfish (white cranberry & almond gremolata, pommel anna)
Catena “Adrianna Vineyard” Whites Stones Chardonnay, Gualtallary, 2012
Catena “Adrianna Vineyard” Whites Bones Chardonnay, Gualtallary, 2012
SECOND COURSE
Lamb Merguez Sausage (sumac vol-au-vent, roasted olive jam, mustard greens)
Catena Zapata “Argentino” Malbec, Mendoza, 2011
Catena Zapata “Argentino” Malbec, Mendoza, 2010
THIRD COURSE
Rib Eye Steak (white bean romesco, chanterelle mushroom, vincotto)
Nicolás Catena Zapata, Mendoza, 2011
CHEESE COURSE
Cypress Grove Lamb Chopper (brillat-savarin)
Catena Zapata “Adrianna Vineyard” Malbec, Gualtallary, 2004
Catena Zapata “Adrianna Vineyard” Malbec, Gualtallary, 2010

COST: $135 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
Reservation required by calling 617-530-9470

2) Puritan & Co. Chef/Owner Will Gilson, Wine Director Peter Nelson and the restaurant’s talented team welcome Croatian native Dragica “Dee” King, one of the USA’s first importers of Croatian wine, as their guest of honor at upcoming winemaker dinner.

On Wednesday, October 19th, at 6:45pm, Puritan and Co. will host a special wine dinner featuring increasingly popular wines from Croatia. The evening’s dinner will be led by Croatian native Dragica “Dee” King, one of the USA’s first importers of Croatian wine. Dee is passionate about her homeland and its wines and offers a unique understanding of a burgeoning wine culture.

Along with complementary dishes prepared by Chef Will Gilson and conversation about Croatian wine varietals, guests will be treated to pours of a selection of wines from the Dalmation coast in the south to Istria in the north. Many of these wines are only available here in Massachusetts due to their limited production.

Featured pours will include:
2015 Zlatan Otok Bogdanuša, Hvar Island

2015 Vina Benvenuti Malvazija Itarska, Istra

2015 Zlatan Otok Pošip, Hvar Island

2012 Vina Benvenuti Teran, Istra

2011 Zlatan Otok Plavac Mali, Hvar Island

2010 Vina Skarmuča Plavac Mali, Dingač

Cost: Tickets are $95 plus tax and gratuity
For reservations, please call (617)-615-6195.
Note: Due to the limited number of seats, we will require a $30 deposit per person. We will call on Saturday, October 15 to confirm. If the reservation is cancelled after that time, and we are unable to reserve the space, a Puritan & Co. gift certificate will be issued in the amount of the deposit.

3) On Saturday, October 29, Bar Boulud, Boston, located at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, will host A Parisian Affair - a Brunches of Boston event featuring the critically-acclaimed musical, “An American in Paris.”

Beginning at 11:30am, in the restaurant’s sunlit lounge, Chef de Cuisine Michael Denk and Pastry Chef Robert Differ will showcase a French-inspired two-course brunch menu that will feature French favorites and Parisian classics. A gift bag packed with locally-sourced goodies will also be included courtesy of Brunches of Boston.

Post brunch enjoy a complimentary ride, courtesy of Fasten, to the nearby Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theater for a 2pm matinee performance of “An American in Paris.” This Tony award-winning musical features George Gershwin favorites like “I’ve Got Rhythm” and tells the story about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl, and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war.

Bar Boulud’s “A Parisian Affair” brunch menu will be served as follows:

To Start (choice of one)
Pumpkin Doughnuts (Apple cider glaze)
Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake (Chantilly cream)
Main Course (choice of one)
Pain Perdu (Apple caramel, vanilla Chantilly cream) DB Lox Sandwich (Smoked salmon, bagel, avocado, capers, onion, mixed greens)
Croquet Madame (House-made ham, gruyère cheese, béchamel, toasted white bread, sunnyside up egg and French fries)

COST: Tickets are available for $155-$175 per person. To purchase tickets, please visit: Eventbrite.com - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-parisian-affair-tickets-27054062429

MORE INFO: Each ticket includes a two-course seated brunch menu served with fresh drip coffee at Bar Boulud, Boston and a ticket to the same day 2pm matinee performance of “An American in Paris.” Transportation between Bar Boulud and the Citi Wang Theater will be provided by Fasten and all guests will receive a complimentary gift bag full of locally-sourced goodies. Additional alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are not included in the ticket price.