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) For the first time, Legal Harborside’s scenic second level dining room will offer a regular weekday lunch service from 12:00pm-3:00pm while overlooking Boston Harbor. Last month, Legal Harborside opened their second level for midday dining to accommodate the bustling holiday season and given the popularity of the service, it will become a permanent fixture in the New Year.

Legal Sea Foods’ flagship location in the Seaport will offer an upscale lunch experience on their second level with a menu comprised of chilled shellfish, crudos, soups, salads, appetizers, sandwiches and entrees. Highlights from the menu include Jonah Crab Toast with fennel fronds, jalapeño and lemon aioli ($15); Legal’s Signature Crab Cake with jumbo lump crab, remoulade sauce and seasonal salad ($17); a Lobster Roll, prepared traditionally with mayo (MP); a Salmon Burger with freshly ground salmon and roasted red pepper sauce ($14); and, Grilled Tuna with cous cous and butternut squash ($MP).

For reservations, please call 617-477-2900

2) Sumiao Hunan Kitchen is welcoming the New Year with the start of new traditions in Cambridge’s Kendall Square. Designed to heat up the frigid winter, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen is serving up a collection of spice-packed specials and after-dinner drinks to warm the soul.

Available throughout the month, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen’s chef specials include the 2017 Fish Platter – a popular menu feature from their New Year’s Eve special – with red braised whole tilapia flavored with a black bean chili sauce and garnished with ginger, scallions and green & red peppers ($38) and the Furious Frog, a daring twist on their signature “Angry Frog” creation that brings even more Hunanese heat to a mix of bullfrog, duojiao, pickled red pepper, garlic and scallions ($32). Debuting at the end of the month and available through the spring, the 2018 Delight is a bowl packed with all of SHK’s favorite things: egg-wrapped fish paste, meatballs, bamboo shoots, calamari, pork, sea cucumber and more ($48).

If you are resolving to cut dessert from your diet in 2018, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen now will offer a dedicated “Digestif Spirits” menu. Comprised of single malt scotches, cognacs, cordials and after-dinner cocktails, the new menu is the ultimate perfect ending to any meal without all of the guilt. Highlights include a Macallan 18 Year ($26), Balvenie 14 Year ($20) and Glenlivet 12 Year ($15); D’ussé VSOP ($17) and Courvoisier XO ($25); Fernet Branca ($10) and Godiva ($10); and, a Chocolate-Hazelnut Martini ($10).

3) Thursday, January 11th is National Hot Toddy Day and the Seaport Hotel’s TAMO Bistro + Bar is a fine place to celebrate. Escape the frost and cozy up by the fire to enjoy a piping hot toddy, made with whiskey and customized to your liking. Choose from Traditional (Seaport honey, lemon cloves), Spicy (Sriracha-infused Seaport honey, dried pepper) or Sweet (cinnamon-infused Seaport honey, cinnamon stick) variations to satisfy your taste and warm up from the inside out this winter season. Each Toddy is $12.