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) Chef/Owner Delio Susi and his team at Sulmona Restaurant + Bar are introducing an Abruzzese tradition for their guests with the debut of Polenta Parties all this February (except February 14), during dinner service which starts at 5:30pm. Chef Delio and his team have put together this special menu that is inspired by his family’s recipes and the way that they enjoy polenta at his Aunt Maria’s.

Guests experience the Polenta Party with the rustic cornmeal based treat served to guests on custom made maple planks with the finest and freshest parmesan cheese and very rare and exclusive organic and unfiltered extra virgin olive oil from Chef Delio’s family vines in Sicily. Guests can select classic handmade toppings for their polenta such as:

Country Ribs and Cabbage
Veal Stew and Wild Mushroom
Shrimp Scampi
Cabbage and Garlic
Wild Mushroom and Sage
Bagna Calda

Pricing for the Polenta Party menu ranges from $18 - $32/person depending on selected toppings. The experience is available for parties of any size, from the solo diner to sharing with a group with the communal Farmer’s Table at Sulmona available for up to twelve guests.

For something special to sip alongside these selections, guests can indulge in the Pia, a cocktail hand-crafted by General Manager Carmelo Bari and Sulmona’s bar team to accompany the Polenta Menu. Served in a polenta and sugar-rimmed coupe glass, the drink combines Grey Goose Pear Vodka, muddled sage simple syrup, Cynar (artichoke liquor), lime juice, and blood orange.

Finish the night off with a polenta-inspired dessert. Sulmona’s Pear, Vanilla, and Amoretti Tart, made with thyme and sweet polenta crust and topped with almond gelato.

2) The North End’s il Molo is gearing up once again for a Patriots post-season to remember with a special dollar menu. Head to il Molo for Sunday afternoon’s AFC Championship matchup against the Jaguars and nosh on a new $1 Game Time menu featuring finger foods such as Grilled Italian Sausages (topped with perfectly charred caramelized onions and pepper rings), Crispy Shrimp Tacos (topped with spicy aioli sauce and pickled red onion), Fried Calamari (served with sweet dipping sauce) and fresh Oysters – all for a buck. Complimentary, freshly popped Parmigiano Popcorn will also be available at the bar throughout the game.

il Molo’s 60-inch flat screen TV hanging above the bar provides sight lines from almost anywhere in the bar-area, and an extensive list of beer, wine and cocktails completes the intimate game-watching experience.

The Game Time Menu is available, starting at noon, with the purchase of any beverage and is offered at the bar and at high-top tables in bar-area only.

3) Puritan & Co. Chef/Owner Will Gilson, Wine Director Peter Nelson, and the Puritan & Co. team invite guests to join them in celebrating their fifth anniversary with a special "greatest hits" dinner. Puritan & Co. will be hosting a multi-course "throwback Thursday" dinner featuring its greatest hits over the past five years on Thursday, January 25th, at 7pm.

The proposed menu includes:
--“A Taste of New England’s Coastline” with Smoked Bluefish, Marinated Oyster, Clam Cake, Bacon Wrapped Scallop, and Farm Egg with Jonah Crab
--Celery Root Bisque (black truffle, thyme, marinated mussels)
--Fresh Cheese Agnolotti (parmesan, leeks, clam butter)
--Baked Scallop (parsnip, brown butter, ash oil, pickled mushrooms)
--Slow Roasted Prime Rib (potato mille feuille, horseradish, au jus, pop over)
--Dessert Tour of New England with Boston Creme Pie, Indian Pudding, Maple Walnut Ice Cream, and Apple Pie

Tickets cost $125 and include wine pairings.
Please call 617-615-6195 to make reservations.

4) On Saturday, January 28th, from 12pm-2pm, Loretta's Last Call will be challenging teams from eight different bars to throw-down in an epic Bloody Mary battle-Tito's Battle of the Bloody, to decide Boston's Best Bloody.  Kicking off at noon, guests will sample each team's bloody and award the winner "best bloody" bragging rights and a $250 cash prize.

Tickets cost $16 each and include eight mini Bloody Mary's, brunch snacks, live music, and one ticket for a gift card/Bloody Mary raffle. Half of all ticket proceeds will be donated, and matched by Tito's Vodka, to Cradles & Crayons mission to provide children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive.