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) As part of Branch Line’s focus on staff training and education, the restaurant has created an all-staff project titled, “BYOR,” or “Build Your Own Restaurant.” Dividing the entire staff in half, each team has been tasked with designing a restaurant from scratch (name, concept, menu, lighting, etc.) and now they get to actually open their creation to the public in the Branch Line space:

On Tuesday, April 10, from 3pm-6pm, Mulberry Wine Bar opens, serving up wood-fired fare and domestic wine & beer in a communal dining format. Focusing on shareability, the menu includes Vegetable Chips & Dip Duo (sweet potato & taro chips with smoked herb hummus & spring garlic ranch), Fire-Roasted Radishes (herbed ricotta, sea salt) and a Meat & Cheese plate (Moody’s Chorizo Seco, Formaggio’s Tongue & Cheek Terrine, Rogue River Blue, XO Gouda, crostini). For those on the hungrier side, Mulberry also offers a Commander Rodman’s Burger (brie, mushroom jam, smoked garlic aioli). Playful beverage offerings, such as rosé in a can and Notch Brewery’s Zwickel, exude the restaurant’s convivial atmosphere.

On Wednesday, April 11, from 8am-11am, The Early Bird Café opens, focusing on lighthearted hospitality and local ingredients. A counter-service fast-casual café, guests have the option to either grab their food to-go or enjoy it leisurely at a table. Early Bird Café’s menu features made-to-order breakfast items and creative beverages. Food highlights include Brûléed Grapefruit, Toastie (warm house made roll filled with gruyere and ham) and a Stone & Skillet Breakfast Sandwich (scrambled eggs, cheddar, choice of bacon, house made chorizo or avocado). To drink, enjoy creative refreshments such as Sparkling Hibiscus Iced Tea, Lavender Honey Ice Coffee and Black Current White Chocolate Mocha. Misfit Juice, Capito Hot Coffee and Capita Iced Coffee round out the offerings.

2) Viale, in Central Square Cambridge, is proud to announce "Whole Lotta Love," the next 'Get Down' in an ongoing dinner party series. The event on Thursday, April 12, from 5pm-10pm, will feature dinner specials from a whole pig butchered by Ron Savenor from Savenor's Market, beers from Jack's Abby, and Led Zeppelin playlist from Murf Reeves Music. The event (open to restaurant industry and the public) will be a casual, fun night to hang out for a few drinks, snacks, and some great tunes. No advance purchase required.

"Whole Pig Get Down" Menu:
~Pork and Beans with Corn Bread, Black Strap Rum & Jack's Abby IPL
~Head Cheese
~Viale Hot Dog with Comte, Mustard & BBQ chips
~Pork Rinds with Togarashi & Yuzu Aioli
~Roast Pork and Rabe Sandwich with Aged Provolone

Reservations recommended to guarantee seating. Please call Viale for reservations: 617-576-1900.

3) As of March 26th, Airbnb Experiences –activities hosted by in-the-know locals– officially launched in Boston. The Food Lens, a curated guide to Boston’s dining scene, is proud to partner with both Airbnb and featured TFL Spot, The Hawthorne, to host a signature experience: Classic Cocktails and How to Mix ‘Em.

The two-hour, Monday-evening classes will include hands-on instruction for building three drinks, as well as an overview of each drink’s history, ingredients, tools and techniques. Guests will also enjoy light bites and leave with recipe cards enabling them to recreate the cocktails at home. Classic Cocktails and How to Mix ‘Em encourages tipplers to stir and sip their way to memories sure to last a lifetime.

Upcoming Classes:
Monday, April 9th 6-8PM
Monday, April 23rd 6-8PM
Monday, May 7th 6-8PM
Monday, May 21st 6-8PM
Monday, May 28th 6-8PM

Cost: $65
To Book: Airbnb users can book their experience by clicking here

4) On Tuesday, April 10, at 6:30pm, Legal Harborside will host a four-plus-course wine dinner with selections from Mauritson Wines, an evolving portfolio of world-class wines. Family owned and operating since 1868, the Mauritson’s homestead is situated in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley and today manages hundreds of vineyards stretching across Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Rockpile Appellations.

In 1998, sixth-generation owner Clay Mauritson perfected and released the original Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, creating the first wine to be made under the family’s label. Destined for the wine business, Clay and his team continue to carry out his family’s traditions and heritage nearly 150 years later, producing some of the most sought out wines in the industry.

Legal Harborside will team up with the wine expert to host an exclusive four-plus-course dinner featuring a selection of Mauritson Wines. The menu will be presented as follows:

HORS D’OEUVRES
Smoked Scallop Mousse, Chive Blossoms
Oyster on the Half Shell, Key Lime Granita
Salmon Tartare, Tomato Caper Relish
Mauritson Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2016
FIRST COURSE
Pan-Seared Branzino (cherry chutney, english pea purée, wild mushroom ragout)
Charlie Clay Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2015
Charlie Clay Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2016
SECOND COURSE
Bluefin Tuna Steak (espresso rub, wild berry bbq sauce, braised pea greens)
Mauritson “Rockpile Ridge Vineyard” Zinfandel, Rockpile, 2014
Mauritson “Rockpile Ridge Vineyard” Zinfandel, Rockpile, 2009
MAIN COURSE
Herb-Rubbed Venison Rack (warm spring bean salad, minus-8 beet emulsion, heirloom carrots)
Mauritson “Clough” Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 2012
Mauritson “Clough” Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 2009
DESSERT
Chocolate Hazelnut Napoleon (fresh raspberries)
Rockpile “Independence,” Rockpile, 2014

COST: $125 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)
Reservation required by calling 617-530-9397