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) Master Sommelier Brahm Callahan and the team at Harvest invite guests to Rosé the Day Away and explore a variety of rosés on their outdoor oasis patio every Wednesday through Friday, from 4pm-6pm, this summer. They will feature rosé options by the glass or bottle, as well as a rosé sangria and cider expertly selected by Master Sommelier Brahm Callahan.

While enjoying the rosé bar, guests can select items from the mid bar menu at 4 PM such as New England Oysters, The Harvest Burger, and the Scituate Lobster Roll. In celebration of Rosé the Day Away’s kick-off week, Executive Chef Tyler Kinnett has prepared complimentary bar bites for each day of the week including Pretzel Sticks with Beer Cheese on Wednesday, Gougeres with Gruyere Cheese Mornay on Thursday, and Arancini with Spring Onion Aioli on Friday.

The Rosé the Day Away beverage menu is as follows:
Bottles
Pratsch, Zweigelt, Niederosterreich, Austria 2017 $42
Domaine Bunan, Mourvedre, Moulin des costs, Bandol, France 2016 $65
Minimus/Craft Wine Co., Tempranillo, Oregon 2016 $72
Duckhorn, Decoy, Syrah/Vermentino, California 2017 $48
By the Glass
Chateau Gassier, Esprit Gassier, Côtes de Provence, France 2017 $13
Villa de Anges, Languedoc, France 2017 $10
Vaccelli, Juste Ciel!, Corsica, France 2016 $9
Something Rose-y
Rosé Sangria, Bordeaux Rose, Strawberries, Raspberries, Brandy, Lemon $11
Rosé Cider, Wolffer, Dry Rosé Cider 139, Hamptons NY $14

Please call 617-868-2255 to book seats.

2) David Vargas, chef/owner of Portsmouth’s Mexican restaurant, Vida Cantina, announced today that he has been working in partnership with Herradura Tequila to create the first-ever signature batch of “Vida Tequila” which will be unveiled at the Vida Tequila Release Party on June 3 at Vida Cantina. “It is something I have wanted to create for a long time” shares Vargas. “Everything we make at Vida Cantina is from scratch and authentic; there’s a whole lot of love and family and history that goes into each of our dishes and cocktails. This is the next level of true Vida Cantina hospitality; sharing our very own custom-made Vida Tequila with our guests.”

The Vida Tequila Release Party, will be held outside on June 3, from 12noon-5pm. Vargas and his team will be cooking outside at Vida Cantina, preparing and serving authentic Mexican street food, signature Vida Cantina cocktails, local brews, and of course, celebrating Vida Tequila. Ruben Aceves, Global Ambassador, Tequila Herradura, will be on hand to share tastings and insights of Herradura. There will also be a Mariachi band and a DJ.

Cait Reagan, (former GM of Vida Cantina, and now GM at Vargas’ new restaurant, Ore Nell’s BBQ in Kittery, Maine) traveled to Mexico to see first-hand the production of Herradura Tequila. By learning the process and tasting the tequila barrels, Cait was able to select the barrel to be bottled as Vida Tequila. “It was a really interesting process” according to Reagan. “There were three barrels of tequila that had been aged and were ready for bottling. I thought they would taste similarly to each other, but I was surprised at how different they were. One barrel was very floral, one was sweet, and the third barrel had a nice sweetness at the start, and then some floral, and then just a really nice depth and complexity of flavor. That is the one I chose – I loved the complexity and balance.” 

Herradura bottled the tequila and is shipping the custom-batch to Vida Cantina in time for the June 3 Vida Tequila Release Party. “It was an absolutely amazing experience” shares Reagan. “To be able to select our own tequila was truly once-in-a-lifetime. Unless they invite me back, and then I’m happy to make it a ‘twice-in-a-lifetime experience!!’”

Everyone is invited. No tickets necessary. Just come as you are and order up some food and drink and have a great time!

3) Glass House, the restaurant, bar, and modern day “meeting house” in the heart of Kendall Square, is kicking the heat up a notch this summer with their new Toasty Tuesdays and Fire Pit Fridays.

Enjoy summer nights by the fire with Glass House every Tuesday and Friday. The Cambridge hotspot will be heating things up on the patio all summer long, where guests can get cozy under Glass House blankets, enjoy a glass of wine or other delicious cocktails, and dine from the special patio menu which includes summer favorites like Short Rib Gnocchos (Gnocchi Nachos), Tempura Chicken Skewers, Grilled Jumbo Shrimp, and Falafel Sliders.

When: Tuesdays, from 4-7pm, until August 14th and Fridays  from 4-7pm, until July 27

4) Chef/Owner Will Gilson and the Puritan and Co. team invite guests to join them for a night of all things rosé at their 4th annual Rosé Rumble. Puritan & Co.’s upcoming Rosé Rumble will offer guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the best rosés in Boston like a true insider. Taking place on Thursday, June 14th, the fourth annual industry-style tasting event will showcase a variety of rosés for guests to taste, discuss, and learn about while enjoying unlimited bites from Chef Will Gilson and the Puritan and Co. team.

The night will feature two, separately ticketed sessions- one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. Both sessions will end at 10 p.m. Regularly $75, tickets are now available for a special early bird rate of $65 until May 25th.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rose-rumble-2018-tickets-45986039482?aff=es2

This is an excellent event and I'm sure it will sell out quickly so I highly recommend you buy tickets now.