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) Yesterday, Casa Caña kicked off its new, monthly rum dinner series. Each dinner will feature a welcome cocktail followed by a three-course meal paired with rum cocktails for only $45.

Casa Cana is a Latin kitchen, patio & rum bar that features innovative New Latin cuisine, or as the Latin Americans locals call it, “Nuevo Latino.” This style of cooking uses traditional ingredients and a plethora of textures, colors, and flavors that when combined, create a cuisine that is unique to South and Central America, and it’s Latin neighbors in the Caribbean.

WHEN: Check out of of their upcoming rum dinners:
Second dinner: Thursday, April 25th featuring Banks 5
Third dinner: Wednesday, May 29th featuring Leblon Cahaca
Fourth dinner: Wednesday, June 26th featuring Bacardi

Guests must be 21+ to attend and tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/casa-cana-18059071759

2) Portsmouth and the Seacoast chefs are digging out of the snow and digging into early early Spring product to bring to the table for Restaurant Week Portsmouth & The Seacoast from March 28 – April 6. You have 40++ reasons to visit this charming and delicious seacoast community with dozens of restaurants, breweries and hotels ready to welcome visitors and kick off Spring. Produced by the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, Restaurant Week Portsmouth & The Seacoast is a highly anticipated “ten days of Saturday nights” with the city’s top chefs going all out to showcase their restaurants and to thank visitors for their support throughout the year. Plus be sure to check out the special Cocktail Menus highlighting Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin, local brews and more.

Located one hour north of Boston and one hour south of Portland, Maine, Portsmouth is an easy drive from all points New England. Known for its historic sites, architecture, festivals and coastal charm, Portsmouth attracts talented and ambitious chefs and restaurateurs who are creating a one-of-a-kind New England culinary destination.

Restaurants from all over the NH Seacoast are participating –including from the towns of Portsmouth, Durham, Hampton, New Castle, Rye, Exeter, and Kittery, Maine.

This year, some new restaurants participating, such as Botanica and Armando’s. Check out Chef Matt Louis’ Game of Thrones inspired Menu at Moxy (I love the idea of the House Baratheon meal of Drunken Boar Bangers & Mash). At Chef David Vargas’ Menu at Vida Cantina, there are riffs of dishes by Mexican chefs who were nominated this year as semifinalists by the James Beard Foundation. This is David’s first time to be nominated and he is thrilled to see chefs with Mexican heritage being recognized. Also check out these Restaurant Week Menus which intrigue me, including Cava Tapas & Wine Bar, the Franklin Oyster House, Misto!, Ore Nell's, and The Wilder.

Menu Prices: Lunch: Three Course Prix Fixe for $16.95; Dinner: Three Course Prix Fixe, $29.95
*Note: Some restaurants extend the $16.95 value price for dinner as well.