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Thursday, December 3, 2020

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events. For now, some of these events will simply be the opening of certain restaurants, generally ones dear to my heart for a variety of reasons. And I hope everyone dines out safely, and tips well. 
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1) On Monday, December 21, Frank restaurant in Beverly will be holding a special Truffle Burgundy Dinner. As part of a Winter Solstice Celebration, they state that they are "pulling out all the stops for a decedent dinner service." They are offering 5 Courses and 4 wines for $175 per person, though the exact menu hasn't been provided yet. There will be only limited seating so make reservations ASPA if you are interested. Call the restaurant at 978-998-4946 to make a reservation. 

After my recent experience at Frank, I suspect this could be an exciting and delicious event.

2) For a limited time, experience the coast of Italy with Rare Steakhouse's (inside Encore Boston Harbor) Sunday Supper, a three-course prix fixe menu available every Sunday from 5pm–9pm. For $72 per person (which does not include tax and gratuity), enjoy Rare Steakhouse Executive Chef James Ash's take on Italian classics. Pair each course with their sommelier's curated wine picks for an additional $25 to experience a full journey through the flavors of Italy.

The Menu includes:
First Course (Choice of one)
CLAMS POSILLIPO (Steamed clams, tomato, garlic, oregano)
GRILLED OCTOPUS (Potato confit, arugula, limoncello aioli, gremolata)
CRISPY PORK BELLY (Grilled rapini, cippolini onion, Calabrian tomato sauce) $10 Supplement
First Course Wine Paring: Pinot Grigio, Livio Felluga, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy 2016
Second Course (Choice of one)
CRISPY SKIN BRANZINO (Stewed tomatoes, artichoke, shaved celery, pancetta broth)
SHRIMP AND SCALLOP RISOTTO (Vialone nano rice, braised leeks, lobster broth)
Seafood Wine Pairing: Vermentino, Agricola Punica ‘Samas’, Sardegna, Italy 2017
10oz. SNAKE RIVER FARMS GOLD LABEL NEW YORK STRIP PIZZAIOLA (Roasted peppers, garlic, braised tomatoes) $25 supplement
Steak Wine Pairing: Primitivo, Masseria Li Veli, Askos, Puglia 2016
Dessert 
SICILIAN PISTACHIO CRÈME BRÛLÉE

Dessert Pairing: Limoncello, Sogno di Sorrento, Campania, Italy

3) The Boston Harbor Hotel is announcing the 32nd Annual Boston Wine Festival featuring wine dinners by Executive Chef Daniel Bruce. Chef Bruce and Boston Harbor Hotel have invited renowned winemakers from around the world to Boston for this special celebration of food and wine. 

The festival is the nation’s longest running wine and food pairing series and kicks off on Friday, January 12, 2021 continuing through Saturday, March 27, 2021. Attendees can choose from numerous dinners to learn more about the winemaking process and the festival’s very popular themed events including the Battle of the Cabernets, Meritage Madness and Old World/ New World Pinot.

I am excited to present the 32nd annual Boston Wine Festival as we welcome 2021. The series will feature 22 events taking place in the Meritage event space with some of our favorite returning wineries and new additions – including Doubleback and Batasiolo. Joseph Drouhin, Frog’s Leap, Grgich, Zenato and Ramey who are just a few of many exceptional wineries we will be welcoming back to the Boston Harbor,” said Boston Harbor Hotel’s Executive Chef Daniel Bruce. “Health and safety remain our top priority amid the pandemic, so there are many changes that we made this year. Some of the more notable modifications to our protocols include reduced seating capacities and parties seated only within their own social groups.

Dinners will be sold by table, for groups of two, four or six to allow for a safe and socially distant experience. Tickets are available for purchase beginning December 1st at www.bostonwinefestival.net.

Attendees of the 2021 Boston Wine Festival are encouraged to take advantage of a special room rate of $275 including complimentary self-parking, based upon availability.

4) My readers know that I'm a huge fan of Croatian wines, and here are Ten Reasons why you should drink Croatian wines too. Locally, Croatian Premium Wine Imports has introduced three fun ways to experience Croatian wines, and send them as gifts. 

1. Gift cards – Available for you to purchase at the bottom of their online shop page. Choose your denomination, write the person’s email address and your gift message, and the email with the coupon will automatically be sent to your BFF -- who can decide on the wines they want. They can place an order and use the gift card code. 

2. Magnums and boxes – They have very limited availability of three versions of Plavac Mali in 1.5L magnum sizes, both with and without wooden gift boxes – Rizman Primus 2016, Terra Madre Premium 2016 and Volarevic Gold Edition 2013. First come, first serve!

3. Viva La Vino! A Zoom party presented to you by the European Culture Club, with the Croatian Ambassador opening the event, introduction to the new Consul General in LA, and some other special guests. If you would like to attend and taste the wines, please register here - you will receive a Zoom link and the code for 20% off of the wines tasted this evening: Posip, Rose, Teran and Plavac.

Plus, their 20% off special for selected white, rose and red wines continues. So you have no excuse not to drink Croatian wine during the holidays.

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