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) Red 8, the traditional Chinese restaurant within Encore Boston Harbor, will be offering a Lunar New Year Feast on February 11-21 for four guests. This feast is only available for dine-in only guests. 
This will be the first Lunar New Year where the new Red 8 Executive Chef, Richard Chen, will be at the helm. Chef Chen came from Wing Lei inside Wynn Las Vegas where he earned a Michelin star in both 2008 and 2009.

There are two Lunar New Year Feasts available, one for $188 for a table of four people (with $48 more per extra guest) and another for $288 for a table of four people (with $72 more per extra guest). Some of the dishes include Braised Fish Maw Soup, Braised Sea Moss with Golden Oysters, Crispy Chicken, Steamed Fresh Whole Fish, Red Bean Jelly Cake, Wok Tossed Lobster, and Sampan Dungeness Crab.  

To make reservations, log onto https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/dining-and-nightlife. For additional questions, please call (857) 770-3388. 

2) Oysters are delicious, but at $3-$4 each, they are often more of a luxury item. However, when you find $1 Oyster specials, then it's often the time to splurge on a dozen or more. Grill 23 & Bar, located in Boston's Back Bay is now offering Island Creek Oysters for just $1 each every Tuesday through Thursday, from 5pm-7pm. Island Creek Oysters are one of my favorites, and I love their briny taste. I'd recommend stopping by Grill 23 soon to savor some inexpensive and delicious oysters.

3) Local non-profit Rodman for Kids purchased $50,000 worth of gift cards from restaurants and culinary partners including Davio's, the Smoke Shop, Legal Seafoods, Flour Bakery, and more to be distributed to Rodman for Kids affiliate charities for families in need. After a year that hit the restaurant industry hard, Rodman for Kids sought to give back to the many Boston area chefs and restaurants that have supported the organization for years through their annual holiday gala, Celebration for Kids.

“We at Rodman for Kids believe in community, collaboration and supporting organizations that care for and nurture youth, especially those most in need,” explained Rodman for Kids President Joe D’Arrigo. “We foster working together to achieve individual goals rather than competition. Through the years the restaurants and chefs of Boston have worked together collaboratively to support us. This was a perfect year to support them and in doing so feed families that our partner organizations care for. We believe in creating win-win scenarios." 

Rodman for Kids Executive Director Amy Rossman expressed the toll the pandemic has taken on the community, saying “Kids and families are facing unprecedented challenges as we navigate the pandemic. We could not let a cancelled gala stop us from supporting organizations who help kids overcome these challenges, and fortunately our sponsors and donors shared our resolve. We look forward to a time when we can gather for a Celebration for Kids again, but in the meantime we’re immensely grateful for a community of supporters who are committed to making a difference.

Rodman for Kids works year-round to raise funds for youth-focused social-service organizations supporting positive youth development and knows their work is a group effort amongst donors, sponsors, chefs, and more, making this latest initiative all the more important. While continuing their core-mission of helping kids and families, Rodman for Kids is excited to be able to expand their support by helping out the restaurants that have helped them make Celebration for Kids such a resounding success in the past.

4) Celebrate Valentine's Day, February 14,  from 5:30pm11:30pm, this year at Zuma, located in the Four Seasons One Dalton. Zuma will transform Valentine’s night into a Coney Island-themed getaway complete with a special omakase offering, champagne packages and special Valentine’s Day cocktails. From popcorn and snow-cones to psychic and tarot card readings, expect the unexpected as you strike a pose at the photo booth and score prizes from carnival-inspired games. 

In addition to serving up its signature menu, Chef Helmy Saadon has created a 13-course omakase experience that is as extravagant as the night’s theme. After supping East and West Coast oysters, indulge in a watercress and avocado salad, rock shrimp with lime and chili tofu, and sliced seabass sashimi with truffle. The next course includes grilled scallops and a chu toro tartare with ponzu, saikyo miso bun and caviar. For raw offerings, there is a selection of chef-selected sashimi and sushi and a fatty tuna roll with scallion and caviar. The entrée course comes fourfold with a Boston lobster served atop a miso bun, miso-marinated black cod, shiitake mushrooms with garlic and soy butter, and a US beef tenderloin with truffle ponzu and fresh shaved truffle. The culinary ride ends with a Valentine’s-themed dessert platter. 

Cost: Omakase: $135 per person; Tax & gratuity not included. A la carte items and supplemental items are priced separately.
Reservations are available by contacting (857) 449-2500