Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) Levain Bakery has made its name for 26 years as the purveyor of crispy outside, ooey-gooey middle, giant cookies. This February, they will make their Boston debut, in the heart of Back Bay, at 180 Newbury Street. 

Levain Bakery was founded in 1995 by best friends Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. What began as a tiny neighborhood wholesale bakery, Levain has since built a passionate fan base and avid following worldwide for its decadent, mammoth cookies. Levain has expanded to nine retail bakery locations in the northeast, with Boston soon to be added to the list. The upcoming Newbury Street bakery marks Levain’s first-ever New England location and its second foray into a new region outside of New York, following their two recent bakery openings in the Washington, DC area.

“Having lived in Boston for a couple of years, I had fallen in love with its charm, energy and of course the great food,”said Connie. “And as we considered expanding to a few select cities, both Pam and I agreed that Boston - and in particular, Back Bay - would be a dream neighborhood for us. We’re overjoyed that we’re finally able to bring our treats to Boston and share our cookies with this incredible city.”

The Newbury Street location will serve up Levain’s five signature cookie flavors: chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate peanut butter chip, dark chocolate chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and two-chip chocolate chip, plus chocolate chip walnut made with gluten-free ingredients — all baked fresh in-house daily all day long. In addition, the bakery will also feature pastries, loaf cakes, bread and rolls, and decadent sticky buns, as well as tea, coffee and espresso beverages. Levain will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

2) In celebration of Valentine's Day, on Monday, February 14, Lola 42, a lobally-inspired bistro and sushi bar is introducing a sensual Sushi Platter for Two  ($75). The platter will include Toro Nigiri (3-pieces), Toro Sashimi (3-pieces) and Toro Tartare topped with Osetra caviar - beautifully plated with wasabi and a fresh orchid. 

In addition, lovers can spice up the evening with The Aphrodite cocktail ($21) - a concoction of Añejo tequila, lemon, honey, passion fruit and strawberry puree shaken with a Thai Chili and served in a citrus chili rimmed rocks glass.

For reservations, please call 617-951-4002.