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.
******************************************************
1) For Valentine's Day Dinner, several local restaurants are offering specials.

Select Oyster Bar is celebrating from Friday, February 11th through Monday, February 14th from 11:30am-9:30pm with a special prix fixe menu designed for two that is available for take-out or dine-in. For $75 per person, guests can enjoy the special prix-fixe menu or order off the regular menu for a beautiful seafood-focused feast created by Chef Michael Serpa featuring specials like Faroe Islands Salmon Crudo and Icelandic Arctic Char. Reservations recommended, and please call (857) 239-8064.

Grand Tour will be celebrating February 11th through Monday February 14th from 11:30am--9pm. There will be a special, three-course prix fixe menu that is priced at $75 per person and is available for takeout or dine in and will feature specials like gougère, endive salad, and steak frites. Guests can also order off of the regular menu that is created by Chef Michael Serpa. Wine pairings will be offered for an additional fee. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 857-277-0800.

Puritan & Company. on Valentine's Day, os offering a $75 prix fixe menu will include multiple options per course and offer a wine pairing for an additional cost. Course options will include Foie Gras Brûlée with griddled muffin, spicy pineapple chutney and currant; Wagyu Beef Carpaccio with horseradish, watercress, soy pearls and oyster emulsion; Marinated Lobster and Shrimp Salad with blood orange, mint, basil and lemongrass dressing ($10 supplement); and Beef Tagliatelle with ricotta salata black kale and candied walnut crumble. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (617) 615-6195.

Bistro du Midi is celebrating from Friday, February 11th through Monday, February 14th, offering a five-course prix fixe menu for $125 per person, with an additional wine pairing available for $175. The delicious menu will feature choices like an Island Creek Oyster Trio, A-5 Japanese Wagyu Duo tartare, Black Truffle Tagliatelle périgord,and Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée. To make a reservation, please visit www.bistrodumidi.com.

Rochambeau, for Valentine's Day,  will be offering French-inspired specials including torchon of foie gras with pomegranate strawberry gelee, preserved fruit conserve, and toasted brioche; black tie scallops with truffle,roasted cauliflower, caviar citron butter, surf and turf with rilled filet of beef, butter-poached lobster, potato galette, and sauce perigourdine; poached cod with chorizo shellfish mousseline, potato ecrasse, vermouth emulsion. Reservations are recommended and can be made at www.rochambeauboston.com.

2) Chef Will Gilson invites guests to celebrate Valentine’s Weekend with a special meal at Cambridge Crossing’s The Lexington and Geppetto. Featuring seasonal, chef-driven fare, Gilson’s The Lexington will offer a four-course menu for $75 on Friday, February 11th and Saturday, February 12th. Newly opened, Italian-inspired Geppetto will offer lovebirds a five-course menu for $85 on Friday, February 11th and Saturday, February 12th.

The Lexington’s four-course, $75 per person Valentine’s Weekend menu includes:
First course: Steak tartare with salsa verde, cured egg yolk, salt and vinegar chips -or- Cauliflower flan with mushroom ragout, crispy onions, fried rosemary
Second course: Pumpkin bisque with parmesan foam, sage, pumpkin seeds -or- Burrata with poached pears, pear butter, delicata squash, truffle vinaigrette
Third course: Grilled bavette steak with potato gratin, confit leeks, peppercorn jus -or- Pan-roasted ora king salmon with sweet potatoes, squashes, saffron butter
Dessert: Taza with key lime

Geppetto’s five-course, $85 per person Valentine’s Weekend menu includes:
First course: Tuna tartare with green olive, lemon, pistachio -or- Smoked beef carpaccio with tonnato, capers, arugula
Second course: Grilled romaine salad with potatoes, stracciatella, black truffle vinaigrette -or- Burrata and chicory salad with cara cara, hazelnuts, basil
Third course: Parsnip ravioli with taleggio fonduta, marjoram, fennel pollen -or- Campanelle with crab, ‘nduja, olives, toasted garlic
Fourth course: Cranberry and soy-glazed short rib of beef with tempura broccoli rabe, brussels, celery root -or- Grilled swordfish spiedini with seared radicchio, bagna cauda, pickled peppers
Dessert: Tiramisu with coffee, spiced cocoa nib tuile, chocolate -or- Fiori panna cotta with cara cara, basil, almond

3) In celebration of Lunar New Year on Tuesday, February 1, Encore Boston Harbor’s Cantonese-style restaurant Red 8, will be offering a prix fixe, Lunar New Year feast from Monday, January 31st through Sunday, February 6th. Available in addition to Red 8’s regular menu for and portioned for either two, four, or six guests, Michelin-starred chef Richard Chen’s Lunar New Year menu, priced at $90 per person, includes:

Appetizers:
Braised Sliced Beef Shank
Seasoned Jellyfish
Fried • Steamed Mushrooms • Tofu Sheet
Sliced Five-Spice Duck
Crispy Shrimp and Taro Roll
Soup:
Braised Fish Maw Soup wolfberries
Entrees:
Braised Pork Knuckles sea moss with golden oysters
Steamed Fresh Loup de Mer with ginger, scallion, soya broth
Crispy Chicken
Pea Leaves, Bamboo Pith
Desserts:
Fried New Year Sweet Cake
Bird Nest Egg Custard
Chrysanthemum Jelly Cake

Reservations can be made by calling 857-770-7000.