Delicious Dishes of January 2026

With the onset of the New Year, I've already enjoyed plenty of delicious dishes in January 2026. I wanted to highlight some of those dishes, as, for various reasons, they wouldn't otherwise be showcased in their own articles. However, they are still worthy of being showcased, and the restaurants deserve the recognition. 

Il Ponte, one of my Top Five Favorite Restaurants, offered maybe my favorite dish of 2026 so far, which was a Special one evening. Home-made pasta, in a creamy black truffle sauce, and then topped by white truffles (which were shaved table-side). Decadent and delicious, earthy and creamy, with perfectly cooked pasta. Chef Beni Kurti and his culinary team never disappoint, and if you haven't dined there yet, then do so. All of their food is made in-house, from their pasta to their desserts, from their pizza to their breads.   

   

Thai Chili Basil, in Melrose, is a tiny take-out (or delivery) Thai restaurant with tasty food. I regularly order from here, dishes such as Kao Mun Gai Tod, Chiangmai Noodle, and Pad Thai Gai Grob. One of my favorite new dishes is their Soy Garlic Korean Wings (fried chicken wings grazed with soy garlic sauce Korean style), which can be ordered in 6 or 12 pieces. Honestly, these are some of the best chicken wings I've had in quite some time. They are large and meaty pieces, with an excellent crispy coating, and that crunch remains for quite some time. Some chicken wings don't transport well, losing some of their crunch, but these don't. The sauce is sweet and tangy, and the added sesame seeds add a mild nuttiness and enhanced crunch. The meat is tender and plentiful, and these would be a great choice for a Super Bowl snack. 

Fumi Hibachi, also in Melrose, is another tiny take-out restaurant, offering delicious Hibachi, Sushi, and Chinese food. I regularly order from here, especially if I'm craving Sushi. They offer Lunch specials, seven days a week, which include Sushi Specials and Bento Boxes. They offer 9 different Bento Boxes ($12.99-$17.99), such as General Tso, Hibachi Steak and Hibachi Seared Scallops. They come with salad, clear soup, fried rice, 2 Pork Gyoza, and 4 pieces of California roll.

The Sushi Specials include items such as a Sushi Lunch, Sashimi Lunch, or Sushi & Sashimi Lunch. I like their Maki specials, either two ($11.95) or three ($15.95) rolls of your choice (with 25 different choices available). These are excellent values, and you can save $5 or more off the price than if you had ordered the rolls separately. In addition, you receive a small salad and a bowl of miso soup, making it even a better value. Above, I ordered three Maki rolls, including Shrimp Tempura, Chicken Tempura and Sweet Potato Tempura. Certainly a hearty and delicious dish, especially with the addition of the hot and tasty miso soup. 

Anthony's Italian Specialties, in Stoneham, has some of the best, and largest, sandwiches in the area, and I've been patronizing this spot since I was a teenager. They have remained consistent over the years, never skimping on the size or quality of their sandwiches. They are most famous for their Italian sandwiches, which are stuffed with various meats and cheeses, and toppings. However, all of their sandwiches are worthy, from their Pastrami to their Lobster Rolls (available only on Fridays).

Above is their "Cadillac," the nickname for their fried chicken cutlet, Prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, oil and balsamic glaze sandwich. You can also have it with roasted peppers. It's available on a bulky roll, sub roll or a braided roll (which I ordered). At $19.80, this sandwich is large enough to feed two people, or you can eat half and save the other half for another meal. It's an excellent blend of textures and flavors, the warm and meaty cutlet with its crispy coating, the salty prosciutto, the creamy mozzarella, and the sweet glaze. 

Donuts With A Difference, in Medford, is an old-school doughnut shop, which makes a variety of more traditional donuts in their kitchen. They are delicious and inexpensive, and sometimes they are even warm when you receive them. You can get a dozen donuts for $19, less than half (if not more) than you'll find at many other donut shops. They only sell donuts, and not breakfast sandwiches, bagels, or other such items. They also have coffee and tea, and their fresh-brewed iced tea is my beverage or choice. Their customer service is also excellent, and if you don't see a donut available on the shelves, you can ask them when it might be available. And if it's only a short time, you can sit and wait at the counter for it to arrive. And that wait is more than worth it for a fresh, warm donut. Last week, I waited for their Coffee Rolls (only $2.79 each) to be available, and it was superb, warm, soft and sweet. They are quite large and I often order at least one when I stop here. 

What were some of your favorite dishes in January? 

2025: Favorite Food-Related Items

What were some of my favorite food-related items of the past year?

Let me continue my lists of my best recommendations and favorite restaurants and food items of 2025, addressing my Favorite Food-Related Items. This is certainly not a complete list but it's more a sampling of memorable food items I've experienced and/or posted about over the past year. This is also a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. But all of the items here have earned my strong recommendations and I hope you will enjoy them as well. For more food-related items, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

Favorite Culinary School: NECAT is a local culinary school which trains people from challenging backgrounds, from ex-convicts to recovering addicts, from the homeless to the chronically unemployed. NECAT fills an important need for culinary help while helping numerous people achieve a better life. It is such a worthy school, helping to transform lives, and it really touches my heart. It helps individuals while also helping the community, and I continue, year after year, to try to raise awareness of NECAT so that its good work can continue and even expand. It's one of my favorite causes and is well worthy of your continued support.

Favorite Overall Bakery: This is a very tough category, as there are a number of worthy candidates, so besides this Favorite, I've had to add some Runner-Ups as well. My Favorite is Lulu's Bakery & Pantry, in Salem, which offers a wide variety of sweet and savory treats, including a number with a West Virginia connection. The owners, Nikki & Jim, have excellent culinary resumes, and evidence the passion I seek. Pepperoni rolls, corn bread, biscuits, chocolates, cupcakes, muffins, sandwiches, and so much more. Their large Whoopie Pies are some of the best I've ever eaten, with almost a chewy brownie-like cookie filled with a sweet, creamy filling. Any time I visit the Salem area, I try to stop here to pick up something to take home. 

Runner-Up Overall Bakery: Quebrada Bakery, with four locations including one in Arlington where I most often patronize, has my favorite Snickerdoodles cookies anywhere. You can even buy the frozen cookie dough to easily cook the Snickerdoodles at home. They have plenty of other delicious baked goods, from croissants to pecan rolls. Their Whoopie Pies are also excellent, with a soft chocolate cake sandwiching a very creamy filling. 

Runner-Up Overall Bakery: Sandpiper Bakery in Ipswich is another killer bakery. Their small Whoopie Pies are delicious, but they don't carry them on a regular basis. Their Croissants are superb, buttery and flaky, and I especially love the Ham & Cheese croissants. They have plenty of other fresh and delicious baked goods, from Scones to Banana Bread. The bakery is a bit hidden, but is well worth seeking out. 

Runner-Up Overall Bakery: New to me, Eva's Little Kitchen, with locations in Bedford and West Concord, was impressive. A wide range of excellent baked goods, from the Shakshuka Breakfast Danish to their Banana Bread. I need to return again soon to check out some of their other baked goods as well as their Sandwiches.  

Favorite Greek Bakery: Greek Habits by Eva, with locations in Arlington and Peabody, is an impressive spot. Their Handmade Greek Pies, such as Ham & Cheese and Spinach, have a tasty flaky crust, and plenty of fillings. The warm Bougatsa, a Greek custard pie (pictured above), is amazing! They also sell a variety of pastries, many Greek, but also other interesting ones, including plenty of chocolate treats. In addition, they have a number of appealing sandwiches, such as Bifteki, Smoked Salmon, and Caprese. 

Favorite New Hampshire Bakery: Agape Cakes and Confections, in Raymond, New Hampshire, is a bakery with Greek influences. They make excellent Greek pies, such as Ham & Cheese and Feta, and desserts like Baklava and Galaktoboureko. They make plenty of other tasty baked goods as well, such as Chocolate Banana Cookies, Cinnamon Rolls, Whoopie Pies, Pop Tarts, and much more. If you're in the area, this is a must stop destination. 

Favorite Donut Shop: Donuts With A Difference, in Medford, is an old-school donut shop that still makes their donuts in-house. They make more traditional donuts, and not the fancy ones available at some of the other donut shops. Their donuts are fresh and delicious, and frequently even still warm when you receive them. They are also very inexpensive, roughly half the price of many other donut shops. I especially love their Coffee Rolls! 

Favorite Cider Donuts: For me, the best Cider Donuts are found at Russell Orchards in Ipswich. They don't need a sugary coating, and impress with the fullness of their apple flavor. They are lighter than the more cakey cider donuts found at many other places. Their donuts are soft and moist, with a slightly crusty exterior, and the right balance of apple and spice flavors. Each bite is pure pleasure. And when they are warm or even hot, it's hard not to eat several on your way from the cash register to your car.  

Favorite Cream Pies: Nancy's Marshview Cafe & Bakery, in Salisbury, serves Breakfast and Lunch, and also has a Bakery. At the Bakery, you can find tasty donuts, cookies, turnovers, cupcakes, eclairs, and more. However, I'm most impressed with their Cream Pies, such as their Coconut Cream Pie pictured above. Reasonably priced, the amply-sized cream pies have plenty of delicious fillings, and are topped with a creamy and sweet whipped cream. 

Runner-Up Favorite Cream Pies: The Agawam Diner, in Rowley, also makes delicious, and quite large, Cream Pies, including Coconut, Banana, and Chocolate. They are pricier than the ones at Nancy's Marshview Cafe, but you won't go wrong with their taste. They also make a lengthy list of other types of pies, from Apple to Strawberry Rhubarb, Pecan to Custard. 

Favorite Seafood Market: The Ipswich Shellfish Fish Market, which is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, is an excellent spot for seafood, both fresh and frozen. The fresh fish looks great, is reasonably priced, and tastes delicious. They have a good variety of seafood, all dependent on what's seasonally available. Their frozen seafood is also very good, such as their Swordfish steaks and Shrimp. Plus, their home-made corn bread is delicious! It's become a regular stop for me, and have always enjoyed everything I've bought. As I've said many times, you need to Eat More Seafood, and this is a great place to buy your fish.

Favorite Seafood Dinner: The Seafood didn't get any fresher than at a Bluefin Tuna dinner at Tonno in Wakefield. Chef/Owner Anthony Caturano butchered a large Bluefin Tuna in front of everyone, and then the tuna was prepared in various ways for our dining pleasure, from Tuna Tartare to Grilled Tuna Steak. The butchery demo was fascinating and the tuna dishes were amazing. It would be great to see more chefs do something similar, combining a butchery demo (whether seafood or some other protein) with a multi-course dinner. 

Favorite Japanese Food Market: Maruichi (with locations in Arlington, Brookline and Connecticut) is an excellent Japanese grocery store, and I usually go to their Arlington location. It offers a diverse selection of Japanese foods, fresh and frozen, as well as plenty of fresh vegetables, including some Asian varieties. Their meat selection is compelling and they have a superb selection of sushi-grade fish. You can get sushi meals, onigiri, and other dishes made in-house. Plus, there's a wide range of Japanese foods, from tea to sauces, candy to chips, breads and pastries, and much more. And their prices are generally very reasonable. 

Favorite New Spot For Lunch: This year, Karma Asian Fusion, in Winchester, started serving two multi-course Lunch Specials, including a Chinese Wok lunch ($22, with several different entree options) and a Sushi lunch ($28). You receive an ample portion of delicious and well-prepared food, all at a very reasonable price considering the quality and quantity. And their Sushi is amazing! Plus, they offer some reasonably priced and tasty appetizers as well, from Salmon Carpaccio to Crispy Wonton. 

Favorite Poutine: New this year, the Skinny Pancake opened in Peabody, a creperie which began in Vermont. They serve breakfast all day, and besides crepes, also offer burgers, burritos, salads, and more. One of their sides is Poutine, crispy French fries topped with Vermont Cheese Curds and Screamin' Ridge Farm Gravy. All of the elements are excellent, from the crisp fries (which hold up with to the gravy), the squeaky curds, and the flavorful gravy. You can also order the Poutine with a vegan vegetable gravy.

Favorite Pizza: The most impressive pizza I enjoyed this past year was the Roasted Garlic White Pizza at Posto, at Assembly Row in Somerville. They used to be in Davis Square but moved to Assembly Row this year. The pizza was made with bacon, mozzarella, roasted garlic, parmesan, oregano, and aleppo pepper. I've never seen more garlic on a pizza, large and plump cloves of roasted garlic. The thin-crusted pizza also had a nice char, and the crust was also both crisp and chewy. Superb! 

Favorite Sandwich: Anthony's Italian Specialties, in Stoneham, has long made some of my favorite sandwiches, which are always over-large and filled with quality ingredients. They are famous for their Italian Sandwiches, but they make plenty of other excellent sandwiches, from Pastrami to Chicken Parmigiana. And their sandwiches, which come in several different sizes, are reasonably priced. My current favorite is their Chicken Cutlet with Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella, topped by oil, seasonings and balsamic glaze. The above is on their braided roll, and you can see that it's large enough to feed two people, or one very hungry person. Such a delicious combination of flavors and textures. 

Favorite Unusual Meat: This year, I purchased some ground camel at Savenor's Butchery in Cambridge. I made some camel burgers with the meat, adding only some Berbere spices (an Ethiopian spice blend). The burger tasted much like a beef burger, and you probably wouldn't have tasted any difference, but the camel is lower in fat and cholesterol than beef. Many people might be wary of eating ground camel, but if they tasted it, they would have liked it, and wouldn't have tasted anything objectionable. And it's better for your health. 

Favorite Farm Stand: Tendercrop Farm, with locations in Wenham, Newbury and Dover, New Hampshire, has it all, from fresh produce to a bakery, a butcher shop to frozen foods. Their butcher shop, which uses animals they raise on their own farm, has delicious, tender and flavorful meats, from Filet Mignon to Boneless Pork Chops, as well as a variety of marinated meats. Prices are very reasonable, less than many other butcher shops in the area. They also carry a large assortment of fruits and vegetables, many locally grown. Whenever I'm in the area, I stop by the farm to stock up, and am never disappointed. 

Favorite Food & Drink Shopping Itinerary: This year, I posted an itinerary for a food & drink Road Trip to Ipswich and the surrounding towns and cities. The itinerary has about 14 locations for food & drink shopping and dining, from the Clam Box to the Sandpiper Bakery. And it will be updated in the near future, adding even more locations. On numerous Fridays this past year, I've visited the spots on this itinerary, often hitting 10 or more of them in a single day. I probably will create more Road Trips in 2026. 

Food History Articles: During the pandemic, it was tough for many food and drink writers, as restaurants were closed and large scale food and drink events were canceled. Some writers simply wrote sporadically. However, for myself, I've devoted many hours to researching and writing numerous historical food articles, combing through thousands of newspapers and books. I've especially delved into the origins of numerous foods, trying to seek out their true origins, and not just accepting the unsubstantiated claims of others. I've continued to do so, finding great joy in the research and discoveries that I've found. Here are the historical food articles I completed this past year. 

• The Origin of the Steak Bomb
• The History of Sake Brewing in the U.S. (4 parts)
• The Origins of Moo Shu Pork in the U.S.
• A Brief History of Teriyaki 
• An Early History Of Boston's Italian Restaurants (2 parts)
• Chef Prince Ranji Smile: The First Indian Chef in the U.S
• The Origin of Scali Bread: A Fitchburg Original 
• Chinatown: A History of Henry Wong & Shanghai Printing
• A History of Bread & Butter at Chinese Restaurants    
• Origins of Anadama Bread, a New England Classic

Favorite Old Tradition (Which Needs a Revival): In 2022, while researching some other items, I stumbled upon a fascinating old Thanksgiving tradition, having donuts on your Thanksgiving table! This tradition extends back at least to the 1830s, and probably to the start of the 19th century. It apparently started in New England, but expanded across the entire country, even to Hawaii. Sometime in the later 1940s or early 1950s, the tradition largely died off, and the reasons are obscure. It's time to revive this tradition! For every Thanksgiving since my article, I've been having donuts as part of my Thanksgiving table and have been encouraging others to do the same, some who have also adopted this tradition. This year, I expanded my original article, adding even more fascinating information. Hopefully in 2026, even more people will embrace this old tradition. Who wouldn't love donuts on Thanksgiving? 

Unfortunate Restaurant News: Tambo 22, a Peruvian-Italian restaurant in Chelsea, will be closing its doors on December 20, 2024. They have stated, "The past few years have challenged the entire restaurant world. The pressure of rising costs, staffing obstacles, and the realities of our location made this one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make." Chef Jose Duarte, Taylor & Brian Corcoran, and the rest of their team created an excellent restaurant, with a unique and delicious cuisine, and they should be very proud of their accomplishments. I've known Chef Duarte for 15 years, and he's one of the nicest and most talented chefs in the industry, passionate and compassionate. It will be a great loss to the local restaurant industry when this restaurant is gone. I wish them all the best of luck in the future and hope they will return soon with another culinary endeavor.

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What were some of your favorite food-related items this year?

The Porch: Southern Fare & Juke Joint--Initial Impressions

Back in January 2016, The Porch: Southern Fare & Juke Joint opened on Tuttle Street in Wakefield, a small, 20-seat restaurant serving Southern dishes, from fried chicken to pulled pork, ribs to meat loaf. The food, all made from scratch, was delicious and it ended up on my 2016: Favorite Restaurants & My Top 50. It was included on my 2017 list too, and likely would have been on my 2018 list but it closed in June 2018.

The closing was a positive in some respects because Nashville-born Chef Jonathan Post and his business partner, Cenk Emre, planned to open a much larger incarnation of their restaurant in the new River’s Edge complex in Medford. However, would they be able to replicate the quality and taste of the food from their tiny restaurant on such a grander scale?

The new restaurant opened in July 2019, about a year after the closing of their Wakefield location, and it spans 8,500-square feet, with 250 seats inside and another 50 seats at their outside patio. The restaurant includes a 54-foot bar and a stage for performing bands.

The interior of the restaurant is casual, with lots of southern-inspired artwork bedecking the walls and other areas. Though quite large, there is still a sense of intimacy. It has a modern look, but with homages to the past as well.

Jonathan and Cenk have hired Alex Horowitz as their Executive Chef, and Alex has an excellent resume, having worked at local restaurants including 80 Thoreau, Moody’s Delicatessen, Blue Ginger, Tavola, and James Pub & Provisions. The Porch intendeds to showcase various Southern regional cuisines, bringing back some classics from their Wakefield location and introducing plenty of new choices as well. They are open for both lunch and dinner, and I've dined there twice so far for lunch and wanted to present some of my initial impressions.

The Lunch Menu has Small Thangs, 3 appetizers ($4-$9), Plates, salads and larger appetizers, 6 choices ($10-$24), Trays, 6 entrees ($17-$26), Between the Buns, 6 sandwiches ($13-$16), and Fixins', 10 sides, $5 each. The Dinner Menu simply adds a number of additional choices. On these menus, you'll find dishes such as Spicy Pork Rinds, Oyster Stew, Crawfish Étouffée, Biscuit & Ham, Cornmeal Crusted Catfish, Sweet Corn Gumbo, Smoked BBQ Jackfruit, Nashville Hot Fried Chicken, Texas Brisket, and much more. Lots of tasty choices, appealing to many different preferences.

The Porch has a full bar program, including Cocktails, Wine and Beer. They have 8 special cocktails ($11-$12), such as The Beautiful South above, which is made with Bourbon, Assam Tea, Grilled Peach, Praline Gastrique, and Lemon. A tasty and balanced blend of smoked peach, tea, citrus and a mild nutty flavor. There are 13 wines available by the glass ($10-$13), and I think the list has plenty of interesting and good choices, such as the Garzon Tannat, an Uruguayan wine, and Bedell Cabernet France, from New York. The beer list includes plenty of craft options, with about 12 beers on draft, as well as some old traditional choices, such as Pabst Blue Ribbon and Schlitz Tall Boy. You'll also find plenty of local beer options. They even offer some Shot & Beer Combos.

The Hellhound, made from Mezcal, Reposado Tequila, Smoked Poblanos, Lime & Ginger Beer, was excellent, with that delicious agave taste, enhanced by the spice of the ginger beer. Refreshing, with a hint of smokiness, and a nice accompaniment to the cuisine.

On each table, you'll find four different sauces, from Zippy & Sweet to Earthy & Tangy, which you can use on your food.

The Corn Hush Puppies ($7), with a bacon, onion jam, have a crunchy exterior with a moist interior,  with a dominant mildly sweet corn flavor.

The Deviled Eggs ($9) are topped with fried clams and pickled mustard seeds, a delicious combination. The crunchy fried clams, with a clean taste, made a nice contrast to the creamy deviled eggs, and the pickled seeds added some bright acid to balanced the dish. A hearty recommendation.

For an entree, I thoroughly enjoyed a Tray of Fried Chicken ($17), which comes with one piece of white meat and one dark. You have your choice of either Plain or Nashville Hot, and I opted for the Plain, so I could best compare it to the chicken from the Wakefield location, which was a favorite of mine. The Tray also comes with your choice of two sides, and I selected a Biscuit and Cheesy Grits.

The biscuits at the Wakefield location were also a favorite, and they have changed at the Medford spot. They are much larger, but just as tasty, being buttery, flaky, and with a crisp exterior. The Cheesy Grits were also a very tasty side, with lots of creaminess, a pleasing corn flavor, and just the right texture. As for the fried chicken, it was also excellent, with that delightful clean, crunchy coating, and lots of moist meat within. The new Porch certainly delivers on quality and taste with this dish and its sides.

With the Combo Tray ($26), you get your choice of two of the meats, and I chose the St. Louis Ribs (wet rub) and Texas Brisket, with sides of the Mac & Cheese and Skillet Cornbread. As for the sides, both were available at the Wakefield location, but I feel that both taste better at this new location. Previously, the corn bread was served in slices, and not within a cast iron skillet. It is scrumptious, with a natural sweetness of the corn, and is moist beneath the crusty top.

The Brisket was tender, meaty and flavorful, enhanced by some of the North Cackalacky Vinegar Sauce, while the Ribs were fall-off-the bone tender, with a tangy and compelling wet rub. These items were similar in many respects to what was once at the Wakefield location, but they might taste even better here.

Has the new Porch in Medford been able to replicate the quality and taste of the food from their prior, tiny Wakefield restaurant? The answer is undoubtedly affirmative, and the food overall is even better at the new location. There are many more choices available here, and the dishes are priced reasonably for their quantity and quality. Service is very good, the drinks program is excellent, and the ambiance is welcoming. Jonathan Post and Cenk Emre have created a restaurant poised for success, and I look forward to dining there more often, to check out more of the menu, and to attend one of their musical events. Based on my initial impressions, I give The Porch a hearty recommendation and urge you to check it out.

Just one minor caveat though, as some customers might take issue with this matter. The Porch adds a 3% "Kitchen Appreciation Fee" onto your bill, however their website does not mention that fact and the Lunch menu didn't mention it either. I have no problems with restaurants adding such a fee, as I agree with the philosophy of supporting the kitchen staff who doesn't receive tips. The issue is that such a fee should be prominently mentioned on a restaurant's menu and website. That has become the norm with restaurants that have adopted such a fee. Failing to disclose the fee, until a customer receives their check, can cause problems which can be avoided with a proper disclosure.

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) Cook, an American bistro located in Newton, is welcoming multi-media journalist Janet Wu as part of its continuing “Cook for Charity” celebrity chef series. On Thursday, October 6, Janet will trade in her microphone and get cooking with Executive Chef/Owner Paul Turano, where they’ll be serving up flatbreads to benefit the Ed Walsh Foundation. In addition to Cook’s signature menu items, Janet and co. will be serving up “The Edzo” special, a house-made flatbread topped with pepperoni, roasted peppers, San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella. 100% of sales from each $16 “The Edzo” flatbread, affectionately named after Ed Walsh himself, will be donated to the foundation.

Named for Lieutenant Ed Walsh of the Boston Fire Department, the Ed Walsh Foundation was established to keep Ed's spirit alive by giving back to the community where he lived and worked. The Foundation's mission is to help Boston area children and families in need. In addition to lending a hand to local families coping with tragedy, death or illness, the Foundation also supports youth sports, after school programs and organizations like the YMCA and Franciscan Children's.

Janet Wu will be joining the Ed Walsh Foundation for this special event. Janet is a multi-media journalist known locally for her many years as an anchor/reporter for Boston's NBC station. She currently contributes health reports for two networks and is an adjunct professor at Emerson College. A frequent Op-Ed contributor to The Boston Globe, her work has also been published in The New York Times, The Boston Herald, and several anthologies, including The "Norton Sampler of Essays," one of the most widely read college textbooks. She graduated from Yale with a dual major in Philosophy and Psychology and earned a master's degree in Journalism and International Affairs at Columbia University. She was named The Girls Scouts of New England 2015 Leading Woman of the Year and selected as a fall 2016 TEDX speaker.

This night of cooking is one of several celebrity chef events at Cook, all of which raise money and awareness about a charity chosen by the specific celebrity chef of the evening. The regular menu will also be available on the night.

WHEN: Thursday, October 6. Appearance by Janet Wu from 6:00PM – 8:00PM. Dinner served from 4:30PM to 10:00PM.
RSVP: Reservations recommended by calling 617-964-2665.

2) Margaritas, the Mexican-inspired restaurant known for its namesake cocktails freshly made each and every day with their housemade “Squeeze,” spices up their fall cocktail game with seasonal-twists on their fan-favorites.

Whiskey-Rita: The house favorite margarita -- made with Jack Daniels instead of tequila. Hand-shaken with home-made Squeeze and triple sec, topped off with a float of Grand Marnier.
Pumpkin Sangria: Sangria isn’t just for summer. Enjoy white (sauvignon blanc) or red (merlot), combined with apple and cranberry juices, Absolut Vanilla and pumpkin puree. All the flavors of fall in one sip.
Pomegranate Cinnamon Proseccorita: Margaritas takes their Proseccorita to the next level by mixing Cuervo Cinge, triple sec, pomegranate juice and Squeeze, topped with a festive mini split of prosecco.

WHEN: October 11 - December 31, 2016

3) On Tuesday, October 4, Besito Mexican in the Burlington Mall and the Shops at Chestnut Hill, will say “Olé” to National Taco Day with a “Buy One, Get One” taco deal offered during lunch and dinner hours (dine-in only) at both locations, featuring the restaurant’s “Street Taco” creations. Yes, you read that right, this year it’s officially National #TacoTuesday!

National Taco Day presents an exciting opportunity for guests to experience the Mexican flavors and artful presentations that have become synonymous with the Besito name, via a wallet-friendly, weeknight dining experience.

Served with three ample-sized tacos during lunch, and two during dinner, Besito’s “Street Tacos” are layered with vibrant, fresh and authentic ingredients, and available in four unique combinations, including Street Tacos de Pollo, a delicious blend of Chicken a la Plancha, salsa de guajillo, salsa chipotle crema, nopales salad and queso fresco; Street Tacos de Carne Asada, a flavorful mixture of marinated-grilled skirt steak, scallions, and salsa verde cruda; Street Tacos de Camarones, featuring crispy shrimp, salsa chipotle crema, salsa molcajete, and queso fresco; and Street Tacos de Pescado, a guest favorite boasting crispy fish, salsa chipotle crema, and salsa molcajete.

COST: Purchase one of Besito Mexican’s “Street Taco” combinations ranging in price from $8.95 to $11.95 and receive a second of equal or lesser value free. Offer does not apply to "appy hour” “Street Tacos” and cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions.

MORE INFO: Available for “dine-in” guests only. Valid only during lunch and dinner hours on Tuesday, October 4 at Besito Mexican locations in Burlington and Chestnut Hill.

4) The 7th annual Raise Your Glass for Jimmy beer and wine tasting fundraiser will benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. On Wednesday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., guests will experience more than 30 beverage selections from five wineries and five breweries, including a variety of craft beers and local brands.

Wine selections include:
· August West Wines
· Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquor
· Masciarelli Wine Co.
· M.S. Walker
· Plymouth Bay Winery
Beer selections include:
· Anheuser Busch
· Atlantic Importing
· Medusa Brewing
· Wormtown Brewery
· Newburyport Brewing Company

The event will also feature seasonal hors d’oeuvres and desserts from Capital Grille, Strega, Del Friscos, Row 34, and Fleming’s, among others. Guests will enjoy live band entertainme and attendees can also participate in a silent auction.

COST: Tickets cost $50 per person.
For more information or tickets, please visit: http://www.jimmyfund.org/events/cancer-fundraising-events/raise-your-glass-for-jimmy/

WHERE: Boston College Club, 100 Federal Street, 36th Floor, Boston

5) On Tuesday, October 4, which is National Taco Day, Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake is offering a diverse mix of tacos for your pleasure, including:

Roti Chicken Tacos - Serrano & Thai child braised chicken mango, cilantro slaw with roti tortillas ($14.95)
Jalisco Taco – duck fat-infused antelope, Fresno chile, Chihuahua cheese, salsa fresca, jalapeno bacon ranch with a fried corn tortilla ($14.95)
Spicy Cubano Tacos – chipotle & lime marinated smoked pork loin, pickles, Swiss, jalapeño pickled red onion, habanero & saffron slaw, flour tortillas ($13.95)
Antelope Tacos – duck fat infused ground antelope, jalapeño bacon ranch, Chihuahua cheese, smoked Fresno chile, fried corn tortillas, refried beans ($14.95)
Fish Tacos– apple & Anaheim chile slaw, Iceberg lettuce, celery root tempura, battered local whitefish, cherry peppers, chipotle crema, flour tortillas (market price; pictured below, right)
Veggie Tacos – jalapeño-infused tofu, mushroom, asparagus salsa, kale pesto, fried Swiss chard, asiago cheese ($13.95)

6) Chef/Owner Michael Schlow, The Tico Boston team, and the Slater Foundation invite guests to join them at Tico for a charitable night of Halloween revelry. On Saturday, October 29, at 8:30pm., Tico and the Slater Foundation will be hosting its annual Halloween for Hope to benefit the Ellie Fund and those affected by breast cancer. The Alice in Wonderland –themed party will include a cocktail hour, a DJ, dancing, passed bites, a dessert bar, airbrush tattoos, and a costume contest with cash prizes. Each guest will also receive three complimentary beverage tickets for Tito’s cocktails, and select beers & wines courtesy of United Liquors.

Based in Needham, the Ellie Fund works tirelessly to provide essential support services for breast cancer patients to ease the stresses of everyday life, allowing the focus to be on family, recovery and healing. The Ellie Fund provides critical support services including transportation to medical appointments, childcare, housekeeping, groceries and nutritious prepared/delivered meals free of charge helps to relieve patients’ burden while in treatment.

Tickets are now on sale for a special price of $50 and will cost $65 from October 18th until the night of the event. 100% of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Ellie Fund. Tickets can be purchased at https://non-debitis.ticketbud.com/halloween-for-hope-80bb90026700

7) The Filmark Hospitality Group and the Italian Consulate invite guests to join them for a day of dining and drinking to benefit the Italian regions devestated by the recent earthquake. Participating restaurants include Lucia Ristorante, Ducali, Filippo Ristorante, Capo, Scopa, Rino’s Place, Massimino’s Cucina Italiana, and many more.

On Sunday, October 23, from 1pm-4pm, at the DCR Steriti Rink on the North End Waterfront, Boston Stands with Italy will bring together Boston’s best Italian restaurants to raise funds for the regions of Central Italy most affected by the recent earthquake. Guests will enjoy sips and bites from the Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo and Lazio regions of Italy prepared by over 30 local Italian restaurant and distributors. In addition to food and wine offerings, the event will also feature a high-end silent auction and entertainment provided by local organizations.

Tickets cost $60 and can be purchased in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-stands-with-italy-tickets-28161067511. For more information, please visit http://www.bostonstandswithitaly.org.

8)On Wednesday, October 5, starting at 6:30pm, The Palm Boston welcomes guests and wine lovers to a special Torres Wine Dinner featuring paired selections with a five-course tapas tasting menu crafted by The Palm Boston Executive Chef Karen Mitchell. Guests will be led on a culinary adventure featuring Spanish wine pairings.

Similar to The Palm, Bodegas Torres has a rich history of family ownership and traditions while pushing the envelope forward in innovation. Torres is widely recognized for their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. For this one-night only event, The Palm Boston has created a distinctive tapas menu created to complement the nuances of flavors from a selection of Torres award-winning wines including Verdeo Verdejo, Pazo das Bruxas Albariño, Celeste Crianza and Salmos.

The full menu is as follows:

FIRST
Chorizo & Crab Stuffed Blue Point Oysters
2013 VERDEO VERDEJO
SECOND
Alaskan King Crab Salad (Lime Marinated Avocado, Apple Radish Slaw, Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette)
2012 PAZO DAS BRUXAS ALBARIŇO
THIRD
Braised Beef Short Rib, Chipotle Caramel Sweet Potatoes
2011 CELESTE CRIANZA
INTERMEZZO
Mint & Grapefruit Sorbet
FOURTH
Grilled Colorado Lamb Chop, Balsamic Fig Pan Sauce
2012 SALMOS
FIFTH
Amaretto Crème Brûlée, Cinnamon Sugar Crust, Cinnamon Almond Biscotti
20 YR BRANDY

COST: The Torres Wine Dinner is $120 per person ($95 for 837 Club Members) and includes a reception, 5-Course Dinner and pairings (exclusive of tax and service charge).
Reservations can be made by emailing Paulina Slovenkai at pslovenkai@thepalm.com or by calling 617-867-0333

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) Chef/Owner Michael Schlow and the Doretta Taverna team invite guests to join them in celebrating their first birthday! On Wednesday, September 28, from 4pm-7pm, Doretta Taverna and Raw Bar will be celebrating its first birthday. To mark the occasion, Doretta will be hosting a special Wine Wednesday Birthday Banger. Guests can enjoy $1 oysters, wine tastings, champagne, mezze bites, sparklers, and more.

Tickets cost $39 and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-wednesday-birthday-banger-tickets-27579163019.

For more information, please call (617) 422-0008.

2) Newly opened Brassica Kitchen + Cafe co-owners/co-chefs Jeremy Kean and Phil Kruta are pleased to announce that they are now offering Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. Located in a former luncheonette in Jamaica Plain across from the Forest Hills MBTA station, Brassica Kitchen + Cafe serves fun French-American comfort fare, using locally grown, seasonal ingredients in unexpected ways with delicious results.

Items from the inaugural brunch menu include:
Chicken and Waffles drizzled in hot sauce and maple syrup.
Belgian Waffles served with raspberry compote and whipped maple butter.
Banana Bread French Toast with banana flambé.
Salmon Boccadillo served with a fried egg and salsa verde on brioche.
Egg in a Hole served with bacon and home fries.
Biscuits and Gravy served with poached eggs.

A special brunch cocktail menu will also be rolled out including, but not limited to:
Bloody Meeri: Vodka, beet kvass and trumpet worcestershire.
Mick the Miller: Drip brewed Punt e Mes, fresh grapefruit juice, tarragon and salt.
Pimms Cup: Pimms No. 1, lemon, cucumber and ginger beer.
Moto GP Mimosa: Aperol, fresh orange juice, cava.

A series of coffee, tea and espresso drinks will also be offered on this new unique menu.

3) Bistro 5, in Medford, will be offering their 11th Annual Heirloom Tomato Menu from September 14th-24th. Every year Chef Vittorio Ettore and team put in countless hours trying to come up with unique ways to incorporate this seasonal favorite into 5 different dishes, including a dessert. This menu is a highlight of the year and I can't recommend it enough.

This year's menu, using tomatoes from Kimball Fruit Farms in Peppered, is as follows:

“rubix cube”
watermelon, cucumber, feta, sourdough crouton, and orange russian

2011 Biotite, Vinho Verde, Portugal
"smoke
"
speckled roman tomoato custard, seared scallops, thyme and hen of the woods mushrooms
2013 Powers, Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
risotto

crispy basil, black prince tomato confit, grilled baby octopus
2013 G.B. Dolcetto D’Alba
quail
port wine-tomato glaze, rainbow tomato carpaccio, black turnips and baby carrots and crispy pancetta
2012 Eola, Rosso Toscana

evoo corn cake
foie gras gelato and vanilla-sugar cured persimmon tomato

Cucumber Tequila Punch with Honey, Lemon, Orange Blossom, Nutmeg, and Tomato Water

Tasting Menu: 3 Course $55, 5 Course $75
Wine Pairings: 3 Course $20, 5 Course $30

To make Reservations, please call 781-395-7464

4) Gordon Wilcox, CEO of Wilcox Hospitality Group; Dr. Jay Austen, Jr., Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Chief of Division of Burn Surgery at Mass General Hospital; Brian Poe, chef & co-owner of The Tip Tap Room. On October 3, at 6pm, The Tip Tap Room owners Brian Poe and Gordon Wilcox will host the 3rd annual “Chefs for Clefts” fundraiser at their Beacon Hill hotspot to benefit Massachusetts General Hospital’s Global Surgical Initiative. Funds raised from the charitable fête will directly assist Dr. Jay Austen’s (Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Chief of Division of Burn Surgery at MGH) “Cartagena Surgical Missions” that support children with facial deformities and cleft lips as well as burn victims in Colombia. To date, the Cartagena Surgical Mission has served more than 700 children who otherwise would have no access to care.

This festive “Night in Colombia” themed event will kick-off with South American music as well as complimentary Colombian-inspired cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres, as prepared by Brian Poe.

Brian Poe (The Tip Tap Room; Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake; Bukowski Tavern – Cambridge) and chef friends Andy Husbands (Tremont 647; Smoke Shop), Jose Duarte (Taranta), Louie DiBaccari (Tavern Road), Lydia Shire (Scampo) and Rodney Murillo (Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse; Davio’s Cucina) – among others – each graciously have donated a three-course “dinner for ten” with wine pairings at their respective restaurants which will be up for bid during the live auction. Supporters also will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with some the city’s top culinary luminaries who will be present at this evening with a cause.

COST: General Admission (includes open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres): $60 per person in advance; $80 per person at the door
MORE INFO: To purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chefs-for-clefts-tickets-27224578447. Additional donations for Massachusetts General Hospital’s Global Surgical Initiative will be accepted onsite or via EventBrite.

5) Start with a made in-house hard-shell taco, bigger than your face. Stuff it with all of the fresh-made Mexican fixings from Margaritas Mexican Restaurants scratch-kitchen: seasoned chicken, taco beef, pork carnitas, bacon, lettuce, refried beans, Mexican rice, salsa fresca, cheese and queso sauce. Top it with hacienda and picante sauce, crema and pickled jalapeños and you’ve got the Taco Gigante.

Each foot-long, two-pound Taco Gigante is sold for $12.99, with $2.00 of every purchase donated to Team IMPACT. Team IMPACT’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT has matched 1,000 children at over 400 colleges and universities in 45 states, reflecting Margaritas values of community, celebration of life and teamwork.

WHERE: All participating Margaritas Mexican Restaurants in MA, ME, CT and NH.
WHEN: September 27 – October 31, 2016; available during regular kitchen hours. And note that October 4 is National Taco Day!

Francesinhas: Hearty Portuguese Sandwichs In Medford

The Croque Monsieur is a delicious French sandwich with ham and cheese, and the Portuguese found a way to create a similar sandwich, except one on steroids, ramping up the meat content. The Croque Monsieur is commonly topped with bechamel sauce while the Portuguese opted for a tangier, tomato-based sauce. This tasty Portuguese monstrosity is known as the the Francesinha and is now available locally, at a small, new restaurant in Medford.

Antonio Pereira, a native of Portugal, recently opened Tasty on the Hill at 321 Boston Avenue, Medford, across the street from the Danish Pastry House. The restaurant is currently open only for breakfast and lunch, with breakfast served all day. The menu has plenty of traditional American breakfast items, from eggs to pancakes, waffles to omelets, all reasonably priced. The lunch items include burgers, wraps, and other classic sandwiches. However, their most unique menu item is the Francesinha though in the near future, they will be opening for dinner, on certain nights, offering a number of traditional Portuguese dishes.

The restaurant seats around 24 people and it is very clean and spacious. It has the ambiance of a diner, and the staff is very welcoming and friendly. I've only been to the restaurant once so this is only an initial impression, but one which was so positive it was worthy of making my readers aware of this new restaurant with its compelling Portuguese sandwich.

I ordered Green Iced Tea, which I was pleased to see was freshly brewed with Organic Bigelow Tea. A good start to my lunch.

Yes, that is one big-ass sandwich!

The restaurant serves six variations (each $13.95) of the Francesinhas, including the Traditional, Grilled Chicken, Tasty Burger, Vegetarian, Bacalhau, and Smoked Salmon. All of the Francesinhas come with French fries. In the photo above,you can see the Tasty Burger, with a burger, American cheese, ham, linguica, bacon, and a fried egg, topped by a special sauce and accompanied with shoe-string French fries.

The term "francesinhas" is said to translate as "little Frenchie," "little French one," or "little French girl." The sandwich, which is most common in the city of Porto in Portugal, has murky origins though one theory seems to be dominant. The most common story is that the Francesinha was invented in the 1950s by Daniel David da Silva, a Portuguese man who was born in the municipality of Terras do Bouro. Seeking work, he traveled to Belgium and France, eventually becoming a barman. When he eventually returned to Portugal, he started working at A Regaleira restaurant.

He was considered to be an inventive cook and one of his experiments was a sandwich which was an adaption of the Croque Monsieur. Daniel David added more layers of meat and topped the sandwich with a spicy sauce, allegedly made with tomato sauce and beer. Why did he call it a Francesinha? The reasons is again uncertain, some saying he did it to reflect the robust,spicy women of France as opposed to the more sulky Portuguese women.

In Porto, you'll find many variations of the Francesinhas, though it commonly is a stack of different meats, topped by an egg, between two pieces of bread with melted cheese atop it and covered by a spicy tomato-based sauce. The recipe for the sauce is usually a big secret, though beer and sometimes even Port, is used in the making. At Tasty On the Hill, their sauce recipe is a secret, though it is supposed to contain 12 ingredients and has been a family recipe that originated about 30-40 years ago. Through some online searching, it seems that the Francesinha is not easily found in the U.S. so Tasty On The Hill is a pioneer in introducing this sandwich to Americans.

So let me describe the Francesinha I ate for lunch, the first of these sandwiches I have ever eaten so I can't compare it to those made in Porto.

It is a hearty sandwich so you need to bring your hunger if you hope to finish it. It also is very much a fork and knife sandwich, or be prepared for a very messy sandwich in your hands. The sauce was tangy, savory and slightly spicy with a strong tomato flavor. Very tasty, it was a fine topping for the thick sandwich. All the different meats provided different textures and spices, and they blended harmoniously together, enhanced by the fried egg and all the melted cheese. The bread seemed to be a large, soft roll and it stood up well to the sauce. It was a carnivore's delight, a hearty meal which should satisfy. And the French fries were a good addition, and I liked their taste with the sauce.

Overall, it was an impressive sandwich, a delightful blend of flavors and textures. I'm looking forward to returning to try some of the other variations of the Francesinha, such as maybe the Bacalhau, the salted cod. I recommend that my readers check out Tasty On The Hill, especially for the unique Francesinhas.

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.. **********************************************************
1) On Sunday, September 27, at 6:30pm, Osteria Nino will host its first “Sunday Supper” event to benefit the National MS Society’s Greater New England Chapter (Waltham) whose mission is to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. At this family-style dinner, Osteria Nino has enlisted help from their friends at The Farm School (Athol), a nonprofit organization and working farm that trains and educates people about the farm industry. One of Osteria Nino’s favorite farms in New England, the Farm School specializes in certified organic vegetables, 100% grass-fed beef, pastured pork and more.

The Farm School will provide farm-fresh products and Osteria Nino’s executive chef, Walace Benica, will prepare a true farm-to-fork menu celebrating the best tastes of the local bounty, which will be paired with Italian wines and local beers. The four-course menu will be served family-style and presented as follows:

ANTIPASTO
Farm School Lettuces (radishes, celery, shaved fennel)
Farm Tomatoes (shell beans, breadcrumbs, aioli)
PRIMO
Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe (black pepper, pecorino romano)
Cavatelli All'Amatriciana (tomato sauce, cured pork, pecorino romano)
SECONDO
Misty Knoll Spit Roasted Chicken (spicy greens, polenta, last of summer eggplant caponata)
DOLCE
Lemon & Raspberry Granitas (Shaw Farms cream)
Mint Tisana (biscotti)

COST: $75 per person (includes beverage pairings; tax & gratuity not included). A portion of the proceeds benefit National MS Society’s Greater New England Chapter and the Farm School. Reservations are required via EventBrite at: http://sundaysupperatnino.eventbrite.com.
This event is open to all ages. Patrons must show a valid 21+ ID to consume alcohol.

2) From September 9 to October 3, Bistro 5 will offer one of my favorite tasting menus, the Heirloom Tomato Tasting Menu. Chef Vittorio Ettore always prepares an amazing dinner and the variety of tomatoes he uses is both intriguing and delicious. I highly recommend you check out this dinner.

Heirloom Tomato Tasting Menu: (all tomatoes featured on our menu are from Kimball Fruit Farms in Pepperell)

Brandywine
Miso, tamarind marinated bufala mozzarella, coconut-basil sauce and sesame cracker
2014 Aragosta, Vermentino, Sardegna
Green Zebra
Balsamic spaghetti, lobster and lemon basil
2013 Powers, Chardonnay, Columbia Valley
Speckled Roman
Smoked crème brûlée with caviar and farm greens
2011 Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d'Asti
Constoluto Genovese
Venison, black olive soil, romesco and shishito pepper
Eighth Cuvée Shebang, Zinfandel Blend, CA
Persimmon
Baked ricotta, pistachio and persimmon marmellata
2006 Vittucio, Vin Santo

Cost: Tasting Menu, 3 Course $55, 5 Course $75
Wine Pairings, 3 Course $20, 5 Course $30

Please make Reservations by calling 781-395-7464

3) The sixth annual Raise Your Glass for Jimmy presented by the Jimmy Fund Council of Greater Boston will take place 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 at the Battery Wharf Hotel in Boston. All proceeds support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Admission to the event includes a wide variety of beers and wines to taste from August West Wines, Blue Hills Brewery, Boston Bottle, Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors, Mayflower Brewery, Medusa Brewery, M.S. Walker, Plymouth Bay Winery, and Wormtown Brewery. The event also includes hors d'oeuvres, live music, and a silent auction.

Tickets are $75 per person, and early bird pricing is available with two tickets for $125 if purchased before Sept. 21. The first 150 guests at the door will receive a $25 gift certificate from Tresca. For more information, visit www.jimmyfund.org/raise-your-glass.

4) Confectioner Lee Napoli, whose history in pastry and candy in this city spans three decades, has been quietly conducting chocolate-making classes in a kitchen on the corner of Dartmouth and Montgomery streets in the South End since closing her retail shop, Chocolee Chocolates, in 2014. Often sold out months in advance, the classes were a local secret spread strictly by word of mouth ... until now.

Beginning Saturday, September 26 and continuing every first and third Saturday of the month thereafter, Lee is bringing news of her classes out of the shadows and into the light. Chocolate class dates for 2015 are: September 26, October 3, October 17, November 7, November 21, December 5 and December 19.

Each two hour class, held from 2-4 PM, begins with classroom instruction, then shifts to a commercial stove where chocolate tempering, truffle-rolling, and nut bark-ing become a messy but engaging activity open to "students" age 18 and up. Cost is $75 per person, with space in the class reserved by major credit card.

When class concludes, each student goes home with a one pound box of artisanal candy (retail value $40-50) that they made with their own hands, plus recipes. Napoli notes that her classes are "great for corporate team building, bachelorette parties, father-daughter outings, or truly unique birthday gifts."

Pre-registration for 2015 chocolate classes begins this week. Go to www.chocoleechocolates.com or call 617-236-0606.