Jana Grill & Bakery: A Win For Lunch

Located in Watertown, Jana Grill & Bakery serves Armenian, Georgian, Slavic and Mediterranean cuisine, and I stopped by there last week for lunch. It's a small restaurant, with a rustic vibe, with a good-sized menu of appetizers, salads, soups, grilled meats, flatbreads, sides, desserts and more. You'll find dishes including Hummus, Pasuts Tolma, Babaganush, Pelmeni, and Beef Borscht. There are also Khorovats (charcoal grilled meats) and Losh-Kebabs (charcoal grilled ground meat), including chicken, beef, pork, and lamb. So many enticing choices. 

We began our lunch with a pitcher of Kompot, a slightly sweet juice of blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. It wasn't overly sweet, and had a pleasant berry taste, the different fruits blending well together. 

Jana Grill is also one of the few spots in the Boston+ area which serves Khachapuri, a Georgian cheese bread (the country, not the state). Different regions of Georgia have different recipes and versions, and there are over 50 different varieties of khachapuri. The National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation even granted the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia to Khachapuri. 

Jana Grill makes two different types of Khachapuri, which are listed on their menu under "Flatbreads."  The Megruli Khachapuri (Small $15, Large $20) is a specialty of the Samegrelo region, a forested region which borders the Black Sea. It resembles a cheesy pizza, without any sauce, and the restaurant once described the dish as "Think of cheese pizza, and triple the cheese." 

 

They also serve Ajarian Khachapuri (Small $16, Large $22), one of the most popular and well known types of Khachapuri, and originated in the seaside region of Adjara. The bread is molded into a boat shape and the middle is topped by a soft-boiled egg or just the yolk. The crust is a nice golden brown, with a crisp exterior and a light, fluffy interior. The melted cheese is not just atop the crust, but also extends under some of the crust. The cheesy blend in the middle, when mixed with the egg yolk, is salty, cheesy, creamy and rich of umami. Pure delight! You can even order the khachapuri with slices of basturma (cured beef). 

Jana Grill has a Lunch Special Menu, from 11am-3pm, which includes Combo Plates ($17-$29). You create your own Combo Plates by making four choices including Protein (chicken, pork, lamb, beef or falafel), Side (rice or roasted potato), Appetizer (Hummus, Babaganush, or Tzatziki), and Sauce (Tahini, Tomato, Garlic, or Tzatziki). The Combo plate also comes with a small salad and pita bread. We chose the Lamb with hummus, roasted potatoes and garlic sauce. The lamb was tender and flavorful, with a nice char on it. The hummus was creamy and tasty and the potatoes were lightly crispy on the outside, and fully inside. The salad veggies were very fresh too. A hearty plate of food and a great choice for lunch. 

Service was excellent, and the food continues to impress. I last dined here prior to the pandemic, and the food remains at a high quality. It's an excellent spot to find some dishes which are hard to find elsewhere in the Boston+ area. Jana Grill earns my hearty recommendation.

2020: My Favorite Wines

What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?

As 2021 has arrived, it's time to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. I've already posted a couple of my annual Favorite Lists, My Favorite Restaurants and My Favorite Food-Related Items, and it's time now to cover my Favorite Wines. As I said before, these Favorite Lists will be different, and smaller, from prior years due to the pandemic. However, there are still items deserving of being highlighted, and I will endeavor to showcase them. 

Usually, I have three lists of my Favorite Wines, divided by price point. This year, I will only have a single list, including wines at all price points. This list includes wines that not only I enjoyed, but which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines that I've tasted this past year.

This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I strongly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers would also enjoy.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local region, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.

Wines Under $20

1) 2016 K7 Plavac Mali ($19)

This wine was a joint effort from 7 wineries in the Komarna region of Croatia. Made from 100% Plavac Mali, it's certified organic, has a 14.5% ABV, and was aged for 24 months in a combination of Croatian, American and French oak barrels. It possessed a medium-red color, slightly translucent, and the initial aromas included black fruit and subtle spice. This wine presented an interesting complex melange of flavors, including blackberry, plum, blueberry, black pepper, hints of vanilla, and a touch of chocolate. It also possessed a lengthy, satisfying finish, pure deliciousness. The tannins were moderate, and it was a wine that's probably best accompanied with food, something hearty, a juicy steak or even just a burger. This wine was a very good value and an excellent introduction to Croatian wines and the Plavac Mali grape. 

2) 2018 Yamhill Valley Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir ($16-$18) 

This Oregon wine was fermented in stainless steel, and then aged for three months, 95% in stainless steel and 5% in neutral oak. With a 13.8% ABV, this wine had a rich pink color and a pleasing nose of red fruits. On the palate, it was dry and crisp, with delicious and complex strawberry, watermelon, cherry and mild citrus flavors, and a hint of herbal notes. It was fresh and clean, with a satisfying finish, and would be excellent on its own or paired with food. This would be great with seafood, pizza or even hamburgers. 

3) 2016 Karabunar "Bulgarian Heritage" Dimyat ($12-$15)
An intriguing Bulgarian wine, made with 100% Dimyat, an indigenous grape, and with a 13% ABV. On the nose, there were intriguing spice notes that reminded me a little of Gewurtztraminer. There were also some notes of pear and citrus. On the palate, I was again reminded in part of a Gewurtztraminer, with a nice spice element, along with tasty notes of pear, citrus and toasted nuts. Very crisp and with a moderate richness, it was a pleasant and refreshing wine. At this price, it's an excellent value, over-delivering for this price point.

4) NV Keush Origins Brut ($19.99)
An Armenian Sparkling wine made from two indigenous grapes, 60% Voskehat and 40% Khatouni. It was produced by the Méthode Traditionelle, aged for at least 22 months on the lees, and had a 12% ABV. When you taste this bubbly, it will remind you of Champagne. This was a serious sparkling wine. It was dry, fresh and crisp, with a complex melange of flavors, including peach, pear, citrus, white flowers and a touch of brioche. It had a creamy and rich texture, pure pleasure on the palate. It had a lingering and clean finish and over delivered at this price point.

5) 2019 Oenops Apla Dry Rosé ($14.99)
From Greece, this Rosé is a blend of indigenous grapes, 50% Xinomavro, 30% Limniona, and 20% Mavroudi, all from sustainable vineyards which are 15-45 years old. The grapes were fermented in concrete tanks and the wine wass aged on the lees for about four months before bottling. This Rosé was easy drinking, though it was far from simple, being fairly complex, especially at its low price point. With a 12.8% ABV, this Rosé had a rich pink color and an appealing nose of red fruits and citrus, and a savory hint. On the palate, it was crisp and dry, with delicious flavors of strawberry, cherry and hints of savory, almost a touch of tomato. The finish pleasantly lingered and it was a nicely balanced wine. 

Wines From $20 to $50

1) 2018 Amity Vineyards White Pinot Noir ($25)
Another Oregon wine, this Pinot Noir was lightly pressed, fermented in stainless steel and then aged sur lie for a time. At 13.9% ABV, this wine had a light pink color, almost like a Rosé, and on the nose, there was a blend of white fruit flavors, including tropical notes. Take a sip and you'd be impressed with its complex melange of rich fruit flavors, including melon, pear, pineapple and a hint of cherry. There was so much happening in your glass. Everything was well balanced and it was pure delicious, definitely excellent on its own though it would pair well with food too. Good acidity, a lengthy, pleasing finish, and you'll crave a second, and third, glass. 

2) 2017 Hyland Estates Old Vine Pinot Noir ($45)
Also from Oregon, this Pinot Noir, with a 13.3% ABV, spent about 9 months in French oak. With a medium red color, it possessed an appealing aroma of red fruits and subtle spice notes. On the palate, it was compelling and elegant, complex and silky, with delicious flavors of cherry and raspberry, with a mild spiciness, balanced acidity, well integrated tannins, and a touch of earthiness. The lengthy finish was satisfying and alluring, and beckoned for you to take another sip. 

3) 2018 Wine & Soul Guru Branco (about $35)
From the Douro region of Portugal, this compelling white wine was produced from a field blend, from a 60 year old vineyard, which is approximately 25% Viosinho, 25% Rabigato, 25% Codega do Larinho and 25% Gouveio. The wine was fermented and aged in French barriques for about seven months. With a 12.5% ABV, this wine was fresh, crisp and delicious, with a complex blend of flavors, including peach, grapefruit, mineral notes, and a touch of oak. Medium-bodied, it possessed a pleasing finish and a nice elegance. Would love to pair this wine with seafood, from oysters to cod.

4) 2014 Yamhill Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve ($40) 

Once again, an Oregon wine hits this list. This Pinot was a select barrel blend, aged for sixteen months in French oak, about 20% new. With a 14.3% ABV, it had a light ruby red color, with an alluring aroma of red fruits and subtle spices. On the palate, it presented a complex melange of flavors, bright cherry, a touch of vanilla, a mild, spicy backbone, and a hint of clove. The finish was lengthy and pleasing, with a bit more spice. Medium-bodied, interesting and delicious. 

5) 2018 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir ($42)
South Africa can produce excellent Pinot too. The wine was aged for about ten months, in a variety of French oak barrels, and was a pleasant red wine to drink and you can easily have a second, or even third glass over the course of an evening. With a dark red hue, though still partially opaque, the wine had an alluring nose of red fruits and spice, a mild floral note and a hint of earth. On the palate, it was smooth and silky, with an intriguing complex melange of flavors, including strawberry, cherry and plum, mild spice notes (including a peppery aspect), and a subtle, underlying earthiness. Nice acidity, a clean taste, and a lengthy, satisfying finish. Simply delicious.

6) 2019 Greek Wine Cellars Flowers Assyrtiko (about $25)
A Greek white wine, it had a 13% ABV with a pleasing aroma of citrus. From your first sip, you would be entranced by its freshness, crisp acidity, lemon and apple notes, and its mineral backbone. There was an interesting complexity to the wine as well, elevating it above some of the simple Assyrtiko you might find. All of its elements worked harmoniously together and it was simply delicious and refreshing, a great choice for seafood or other light fare. 

7) 2018 Éric Teixer Chat Fou Côtes du Rhône (about $23)
This French Rhône wine was a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% white grapes, including Clairette, Viognier, and Chasselas. The grapes were fermented with native yeasts in concrete tanks, and it then was aged for a year in concrete. The wine was certified organic, unfiltered, unfined, and had a 13% ABV.  The wine was intended to be fresh and light, and it certainly accomplished that objective. It had an alluring fruity nose, with hints of spice. If you took a few moments to ponder over the wine, you would realize it offered some intriguing complexity. It was an easy drinking wine but it was far from simple. Besides the delicious red fruit flavors, cherry and raspberry, there were spice notes as well as a subtle minerality. It was a well balanced wine with a very pleasing finish, excellent acidity.

Wines Over $50

1) 2017 Wine & Soul Pintas (about $90)
The grapes for this Portuguese wine were foot-trodden, and the wine aged for 22 months in French barriques. With a 13.7% ABV, this wine first evidenced a seductive aroma, subtle and complex, drawing you into its beauty. On the palate, there was an intriguing and absolutely delicious melange of complex flavors, such as ripe plum, blackberry, blueberry, mild spice notes, a few floral hints, and a touch of earthiness. Full-bodied and bold, yet elegant, with well-integrated tannins and a delightfully lengthy finish. Well-balanced and compelling, this was a superb wine, certainly evidence that Portugal can make world-class wines. It was an amazing pairing with lamb. This is also a wine that should age well for many years to come, something definitely you should add to your wine cellar. It earns my highest recommendation.

2) 2017 Wine & Soul 10 Year Old Tawny Port ($55)
Also from Wine & Soul, this Port was aged closer to 15 years, spending time in 50+ year old, 630 liter, chestnut barrels. At 19.5% ABV, its nose was compelling, with a subtle sense of sweetness amidst dried fruit and nut notes. On the palate, the Port was more dry, with only a hint of sweetness, and possessed a complex and beguiling flavor profile, with elements of dried fruit, cherry, salted nuts, honey, caramel, earthiness, and more. It drank more like a 20 year-old Port, being well balanced and well integrated, and I could have sat there all evening just sipping this Port. I can easily understand how this Port could convince more people to drink it, especially as it was more dry than sweet. This Port also earns my highest recommendation. 

3) 2014 Dominio Fournier Reserva ($50)
This Spanish wine, made from 100% Tinta del Pais, was fermented in stainless steel and wooden vats, and aged in French oak barrels for at least 18 months. With a 15% ABV, this wine had a dark red, nearly black, color with an intriguing aroma of black fruit, intense spice, and a touch of smokiness. On the palate, it was a powerful wine, yet with restraint, as the tannins weren't overpowering and it possessed a complex and concentrated melange of flavors, including plum, black berry, dark spices, a little earthiness, and more. Well-balanced, a lengthy, satisfying finish, and nice acidity. This was a wine best paired with a juicy steak, or similar hearty dish. 

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Nine countries/regions made the list this year, and Oregon took the lead with four spots with Portugal a close second with three spots. Greece came in third with two spots, while Croatia, Bulgaria, Armenia, South Africa, France, and Spain all had a single spot. As for wine types, the list is also broken down into two Rosé, four Whites, seven Reds, one Sparkling, and one Fortified. I have other wine recommendations on my blog and you just have to search for them. 

If you have some of your own recommendations for excellent wines you've enjoyed, please add them to the comments.

NV Keush Origins Brut: Armenian Bubbly

Armenia is potentially the country of origin of winemaking, with evidence dating back about 8000 years. However, during much of the 20th century, the Soviet Union forced the country to produce mainly Sherry-style wines. Once Armenia attained independence, in 1991, its winemaking industry began to change and modernize, to reclaim the glory of the past. Their wines are starting to get international attention, and locally, they have started to appear on a few wine store shelves. 

Armenia is a landlocked country, mostly mountainous, which is bordered by Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Iran to the south, and Turkey to the west. Though there are about 17,000 hectares of vineyards, most of the grapes are used for their famed brandy production. Wine production is still exploring the potential of their indigenous grapes. I've previously tasted only a single Armenian wine, though it was compelling, so I was intrigued when I had the opportunity to try another, especially bubbly from the Keush winery. 

The winery was established by Vahe Keushguerian, an Armenian born in Lebanon. Vahe worked for a number of years in San Francisco in the retail wine business before moving to Italy to make wine. He came to Armenia in 2006 to start his own winery, which was founded in 2013. The indigenous grapes for his wines come from high-elevation vineyards, about 1750 meters above sea level, in the village of Khachik, in the Vayots Dzor province. The vineyards are located on limestone and volcanic soils, the grapes are ungrafted, and about 60-100 years old. The chief winemaker is Arman Manoukian, an Armenian native. 

The NV Keush Origins Brut ($19.99) is a Sparkling wine made from two indigenous grapes, 60% Voskehat and 40% Khatouni. Voskehat, which means "golden berry," was named after the village of Voskehat. It is used to make a variety of wines, including sweet fortified wines, sparkling wine, and table wines. Khatouni provides wines with a crisp, bright finish. The wine is produced by the Méthode Traditionelle, ages for at least 22 months on the lees, and has a 12% ABV. 

When you taste this bubbly, it will remind you of Champagne. This is a serious sparkling wine. It is dry, fresh and crisp, with a complex melange of flavors, including peach, pear, citrus, white flowers and a touch of brioche. It has a creamy and rich texture, pure pleasure on the palate. It has a lingering and clean finish and over delivers at this price point. This wine will make you want to explore more Armenian wines. Highly recommended!

2014 Zorah Karasi Areni Noir: An Armenian Wine

Like the country of Georgia, Armenia has an ancient history of wine making, including the use of large clay vessels for fermentation and maturation. I know little about Armenian wines except what I've recently amassed. I don't recall ever seeing any Armenian wines in local shops, until recently at Streetcar Wines in Jamaica Plain, where I found the 2014 Zorah Winery Karasi Areni Noir (about $30).

The winery was founded by Zorik Gharibian, an Italian-Armenian, with the initial purchase of small plots of land in the Vayots Dzor region, about 1600 meters above sea level. As he wanted to make more traditional wines, Zorik sourced out karasi, clay vessels similar in many respects to the qvevri used by Georgians. The use of these ancient vessels, which extend back thousands of years, has been dying out. Zorik had to seek out used vessels, searching many different villages to find what he desired. He eventually acquired about 30 karasi and restored them all to working order.

Zorik's vineyards are phylloxera-free with sandy soil, rich in limestone, and the grapes vines came from cuttings from abandoned vineyards located at a nearby 13th century monastery. His wines are fermented in concrete vats and then matured in karasi for about a year. They are then lightly filtered and spend another six months in the bottle before release.

This wine is made from the indigenous Areni Noir grape, an ancient varietal that also extends back thousands of years. It is thought to have originated in the village of the same name in the Vayots Dzor  province. Within Armenia, it is used to make a variety of still red wines, rosé and even brandy. Considering the relative isolation of this grape, and its lengthy history, this is a grape that reflects Armenia, which provides a true sense of place.

This is a medium-red colored wine with a pleasing nose of red fruits and spice. On the palate, you truly experience its uniqueness as it presents with a complex and appealing melange of flavors, including red fruits, spice, herbal notes and an underlying earthiness. There is so much going on in the palate and there is also an exotic hint to the wine which will make you question its origins. It wasn't overly tannic, had plenty of acidity as well as more minerality. Delicious and food friendly, I strongly recommend this wine.

And now, I need to learn more about Armenian wines.

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently. **********************************************************
1)  Celebrate Taco Armageddon on July 17, from 6:30-8:30pm, orchestrated by the long lost fifth horseman of the Tacopocalypse, Chef Brian Poe. Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake will play host to Tacopocalypse. Enjoy a variety of taco offerings like Thai chicken with peach basil salsa, cherry smoked boar and other chefs’ choice specialty tacos. There will also be a dessert taco bar. Tequila Espolón will be on hand with some goodies, too. Visit Eat Boston for more info and tickets.

2)  Both Filipino and Mexican cuisines are full of bold flavors like chile, cilantro and lime, and bursting with exotic aromas and spicy accents. These common ingredients and similar flavor profiles represent a link between the two cultures cultivated for over 250 years by the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade route, which linked Spain’s colony in the Philippines with its empire in New Spain, now present day Mexico. However, in 1815 the Mexican War for Independence marked the end of the trade route, creating a divide between these two cultures that is apparent in the cuisine served in both countries today.

From Monday, July 16, through Saturday, July 20, Chef Erwin Ramos of the Olé Restaurant Group will offer a special dinner menu at both Olé Mexican Grill in Cambridge and Zócalo Cocina Mexicana in Boston, to celebrate the similarities and distinctions between Mexican and Filipino food nurtured by the Galleon trade route. Born in the Philippines, Chef Ramos will showcase the influence his heritage has had on his culinary skill set and the Mexican cuisine served in his restaurants today. For $39 per person (plus tax & gratuity), guests will enjoy a delicious four-course meal, with each course featuring one dish from each culture, served alongside one another. By the end of the meal, diners will not only have sated their appetite, but will also have a greater appreciation for the impressions Mexican and Filipino cultures left on one another as a result of hundreds of years of trade.

There is a limited time to experience this fusion of two worlds on one plate and reservations are recommended. To make a reservation at Zócalo Cocina Mexicana please call (617) 456-7849. To make a reservation at Olé Mexican Grill please call (617) 492-4495.

APPETIZER 
Chicken Taquitos/Lumpia
*Crispy corn stuffed with chicken, potatoes and cheese/
*Rice tortilla rolled with chicken and shrimp
Or
Mahi-Mahi Ceviche/Kinilaw
*Mahi-mahi in lime, jalapeno, tomatoes & cilantro/
*Mahi-mahi in lime, vinegar and ginger
Or
Corn Tamales/Suman
*Steamed cornmeal stuffed with chicken/
*Steamed sticky rice with pork
Or
Cactus Salad/Atchara with Lechon Kawali 
*Pickled cactus on a bed of mixed greens/
*Green papaya salad with roasted pork

ENTRÉE 
Mexican Adobo/Filipino Adobo (Chicken & pork)
*Cooked in achiote and dried chile paste/
*Cooked in soy sauce, garlic and vinegar
Or
Mole Amarillo/Kare-Kare
*Pork stew cooked in tomatillos & chiles/
*Oxtail in rice & peanut sauce

DESSERT 
Flan de Caramelo/Halo-Halo


I have ranted before about the lack of Filipino cuisine in the Boston area so it is great to see this dinner. I will be checking it out, so will report back my thoughts in the near future.  Hope you will check it out as well.

3) Celebrate and experience Armenian culture and cuisine at the Boston Kermesse: Armenian Street Fair & Festival. The weekend-long event, presented by the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) in Watertown, will take place this year on Friday, July 20 to Sunday, July 22. The event will showcase all aspects of Armenian culture such as art exhibits from local artists, traditional Armenian food and gourmet tastings from local food vendors including Tutunjian Wines, Eastern Lamejun, Massis Bakery, Fastachi and more.

Last year, the open-air festival attracted over 5,000 guests from the Greater Boston area, and beyond. The incredibly successful festival will once again raise proceeds to benefit the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC), a nonprofit organization tasked with sustaining and nourishing Armenian culture and education through the community center. This year, the event will feature live music by internationally renowned Armenian musicians such as Harout Pamboukjian, Arman Hovhannisyan, John Berberian Ensemble featuring Onnik Dinkjian, Arev Armenian Folks Ensemble, KarenKocharyan Quartet featuring Jerry Bergonzi and Classic Groove and other performers. Guests can experience Authentic Armenian cuisine with cooking demonstrations from local chefs including Ani Catering & Takeout and Armenian Market Bakery. Shop the latest collections of bangles and necklaces from Alex and Ani Jewelry bangle bar at Boston Kermesee. Perfect for kids of all ages, the festival will include a special visit and meet & greet by Wally of the Boston Red Sox as well as a Gladiator Joust and Bounce House.

Hours: Friday, July 20 from 6pm-11pm, Saturday, July 21 from 12pm-11pm, Sunday, July 22 from 12pm-7pm

Cost: Free admission for children's entertainment, exhibits, vendors and food. Ticketed Admission for Entertainment Portion only.
Friday, July 20: Featuring: Harout Pamboukjian! Adults: $25/Children:$10
Saturday, July 21: Featuring Arman Hovanisyan! Adults: $30/Children:$10
Sunday, July 22: Featuring Onnik Dinkjian & John Berberian & MalBarsamian
Adults: $15/Children:$10 2 Day & 3 Day Passes (Entertainment)
All-Access 3-Day Pass Adults: $55 / Children $20
2-Day (Fri/Sat) Access Pass Adults: $45/Children $15

Info: To purchase tickets or for more information please visit: www.boston-kermesse.org.

4) Proprietor Peter Lovis, of the Concord Cheese Shop, is still talking about his springtime trip to northern Italy, where he visited three cheesemakers, and participated in the production of a 400-lb. wheel of crucolo cheese that will be delivered to him in December for Concord’s annual Crucolo Day Parade. Lovis spent time at the family-owned Formaggi Carozzi in Lombardy, maker of fine taleggios and gorgonzolas. While there, he tasted some cheeses that have never been exported to the United States. It was possible to have them shipped direct to his shop, and the first wheels of these unique cheeses arrived this week. Ask for a sample of:

Strachitunt (strak-ee-tunte): A soft cow’s milk cheese with a hint of mold imbuing a mild “blue cheese” flavor; Made like taleggio, the cheesemaker pours each morning’s fresh, warm cheese curds on top of the curds that were poured and cooled from the evening before. Next, the crust is pierced to blend the two textures together. Upon maturation, the cheese becomes aromatic and runny, ideal served on crisp rye crackers.

Ricciolo: An aged cow’s milk cheese that’s tangy and crumbly on the inside, with a rustic crust on the outside. The Concord Cheese Shop has just one wheel of this cheese (but hopes to receive more), and it is in perfect condition for nibbling now.

Taleggio Piacere: If you like taleggio, you’ll love this twist on it, as they do in Valsassina, where it’s made. Young, tangy, with hints of citrus and lemon peel.

5)  On August 15, at 6:30pm,, Legal Sea Foods’ Vice President of Beverage Operations and Master of Wine, Sandy Block, will host an exciting and adventurous “Blind Tasting” wine dinner at the Park Square location. Each delectable course will feature a comparative tasting of European and “New World” wines whose identities will be concealed so guests can enjoy them with the food pairings. While discussing their distinctive qualities in a group setting, guests will indulge in the following menu:

Hors D'Oeuvres 
Clams Casino, Thyme Butter Lobster &
Pork Spring Roll, Sweet &
Sour Sauce Tuna & Coconut Milk Ceviche,* Aji Oil
First Course 
Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp
Baby Arugula & Watermelon Salad, Roasted Walnuts, Feta Cheese, Aged Balsamic Reduction
Second Course 
Pan Seared Yellow Fin Tuna
Garden Vegetables, Red Quinoa Salad, Black Olive Tapenade
Third Course
Hickory Wood Grilled Swordfish 
Stuffed Poblano Peppers, Zucchini Corn Sauce
Cheese Course
Local Swiss, Manchego, Muenster Peach Compote, Brioche Toast Points

Cost: $75 per person (excludes tax and gratuity)
Reservation required by calling: 617-530-9397

The Beehive: Armenian Night

On Wednesday, March 31, The Beehive will be hosting their first ever “Armenian Night” - featuring cuisine, libations and entertainment highlighting Armenian culture. With musical performances by the Yerevan Quintet and Musaner, and Armenian food specials prepared by Executive Chef Rebecca Newell joined by special guest Chef Marc Orfaly of Pigalle, the evening is not to be missed. The partnering chefs will be creating items such as deluxe mezze platters with assorted salads, char-grilled lamb chops with basmati rice and bean pilaf paired with apricot martinis to name a few!

This unique evening is brought to you in partnership with Hamazkayin-Boston, an Armenian educational and cultural society. Celebrate Armenian culture, music and food at The Beehive! Anoush!

The brainchild of Jack Bardy, Co-Owner, Jennifer Epstein, Co-Owner and General Manager Bertil Jean-Chronberg, the evening is part of The Beehive’s continuing effort to highlight numerous cultural voices through artistic expression.

Performance Schedule: Yerevan Quintet from 7:00-8:30pm and Musaner from 8:30pm-12:00am

Yerevan Quintet: The Yerevan Quintet will perform a collection of traditional Armenian songs as well as original compositions interspersed with classical piano, flute, bass and drums. The performance includes folk songs with contemporary arrangements and songs of many famous Armenian composers. Performers include: Samvel Galstian/vocals; Gegham Margarian/piano; Yulia Musayelyan/flute; Fernando Huergo/bass; Karen Kocharyan/drums.

Musaner: Musaner is a musical project directed by composer and pianist Ara Sarkissian. With regular performances at The Beehive, this uniquely evocative musical group encompasses original folk music compositions and arrangements from Armenia. Folk instruments from Armenia blend with the traditional language of a jazz band to create a new and original sound. While some compositions evoke the post-modernism of European composers, other arrangements rely on rhythmic and harmonic elements to stay close to the character of the original folk material. Performers include: Ara Sakissian/ Composer & Pianist; Ken Field/flute; Todd Brunel/clarinet; Daniel Bennett/saxophone; Martin Haroutunian/dap, zurna, pku, parkapzuk, duduk and shvi; Fabio Pirozzolo/percussion; Roberto Cassan/accordion; Bake Newman/bass; Gary Fieldman/drums.

Don’t miss this exciting event for one night only at The Beehive! For Reservations or more information please call 617.423.0069 or visit www.beehiveboston.com.

Time: Live Music starting at 7:00PM-12:00PM, Food & Drink from 5:00PM-2:00AM