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.

Due to the Coronavirus, numerous planned events have been canceled or postponed. In addition, numerous people might be wary of attending any large scale events. This is going to be a very tough time for restaurants and other public businesses. For information on the Coronavirus and making yourself safer, please check out the CDC site. Be wary of trusting other sources of information, unless you have done the research to ensure they are providing correct information. There is far too much false information out there right now.

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1) On Sunday, March 22, from 7pm-9pm, Encore Boston Harbor will host an Oyster Shucking class and Shellfish Feast. Oyster Bar Executive Chef and former Neptune Oyster Chef John Ross will host an oyster shucking class featuring local shellfish harvested right here in New England. This interactive class will teach guests the art of shucking oysters before treating everyone to an extravaganza of shellfish paired with crisp sparkling wines.

The class is $95 per person, and guests can reserve a spot by calling 857-770-7070. I'll be attending this class and hope to see some of my readers there too.

My New Favorite Beer: Night Shift Harborside

If you live in Massachusetts and love beer, then you've likely heard of Night Shift Brewing, a craft brewery located in Everett. Even though their beer generally isn't sold outside of Massachusetts, numerous beer lovers from other states are also aware of and enjoy their beer. At the Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet in Melrose, where I work part-time, I see the popularity of Night Shift beer as it doesn't stay long on the shelf.

Though I'm not really a beer lover, I took the opportunity last week to attend, as a media guest, a tour and tasting at the brewery. I wasn't hopeful that I'd find a beer I enjoyed, but I was willing to check it out anyway and see what I might find. To my pleasant surprise, I found two beers that I actually liked, one which impressed me so much that I bought a couple bottles to take home.

The origins of Night Shift Brewing extend back to 2007, when three friends, Michael Oxton, Michael O'Mara, and Rob Burns, engaged in home brewing in a kitchen in Somerville. Their passion for home brewing grew, and they referred to themselves as "Night Shift" as that is when they did most of their brewing as they all worked day jobs. Eventually, in 2011, they started construction of  their first commercial brewery on Charlton Street in Everett and it opened in March 2012. They quickly outgrew this spot and in May 2014, they opened a new brewery on Santilli Highway in Everett. Current plans include the production of 10,000 barrels of beer this year.

The new brewery space includes a 2500 sq. ft. Taproom, which originally was somewhat of an after thought, as the founders didn't expect it to be as popular as it has become. You can order any of their beers, in a variety of sized-glasses, many on draft. You can also order a sampler so you can try multiple beers. They sell a little bit of food as well. Currently, they sell about 50% of their production in their taproom, showing its importance and popularity. In addition, most of the rest of their production is sold within 25 miles of the brewery.

It also helps that the brewery hosts a number of different activities during the week to draw in more customers. They also have a patio area where you can sit and drink this summer. It's a commercial area of Everett so the view isn't anything special, but you are there for the beer, not the view.

Night Shift seems to experiment often, trying to create a wide variety of different beers, including the use of a myriad of barrel types, mostly used, for aging. There are seasonal beers as well as beers that are available year round.

My primary reason for disliking most beer is their bitterness due to the hops. I have a sensitivity to certain types of bitterness and hoppy beers are a major turn-off to me. However, I am aware that there are some types of beer where the hop influence is minimal, such as the Gose style.

Gose (pronounced like "Gozer" the evil, god-like entity from the original Ghostbusters movie) is a style of beer that extends back at least to the 16th century, though some claim its lineage is even older, where it is invented in the German city of Goslar, from which it acquired its name. Over time, the style became extremely popular in the city of Leipzig, leading to the construction of over 80 Gosenschänken, Gose taverns. The style died off after World War II but has been seeing a resurgence in recent years, including the production of numerous Gose beers in the U.S.

Usually, Gose is a top-fermented sour beer, brewed from at least 50% malted wheat, with the addition of some coriander, and usually has only a 4%-5% ABV. They generally do not have a prominent hops flavor and taste sour because of their inoculation with lactic acid after the boil. Gose commonly has a tart lemony taste with an herbal element and briny aspect. The briny aspect sometimes comes from the addition of salted water. Within the U.S., breweries across the country have been creating their own Gose-style beers, putting their own spin on it, including some which are hoppy or flavored with other substances.

The Night Shift Harborside ($12/750ml) is a Gose-style ale that was brewed with coriander and Island Creek Oysters. Beer brewed with oysters? Yes, and they are not the only brewery which has done so. The Harbourside is a traditional Gose in many ways, being a top-fermented wheat beer and a 3.6% ABV. However, instead of adding sea salt or salted water, they produced the batch with the addition of about 350 live oysters to the wort a few minutes before the end of the boil. I found this beer to be crisp and refreshing with a bright lemon taste, mild coriander spice, and a strong briny element which I very much enjoyed. It made for an excellent summer drink, sour and salty, and lacked the bitterness I find in many there beers. And with its low alcohol, you could drink plenty of this on a nice summer afternoon. I think this beer would pair well with seafood dishes too!

It certainly qualifies as the best beer I've had this year and sets a high bar for any other beers I sample the rest of this year. Even if you think you don't like beer, you should taste the Harborside as it may change your mind.

I also enjoyed the Timbo Slice, a barrel-aged sour golden ale with tangerines and apricots. It had bright fruit flavors, including stone fruit and tropical fruit, with a mild earthy aspect. This is a beer with a bit more substance to it, and just wasn't as summery as the Harborside, though I would enjoy the Timbo Slice in the fall and winter, maybe paired with a beef dish.

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 Will Gilson and the Puritan and Co. team invite guests to enjoy a cone (or six) at their upcoming soft serve pop-up. The team at Puritan & Company is embracing the warm weather with the addition of a one-time-only soft serve pop-up on Saturday, July 9th. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  the space next to Puritan & Co. will transform into a decedent soft serve pop-up concept.

The soft serve will cost $5 with homemade toppings available for an additional $0.50 each. Specialty Puritan and Co. sandwiches may also be available for purchase.

Homemade toppings will include:
Homemade peanut Butterfinger
Homemade hard pretzel crumbs
Farmer’s market berries
Rainbow and chocolate sprinkles
Brownie pieces
Toasted salted nuts
Toasted coconut
Cookie crumble
Hot fudge
Salted caramel sauce

2) This Independence Day, Bukowski Tavern in Cambridge’s Inman Square will host a luau-themed celebration in honor of our nation’s fiftieth state. Courtesy of Buks, the Hawaiian 4th of July fête will dress patriots in grass skirts, leis and coconut bras to get into the festive spirit. Chef/owner Brian Poe will be serving up the special Hawaiian Luau Burger with spicy Napa cabbage, cucumber, mango and peanut slaw, spam bits and guava BBQ sauce ($12.95). To sip, bar manager Justin Lipata will lead the team in pouring tiki drinks while tapping the kegs to specialty brews including Goose Island’s Four Star Pils, 10 Barrel Brewing Co.’s Piña, a seasonal wheat beer with pineapple and passion fruit, and a special cask of the grapefruit peel-infused Blue Point Hoptical Illusion.

WHEN: Monday, July 4, beginning at 4pm
COST: Specials available at a la carte pricing

3) Parsnip Restaurant and Lounge invites guests to enjoy the warm, summer weather on their newly opened patio. Parsnip’s new patio, located adjacent to the restaurant’s Winchester Street entrance is the perfect spot for enjoying a bite while people-watching in Harvard Square’s Winthrop Park. The space, shaded by sleek umbrellas, seats 20 and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The patio features a special menu of lighter fare, which includes:
English green pea falafel ($6)
Oysters with mignonette and seasonal accouterments (Market Price)
Grilled shrimp with watermelon, feta, and basil ($18)
Cheese platter with chutney and crostini (three for $15 or 5 for $21)
Charcuterie platter ($25)
Maine lobster roll with butter poached lobster, chives, lobster-infused potato roll, and fries ($27)
Salmon sliders with shaved fennel salad and caper aioli ($15)

4) Owner Nick Frattaroli, Chef Kenny Schweizer, and General manager Mike Wyatt of Ward 8 have unveiled a new summer menu showcasing the season’s bounty. The cuisine and cocktails on the menu reflect Ward 8’s commitment to providing guests a casual but refined dining experience in Boston’s North End.

New, summer menu highlights include: Lobster “Hole” with fresh shucked lobster, black truffle mayo, griddled brioche and sweet potato fries; Crispy Pork & Watermelon with braised pork belly, fresh watermelon, watercress and feta; Curried Mussels with beer-steamed mussels, curry coconut broth and country bread; Carpetbagger Carpaccio with beef carpaccio, fried oysters and pickled crème fraiîche; Pan Seared Shrimp & Scallops with sweet potato gnocchi, tomato, scallion, spinach and citrus fumet; Fried Clam Lettuce Cups with whole belly clams, slaw and pickle chips; and raw bar options including a Seafood Plateau, Lobster Cocktail, Chilled Steamed Clams, and more.

Ward 8 is also now hosting Oyster Mondays and Lobster Clambake Sundays. Every Monday night throughout the summer from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Ward 8 is serving up grilled oysters for $1.50 and raw oysters for $1. Every Sunday night throughout the summer from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Ward 8 offers a delicious Lobster Clambake for only $35, which includes a full lobster, clams, corn on the cob, mussels and chorizo sausage.

To complete the dining experience, Ward 8’s carefully curated menu of high-quality, craft cocktails has been updated to highlight the summer’s flavors and ingredients. Ward 8’s delicious and refreshing cocktail options now include: Charles Marie with passion fruit, green chartreuse, cacao and club soda; After School Special ketel oranje, falernum, pineapple and mango pale ale; Hotline Sling tanqueray 10, aperol, lemon and pink bubbles; and Cute But Pyscho ron zacapa, grapefruit, lemon and bantam cider.

5) Experience an All-American feast at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in honor of the Fourth of July as Davio’s is offering two exclusive specials just for America’s birthday. Available on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3, the Surf N’ Turf Burger ($30) takes it to the next level with the bi-coastal bounties of Kobe Brandt beef from California and fresh Maine lobster, topped with truffle béarnaise sauce and served with a heaping side of truffle fries. And available from Tuesday, July 5, to Friday, July 8, enjoy some Red, White & Blue Sangria ($13), a light and fruity libation.

6) Local beverage innovators Spindrift and Night Shift Brewing share values of making real, quality ingredients a priority in everything they do, and for one night are aligning for a fun summer celebration of Boston’s real food movement, and the consumers who care as much about what they drink as what they eat. The evening will highlight Boston’s freshest food and drinks with local food trucks brought in for the occasion, live music, complimentary Spindrift and an interactive “The Real Squeeze” station where attendees can fresh-squeeze their own Spindrift flavors.

WHERE: Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Hwy, Everett
WHEN: Wednesday, July 13th, 7-11 pm

Spindrift is proud to make the first and only sparkling waters with real, fresh fruit. The water is triple-filtered, and the fruit is picked from family farms and then squeezed and bottled/canned within only a few days from harvest. The result is light, bright, and slightly pulpy sparkling beverages.  Night Shift Brewing was founded in 2012 by three friends passionate about home brewing. This Massachusetts brewery aims to create and share a world-class culture with memorable craft beers that offer a wide array of unique, complex flavors through culinary inspiration and innovation.

7) Located in the heart of Harvard Square, Asian-Fusion eatery Night Market is rolling out a tasty, and refreshing way for Bostonians to beat-the-heat this summer. When temperatures reach 85+ degrees, diners who order any flavor of Night Market’s famous Sake Slushies, will receive half-off an order of the “Lick ‘em Sticks.”

Diners can choose from a refreshing variety of slushie flavors including Pineapple Coconut Punch, Yamato Mule, and a rotating “Slushie du jour.” Night Market’s Lick ‘em Sticks includes five sticky rice balls served with garnishes and an addictively tasty dipping sauce.

Guests must be 21+ and show valid identification to take advantage of the special.
WHEN: Available Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to close whenever the temperature is 85+ degrees.

I have tasted the Sake Slushies and they do a very good job, and the slashes definitely are perfect for summer weather.

8) Chef Moe Kuroki of OISA Ramen is hosting another pop-up event, this time at Brassica Kitchen + Cafe, located in Jamaica Plain. The event will be held on Monday, July 11, from 6pm-9pm.

The Ramen Dinner ($35/person) will include three courses and you must purchase tickets ahead of time as there is a limited amount of ramen available. And Chef can work with dietary restrictions if she is notified 5 days before the event. Please let the Chef know if you have food allergies, because not all of the ingredients are listed.
--Shabu shabu salad (thinly sliced pork, ponzu dressing)
--Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen (Pork broth with homemade noodle, pork belly, egg, burnt garlic oil, scallion, sesame)
--Mitsu Mame, Japanese style fruit salad (Elderflower kanten jelly, watermelon, orange, mint syrup)

Buy tickets online here.

There will also be an a la carte Izakata menu offered all night, with no ticket purchase nesessary.
--Shichimi Fries (Spicy seven spice French fries)
--Age dashi Tofu (Tofu with mushroom and kombu dashi)
--Tsukune (Chicken meatball)
--Buta Don (Pork, soy soaked egg, rice)
--Yasai Don (Summer vegitable, rice)
--Chasu Chili Dog (Chili with pork, cabbage)
--Old Fashioned Mitsu Mame (whiskey kanten, orange, cherry)

I've been to a couple of the OISA Ramen events and the Ramen is absolutely delicious. This should be an excellent event and I highly recommend you check it out.

Stoneham Sun: Sei Bar, a New Asian Option

My new column of "A Passionate Foodie" can be found in the August 27 issue issue of the Stoneham Sun newspaper. This is a weekly column that concentrates on reviews of local restaurants though it may also touch on a few other food and wine topics.

The new column has been published today and will soon be available online. The new column is a restaurant review of Sei Bar, a new Sushi, Thai and Asian restaurant in Everett. They also have a second location in Medford. They are an inexpensive place that serves plentiful portions of good food.

I also announce the winner of my First Anniversary contest!

If you have any questions or comments about my column, feel free to add them here.

Dine with passion.

Sei Bar

While driving down Broadway in Everett, I noticed a new restaurant, Sei Bar, where Antoinetta's used to be located. Sei Bar is a Sushi, Thai and Asian restaurant so I decided to stop by for dinner one evening and give it a try. I would later find out that they have a Medford location as well.

The Everett location is small and can only fit about sixteen people. It is a casual place with an Asian decor. Their menu is fairly large and includes: Japanese appetizers, Thai appetizers, soups, salads, Japanese entrees, Thai entrees, Noodles and Rice dishes, Chef's Specials, Sushi, Sashimi and Maki rolls. You will find much that is familiar as well as a few different items too. With all the choices available, you should easily be able to find something you like.

We chose to get some appetizers, sushi and a couple of entrees, to get a feel for their food. We started our meal with some miso soup, which comes with the entrees. It was lukewarm though it was otherwise good. The Gyoza (8 for $5.50) were excellent, perfectly fried and filled with lots of tasty meat and veggies. Plus, you got more Gyoza than most other places serve. The Beef Kushiyaki (small $6) were pieces of beef with teriyaki sauce, just like they had Beef Teriyaki, taken them off the skewers and cut them into pieces. The bowl contained plenty of meat, especially for a small, and they were delicious.

The Popcorn Tuna ($7) was a more unusual dish. It contained a large bowl of fried pieces of tuna. I could not believe the amount we received for the price. And they were very good, with an interesting spicy batter and tender tuna. I was disappointed with the Shrimp Tempura ($7) though. The Shrimp could have been bigger and the batter was too heavy and thick, not the way tempura should be. The veggie tempura did contain very fresh veggies but the batter was still too heavy. For sushi, I tried some Maguro (tuna-$4.80), Unagi (eel-$5.10) and Tamago (egg omelet-$3.10). The sushi was fresh enough and tasted good though a bit smaller than some other places.

For main dishes, we tried the Chicken Pad Thai ($8.20) and General Gao's Chicken ($11.20). Both dishes were good sized and very tasty. My wife very much enjoyed the Pad Thai. The General Gao's tended toward the spicy, which I enjoy, but still with some sweetness. One of the better General Gao's I have had in some time.

Service was good, though they did bring out too many dishes at once rather than spacing them out better. As this is a new restaurant though, some allowances have to be made. Overall, many of the dishes are good-sized, reasonably priced and delicious. There were a couple less than stellar items but may be they wil improve over time. I would return again to try some of their other dishes, and maybe even their lunch specials. It is worth checking out.

Sei Bar
918 Broadway
Everett, MA
Phone: 617-381-1880

182 Main St.
Medford, MA
Phone: 781-391-4363

PRP Wine International Event

PRP Wine International will be holding a special warehouse sale this Thursday to Sunday, December 20-23. Their hours will be Thursday 4-8pm, Friday 4-8pm, Saturday 12-9pm, and Sunday 12-4pm.

PRP sells wine from small suppliers including Ferdinand Pieroth GmbH Winery (Germany), Pieroth Winery (Hungary), Vicomte Bernard de Romanet Winery (France), Conté Ottavio Piccolomini Winery (Italy), and Golden Grape Estate (California). They do private house tastings, hotel tastings and other private events. They have warehouse sales infrequently so this might be the time to check out what they have for sale.

I know little about PRP or their wines but am intrigued by this event so I will likely try to stop by at some time. You never know what wines you might find there. If you are in the neighborhood, why not check it out.

PRP Wine International
82 Spring Street
Everett, MA
Phone: 866-552-8200