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) Encore Boston Harbor has announced its lineup for October Master Classes and wine dinners to be held at various venues throughout the resort. The experiences are designed to inspire guest’s creativity and provide expert instruction and interaction from the resort’s leading specialists.

Sunday, October 6: Gameday Classics at On Deck Burger Bar
Join Chef Jaqueline Bullio and plan the perfect tailgate or backyard gameday party. Guests will learn the art of finger food, gameday favorites and snacks through a hands-on culinary experience in the Rare Steakhouse Kitchen. Once the bites are complete, everyone will indulge and enjoy the Patriots vs. Redskins game at the On Deck Burger Bar VIP fireplace and lounge.
The class is held from 11:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. and a private game watch will follow for the 1 p.m. game. Tickets are $199.

Thursday, October 17: Fall Mixology at Garden Lounge
Join Resort Mixologist, Adam Dennis and members of our beverage team for an interactive tutorial on crafting the perfect cocktail. Explore techniques that have been developed by bartenders from all around the world for over the past century. This class will include a detailed explanation of the spirits and accentuating elements that are used to construct fall libations. Guests will have the opportunity to learn the best methods to shake, stir or blend cocktails through hands-on use of tools and one-on-one instruction.
The event starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $99.

Friday, October 18: La Spinetta Wine Dinner at Sinatra
Join for a tour of Piedmont and experience the wines of La Spinetta. Special guest, Giorgio Rivetti will explain the flavor profiles and tasting notes while you indulge in a classic Italian truffle dinner, during this intimate evening. Taste some of La Spinetta’s best crus from a magnum and revel in the delightful combination of truffle and Nebbiolo.
The dinner starts at 6:00 p.m. and tickets are $245.

Ticket prices do not include taxes, fees or gratuity. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Encore Boston Harbor concierge at 857-770-7070. All October Master Classes and wine dinners are 21 and over events.

2) On Monday, October 7, from 6pm-9pm, The Table at Season to Taste is proud to host its second annual Boston Chefs for Gun Safety farm social at Wright Locke Farm in Winchester. Chef Carl Dooley and Pastry Chef Mary Edinger are delighted to welcome guest chefs Cassie Piuma (Sarma), Lydia Reichert (Sycamore), Peter Ungár (Tasting Counter), David Bazirgan (Bambara), Brian Miller (Fat Hen) and Kristen Rummel (Honeycomb Creamery) for a night of food, drink and music on the farm.

This year, instead of a seated dinner, the evening will feature a tastings event with each chef at their own table, creating a delicious food and an interactive atmosphere. The evening will highlight guest speakers from Moms Demand Action Massachusetts and the Survivors Network.

“These chefs are our friends, and they will be here because they care. This is such an important cause. I have two young children at home and I am stunned at what is going on in society and in our schools. At The Table at Season To Taste it is part of our mission to make a difference in our community. My team deeply appreciates that our chef friends share our conviction. We have to do what we can, so we are hosting this event on October 7th at the beautiful Wright Locke Farm in Winchester, and I know it will be an amazing evening of food, drink, music and friendship” shares Dooley.

Tickets are $115, and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.cambridgetable.com/events.

Gratitude & Highlights Of Croatia

Sunset in Gradac. Sitting at a pebbly beach, the soft murmur of the waves lapping at the shore, as I sipped a glass of Plavac Mali wine. A touch of paradise in Croatia. Such an amazing memory.

A week ago, I returned from my ten-day journey to the Republic of Croatia, and I've been processing everything I've learned and experienced, assembling everything so that I can write a number of articles about my fascinating trip. As a start, I wanted to briefly mention some of the highlights here, before I begin a deeper analysis in the coming weeks.

First though, I want to offer my deep gratitude to the K7 Cooperative, an association of seven wineries in the Komarna region, including Rizman Winery, Saints Hill Wines, Volarević Wines, Terra Madre, Modro-zelena, Neretvanski Branitelj and Deak Family Farm. They sponsored much of my trip, and several of them also provided us hospitality at their wineries, tasting us on their wines as well as providing some compelling food to accompany those wines..

Second, I also want to offer great appreciation to Mirena Bagur and Win Burke, owners of the Boston-based Croatian Premium Wine Imports. They were our excellent guides throughout most of the trip, helping to provide us a balanced view of Croatia, from its culture to its history. They also welcomed us into their home, introduced us to some of their family, and taught us about a number of Croatian traditions. The journey would not have been as interesting and fun without them.

Third, I must give many thanks to my fellow travelers, wine lovers, and wine writers, including Luiz Alberto, Nanci Bergamo, Sue Tolson, and Gian Luca Garattoni. They made this a better and more exciting trip, helping to create many great memories. They also helped by providing their own unique viewpoints on Croatia, providing different perspectives on our joint experiences.

Our journey to Croatia was primarily about wine, especially the wines of the Komarna appellation, though I also had the opportunity to taste plenty of other Croatian wines, from several other regions. In addition, we experiences numerous others aspects of Croatia, from its history to culture, from its cuisine to its traditions. Croatian wine was put into a larger context, which I believe is a better way to understand it, to not only technically assess the wines, but to comprehend how those wines fit into Croatian life. Wine isn't produced in a vacuum, but is a result of various cultural, traditional and historical elements.

The Food! There was plenty to please any adventurous food lover and its quality can compete with the best of any country. We enjoyed lots of seafood, including oysters, mussels, Noah's Ark Shell clams, eels, frog legs, octopus, shrimp, cuttlefish, scallops, squid, and more. There was a traditional Peka dinner with some of the most tender octopus I've ever eaten. There were other traditional dishes as well, such as Crni Rizot (black risotto), Buzara Mussels, Burek (type of filled pastry), Fuži sa Tartufima (pasta with truffles) and Pršut (Croatian prosciutto). Even though I got plenty of exercise on the trip, especially walking a number of walls, I did gain a few pounds while I was away.

I have fond memories of Stella, a beach side restaurant and cafe in Gradac, where we gathered each morning for tea and coffee. Although they didn't serve breakfast, their kitchen not opening until 11am, their ice cream shop did open at 8am! And I'll admit to having ice cream for breakfast a couple times, though I wasn't the only one to do so. When their kitchen was open, Stella made a tasty pizza.

The wines were impressive! Sparkling, White, Skin-Contact Whites, Rosé, and Red wines. Indigenous Croatian grapes such as Pošip, Rukatac, Plavac Mali, and Teran. International grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Organic wines. Two $6 wines that blew my mind! Reveling in the wide diversity of the expressions of Plavac Mali. A 16% ABV red wine that was so well balanced you never would have suspected it was so high. And even 18.2% ABV red wines that were similarly well balanced. I didn't get the opportunity to try Bikla, a concoction of red wine and goat's milk.

There was also Rakija, brandy spirits, which can be made from any type of fruit, and may be flavored with a wide variety of herbs and spices. For example, I tasted Biska, a rakish made with mistletoe, though my favorite was a Travarica, a compelling herbal concoction.

There's so much natural beauty in Croatia, from its crystal blue waters to its myriad of mountains. Traveling from Zagreb south, we encountered numerous tunnels, some of them quite lengthy, almost seeming as if they would be endless. It was also intriguing to pass several times through the Neum Corridor, crossing over Bosnian territory which splits Croatia into two parts. We even spent part of one day in Bosnia, checking out the stunning Krevice Falls.

We visited a few different sites of Roman ruins, from the Narona Archaeological Museum to the ruins of Salona, the ancient Roman capital of Dalmatia. We walked the Walls of Ston, a medieval fortification, as well as the walls surrounding the city of Dubrovnik. We walked through Diocletian's Palace in Split, the former home of a Roman Emperor. I viewed numerous sculptures in Zagreb, commemorating various historical personages. I eagerly devoured this exposure to the history of Croatia.

At the start of my trip, I had some time on my own so I explored the city of Zagreb, checking out spots including a Lord of the Rings themed-pub, Rakija Bar, the famed Dolac Market, Cahun (an 80+ year old hat shop), the Bornstein Wine Bar, the Agava Restaurant, and more. It was an intriguing city, filled with plenty to entice any traveller.

I also participated in a #WineLovers Hangout, held at the Pod Zidom Bistro & Wine Bar in Zagreb. Organized by Luiz Alberto, Saša Špiranec, and Ana Hozjan, this event was a BYOB dinner bringing together about 40 or so wine lovers from all over the world. There were a huge amount of bottles available to taste, from wine regions all over the world, from Greece to California, Italy to France. Two of my favorite wines were Spanish, brought by Sinisa Curavic. Instead of wine, I brought two bottles of Sake, and it was very popular with those who tasted them, though everyone had a preference for one bottle or the other.

Friendly feral cats. Game of Thrones. Dutch pancakes. Road-side fruit & veggie stands. Traffic jam caused by goats. Iron Man. King Arthur. And a myriad of other intriguing items.

I'll end with another sunset, this iime viewed from the Rizman Winery. More bliss.

What would you like to know about Croatia?

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) Football season is well underway, and TAMO Bistro + Bar at the Seaport Hotel now offers a special menu of game day fare. This menu is available every Monday and Thursday starting at 5pm and all day every Sunday.

The Menu includes:
· Spicy fries – jalapenos, parsley, chili flakes and Parmesan cheese $10
· Buffalo chicken nachos – buffalo chicken, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo $16
· Prosciutto meatballs­ – house-made meatballs, marinara, mozzarella $12
· Steak & Cheese Spring rolls – with chipotle ranch $15
· Tater tots – with spicy ketchup $12
· WB pizza – sausage, pepperoni, jalapeno, crispy $18
· North end pizza – house 4 cheese blend, tomatoes $14
· Lamb Spare Ribs – Seaport honey, Asian spices, Napa Cabbage $14
· Buffalo Wings – with bleu cheese $12

2) On Friday, October 4, from 7pm-10pm, Chef Daniel Bruce and Sommelier Benjamin Oram of the Boston Harbor Hotel welcome Patton Valley Vineyard and guests to a special five-course wine dinner at Meritage Restaurant + Wine Bar.

This inspired menu pairs well with the Oregon wines from Patton Valley Vineyard. Patton Valley shows a true excellence in their wines by responsibly and sustainably growing the Willamette Valley’s finest grapes and making beautiful wines that reflect the character of the land and of the people who produce them. They focus on Pinot Noir, but also work with Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chenin Blanc.

The full menu is as follows:
FIRST COURSE
Crispy Prosciutto, Grilled Green Melon, Cracked Black Pepper, Brie Toast
Pet Nat Rose of Pinot Noir
SECOND COURSE
Smoked Blue Fish, Barnstable Oyster, Cape Gooseberry, Nasturtium Hazelnut Crumble, Purslane, Tarragon Cultured Cream
Pinot Blanc Mora Brothers Vineyard
THIRD COURSE
Crispy Quail, Raspberry Glaze, Roasted Leeks, Fennel Confit, Vermont Shepherd Cheese Grits
Estate Pinot Noir
FOURTH COURSE
Sumac Glazed Duck Breast, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Black Garlic Wild Rice, Fresh Lingonberries
Lorna Marie Pinot Noir
DESSERT
Jasper Hill’s Cellar Harbison with Smoked Apricot, Toasted Macadamia Nuts and Grilled Olive Bread
Olorosso of Pinot Gris

Tickets are $125 per person (including tax and gratuity), and can be purchased on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/patton-valley-wine-dinner-tickets-73319804509. This is a 21+ event.

3) On Thursday, December 5, from 6pm-10pm, join NECAT for a dinner and demonstration with
special guests Jack Bishop and Elle Simone from America's Test Kitchen.

The evening will start with specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Then ticket holders will be treated to a live cooking demo led by Jack and Elle - you'll go home able to perfect a decadent dessert. Finally, you will join the chefs for an intimate and elegant seated farm-to-table dinner of their favorite ATK recipes. The dinner will feature dishes native to New England, with the ingredients sourced from our favorite local farms and fisheries.

As always, NECAT’s talented students and chefs will help make this an unforgettable evening of entertainment and cuisine, all to benefit NECAT’s Culinary Arts Job Training Program. Join us on December 5 to support our mission and enjoy this rare, one-of-a-kind culinary experience with America's Test Kitchen!
* Parking is included.

Tickets are $200 and you can buy them on Eventbrite.

4) North End seafood destination il Molo, owned by veteran restaurateur Donato Frattaroli, Sr., has launched a “Neighborhood Prix Fixe” Menu that pays homage to Frattaroli’s native Abruzzo, Italy, and the dishes that are fixtures of his childhood. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy three courses created by Executive Chef Pino Maffeo that are true to the region of central Italy known for rich vineyards and olive groves.

The special dishes are as follows and guests can select one of each course for $32. Every item on the menu is connected to a “food memory” that Frattaroli still holds dear and is now sharing with the community.
First Course
Lenticchie di Santo Stefano di Sessanio (Lentil Soup)
Late Summer Tomato Salad with onion, celery, cucumber, oregano and EVOO
Arrosticini (Traditional Abruzzese lamb skewers)
Second Course
Brodetto di pesce di Pescara (Fish stew with mussels, calamari and haddock with tomato seafood broth)
Grilled Sausages with Broccoli Rabe over Polenta
Lasagna of Egg Pasta, Veal and Pomodoro Sauce
Dessert
Chef’s Handmade Cakes and Assorted Ice Creams

The “Neighborhood Prix Fixe” Menu is available every Sunday through Tuesday evening, through October 7. To make reservations, contact the il Molo team at 857-277-1895

5) On Sunday, October 13, from 5pm-8pm, Rebel’s Guild at Revere Hotel Boston Common, welcomes guests to a whiskey tasting event featuring samples of over 30 whiskeys and bourbons from around the world.

Executive Chef Sean Dutson will be serving up a variety of items from the Rebel’s Guild Fall dinner menu while guests sample whiskey including Redemption Bourbon and Rye, Bib and Tucker, Masterson Rye, Michters Bourbon and Rye, The Dalmore, Prizefight Irish Whiskey, Angel’s Envy and many more.

Tickets start at $55 and are available on Eventbrite. Whiskey Tasting Admission is $55 per person and includes samples of over 30 whiskeys and small bites. The Whiskey Tasting Couch option is $280 and includes admission for 5 guests, samples of over 30 whiskeys, small bites and a fall themed VIP bag. Additional cocktail specials will also be available for purchase. 21+ with valid I.D. Refunds are not available.

Rant: How To Promote Croatian Wine

"Any country that aspires to be successful today has to manage its image and identity and engage in the branding process for the purpose of getting noticed globally, keeping ahead of the competition, neutralizing negative perceptions about itself, and imposing its values on other countries."
--Understanding Croatia: A Collection of Essays on Croatian Identity by Božo Skoko

What have you heard about wine from Croatia? Does it have a good reputation? Have you ever tasted wine from Croatia?

If so, what persuaded you to taste their wine? Did you like what you tasted? If so, what did you like about it? If not, why didn't you like it? Would you recommend Croatian wine to your friends?

If you've never tasted Croatian wine, why haven't you done so? And what would it take for you to taste their wines?

I could ask these same questions about wines from a number of different countries which currently occupy a tiny niche in the market. Wines from Georgia, Moldova, Israel, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Hungary, and more. The key question is how do we persuade more consumers to drink wines from these countries. And as I'm currently in Croatia, I'm going to concentrate on their wines, though understand that my comments are applicable to numerous other countries as well.

"Croatia is a European tourist brand. Almost everyone who has heard about Croatia knows that Croatia has the cleanest sea in Europe, magnificent beaches, an indented coastline and beautiful islands. On the other hand, not many people know that Croatia has a rich cultural heritage."
--Understanding Croatia: A Collection of Essays on Croatian Identity by Božo Skoko

Many thousands of wines, from all over the world, are available to consumers and the number of choices can be overwhelming. For many consumers,  they stick to wines they know, whether from major wine-producing regions or made from common, international grapes. They embrace wines from California and France, from Oregon and Italy, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Malbec, Chardonnay to Sauvignon Blanc. Some consumers are willing to drink outside their comfort zone, but they commonly seek guidance rather than take a risk on their own.

Wines from lesser known countries like Croatia have a tough battle to capture consumer awareness. Most consumers, at a wine shop or restaurant, generally wouldn't ask for a Croatian wine. In most instances, Croatian wines are a hand sell, requiring a knowledgeable and passionate wine store employee, distributor rep, or sommelier to persuade consumers to take a chance. It can even be difficult for an importer/distributor to convince a restaurant or wine shop to carry Croatian wines.

"They don’t know anything about Croatia apart from the fact that it is a beautiful country; they don’t know anything about Croatian products; they have never read a book written by a Croatian author; they don’t know anything about the Croatian way of life; they don’t know what makes us different from the other nations on the Balkan Peninsula."
--Understanding Croatia: A Collection of Essays on Croatian Identity by Božo Skoko

What do you know about the Republic of Croatia? I'll admit I knew little of the country until a few months ago. I'd previously written about one of their wines and one of these cheeses, but I hadn't delved too deeply into their history and culture. I'm sure many people are in a similar situation, knowing little about Croatia. Most of the popular news articles about Croatia have emphasized it as a tourist destination, especially its compelling beaches and islands. They haven't though revealed the complexities of Croatia, its rich contributions to the world, its vibrant cuisine and cultural traditions. I know

Who is responsible for our general ignorance of Croatia? I think that responsibility can be spread to a number of different groups, including Croatia itself. They need to do more to spread their brand in a positive way, one which encompasses all aspects of that fascinating country. They cannot and should not rely only on being a fine tourist destination, known for their beaches. They need to make the public aware of all that Croatia has to offer, to put the country in the best possible light.

A recent article in Total Croatia News, has gone into more detail about some of the specific items that would benefit the Croatian wine industry, noting there has been a "lack of coordinated promotion of Croatia's wine story." The article recommends creating four wine museums in the different wine regions of Croatia, with specifics of what those museums should include. Wine tourism can bring much revenue to Croatia, but there needs to be more attractions for them, from wine museums to wine routes.

"Croatia is a popular tourist destination but we cannot earn the world’s respect simply on account of that. Croatia has to be strong politically and economically and it has to promote its values and cultural heritage – Croatia has to become a brand that encompasses everything from economy, politics, culture, science and gastronomy to art."
--Understanding Croatia: A Collection of Essays on Croatian Identity by Božo Skoko

Writers also can do their part, by choosing to cover more than just Croatian's role as a tourist destination. Discuss its culture, its gastronomy, its wines, traditions and history. Show all of its depths and not just its surface beauty. Do we really need to read hundreds of articles extolling the virtues of their beaches and islands? There is much more that is both interesting and exciting that can be covered.

The more people know and understand about Croatia, the more positive they see the Croatian brand, the more likely they are to taste and buy Croatian wines. Croatian wines are diverse and delicious, interesting and food-friendly. They contain all of the elements that consumers would enjoy, if they only gave these wines a chance. I'll be contributing to spreading more awareness of Croatia in the coming weeks with a series of articles about my travels in Croatia.

Have you ever been to Croatia? If so, what fascinating stories can you share about your experiences?

Croatia: A Brief Introduction

“The Croats were originally a Slav tribe who were invited by the Emperor Heraclius to free the Dalmatian coast and the Croatian hinterland from the Avars, one of the most noxious pillaging hordes who operated from a centre on the Danube far and wide:”
--Black Lamb and Grey Falcon by Rebecca West

From the eastern shores of Italy, if you travel across the Adriatic Sea, a gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, you'll encounter the Republic of Croatia. It is alternatively known as a Balkan country or a Central European country, dependent on how one wants to depict the country. Croatia has a land area that's roughly equivalent to that of West Virginia, a population of about 4.5 million, and 90% of that population identifies as ethnic Croats. With a mainland coastline of about 1100 miles, it also possesses over 1,200 islands in the Adriatic Sea, about 50 of them which are inhabited.

It's history extends back thousands of years, with the Illyrians being one of the first most noticeable civilizations, even though little is still know of them. The ancient Greeks established colonies in Croatia, especially on a few islands, and by the 2nd century BC, the Romans began taking control of much of the land. Numerous Roman ruins are visible in the current day, especially Diocletian's Palace in Split.

Throughout the further centuries, the lands of Croatia would often immersed in war, being seized and controlled by various factions, including the Byzantine Empire, the Croatian Kingdom, the Republic of Venice, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire. Around 1918, Croatia was absorbed into what would soon become the nation of Yugoslavia. It took over seventy years before, in 1991, Croatia declared its independence, leading to a war that ended, fortunately, in Croatia's favor, around August 1995.

“Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.”
--George Bernard Shaw

Croatia now borders the countries of Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Bosnia & Herzegovina actually splits Croatia, at a section known as the Neum Corridor, an oddity that extends back to a treaty in 1699. It is only about 9 kilometers long, giving Bosnia & Herzegovina a tiny coastline. Croatia joined the European Union in July 2013 and though some consider Croatia a small country, it's actually larger than a number of other EU countries, including Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Culturally, Croatia can roughly be divided into three main areas, each reflective of its neighbors. The most eastern area, that closest to Hungry and Serbia, is more similar to Hungarian and Slavic cuisine and culture. The more coastal and southern area of Dalmatia, is more Mediterranean in nature while the region of Istria, to the northwest, is more Italian in nature. Great diversity in this relatively small country.

"..., for the Croatians of every degree are an amiable, open-hearted, open-handed people, who give to hospitality a very high place among the cardinal virtues and take a sincere pleasure in exercising it."
--The Times (London), August 9, 1884

Some other fun facts about Croatia, its cities and island:

• The island of Korčula is claimed to be the birthplace of the famed explorer Marco Polo.
• In 1783, the Dubrovnik Republic was the first country in the world that recognized the new United States.
• In 1617, the Croatian inventor Faust Vrančić was the first to test the parachute by jumping from a tower in Venice in 1617.
• The first prototypes of the torpedo were invented by the Croat inventor Ivan Blaž Lupic Vukić. He called it Spasilac obale, which roughly translates to "savior of coastline." 
• Croatians invented the necktie, the cravate, which was basically a scarf tied in a knot around their necks. In 1635, the cravate impressed King Louis XIII of France who helped to launch the fashion for the rest of Europe.
• In 1432, Croatia opened the first orphanage in Europe. 
• The oldest inhabited city in Europe is the Croatian city of Vinkovci, which has been continually inhabited for about 8,000 years.
• The Walls of Ston are the world's second longest preserved fortification system, after the Great Wall of China.

My explorations of Croatia will eventually lead to plenty of articles, especially concerning their wine and food, about this fascinating country. It's a country that many people know little about, and the more I learn about it, the more I understand it deserves greater attention.

"Croatia is a country of great potential and greater opportunities."
Understanding Croatia: A Collection of Essays on Croatian Identity by Božo Skoko