Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) On Wednesday, December 18th, at 6pm, the Blue Ox welcomes guests to a special Beer Dinner,  paired with a multi-course meal designed to enhance the flavors of each bite. This multi-course meal will include a reception, followed by a first, second, third, and fourth course, and finished off with dessert. 

The reception features a Pilsner Urquell from the Czech Republic. The first course consists of Duck Rillettes, with warm brie and crostini. This will be served with St. Bernardus from Belgium. The light second course is a winter salad with mixed greens, dried cherries, pears, crumbled blue cheese, candied walnuts, and a maple vinaigrette. This salad is paired with Weihenstephaner, a Bavarian Wheat Beer from Germany. Following this, The Blue Ox will serve Pan Roasted Quail with mashed sweet potato and pan jus with herbs. A Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing in Ohio will accompany this. The last course before dessert will be an Ox Shephard’s Pie - stock simmered pork, lamb and beef, carrots, onions, tomatoes, parmesan with butter, and sage mashed potato crust. An Irish red ale from Massachusetts will be served with this meal. Lastly, dessert will be a Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting, paired with a double IPA from Bell’s in Michigan.

The cost is $129 per person (which includes tax and gratuity) and you can purchase tickets HERE.

2) Matria, a Piedmont-inspired steakhouse, is launching brunch service, beginning Saturday, December 14th. Brunch will be available every Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 2 PM.

The new brunch menu includes dishes such as:
Steak and Egg – 12 oz. Piedmontese rib eye, over-easy egg, fennel slaw and golden fries
Citrus Waffle – Whipped citrus mascarpone, lemon curd, chocolate fudge
Di Parma Mozzarella Waffle Ham – Calabrian honey, fontina cheese, parmesan and arugula
Caponata Focaccia – Two fried eggs, pomegranate molasses, pine nuts, arugula and basil

To end your brunch experience on a sweet note, you can select from either a Tiramisu, Panna Cotta or a traditional Piedmontese region specialty, a Bonet, chocolate egg custard, caramel, amaretto cookie dessert.

To enhance the experience, Matria also offers complimentary parking for all brunch guests. 

Make reservations HERE.

3) For a limited time, Kane's Donuts will prepare Sufganiyot donuts in honor of Hanukkah from Wednesday, December 25th, through Tuesday, January 2nd. This traditional holiday dessert is a black raspberry jelly-filled donut, with Kane's famous light yeast dough sprinkled with powdered sugar and an extra dollop of jelly on top. The donuts are available for pre-order by the dozen for $25 at Kane's Rt. 1, Lincoln Avenue, and Boston locations. Donuts can be ordered HERE. 

Sufganiyot is a traditional cross between a beignet and a pillowy jelly donut and is eaten worldwide during the eight nights of Hannukah. It's said that fried treats are a good fit for a holiday focused on oil, commemorating the miracle of one night of oil lasting for eight.

2024: My Top 50 Favorite Restaurants

As 2025 approaches, it's time once again to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. Yesterday, I posted My Top Four Favorite Restaurants & Three New Favorites of 2024. It's time now to cover my Top 50 Favorite Restaurants of 2024. This list includes those Massachusetts places where I'm sure to always have a delicious meal, whether a casual breakfast or a high-end French dinner. These are the places I seem to recommend the most to others, including some places where I dine on a regular basis.

Many of these places have been listed on prior Favorite Lists, some for multiple years, and are all worthy of recognition and recommendation. There are also some new Favorites, places I only recently encountered but which I know I will be returning frequently. Please note that this list doesn't include the restaurants which I previously recommended in my first favorites list of this year. 

Please also note that this is also not a list of the "Best" restaurants, but my own personal favorites, however I suspect most people will agree that the restaurants on this list are worthy of your attention. And if you dine at any of these places based on my recommendation, please let them know.

There are thousands of restaurants in the Boston+ area and just because a place is not on my list doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it. This is only a small list, and can't include every good restaurant. Plus, there are some worthy restaurants that I haven't yet dined at, or reviewed, and I hope to remedy that in 2025. For more Restaurant reviews, you can just search my blog posts for the past year. 

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Beverly 
A&B Burgers: Excellent burger spot, with a large tequila list too.

Butter UR Biscuit: Delicious biscuit sandwiches. Love the Cheesy Bird Biscuit. 

Soall Viet Kitchen: Excellent Vietnamese cuisine. Some of my favorite dishes include their plump Shrimp Summer Rolls, the crispy Sweet Potato & Shrimp Fritters, the tasty Steamed Pork Bao, and the alluring Chicken Clay Pot. 

Boston
Bistro du Midi: A fine French bistro.

Committee Ouzeri & Bar: Tasty Greek cuisine with a nice Greek wine list. 

Dumpling Cafe: In Chinatown, one of my favorite spots for Soup Dumplings. 

Mooncusser Fish House/Cusser's Roast Beef: Two restaurants in one, with a high-end seafood restaurant and a casual roast beef sandwich spot. 

Myers & Chang: Still consistently excellent with creative Asian cuisine.

Prezza: Excellent Italian cuisine. One of the best in the North End.
Select Oyster Bar: Top notch seafood restaurant. 

Brookline
Taberna de Haro: Spanish tapas with a huge Spanish wine list, and a compelling Sherry list. Almost every time I'm in the area, I stop by at least for a glass of Sherry.

Burlington
The Bancroft: One of my favorite steakhouses, and a great spot for lunch too.

Feng Shui: Tasty Chinese and Japanese cuisine, with a buffet on the weekends.

Karma Asian Fusion Cuisine: High-end Asian spot with amazing Sushi.

Row 34: An excellent, high-end seafood restaurant. I even love their Tuna Melt. 

Sichuan Gourmet: Authentic Sichuan cuisine.

Việt Citron: Casual Vietnamese restaurant serving primarily delicious Bahn Mi and Pho. Their Crispy Pork Belly Bahn Mi is excellent. 

Cambridge
Puritan & Co.: Modern American cuisine for dinner and an excellent Brunch.
Sumiao Hunan Kitchen: Authentic Hunan cuisine and a place to explore Baijiu.
Tampopo: A tiny spot for tasty and inexpensive Japanese cuisine.

Pammy's: New American cuisine with an Italian accent. 

Charlestown

Peruvian Taste Restaurant: A casual spot, serving delicious and authentic Peruvian cuisine, including Chifa, a combination of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine. 

Chelsea

Tambo 22: A high-end Peruvian restaurant with excellent food and a killer bar program. Pisco Sours!

Danvers:

Nick & Andy's: One of my favorite Breakfast spots, which very reasonable prices. Love their fresh-baked muffins and hashbrowns, as well as their Chicken & Waffles.

Ipswich

Clam Box of Ipswich: My favorite clam shack on the North Shore, providing such delicious, fresh fried seafood. On Fridays, they often have Fried Lobster Tails, such a decadent treat. 

Malden

All Seasons Table: Excellent Asian cuisine, including sushi.

District Kitchen: Excellent spot for Chinese cuisine, from Soup Dumplings to Dan Dan Noodles. 

Medford
Bistro 5: Delicious Italian cuisine. Lots of special seasonal menus.

Melrose

Liberty Bell Roast Beef: I often dine here, or get take-out, enjoying their tasty roast beef sandwiches or crispy chicken fingers. 

Thai Chili Basil: Tasty takeout Thai spot. Love the Chiangmai Noodles. 

Newton

Farm Grill & Rotisserie: Casual Greek spot with delicious gyros, lamb dishes, and more.

Peabody:

Endless Hibachi & Sushi: All you can eat Sushi, Japanese appetizers and Hibachi. One of the best deals in the area. 

Ithaki: Delicious Greek cuisine and wine.

Pellana Prime Steakhouse: Another of my favorite steakhouses.

Salem

Bambolina & Kokeshi: Where else can you find delicious wood-fired pizza and ramen in the same place? Bambolina and Kokeshi are two restaurants, under the same ownership, which also share the same space. 

Saugus

Prince Pizzeria: A 60+ year old pizza restaurant, and probably the place where I've had lunch the most amount of times this past year. I've been dining there since I was a child, and I still love their pizza, meatballs (and new meatball egg rolls!), and other Italian dishes.

Somerville:

Yakitori Totto: Excellent yakitori (grilled meats, seafood, and veggies) as well as other Japanese dishes. So much variety available, and prices are reasonable. 

Stoneham

Ailaa Himalayan Bar: Intriguing and delicious Himalayan cuisine.

Anthony's Italian Specialties: Their sandwiches are tasty and huge, filled with plenty of meat and/or veggies, and the quality of their meat and produce is excellent. One sandwich can feed two people.

Fusion Taste: Tasty Chinese and Japanese cuisine, and a place I regularly get take-out. 

Sturbridge:

B.T.'s Smokehouse: Tasty barbecue spot, and their fried chicken is one of my favorites. Plus, they are a BYOB spot so you can bring your own wine or beer. 

Watertown
Jana Grill: Intriguing Aremenian and Georgian cuisine. Love the Ajarian Khachapuri. 

Wayland

Coach Grill: Another of my favorite steakhouses.

Winchester

China Sky: Tasty Chinese and Japanese dishes, including sushi. Their Sesame Chicken is probably the most delicious example of this dish I've eaten. 

Ristorante Lucia: Old-school Italian spot, with superb pizza which doesn't receive anywhere near the amount of recognition that it deserves. 

Woburn
Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe: Tiny Chinese spot with delicious home-made noodles, dumpling soup, and lamb skewers. 

Flip The Bird: Fast-casual spot for delicious fried chicken sandwiches

Hahaha Chicken: Casual spot for tasty Korean Fried Chicken. 

Shake Shack: My fast casual burger joint of choice. I usually go to either their Woburn or Burlington locations. 

Surf Seafood: Excellent seafood dishes. Their Portuguese Seafood Stew is amazing.

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Support the Restaurant Industry: The restaurant industry was devastated by this pandemic, especially as the federal government didn't do enough to aid and assist the industry. Some restaurants have closed permanently and others may still be forced to do so in the future. In addition, food and labor costs have increased significantly since then, making restaurants more expensive. We need to support our favorite restaurants as much as we are capable, from buying gift cards to ordering take-out, from getting delivery to tipping well. If you have a positive dining experience, tell your family and friends. Spread the word on social media. Give them your support!

What were some of your Favorite Restaurants this year?

2024: My Top Four Favorite Restaurants & Three New Favorites

As 2025 approaches, it's time once again to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. It's the time for my Annual Year-End Favorite lists, from restaurants to wine. And I'm starting this year with my Top Four Favorite Restaurants of 2024 & Three New Favorites. These end-of-the-year lists should provide a comprehensive summary of my favorites, allowing my readers to more readily locate such gems, the best of my recommendations. 

I'll note that last year this list included only my Top Three Favorite Restaurants. However, this year, another restaurant has risen to the top of my attention, thoroughly impressing me with its consistent excellence. It's more than worthy of being on this list, but the other three restaurants already on the list remain worthy as well. So, this year, I chose to make this a Top Four list, to accommodate this new Top Favorite.  

This list is also in no particular order, and is purely a subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. However, all of the restaurants here earn my heartiest recommendation and I hope you'll enjoy them as well, as so many others have done. For more Restaurant reviews, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

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My Top Four Favorite Restaurants are those exceptional spots which are consistently excellent, offering great food and drink as well as top notch service. These are the four places which first come to my mind when I want a celebratory dinner, or just want a sublime dining experience. They receive my unqualified highest recommendation. These are also the restaurants I most frequently recommend to others when I'm asked for my top restaurants. And those people who then go to these restaurants usually become big fans of these restaurants too.  

Krasi Meze & Wine (Boston)

Part of the Xenia Greek Hospitality group, this Greek restaurant is amazing, where nearly every innovative dish is exceptional. Their menu consists of a wide selection of small plates, perfect for sharing, and offers creative Greek cuisine, with roots in tradition but it's not afraid to experiment. Their Greek wine list, the largest in the country, is superb with so many delicious and interesting options. Service is excellent, and the servers are very knowledgeable of the food and wine. Krasi never disappoints.

Nightshade Noodle Bar (Lynn)

Offering inventive and delicious French/Vietnamese inspired-cuisine, with their own unique spin, this restaurant offers Tasting Menus, ranging from 7-30 courses. Their dishes are exceptional, bursting with flavor, and creatively composed. Plus, they have an excellent wine list and cocktail program. I like their homey vibe, service is always excellent, and they have an open kitchen, which I've always loved. They recently instituted a 30 course tasting menu and one of my desires for 2025 is to partake of that epic dinner. Be adventurous with your palate and you'll be amply rewarded. 

A Tavola (Winchester)

This excellent Italian restaurant in Winchester first made my Top Three list last year, and it continues to impress. Chef Joe Carli is very talented and personable, and his Italian cuisine is as good as anything you'll find in the North End. The restaurant is still relatively small and intimate, although this year they enlarged their space a bit, adding a small bar and some additional tables. Much of the sourcing is from local farms. I especially love their superb home-made pasta dishes, as well as when they have Duck Wings as a special. Their wine list concentrates on Italian wines, and there are many good choices. You also should check out their event list, which includes fun and tasty wine dinners and cocktail classes, like the A Tour of Italian Noble Grapes and BBQ & Bourbon events I attended this year. 

Il Ponte (Woburn)
Chef Beni Kurti of Il Ponte has brought his deep passion, lengthy culinary experience, and charm to Woburn. It's a homey restaurant, with a casual elegance, and the Italian cuisine is top notch, from home-made pasta dishes to exquisite Neapolitan pizza. During this past year, I've thoroughly enjoyed so many different dishes here, such as the Lamb Lollipop Milanese (pictured above_. Their Swordfish Puttanesca, which is a Special all the time, is amazing, an ample piece of tender and moist Swordfish with a compelling puttanesca sauce. Service is excellent, the servers being genuinely personable and attentive, without being obtrusive. It's consistently superb and every person I've recommended has raved about their own dining experience. Besides dining there numerous times this year, I also celebrated my birthday there and it was a memorable event. Il Ponte also recently added a special Gelato machine, and the gelato is silky and delicious. There's no need to drive into Boston for Italian cuisine with restaurants such as Il Ponte north of Boston.  

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I want to now address those restaurants, which were new to me this year, and impressed me. These are definitely restaurants I want to dine at again, and which are worthy of a hearty recommendation. 

XOXO Sushi Bar (Chestnut Hill)

This high-end Sushi spot opened in March and it's a superb spot, offering some of the best Sushi in the area. They serve Edomae-style sushi, which includes the used of aged and preserved fish, and they even have an intriguing glass case behind the sushi bar showing the aged fish. They serve other Japanese specialties as well, and they are as delicious as their sushi offerings. Their beverage program, from Sake to cocktails, is excellent as well. This is a restaurant well worth a splurge. 

Greco (Burlington)

I was very excited this past year when a branch of the Greco chain opened at the Burlington Mall. I've been a fan since the first Greco opened in 2017 on Newbury Street. It's a fast casual restaurant, specializing in Gyros and Loukoumades (Greek donuts!). Everything is made fresh, so you can enjoy whatever your food preference. You can opt for a Pita, Plate or Salad, with both meat and veggie options. The Greco Fries, with French fries topped by feta cheese, are delicious. And you have to end your meal with sweet Loukoumades, available own three flavors. 

Pinoy Kabayan (Boston)

There's only 3 Filipino restaurants in the Boston+ area, and Pinot Kabayan is the only one in Boston proper. This new restaurant is a fast-casual spot which does plenty of take-out. The food is authentic, delicious and reasonably priced. Many of the dishes are very approachable, such as Tocino (sweet cured pork) and Tapa (Filipino jerky) while other dishes are for the more adventurous. For example, Dinuguan, which roughly translates "bloody soup or stew," is commonly made with pork, offal and pork blood. However, I found it delicious, especially atop some garlic rice. I eagerly look forward to dining there again soon.

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There are a few other new restaurants I've dined at this past year, but for which I haven't yet written reviews, but which are still worthy of recognition. They include Sogne (Woburn, Italian cuisine), Fiorella's Cucina (Burlington, Italian cuisine), Adega Restaurant (Woburn, Portuguese), Bar Mezzana (Boston, Italian cuisine) and Feather & Wedge (Rockport, Seafood). Reviews of these restaurants are likely to come in 2025.

What were some of your Favorite Restaurants this year?

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) With Christmas Eve and Christmas just around the corner, a variety of Boston-area restaurants are embracing the festive spirit and celebrating the holidays with special menus and more. Here are some of holiday offerings: 

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse celebrates an Italian Christmas Eve tradition, the annual Feast of the Seven Fishes on Tuesday, December 24th, from 4pm – 10pm at all Massachusetts locations. Menu highlights include Oysters Rockefeller, Nantucket Bay Scallops, East Coast Halibut, Lobster, Osetra Caviar, Crab and more. The history of the tradition stems from honoring the day before a religious holiday, when no meat is served, and the dishes all represent family favorites from Chef/Owner Steve DiFillippo. The seven fishes represent the seven Catholic Sacraments, days of the week, number of pilgrimage churches in Rome and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The full dinner menu is also available. The Feast of the Seven Fishes is available for $85 per person, excluding taxes and gratuity. Davio’s is closed on Christmas Day and December 26th. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling or by visiting Davio's website and selecting your desired location. 

Matria Boston, the Northern Italian inspired steakhouse at InterContinental Boston, will host a traditional Italian American celebration, Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th, from 4:30pm – 10pm. Complete with a Seafood Tower ($170) that includes Maine lobster, Wellfleet oysters, shrimp, stone crab claws, and dipping sauces like lemon aioli, cocktail sauce, and mignonette. Guests can choose from the Ricciola Crudo ($24), lemon EVOO, balsamic pearls, micro basil and pistachio; “Liguria” Cloppino ($58), lobster, bronzini, Atlantic Salmon, mussels, clams, shrimp, salsa verde, lemon aioli, and focaccia. Call (617) 217-5151 to make reservations.

Back Bay steakhouse Abe & Louie’s will be dishing out a quintet of specials on Christmas Eve. To start, there are roasted East Coast oysters with lemon-butter sauce ($24) and brie en croûte with red currant compote ($18). For a taste of tradition, opt for a 14-ounce prime rib with a twice baked potato, horseradish cream and au jus ($75). Pescatarians can get their fix with pan-roasted branzino with melted leeks, escarole and Meyer lemon beurre blanc ($ 45). The dessert feature is a gingerbread yule log with Chantilly whipped cream ($15). Call (617) 536-6300 for Reservations.

Atlantic Fish Co. will feature their full menu of seafood classics in addition to some holiday features on Christmas Eve. Start with clams casino with smoked bacon, bell pepper and breadcrumbs ($20) or cauliflower soup with herbed croutons ($14). The duo of mains is bouillabaisse with lobster, shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, cod and saffron rouille in a tomato-fennel broth ($48) as well as Nantucket Bay scallops with Japanese sweet potato, roasted mushrooms and champagne beurre blanc ($45). Satiate your sweet tooth with a gingerbread yule log with Chantilly whipped cream ($15). Call (617) 267-4000 for Reservations.

In Wayland, Coach Grill will feature five specials on Christmas Eve. For appetizers, there is lobster bisque with crème fraiche ($17) and a baby spinach salad with goat cheese, portobello and roasted peppers ($17). For entrees, there’s an 18-ounce bone-in NY strip with roasted asparagus and bone marrow butter ($85) as well as herb-crusted Chilean sea bass with butternut squash puree and black truffle sauce ($47). For dessert, indulge in a gingerbread yule log with Chantilly whipped cream ($15). Call (508) 358-5900 for Reservations. 

Located on the rooftop at The Newbury Boston, Contessa Boston brings the elegance of Northern Italy to Boston and will be celebrating Christmas with an exclusive Christmas Day menu ($195 per person), available on Wednesday, December 25, served family-style with antipasti to start, choose from Burrata with Caviar; Carciofi salad of shaved artichokes, crushed almonds, parmigiano, and lemon; Chianina Beef Carpaccio alla Piemontese; Primi, enjoy the Spicy Lobster Rigatoni or Fettuccine Bolognese; Secondi, Prime Rib Grilled or Mediterranean Branzino; Contorni, Grilled Mushrooms or Whipped Potatoes. End with dessert for the table, Nutella Fudge Cake Panettone. Call (617) 741-3404 for Reservations. 

2) The Tavistock Restaurant Collection portfolio will be open on New Year’s Eve and Day serving their full menus enhanced with holiday-inspired à la carte specials: 

Back Bay steakhouse Abe & Louie’s will be dishing out a quintet of specials to close out 2024 and welcome 2025 on a high note. To start, there are East Coast oysters with crème fraiche and Ossetra caviar ($79) as well as duck confit and foie gras mousse with brioche, friseé, tangerine, pistachio and port wine ($32). For entrees, there is braised osso buco with red wine, goat cheese polenta and gremolata ($55) in addition to lobster thermidor with roasted mushrooms, gruyère and cognac ($95). The dessert feature is profiteroles with chocolate ganache and vanilla bean ice cream ($15). Reservations are available from 11am-12am on December 31 and 11am-9pm on January 1. Call (617) 536-6300 for Reservations. 

Atlantic Fish Co. will feature their full menu of seafood classics in addition to some special features on both New Year’s Eve and Day. To start, there are deviled eggs with Venezia Ossetra caviar and lemon crème fraiche ($35) as well as scallop crudo with cucumber, radish, yuzu and wasabi tobiko ($22). The main course is a land-and-sea feature with an 8oz filet mignon, lobster, asparagus and wild mushrooms ($79). For something sweet, opt for a chocolate trifle with brownie crumble, whipped cream and bourbon chocolate sauce ($15). Reservations are available from 11am-12am on December 31 and 11am-9pm on January 1. Call (617) 267-4000 for Reservations.

In Wayland, Coach Grill will open their doors early to bid adieu to 2024 and celebrate the arrival of 2025. Starters include lobster bisque with crème fraiche ($17) in addition to an apple and fennel salad with spiced walnuts, parmesan and lemon vinaigrette ($16). There is a duo of specialty entrees: a 16oz bone-in filet with green peppercorn sauce served with a twice-baked potato ($110) and the herb-crusted cod with fingerling potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic butter ($42). Leave room for dessert, an espresso crème brûlée with fresh berries and biscotti ($15). Reservations are available from 3-10pm on December 31 and 3-9pm on January 1. Call (508) 358-5900 for Reservations.

3) Prezza, in the North End, is preparing for the holiday season with new specials for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Prezza will be serving lunch on December 6th, 13th, and 20th, starting at 12pm, and reservations are available to book online now. The Friday lunch specials include the following:

Chicken Cutlet Milanese, arugula, tomato, cucumber, olive oil, lemon, Pecorino $28
Grilled Shrimp, fingerling potato, broccoli rabe $28
Gemelli, meatballs, plum tomato sauce $24
Wagyu Burger, truffle cheese, bacon, pickled onion, aioli, brioche bun, parmesan fries $25

Prezza will also be serving the ‘Feast of Seven Fishes’ every Friday, from 12pm-10pm, throughout the month of December, available a la carte. The seven dishes include:

Fluke Crudo, Blood Orange, Fennel, Citrus Vinaigrette, Calabrian Chiles $22
Fried Smelts, Lemon Caper Aioli $20
Fried Clams, Cherry Pepper Aioli $26
Salted Cod Cake Pepperonata, Frisee Salad, Citrus Vinaigrette $22
White Anchovy Crostini, Garlic, Wine, Cherry Tomatoes, Olive Tapenade $20
Octopus ‘Carpaccio’, Citrus Vinaigrette, Baby Arugula, Calabrian Chiles, Salsa Verde $24
Spaghetti, Bay Scallops, Garlic, White Wine, Parsley, Lemon $38

4) XOXO Sushi Bar will ring in its first New Year, on Tuesday, December 31, from 5pm-1am, in Chestnut Hill by dazzling diners with lavish multi-course jukusei omakase New Year’s Eve tasting menus. Utilizing XOXO’s advanced in-house dry-ager and jukusei technique – “aging” in Japanese, where fish used in sushi is salted or soaked in vinegar then matured for several days – Chef Kegan Stritchko has designed a pair of menus that feature local and rare sea treasures designed with luxe and intriguing flavor profiles.

In the abbreviated jukusei omakase offering, there are 11 courses ($150 per guest): an Island Creek oyster with leche de tigre and dill; hirame usuzukuri with yuzu dashi, candied quinoa and lemon zest; madai and shima aji nigiri; chef’s choice of five pieces of sashimi; hiramasa and Ora King salmon nigiri; chawanmushi with savory egg custard, snow grab and ikura; bluefin tuna and akamutsu nigiri; a negitoro handroll with bluefin tuna belly, scallion and miso; grilled langoustine with miso butter, kimchi and chili oil; A5 wagyu beef tartare with black garlic, caviar and taro root; and a dessert of Thai chili chocolate ice cream with chocolate ganache and cranberry gel. Guests can opt for an expanded menu with five additional courses, bringing the grand experience to 16 courses ($250 per person): a personal 1oz jar of caviar paired with purple potato chips; Hokkaido uni nigiri; king crab nigiri; dry aged otoro; and A5 wagyu ribeye carpaccio with caviar, lemon miso butter and negidare.

For an additional infusion of New Year’s Eve glitz, there is a champagne and caviar tasting ($125 per guest) complete with 1oz of Polish caviar with a personal-sized bottle of A. Margaine champagne.

Reservations are required via Resy. The New Year’s Eve feature menus can be found on XOXO Sushi Bar’s website. 

Rant: During The Holidays, Drink Bubbly With Food!

"You don't need to be a sommelier as sparkling wine pairs with everything."
--Marcello Lunelli

During the holiday season, many people will purchase Champagne or other types of Sparkling Wine, from Prosecco to Cava, Franciacorta to Crémant. However, when do you drink that bubbly? For most people, it's merely an apertif or for a celebratory toast. Yes, it's excellent on these occasions but it can be so much more. 

Many people don't realize that Sparkling Wine also pairs very well with a wide variety of foods, and can be consumed throughout the course of a meal, from appetizer to dessert. When's the last time you enjoyed Sparkling Wine during your dinner? I suspect many people do not commonly enjoy it with their food. At best, it's most common to have Mimosas, bubbly and orange juice, for breakfast or brunch, but the bubbly isn't enjoyed on its own. 

Even restaurant sommeliers rarely recommend drinking Sparkling Wine with your dinner. And that is a mistake. Sure, there are plenty of wines that pair well with food, but why omit Sparkling Wine from the discussion? When's the last time a sommelier suggested that you drink Sparkling Wine throughout the course of your dinner? I can't recall the last dinner I attended where a sommelier recommended a Sparkling Wine with my appetizers or entree.

Wine lovers need to get over their misconception that Sparkling Wine is mainly an aperitif or celebratory wine. They need to take the chance and drink it with whatever they choose to eat, from seafood to steak, pasta to Chinese food. It may be one of the most versatile wines when it comes to food pairings, and it can be so delicious. 

When I visited the Champagne region, I experience Champagne paired with nearly all of my food courses, for both lunch and dinner. I found Champagne to pair well with so many different dishes and you really can't go wrong selecting it for your meal. No matter what the cuisine, Champagne would be a fine accompaniment and it doesn't have to be paired only with high-end cuisine. Why not enjoy Champagne with pizza? Or tacos? Or just a bag of salty potato chips?

Champagne and other Sparkling Wines are produced in a variety of styles, in different sweetness levels, and its diversity assists in making it friendly with a variety of cuisines. Rosé bubbly is one of my favorite styles, and I've found it great with many different foods. I urge you to experiment with food pairings. Grab a bottle of Sparkling Wine and drink it with whatever you're eating. You'll be surprised at how good it tastes with your food. And if you have guests, they'll think you're a wine genius for pairing bubbly with all the dishes.